• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2015

We identified research trends for freshwater exotic species in South Korea using text mining methods in conjunction with bibliometric analysis. We searched scientific and common names of freshwater exotic species as searching keywords including 1 mammal species, 3 amphibian-reptile species, 11 fish species, 2 aquatic plant species. A total of 245 articles including research articles and abstracts of conference proceedings published by 56 academic societies and institutes were collected from scientific article databases. The search keywords used were the common names for the exotic species. The $20^{th}$ century (1900's) saw the number of articles increase; however, during the early $21^{st}$ century (2000's) the number of published articles decreased slowly. The number of articles focusing on physiological and embryological research was significantly greater than taxonomic and ecological studies. Rainbow trout and Nile tilapia were the main research topic, specifically physiological and embryological research associated with the aquaculture of these species. Ecological studies were only conducted on the distribution and effect of large-mouth bass and nutria. The ecological risk associated with freshwater exotic species has been expressed yet the scientific information might be insufficient to remove doubt about ecological issues as expressed by interested by individuals and policy makers due to bias in research topics with respect to freshwater exotic species. The research topics of freshwater exotic species would have to diversify to effectively manage freshwater exotic species.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.364-371
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• 2021

Public awareness of alien species can vary by generation, period, or specific events associated with these species. An understanding of public awareness is important for the management of alien species because differences in public awareness can affect the establishment and implementation of management plans. We analyzed digital texts on social media platforms, news articles, and internet search volumes used in conservation culturomics to understand public interest and sentiment regarding alien freshwater species. The number of tweets, number of news articles, and relative search volume to 11 freshwater alien species were extracted to determine public interest. Additionally, the trend over time, seasonal variability, and repetition period of these data were confirmed. We also calculated the sentiment score and analyzed public sentiment in the collected data using sentiment analysis based on text mining techniques. The American bullfrog, nutria, bluegill, and largemouth bass drew relatively more public interest than other species. Some species showed repeated patterns in the number of Twitter posts, media coverage, and internet searches found according to the specified periods. The text mining analysis results showed negative sentiments from most people regarding alien freshwater species. Particularly, negative sentiments increased over the years after alien species were designated as ecologically disturbing species.

• 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 Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.314-329
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• 2015

The fish fauna was investigated from 2010 and 2013 at main stream and tributaries in the Seomjin River which has no estuary dike. The collected fishes were identified into 37,751 individuals of 107 species of 81 genera belonging to 41 families. Among the collected fishes the primary freshwater fishes were 57 species (Relative Abundance: 53.3%), the secondary fishes were 10 species (RA: 9.3%) and the marine fishes were 40 species (RA: 37.4%). The dominant species was Zacco platypus (RA: 28.7%), and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus (RA: 15.0%). The endemic species were 21 species (RA: 31.3%). The endangered fishes were Acheilognathus somjinensis (Level I), Lampetra reissneri (Level II) and Microphysogobio koreensis (Level II). The exotic species were Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. We supposed that Odontobutis interrupta in the Seomjin River is translocated species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.198-209
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• 2008

During studies of the fish fauna and communities of Mankyeong River, which flows to the Yellow Sea, 14 families in 44 genera and 63 species of freshwater fishes were caught. Zacco platypus (27.7%) was the dominant species and Z. koreanus (11.3%) the subdominant species in this river. Twenty-three species of Korean endemic fishes appeared, and two of these, Pseudopungtungia nigra and Liobagrus obesus, represented endangered Korea species. Community structure of each branch stream was stable, showing appropriate dominant species: Z. koreanus in Jeonju Stream, Z. platypus in Kosan and Soyang Streams, and Carassius auratus in Mankyeong main stream. Three introduced species appeared: C. cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides, and Lepomis macrochirus. Among these introduced species, M. salmoides expanded its territory from midstream to downstream because of its strong carnivorous tendency and it favoring of lentic waters. This distribution of M. salmoides affected the number and distribution of small native freshwater fishes, especially those in the subfamily Acheilognathinae.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.225-235
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• 2007

The freshwater fish fauna and physical characteristics of streams in Yeosu peninsula and Geumo Islands were surveyed at thirty nine stations in the period of 2003 and 2005. Most of the streams were short in length and narrow in flowing water width. Main materials of riverbed in most stations were cobble, pebble and gravel; those in the stations adjacent river mouth gravel and sand. In the river type, eighteen stations out of surveyed stations were upstream type: Aa. Thirty nine fish species belonging sixteen families were caught in this survey region. Among them twenty seven species were primary freshwater fishes and nine were peripheral. In the species composition of each family, there were the most species in Cyprinidae and Gobiidae, twelve and ten species, respectively. Endemic species of Korean peninsula in this region were eight species. One exotic fish species, Lepomis macrochirus was found in Yeosu peninsula. Dominant species in each district was Zacco temminckii in Yeosu peninsula, Rhinogobius brunneus in Dolsan Island, Leucopsarion petersii in Geumo island and Oryzias latipes in Gae island. In the analysis of community structure, it was appeared that the community of Yeosu peninsula was the most diverse and stable in this region; as the size of island became smaller, diversity and richness of community decreased. Kichulchoia brevifasciata did not caught in this survey, and it is possible that the species was extincted in this island. Acanthorhodeus gracilis and L. petersii were reported firstly in this region.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2023

