• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2023

The main factor of biodiversity decline in major biological populations around the world is invasion of alien species. To protect native species, it is necessary to manage alien species. Recently, to eradicate ecosystem disturbance caused by alien species in Korea, many efforts have been made to capture individuals using nets and purchase captured individuals. However, there is no standard for classifying species due to the form of nest site or external characteristics of eggs of freshwater turtles. Thus, Mauremys reevesii eggs might be discarded due to mistaking as eggs of alien turtles. Based on more data, this study aims to compare and analyze external differences among eggs of Trachemys scripta elegans, Pseudemys concinna, and M. reevesii and use them as reference materials in the process of eradicating alien turtles. This study measured characteristics of eggs of the three turtle species. As a result of comparison, all variables of external characteristics of alien turtles and M. reevesii eggs showed significant differences. The shape of egg was also different, with eggs of T. scripta elegans and P. concinna showing a bicone shape and those of M. reevesii showing an ellipsoid shape. In conclusion, based on results of previous studies and the present study, eggs of M. reevesii, T. scripta elegans, and P. concinna are different in shape and structure. Thus, it is possible to distinguish between M. reevesii and invasive alien turtle using their eggs.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.274-283
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• 2015

The reservoir shores seem to be vulnerable to biological invasion. The purpose of this research was to find out the floristic composition of alien plants and their relationship between environmental factors on reservoir shorelines in Korea. We investigated flora of alien plants and environmental factors of geomorphology, hydrology, water quality and soil on the shoreline of a total of 35 reservoirs with different water level managements. There were 56 species of alien plants, which was 15% of the total plant species identified in the study of reservoirs. A total of 57% of these alien species were the species which were introduced shortly after opening the port from 1876 to 1921 in Korea. More than 80% of the alien plants on the reservoir shores originated from America and Europe. The current distribution of Ambrosia trifida and Paspalum distichum were restricted in the central part and the southern region of the Korean Peninsula, respectively. The water level fluctuation, flood frequency at the median water level, water pollution index, coverage of rock exposure and mean degree of shoreline slope were determined as important environmental factors that have an effect on the characteristics of shoreline alien flora. Our results suggest that the reservoir shore was in danger of being invaded by alien plants due to the water level management and other human disturbances. For effective conservation of the reservoir ecosystem, periodic monitoring systems are required for the early detection of alien species on the reservoir shore.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.71-99
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the vascular flora of Masan, located in Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, and to comprehend the distribution of remarkable plants such as rare and Korea endemic plants and invasive alien plants. The survey was carried out the distribution of vascular plants 11 times per season from 2010 to 2018. A total of 619 taxa in 93 families, 328 genera, 529 species, 6 subspecies, 78 varieties and 6 forms were identified on mt. Masan. Among them, Korean endemic plants are 21 taxa including Saussurea diamantica Nakai and are plants designated by the Korea Forest Service are 20 taxa counting Saxifraga octopetala Nakai. Invasive alien plants were classified a total of 35 taxa inclusive of Trifolium pratense L. (WS), Aster pilosus Willd. (SS), Coreopsis lanceolata L. (SR), Rumex obtusifolius L. (SC) and Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell (CS). The naturalization rate was 5% and the urbanization index was 10.0%, respectively. Although this study identified the diverse distribution of major plants such as rare and endemic plants around Masan, it was confirmed that invasive alien plants, which pose a great threat to forest biodiversity conservation and promotion, spread and distributed in a specific section Therefore, it is urgent to establish a conservation strategy and countermeasures.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.539-548
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• 2022

In recent decades, the world has entered a new era in terms of the number and variety of biological invasions, due to economic progress and transportation efficiency. Biological invasion is becoming more likely as demand for foreign fresh foods and decorative goods grows. Alien species continue to infiltrate Korea in a variety of ways, and disturb on the insect fauna of Korea. The goal of plant quarantine is to decrease the economic impact of alien pests on the agriculture and forestry industries. In this study, we focused on insects found in imported cut flowers from 1996 to 2020 using pest information system. Overall, 147,160 cut flowers (159 items) were imported into Korea from 69 countries during this time period. Throughout this time, 467 species of insects were found in all imported cut flowers to Korea, total 13,757 detections. They were classified as provisional regulated pests in 273 species, quarantine managed pests in 78 species, and non-quarantine pests in 118 species. Thysanoptera and Hemiptera had the largest number of alien insect detections (more than 80% of the alien insects) among the nine orders. The outcomes of this study have highlighted the need for ongoing inspection activities targeted at preventing quarantine alien pests from entering or incursion in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.368-380
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• 2022

