Hwapocheon stream is located in Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, and a part was declared a protected wetland area in 2017. In 2020 and 2021, we investigated the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates of the Hwapocheon stream to provide ecological information for the management of the wetland. As a result, 4 phyla, 6 classes, 20 orders, 51 families, 83 species, and 2,621 individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified. The average indices of diversity, richness, and evenness were the highest in the midstream area, whereas the highest average index of dominance was observed upstream. Seven biological water quality evaluations based on the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates showed that the Biological Monitoring Working Party was an extremely suitable method for environmental evaluation of the Hwapocheon stream. Regarding functional feeding groups, the number of species of predators and gathering-collectors was the highest, and considering habitual dwelling groups, the number of species of clingers and sprawlers was the highest. The species number of Odonata, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera increased toward the downstream area, whereas the community loss index was the highest upstream. We also investigated relative resistance and resilience based on the distribution of aquatic insects and found that community stability was the highest downstream, whereas the lowest upstream.

The Shinbulsan wetland, located in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, was designated as a conservation area in 2004. The area was monitored from 2015 to 2019 to investigate the community characteristics and changes of benthic macroinvertebrates. Between 2015 and 2016, several insects of the orders Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Hemiptera were identified, but their numbers decreased significantly in 2017 and 2018 following the loss and recovery of the moor owing to drought. During this period, there were relatively more insects of the order Diptera. Within this order, three functional feeding groups, gathering-collectors, plant-piercers, and predators were investigated. Predator species were the most abundant (83.3%), whereas gathering-collectors accounted for the largest proportion of individual insects (50.5%). Between 2015 and 2016, when the moors were stable, groups I and III had the highest community stability. After 2017, when the moors had dried up, group III effectively disappeared because of its lower relative resistance and resilience, and only taxa belonging to group I remained. The results of this study indicate that benthic macroinvertebrates that adapt early during moor formation inhabit the Shinbulsan wetland.

The changes on community structures of benthic macroinvertebrates, relevance to the environment and interrelationship between benthos were studied over two years in stream with large environmental disturbance, which caused by localized heavy rain during Typhoon Chaba in October 2016. As a result, the number of species and individuals were increased after localized heavy rain, especially numbers of individuals of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera were greatly increased. On the contrary, those of Semisulcospira libertina and Semisulcospira forticosta of Mesogastropoda were greatly decreased. Dominant species was Baetis fuscatus of Ephemeroptera, numbers of species and individuals of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera(EPT group) were dramatically increased from 26 species, 110 individuals to 32 species, 365 individuals respectively. This suggests that the change of river bed and flow velocity due to heavy rain provided a suitable environment for the EPT group that preferred the rift of a stream. In the functional feeding group, only gathering collectors and filtering collectors were identified in autumn of 2017 because some functional groups preferentially adapted to the changed environment. The interspecific competition and environmental condition were the worst in autumn after heavy rain due to the increase individuals of some species. The ecological score of benthic macroinvertebrate community(ESB) was higher after the heavy rain than before. Results of the Group Pollution Index(GPI), Korean Saprobic Index(KSI) and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Index(BMI) were similar to those before and after heavy rainfall. Therefore, ESB was the most discriminating method for estimating the biological water quality in this study. Some species that are sensitive to water quality changes still appear or increase individuals in the area under investigation after the heavy rain. On the other hand, the individuals of some pollutant species decreased. This is thought to be because the habitat fluctuation caused by heavy rainfall has improved the water environment.

