Benthic habitat quality change as measured by macroinfauna community in a tidal flat on the west coast of Korea |
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| Authors: | Keun-Hyung Choi Sung-Mi Lee Sang-Min Lim Mark Walton Gyung-Soo Park |
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| Institution: | 1.Korea Institute of Coastal Ecology, Inc.,Ssangyong Technopark III,Gyeonggi-do,Rep. of Korea;2.Department of Marine Biotechnology,Anyang University,Incheon,Rep. of Korea;3.UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea Project PMO,Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute,Gyeonggi-do,Rep. of Korea |
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| Abstract: | Yellow Sea tidal flats are internationally recognised for their contribution to biological diversity and yet are under enormous
pressure from reclamation, pollution and overexploitation. The benthic macroinfauna community is the dominant community on
these tidal flats and a reliable indicator of benthic environmental changes. We surveyed the current benthic macroinfauna
community of the Ganghwa Southern Tidal Flat, the largest remaining Korean mud flat in the Yellow Sea, in order to examine
changes in the environmental situation of this benthic ecosystem. The results show a significant decline in species diversity
from the last survey made in 2003, and a shift in species composition with appearances of polychaetes indicative of pollution
and physical disturbances and other opportunistic species becoming dominant in both density and biomass. The benthic community
shift observed during the two study periods may be associated with increased nutrient pollution as well as increased physical
disturbances in this area. However, we recognise the limitations of the data both in frequency and scope but believe the significant
changes to the composition of the benthic fauna are sufficient to warrant concern. Observations are required to examine the
extent to which these human activities induce benthic community shift in this tidal flat. |
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