This study was carried out to suggest principles & guidelines necessary for setting up of the assessment system applied in Korean stream. The work was based on the review and discussion of advanced stream assessment techniques and its adjustment for Korean stream condition and management status. The results obtained from this study were summarized as follows: Firstly, stream assessment system has been developed from the fact that geomorphological structures and chemical qualities forming stream system in the hierarchy, were closely correlated to the biological diversity through temporal and spatial scales. Therefore, Korean stream assessment system must be developed with a sufficient consideration on the characteristics of stream conditions as well as actual status of stream management. The other side, those advanced and standardized assessment system, which has been originated from a long experienced lessons on stream management, interdisciplinary knowledge and techniques, represented much logic consistence in view of basic components such as aims for assessment, establishment of assesment indicators and criteria, selection of reference conditions. Accordingly, our assessment system must be also progressed towards scientifically oriented and integrated system which reflects our real stream surroundings and also includes some principles and process and techniques reviewed in advanced system.

This study was carried out to assess problems related to legislative regulations and guidelines concerning some biological assessment systems applied to stream corridor in Korea. We comparatively reviewed the law of stream corridors and the guidelines for master plan concerned, and the law of water quality and health assessment criteria for the aquatic ecosystem concerned. Stream environments were not managed effectively due to the absence of detail regulations and the criteria for stream assessment. A biological assessment system was not equivalently integrated within the management of water resources in process implementation of projects resulting from the dualistic management system for stream corridors in Korea. The current biological assessment system was reflected to mainly physical habitats or only oriented to some aquatic species correlated with water quality. This system was also recognized as part of environment impact assessment based on an intensive survey method of most biological taxa. Conclusively rapid and quantitative assessment techniques based on advanced organisms, such as vegetation, fish and birds, etc. should be urgently provided for considering as representative indicators of stream conditions in Korea.