• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.257-267
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• 2023

The grassland section of the greenhouse gas inventory has limitations due to a lack of review and verification of biomass compared to organic carbon in soil while grassland is considered one of the carbon storages in terrestrial ecosystems. Considering the situation at internal and external where the calculation of greenhouse gas inventory is being upgraded to a method with higher scientific accuracy, research on standards and methods for calculating carbon accumulation of grassland biomass is required. The purpose of this study was to identify international trends in the calculation method of the grassland biomass sector that meets the Tier 2 method and to conduct a review of variables applicable to the Republic of Korea. Identify the estimation methods and access levels for grassland biomass through the National Inventory Report in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and type the main implications derived from overseas cases. And, a field survey was conducted on 28 grasslands in the Republic of Korea to analyse the applicability of major issues. Four major international issues regarding grassland biomass were identified. 1) country-specific coefficients by land use; 2) calculations on woody plants; 3) loss and recovery due to wildfire; 4) amount of change by human activities. As a result of field surveys and analysis of activity data available domestically, it was found that there was a significant difference in the amount of carbon in biomass according to use type classification and climate zone-soil type classification. Therefore, in order to create an inventory of grassland biomass at the Tier 2 level, a policy and institutional system for making activity data should develop country-specific coefficients for climate zones and soil types.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.378-401
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• 2019

This study generated a list of plants in eight sections from the Baekdansa ticket office (874m) to Cheonjedan (1,560m) divided in the interval of 100m above sea level to examine the species diversity patterns and distribution changes of the vascular plants at different altitudes in Taebaeksan National Park. Four site surveys found a total of 385 taxa: 89 families, 240 genera, 345 species, 5 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 1 form. A result of analyzing the change of species diversity along elevational gradients showed that it decreased with increasing elevation and then increased from a certain section. A result of analyzing habitat affinity types showed that the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. On the other hand, the ruderal species appeared at a high rate in the artificial interference section. A result of comparing the proportion of woody and herb plants showed that the woody plants gradually increased with elevation and rapidly decreased in the artificial interference section. On the other hand, the herb plants showed the opposite trend. A result of analyzing the change of distribution of species according to altitude with the DCA technique showed that the vascular plants were divided into three groups according to the elevation in order on the I axis with the boundaries at 900m and 1,300m above sea level. The arrangement of each stand from right to left along the altitude on the I axis with a significant correlation with warmth index (WI) confirmed that the temperature change along the altitude could affect the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, the continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. We expect that the results of this study will be used as the basic data for establishing the measurement measures related to the preservation of biodiversity and climate change.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.417-427
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• 2022

In this study, we investigated in vitro immuno-stimulatory and anti-obesity activity of fruit (LIF), leaves (LIL) and stems (LIS) from Lonicera insularis Nakai in mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells and mouse pre-adipocytes 3T3-L1 cells. LIF, LIL and LIS increased the production of immunostimulatory factors such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activated phagocytosis in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) partly blocked LIF, LIL and LIS mediated production of immunostimulatory factors. In addition, inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling attenuated the production of immunostimulatory factors induced by LIF, LIL and LIS. Based on these results of this study, LIF, LIL and LIS is thought to activate macrophages the production of immunostimulatory factors and phagocytosis through toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4) and MAPKs signaling pathway. In anti-obesity study, LIF reduced the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. LIF increased the protein phosphorylation expressions such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) related to the lipolysis of the adipocytes. In addition, LIF increased the expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism and brown adipose tissues differentiation such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coativator 1α (PGC-1α) and PR domain-containing16 (PRDM16). These results suggest that LIF is involved in lipid accumulation inhibition through expressing the proteins such as lipolysis and differentiation of white adipocytes to brown adipocytes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.30-39
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• 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the awareness of conservation areas and green resources and analyze their characteristics by utilizing accumulated blog data created for specific places and objects. Among all the conservation areas and resources located in the Seoul metropolitan area, places that can be evaluated were classified, and sites were evaluated by dividing them into ten categories based on the number of blog posts written. As a result of the study, the users' awareness of forests was the highest, and the awareness of conservation areas and green resources was higher in urban areas than suburban areas. The result shows that the conservation areas and green resources located around the metropolitan area serve as natural tourist destinations while being the object of conservation for users. In addition, these results are in the same vein as the research results in domestic and foreign studies on the importance of ecosystem services in urban areas. Unlike existing research methods, this study is meaningful in that it identified the level of user awareness through social media analysis and applied it to evaluating conservation areas and green resources. It can be used as basic data to prepare a management plan considering public interest and awareness or to establish a development plan to increase awareness. In addition, the cumulative amount of blog content used in the study is meaningful in that it can identify and monitor users' interest in the space. However, it was not possible to examine the contents of each blog in detail because it was evaluated based on the amount of social media content. In addition, in the case of conservation areas and green resources, it is necessary to review and supplement the evaluation contents by adding keyword analysis and content analysis for the site to be evaluated as content other than the pure viewpoint of users may be mixed with development issues.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.375-387
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• 2024

