This study analyzed the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in both the natural habitat and artificial habitat of Sohan Stream, the only known habitat of Prasiola japonica in Korea, and investigated their relationship with the changes of P. japonica. During the survey period, Sohan Stream exhibited an average flow velocity of 1.34 m s-1, a slightly alkaline water quality with a pH of 8.00, and a substrate dominated by cobble, providing a suitable environment for the growth of P. japonica. A total of 29 species were identified in the natural habitat, and 31 species were observed in the artificial habitat, with Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera as the dominant taxa in both habitats. Notably, as the habitat area of P. japonica decreased, the abundance of Ephemeroptera also declined, whereas the abundance of Trichoptera showed an opposite trend by increasing. This suggests that Trichoptera larvae may have a competitive advantage over P. japonica for space, potentially impacting the growth of P. japonica. The findings provide important ecological baseline data for the conservation of natural habitats and the development of strategies for the artificial propagation of P. japonica.

This study presents a modified version of the Lake Benthic Macroinvertebrate Multimetric Index (LBMMI) originally proposed by Park et al. (2024) in Korea. Among the six core metric elements of LBMMI, two elements-total number of taxa and the proportion of predator taxa-were excluded, as they were considered to be strongly influenced by vascular hydrohytes following eutrophication. The revised LBMMI was constructed using the remaining four metrics: Pielou’s evenness index, proportion of insect taxa, individual proportion of oligochaetes and chironomids with blood tubules, and proportion of clinger taxa. Compared to the original LBMMI, the modified index showed approximately a 6% improvement in explanatory power for the first principal component (PC 1) in principal component analysis of environmental factors, and it also exhibited a broader range of discrimination. These results suggest that the modified LBMMI can be more effectively utilized for environmental assessment of lake ecosystems.

Biological assessments of streams have been developed in many countries to evaluate ecological integrity. A multimetric index is one of the primary methods used for this purpose, incorporating chemical, physical, and biological variables of the environment. In Korea, the Benthic Macroinvertebrates Index (BMI) is currently applied in national biological monitoring programs; however, BMI reflects only organic pollution and does not account for other environmental variables in streams. This study aimed to develop a new multimetric index, the Benthic Macroinvertebrate-based Multimetric Index (BMMI), for assessing the ecological integrity of Korean streams. We analyzed data from 3,307 sites, including water quality information. Reference and disturbed streams were identified based on PC 1 scores with 7 environmental factors (Axis 1 of the PCA), genus levelbased taxa richness, and BMGI values used for trimming. From an initial set of 82 candidate metrics, six (genus level-based taxa richness, Shannon’s diversity index, percent of taxa in E.P.T., percent of individuals in collectorsgatherers, percent of individuals in clingers, BMGI based on saprobity) were selected through statistical analyses, including coefficient of variation and discriminant analysis. BMMI successfully distinguished between reference and disturbed streams and showed significant correlations with various environmental factors. These results indicate that BMMI is suitable for evaluating the ecological integrity of streams in Korea. Therefore, it is recommended that stream ecosystem assessments transition from BMI to BMMI in the future to provide a more comprehensive evaluation of stream integrity.

To conduct a comprehensive assessment of aquatic ecosystems, it is necessary to understand the characteristics of lentic ecosystems such as lakes, in addition to rivers. This requires analyzing the characteristics of biological communities in lakes and developing appropriate assessment indices. In this study, we analyzed the distributional characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities collected from 90 lakes between 2022 and 2024, according to four categories of lake types (inflow stream type, lake size, salinity characteristics, and trophic states). The environmental variables used to classify lake types (catchment area, altitude, area of water, electrical conductivity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a) all followed a log-normal distribution with positive skewness. Most of the lake types were characterized by inflow from lowland small streams, small or middle size, and freshwater lakes. However, in terms of trophic states, many lakes were assessed as mesotrophic or eutrophic. Analysis of seven community structure characteristics (taxa richness, taxa abundance, dominance, diversity, richness, evenness, and Lake Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assessment Index, LBAI) and two functional groups (feeding and habitat) showed clear changes primarily associated with trophic states, while other lake types showed irregular increase or decrease or similar levels. In the CCA, which analyzed dominant taxa by abundance and six environmental variables, the distribution patterns of lakes were more clearly distinguished by salinity characteristics related to electrical conductivity, unlike the community indices. The results of this study are expected to serve as basic data for future monitoring and assessment of lake aquatic ecosystems using benthic macroinvertebrates.

