The objectives of the study were to analyze chemical water quality and physical habitat
characteristics in the urban streams (Miho and Gap streams) along with evaluations of fish community
structures and ecosystem health, throughout fish composition and guild analyses during
2006~2007. Concentrations of BOD and COD averaged 3.5 and 5.7 mg L-1, in the urban streams,
while TN and TP averaged 5.1 mg L-1 and 274 μg L-1, indicating an eutrophic state. Especially,
organic pollution and eutrophication were most intense in the downstream reach of both streams.
Total number of fish was 34 species in the both streams, and the most abundant species was Zacco
platypus (32~42% of the total). In both streams, the relative abundance of sensitive species was low
(23%) and tolerant and omnivores were high (45%, 52%), indicating an typical tolerance and
trophic guilds of urban streams in Korea. According to multi-metric models of Stream Ecosystem
Health Assessments (SEHA), model values were 19 and 24 in Miho Stream and Gap Stream, respectively.
Habitat analysis showed that QHEI (Qulatitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values were
123 and 135 in the two streams, respectively. The minimum values in the SEHA and QHEI were
observed in the both downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions, as
shown in the water quality parameters. The model values of SEHA were strongly correlated with
conductivity (r=- 0.530, p=0.016), BOD (r=- 0.578, p⁄0.01), COD (r=- 0.603, p⁄0.01), and
nutrients (TN, TP: r¤0.40, p⁄0.05). This model applied in this study seems to be a useful tool, which
could reflect the chemical water quality in the urban streams. Overall, this study suggests that
consistent ecological monitoring is required in the urban streams for the conservations along with
ecological restorations in the degradated downstrems.
The objectives of the study were to analyze chemical water quality and physical habitat
characteristics in the urban streams (Miho and Gap streams) along with evaluations of fish community
structures and ecosystem health, throughout fish composition and guild analyses during
2006~2007. Concentrations of BOD and COD averaged 3.5 and 5.7 mg L-1, in the urban streams,
while TN and TP averaged 5.1 mg L-1 and 274 μg L-1, indicating an eutrophic state. Especially,
organic pollution and eutrophication were most intense in the downstream reach of both streams.
Total number of fish was 34 species in the both streams, and the most abundant species was Zacco
platypus (32~42% of the total). In both streams, the relative abundance of sensitive species was low
(23%) and tolerant and omnivores were high (45%, 52%), indicating an typical tolerance and
trophic guilds of urban streams in Korea. According to multi-metric models of Stream Ecosystem
Health Assessments (SEHA), model values were 19 and 24 in Miho Stream and Gap Stream, respectively.
Habitat analysis showed that QHEI (Qulatitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values were
123 and 135 in the two streams, respectively. The minimum values in the SEHA and QHEI were
observed in the both downstreams, and this was mainly attributed to chemical pollutions, as
shown in the water quality parameters. The model values of SEHA were strongly correlated with
conductivity (r=- 0.530, p=0.016), BOD (r=- 0.578, p⁄0.01), COD (r=- 0.603, p⁄0.01), and
nutrients (TN, TP: r¤0.40, p⁄0.05). This model applied in this study seems to be a useful tool, which
could reflect the chemical water quality in the urban streams. Overall, this study suggests that
consistent ecological monitoring is required in the urban streams for the conservations along with
ecological restorations in the degradated downstrems.