The aquarium pet trade is a source of potentially invasive crayfish species, which can be subsequently intentionally or unintentionally introduced into new environments. There were 34 species of freshwater crayfish imported into Korea for ornamental purposes. Starting with 1 species in 2008, it shows a trend of continuous increase every year with the maximum of 25 species in 2020. The number of freshwater crayfish imported into Korea for ornamental purposes was 1,172,159, with an annual average of 78,144 being imported. The population also recorded a record high in 2017 with a 38% increase in population imports compared to the previous year. Among the 34 pet crayfish imported into Korea, four species classified as high-risk and managed in the US and Europe were American crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), Cherax quadricarinatus, Cherax cainii, and Cherax destructor. In addition to American crayfish (P. clarkii), 3 types of high-risk invasive crayfish are designated as legally managed species by conducting an ecological risk assessment, raising awareness among importers, retailers and consumers through awareness-raising education on freshwater crayfish, and measures for route management such as species identification and improvement of labeling methods are needed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determined the status and geographical distribution of the alien invasive Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) turtle on Jeju Island. We found thirty-two Red-eared slider habitats including twenty-five ponds, five agricultural reservoirs, a puddle and a stream. Among those, thirteen sites are newly determined habitats of the turtle. The remaining nineteen are previously reported. However, we could not find any turtles at nine sites, which were documented as turtle habitats in earlier reports. A total of one hundred thirty-three turtles were observed. Among them, we determined that thirty-nine were juvenile turtles, found in nineteen different habitats, indicating estimating that Red-eared sliders produced their progeny in the wild of this island. Because of geographical isolation by the ocean, no freshwater turtle had been found until $19^{th}$ Century. Therefore, the increased number of finding sites and Red-eared sliders indicate the possibility of human release of their pets or for other purposes, and natural propagation in the wild on Jeju Island. Our findings will be useful for management planning to deal with this invasive species, and implementation of a conservation program for native wildlife on Jeju Island.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.119-124
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• 2018

Diversity of fish fauna and species list collected from the Imha-Dam Reservoir of the Nakdonggang River system were reviewed based on the published materials from 1992 to 2016. As a result of the present study, 46 freshwater fish species/subspecies belonging to 36 genera, 11 families, 4 orders were reported in the Imha-Dam Reservoir. Of them, Cyprinidae occupied 58.7% (27 species), Cobitidae 10.9% (5 spp.), Gobiidae 6.5% (3 spp.), and Siluridae, Centropomidae, Centrarchidae were 4.3% (2 spp.) in the number of species, respectively. The dominant species in the number of individuals was Erythroculter erythropterus (40.1%, 9,333 inds.), and the subdominant species was Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis (9.8%, 2,281 inds.). Among 46 species/subspecies, 17 species (37.0%) were identified as endemic species to Korea. Three species were endangered fish species by the Ministry of Environment of Korea, five translocated species, and three exotic species were reported.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.402-410
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• 2013

In this study, to identify ichthyofauna of the Seomjin River, which has no barrage at estuary, and to estimate effect of estuary barrage, fish sampling was conducted at 16 study sites in mainstream of the Seomjin River from 2010 to 2012. A total of 54 species classified into 17 families were collected. Cyprinidae was the dominant family and Zacco platypus (relative abundance, RA: 47.8%) was identified as the dominant species. In total, 17 Korean endemic species (31.5%) were collected, and it is higher than the average endemic rate of Korean peninsula (22.5~25.9%). Although the relative abundance of exotic species (1.1%) was low, it is higher than the past studies (2002: 0.0%, 2009: 0.4%). Dominance index of freshwater region (St.4~St.16) was relatively higher than estuary (St.1~St.3), because Z. platypus showed high relative abundance at freshwater region. But diversity and evenness index showed contradictory results, as estuary was higher than freshwater region. The ratios of sea fish, peripheral freshwater fish and economic fish, and diversity index are higher than the Nakdong River, the Yeongsan River and the Geum River. In conclusion, to conserve the value of the Seomjin River ichthyofauna, continuous monitoring is necessary.