Environmental Characteristics and Macrobenthic Community Structure of Yubu Island, a UNESCO-Designated Migratory Bird Sanctuary in the South Korea

Abstract

This study investigated the environmental characteristics and macrobenthic community structures of an intertidal flat located on Yubu Island in the western coastal area of the Yellow Sea of South Korea. The study site has been well known for the migratory bird protection designated by UNESCO. We collected the samples of surface and depth core sediments and macrobenthos from the unused saltern and the area surrounding it in July 2017. Our results demonstrated that the means of mud, total carbon, and total nitrogen contents were 50%, 0.35% and 0.05%, respectively, and the origin of sediment composed of marine sources. The sedimentation rate ranged from 0.99 to 1.66 cm y−1, which was higher than other tidal flats in the Yellow Sea. The result of a topographic analysis indicated that the area in the unused saltern was 289.489 m2, and the length and width were 625 m and 500 m, respectively. A total of 13 species occurred with a mean density of 92 ind. m−2 and a mean biomass of 58.6 gWWt m−2. The Heteromastus filiformis (23.1%, 21 ind. m−2) was the most dominant species, followed by Perinereis linea (19.2%, 18 ind. m−2) and Tubuca arcuata (17.3%, 16 ind. m−2). Thus, this environmental information will help to establish policies to protect migratory birds in the future.