Global interest in global warming or environmental pollution paved the way to newly recognize the space called wetlands. As the interest in wetlands intensified, the importance to preserve and manage them also increased, and the U.S. and some European...
Global interest in global warming or environmental pollution paved the way to newly recognize the space called wetlands. As the interest in wetlands intensified, the importance to preserve and manage them also increased, and the U.S. and some European countries are now conducting continuous studies to establish Wetland Classification Systems based on their environmental conditions.
In case of Korea, the Wetlands Conservation Act was legislated in 1999 and variety of research, such as establishing National Wetlands Inventory and valuation on individual wetlands, has been conducted. However, based on the types and characteristics of Korean wetlands, there are classification items which are inapplicable, or which do not exist in the type classification of the Ramsar Convention. Therefore, the importance of establishing an appropriate classification system to meet the environmental conditions in Korea has been propounding.
Based on the background above, this research is to classify wetland types and to establish a national inland wetlands inventory based on 1,339 previously investigated national inland wetlands from the classification system of the Ramsar Convention, the classification system of Koo Bonhak (2008), and the classification system of the Ministry of Environment (2010). In addition, this research was performed to deduce categories for an appropriate wetland classification system for Korean wetlands in the future and to understand types and distribution conditions of the national inland wetlands by comparing and analyzing type classification systems.
This research has results of the items for appropriate and practical classification of Korean wetlands by comparing and analyzing each classification system. The categories for wetland classification are as follows.
Firstly, accessibility of index data includes wetlands’ three geological factors, which are sluice gate, soil, and vegetation, to evaluate wetlands. Wetlands are additionally classified by form, salinity, habitats, importance, causes of creation, artificialness, and etc.
Secondly, differences of the number of wetland distribution types and wetland types of each classifying system were compared to evaluate subdivisions of wetland classification systems and their suitability as national wetland types.
Thirdly, suitability as efficient future national wetland classification systems is evaluated through the categories of expansion of business areas, difficulty of wetland type classification, wetland preservation, and maintenance management.
This research will be a part of important fundamental data when establishing efficient wetland preservation measures, systematic wetland maintenance and management through correcting and revising classification categories for wetland classification, and determining national inland wetland inventory and a national wetland type classification system. Furthermore, a follow-up study, such as management strategy establishment, will be needed to evaluate the function of wetlands and the functional improvement of wetlands based on the value and function of each wetland. Additionally, a follow-up study on setting boundaries of wetlands will be needed, since is it possible to change the wetland type depending on the area during the wetland classification process.
This Research is based on data investigated from 2000 to 2010, and it carries importance because it is suggesting categories for the establishment of a classification system which is appropriate for the future status of settled inland wetland inventory in Korea. However, continuous investigation, follow-up studies, and monitoring are necessary since wetland functions are possible to be improved or damaged as time goes by.