• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2018

We investigated natural habitat of seagrass and created replacement habitat to monitor for restoration of the habitat which is expected to be damaged at Cheonseong harbor in Busan. Depth of water for natural seagrass habitat at Cheonseong harbor was 1.2~3.1 m and the water temperature was 7.4℃, salt concentration was 29.1 psu and pH was 8.05 in January, 2013. The density of seagrass was 167.1±16.4 shoots m^-2, the total length was 48.5±18.1 cm, the height of sheath was 9.1±2.8 cm and the width of leaf was 4.8±1.1 cm, respectively. We transplanted in December 2014 and monitored the habitat during 9 months after transplanted. In the beginning, the density of seagrass was decreased to 8.5 shoots patch^-1 in January and was increased to 19.0 shoots patch^-1 in April. The total height were 73.3±2.9~121.3±6.1 cm, the length of sheath were 9.6±0.6-21.0±1.2 cm, the width of leaf were 5.7±0.1~6.8±0.2 mm. It showed that all values were increased steadily until July and was decreased rapidly in August. Flowering shoot, which was not observed in the beginning of transplanting, started to be spotted in March and was continued to be seen during the monitoring period. We were able to observe seedling of germinated seagrass in seeds in the replacement habitat next year.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.501-507
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• 2000

Distribution and habitat characteristics of Zostera (Zosteraceae) in the eastern coast of Korea were examined along with plant monohology, sediment composition and physicochemical factors of seawater from June 1998 to July 2000, The results showed that three species, Zostera marina, Z. asiatica and Z, caespitosa were found in specific habitats. The depth of habitat for Z. asiatica was deeper ($8.5{\~}15.0 m$) than that of Z. marina ($1.3{\~}5.6 m$) and Z. caespitosa ($3.2{\~}5.2 m$). Z. marina beds were observed at brackish-water, port and inner bay with the sediment type of sand or muddy sand. Habitats of Z. asiatica were restricted to the open bay with the sediment type of sand, Zostera have been described with regard to different growth forms of vegetation, flowering shoot and life history. Vegetation and flowering shoot length varied significantly with habitats; values ranged $66.8{\~}110.0 cm$ and $128.0{\~}217,8 cm$, respectively. Morphology of Z. marina varied with water depth and different substrates. Morphological characteristics of Z. asiatica showed a new phenotype at the deeper water depth. Vegetation and flowering shoots of Z. caespitosa were not significantly different between study sites (values ranged from 64.9 cm to 70.3 cm). Nutrient concentrations of seawater were higher at southern part than at middle part of the eastern coast of Korea. Distribution of Zostera in the eastern coast of Korea was dependent upon differences in water depth and habitat environments, by which affected the morphological differences were affected.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2001

An ecological study was conducted to determine the geographic distribution, community structure, and habitat characteristics of eelgrass, Zostera marina L. beds along the southern coast of Korea. Plants and sediment samples were collected during June 2000 and December 2000 on twenty-eight locations, including two Cheju Island stations, which were used to compare morphological characteristics with habitat types. Z. marina populations existed from the intertidal to subtidal zone, mainly in the bays along the coast and the island, the barrier reef, and the estuary where the water depth was 0.5${\sim}$8.0m. Salinity range in Z. marina beds ranged 18.2 to 34.5%$_o$. Sediments of Z. marina beds contained 49.7${\sim}$99.1% of sand and were classified into sand, muddy sand, and sandy mud. Mean grain size varied from 1.5 to 4.4 phi. Height of vegetation shoots varied from 54.7 to 171.4 cm, depending on water depth, location, substrata and habitat types. quantitative morphological features that enabled recognition of the two phonetic groups were short-narrow leaf type and long-broad leaf type. Statistical analysis indicated that biomass of individual plants and their quantitative morphological characteristics were significantly correlated.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2005

