Fish Distribution and Water Quality of Mountain Streams in the Jirisan National Park, Korea

Abstract

Fish fauna of mountain streams in the Jirisan National Park area of S. Korea (total area: 440.45 <TEX>$\textrm{km}^2$</TEX>, height: 1,915 m) was investigated at 33 sites from May 1997 to September 1999. A total of 4,670 individuals of fishes were collected and classified into 30 species and 12 families. Zacco temmincki (relative abundance (RA), 63.9%) was found to be the most abundant inhabitant. Subdominant species were Pungtungia hem (RA 6.2%), Zacco platypus (RA 6.1 %) and Coreoleusiscus splendidus (RA 4.8%). Among the total species, 13 species were identified as the Korean endemic species (7 families, 17.2% of 802 individuals). Dominant Korean endemic species was C. splendidus (relative abundance endemics (RAE), 27.8%). Superiors were Coreoperca heizi (RAE 21.8%) and Liobagrus mediadiposalis (RAE 19.8%). One exotic species (Oncorhynchus mykiss, a site and 5 ind.) and translated species (Hypmesus niponensis, two sites and 174 ind.) were collected in this survey. The proportion of Korean endemic species in the park (43.3%) was higher than the average of Korean Peninsular (25.9%). From this study, we conclude that the Jirisan National Park area in Korea would be very important for fish diversity and conservation, especially for the Korean endemic and endangered species.