This study investigated the ecological characteristics of Fraxinus chiisanensis Nakai, one of the endemic and rare plant species in Korea, based on its distribution status, characteristics of the growth environment, and species composition. A vegetation survey that analyzed the correlation between species distribution patterns and environmental variables, along with the traits of the emergent plant species, was performed according to the explanation of environmental growth conditions and phytosociological method for the location where F. chiisanensis is found. A total of 19 dominant locations and 9 non-dominant locations of F. chiisanensis were observed in 28 study sites in 12 regions, and a total of 155 taxa were observed. According to the vegetation climate of Korea, the growth environment of the study site where F. chiisanensis is located is characterized as cold and is primarily situated within the northern temperate deciduous broadleaf forest zone. The average elevation was 859m above sea level, with an average rock exposure of 60.4%, soil exposure of 24.7%, and an average slope of 18.7°. The taxa belonging to the top P-NCD(Percentage of Net Contribution Degree) among the emergent species were mostly designated as the taxa emerging in valley vegetation. The correlation analysis of environmental variables revealed that altitude had the strongest correlation, with rock exposure showing the second highest correlation. The ongoing dynamics of the F. chiisanensis forest are anticipated to persist due to the high P-NCD values exhibited by the F. chiisanensis within the shrub and herbaceous layers among the taxa associated with tree species. Most F. chiisanensis habitats are currently situated within protected regions such as national parks, provincial parks, and county parks, where there are relatively minimal human-induced disturbances. However, there is potential for damage in areas not designated as protected, such as forest tending operation sites or new hiking trails. Concerns about declining habitat quality have prompted suggestions for management strategies such as establishing Forest Genetic Resource Reserves in these locations. In addition, follow-up and further research should be conducted to identify possible sites for distribution and establish candidate conservation areas based on various environmental conditions of F. chiisanensis.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2007

The use of information on natural resources is indispensable to most agricultural activities to avoid disasters, to improve input efficiency, and to increase lam income. Most information is prepared and managed at a spatial scale called the "Hydrologic Unit" (HU), which means watershed or small river basin, because virtually every environmental problem can be handled best within a single HU. South Korea consists of 840 such watersheds and, while other watershed-specific information is routinely managed by government organizations, there are none responsible for agricultural weather and climate. A joint research team of Kyung Hee University and the Agriculture, forestry and Fisheries Information Service has begun a 4-year project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and forestry to establish a watershed-specific agricultural weather information service based on "high definition" digital climate maps (HD-DCMs) utilizing the state of the art geospatial climatological technology. For example, a daily minimum temperature model simulating the thermodynamic nature of cold air with the aid of raster GIS and microwave temperature profiling will quantify effects of cold air drainage on local temperature. By using these techniques and 30-year (1971-2000) synoptic observations, gridded climate data including temperature, solar irradiance, and precipitation will be prepared for each watershed at a 30m spacing. Together with the climatological normals, there will be 3-hourly near-real time meterological mapping using the Korea Meteorological Administration's digital forecasting products which are prepared at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. Resulting HD-DCM database and operational technology will be transferred to local governments, and they will be responsible for routine operations and applications in their region. This paper describes the project in detail and demonstrates some of the interim results.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.84 no.4
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• pp.525-535
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• 1995

