A Study on the Optimum Environmental Conditions for the Creation and Restoration of Artificial Tidal Flat

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of design criteria and environmental conditions of the site of created tidal flats on the structure and function of man-made ecosystem. Seven constructed tidal flats and three natural tidal flats were studied taking the difference in the location (wave height and tidal current), inflow of river water, slope of tidal flat and age after the construction completed into consideration. Parameters studied were physico-chemical and biological characteristics of soils and rate of respiration. The natural tidal flats had higher contents of silt, nitrogen and organic matter compared with the constructed ones. The natural ones had reductive zone below 2cm, whereas the constructed ones had aerobic zone from the surface to below 20cm. The bacterial population in the soil of the constructed tidal flats was one to two orders of magnitude lower than that in the natural ones. Both biomass of macrobenthos and microbial respiration rate, however, were not different significantly between the natural and the constructed tidal flats. There was an exceptional constructed tidal flat with similar physico-chemical and biological characteristics to the natural ones. It is most probable that sufficient conditions to have similar tidal flats to natural ones are the location in enclosed bay or calm coastal area. Thus, to make man-made tidal flats with the same characteristics as those in natural ones, man-made tidal flats should be designed and/or located to enhance the accumulation of silt on tidal flat. It is important to select a place having low water motion for construction of tidal flat.