• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.268-275
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• 2007

Diversity of the mud flat microbial population in Suncheon Bay was investigated by studying extracellular enzyme activities and 16S rDNA sequences. Four culturable bacterial strains with CMCase, xylanase and protease activities were isolated from the wetland and the mud flat. All the strains produced more xylanase activity than CMCase or protease activity, and the properties of the isolate enzymes from the wetland were similar to those from the mud flat. About 2,000 clones were obtained with the 16S rDNA amplified from the metagenomic DNA isolated from the mud samples. Based on the restriction pattern(s), seventeen clones were selected for base sequence analysis. Of the 17 clones, only 35% (6 clones) were found to be cultured strains and 65% (11 clones) to be uncultured strains. The similarities in the base sequences of the clones ranged from 91.0% to 99.9% with an average similarity of 97.3%. The clones could be divided into 7 groups, Proteobacteria (9 clones, 52.9%), Firmicutes (3 clones, 17.6%), Bacteroidetes (1 clone), Flavobacteria (1 clone), Verrucomicrobia (1 clone), Acidobacteria (1 clone), and Chloroflexi (1 clone). Most of the Proteobacteria clones were gamma Proteobacteria associated with oxidation-reduction of sulfur.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.3
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• pp.275-287
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze forest vegetation type classification and relationships between the type and environment factor in Mt. Dutasan. Data were collected by total of forty six plots using Z-M phytosociological method from June to October, 2016, and analyzed by vegetation classification, canopy layer structure and relationships between vegetation unit and environment factor using coincidence methods. As a result of vegetation type classification, Quercus mongolica community group was classified at a top level of vegetation hierarchy that was classified into Rhododendron schlippenbachii community and Betula costata community. R. schlippenbachii community was divided into Lychnis cognata group and R. schlippenbachii typical group. L. cognata group was subdivided into Veratrum oxysepalum subgroup and L. cognata typical subgroup. B. costata community was divided into Fraxinus mandshurica group and Betula schmidtii group. F. mandshurica group was subdivided into Weigela subsessilis subgroup and Cimicifuga heracleifolia subgroup. Therefore the forest vegetation was composed of six vegetation units with two kinds of bisected species groups and fourteen species groups. As the result of an analysis of canopy layer structure, there were two kinds of structures with monotonous structures V. oxysepalum subgroup (vegetation units 1), L. cognata typical subgroup (vegetation units 2), W. subsessilis subgroup (vegetation units 4) and complicated structures R. schlippenbachii typical group (vegetation units 3), C. heracleifolia subgroup (vegetation units 5), Betula schmidtii group (vegetation units 6). The vertical layer structure of vegetation unit 5 was the most developed and vegetation unit 6 had the lowest coverage of herb layer. According to the correlation between vegetation unit and environmental factor, R. schlippenbachii community (vegetation units 1~3) and B. costata community (vegetation units 4~6) were classified based on 1,100 m of altitude, middle slope, twenty of slope degree, twenty percents of bare rock and thirty centimeters of DBH in tree layer. R. schlippenbachii community (vegetation units 1~3) showed positive correlation with altitude, topography and B. costata community (vegetation units 4~6) showed negative correlation tendency with them.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 2011