In the present study, the community distribution, functional feeding groups, and habitat groups of the benthic macroinvertebrates from Gayasan National Park were investigated at eight different sites from 2015 to 2016. The correlation between habitat altitude and each group type was analyzed statistically. Biodiversity indices, including dominance, diversity, richness, and evenness indices, were calculated. The results showed a total of 4,216 individual benthic macroinvertebrates were collected, including 4 phyla, 6 classes, 16 orders, 40 families, and 100 species. Gammarus sobaegensis was dominant with 0.141% dominance, and the subdominant species was Epeorus nipponicus with 0.088% dominance. The EPT group(Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Tricoptera) accounted for 71.00% of the total species and 67.69% of the total individuals. The number of scraper species was highest, and the number of gathering collector individuals was highest among functional feeding groups. The individual number of scrapers(r=-0.358, p ˂ 0.05) and gathering collectors(r=-0.343, p ˂ 0.05) decreased with increasing altitude. The numbers of species and individuals of clingers and sprawlers were highest among the habitat groups. The individual number of clingers(r=-0.547, p ˂ 0.01) and burrowers(r=-0.331, p ˂ 0.05) significantly decreased with increasing altitude. The diversity and richness indices were higher in St. 3 than in the other sites. The dominance index was highest in St. 2, and the evenness index was highest in St. 7. We evaluated the biological water quality with several known methods, and concluded that ESB(Ecological score of benthic macrovertebrates community) and GPI(Group polution index) were more suitable than KSI(Korean saprobic index) and BMI (Benthic macrovertebrate index) to assess the biological water quality of Gayasan mountain stream water.

This study identified the effect of changes in the riverbed on the benthic macroinvertebrate communities. The benthic macroinvertebrates collected from the surveyed sites belonged to 119 species, 65 families, 20 orders, and 7 classes in 4 phyla. The number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (E.P.T) species was 42, 10, and 8, respectively, in the tributary, confluence, and Nakdong River sites. Lotic species (Hydropsychidae) showed a high density at the tributary sites, whereas lentic species (Chironomidae) showed a high density at the confluence and Nakdong River sites. Community analysis showed that the Dominance Index (DI) was 0.54 in tributary sites, and dominance indices increased closer to the Nakdong River sites. The diversity index (H’) was inversely proportional to DI. The ratio of Burrowers species (BU) at the surveyed sites increased closer to the Nakdong River sites. Analysis of common species showed 37 species (34.6%) between the tributary and confluence sites and 66 species (51.5%) between the confluence and Nakdong River sites.

The distribution characteristics of functional feeding groups and biological evaluation of water quality with benthic macroinvertebrates were investigated from 2013 to 2014 in the mountain streams of Jirisan National Park. Both quantitative and qualitative collection had been performed six times during study periods in twelve sites located at upstream, midstream and downstream of four valleys, Chilsungol, Baemsagol, Daesunggol and Piagol of freshwater ecosystem in Jirisan National Park. As results, the total collected benthic macroinvertebrates were 3 phyla, 4 classes, 11 orders, 37 families, 107 species and 4,028 individuals. In 2013, 3 phyla, 4 classes, 10 orders, 32 families, 89 species and 1,829 individuals were collected. And in 2014, 3 phyla, 4 classes, 9 orders, 31 families, 80 species and 2,199 individuals were identified. The total dominant species was Ecdyonurus kibumensis, and EPT groups occupied 80.39% of total species number. Biotic indices were also compared to site and to season. The dominant index (DI) was highest at the downstream of Baemsagol in the spring of 2013, and the evenness index (J') was highest at the downstream of Daesunggol in the summer of 2013. Both diversity index (H') and richness index (RI) were highest at the upstream of Baemsagol in the summer of 2014. The correlation between altitude above sea level and functional feeding groups of benthic macroinvertebrates was also researched in this study. As a result, the species number of shredders and predators have significantly increased according to the increase of the altitude of their habitat. On the other hand, individuals of gathering collectors have increased according to the increase of altitude. The biological water quality was evaluated and compared with several methods in this study, and we suggest that ESB and GPI are more appropriate than KSI and BMI to evaluate biological water quality of mountain stream water.

