A Study on the Community of Waterbirds and Protective value at Gangjin Bay in Jeollanamdo, Korea

Abstract

This study was conducted in Gangjin Bay of Jeollanam-do over a total of 8 sessions, once each month, between October of 2009 and May of 2010. A total of 9,647 birds of 63 species were observed during the study period. The most dominant species was Aythya ferina (18.5%), followed by, in decreasing order, Anas platyrhynchos (11.5%), Calidris alpine (9.6%) and Cygnus Cygnus (7.7%). Species which appeared in all months (100% occurrence rate) included a total of 5 species of Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba modesta, Egretta garzetta, Anas crecca and Anas poecilorhyncha. Furthermore, the study showed a total of 13 government protected species, 3 class-I endangered species, 8 class-II endangered species and 8 natural monument species. The Gangjin Bay region includes the Nakdong estuary, natural monument number 179, and provides stopping grounds for the Cygnus Cygnus, at the next highest number of birds. Furthermore, the region is characterized by the wintering of Cygnus Cygnus at a bird count higher than that of the Jindo Cygnus Cygnus migration destination, natural monument number 101. Therefore, there is a need for the designation of natural monuments and protected wetlands, as well as continued maintenance, in the Gangjin Bay region.