The phonology and reproductive effort of Zostera marina L. (Dongdae Bay and Aenggang Bay) on the southern coast of Korea were investigated from September 2002 to August 2003. The Dongdae Bay(DB) exhibited a finer sediment grain size with richer organic content than the Aenggang Bay(AB). Water temperature at DB site ranged from $7.5^{\circ}C$ in February to $25.5^{\circ}C$ in August, while water temperature at AB site ranged rrom $6.7^{\circ}C$ in February to $25.2^{\circ}C$ in september. Both populations exhibited a perennial lifB span, but the sexual reproductive effort was significantly higher at DB than AB. The reproductive shoots of DB site were developed from February to June 2003, while those of AB site from March to June 2003. At DB site, the frequency of reproductive shoot ranged from 11 to 33%, whereas reproductive shoot of AB did below 5%. Reproductive structures were larger and more abundant at DB, with the exception of number of fruits and seeds per spadix. Water temperature seems most important to regulate the timing of reproductive phase of Z. marina populations for two study sites.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.70-77
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• 2003

From March 1998 to August 2000, the phenological and morphometric changes of Zostera marina L. were examined at the Duksan Port in the eastern coast of Korea. Morphometric characteristics, phenological stage, shoot density, biomass of Z. marina population and environmental parameters were also measured. Nutrient levels in water column varied over the season. Morphometric characteristics of vegetative shoot changed with season; shoot heights ranged from 54.2 cm (March) to 100.0 cm (October). Reproductive shoots appeared from mid-March to early September of which the height was ranged from 97.8 cm (March) to 213.0 cm (July). The flowering phase started at 12$^{\circ}C$ and the fruit development was resulted up to 21$^{\circ}C$. The seed maturing was developed at 22$^{\circ}C$-$25^{\circ}C$. Shoot density and biomass in permanent quadrate (0.25 m$^2$) were significantly different among seasons ranging from 38 to 136 shoots (mean 80.3$\pm$6.5) for shoot density, and 190 g dry wt m$^{-2}$ in October 1998 to 922 g dry wt m$^{-2}$ in June 1998 for biomass respectively. Relationships between shoot morphometrics and physico-chemical parameters were not significantly correlated. Seasonal changes in water temperature seemed responsible for the replacement of reproductive phases and the annual changes of shoot morphometrics in Z. marina populations.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.106-116
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• 2020

To examine distribution of the Zostera species growing naturally in Ulleungdo, scuba diving surveys using ships were conducted along the coast and inside the harbors of the island at the end of September 2019. In areas of seagrass occurrence, environmental factors such as nutrient concentrations in water column and sediment pore water, salinity, and sediment organic content were also analyzed. Zostera caulescens meadows appeared in the relatively deep waters (14-24 m MSL) of Cheonbu-ri, Jeodong-ri, Sadong-ri, and Namyang-ri in Ulleungdo, and the total seagrass coverage was approximately 4.9 ha. Approximately 0.9 ha of Zostera marina meadow was found at the depths of 3-5 m MSL within Hyeonpo-hang in Hyeonpo-ri. The average shoot density and biomass of Z. caulescens were 121.9±9.7 shoot m^-2 and 99.0±13.2 gDW m^-2, respectively, with no significant differences by location. The average shoot density and biomass of Z. marina were 193.8±18.8 shoot m^-2 and 102.6±6.8 gDW m^-2, respectively. The nutrient concentrations in the sediment pore water and sediment organic content in the seagrass meadows in Ulleungdo were lower than those in eelgrass meadows on the southern and eastern coasts of Korea. These results will provide useful basic information for the marine protected species, Z. caulescens and Z. marina, and for the conservation of the waters of Ulleungdo, which has been designated as a marine protected area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2005

This study described the phonology and reproductive potential of four species of Korean seagrasses, Zostera caespitosa, Z. caulescem, Z. Japonica and Z. marina. Z. caespitosa and Z. caulescens sampled from a mixed stand at the subtidal area of Yulpo Bay, Geojedo of the South Sea of Korea in November 2002 and August 2003. Z japonica and Z. marina occurred at the depth between the middle intertidal and shallow subtidal (<1m below mean sea level) of Seungbongdo (in Yellow Sea) samples collected in February and October 2003. The sexual reproductive phase of the four Zostera species was apparently different in timing of flowering, reproductive period, fruiting and seed maturing. Z. caespitosa flowered from February to early May $(10-16^{\circ}C)$, and its seed production completed in early May. The reproductive shoots of Z. caulescens began to appear in January $(9^{\circ}C)$, and its flowering followed from February to June $(10-19^{\circ}C)$. The flowers of Z. japonica were observed from July to September $(18-22^{\circ}C)$, and its seeds matured from August to September. The most commonly I marina flowered from April to August $(7-21^{\circ}C)$ and developed into seeds in July. Z. caulescens, the largest plant, had the highest number of seeds per shoot and longest spadix length. Z. marina, which was intermediate In size, recorded the highest reproductive potential. The study indicates that the reproductive phase and potential of the four species of seagrass from Korea are highly related to water temperature, and the populations of these species show a perennial lifespan with a low sexual reproductive input.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4 s.92
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• pp.336-341
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• 2000

