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2025 Vol.12, Issue 3 Preview Page

Original Article

Structure and Distribution of Current Wetland Vegetation in the Ancient Reservoirs of South Korea: Their Implications for the Ecological Conservation

한국 고대 유적 저수지에서 현존 식생의 구조와 분포: 생태계 보전을 위한 제안

Cheolho Lee1
,
Hwirae Kim2
,
Kang-Hyun Cho3*
이 철호1
,
김 휘래2
,
조 강현3*
1Post-doctoral Researcher, National Forest Satellite Information & Technology Center, Seoul 05203, Korea
2Assistant Manager, Soosung Engineering Co., Seoul 05836, Korea
3Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea
1국립산림과학원 국가산림위성정보활용센터 박사연구원
2(주)수성엔지니어링 대리
3인하대학교 생명과학과 교수
*Corresponding Author
30 September 2025. pp. 141-152
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Abstract

Ancient reservoirs in Korea, with origins dating back several millennia, hold ecological, cultural, and historical significance. However, due to anthropogenic influences and natural processes, many of these irrigation facilities have undergone substantial changes in scale and function. This study examined land use and the structure and distribution of the actual vegetation at four representative ancient reservoirs in Korea: Uirimji, Gonggeomji, Byeokgolje, and Susanje Reservoirs. The land use analysis revealed that most of the ancient reservoirs, except for the Uirimji Reservoir, have been converted into agricultural or urban areas. Preliminary findings from the land use analysis indicate that the majority of the ancient reservoirs, with the exception of Uirimji Reservoir, have undergone conversion to serve agricultural or urban purposes. Of particular concern are the wetland areas of the reservoirs in Gonggeomji, Byeokgolje, and Susanje, which are severely limited in size. A total of 23 survey plots were established to study the vegetation, which resulted in the identification of 18 plant communities. These plant communities were examples of typical Korean wetland vegetation. The results of the detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) indicated that geographical location (particularly latitude and altitude) and site environmental conditions (particularly water depth) significantly influenced vegetation distribution. These results suggest an urgent need for ecological restoration and sustainable management practices in cultural heritage water management facilities. Priority should be given to expanding the retention areas of traditional reservoirs and restoring wetland vegetation with native plant species adapted to the reservoirs' environmental conditions. This approach will enhance biodiversity and preserve the historical and ecological integrity of important cultural landscapes.

Keywords
Byeokgolje
Ecological restoration
Gonggeomji
Land use change
Susanje
Uirimji
Water depth gradient

수천년 전에 조성된 한국의 고대 저수지는 생태적, 문화적, 역사적 가치를 지니고 있다. 그러나 자연적 과정과 인간 활동의 영향으로 이들 저수지는 규모와 기능 면에서 큰 변화를 겪었다. 본 연구는 한국에서 대표적 고대 저수지인 의림지, 공검지, 벽골제, 수산제에서 토지이용, 현존 식생의 구조와 분포 그리고 환경요인을 조사하였다. 토지 이용 분석 결과, 의림지를 제외하고 대부분의 고대 저수지는 농업 또는 도시 지역으로 전환되었다. 특히 공검지, 벽골제, 수산제에서는 저수지의 습지 공간이 매우 제한되고 있었다. 총 23개의 조사구에서 조사한 식생은 18개의 식물 군집으로 식별되었다. 이들 식물군집은 한국에서 흔하게 나타나는 일반적인 습지 식생이었다. 탈경향대응분석(DCA)의 결과, 지리적 위치(특히 위도 및 고도)와 지소의 환경조건 (특히 수심)이 식생 분포에 주요한 영향을 미친 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면, 문화유산 수리시설에서 생태 복원과 지속가능한 관리가 매우 시급한 것으로 판단된다. 즉, 전통 저수지의 저류지를 확대하고 환경 조건에 적응한 토착 식물종을 활용하여 습지 식생을 복원하는 것을 우선순위로 삼아야 한다. 이러한 접근 방식은 생물다양성 증진에 기여하고, 중요한 문화 경관의 역사적 및 생태적 완전성을 보존하는데 큰 도움을 줄 것으로 기대된다.

키워드
벽골제
생태복원
공검지
토지이용 변화
수산제
의림지
수심 경사
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Ecology and Infrastructure Engineering
  • Publisher(Ko) :응용생태공학회
  • Journal Title :Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
  • Journal Title(Ko) :응용생태공학회 논문집
  • Volume : 12
  • No :3
  • Pages :141-152
  • Received Date : 2025-07-27
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-19
  • Accepted Date : 2025-08-20
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.17820/eri.2025.12.3.141
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