We have studied characteristics of community structure on the benthic macro-invertebrates at twelve selected sites in upstream, midstream and downstream of Paemsagol, Piagol, Chilseongol and Daeseonggol, major streams of Jirisan Mountain, for three years from April 2008 to September 2010. As a result, 2 phyla, 3 classes, 11 orders, 41 families, 119 species and 4,449 individuals of benthic macro-invertebrates have been collected and classified in this study. Among them EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera), commonly appearing taxa in clean stream ecosystem, was found most frequently. The highest species number of benthic macro-invertebrates were collected in 2008, the year with lower climatic influence including heavy rain. In almost all of survey sites 80% or over of EPT group were counted, and St. 1 scored highest rate of EPT group at 92.59%. Most dominant species was Ecdyonurus kibumensis at 12.83% of dominance index, and subdominant species was Goerodes KUb at 6.81% of dominance index. The investigation of the feeding function group indicated that gathering-collectors were dominant with 26 species and 1,334 individuals, while the number of filtering-collectors was lowest with 11 species and 230 individuals. This result represents that the feeding function group of Jirisan Mountain is mountainous stream-specific one. Both diversity index and richness index were lowest at the midstream of Chilseongol (St. 5), while the midstreams of Daeseonggol (St. 11) and Piagol (St. 8) were highest in diversity and richness indices respectively. The analyses of linear regression and correlation were performed in order to investigate and to predict the appearance aspect of EPT group by altitude. The results showed that the ratio of Plecopteran species number has increased by the elevation of the altitude at 0.05 significance level. Cluster analysis was also carried out for evaluating environmental similarities among survey sites. As a result, upper regions of Paemsagol (St. 1) and Piagol have clustered as most similar sites each other, while the midstream of Piagol (St. 8) has separated with lower similarity value than other sites in species composition.

Hydraulic habitat analysis of Benthic Macroinvertebrates was performed at Gapyeong stream. Among the kinds of the Benthic Macroinvertebrates, the most representative ones are the Ecdyonurus kibunensis from the clingers, Paraleptophlebia cocorata from the swimmers, Chironomidae spp from the burrowers, Psilotreta kisoensis iwata from the sprawlers. They showed different habitat types by the hydraulic conditions such as flow velocity, depth and particle size of riverbed materials. Habitat conditions of swimmers were determined mainly by the flow velocity rather than flow depth or riverbed materials. Burrowers prefer sand and silt, and inhabited at the riverbed. Sprawlers prefer cobble or boulder and inhabited for velocity of 0.05～0.15 m/s. Clingers prefer pebble or cobble and inhabited for velocity of 0.06～0.15 m/s. Although the habitats of each groups are different by the hydraulic properties, they were found to be different mainly by the water velocity.

This study was conducted to compare benthic macroinvertebrate communities of urban stream and nature stream in Daegu-si, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsan-si, Andong-si, and Cheongsong-gun. The survey was carried out with 12 points in total six points for urban stream, six points for nature stream from Sept. 2011 to July 2012. In the urban stream were 33 species belonged to 24 families, 11 orders, 7 classes and 4 phyla while in the nature stream were 73 species belonged to 38 families, 12 orders, 5 classes and 4 phyla. In general, species diversity indices and species richness indices appeared low in urban stream but dominance indices was high. Functional feeding groups and Habitat Oriented Groups appeared comparatively simple in urban stream rather than nature stream. As a result of analysis of community stability, species included to areaⅠand area Ⅲ equally appeared in nature stream while species included to area Ⅰ mostly appeared in urban stream. An analysis of the correlation between the population density and the number of species, the population number and biological indicators such as DI, H', RI, and ESB revealed that there was a significant correlativity with the diversity index and a very high correlativity with the number of species, abundance index and the ESB. On the other hand, the population number and the dominance index did not reveal any correlativity. For indicator species, Hydroptila KUa, Physa acuta appeared in urban stream while Paraleptophlebia chocolata, Epeorus pellucidus appeared in nature stream.