This study was conducted to clarify the habitat characteristics and distribution of seagrass. Zostera marina L. (Zosteraceae) in the brackish Hwajinpo Lake, Korea in June 1998 and July 2000. Z. marina beds were distributed along the sea-side cost of the lower lake mouth at 0.8 to 1.5m in death, and the seagrass bed area was about 3,200 m$^{2}$. Salinity, water temperature and pH were in the range of 8.0${\sim}$23.0$%_{o}$, 22.0${\sim}$23.7$^{\circ}C$ and 8.34${\sim}$8.62, respectively. Nutrient concentrations were generally now (TN: 24.34 ${\mu}$M, NH$_{4}$-N: 2.57 ${\mu}$M, NO$_{3}$-N: 0.56 ${\mu}$M, NO$_{2}$-N: 0.27 ${\mu}$M, TP: 2.08 ${\mu}$M, PO$_{4}$-P: 0.34 ${\mu}$M). Suspended particulate matters (SPM) concentration averaged 62.8 mg/l and particulate organic matter (POM) averaged 21.3 mg/l. Organic content of SPM averaged 33.9%. The beds substratum was composed of well-sorted, fine sand and its mean brain size was 3.13${\Phi}$. The Z. marina vegetation was almost submerged, and the morphological characteristics can be classified as steno-leaf phenotype by the shoot length, leaf width, and number of leaf vein. Shoot length and leaf width were 70.0${\sim}$126.5 cm and 5${\sim}$7 mm, respectively. Shoot densities ranged from 264 to 296/m$^{2}$, and the plants biomass was estimated at 332.6 to 373.0 g dw/m$^{2}$. Therefore, the habitats of Z. marina in Korea were recognized in a brackish lake, and morphological characteristics appeared to be variable.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2015

The growth and population dynamics of eelgrass (Zostera marina) due to changes in sediment composition were examined in the lower intertidal zone of the Seomjin Estuary, Korea. We surveyed environmental factors such as water temperature, underwater irradiance, main types and organic content of sediment, tidal exposure, and nutrient concentrations in the water column and sediment pore water, in relation to the shoot density, biomass, morphological characteristics, and growth of Z. marina inhabiting lower intertidal zones. The survey was conducted monthly from May to December of 2004 and 2009. The water temperature showed obvious seasonal trends in both study years. Underwater irradiance was significantly higher in 2009 than in 2004. Tidal exposure was not significantly different between 2004 and 2009. The sediment was muddy-sand in 2004 but became sandy and with a significantly lower organic content in 2009. Water column $NH_4{^+}$ concentrations were significantly higher in 2004 than in 2009. Sediment pore water $NO_3{^-}+NO_2{^-}$ concentrations were significantly higher in 2009 than in 2004. Other nutrient concentrations did not differ significantly between 2004 and 2009. Morphological characteristics, including eelgrass length and leaf width were significantly lower in 2009 than in 2004. Eelgrass shoot height, leaf length, and sheath length showed typical seasonal patterns, increasing in early summer and decreasing in autumn, in both years. Vegetative shoot density was not significantly different between 2004 and 2009, while the biomass of individual plant parts and the total biomass were significantly lower in 2009. Eelgrass leaf productivity did not differ between years, but leaf turnover time was significantly shorter in 2009 than in 2004. Eelgrass downsizing and decreased turnover time in 2009 compared to 2004 indicate more effective adaptations to the stress of long-term changes in sediment composition. Overall, results suggest that changes in sediment composition can be a limiting factor for seagrass growth in the intertidal zone.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.54-55
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• 2004