• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2023

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is an apex predator of the riparian ecosystem. It is a keystone and an indicator species; consequently, its presence suggests a sustainable water environment. Otter is a keystone species as a predator at the top of the food web in the aquatic environment and an indicator species representing the health of the aquatic environment. Although Eurasian otters disappeared from the Han River urban water system because of anthropogenic activities like habitat destruction, poaching, and environmental pollution in the 1980s, the species were sighted in the Cheonggye Stream, Jungrang Stream, and Seongnae Stream, which are urban sections of the Han River, in 2016 and 2021. Therefore, it is pertinent to assess the habitat potential in the area for conservation and management measures to ensure its permanent presence. However, existing studies on otter habitats focused on natural rivers and reservoirs, and there is a limit to applying them to habitats artificially confined habitats in narrow spaces such as tributaries in urban areas of the Han River. This study selected the Cheonggye Stream, an artificially restored urban stream, to evaluate its potential as a habitat for Eurasian otters in urban water environments using the habitat suitability index (HSI). The HSI was calculated with selected environment attributes, such as the cover, food, and threat, that best describe the L. lutra habitat. According to the results, the confluence area of Seongbuk Stream and Cheonggye Stream and the confluence area of Cheonggye Stream and Jungnang Stream were suitable otter habitats, requiring appropriate conservation efforts. The HSI model suggests a valuable method to assess the habitat quality of Eurasian otters in urban water environments. The study is crucial as it can help rehabilitate the species' populations by identifying and managing potential Eurasian otter habitats in highly urbanized areas of the Han River basin and its tributaries.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.33 no.5_1
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• pp.571-585
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• 2017

The number of spaceborne optical sensors including red-edge band has been increasing since red-edge band is known to be effective to enhance the information content on biophysical characteristics of vegetation. Considering that the Agriculture and Forestry Satellite is planning to carry an imaging sensor having red-edge band, we tried to analyze the current status and potential of red-edge band. As a case study, we analyzed the effect of using red-edge band and tried to find the optimum band width and wavelength region of the red-edge band to estimate leaf area index (LAI) of very dense tree canopy. Field spectral measurements were conducted from April to October over two tree species (white oak and pitch pine) having high LAI. Using the spectral measurement data, total 355 red-edge bands reflectance were simulated by varying five band width (10 nm, 20 nm, 30 nm, 40 nm, 50 nm) and 71 central wavelength. Two red-edge based spectral indices(NDRE, CIRE) were derived using the simulated red-edge band and compared with the LAI of two tree species. Both NDRE and CIRE showed higher correlation coefficients with the LAI than NDVI. This would be an alternative to overcome the limitation of the NDVI saturation problem that NDVI has not been effective to estimate LAI over very dense canopy situation. There was no significant difference among five band widths of red-edge band in relation to LAI. The highest correlation coefficients were obtained at the red-edge band of center wavelength near the 720 nm for the white oak and 710 nm for the pitch pine. To select the optimum band width and wavelength region of the red-edge band, further studies are necessary to examine the relationship with other biophysical variables, such as chlorophyll, nitrogen, water content, and biomass.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.280-292
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• 2017

Hail is not a frequently occurring weather event, and there are even fewer reports of hail damages to forest stands. Since the 2000s, an increase in hail incidence has been documented in Europe and the United States. In Korea, severe hails occurred in Jeollanam-do province on May 31 and in Gyeongsangbuk-do province on June 1, 2017. Hail size was ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 cm in diameter in Jeollanam-do, and from 1.5 to 3.0 cm in Gyeongsangbuk-do. This study was aimed to analyze the hail damages to forests by species and topography based on damage-categorized maps created by using drones and aerial photographs, and to analyze relationships of the damages with meteorological factors. The total damaged forest area was 1,163.1ha in Jeollanam-do, and 2,942.3ha in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Among the 'severe' damaged area 326.7ha, 91% was distributed in Jeollanam-do, and concentrated in the city of Hwasun which covers 57.2% of the total 'severe' damaged area. The most heavily damaged species was Korean red pine(Pinus densiflora S. & Z.) followed by P. rigida. Most broad-leaved trees species including oaks were recovered without any dead trees found. Liliodendron tulipifera was the most severely damaged in terms of the rate of 'severe' degree individuals which are needed to be checked whether they will die or be recovered. Cause of the death of pines was considered as the combination of physical damage caused by the hail and long-lasting drought with high air temperature that occurred before and after the hail event. No pathogens and insects were found which might have affected to tree deaths. We suggested a dieback mechanism of the pine trees damaged by hail and drought.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.201-241
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• 2022

