Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources

Establishment of national biological sovereignty through research and excavation of freshwater organisms

We explore potential species and discover novel and unrecorded species by securing freshwater specimens and by reviewing the classification system. We further investigate specific habitats (alpine wetlands, caverns, and hyporheic zones) and consider the unexplored species (freshwater clams, brackish fish, ciliates, and so on).

Experts in unsecured species and researchers from specific habitats (caverns, wetlands, etc.) participated to secure the freshwater specimens and analyze them to determine the distribution patterns by species and intensive survey areas.

Revitalize and utilize specialized storage system for freshwater organisms

We efficiently store and manage freshwater specimens under systematic storage procedures such as specimen production, fumigation, labeling, and linking of sample information. Changes in the temperature and humidity inside a storage facility are managed in real-time with a wireless monitoring system. Fumigation in a fumigation facility prevents the specimens and storage facility from disease and insect pests.

We establish a digitizing (optical digitizing, X-ray image, etc.) system to digitally preserve the stored specimens and provide it as the basic data for experts in biological taxonomy, embryology, and paleontology.

Research on environmental changes during biodiversity conservation

To identify the history of wetland creation in the Korean Peninsula and predict environmental changes, two landmarks in Gonggeumji, Sangju, were drilled to analyze the fossils (fossil diatoms, solid pollen, and so on) and geological features. As a result, Gonggeumji was the first to be biologically identified in Korea that it was built around 1400 years ago.

We aim to predict the hazards to the freshwater environment by surveying freshwater species and habitats around headwaters (origins and small rivers) directly related to the health of ecosystem in the four major rivers, as well as to establish a specialized freshwater biodiversity evaluation system based on the region and basin.

Considering the local image, habitat environment, species symbolism, and resident opinion, we promote local biological monitoring and habitat conservation via public and private partnerships to select the local flagship species, habitats, and areas in need of conservation.

We strive to conserve endangered plants and indigenous species via in vitro breeding while using plant tissue culture techniques. Moreover, we take efforts to increase the availability of freshwater plant resources by developing the mass-propagation technology of freshwater plants that can be used as valuable biomaterials in the bioindustry.

Genetic (genetic diversity and genome) research on freshwater bioresources

We identify genetic features of major freshwater organisms that inhabit Korea’s rivers by water system and by groups. This will provide basic data for the conservation and restoration of valuable freshwater biological resources in Korea.

We aim to secure genetic information of major freshwater organisms in Korea while creating a precise genomic map to establish the Korean standard genome of freshwater organisms. We contribute to the building of scientific evidence for the sovereignty of freshwater organisms in Korea based on the genome outcomes while responding to ABS against the industrial values of freshwater organisms.