Land use in Korean tidal wetlands: impacts and management strategies |
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Authors: | Hong Sun-Kee Koh Chul-Hwan Harris Richard R Kim Jae-Eun Lee Jeom-Sook Ihm Byung-Sun |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Island Culture, Mokpo National University, 61 Dorim-Ri, Cheonggy-Myeon, Muan-Gun, Jeonnam, 534-729, Korea;(2) School of Earth and Environmental Sciences (Oceanography), Seoul National University, 151-742 Seoul, Korea;(3) Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, 201 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114, USA;(4) Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, 1-5-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8529, Japan;(5) Department of Biology, Kunsan National University, San 68, Miryong-Dong, Kunsan, Jeonbuk, 573-701, Korea;(6) Department of Biology, Mokpo National University, 61 Dorim-Ri, Cheonggy-Myeon, Muan-Gun, Jeonnam, 534-729, Korea |
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Abstract: | The coastal landscapes in southwestern Korea include a diverse array of tidal wetlands and salt marshes. These coastal zones
link the ecological functions of marine tidal wetlands and freshwater ecosystems with terrestrial ecosystems. They are rich
in biological diversity and play important roles in sustaining ecological health and processing environmental pollutants.
Korean tidal wetlands are particularly important as nurseries for economically important fishes and habitats for migratory
birds. Diking, draining, tourism, and conversion to agricultural and urban uses have adversely affected Korean tidal wetlands.
Recent large development projects have contributed to further losses. Environmental impact assessments conducted for projects
affecting tidal wetlands and their surrounding landscapes should be customized for application to these special settings.
Adequate environmental impact assessments will include classification of hydrogeomorphic units and consideration of their
responses to biological and environmental stressors. As is true worldwide, Korean laws and regulations are changing to be
more favorable to the conservation and protection of tidal wetlands. More public education needs to be done at the local level
to build support for tidal wetland conservation. Some key public education points include the role of tidal wetlands in maintaining
healthy fish populations and reducing impacts of nonpoint source pollution. There is also a need to develop procedures for
integrating economic and environmental objectives within the overall context of sustainable management and land uses. |
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