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Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats

Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats

Situated in the eastern Yellow Sea on the southwestern and southern coast of the Republic of Korea, the site comprises four component parts: Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Shinan Getbol and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol. The site exhibits a complex combination of geological, oceanographic and climatologic conditions that have led to the development of coastal diverse sedimentary systems. Each component represents one of four tidal flat subtypes (estuarine type, open embayed type, archipelago type and semi-enclosed type). The site hosts high levels of biodiversity, with reports of 2,150 species of flora and fauna, including 22 globally threatened or near-threatened species. It is home to 47 endemic and five endangered marine invertebrate species besides a total of 118 migratory bird species for which the site provides critical habitats. Endemic fauna includes Mud Octopuses (Octopus minor), and deposit feeders like Japanese Mud Crabs (Macrophthalmus japonica), Fiddler Crabs (Uca lactea), and Polychaetes (bristle worms), Stimpson’s Ghost Crabs (Ocypode stimpsoni), Yellow Sea Sand Snails (Umbonium thomasi), , as well as various suspension feeders like clams. The site demonstrates the link between geodiversity and biodiversity, and demonstrates the dependence of cultural diversity and human activity on the natural environment.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Getbol, étendues cotidales coréennes

Situé sur le littoral oriental de la mer Jaune, sur les côtes sud-ouest et sud de la République de Corée, ce site comprend une série de quatre éléments constitutifs : Seocheon Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Shinan Getbol et Boseong-Suncheon Getbol. Le site présente une combinaison complexe de conditions géologiques, océanographiques et climatologiques qui ont favorisé le développement de systèmes sédimentaires côtiers divers. Chaque élément illustre l’un des quatre sous-types d’étendues cotidales (estuarien, baie ouverte, archipel et semi-fermé). Le niveau de biodiversité de ce site est élevé, avec 2 150 espèces de flore et de faune enregistrées, dont 22 espèces menacées ou quasi menacées au niveau mondial. Le site abrite 47 espèces d’invertébrés marins endémiques, dont cinq sont en danger, ainsi qu’un total de 118 espèces d’oiseaux migrateurs pour lesquelles il constitue un habitat d’importance critique. La faune endémique comprend Octopus minor et des espèces détritivores comme les crabes estuariens japonais (Macrophthalmus japonica), les crabes violonistes (Uca lactea), les polychètes (vers annelés), le crabe Ocypode stimpsoni, le mollusque Umbonium thomasi et les polychètes ainsi que différentes espèces suspensivores, comme les palourdes. Ce site illustre le lien entre géodiversité et biodiversité, et décrit aussi la manière dont la diversité culturelle et l’activité humaine dépendent du milieu naturel.

Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

يتألف الموقع، الكائن في البحر الأصفر الشرقي على الساحل الجنوبي الغربي والجنوبي لجمهورية كوريا، من أربعة عناصر، ألا وهي: "غيتبول سوتشون" و"غيتبول غوشانغ" و"غيتبول شينان" و"غيتبول بوسيونغ-سونشيون". ويستعرض الموقع مزيجاً معقداً من الظواهر الجيولوجية والأوضاع الأوقيانوغرافية والأحوال المناخية التي أدت إلى تطوّر النظم الرسوبية الساحلية المتنوعة. ويمثّل كل عنصر من عناصر الموقع نوعاً من الأنواع الفرعية الأربعة للمسطحات الطينية التي تشكّلت بفعل المد والجزر، ألا وهي: مسطحات الخَوْر أو مصب النهر، ومسطحات الخليج المفتوح، ومسطحات الأرخبيل، والمسطحات شبه المغلقة. ويحتوي الموقع على معدلات مرتفعة من التنوع البيولوجي، وتشير التقارير إلى وجود 2150 نوعاً من النباتات والحيوانات في الموقع، بما في ذلك 22 نوعاً مهدداً أو شبه مهدداً على الصعيد العالمي. ويعتبر الموقع موطناً لـ 47 نوعاً مستوطناً وخمسة أنواع من اللافقاريات البحرية المهددة إلى جانب ما مجموعه 118 نوعاً من الطيور المهاجرة التي يمدها الموقع بموائل حيوية. وتشمل الحيوانات المستوطنة في الموقع الأخطبوط الطيني (الأخطبوط الصغير)، والكائنات المتغذية على الرواسب مثل سرطان الوحل الياباني، والسرطان الكماني (Uca lactea)، والديدان الحلقية العديدة الأشواك (bristle worms) ، وسرطان ستيمبسون الشبح (Ocypode stimpsoni)، وحلزون رمل البحر الأصفر، وكذلك العديد من الحيوانات المتغذية على العوالق مثل المحار. ويبيّن الموقع حلقة الوصل بين التنوع الجغرافي والتنوع البيولوجي، فضلاً عن اعتماد التنوع الثقافي والنشاط البشري على البيئة الطبيعية.