Field observations and culture experiments have been carried out during the rainy season (on the 6th, 8th and 27th July 2009) to examine changes in the primary productivity and associated plant pigments in the estuary of the Seom-jin River. Primary productivity was determined at four sampling stations along the salinity gradient. On 6th July (before heavy rain) primary productivity ranged from 689~1,169 mgC $m^{-2}$ $d^{-1}$. On the 8th, just after more than 216.5 mm of precipitation, euphotic layers at all stations were reduced to very shallow water because of the high concentration of suspended solids in the water. This resulted in dramatically decreased primary productivity down to as low as 12~32 mg C $m^{-2}$ $d^{-1}$. However, after the rain, primary productivity on the 27th ranged from 266~999 mgC $m^{-2}$ $d^{-1}$, demonstrating a fast recovery in the upper stream water to similar productivity levels to those before the rainy season. Concentration of fucoxanthin in the water was highest on the 6th July. Before the rain, concentration of the zeaxanthin, increased as the salinity decreased. Immediately after the heavy rain, the Chl b (Chlorophytes) concentration was higher at all sites than before the rainy season. The concentration of fucoxanthin decreased after the heavy rain. At the downstream site, peridinin (Dinoflagellates) were found. During the rainy season, the diatoms contributed to the primary productivity at all sites. However, after the rainy season, Chl b (Chlorophytes) and Peridinin (Dinoflagellates) increased, demonstrating the enhanced contribution of those species in addition to diatoms.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.428-436
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate water quality characteristics and ecological health using a mulimetric fish model in Taehwa-River watershed during May~September 2009. The ecological health assessments were based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish community and the multimetric model of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI). For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. We also analyzed spatial patterns of chemical water quality over the period of 2000~2009, using the water chemistry dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Values of BOD and COD averaged $1.7\;mg\;L^{-1}$ (scope: $0.1{\sim}31.8\;mg\;L^{-1}$) and $3.6\;mg\;L^{-1}$ (scope: $0.4{\sim}33\;mg\;L^{-1}$), respectively during the study. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged $2.8\;mg\;L^{-1}$ and $96.8\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, respectively, indicating an eutrophic-hypertrophic state. Also, TN and TP showed longitudinal increases toward the downriver reach. In the watershed, QHEI values varied from 67.5 (fair condition) to 164.5 (good condition) by the criteria of US EPA (1993). There was a abruptly decreasing tendency from T9 site in the QHEI values. According to 1st and 2nd surveys of Taewha River, multimetric model values of IBI was averaged 26.1 (n=14) with "good" condition (B) and the spatial variation was evident. Our results suggest that the mainstream sites was getting worse health condition along the river gradient due to inputs of the point and non-point sources from the urban (Ulsan city). Overall, dataset of IBI, QHEI, and water chemistry indicated that the ecological river health showed a downriver decline and the pattern was closely associated with habitat degradations and chemical pollutions as the waters pass through the urban region.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.311-317
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutrient intake and selected blood parameters of adults with metabolic syndrome (MS) and to provide data in forming a dietary guideline for the prevention of chronic diseases. Subjects were recruited and divided into two groups according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria and WHO Asia-Pacific Area criteria for obesity. MS group was defined as subjects who have three or more risk factors and control group was defined as those with two or less of the risk factors. The average age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI) were 58.8 years, 158.0 cm, 66.3 kg, $26.5\;kg/m^{2}$, respectively, in the MS group; and 58.4 years, 158.9 cm, 59.6 kg, $23.5\;kg/m^{2}$, respectively, in the control group. The weight and BMI in the MS group were significantly higher than those in the control (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the food and nutrient intake between the MS and control group. Male subjects in the MS group showed significantly higher intake of mushrooms than those in the control (p<0.05). Egg consumption in the MS group was significantly lower than those in the control (p<0.01). Consumption of vegetables and fiber was significantly lower for female subjects in the MS group than those in the control (p<0.05). Serum GPT, AI and WBC count in the MS group (27.8 IU/L, 3.7, $5964.2\;{\mu}/L$) were significantly higher than those in the control (22.6 IU/L, 3.2, $5250.0\;{\mu}/L$; p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.01). In conclusion, consuming fiber and vegetables may prevent and reduce metabolic syndrome in adult men and women, and this study demonstrates the need for proper dietary management for them.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.40-53
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• 2013

Most of the existing domestic studies to identify the distribution of longevity population and influencing factors oriented confirmatory approach. Furthermore, most of the studies in this research topic simply have used their own definition of spatial unit of analysis or employed arbitrary spatial units of analysis according to data availability. These research approaches can not sufficiently reflect the spatial characteristic of longevity phenomenon and exposed to the Modifiable Aerial Unit Problem(MAUP). This research performed the Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis(ESDA) to identify the spatial autocorrelation of the distribution of longevity population and investigated whether the modifiable areal unit problem in the aspect of scale effect using spatial population data in Korea. We used Si_Gun_Gu and Eup_Myeon_Dong as two different spatial units of regional longevity indicators measured. Then, we applied Getis-Ord Gi* to investigate the existence of spatial hot spots and cold spots. The results from our analysis show that there exist statistically significant spatial autocorrelation and spatial hot spots and cold spots of regional longevity at both Si_Gun_Gu and Eup_Myeon_Dong levels. This result implies that the modifiable areal unit problem does exist in the studies of spatial patterns of longevity population distribution. The demand for longevity researches would be increased inevitably. In addition, there were apparent differences for the global spatial autocorrelation and local spatial cluster which calculated different spatial units such as Si_Gun_Gu and Eup_Myeon_Dong and this can be seen as scale effect of MAUP. The findings from our analysis show that any study in this topic can mislead results when the modifiable areal unit problem and spatial autocorrelation are not explicitly considered.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2018

A recent topic of interest within ecology is ecosystem services that are importantly connected with biodiversity. Biodiversity is a fundamental component of ecological studies and has been the subject of many studies worldwide. However, studies on the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish were not undertaken in earnest until 2000, and the number of internationally available studies is therefore still limited. In this study, we used data from "The Survey and Evaluation of Aquatic Ecosystem Health (hereafter SEAEH)" within the framework of which whole water systems on the Korean peninsula are annually monitored to investigate and determine the current status of the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish, as well as to elucidate major factors impacting freshwater fish. A total of 130 species from 28 families were identified at around 953 sites in the SEAEH investigation of 2014. The species Zacco platypus (relative abundance: 28.2%) and Z. koreanus (19.3%) were identified as the most abundant species on the Korean peninsula, and besides these 20 endangered species, 51 endemic species and 4 exotic species were also collected. Highest (96 species) and lowest (72 species) diversity were identified in the Han River Watershed and the Yeongsan/Seomjin River Watershed, respectively. The mean endemic rate was 32.7%, which is higher than the previous rate determined in 1995. The exotic species Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus and Carassius cuvieri were found in the whole river system except north Yeongdong, whereas Oreochromis niloticus occurred only at three sites due to the cold water temperatures in winter. Totally, 28 species were found to be translocated to different water systems not connected with known original habitats, most translocations occurring in the Nakdong River and the Yeongdong region. Among the translocated species, Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, and Erythroculter erythropterus were dominantly distributed in the mid- to lower reaches of Nakdong River where they may be harmful to the native fish assemblages due to their strong predation. The construction of weirs in connection with the "4 River Project" generated changes in fish assemblages before, during and after the project, resulting in altered habitat condition. Especially, a decrease in the number of endemic species and an increase in the abundance of lentic species were seen. Human-induced global warming will allow exotic species requiring high water temperatures to adapt to the environmental conditions of the Korean peninsula, which may enhance the diversity of native fishes and create changes in distribution. For the establishment of realistic and efficient management and protection strategies for Korean freshwater fish, SEAEH, which produces fundamental and quantitative data for Korean streams, is an important and necessary tool.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.2 s.116
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• pp.198-208
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• 2006

