465
The south coast has a rather more complex
topography, consisting of a series of deeper bays
fringed by tidal-fl ats. However, its milder temperatures often allow a large number of common
shelduck ( Tadorna tadorna ) and Saunders’s gull
to winter on a number of tidal-fl ats.
21.17.1.2 Freshwater Wetlands
Freshwater wetlands are largely concentrated in
the historical fl oodplains of South Korea’s major
rivers, namely, (a) the Han (in the northwest),
(b) the Geum, (c) the Yeongsan and (d) the
Nakdong . Many such areas have been ‘extended’
in recent years through extensive reclamation of
the coastal and intertidal zones, and converted
for agriculture and other land uses. They support signifi cantly >1 million waterbirds in winter (largely on their 1 million ha of ricefi elds and
associated reclamation lakes). They also support the vast majority of South Korea’s 47.9 million human population, who live at some of the
highest densities found anywhere in the world.
As a consequence, few natural or even seminatural freshwater wetland areas could remain
undisturbed outside the 4-km-wide demilitarised zone (or DMZ) separating the South from
the North. Further, many sites are threatened by
continuing degradation and inappropriate management techniques.
Freshwater wetlands of Korea may be classifi ed into (a) riverine wetlands (typically only
semi-natural), (b) remnant areas of natural fl oodplain wetlands (probably, totalling <10, 000 ha
nationwide), (c) reclamation lakes and (d) ricefi elds (largely fl ooded between May and July,
harvested in September or October and left dry
and bare throughout the winter).
The few remaining near-natural areas of fl oodplain wetland, mostly concentrated in the DMZ
and in pockets along the Nakdong River, have
become increasingly important for a wide variety
of species but especially for the cranes. Redcrowned crane ( Christian artuso ) is an important
species. More than 300 each of red-crowned
and white-naped cranes winter at Cheolwon in
the DMZ.
Further, some of the rivers also support waterbirds in internationally important concentrations
(Ramsar Convention 1971) and several species
of special conservation concern. Probably,
30–50 scaly-sided mergansers ( Mergus squamatus ) winter most of the years on rivers, along
with signifi cant populations of Mandarin duck
( Aix galericulata ). These are said to number
5,000–10,000 as residents nationwide, with up
to 5,000 concentrated on Jeju Island in the far
southwest in mid- winter. However, the greater
pied kingfi sher ( Megaceryle lugubris ), which is a
widespread breeding species across China into
Japan, has already effectively become extinct.
The Nakdong also has Korea’s only waterbirdimportant Ramsar site, the 800-ha Woopo
Wetland. It is one of 3–4 sites supporting signifi cant numbers of the declining Eastern Taiga
bean goose. Not surprisingly, several fl oodplain-dependent species have shown obvious
declines, with the crested ibis ( Nipponia nippon ) becoming extinct. Also, the Oriental white
stork ( Ciconia boyciana ) had last bred in 1980.
Now, it is best regarded as a very scarce winter
visitor with 20–25 visiting nationwide during
most winters. Happily, however, some species
are increasing through utilising such areas,
including most egret species (an effect also of
global warming and/or reduced persecution)
and especially the Baikal teal, which has
increased from an estimated 80,000 in 1995 to
c 400,000 in 2001–2002. In recently created
habitat in Seosan and Haenam, they fi nd safe
daytime roosting and extensive ricefi elds in
which to feed at night.
21.17.2 Conservation Initiatives
South Korea has been stubbornly pressing on
with many wetland-reclamation projects. Much
of the resources might have been lost, but still,
there is much to work for many increasingly
bright signs of progress. There are, probably,
60 or more sites nationwide still meeting
Ramsar criteria for identifi cation as internationally important. Also, there are about 50
species of waterbirds supported by South
Korean wetlands in internationally important
concentrations.
21.17 Wetlands of Korea
The south coast has a rather more complex
topography, consisting of a series of deeper bays
fringed by tidal-fl ats. However, its milder temperatures often allow a large number of common
shelduck ( Tadorna tadorna ) and Saunders’s gull
to winter on a number of tidal-fl ats.
21.17.1.2 Freshwater Wetlands
Freshwater wetlands are largely concentrated in
the historical fl oodplains of South Korea’s major
rivers, namely, (a) the Han (in the northwest),
(b) the Geum, (c) the Yeongsan and (d) the
Nakdong . Many such areas have been ‘extended’
in recent years through extensive reclamation of
the coastal and intertidal zones, and converted
for agriculture and other land uses. They support signifi cantly >1 million waterbirds in winter (largely on their 1 million ha of ricefi elds and
associated reclamation lakes). They also support the vast majority of South Korea’s 47.9 million human population, who live at some of the
highest densities found anywhere in the world.
As a consequence, few natural or even seminatural freshwater wetland areas could remain
undisturbed outside the 4-km-wide demilitarised zone (or DMZ) separating the South from
the North. Further, many sites are threatened by
continuing degradation and inappropriate management techniques.
Freshwater wetlands of Korea may be classifi ed into (a) riverine wetlands (typically only
semi-natural), (b) remnant areas of natural fl oodplain wetlands (probably, totalling <10, 000 ha
nationwide), (c) reclamation lakes and (d) ricefi elds (largely fl ooded between May and July,
harvested in September or October and left dry
and bare throughout the winter).
The few remaining near-natural areas of fl oodplain wetland, mostly concentrated in the DMZ
and in pockets along the Nakdong River, have
become increasingly important for a wide variety
of species but especially for the cranes. Redcrowned crane ( Christian artuso ) is an important
species. More than 300 each of red-crowned
and white-naped cranes winter at Cheolwon in
the DMZ.
Further, some of the rivers also support waterbirds in internationally important concentrations
(Ramsar Convention 1971) and several species
of special conservation concern. Probably,
30–50 scaly-sided mergansers ( Mergus squamatus ) winter most of the years on rivers, along
with signifi cant populations of Mandarin duck
( Aix galericulata ). These are said to number
5,000–10,000 as residents nationwide, with up
to 5,000 concentrated on Jeju Island in the far
southwest in mid- winter. However, the greater
pied kingfi sher ( Megaceryle lugubris ), which is a
widespread breeding species across China into
Japan, has already effectively become extinct.
The Nakdong also has Korea’s only waterbirdimportant Ramsar site, the 800-ha Woopo
Wetland. It is one of 3–4 sites supporting signifi cant numbers of the declining Eastern Taiga
bean goose. Not surprisingly, several fl oodplain-dependent species have shown obvious
declines, with the crested ibis ( Nipponia nippon ) becoming extinct. Also, the Oriental white
stork ( Ciconia boyciana ) had last bred in 1980.
Now, it is best regarded as a very scarce winter
visitor with 20–25 visiting nationwide during
most winters. Happily, however, some species
are increasing through utilising such areas,
including most egret species (an effect also of
global warming and/or reduced persecution)
and especially the Baikal teal, which has
increased from an estimated 80,000 in 1995 to
c 400,000 in 2001–2002. In recently created
habitat in Seosan and Haenam, they fi nd safe
daytime roosting and extensive ricefi elds in
which to feed at night.
21.17.2 Conservation Initiatives
South Korea has been stubbornly pressing on
with many wetland-reclamation projects. Much
of the resources might have been lost, but still,
there is much to work for many increasingly
bright signs of progress. There are, probably,
60 or more sites nationwide still meeting
Ramsar criteria for identifi cation as internationally important. Also, there are about 50
species of waterbirds supported by South
Korean wetlands in internationally important
concentrations.
21.17 Wetlands of Korea