Ecological health assessment of riverine wetlands based on the pressure-state-response framework: Upper Geum River Basin, South Korea

Wetland ecological health is assessed using an indicator system that comprehensively considers aquatic environments, soil conditions, biological communities, and socioeconomic factors. In this study, the assessment unit basins and baseline wetland sections were established, and a Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework comprising twelve indicators was applied to evaluate the ecological health of riverine wetlands. The assessment units were delineated as small watersheds at a spatial scale appropriate for riverine wetland management. In addition, alluvial zones were introduced as a geomorphic reference to delineate baseline wetland sections, defined as the potential wetland space against which human-induced degradation was assessed. The indicator grades may vary depending on the study area, and the state indicators were analyzed using three to five indicators per basin. The assessment results of 80 unit basins in the upper Geum River Basin, South Korea, revealed that one unit basin rated as Grade 1 (Very healthy), 29 unit basins as Grade 2 (Healthy), 47 unit basins as Grade 3 (Moderate), three as Grade 4 (Vulnerable), and none as Grade 5 (Highly vulnerable). Unit basins with higher population density, urbanization rate, and cultivated land ratio generally showed lower wetland ecological health grades. Unit basins adjacent to the mainstream tended to be relatively healthy whereas some tributary unit basins with high urbanization rates and pollution loads showed degraded ecological conditions. This study provides a scientific foundation for prioritizing restoration efforts and establishing sustainable wetland management and conservation policies.