Scalysided Merganser Republic of Korea Nial Moores Birds

Scaly-sided Merganser, Republic of Korea Nial Moores, Birds Korea, Vlaldivostok SSM TF meeting, September 2015

Scaly-sided Merganser in the Republic of Korea 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Birds Korea Status of Rivers and Freshwater Bird Species Winter Survey 2014 Challenges Recommendations

Birds Korea 새와 생명의 터 A specialised NGO based in the ROK Conservation through: v Research, v Planning & Design, v Education & Public Awareness

SSM in the Republic of Korea? “government says it has no data on the merganser” (Financial Times, September 2009) However: • Several sites known to MOE since early 2000 s; • *Several Birds Korea published estimate 30 -50 eachestimate winter (2002) sites known to MOE sinceof early 2000 s; of 30 -50 each winter • * Onerecordofof 46 46(MOE: 2006); anotherofof>50 >50(Birds. Korea: 2011) • National survey by Birds Korea counted 140 -149 in 2012 and 2014

Status of Rivers & The 4 -Rivers Project 1 st phase, 2009 -2012 Included 1. 16+ major new dams 2. Deep-dredging of >691 km of river 3. Road and 1, 700 km cycle -road construction along rivers

4 -Rivers Project: before and after Han River: c. 2010 Han River: c. 2012

Waterbirds (2002 -2013) & 4 -Rivers Project (2009 -2011) 1. Count data from Ministry of Environment National Winter Bird Census (2002 -2013) 2. Blue line shows annual counts of waterbirds at the 48 MOE Census sites considered likely to be most affected between 2009 -2011 by the 4 -Rivers Project (sites listed on Pp. 16 -17 of Birds Korea 2010 Preliminary Report on the 4 -Rivers Project) 3. Brown line shows annual counts of waterbirds at the remaining 149 sites, likely unaffected by the 4 -Rivers Project

Population Trends in Species of Rivers Mandarin Duck Red-Listed (MOE 2012: LC) v Recent trend severely downward (c. 45% decline in 3 -year means between 2002 -2005 and 2011 -2013) v Decline of main roost site on Jeju and loss of some breeding sites v Historical decline in ROK v Small, declining global population (<66, 000). v Discrete Korean population of only <4, 000 (WI 2014) Common Pochard Amber-Listed (MOE 2012: Not Assessed) v Recent trend strongly downward (>50% between 2002 and 2013) v Historical trend in ROK, including in 1990 s, was positive v Large global and regional population Whooper Swan Green-Listed (MOE 2012: Vulnerable) v Recent trend upward v Historical trend was negative v East Asian population of 60, 000 Graphs based on MOE Winter Census data: Annual Count Total; 4 x 3 -year means (2002 -2005, 2006 -2008 etc. ); Count Total only from sites counted all years

SSM & 4 -Rivers Project, Andong (phase 2? ) Before: 2012 After: 2013 SSM Andong 2001: 12 2012: 10 2013: 2 2014: 0

Birds Korea SSM Surveys 2012 • >10 Rivers surveyed • 140 -149 SSM counted 2014 • 19 Rivers/ streams surveyed in 16 river systems • 330 km of river • 149 SSM counted • 90 SSM in 30 km of one river

Top SSM Site in ROK Problems include: • Sand extraction • Bridge building • Cycle roads, access roads and river-boardwalks • Off-road vehicles • Photographers

Optimal SSM Rivers in Winter 1. Have low(er) levels of Disturbance 2. Have Fast-flowing stretches (unfrozen) 3. Are usually Wide 60 50 Number 40 of 30 20 10 0 SSM 0 0 -49 50 -99 100149 150199 200249 250299 Width of Water (m) 300349 350399

Multiple benefits possible IF integrated conservation and use strategy for rivers

Key Recommendations Winter of 2015 / 2016 1. Nationwide survey 2. Initiate more detailed research at sites used by birds 3. Testing of approaches to reduce disturbance Going Forward 1. Mechanism required through EAAFP/ SSM TF to secure participation of / funding by ROK government 2. Meetings required to identify jurisdiction over / threats to key river stretches 3. National-level Action Plan / Strategy required for SSM and riverine biodiversity meshed with other river-uses 4. Need for multiple actors to support research on the species in DPRK (“green diplomacy”) 5. Need production of suitable awareness-raising materials and boards in Korean language for SSM and riverine biodiversity

Thank you! 감사합니다 With thanks to Mr. Andreas Kim for original figures; Mr. Ed Keeble for artwork; Prof. Robin Newlin and Mr. Tim Edelsten for use of their copyrighted images. www. birdskoreablog. org