World Heritage Identification Number: 1591
World Heritage since: 2021
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇰🇷 Republic of Korea
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats: A Unique Coastal Ecosystem of Global Significance
The Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats, comprise a unique and diverse coastal ecosystem along the southwestern, southern, and western coasts of the Republic of Korea. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 and expanded in 2026, this expansive network of intertidal zones spans across six component parts: Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Getbol, Shinan-Muan Tandoman Getbol, Muan Hamhaeman Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Seocheon Getbol, and Seosan Getbol.
The Getbol demonstrate a complex interaction between geological processes, ocean currents, sediment movement, and weather patterns that have shaped their coastal environments over thousands of years. These tidal flats are highly dynamic landscapes that are constantly transformed by tidal cycles. Sediments composed primarily of sand, silt, and clay are continuously redistributed by waves, currents, wind, and the activities of living organisms. This ongoing process creates diverse habitats and ecological niches that support a wide range of marine and coastal species.
The component parts of the Getbol represent four major tidal-flat subtypes: estuarine, open embayed, archipelagic, and semi-enclosed tidal flats. Estuarine tidal flats, such as those found in Seocheon Getbol, develop where rivers meet the sea and create areas of high nutrient exchange. Open embayed tidal flats, represented by areas such as Gochang Getbol, occur within broad, shallow bays exposed to tidal processes.
The archipelagic tidal flats of Shinan-Muan Tandoman Getbol consist of extensive intertidal zones surrounding numerous islands, while semi-enclosed tidal flats, including those around Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung, are located in partially enclosed coastal waters. The coexistence of these different tidal-flat systems contributes significantly to the ecological diversity and global importance of the Getbol.
The exceptional biodiversity of the Getbol is one of the primary reasons for its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 2,150 species of flora and fauna inhabit these tidal flats, including 22 globally threatened or near-threatened species. The ecosystem supports numerous marine invertebrates, including Mud Octopuses (Octopus minor), mud crabs such as Macrophthalmus japonicus, fiddler crabs (Uca lactea), polychaete worms, Stimpson’s Ghost Crabs (Ocypode stimpsoni), Yellow Sea Sand Snails (Umbonium thomasi), and various suspension-feeding shellfish.
These organisms play essential roles in maintaining the ecological functions of the tidal flats by recycling nutrients and supporting complex food webs. The Getbol also provide critical habitat for migratory birds. A total of 118 migratory bird species depend on these tidal flats as important feeding and resting grounds along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. The abundant invertebrate life within the sediments provides a vital food source for many shorebirds during their long-distance migrations, including several globally threatened species.
Beyond their ecological significance, the Getbol demonstrate the close relationship between geodiversity, biodiversity, and human culture. For centuries, local communities have relied on these tidal flats for food resources, livelihoods, and traditional fishing practices. The Getbol have also influenced local cultural traditions, art, and literature, reflecting the deep connection between coastal communities and their natural environment. Today, they continue to support traditional fishing practices and provide opportunities for ecotourism, offering visitors a chance to witness the beauty and complexity of these unique coastal ecosystems.
The Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats, represent an outstanding example of a globally significant coastal ecosystem. Their exceptional geological features, biological diversity, and cultural importance make them an invaluable natural heritage asset of the Republic of Korea and the world. As coastal environments face increasing pressures from climate change and human activity, protecting and preserving the Getbol is essential to maintaining the ecological processes and biodiversity that have developed within these fragile intertidal landscapes.
UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Situated in the eastern Yellow Sea on the southwestern, western and southern coast of the Republic of Korea, the site comprises six component parts: Boseong-Suncheon-Yeosu-Goheung Getbol, Shinan-Muan Tandoman Getbol, Muan Hamhaeman Getbol, Gochang Getbol, Seocheon Getbol, and Seosan Getbol. The site exhibits a complex combination of geological, oceanographic and climatologic conditions that have led to the development of coastal diverse sedimentary systems. The component parts of the Getbol represent four major tidal-flat subtypes: estuarine, open embayed, archipelagic, and semi-enclosed tidal flats. The site hosts high levels of biodiversity, with reports of 2,150 species of flora and fauna, including 22 globally threatened or near-threatened species. It is home to 47 endemic and five endangered marine invertebrate species besides a total of 118 migratory bird species for which the site provides critical habitats. Endemic fauna includes Mud Octopuses (Octopus minor), and deposit feeders like Japanese Mud Crabs (Macrophthalmus japonica), Fiddler Crabs (Uca lactea), and Polychaetes (bristle worms), Stimpson’s Ghost Crabs (Ocypode stimpsoni), Yellow Sea Sand Snails (Umbonium thomasi), as well as various suspension feeders like clams. The site demonstrates the link between geodiversity and biodiversity, and demonstrates the dependence of cultural diversity and human activity on the natural environment.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (x): The property contains some of the most important and significant natural habitats for in situ conservation of the outstanding biodiversity of the Yellow Sea region, including a number of threatened and endemic species. Reflecting its habitat diversity (including islands, rocky shores, beaches, sand flats, mud flats and salt marshes), some 2,454 plant and animal species have been recorded. The property encompasses many of the critical stopover sites for several globally threatened species of migratory birds, along the EAAF, one of the world’s most important yet jeopardized flyways. Many of the estimated 50 million waterbirds of the EAAF depend on the Yellow Sea’s coastal wetlands to stage on their annual migration between nesting areas in eastern Asia to as far north as Siberia and Alaska, and non-breeding areas to as far south as Australasia. The property supports a total of 216 bird species, among which are 114 waterbird species, 44 shorebird species and 24 globally threatened species. There are also 16 migratory waterbird species that at times have over 1% of their global population in the property. The remarkable concentrations of migratory waterbirds using the six component parts include important numbers of globally threatened species and species limited to the EAAF. These include the Spoon-billed Sandpiper; Far Eastern Curlew; Black-faced Spoonbill; Great Knot; Nordmann’s Greenshank; Hooded Crane; Saunders’s Gull; and Chinese Egret. The property also supports 114 species of fish and two species of marine mammals as well as an exceptional diversity of tidal flat organisms including 472 benthic diatom species, 170 macroalgae species, 123 halophyte species and 1,349 species of macrobenthos. 53 of the tidal flat species are endemic to the Yellow Sea.
Encyclopedia Record: Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats
Getbol (Korean: 갯벌) are mudflats, or tidal flats, coastal sedimentary systems. They are important habitats for different types of organisms, including migrating birds and marine fauna such as clams, crabs, octopuses, and snails. In 2021, four getbol sites in South Korea were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their outstanding natural properties, with an extension in 2026 resulting in the listing of six sites in total. Each of these sites represent a different type of getbol (estuarine type, open embayed type, archipelago type, and semi-enclosed type).Additional Site Details
Area: 156.386 hectares
Number of Components: 6
Coordinates: 34.8288222222 , 126.1044444444
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
Image
© Seungh, CC BY-SA 3.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Microphytobenthic biomass and primary production in Korean tidal flats: Trends and variability
Korean tidal flats exhibit moderate microphytobenthic (MPB) biomass but comparatively high primary productivity, particularly in estuarine systems and during spring. A 40-year review of MPB research in Korea revealed notable spatiotemporal variability in biomass and production, with seasonal decoupling observed despite limited mechanistic understanding. The study synthesized data from published studies to examine regional and tidal zone patterns, while also highlighting gaps in standardized, process-oriented research. Pigment-based community composition analyses showed broad-scale spatial coherence, independent of geographic proximity, suggesting complex underlying ecological dynamics.
Kim, H., Noh, J., Kwon, B.-O., & Khim, J. S. (2026). Microphytobenthic biomass and primary production in Korean tidal flats: Trends and variability. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 225, 119310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119310
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Evaluation of the diagnostic reliability of the gill-based Ray’s fluid thioglycollate medium assay for Perkinsus olseni infections in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) across Korean tidal flats
A study evaluating the diagnostic reliability of gill-based Ray’s fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) assays for detecting Perkinsus olseni infections in Manila clams across Korean tidal flats found that while gills are a strong proxy for whole-body infection in high-prevalence areas, their accuracy drops significantly in low-infection environments. The research analyzed six tissues from clams collected at six sites, revealing that the visceral mass consistently harbored the highest parasite loads (27.8%-49.0%), followed by the mantle and gills. At most sites, gill infection levels correlated strongly with whole-body infection intensity (r²=0.6-0.95), but at Padori—where infection prevalence was lowest—the gill assay's efficacy plummeted to 56%, leading to a 44% false negative rate. These findings highlight the limitations of relying solely on gill tissue for diagnostic purposes and advocate for a dual-tissue approach combining gill and whole-body samples to enhance accuracy in surveillance efforts.
Cho, Y.-G., Nobuhisa, K., Choi, H. J., Kwon, M.-G., Yang, H.-S., & Choi, K.-S. (2025). Evaluation of the diagnostic reliability of the gill-based Ray’s fluid thioglycollate medium assay for Perkinsus olseni infections in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) across Korean tidal flats. Parasites, Hosts and Diseases, 63(2), 157–167. https://doi.org/10.3347/phd.25014
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Tidal Zonation Shapes Microbial Communities and Sediment Properties in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gomso Bay, Korea)
Tidal zonation significantly shapes microbial communities and sediment properties in Gomso Bay, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats. Research reveals distinct spatial variations along the intertidal gradient, with inner zones featuring finer sediments, higher organic carbon (TOC), acid volatile sulfide (AVS), and metal concentrations, while outer zones exhibit coarser sediments with lower values. Microbial composition varies, with aerobic organisms dominating high tidal flats and anaerobic taxa prevailing in low tidal flats. Chemolithotrophs thrive in the inner zone, whereas heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria are more abundant in the outer zone. The study used sediment sampling, chemical analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to confirm that tidal exposure drives these ecological patterns, underscoring the complexity of intertidal ecosystems.