This study was investigated distributed the vascular flora of around Haemyeong Mt., located in Seokmodo, Incheon, and compared invasive alien plants in the surrounding forest 14 areas. This study carried out to be established a monitoring system for the remarkable plants etc. and used as basic data for biodiversity enhancement and conservation. The survey was conducted 19 times from April 2019 to October 2020. A total of 107 families, 382 genera, 616 species, 15 sub-species, 55 varieties, 8 formas, and 694 taxa were classified in the flora around Haemyeong Mt. areas. 17 taxa for Korea endemic plants. 12 taxa were classified for rare plants, and a total of 79 taxa were identified for floristic target species I~V. Halophytes consisted of 37 taxa. The invasive alien plants were classified as 66 taxa, and also there has been 126 taxa of them in Seokmodo and surrounding 14 forests. Plants that appeared in all 14 areas out of 126 taxa were classified as 7 taxa, such as Erigeron annuus. However, 48 taxa appeared only once in some areas, but it seems inevitable that they will spread in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a long-term conservation plan for native plants.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.35 no.5_1
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• pp.751-761
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• 2019

Mt. Baekdu, Mt. Aso, Mt. Sakurajima, Mt. Kikai and etc are distributed around the Korean Peninsula. Recently signs of eruption of Mt. Baekdu are increasing, raising concerns over possible damage to volcanic ash from seasonal winds during the winter eruption. Therefore, detailed procedures for investigation and countermeasures for volcanic ash spread and damage are required. But the standards for the warning and alarm signal of volcanic ash presented by Korea Ministry of Government Legislation are vague, with "when damage is expected" and "when serious damage is expected". In this study, to analyze the damage threshold and to apply the cases of overseas damage to the country, a survey was conducted on the establishment of domestic spatial information by public institutions with public confidence. As a result of the investigation of damage from volcanic ash overseas, the details of the damage cases were different depending on the type of life or income sources of each country. Therefore, instead of applying the volcanic ash damage cases abroad in Korea, spatial information analysis was performed to reflect domestic social and natural characteristics. In addition, we selected the areas to be considered in the event of volcanic ash damage in Korea. Finally, domestic volcanic ash damages should be classified as health, residential, road, railroad, aviation, power, water, agriculture, livestock, forest, and soil. When establishing the volcanic ash alarm optimized for Korea in the future, overseas volcanic ash damage cases and domestic spatial information construction in this study will be helpful in policy establishment.

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.42-48
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• 2006

This study looked into the change of tree growth of five forest growth monitoring plots which were set up at the Undulyeong Hongchungun Kangwondo, and was accomplished to provide the basic data for the forest management calculating carbon storage and absorption in the Undulyeong area. Annual height and DBH growth were slowly progressed in the Pinus koraiensis, Larix kaempferi, and Pinus densiflora stand which were at young stage, but the growth rates of the other stands were lower than those young stands. The diameter class of the mixed forest and Quercus mongolica and Betala platyphylla stand was predicted to be similar as it is and those of Pinus koraiensis and Larix kaempferi stands were predicted to move to the upper diameter classes because of rapid growth rates of the those stands. As in the year 2005, total carbon storage of the Undulyeong model forest was increased by 155,000 TC(2.7%) compared with the previous year. During 2005, total carbon which was absorbed and stored according to growth of the forest was 166,174 TC and net carbon absorption (155,481 TC) increased by 2,736 TC (1.8%) compared with the previous year. Resultingly, the Undulyeong model forest is acting as a net sink and the net carbon absorption rate is slightly increasing recently.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.589-600
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• 2020

Effective conservation and management of protected areas require monitoring the settlement of invasive alien species and reducing their dispersion capacity. We simulated the potential distribution of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) using three representative species distribution models (Bioclim, GLM, and MaxEnt) based on the IAPS distribution in the forest genetic resource reserve (2,274ha) in Uljin-gun, Korea. We then selected the realistic and suitable species distribution model that reflects the local region and ecological management characteristics based on the simulation results. The simulation predicted the tendency of the IAPS distributed along the linear landscape elements, such as roads, and including some forest harvested area. The statistical comparison of the prediction and accuracy of each model tested in this study showed that the GLM and MaxEnt models generally had high performance and accuracy compared to the Bioclim model. The Bioclim model calculated the largest potential distribution area, followed by GLM and MaxEnt in that order. The Phenomenological review of the simulation results showed that the sample size more significantly affected the GLM and Bioclim models, while the MaxEnt model was the most consistent regardless of the sample size. The optimal model overall for predicting the distribution of IAPS among the three models was the MaxEnt model. The model selection approach based on detailed flora distribution data presented in this study is expected to be useful for efficiently managing the conservation areas and identifying the realistic and precise species distribution model reflecting local characteristics.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.388-408
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• 2022

