Republic of Korea adds Janghang Wetland to the List

The Republic of Korea has named Janghang Wetland as its 24th Wetland of International Importance. This “Ramsar Site” (no. 2448 on the List of Wetlands of International Importance) is a typical wetland of the Han river estuary, and forms an intertidal zone featuring woody plants and salt marshes.

Located next to heavily populated areas in Goyang City, Gyeonggi Province, Janghang Wetland remains healthy due to its national protection status and ongoing conservation efforts.

An important ecological process in the Site is the symbiotic relationship between the woody plants such as Korean willow (Salix koreensis) and the benthic organisms such as mud crabs (Chiromantes dehaani): the complex root networks of the willows provide shelter, while the benthic communities cultivate and cycle material promoting healthy roots for the willows.

The Site hosts threatened species including the critically endangered yellow-breasted bunting (Emberiza aureola), and the endangered black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) and narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis). Two species also meet the requirement for Ramsar Criterion 6, which requires greater than 1% of the waterbird biogeographical population documented within the Site: the white-naped crane (Grus vipio) and the black-faced spoonbill.