한국의 갯벌Introduction
- Biodiversity and endemic organisms’ habitat
-
Gochang Getbol is a widely spread tidal flat area in Gomso Bay and holds the world’s highest level of benthic diatoms.
It is also famous as the largest habitat for Tiger Crabs, a species endemic to the Yellow Sea.
In Gochang Getbol, around 194 species of benthic diatoms are inhabited and they are an important foundation as a habitat for Manila Clams and Surf Clams. In addition, Gochang Getbol is home to over 100 species, and 200,000 waterbirds, including 21 species on the IUCN Red List. It is known for its largest winter ground in the Republic of Korea (RO Korea), for Oriental Stork, an endangered species (EN). Meanwhile, it is also the largest habitat in the RO Korea for Tiger Crabs, which has been reported to be a monospecific genus worldwide and endemic to the Yellow Sea.
A Chenier, independently forming sandy sediments by strong wind like storm, is observed on the mud flat in the upper-intertidal part near the coastal line. A Chenier is composed of gravel, coarse-grained sediments, and seashells. It has the tendency to move inland due to the climate influence. It is surrounded by mud flats and does not submerge in sea water. Hence, it performs its role as a nesting and resting site for migratory birds.
