Ji Chul Oh1, Tae Hoo Kim1, Chang Myung Shim1, Chang Geun Choi2*
1Korea Fisheries Resources Agency (FIRA), Busan, 46041, Republic of Korea
2Department of Ecological Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Republic of Korea
The seagrass meadow which is a primary producer in the marine ecosystem and serves habitat and nursery for marine life is gradually disappearing due to climate change and environmental pollution. In order to implement carbon neutrality in accordance with Paris Climate Agreement, the importance of protecting and conserving seagrass meadow has increased. This study artificially restored seagrass meadow on the west coast of Korea through the “Marine Forest Project”. Two seagrass meadow were artificially created in waters of Ongjin-gun, Incheon in 2019 and 2020 and 50,000 shoot of seagrass were transplanted to the site respectively. An effect survey was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of “FIRA seagrass meadow Effect Investigation”. The density of seagrass meadow in artificially created and the natural site has increased spring to summer and has decreased in autumn. In 2019, the number and population of marine benthos in the natural seagrass meadow were the highest with an average of 23 species and 539 ind./m2. Artificial seagrass meadow were found 17 species and 363 ind./m2, Control area were found 13 species and 146 ind./m2. In 2020, the number and population of marine benthos in the natural seagrass meadow were the highest with an average of 19 species and 462 ind./m2. Artificial seagrass meadow were found 17 species and 292 ind./m2, control area were found 10 species and 162 ind./m2. Same tendency showed in 2019 and 2020. In conclusion, artificial restoration of the seagrass meadow affected the increase in the number and population of marine life.