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2025 Vol.12, Issue 3 Preview Page

Original Article

Ecological Characteristics and Conservation Strategies of the Jugyocheon Estuarine Wetland, Hadong, South Korea

하동 주교천하구습지의 생태적 특성과 보전방안

Yeounsu Chu1*
,
Minhyeok Won2
,
Han Kim3
추 연수1*
,
원 민혁2
,
김 한3
1Junior Researcher, Ecological Indicator Research Team, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon 33657, Korea
2Researcher, Wetlands Research Team, National Institute of Ecology, Changnyeong 50303, Korea
3Junior Researcher, Wetlands Research Team, National Institute of Ecology, Changnyeong 50303, Korea
1국립생태원 생태지표연구팀 전임연구원
2국립생태원 습지연구팀 연구원
3국립생태원 습지연구팀 전임연구원
*Corresponding Author
30 September 2025. pp. 171-185
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Abstract

Estuarine wetlands are transitional zones where marine, riverine, and terrestrial ecosystems converge, forming dynamic ecosystems influenced by complex physical and chemical factors. These characteristics shape unique topography and vegetation zones, forming the basis for distinctive biodiversity. This study comprehensively surveyed and analyzed the vegetation distribution characteristics and biota of the Jugyocheon Estuary Wetland, a brackish water area, aiming to provide foundational data for the conservation and sustainable use of estuarine wetlands. The survey results classified the vegetation into 18 plant communities across five physiognomic vegetation types: lentic herbaceous vegetation, lotic herbaceous vegetation, segetal vegetation, and substitutional vegetation. Notably, the Phragmites australis communities densely distributed throughout the estuary functioned as a primary habitat for organisms, simultaneously providing ecological buffering and contributing to the landscape's distinctiveness. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 1,074 species were identified, including 15 endangered species. As an open estuary encompassing freshwater, brackish, and marine environments, it positively influenced the habitat of diverse functional groups. In conclusion, the Jugyocheon Estuarine Wetland holds high ecological conservation value as a strategic connection point along the wetland ecological axis extending to the southern coast. It is judged that systematic conservation and management can contribute to preserving biodiversity and maintaining aquatic ecosystem functions.

Keywords
Biodiversity
Brackish water zone
Ecological connectivity
Endangered species
Intensive survey

하구습지는 해양, 하천, 육상 생태계가 맞닿는 전이지대로서, 물리·화학적 요인이 복합적으로 작용하는 동적 생태계이다. 이러한 특성은 고유한 지형과 식생대를 형성하며 독특한 생물다양성의 기반이 된다. 본 연구는 기수역인 주교천하구습지를 대상으로 식생 분포 특성과 생물상을 종합적으로 조사·분석하여, 하구습지의 보전 및 지속가능한 이용을 위한 기초자료를 제공하는 것을 목적으로 수행되었다. 조사 결과, 정수 및 유수역 다년생 초본식생, 경작지식생, 대상식생 등 총 5개 상관식생형의 18개 식물군락으로 분류되었다. 특히, 하구 전역에 걸쳐 고밀도로 분포하는 갈대군락은 주요 생물 서식처로 기능하며 경관적 특이성과 함께 생태적 완충 역할을 동시에 수행하고 있었다. 생물다양성 측면에서는 멸종위기 야생생물 15종 포함 총 1,074종의 생물이 확인되었다. 열린 하구라는 지형적 특성은 담수, 기수, 해양 환경을 모두 아우르는 다양한 기능군의 서식에 긍정적인 영향을 미치고 있었다. 결론적으로, 주교천하구습지는 남해안으로 이어지는 습지 생태축 상의 전략적 연결지점으로서 생태적 보전 가치가 높으며, 체계적인 보전 및 관리를 통해 생물다양성 보전과 수생태계 기능 유지에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

키워드
생물다양성
기수역
생태적 연결성
멸종위기 야생생물
정밀조사
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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 :171-185
  • Received Date : 2025-09-18
  • Revised Date : 2025-09-23
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-23
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.17820/eri.2025.12.3.171
Journal Informaiton Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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