Regional Distribution Aspect of Swans(Cygnus spp.) in the Nakdong River Downstream Area from October 2013 to September 2018, Busan, R. O. Korea

Understanding the regional distribution of swans in the lower Nakdong River area is also important for the continuous habitat of swans according to changes in the surrounding environment of the area. This study was conducted to understand the regional distribution aspect of swans (Cygnus spp.) downstream of the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea, from October 2013 to September 2018. In the estuary, a small ship was used to move along a certain route and observe it with the naked eye or binoculars, and in the land area, Line transect census and Point census method were conducted in parallel. During this period, two species and 34,647 individuals of swans were observed, including 34,356 Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) and 291 Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus). The average number of individuals observed in 15 different areas was 1172, 103, 214, 1825, 1850, 13, 318, 1, 0, 1, 11, 21, 5, 0, and 239 respectively. The total average of the number of individuals in these areas was 384.76. The numbers differed significantly among the survey areas (Kruskal-Wallis test, X2=4349.01, P < 0.001). Particularly, the numbers were larger in Eulsukdo, Lower Eulsukdo, and Daemadeung than in the other regions. In conclusion, as long-term survey data, it can be used as basic data to analyze the distribution of swans due to environmental changes caused by the development of the Nakdong River, predict changes in the habitat status of migratory birds, and prepare measures necessary for preservation.