최근 하천 환경 개선을 위한 노력과 연속성확보의 일환으로 인공구조물에 대한 철거 정책이 시행되고 있으나, 인공구조물 철거가 하천 환경에 미치는 장기적인 영향에 대해서는 명확하게 알려지지 않았다. 이에 본 연구는 하천 내 인공구조물 철거의 장기적인 영향을 분석하고, 지속 가능한 하천 관리 방안을 모색하기 위해 수행되었다. 설악산에 위치한 가는고래골의 인공구조물을 대상으로 2021년 8월부터 2023년 10월까지 8회에 걸쳐 조사한 결과, 조사기간동안 총 3문 3강 8목 11과 85종이 출현하였다. 총 출현종수는 보의 철거 전(총 44종)과 비교하여 철거직후(43종) 다소 감소하였으나, 이후 점진적으로 증가(2022년 56종, 2023년 64종)하였으며, 특히 절지동물 문에 해당하는 분류군의 증가가 확인되었다. 인공구조물과의 거리에 따른 출현종수는 구조물과 가까울수록 종수가 현저히 감소하였으며, 이격될수록 종수가 증가하였다. 장기적인 조사결과 인공구조물과 이격되어 있는 정점부터 점진적인 종수의 안정화가 확인되었으며, 인공구조물 철거지점과 가까운 지점에서는 지속적인 하상 변화가 관찰되고 회복이 느렸다. 이에 인공구조물 철거 후, 빠른 회복을 위해서는 초기 주변환경을 고려한 서식환 경의 조성 및 관리에 관한 추가적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 보인다.

왕피천 수계 내 저서성 대형무척추동물의 군집구조 분석을 위해 총 5개 지점에서 2023년 총 4회(4월, 6월, 8월 11월) 조사를 실시하였다. 조사기간 중 저서성 대형무척추동물은 총 5문 7강 17목 77과 156종 17,179.1개체/㎡가 채집되었다. 수환경 변화에 민감한 E.P.T. 분류군은 전체 156종 중 91종이 출현하여, 전체 출현종의 58.3%를 차지 하였다. 섭식기능군(FFGs) 분석결과, 종 출현 양상은 육식성 포식자(Predator: P)가 51종(32.69%)으로, 개체 출현 양상은 주워먹는 무리(Gathering-collector: GC)가 6,867.2개체/㎡(39.97%)로 높은 비율로 출현하였다. 서식기능 군(FHGs) 분석결과, 붙는 무리(Clinger: CL)가 70종(44.87%), 12,720.6개체/㎡(74.04%)로 가장 높은 비율로 출현 하였다. 군집지수 분석결과, 우점도지수(DI) 0.43, 다양도지수(H′) 3.51, 풍부도지수(R1) 4.59 균등도지수(J′) 0.77 로 나타났다. 생물학적 수질 판정 지수(BMI) 분석결과, 평균 92.36(±0.83)으로 모든 지점에서 “매우 좋음”으로 판정되었다.