The western-style industrial forest management practice involving large scale clearcutting, silviculture with industrially desirable species, and inadequate consideration on ecosystem preservation, has faced severe criticisms from environmentalists, ecologists and conservationists. With an increasing concern about environmental degradation the general public has also been becoming vocal in demanding ecologically sound alternative forest management. An age-old practice of sustainable ecosystem management variously defined as community forestry, social forestry or homestead forestry, has received increased attention in recent days. This type of traditional, and often not very organized method of natural resource management has been practised in many countries from the prehistoric times. It is believed that with a clear understanding of the functioning of ecosystem and community needs, the existing landuse method can be developed into a more productive one. The nature of community forestry management will vary depending on the scale, geographical location, social/community structure and expectations. This article argues that although the rate of economic growth may be lower with community forestry than with industrial forestry, the former fosters the principle of ecosystem sustainability. Industrial forestry may have an initial high growth rate but often it is associated with unsustainable harvesting leading to ecosystem degradation. A review of the traditional methods of economic analyses shows that they do not take into account the many social and environmental costs associated with forestry. It is argued that a well managed community forestry can maintain the critical balance between economic and ecosystem sustainability. An integrated model of community/homestead forestry development is proposed by coordinating the extension services of the departments of agriculture, forestry and environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.4
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• pp.435-442
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• 2006

A total of 167 peculiar haplotypes confirmed from 28 cpSR variants that were observed in 19 populations of Japanese red pine in Korea through cpSSR marker analysis. Thirteen individuals that showed identical haplotype dispersed evenly in 10 populations, and the average number of effective haplotype within population was 13.37. Estimate of genetic diversity (He) was 0.987 on the basis of cpSSR haplotype variants that was equivalent to or higher than the estimates reported in other studies on some forest tree species. Estimation of genetic diversity (S.I.) on the basis of cpSSR variants composing each haplotype revealed the highest estimate of 1.109 for the population of Gangwon-Yeongwol and the lowest estimate of 0.411 for the population of Gyeongbuk Mungyeong with the average of 0.887. Most of observed cpSSR variants appeared to exist commonly in 19 populations (97.62%), and genetic differentiation of cpSSR variants among populations was turned out to be weak (${\Phi}_{ST}=0.024$). Relatively fast rate of mutation of cpSSR marker might be a major cause for such weak population differentiation. There was no identical haplotype shared between 39 population pairs of 173 pair-wise population pairs. Estimation of genetic distance among 19 populations on the basis of population pairs was also impossible, that might be resulted from restricted migration among 19 populations. Considering the observed distribution patterns of cpSSR variants in addition to the previous studies on I-SSR variants, informations on the present geographic location and genetic status of populations should be considered together for effective sustainable management of the genetic resources of Japanese red pine in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.429-440
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• 1994

This study attempt to evaluate the recreation space(two patterns ; one is open space ; forest, water-front space and free open space, the other recreational fercilities) located in the natural area based on clarifying the relationship between the physical conditions of these spaces and human response(users' cognitive evaluation and users' activity pattern). On this standpoint it was proceeded to analyses of the information which was collected by interviews to users who were in this open space at the natural park of Osaka Prefecture. Through this study, the results were summarized as follows ; 1) Forest and waterfront space are considered to be a basic factor of the composition in natural recreation areas. There was difference on the recreational value depending on condition of forest composition. The hardwood-forest apparently high in its efficiency. 2) Free open space is a definite recreational space surely wide in its scope of active of recreational use. The site should be setted up considering the plants conditions around and geographical features according to the recreational activities, and the ground cover should be well controlled. 3) The recreational facilities in natural settings such as the sightseeing tower, the insect display hall, and the camp site appeared to produce low value as a recreational space. It was desirable that recreational activities be allowed within the scope. Consequently, we should carefully consider environmental capacity and landscape to designing these spaces 4) Traditional history and cultural properties are recognized as part of recreational resource as and also as essence of the compositions. So continuos care and proportion of history and cultural properties should be guaranteed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.1
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• pp.113-123
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• 2006

The purpose of this paper was to identify the effects of visitor's service quality affecting visitor's satisfaction in national parks(NPs). After reviewing the literature, this research selected and developed the indicators of visitor's service (VS) and have formulated the hypothesis of this research. This research had obtained data through a questionnaire, which surveyed 4,423 visitors at 8 NPs in 2005. We have analyzed the data using descriptive statistical methods, factor analysis, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression method. We found that 1) the results of factor analysis, the five factors of visitor's service (FVSs) i.e., assurance, reliability, empathy, tangibles, responsiveness have extracted. 2) in bivariate analysis, the positive relationships between user's satisfaction and FVSs are fairly low but statistically significant. The higher the value of the five factors of VS the higher the degree of user's satisfaction, 3) in multiple regression analysis, FVSs have been statistically significant at one percent level, and 4) the relative contribution of the assurance of VS on user's satisfaction have been determined to have respectively 2.85 times more important than that of the empathy of VS. The research results suggest that the management of natural resources, cultural resources, and park facilities in national park was the most important factor to increase visitor's satisfaction.