NRIC,KOREA - 해양생물 통계조사 결과

Abstract

Census of marine life in Korean waters catalogued 9,915 species. As in other seas, Molluscs, Crustaceans, Fishes rank top of the species numbers. The species richness goes over 30 species/km2(seabed area) which makes the Korean waters one of the highest species-rich regions in the world. The high species richness is attributable to the diverse habitats in the East Sea, the Yellow Sea and the south sea. Encounter of the Kuroshio warm current and the North Korea cold current in the middle of the Korean waters as well as the high primary production up to 500mgC/m2 a day also contribute to the marine biodiversity. Information on the marine species is stored in two databases, Korea marine biodiversity information system, KOMBIS and Korea ocean biogeography information system, KOBIS. KOMBIS contains not only the taxonomy information but also species photograph and DNA barcode. KOBIS has a partnership with OBIS, focusing on the biogeographic information. The databases are in service to the public through internet as well as mobile phones.