In the Gucheon stream of Deogyusan National Park, a survey was conducted at three sites (six sites in total) in 2018 and 2021. A total of benthic macroinvertebrates of 107 taxa 46 families 13 orders in 6 classes of 5 phyla were found. According to the analysis of the appearance by year, a total of 87 species were surveyed in 2018, and a total of 89 species were surveyed in 2021. As a results to the functional feeding group analysis, Gathering-Collector (GC) accounted for a high species share (2018: 29.89%, 2021: 25.84%). In the functional habitat group analysis, Clinger (CL) accounted for a high species share (2018: 56.32%, 2021: 57.30%). Average annual community indices analysis, DI 0.38(±0.05), H′ 3.48(±0.19), R′ 3.23(±0.41), and J′ 0.85(±0.04) in 2018, and DI 0.55(±0.09), H′ 2.98(±0.31), R′ 2.91(±0.65), and J′ 0.70(±0.05) in 2021. As a results of the benthic macroinvertebrates index (BMI) analysis, indicating that all sites were classified as "very good," with average BMI values of 95.24(±2.84) in 2018 and 96.99(±1.13) in 2021.

This investigation was conducted three times (April, August, and October) from 2023 at five surveyed sites in Gonyangcheon estuarine wetland. A total of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 59 taxa 44 families 21 orders in 8 classes of 4 phyla were collected. The numbers of benthic macroinvertebrates species in each surveyed site were from 10 (St.1) to 41 (St.2). As a community indices analysis, the average DI is 0.78 (±0.12), H' is 1.6 (±0.68), R′ is 0.96 (±0.39), and J´ is 0.61 (±0.24). Community indices tended to decrease as the diversity and abundance decreased downstream. Total ecological score of benthic macroinvertebrates community (TESB), an average score of 35.47 (±15.86). The Habitat of Clithon retropictum and Ellobium chinense belonging to endangered species II, were identified at st.3~st.5.

본 연구는 소양강댐 하류에서 서식하는 생태계교란 생물 종인 브라운송어와 그 먹이원으로 이용되는 저서성 대형무척추동물에 대한 파악을 위해 2022년부터 2023년까지 총 8회에 걸쳐 소양강댐 하류(St.1~St.3)와 지류 (St.4)에 대해 브라운송어와 공서종, 브라운송어의 위 내용물, 저서성 대형무척추동물의 종조성 및 기능군 분석을 실시하였다. 저서성 대형무척추동물의 경우, 하루살이목에서 가장 많은 분류군이 확인되었으며(27.1%), 그 중 붙는 무리(CL)와 헤엄치는 무리(SW)가 높은 비율을 차지하는 것으로 확인되었다. 브라운송어 채집 결과, 전장은 26∼246mm까지 총 105개체가 채집되었으며, 전장-체중 관계의 매개변수 b값이 3을 초과하여 안정적인 성장이 이루어지는 것으로 확인되었다. 브라운송어의 위 내용물에 대한 먹이원 분석 결과, 빙어(0.2%, TL: 246mm)와 육상곤충(2.7%, TL: 154mm, 183∼185mm)을 섭식한 개체는 매우 적었으며 상대적으로 전장이 큰 개체에서 확인 되었다. 대부분 수서곤충(73.8%)과 물 속에서 서식하는 비곤충류(23.3%)를 섭식하는 것으로 나타났다. 브라운 송어의 전장에 따른 먹이 섭식 패턴을 파악하기 위해 위 내용물에서 확인된 종들과의 상관분석을 실시한 결과, 브라운송어의 먹이원 중 유수성 환경 선호 종들의 경우 전장과 양의 상관관계(p<0.05)를 나타낸 반면, 모래 기질 이하의 흐름이 적은 서식처를 선호하는 종들의 경우 전장과 음의 상관관계(p<0.05)를 나타냈다.

