Analysis of the characteristics and evaluation of ecological functions of local wetlands distributed in Chungcheongnam-do, Rep. of Korea

• Published in: Ecological engineering Vol. 208; p. 107381
• Main Author: Park, Miok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2024
• Subjects: Abandoned paddy wetland; Biodiversity; carbon sinks; climate change; ecosystem services; habitats; Inventory; Korean Peninsula; NbS (Nature-based solution); Resilience; runoff; topography; watersheds; Korean Peninsula; Biodiversity; NbS (Nature-based solution); Abandoned paddy wetland; Inventory; Resilience
• ISSN: 0925-8574
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2024.107381

Local wetlands such as APW provide ecosystem service benefits to local residents, and as a nature-based carbon sink, they play a key role in improving local resilience and adapting to climate change. This study was conducted to evaluate function of local wetlands that are ecologically important, but are damaged in blind spots of management, and to reveal differences by ecological area and function through functional evaluation. Functional scores for each of the eight evaluation items were compared by dividing them into 3 catchments according to the watershed system and topography using modified ‘RAM’. As a result of the evaluation, the overall average function of 399 priority wetlands was 1.96/3.0, which was medium-level, and among the eight evaluation items, AESREC, Habitat, and AQHAB function were high. In detail it was confirmed in order of AESREC, Habitat, AQHAB, WQUAL, RUNOFF, SHPRO, GWATER and FSTOR. The average function for each catchment were in order of 02GG, 01SAM, 03WS. •Study areas were divided into three catchments and 12 sub-catchments according to the watershed system and topography, and the distribution of 399 wetlands subject to priority management was identified and the functional scores for eight evaluation items were compared, and differences between functional items for each catchment were verified.•Functional evaluation by RAM method, the overall average function of 399 priority wetlands was medium-level, and aesthetic recreation function, vegetation diversity and wildlife habitat function, and fish and amphibian reptile habitat function were high.•As for catchments, the average functional score for each catchment was high in the order of 02GG (Geumgang main & tributary), 01SAM (Sapgyo-Anseong-Mihogang) and 03WW (West Sea).