This study was conducted to select the indicator species (plant) according to the topographical characteristics in the Picea jezoensis forests, endangered subalpine coniferous trees. In South Korea and China (close to Baekdusan), the southern tree line limit of Picea jezoensis has meaningful geographical and latitudinal values for analyzing the ecological characteristics of P. jezoensis forests. Latitude greatly affects the geographical values of plant ecology, and the difference in latitude and habitat affects the change in species composition in forests. With prolonged environmental change, the habitat of subalpine plants will become smaller, and the plants may become extinct. As the P. jezoensis forests of South Korea and China, in particular, are in danger of disappearing without protection, it is important to monitor the population and develop a conservation strategy. Eighty-seven circular plots were established in P. jezoensis forests in South Korea and China. Through processes such as MRPP-test and NMS ordination, indicator species were selected based on this, and basic data for biodiversity assessment were presented. As a result of the Indicator Species Analysis (ISA), 5 taxa were selected from the upperstory vegetation and 18 taxa from the understory vegetation at the altitude(p<0.05). Indicator species by aspect were analyzed as 3 taxa for upperstory vegetation and 16 taxa for understory vegetation (p<0.05). In the case of indicator species according to the slope, 6 taxa for upper vegetation and 24 taxa for understory vegetation were selected(p<0.05). As for the indicator species according to their habitat, 8 taxa in upper vegetation and 65 taxa on understory vegetation were selected. As a result of MRPP-test, it was analyzed that the species composition was heterogeneous in the group of understory vegetation than that of upperstory vegetation. As a result of NMS ordination, the correlation with environmental factors of indicator species was analyzed by rock exposure for upperstory vegetation and latitude for understory vegetation (cut off level=0.3).

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.38-38
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• 2022

동해안 지역에서 발생되는 대형 산불의 원인은 건조주의보, 영동지역에서 불어오는 강한 바람, 소나무의 단순림, 임도 유무와 상태 등을 들고 있다. 조사 대상지인 삼척 검봉산 일대는 기존 소나무가 우점하는 곳으로 2001년 복원을 위해 소나무, 곰솔, 굴참나무 등을 조림하였고, 일부는 자연복원을 하였다. 복원 이후 21년 지난 현재 삼척 검봉산 일대 산불피해 복원지역의 식생은 크게 굴참나무-소나무군락, 소나무신갈나무군락, 곰솔-소나무군락으로 나누어지는 것으로 나타났다. 산불피해지 식생 회복은 굴참나무, 소나무, 곰솔 등 조림으로 현재 식생은 산불 발생 이전의 임상으로 회복되고 있다. 특히, 산불의 유형 중 지표화 피해지역은 하층 식생의 피해가 크다. 기존의 소나무는 결실된 종자를 비산하여 치수를 발생시켜 자연복원의 속도를 높이고 굴참나무를 활용한 인공복원은 맹아를 발달시켜 본인의 영역을 확장하는 전략을 지니고 있다. 단, 입지적 환경이 동일하다는 전제 조건에서 숲에서 재생 기작이 진행되는 자연복원보다는 인공복원이 회복시간과 종다양성이 높은 측면에서는 효과적인 것으로 결론을 지을 수 있다. 식생군락을 분류한 결과 굴참나무-소나무군락, 소나무-신갈나무군락, 곰솔소나무군락으로 3개 군락으로 나누어졌다. 인공복원지에 식재한 굴참나무, 소나무, 곰솔은 복원 이후 지속적으로 해당지역의 식생이 우점종으로 자생하고 있는 것으로 나타났으나, 소나무-신갈나무군락의 경우 참나무과 식물인 신갈나무와 굴참나무, 졸참나무가 교목층과 아교목층에 자연유입되고 있어 향후 신갈나무가 우점하는 활엽수림으로 천이 될 것으로 예상된다. 군락의 종다양도지수는 낙엽활엽수가 우점하는 굴참나무-소나무군락이 가장 높게 나타났으며, 침엽수림인 곰솔소나무군락이 가장 낮게 나타났다. 산불피해지 식생은 조림수종에 영향을 크게 받으며, 21년이 지난 현재 산불 이전 임상으로 회복되는 경향을 나타내었다. 향후, 효과적인 복원을 위한 DB구축 및 모니터링자료 마련을 위해 산불피해지에 대한 지속적인 식생조사를 통한 자료구축이 필요하다.