Patil, M. P., Ryu, S. O., Woo, H.-E., Lee, C.-G., Oh, H. N., Jang, S. Y., Kim, J.-O., & Kim, K. (2025). Tidal Zonation Shapes Microbial Communities and Sediment Properties in a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Gomso Bay, Korea). Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(12), 2222. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13122222
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Site-Specific Net Suspended Sediment Flux and Turbidity–TSM Coupling in a UNESCO Tidal Flat on the Western Coast of Korea: High-Resolution Vertical Observations
A UNESCO-listed tidal flat on Korea's west coast exhibits a strong linear relationship (R² = 0.94) between turbidity and total suspended matter, validating optical sensors for real-time sediment monitoring in dynamic macrotidal environments. High-resolution observations over a 13-hour period revealed a net seaward suspended sediment flux of approximately 5503 kg·m⁻¹, with ebb-dominant residual currents indicating localized sediment transport patterns. While this single-station study provides a baseline for digital twin modeling and coastal management, its findings should be interpreted as time-specific rather than representative of the entire bay. The research contributes to the preservation and monitoring of Gomso Bay, part of the globally significant 'Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats' UNESCO site.
Lee, J.-H., Jung, H. S., Kim, K., Jang, Y., Lee, D., & Ryu, J.-H. (2025). Site-Specific Net Suspended Sediment Flux and Turbidity–TSM Coupling in a UNESCO Tidal Flat on the Western Coast of Korea: High-Resolution Vertical Observations. Water, 17(23), 3361. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17233361
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Environmental factors on microalgal resuspension and dynamics in tidal flats on the west coast of Korea
A dynamic balance exists between microalgal biomass exchange and tidal cycles in Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats. Environmental factors such as strong winds, waves, and heavy rainfall significantly enhance resuspension, while site-specific sedimentary settings and diel cycles influence microalgal flux. This near-equilibrium highlights the complex interplay of environmental conditions shaping coastal carbon cycling. The study employed a combination of field observations and modeling to elucidate these processes, offering insights into the ecological dynamics of tidal flats.
Kim, H., Lee, J., Ha, H. J., Choi, S. M., Rho, Y., Park, J., Ha, H. K., Kwon, B.-O., & Khim, J. S. (2026). Environmental factors on microalgal resuspension and dynamics in tidal flats on the west coast of Korea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 224, 119092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.119092
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Morphodynamics of macrotidal channels in Korean tidal flats: implications for the role of monsoon precipitation and the stratigraphic architecture of tidal point bars
Korean tidal channels exhibit significant seasonal variability in migration rates, reaching up to 80 meters per year during the summer monsoon when heavy rainfall intensifies ebb tidal asymmetry and promotes headward erosion. This study reveals that meander bends are primarily landward-skewed and shift downstream, indicating that ebb currents dominate long-term channel morphodynamics. Tidal point bars in these channels display ebbward dipping, inclined heterolithic stratification (IHS), which is dominated by bedforms formed by subordinate flood tidal currents. The research combines multiannual observations with analysis of current patterns to elucidate the complex interplay between monsoon precipitation and tidal dynamics, offering new insights into the stratigraphic architecture of tidal point bars in macrotidal environments.
Choi, K. S., Jo, J. H., Kim, D. H., Sohn, S. Y., & Bang, S. H. (2024). Morphodynamics of macrotidal channels in Korean tidal flats: implications for the role of monsoon precipitation and the stratigraphic architecture of tidal point bars. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 540(1), 297–316. https://doi.org/10.1144/sp540-2023-113
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Using the Heavy Metal Indices and Benthic Indices to Assess the Ecological Quality in the Tidal Flats of Garolim Bay, South Korea
A comprehensive assessment of the ecological quality in Garolim Bay's tidal flats reveals that despite low concentrations of heavy metals and total organic carbon, 63% of the stations exhibit unacceptable ecological conditions. The study utilized two heavy metal indices and five benthic indices to evaluate the ecosystem's health robustly. Notably, the Benthic Opportunistic Polychaetes Amphipods Index (BOPA) showed strong performance in correlation and kappa analyses, though it had some limitations. The research underscores the importance of using multiple indices for a more accurate ecological assessment, providing critical insights into the impacts of anthropogenic activities on tidal flat ecosystems.
Liang, J., Huang, H.-R., Ma, C.-W., Son, D.-S., & Kim, S.-K. (2024). Using the Heavy Metal Indices and Benthic Indices to Assess the Ecological Quality in the Tidal Flats of Garolim Bay, South Korea. Water, 16(5), 736. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050736
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