한강 3개 보 구간 수변부 11개 지점을 대상으로 2023년 총 2회 채집된 저서성 대형무척추동물은 총 100종 평균 426.0 개체/m2였다. 여주보에서 64종으로 가장 많이 출현하였고, 강천보에서 59종, 이포보에서 54종, 한강보상류 에서 41종, 한강보하류에서 32종이 확인되었다. 전체 평균 개체밀도는 강천보에서 944.1 개체/m2로 가장 많았고, 한강보상류에서 282.7 개체/m2, 여주보에서 251.9 개체/m2, 이포보에서 180.6 개체/m2, 한강보하류에서 172.9 개체 /m2 순으로 확인되었다. 한강 보 구간에서는 플라나리아류, 실지렁이, 깔따구류 등이 우점함. 보구간의 특성상 상대적으로 단순한 하상 및 깊은 수심에 적응성이 높은 실지렁이, 깔따구류의 우점은 일반적인 특성으로 볼 수 있으며 일시적으로 수변부에서 밀집된 플라나리아류의 채집이 이뤄져 우점된 결과를 보인 것으로 보임. 한강 보 구간 수변부 및 중앙부 조사지점별 군집분석을 실시한 결과 한강보 하류는 3개 보에 비해 우점도가 높고 다양도 와 풍부도가 낮았으며 전반적으로 상류부에 위치한 한강보상류 등의 지점에서 군집안정성이 확보되고 있는 것으로 보이며 이러한 점은 상대적으로 다양한 미소서식환경에 기인한 것으로 판단된다.

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

Paddy fields provide important habitats for biodiversity conservation within the agricultural ecosystem. Their importance is gradually increasing as their ecological value is better understood. Benthic macroinvertebrates dominate paddy fields. They play an essential role in maintaining the biodiversity of paddy ecosystems. This study aimed to analyze characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities and main environmental factors affecting the distribution of golden apple snails (Pomacea canaliculata). Results showed that the diversity index (H ′) of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was the highest at the Sangju site (St. 12) but the lowest at the Sancheong site (St. 18). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, and Electrical Conductivity (EC) values were the highest in Gimhae and Yeongam based on Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Numbers of P. canaliculata (m-2) were relatively low in Gunsan and Iksan where water temperatures were high. Therefore, changes in geographical characteristics and environmental factors might affect the distribution of P. canaliculata and characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Results of this study can be used as primary data for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service evaluation in agroecosystems.

It is essential that continual assessments of the impact of mine-derived water as a long-lasting burden on freshwater environments. Abundance-based evaluations of benthic macroinvertebrates have been conducted to evaluate anthropogenic disturbances and devise policies to reduce their impact. In this study, the status of a stream habitat was evaluated based on the body length and biomass weight of benthic macroinvertebrates of the family Baetidae. Following the renewal of the mining water treatment plant, the abundance of Baetidae assemblages recovered to a level comparable to that of a reference site. However, relatively low values were found for both body length and biomass weight in Baetidae species inhabiting the reddened streambed area, suggesting that the habitat has not yet been completely recovered despite the recovery of the abundance of the Baetidae assemblages. Therefore, continuous investigation and evaluation of this disturbed stream are necessary until their growth conditions of the habitat have functionally recovered

The macroinvertebrate community in the Singal reservoir, Yedang and Juam lake was investigated three times from April 2021 to October 2021. Each lake was investigated by dividing it into inflow, middleflow, and outflow. Additionally, sampling was conducted again by dividing it into the edge and center parts at each inflow, middle-flow, and outflow. Eight families of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected except for chironomids in the sampling sites. Dominant macroinvertebrates were investigated as chironomids, and Tubificidae was sub-dominant organisms. The density of macroinvertebrate community was higher in the edge area than in the center bottom of the lakes. The density of chironomids was low when the water level was high but was high when the water level was low. In the edge area of the middle-flow in Singal reservoir, the density of chironomids was 1,208 ind. m-2 in April when the water level was high, but it increased to 1,401 ind. m-2 in July when the water level was low. Similarly, the density of chironomids at the outflow of Yedang lake was high (1,990 ind. m-2) in July when the water level was low. The density of chironomids also decreased along with the increasing water level at all edge areas of Juam lake. These results indicated that it will be necessary to consider the water level when studying macroinvertebrate communities in the lake.