Fish Diversity of East Sea Streams in Han River Region

Fish surveys were conducted near artificial structures installed in nine streams flowing from the Han River region to the east coast of Korea. As a result of the survey, a total of 33,488 individuals belonging to 11 orders, 16 families, and 48 species were found. The dominant and subdominant species were <i>Zacco koreanus</i>, and <i>Zacco platypus</i> respectively. Among the surveyed fish species, endangered species (rank II) were <i>Pungitius sinensis</i>, <i>Ladislavia taczanowskii</i>, <i>Phoxinus phoxinus</i>, <i>Lethenteron japonicus</i> and <i>Cottus hangiongensis</i>. In addition, migratory fish species were <i>Pungitius sinensis</i>, <i>Gymnogobius urotaenia</i>, <i>Tribolodon brandti</i>, <i>Oncorhynchus masou masou</i>, <i>Oncorhynchus keta</i>, <i>Plecoglossus altivelis</i>, <i>Lethenteron japonicus</i>, <i>Cottus hangiongensis</i> and <i>Tribolodon hakonensis</i>. As a result of community analysis, Samcheokosip Stream, and Yangyangnamdae Stream have the highest diversity, and dominance indices respectively. Also, Jusu Stream has the highest richness and evenness indices. The highest number of species was surveyed in Gangneungnamdae Stream (24 species). Alpha diversity (the number of species at each survey point in each stream) was the highest at a survey point in Gangneungnamdae Stream (21 species), and beta diversity (species at each stream survey point that does not overlap with nearby survey point) was the highest at survey points in Gangneungnamdae Stream and Jusu Stream (10 species). As a result of the similarity analysis, surveyed streams were divided into five groups: group 1 stream (Yeongok· Samcheokosip·Gagok), group 2 stream (Yangyangnamdae·Hosan), group 3 stream (Gangneungnamdae), group 4 stream (Sangun·Jusu), and group 5 stream (Nakpung). This study is expected to serve as basic data for managing the aquatic ecosystem of streams flowing from the Han River region to the east coast.