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[Newsletter No.32] The Release of Comprehensive List of Freshwater Species in Korea: Over 23,000 Species Catalogued
CBD-CHM Newsletter Vol. 32
The Release of Comprehensive List of Freshwater Species in Korea: Over 23,000 Species Catalogued
The Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR) of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment released the “List of Freshwater Species1) in Korea” on September 3 via the Freshwater Biodiversity Information Portal (fbp.nnibr.re.kr/portal).
The list encompasses not only flora and fauna inhabiting freshwater but also microorganisms. NNIBR researchers, in collaboration with more than 40 experts from universities and research institutes, reviewed the habitats and ecological characteristics of 61,230 species registered in the National Species List of Korea2). Among them, 23,221 species were identified as freshwater organisms and systematically catalogued.
Through this compilation, the research team confirmed that about 38% of all species in Korea are freshwater organisms. This represents the first official data on the Korea’s freshwater biodiversity, highlighting its significant importance. The list is available as a free e-book on the portal.
According to the Living Planet Report 2024 3) published by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), freshwater species are experiencing the fastest decline in population and species diversity compared to organisms in other habitats. The newly released list is expected to serve as baseline data for identifying priority species for conservation amid this rapid decline.
1)
Freshwater species are organisms that spend all or part of their life cycle in freshwater habitats. They fall into three categories: (a) species living exclusively in aquatic freshwater environments; (b) species living in areas permanently or temporarily covered by freshwater; (c) species that can inhabit both freshwater and brackish water.
2)
The National Species List of Korea records all species confirmed to inhabit Korea and is maintained by the National Institute of Biological Resources of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment.
3)
The Living Planet Report has been published regularly by WWF since 1998 and is one of the world’s leading environmental reports on biodiversity.
