The Korean tidal flat of the Yellow Sea: Physical setting, ecosystem and management

• A characteristic description on the Yellow Sea including the West Sea of Korea largely given.
• The Korean tidal flat described extensively and its aspect of ecosystem services highlighted.
• The issue of reclamation projects in Korea scrutinized by comparison to the European system.
• A legal framework of the coastal management in Korea reviewed and criticized.

The present article provides a regional overview of the Korean tidal flat extensively developed along the West Sea of Korea, encompassing oceanographic features, geology, and biology. In particular, the Korean tidal flat was fully described in the aspects of spatial scale (viz. size), geographical distribution, biodiversity, and local culture. A particular emphasis was given to explain the framework of the coastal management in Korea, in terms of a legal aspect, by highlighting reclamation versus protection issues. First, we described the Yellow Sea by sketching the boundary, ocean and tidal currents, discharges from the major rivers, sedimentology, and the cooperative surveys between Korea and China. Next, the West Sea of Korea, where the offshore boundary often neighbored rather close to coastal zone because of the associating traditional livelihoods, was described to point out certain characteristics of hydrography, coastal landscape, tidal channels, tide, and sedimentary process. Then the Korean tidal flat which is the main topic of this article was introduced by highlighting the geographical distribution, biodiversity of benthic diatoms and macrozoobenthos, artisanal fisheries, and local culture in aspect of ecosystem services in tidal flats. Meantime, the issue of reclamation was mini-reviewed by tracking the chronicle development, aerial coverage, and deteriorated environmental impacts on the coastal ecosystem. Herein, the untiring efforts towards protection of the Korean tidal flat are also included in viewpoints of legal framework and the designation of protected areas. Overall, the present collective description aims an introductory guidance for the individual papers of the special issue on the Korean tidal flat, with provisioning several key maps to be cross-utilized or referred.