Avian species survey with citizen-science data in Janghang Wetland, Goyang, Republic of Korea

• Main Authors: Choi, Hyun-Ah, Lee, Eunjeong, Kim, Eunjeong, Jung, Insook, Han, Donguk
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2023
• Subjects: Han River estuary; waterbirds; brackish water zone; conservation; citizen science; Cygnus cygnus; Falco peregrinus; peregrine falcon; Tundra; Whooper Swan
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.11.e105580

Monitoring of avian populations in Janghang Wetland, Goyang, Republic of Korea (ROK) is based on citizen science (also called community-based monitoring). This monitoring data can be used to track avian density, population status and waterbird census at local, national and regional levels. The Ministry of Environment (MoE) ROK has surveyed since 1999, including Odusan Unification Tower to Ilsan Bride, which connects the cities of Gimpo and Goyang along the Han River estuary. However, it has not covered Janghang Wetland, which is located in the Han River estuary at the transboundary between the two Koreas. The Janghang Wetland is a protected wetland in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas. In 2019, Janghang Wetland was designated as a Flyway Network Site by Goyang City and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership. This Network site is a voluntary collaboration and includes many internationally significant wetlands for waterbirds that still lack formal national protection. In addition, it was designated as a Ramsar site in 2021. The wetland currently supports wintering population of White-naped Crane ( Grus vipio ), species listed as vulnerable and Tundra Bean Goose ( Anser cygnoides ), spring-autumn migration population of Swan Goose ( Anser cygnoid ), species listed as vulnerable and a breeding population of Black-faced Spoonbill ( Platalea minor ), species listed as endangered in summer. We provide data that the Janghang Wetland is a significant area for migration and breeding for waterbirds; and that Han River estuary is also internationally important for waterbirds during the migratory bird season. We observed 14 orders, 42 families and 132 species. The surveys also observed the critically-endangered Black-faced Spoonbill ( Platalea minor ), Swan Goose ( Anser cygnoides ), White-naped Crane ( Grus vipio ), Whooper Swan ( Cygnus cygnus ) and Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ). We also observed the Black-faced Spoonbill, Great Egret, Little Egret, Great Cormorant, Eastern Spot-billed ...