한국해양생물다양성 평가과 관리

Abstract

As a peninsula surrounded by regional seas with diverse habitats, Korea is rich in terms of marine fauna and flora. The east coast of Korea provides rocky or sandy shores, the south coast many islands and wetlands, and the west coast wide mudflats. The west and the south seas of Korea are shallow, but the east sea is deep. The current system in Korean waters includes both warm and cold currents. For example, East Korean Warm Current and North Korea Cold Current meet in the middle of the east coast. The current system also makes the Korean waters highly productive and supplies diver organisms. To assess and properly manage the valuable marine biodiversity, the Korean government enacted a law called ‘conservation and management of the marine ecosystem’ in 2006. Under the law, several new activities have been launched such as National investigation of marine ecosystem (2006~2015), Marine biodiversity conservation program (2006~2015), Assessment of fauna and flora on uninhabited islands (2006~2015), Assessment of marine invasive species (2008~), and the project called Investigation of mudflat ecosystem (1999~2010) has been strengthened. In addition, a management plan for species in need of protection is established and 46 species are designated. The information of the marine species is being stored in Korea Marine Biodiversity Information System (KOMBIS) in which now more than 9,500 valid species name is catalogued. Another database specialized in bio-geographic information is also run in connection with the international database, Ocean Biogeographic Information System. Up until now, more than 430 marine protected areas are designated along the Korean coast with various criteria. Considering the connective nature of marine ecosystem among the adjacent nations, it is needed to compare the species listed in each country of China, Japan and Korea, investigate their biogeography, and manage them collectively for better conservation of the marine biodiversity. Establishm