Author(s): Jae Beom Lee; Amos Agossou; Jeong Seok Yang

Linked Author(s): Jae Beom Lee, Amos Agossou, Jeong Seok Yang

Keywords: Climate change; Eco-hydrological cycle soundness; Analysis of wetland area and groundwater level; Evaluation of spatio-temporal vulnerability

Abstract: Recently, the imbalance in water cycle due to climate change is observed worldwide. Research on changes in future water cycle following the application of future climate change scenarios suggests prediction results that the current water circulation imbalance is worsening and accelerating. The imbalance in water cycle can be caused by natural factors such as a decrease in river level and a decrease in groundwater recharge due to a decrease in precipitation, as well as artificial factors caused by an increase in population and water use. The imbalance in water cycle can have a significant impact not only on human society but also on the ecosystem. Wetlands can contribute to the eco-hydrological cycle soundness. Changes in wetland area due to imbalance in water cycle can affect vegetation in wetland, and also affect animals that consume plants, fish, kerbs, and benthos in the wetland, which can adversely affect the entire ecosystem. Wetlands can reduce flood damage due to a decrease in runoff due to the storage in the event of precipitation, use water stored during drought, and water stored in wetlands can move to the aquifer to recharge groundwater resources. In addition, since wetlands provide the best environment for various species to inhabit, wetland management and preservation can play a very important role in managing the soundness of eco-hydrological cycle. This study presented the results of the correlation analysis between groundwater and wetlands with relatively low fluctuation among the water cycle factors and the evaluation of spatio-temporal eco-hydrological cycle soundness considering wetland area and groundwater level by administrative districts in Korea. Groundwater levels were selected as a representative factor for groundwater resources, time series observation data of groundwater level were collected, and data on changes in wetland area by administrative district in Korea were collected. The correlation between the collected groundwater level and wetland area data was analyzed, and the monthly eco-hydrological cycle soundness of each selected vulnerable area was evaluated after selecting the vulnerable area using the groundwater level and wetland area. The results of this study are expected to serve as an important basis for emphasizing the impact on wetland area changes caused by changes in groundwater level and the importance of groundwater management for sound ecological hydrological circulation and recovery. The results of this study are expected to be an important basis for emphasizing the importance of groundwater level management in terms of conservation of ecosystems and securing water resources through the management of eco-hydrological cycle soundness.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221265

Year: 2022