Application of a Marine Environmental Information System (MEIS) Data to Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in the Nakdong River Estuary, Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea

Abstract

The Nakdong River in South Korea is nearly 526 km long, and has a drainage basin of around 23,817 km(2). It is subject to natural erosion and sedimentation, and there is also the potential for disturbance by various human activities, including water diversion and reservoir construction, and other large construction projects in the river estuary. The Noksan dike, built in April 1934, blocks the flow of the west Nakdong River. The Nakdong River Estuary (NRE) barrage in Busan Metropolitan City was completed in November 1987 to regulate the flow of the Nakdong River. In this study, Marine Environmental Information System (MEIS) data collected after May 2015 were used to support marine spatial planning (MSP) in the brackish water zone. The NRE and surrounding locations can be divided into areas managed by the government, protected marine areas, areas for sand mining, areas for the development of tourist attractions, areas of research conservation, areas where an environmental risk assessment would be required prior to use by ships, military areas, and coastal areas subject to safety management measures. Data on environmental changes in the estuarine watershed were used during the preparation of the NRE for partial opening and drainage extension in 2019. Data supporting MSP in the target area should be collected, processed, and analyzed to facilitate future decision-making, and databases should be established based on geological field surveys. Furthermore, protected areas should be designated according to governmental guidelines. All scientific data used in these processes should be validated, and spatial data to facilitate MSP should be produced.