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

韩国滩涂

该遗产地位于黄海东部的韩国西南和南部海岸,由舒川、高敞、新安和宝城-顺天4处滩涂构成。这里呈现出地质、海洋与气候条件的复杂组合,形成了多样化的海岸沉积体系。每处滩涂代表4种滩涂亚型(河口型、开放港湾型、群岛型和半封闭型)之一。遗产地拥有高度的生物多样性,据统计有2150种动植物,包括22种全球濒危或近危物种。除了为118种候鸟提供重要的栖息地外,它还是47种特有和5种濒危海洋无脊椎动物的家园。当地特有动物群包括长蛸和沉积物摄食生物,如日本大眼蟹、清白招潮蟹、刚毛重、痕掌沙蟹、托氏昌螺,以及多种悬浮物摄食生物,如蛤蜊。该项目展示了地质多样性和生物多样性之间的联系,并证明了文化多样性和人类活动对自然环境的依赖性。

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Гетбол, приливно-отливные равнины в Корее

Расположенный в восточной части Желтого моря на юго-западном и южном побережье Республики Корея, этот объект состоит из четырех составных частей: Сочхон Гетбол, Кочхан Гетбол, Шинань Гетбол и Посон-Сунчхон Гетбол. Этот объект характеризуется сложным сочетанием геологических, океанографических и климатологических условий, которые привели к развитию разнообразных прибрежных осадочных систем. Каждый компонент представляет один из четырех подтипов приливно-отливных равнин (эстуарий, открытый залив, архипелаг и полузакрытый залив). На территории объекта отмечается высокий уровень биоразнообразия, при этом сообщается о 2150 видах флоры и фауны, в том числе о 22 видах, находящихся в угрожаемом положении в глобальном масштабе и находящихся в состоянии, близком к угрожаемому. Объект является домом для 47 эндемичных и пяти исчезающих видов морских беспозвоночных, а также в общей сложности 118 видов перелетных птиц, для которых это место является критически важной средой обитания. Эндемичная фауна включает грязевого осьминога (Octopus minor) и виды, питающиеся отложениями, такие как японский грязевой краб (Macrophthalmus japonica), манящий краб (Uca lactea), многощетинковый червь (Polychaete), краб-призрак Стимпсона (Ocypode stimpsoni), желтая морская песчаная улитка (Umbonium thomasi), а также различные виды, питающиеся взвесью, такие как моллюски. Объект демонстрирует связь между георазнообразием и биоразнообразием, а также зависимость культурного разнообразия и деятельности человека от окружающей среды.

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

“Getbol”, planicie intermareal coreana

Situado en el litoral sudoccidental y meridional de la república de Corea, al este del Mar Amarillo, este sitio consta de cuatro componentes: la planicie intermareal (“getbol”) de Seocheon, la de Gochang, la de Shinan y la de Boseong-Suncheon. Con el correr del tiempo, una compleja combinación de factores geológicos, oceánicos y climáticos ha desembocado en la creación de diversas formaciones costeras sedimentarias en el territorio de este sitio.

Cada uno de sus cuatro componentes es representativo de un tipo diferente de planicie intermareal: de estuario, de bahía, de archipiélago y de mar semicerrado. El grado de diversidad biológica de estas planicies es muy elevado, ya que cuentan con 2.150 especies botánicas y zoológicas entre las que figuran 22 amenazadas a nivel mundial o ya al borde la extinción. Además, albergan 47 especies endémicas de invertebrados marinos y de otras cinco en peligro de desaparecer y un total de 118 clases de aves migratorias a las que proporcionan hábitats esenciales. La fauna endémica comprende el pulpo de fango (Octopus minor), y también especies que se alimentan de detritos y sedimentos como el cangrejo de fango japonés (Macrophthalmus japonica), el cangrejo violinista (Uca lactea), los anélidos marinos poliquetos (Polychaeta), el cangrejo fantasma de Stimpson o barrilete (Ocypode stimpsoni), la caracola de arena del Mar Amarillo (Umbonium thomasi) y otras especies que se alimentan de partículas en suspensión, como las almejas. Este sitio es un vivo ejemplo del vínculo existente entre la diversidad geológica y la biológica, así como de la supeditación de las actividades humanas y de la diversidad cultural a los factores medioambientales.

source: UNESCO/CPE
Description is available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Outstanding Universal Value

Brief synthesis

The Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats property comprises four component parts, Seocheon Getbol (6,809 ha), Gochang Getbol (5,531 ha), Shinan Getbol (110,086 ha), and Boseong-Suncheon Getbol (5,985 ha), all located on the eastern shoreline of the Yellow Sea on the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula. These components total an area of more than 128,000 ha with buffer zones totalling nearly 74,600 ha. The Yellow Sea, lying between the Korean Peninsula and China, hosts one of the world’s largest and most productive tidal flat ecosystems supporting millions of migratory waterbirds at the heart of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). The four component parts support globally important populations of threatened migratory waterbirds in the EAAF, and overlap with Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA), Biosphere Reserves, Ramsar Sites and East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership Network Sites.

