한국 동해 울산 연안의 다모류군집 기반 저서생태계 건강도 평가 결과 비교

Abstract

Assessing the marine environment involves evaluating water quality, sediment, and organisms. Various benthic health indices have been developed both domestically and internationally based on benthic communities. This study evaluated the ecological quality (EcoQ) of the Ulsan coast, East Sea of Korea, using BPI and BHI (developed in Korea), as well as AMBI, M-AMBI, EQR, and B-IBI (developed overseas). Analysis of seasonal survey data revealed little variation in assessment grades between seasons, but notable differences among indices. BPI, BHI, and AMBI assessed the study area as being in relatively good condition, whereas M-AMBI and EQR indicated relatively poor conditions. While AMBI did not clearly distinguish ecological quality levels, M-AMBI provided more detailed and differentiated classifications. Kendall's rank correlation and regression analysis revealed strong correlations among AMBI, M-AMBI, and EQR, whereas other indices showed weaker correlations. These differences are attributed to variations in calculation methods, classification of species into functional groups, and the inherent characteristics of each ecological health index. Therefore, careful selection of assessment indices, along with the combined use of multiple indices for complementary evaluation, is recommended. Specifically, it may be necessary to apply indices that serve both general ecological assessment and early warning purposes. For the Ulsan coast, BHI (universal evaluation) and EQR (warning evaluation) are recommended for evaluating the benthic environment.