• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2000

Vitellogenesis, an important reproductive process in oviparous animals, includes the processes of hormonally regulated synthesis of yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin (Vg), and their deposition in ovarian oocytes as a vitellin which is an important energy source as well as buoyancy regulator of the egg. Vg genes consist of a gene family that encompasses a large number of lipoproteins and produce different Mr. Vg proteins in liver. The expression of Vg is largely dependent on the estrogen, and both reproductive cycle and temperature also influence Vg synthesis. Synthetic estrogens or estrogenic pollutants was sufficient to induce Vg in both sexes of oviparous vertebrates. Therefore, the estrogenic induction of vitellogenesis in male has been used for biological marker in the screening of estrogenicity of certain endocrine disrupting compounds and the monitoring the world-wide contamination of estrogenic compounds in wild life. In the studies on the biological hazard and influence of endocrine disrupting chemicals using the Vg induction in oviparous males, it is important to consider the reproductive cycle, zoogeography and biodiversity of the wild life animals in Korea.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 1976

The most troublesome perennials in the paddy fields in Korea, such as Cyperus serotinus, Potamogeton Franchetii, Sagittaria pygmaea and Eleocharis Kuroguwai, were studied about shape, aspects of ,germination, depth of development(under flooded and upland conditions), reproduction process and production amount. And these characters were compared with in these perennials.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1067-1072
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• 2016

In this study, we determined the ecological characteristics of Strix aluco, which is designated as an endangered category II species. Towards this, we identified the actual home range of Strix aluco that breed in Korea, and collected the data necessary for protecting, preserving and managing owl populations. This study was conducted from April 14 to May 20 of 2016 during the breeding season of Strix aluco as part of the 4th National Ecosystem Survey and in accordance with the Natural Environment Conservation Act. We captured and subsequently released a female owl with a total length of 423.5mm and a weight of 550g in Kyungbuk area, succeeded in tracking it for the first time in Korea and secured 6 points of direct observation and satellite tracking observation. The distance from the nest to the farthest point was 93m. As a result of the analysis of habitat points within a100m-radius during breeding period, it was established that their habitat consists of 34.2% of non-irrigated land, 30.6% of mixed forest land, 10.5% of orchard, and 9.4% of natural grassland. These findings are consistent with the previous estimate of home range studies. Further research based on follow-up studies on males or other individuals is required to develop a stronger basis for protection and conservation of endangered wildlife class II owls.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.681-692
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• 2015

It is well documented that physiological and nutritional condition of wintering birds is strongly related to migration success to breeding sites, and also breeding success. However, how abiotic factors during winter affect the migration and breeding successes still remains unclear. Thus, this study developed a dynamic-state-dependent model for wintering life-history to identify the potential impact on the life-history, success to breeding site and breeding success of wintering birds, which are related to temperature fluctuation, interspecific competition and human disturbance at the wintering sites. To find the best-fit-model, we referred to the existing research data on wintering ecology of Red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in Cheolwon, Korea, which is well documented as a long-term wintering study. Our model predicted that the higher temperature fluctuation and a higher rate of human disturbance are negatively related to migration success to breeding sites and their fitness, ultimately breeding success via changing of proportion in resource allocation (for e. g., lower energy compensation or higher level of stress accumulation). Particularly, the rate of body mass compensation after arrival at wintering sites may be accelerated when there are less temperature fluctuations and a lower rate of human disturbance. In addition, the rate of interspecific competition sharing the wintering foraging sites is negatively related to the rate of body mass compensation. Consequently, we discussed the conservation strategies of wintering birds based on the outcomes of the model.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.168-177
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• 2019

This study was conducted to examine the impact of various environmental factors on the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills Platalea minor known to use rice fields during the breeding season. We surveyed the rice fields three times a month from April to June 2017 and from April to June 2018. We counted the number of black-faced spoonbills and measured the environmental factors such as the water depth, paddy type by cultivation stage, and biomass of potential prey that are expected to affect black-faced spoonbills. We also filmed the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills to examine differences in feeding behavior by environmental factors. The survey showed that the number of black-faced spoonbills reached its peak from late April to late May which was the breeding period. Among a total of 308 black-faced spoonbills observed, 86.4% (n=266) were observed feeding on rice paddies, 90.6% (n=279) were adults, and none was observed on dry paddies. The biomass of rice paddy increased significantly since May when fish started hatching, and there was a significant difference in the amount of biomass between the rice paddies where black-faced spoonbills were observed and other rice paddies. The analysis of the feeding behavior of black-faced spoonbills showed that the feeding efficiency and feeding success rate of black-faced spoonbills increased significantly when the amount of biomass soared and that the number of steps of black-faced spoonbills per minute increased greatly after rice planting was completed. The number of bill sweeping was not related to the feeding efficiency, feeding success rate, and paddy type by cultivation stage.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.273-280
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• 2014