This research was to apply a multi-metric approach, so called the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) as a tool for biological evaluations of water environments, to a wadable stream. For the study, we surveyed 5 sampling locations in Kap Stream during August 2004 ${\sim}$ September 2005. We also compared the biological data with long-term water quality data, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea and physical habitat conditions based on the Quantitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI). We used ten metric systems for the IBI model to evaluate biological stream health. Overall IBI values in Kap Stream averaged 24 (range: 20${\sim}$30, n=5), indicating a "fair ${\sim}$ poor" conditions according to the modified criteria of Karr (1981) and US EPA(1993). Exclusive of 4th survey, average IBI values at the upstream reach (S1 ${\sim}$ S3)and downstream reach (S4 ${\sim}$ S5) were 20 and 24, respectively. However, in 4th survey the averages were 21 and 20 in the upstream and downstream reaches, respectively. This difference was larger in the upstream than in the downstream because of physical condition disturbed during summer monsoon. Values of the QHEI varied from 75(fair condition) to 148 (good condition) and values of QHEI in the S3 were significantly (P=0.001, n=5) lower than other sites. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were greater by 3 ${\sim}$ 8 fold in the downstream than in the upstream reach. We believe that present IBI approach applied in this study may be used as a key tool to set up specific goals for restoration of Kap Stream.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.2 s.116
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• pp.145-156
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate biological health conditions and physicochemical status using multi-metric models at five sites of the Keum-Ho River during August 2004 and June 2005. The research approach was based on a qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI), index of biological integrity (IBI) using fish assemblage, and long-term chemical data (1995 ${\sim}$ 2004), which was obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. For the biological health assessments, regional model of the IBI in Korea (An,2003), was applied for this study. Mean IBI in the river was 30 and varied from 23 to 48 depending on the sampling sites. The river health was judged to be "fair condition", according to the stream health criteria of US EPA (1993) and Barbour et al. (1999). According to the analysis of the chemical water quality data of the river, BOD, COD, conductivity, TP, TN, and TSS largely varied epending on the sampling sites, seasons and years. Variabilities of some parameters including BOD, COD, TP, TN, and conductivity were greater in the downstream than in the upstream reach. This phenomenon was evident in the dilution by the rain during the monsoon. This indicates that precipitation is a very important factor of the chemical variations of water quality. Community analyses showed that species diversity index was highest (H=0.78) in the site 1, while community dominance index was highest in the site 3, where Opsariichthys uncirostris largely dominated. In contrast, the proportions of omnivore and tolerant species were greater in the downstream reach, than in the upstream reach. Overall, this study suggests that some sites in the downstream reach may need to restore the aquatic ecosystem for better biological health.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-100
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• 2012

This study was determined to analysis marine environmental and phytoplankton monitoring in Wando coastal waters in August during the period of 2009-2010 and provided the basic environmental data against Southwest Sea of Korea. In August, 2009, the distribution of water temperature and salinity showed an unique characteristics for all of stations, which was associated with a long duration of rainfall after July, 2009 and a lack of sunshine. In the lower of August, 2010, the stratification of water temperature and salinity was shown, which was caused by an intensive sunshine after the middle of August, 2010. Gangjin Bay and Gogeundo waters showed a highly different water temperature and transparency. It is thought that two regions have a distinct water mass and characteristics. In dissolved oxygen and oxygen saturation were higher according to higher water depth regardless of stations. In August, 2009, different dominant species occurred that Gangjin Bay showed a higher cell density of diatom, but Gonyaulax polygramma played an important role in dominant species in Gogeundo waters. It is associated with the introduction red tide water of G. polygramma occurring to southern coastal water in August, 2009. In August, 2010, diatom was extremely higher cell density compared with that of dinoflagellate that regarded as adaptive microrganism against higher quantity of suspended solid in Wando waters. Although Wando has a record of Cochlodinium red tide, this species may be difficult to grow and persist. Dominant species, diatom, play an important role in food organism for shellfish and forming a ecological lineage.