저서성 대형무척추동물을 이용한 국립공원 하천 생태 건전성 평가지수의 개발 및 적용

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Development and Application of a Stream Integrity Index Using
Benthic Macroinvertebrates in National Parks of Korea
Seung Cheol Han
Department of Biology
Graduate School
Gyeongkuk National University
Abstract
This study was conducted to develop and validate the Stream Integrity Index (SII) for assessing the ecological integrity of streams within national parks in Korea. Conventional stream health indices, which were primarily designed for detecting pollution levels, often rated pristine streams in national parks uniformly at the highest class, failing to distinguish subtle ecological differences among sites. To address this limitation, community data of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 578 samples across 236 sites in 13 National Parks (Seoraksan, Bukhansan, Odaesan, Chiaksan, Taebaeksan, Sobaeksan, Juwangsan, Gyeryongsan, Mudeungsan, Palgongsan, Jirisan, Hallyeohaesang, and Byeonsanbando). Based on these data, an integrated assessment framework that combines community structure and ecological function was established.
Using a multimetric approach, principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, and Leave-One-Out (LOO) sensitivity analysis were employed to select eight core metrics. The developed SII consists of structural metrics (Shannon diversity, Evenness, Menhinick richness), a sensitivity metric (EPT ratio), and functional metrics (functional feeding group evenness, habitat trait group diversity, percentage of Scrapers, and percentage of Sprawlers).
The SII was operationalized using a five-class rating system (Grades A–E) and applied across 13 National Parks, revealing clear contrasts in stream ecological condition among parks. A substantial proportion of sites in Taebaeksan National Park were assigned to the highest category (Grade A; 61.1%), whereas the majority of sites in Byeonsanbando National Park fell into the lowest category (Grade E; 61.3%). This marked contrast highlights the importance of adopting management strategies that are tailored to the ecological context of individual parks rather than relying on uniform criteria.
When evaluated against commonly used indices such as BMI and TESB, the SII showed a comparatively lower dependence on individual environmental variables, indicating that it can provide an integrated assessment of stream condition primarily from biological community information. This characteristic reduces the reliance on detailed environmental measurements while maintaining ecological interpretability. In addition, the SII was able to discriminate subtle differences in ecological condition even among sites with generally high environmental quality, underscoring its potential value as an early-warning and preventive management indicator in protected areas.
Overall, the SII constitutes the first assessment framework in Korea to explicitly integrate structural and functional attributes of benthic macroinvertebrate communities for national park streams. By enabling differentiation of ecological status within and among parks, the index offers a practical scientific basis for prioritizing conservation actions, guiding restoration planning, and evaluating management outcomes, thereby supporting the long-term conservation and sustainable management of stream ecosystems in protected areas.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 제1장 서론 1
• 1.1 연구 배경 1
• 1.2 연구 필요성 2
• 1.3 연구 목적 4
• 제2장 이론적 배경 및 선행연구 6
• 2.1 하천 생태계 건전성의 개념과 평가 체계 발전 6
• 2.2 저서성 대형무척추동물을 활용한 건전성 평가 8
• 2.3 하천 건전성 평가의 선행 연구 9
• 2.4 국립공원 하천 관리의 특수성 13
• 2.5 학문적 위치와 차별성 14
• 제3장 재료 및 방법 17
• 3.1 연구 대상지 개요 17
• 3.2 자료 수집 19
• 3.3 현장조사 및 분석방법 20
• 3.4 환경 및 서식처 자료 26
• 3.5 지수의 개발 및 검증 29
• 제4장 결과 33
• 4.1 국립공원의 환경 및 생물학적 특성 33
• 4.2 하천건전성지수(SII)의 개발 47
• 4.3 현장용 SII (field) 개발 63
• 4.4 타당성 검증 72
• 4.5 SII 적용 및 성능 비교 90
• 제5장 고찰 및 결론 101
• 5.1 연구 결과의 종합 101
• 5.2 SII의 생태학적 의미와 차별성 102
• 5.3 보호지역 관리에서의 적용 의의 103
• 5.4 연구의 한계와 개선 방향 104
• 5.5 향후 연구 방향 106
• 5.6 결론 108
• 적 요 110
• 참고문헌 112
• Abstract (영문초록) 127
• Appendix (부록) 129