This study was conducted for determining the influence of artificial structures on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in stream. Sampling was taken at upper(pool), down(riffle) and control(riffle) from two check dams, two weirs, one agricultural reservoir, and one multipurpose dam in northern part of Gyeongsangbuk-do. The benthic macroinvertebrate communities of these structures were surveyed during 2009 to 2011. The simple habitat of benthic macroinvertebrates occurred at the upper sites due to pooling effects from artificial structures. Specifically, Check dam1, Jusanji, Imha dam showed very low biological attribute values compared to the down and control sites, which have greater difference in substrate characteristics. However, in the upper sites of Check dam2, Weir1 and Weir2, the difference of values of biological attributes was relatively smaller. Also, proportion of functional feeding groups and functional habit groups were relatively simpler at upper stream and the degree of community differences was greater between upper and down, control sites. Spearman’s correlation between biological attributes and substrate characteristics, water quality parameters had significant correlations; particularly, the substrate characteristics were more significantly related. In conclusion, the pool caused by artificial structures had negative effects on benthic macroinvertebrate communities thus leading to simplified stream habitats at upper stream ecosystems.

The midge samples were undertaken at three streams, representing different surrounding environments, to investigate the contaminant exposure of midge. The content of heavy metals in midge collected in Singil stream were generally higher as a result of input to the industrial effluents with respect to other streams. Adsorption experiments were done to evaluate the possibility of removing contaminants from water with midge. Diazinon and heavy metals were contaminant target compounds in this study. The removal rate of diazinon in water by midge was 60-75%. In the case of Cu, the removal rate was reached around 90% at the lower initial concentration of 1.87 and 0.81 ppm rather than 4.25 ppm. The reduction of concentration of Cr and Cd according to the lapse of time was similar to the Cu, but their removal rates were shown 50% and 60-74%, respectively. The removal rate of Zn by midge represented relatively high level within the experimental condition. No change in concentration of Cr and As with time were occurred at all experimental conditions. It accounts for the fact that the reduction of Cr and As could not be achieved through the adsorption process, using midge.

The studies on community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates and environmental survey in selected four sites were performed on wetland Upo from 2008 to 2009. The lowest water temperature was measured at Upo and Mokpo showing 7℃ in February of 2008 and 2009 respectively. The highest water temperature was measured at Upo showing 32℃ in August of 2009. The lowest pH was measured at Topyeong with 5.3 in August of 2009, and the highest pH was measured at Mokpo with 10.1 in August of 2008. Generally the levels pH of 2008 were higher than those of 2009. The range of electric conductivity to the sites was big. Overall, the higher electric conductivity was seen at Sajipo and the lower one was seen at Mokpo. The level of Dissolved oxygen was lowest at Upo with 5.53㎎/ℓ in August 2008, and it was highest at Upo with 14.76㎎/ℓ in February of 2008. The investigation was performed with both quantitative and qualitative collecting methods from four surveying sites, Upo, Mokpo, Sajipo and Topyeong. Through the eight times of seasonal survey, 6 classes, 17 orders, 59 families, 131 species and 5460 individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected. 6 classes, 17 orders, 53 families 106 species and 2439 individuals were identified in 2008, and 6 classes, 16 orders, 44 families, 93 species and 3021 individuals were collected in 2009. The number of species was decreased in 2009 comparing that of 2008, however, the number of individuals were increased in 2009. The dominant species and the subdominant species was Plea (Paraplea) indistinguenda and Diplonychus esakii with 20.16% and 11.90% of dominant indices respectively. From the community analysis, both the species diversity index and the species richness index were highest in Topyeong showing 4.743 and 9.054 respectively. The similarity evaluation to the investigation sites with the species in there showed very high similarity among Upo, Mokpo and Sajipo showing 5 or lower levels of distance cluster combine.

The distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Daecheon stream, an urban stream of Busan, was investigated to analyze the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. The collection was peformed monthly at five(A~E) sites divided into three parts, upper, middle and lower, of stream from January to November, 2004. In physicochemical analysis of environmental factors, water quality parameters such as BOD, COD, conductivity and ABS were relatively increased in sites B and C. Whereas sites A, D and E showed little variations with good water quality parameters. However, water quality parameters in all surveyed sites showed gradual decrease with time toward improvement of water quality. A total of 8,226 individuals including 4 phyla, 6 classes, 9 orders, 302 families and 44 species were identified from five sites. The most dominant group was insect(class Insecta), and order Ephemeroptera and Diptera among insect was the largest member in species(30.6%) and individuals(75.0%) of benthic macroinvertebrates, respectively. The primary dominant species were Gammarus sp. and Ephemera strigata in site A, whereas Chironomus sp. and Brenchiura sowerbyi were dominated commonly in the other sites. In community analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates of Daecheon stream diversity index showed relatively low values, whereas dominance index was significantly high. Diversity index was the highest in site A, whereas the dominance index was the highest in site B. However, diversity index showed gradual increase with time showing adverse mode in dominance index. From these results, it can be suggested that long-term ecological monitoring of benthic macroinvertebrate fauna is needed for sustainable management of Daecheon stream.

The study on community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates from wetland Woopo was conducted for the long-term ecological monitoring. The wetland Woopo is located in Changnyeong-Gun, Gyeongsangnam - Do of Korea. In 2006, we investigated the seasonal variation of benthic macroinvertebrates with quantitative and qualitative collecting methods. The collection was performed monthly at four surveying region, Woopo, Sajipo, Mokpo and Topyong stream. In this study, 6 classes, 16 orders, 48 families, 95 species were identified on group of benthic macroinvertebrates. The species diversity index and the species richness index were the highest in Topyung region and it was 3.222 and 10.216 respectively. The two species, Cercion calamorum and Cloeon dipterum were quantitatively collected for 9 months. The changes of body lengths of 50 individuals were recorded and the advanced growth on the two species was expected from present study.

The distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates of Shinbulsan wetland was investigated. This study was focused on the degree of recovery of habitat by comparing the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates of zone D to that of zone A, intact habitat. The zone D was destructed due to the construction of a golf club and the survey was performed in zone A and zone D of Shinbulsan wetland. The seasonal survey was performed in April, July and September from 2006 to 2007. From the sampling, 2 phyla, 3 classes, 9 orders, 31 families, 69 species and 1155 individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected. From zone A, 2 phyla, 3 classes, 9 orders, 23 families, 54 species and 678 individuals were identified. From zone D, 2 phyla, 3 classes, 9 orders, 23 families, 43 species and 477 individuals were identified. Species diversity and species richness were higher in zone A than in zone D. The recovery of zone D was inefficient as humidity of soil was not enough to live macroinvertebrates. Also, an endangered species of macroinvertebrates, Nannophya pygmaea was found during this investigation.

Community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates was investigated from Gigye stream, Pohang, Korea from May to November, 2007. As results, total of 108 species of macroinvertebrates under 49 families, 15 orders, 5 classes in 3 phyla were identified. The number of species was the most abundantly revealed in aquatic insects (class Insecta) with 86 species (82.6%) under 7 orders. The phylum Mollusca (10 species, 9.2%) and the phylum Annelida (6 species, 5.6%) were followed in order. In the class Crustacea, 6 species (5.6%) were distributed. In aquatic insects, the order Odonata was the most abundant taxon (20 species, 23.3%). Seventeen species (19.8%) of the order Ephemeoptera and 16 species (18.6%) of the Coleoptera were followed. The primary dominant species in the stream was Cloeon dipterum of Ephemeroptera. For community analysis, the values of diversity index (H'), evenness index (J'), dominance index (DI) and richness index (RI) were studied and the average values of them were 5.65, 0.84, 0.13, and 13.18, respectively.