This study examined whether Dybowski's brown frogs(Rana dybowskii) in noisy highway roadsides had different mating calls from those in natural sites. We selected four study sites: two rice paddy sites in Youngdong Highway roadside and two nearby natural counterparts. Frog calls were recorded between 18:30 and 20:00 on February 24, February 27, and March 14, 2014. Frog calls in the natural sites had fundamental frequency approximately at 700 Hz with two to four apparent harmonics, while frog calls in the highway sites had higher fundamental frequency with up to seven apparent harmonics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that a roadside site that are directly exposed to highway noise had statistically higher frog calling frequency than other study sites. However, the higher calling frequency was not found in another roadside site that differed in elevation from the highway and was buffered by forests. These results indicate that male frogs in a noisy highway roadside called females with a higher pitch and more apparent harmonics to avoid being masked by highway noise. These results also suggest that there is a threshold noise level that interrupts frog's mating behavior and it is needed to maintain highway roadside noise to this threshold level.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.184-191
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• 2018

During the breeding season, some Eurasian Oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus osculans) in Yubu Island foraged in the open mudflat area nearby the breeding ground, instead of the tide water line area, main feeding site throughout the year. We found significant differences in foraging behavior and prey species diversity between the two different feeding site types. Even though the birds took more steps for most probably searching preys, their feeding success was much lower in the open mudflat area than the tide water line area. The multiple peck and boring methods were more frequently adopted to catch polychaetes on the open mudflat area, whereas the single peck method was dominant and gastropods and bivalves were main preys in the tide water line area. This study suggests that the bird shows flexible foraging strategy of shifting feeding site, foraging behavior and preys for better reproductive success.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2018

This study examined the behavior of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) during the estrus period, breeding period, and mating including the estrus period along as well as the effect of environmental factors in an outdoor breeding facility. The average mating duration was 19.95 min (n = 13, range = 1.17-35.25 min). The breeding season was mainly early February (56.6%) for foxes aged more than one year and mid-March (60.0%) for foxes aged less than one year. The mating duration was longest when both male and female were more than one year old ($24.4{\pm}11.08min$), although copulation took place regardless of partner's age. Females that mated twice within two days after estrus started or with two males had 100% pregnancy rate. In addition, the pregnancy rate was highest (87%) when both mating partners were more than one year old. Foxes preferred daytime to nighttime for mating, and thus mating usually took place on sunny days or between 10:00 and 12:00 on partly cloudy days. A male mated with different females for a maximum of five times, and the higher the mating frequency of a male, the longer the mating duration. Interest in mating decreased after three copulations in the case of males and after two copulations in the case of females. Males required at least 4 hours and 46 minutes between the first and second copulation. For this study, we collected reference data that might be applied to breeding programs for the red fox to secure the restoration of individuals of this important species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2001

Changes in breeding bird community and forest structure by thinning were investigated from April 1997 to August 1998 in 10ha ($400{\times}250m$) of temperate mixed hardwood forest in Mt. Gariwang which is located in National Forest, Pyoungchang, Kangwon Province, Korea. Bird community was surveyed by the territory mapping method and forest structure was done by analyzing the vertical structure of foliage, distribution of diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees and tree species composition. After the thinning, tree density, number of tree species and basal area were decreased from 195ea/ha, 18 species and 6.69 $m^2/ha$ into 100ea/ha, 13 species and 3.04 $m^2/ha$, respectively. Foliage coverages in upper and mid layer were decreased, but coverage in low layer was increased. Large trees (Over 40cm of DBH) were decreased. Number of breeding bird species and pairs were decreased from 14 species and 23 pairs into 8 species and 12 pairs after the thinning. Number of breeding pairs of Yellow-breasted bunting Emberiza elegans incresed. There were decrease in number of species in hole & bush-nesting and canopy & bush-foraging guild. The results suggested that the thinning affect the species composition of breeding bird community and the forest structure. Changes of habitat structure might influence in breeding bird's density, species diversity and habitat using pattern of breeding bird community.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.390-397
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• 2022

Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) is the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council. CAFF conducts Monitoring, Assessment, Policy, and expert group activities to preserve Arctic biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of biological resources and communicates the results to governments and indigenous peoples. The main tasks of CAFF consist of monitoring (Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program), assessment (Arctic Biodiversity Assessment) and strategic projects(Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative, AMBI). Korea has been directly participating in the AMBI since 2015 after acquiring observer status of the Arctic Council in 2013. The AMBI aims to preserve habitats on migration routes used by breeding birds in the Arctic and prevent illegal hunting. Thus, observer countries on migratory routes are directly participating in the project. When selecting priorities for participation in Arctic cooperation projects by 2030, Korea should consider continuing participation in AMBI and participating in the "CAFF Youth Program" in connection with the Arctic Academy program operated by Korea's public institutes.