Tidal Flats

Tidal flats are coastal areas that are periodically submerged and exposed by the tides. They are generally composed of a variety of sediments such as sand, mud, and rocks, and serve as a treasure trove of ecosystems and a buffer zone to prevent natural disasters.

Importance of Tidal Flats

First, tidal flats are an important component of marine ecosystems. Numerous species inhabit these areas, and the interactions between them maintain a balanced ecosystem. Representative organisms include crustaceans such as clams, crabs, and shrimp, as well as fish and birds. These organisms serve as food resources and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.

Second, tidal flats act as a buffer zone against natural disasters. When natural disasters such as floods or typhoons occur, tidal flats mitigate damage by slowing down the flow of water. They also prevent coastal erosion and mitigate sea-level rise.

Finally, tidal flats also have value as tourist attractions. They are visited by many tourists due to their beautiful scenery and diverse species, and serve as venues for ecological education and research.

Various Members of the Tidal Flat Ecosystem

The tidal flat ecosystem is made up of various members.

Among them, the most important member isbenthos .

Benthos refers to animals that live on the seabed, and mainly include crustaceans such as clams, crabs, and shrimp, as well as mollusks and annelids. They form the foundation of the tidal flat ecosystem's food chain and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the tidal flats by breaking down organic matter.

Another key member is halophytes.

Halophytesare plants that grow in salty soil. Representative species include glasswort, seablite, and sea purslane. They help stabilize tidal flat soil, absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change, and produce oxygen through photosynthesis, aiding in the respiration of surrounding organisms.

Fish and Birds

Fish feed on benthos or halophytes, while birds feed on benthos or fish. They circulate energy through the tidal flat ecosystem's food chain and contribute to maintaining the stability of the ecosystem by controlling population size.

Humans

They engage in various activities on the tidal flats, such as harvesting seafood or enjoying tourism. However, excessive activities can disrupt the balance of the tidal flat ecosystem, so caution is required.

The Impact of Tidal Flats on the Global Environment

Tidal flats play a crucial role in the global environment.

• Tidal flats are carbon sinks: They play a role in absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Microorganisms, plants, and sediments in tidal flats absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into organic matter, which is then stored in the sediments. Through this process, tidal flats are known to absorb approximately 260,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. This is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by approximately 200,000 cars annually, playing a significant role in mitigating global warming.
• Second, tidal flats contribute to water quality improvement: Microorganisms and benthos living in tidal flats break down and remove pollutants from the water, improving water quality in coastal areas and maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. They also filter out sediment from rivers, protecting coastlines and minimizing damage from natural disasters such as storms and tsunamis.
• Tidal flats are habitats for a variety of species: They play an important role in conserving biodiversity. These areas are inhabited by a variety of species, including seabirds, fish, crabs, and clams, which interact with each other to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. However, the recent decline in biodiversity due to tidal flat development and pollution requires countermeasures.

Economic Value and Utilization of Tidal Flats

Tidal flats have various economic values.

• Production site for fisheries resources: The diverse species inhabiting tidal flats serve as a source of fisheries resources, generating economic benefits through fishing activities. According to the Korea Maritime Institute, the production value of seafood from tidal flats in Korea reached 1.2926 trillion won in 2010.
• Value for the tourism industry: They are popular as ecological tourist destinations, attracting many tourists and contributing to economic benefits as well as the revitalization of local communities. The salt marshes on the coast of Georgia in the eastern United Statesare famous as a representative ecological tourist destination and are visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, contributing significantly to the local economy.
• Various uses: Tidal flats can be utilized for various purposes, such as salt farms, aquaculture farms, and construction materials. High-quality sand or clay can be extracted and used as construction materials, salt can be produced in salt farms, and tidal flats can be used for reclamation projects to create farmland or industrial land.

International Efforts to Protect Tidal Flats

International cooperation and efforts are needed to conserve tidal flats and promote their sustainable use.

As part of this effort, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been selecting and compiling a list of the "World's 100 Best Tidal Flats" since 1998 to raise awareness of the importance and conservation value of tidal flats. The Ramsar Convention is also an international convention for the protection of wetlands, adopted in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971 and entered into force in 1975. 170 countries around the world have joined the convention, and Korea joined as the 101st member in 1997.

The Korean government has also been making efforts, such as enacting the Wetland Conservation Act (1999), joining the Ramsar Convention (1997), and deciding to halt the Saemangeum Reclamation Project (2010), and in July 2021, the tidal flats of Seocheon, Gochang, Shinan, and Boseong-Suncheon were registered as UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites, internationally recognizing the value of tidal flats.