Structure and Function of Macrophytic Vegetation in the Littoral Zone of Lake: Their Applications for the Water-front Restoration

초록

The littoral region is an interface zone between the land of the drainage basin and the open water of lakes. The littoral wetlands are unique because of their hydrologic conditions and their role as ecotones between terrestrial and aquatic systems. The vegetation of littoral zones composed of the diverse life-forms of aquatic macrophytes is characterized by the plant zonation on flooding gradient. The productivity of littoral vegetation is generally quit high, ranging upward from about 1,000 g m-2 yr-1 because of high available nutrient and water. In the biogeochemical cycles, littoral wetlands can be sources, sinks, and transformers of chemicals. Though the littoral wetlands provide many services and commodities to humanity, they have disappeared at alarming rates and have been disturbed by human impacts. Loss rates of wetlands in Korea and the subsequent recognition of wetland values have stimulated restoration and creation of the littoral systems. Restoring and creating littoral wetlands should be based on the concept of self-design and self-maintenance. For their overall success, monitoring and adaptive management are needed.