Distribution Status of Birds in Protected Wetland Areas in South Korea

This study quantitatively assessed the birds inhabiting Protected Wetland Areas in South Korea. Bird data was compiled based on previously detailed surveys of inland wetlands. A total of 17 orders, 55 families, and 264 species were found in the Protected Wetland Areas. Passeriformes were the most common with 28 families, followed by Charadriiformes with six families, Ciconiiformes and Coraciiformes with three families, Falconiformes and Gruiformes with two families, and all others with one family. Looking at the number of species by order, there were 112 species in the Passeriformes, 47 species in the Charadriiformes, 27 species in the Anseriformes, 24 species in the Falconiformes, 15 species in the Ciconiiformes, and all other orders had 6 or fewer species. Among the Protected Wetland Areas, the Han River estuary was the most abundant with 38 families and 129 species, followed by the Nakdong River estuary with 36 families and 115 species, and the Upo Wetland with 40 families and 106 species. Approximately 43.85% of birds in South Korea were found to live in Protected Wetland Areas, and approximately 60% of the 69 endangered wild bird species were confirmed to live there. Protected Wetland Areas account for approximately 0.13% of Korea’s land area, but they are found to be very important to the ecosystem, where approximately 43.85% of domestic bird species and 60% of endangered species live. When looking at it by ecosystem type, the highest number of species was found in riverine wetlands with 217 species, followed by 173 species in mountain wetlands, 132 species in lacustrine wetlands, and 71 species in artificial wetlands. It was found that Korea’s Protected Wetland Areas are home to a diverse range of birds despite their small area, and it is expected that these results will serve as useful data for understanding the impact of environmental changes such as climate change in the future.