The livelihoods of many human communities along the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula depend on the harvest of marine resources, often based on traditional knowledge. Anthropogenic activity has transformed some of the coastal wetlands. However, the Tidal Flat Act adopted in 2019 halts any further reclamation of tidal flats and action plans under this legal framework have been progressively restoring affected tidal flats.

Criterion (x): The property contains crucial habitats for in-situ conservation of the biodiversity of the Yellow Sea region, including threatened and endemic species. It supports 47 species endemic to the Yellow Sea and several endangered marine invertebrate species. Reflecting its habitat diversity (including islands, rocky shores, beaches, sand flats, mud flats and salt marshes), some 2,150 plant and animal species have been recorded. The property encompasses many of the critical stopover sites for several globally threatened species of migratory birds, along the EAAF, one of the world’s most important yet jeopardized flyways. Many of the estimated 50 million waterbirds of the EAAF depend on the Yellow Sea’s coastal wetlands to stage on their annual migration between nesting areas in eastern Asia to as far north as Siberia and Alaska, and non-breeding areas to as far south as Australasia.

The remarkable concentrations of migratory waterbirds using the four component parts include important numbers of globally threatened species and species limited to the EAAF. These include the Spoon-billed Sandpiper; Far Eastern Curlew; Black-faced Spoonbill; Great Knot; Spotted Greenshank; Hooded Crane; Saunders’s Gull; and Chinese Egret.

The property also supports an exceptionally high invertebrate biodiversity with a total of 2,169 known species including 375 species of benthic diatoms, 152 species of marine algae, and 857 species of macrobenthos. As regards marine invertebrates, the property supports five threatened and 47 restricted-range species, including the tiger crab, which is reported to be a monospecific genus worldwide and endemic to the Yellow Sea.

Integrity

The property includes the least affected tidal flats and associated wetlands in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula, and they therefore provide critical habitats for migratory waterbirds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, including internationally threatened species, playing a crucial role for the conservation of biodiversity. The property encompasses muddy, sandy, mixed, and rocky habitats as well as beach, sand spit, and characteristic sediment bodies, which are widely developed around numerous islands. The stable supply of terrigenous sediments from the Geumgang River greatly contributes to maintaining these diverse habitats. Consequently, these globally important habitats support one of the highest species diversity of waterbirds including threatened species in the EAAF as well as rich biodiversity of other species living in and on the wetlands. While the boundaries of the four component parts provide protection for migratory birds by including feeding, breeding, and roosting areas, there is scope for additional component parts to be added and for boundaries of existing component parts to be improved as part of a second phase nomination to cover more fully the scope of critical areas used by waterbirds. As the component parts are situated in landscapes shaped by intensive use, potential threats from developments in the surrounding areas need to be monitored carefully and mitigated as needed. In addition, threats such as pollution from inland areas and internationally from marine sources as well as declining fishing stocks deserve close attention.

Protection and management requirements

The Republic of Korea has the full ownership of the property including the marine buffer zones. The four component parts of the serial property are protected by law in their entirety as Wetland Protected Areas (WPAs) under the Wetlands Conservation Act (WCA). Various other laws and regulations, including the Conservation and Management of Marine Ecosystems Act, apply in the property and buffer zones, effectively restricting damaging activities.

The Tidal Flat Act of 2019 (and associated 2019-2023 action plan for tidal flat ecosystem restoration) represents a progressive shift in national coastal management policy from coastal reclamation to tidal flat protection and restoration. This provides a mechanism, supervised by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries that further supports ecologically based coastal management within and outside the property with long-term measures to restore mudflats on the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula degraded by past developments. Continuous attention is needed to ensure that there is no further development that would have negative impact on the attributes of conservation significance in each component part of the property.

In light of the importance of inland wetlands and other inland habitats for many bird species, systematic coordination between tidal flat management and management of inland habitat is also required.

Traditional fishing activities are facilitated at current levels and are subject to self-governed rules by the fishing cooperatives in accordance with the Fisheries Act and Wetland Conservation Act. The inherent interests of, and traditional management by the local communities play an important role in ensuring the effective protection of the property given that healthy tidal flats underpin many local livelihoods.

Tourism is concentrated in only a few places of the property and its buffer zone (notably around Suncheon City), whereas many of the more remote areas, such as the small islands, have little or no tourism.

The property has adequate financial and technical resources, including staffing in all authorities involved, enhanced following inscription. Many activities by different levels of government, non-governmental organizations and local communities support the effective management and enforcement of the Wetland Protected Areas that underpin the property. There are also many measures in place to prevent, reduce and respond to risks (e.g. those related to natural and anthropogenic disasters).

The integrated management system and plan needs to demonstrate how it incorporates details on specific management interventions essential to coherently support and maintain the Outstanding Universal Value across the serial property as a whole, noting the State Party intends to enhance management effectiveness as part of a Phase II nomination to extend the serial property.

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