Biomonitoring of an invasive alien crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852), was performed from February to October 2021, along with environmental DNA analysis, at five locations including Wanju-gun, Hampyeong-gun, Naju-si, Gurye-gun, and Cheongju-si. For the investigation, an umbrella-shaped trap for adults and a hand net for young crayfish were used, and 8 to 10L of freshwater was collected for eDNA analysis. The current status and past distributional records of crayfish in Korea were analyzed along with benthic macroinvertebrates at each survey site. As a result of the investigation, a total of 122 individuals were identified, and Hampyeong-gun recorded the largest number of populations with 59 individuals (48.36%) and the highest environmental DNA (eDNA). The frequency of appearance of P. clarkii was highest in May. The ratio of females to males was 21:5, and the body size was 72.2±21.1mm for female, 80.5±15.6mm for male, and 25.3±9.8mm for young crayfish. P. clarkii introduced into Korea is mainly spreading in the southwest region and it has not been observed in Seoul where there had been a record of appearance in the past. No external symbiosis (Branchiobdellida) of P. clarkii has been identified, and P. clarkii that has appeared in Korea was presumed to be imported from Japan. There are more than eight kinds of exotic crayfish distributed in Korea, and among them, the marbled crayfish (P. virginalis) was identified as a harmful species to the ecosystem of Korea by the Ministry of Environment in 2021. The identified species of benthic macroinvertebrates inhabiting the survey area where P. clarkii has appeared were 69 belonging to 39 families, 15 orders, five classes, and three phyla. Among them, Odonata were the most abundant (16 spp.; 24.62%), followed by Coleoptera (11 spp.; 16.92%) and Hemiptera (11 spp.; 16.92%). In the survey area, one Korean endemic species (Rhoenanthus coreanus), one species (Helophorus auriculatus) classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the Korean Red List, and six species of Crustaceans appeared. In the functional feeding group, the predators appeared predominantly while in habitat oriented group, the climbers appeared to be abundant. It was confirmed that P. clarkii in the survey area prefers an area rich in aquatic vegetation with waterside vegetation, and has high resistance to turbid water quality. The omnivore invader P. clarkii is expected to maintain a competitive relationship with carnivorous benthic macroinvertebrates that are predominant in the same species, and is expected to continue to generate ecosystem disturbance along the food chains.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.78-86
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• 2015

Objectives Although ginseng has been reported to protect neuronal cells and improve various cognitive functions, relationship between ginseng supplementation and response inhibition, one of the important cognitive domains has not been explored. In addition, effects of ginseng on in vivo human brain have not been investigated using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The purpose of the current study is to investigate changes in intrusion errors and white matter microstructure after Korean Red Ginseng supplementation using standardized neuropsychological tests and DTI. Methods Fifty-one healthy participants were randomly allocated to the Korean Red Ginseng (n = 26) or placebo (n = 25) groups for 8 weeks. The California Verbal Learning Test was used to assess the number of intrusion errors. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured with the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. The fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured from the brain DTI data. Results After the 8-week intervention, Korean Red Ginseng supplementation significantly reduced intrusion errors after adjusting age, sex, IQ, and baseline score of the intrusion errors (p for interaction = 0.005). Change in FA values in the left anterior corona radiata was greater in the Korean Red Ginseng group compared to the placebo group (t = 4.29, p = 0.04). Conclusions Korean Red Ginseng supplementation may be efficacious for improving response inhibition and white matter microstructure integrity in the prefrontal cortex.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.365-380
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• 2017

Rapid changes in the flora of exotic species are ecological problems that cause the alteration of national and regional biota. The purpose of this study is to identify the reality of neophyte flora currently inhabiting in Korea. Having analyzed a total of 151 studies published up until 2016, we found the qualitative and quantitative gaps among the preceding studies due to the lack of rigorousness on the application of the spatial and temporal level of exotic species and academic terminology. In this study, the neophyte is defined as the flora introduced temporarily after the Enlightenment in Korea (late 19th century) and spatially in the Eastern Asiatic Province of the Takhtajan's floral region instead of a country boundary. A total of 326 taxa of 184 genera of 39 families were identified and analyzed for their distributional origin and habitat characteristics. Approximately 87% (285 taxa) was a component of the single-layered herb vegetation, and a total of 211 taxa originated from Europe and North America which are the same temperate biome as Korea. The wetland vegetation components were much fewer with 21 taxa, but they included a large number of invasive alien species that caused critical deterioration in the habitat structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Ecological approaches to exotic species categories such as Ephemerophyten and Apophyten have emerged.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.911-916
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• 2005

In this study, variations of water quality, sediment size and contaminant substances are analyzed at upstream and downstream in sewer systems in order to evaluate the characteristics of wastewater transformation by physico-chemical and biological reactions. The differences of DOC concentration between up and down stream showed the range of $-5.8{\sim}18.6$ from the result of continuous measurement at up and down stream. About 8.4% of DOC concentration was reduced and reduction rate was 2.3 mg/L/km. SS reduction rate was measured by 5.5 mg/L/km, 0.22 mg/L/min from upstream to downstream, which was twice than DOC reduction rate. When pollution load reduction was evaluated considering infiltration/inflow effect, DOC load was eliminated from 1,230 ka/d to 1,167 kg/d by physi-chemical and biological reaction in a sewer and 7.8% of the SS in upstream station was reduced under dry weather condition. The results showed that the characteristics of transformation process of wastewater in sewer should be considered for design and operation of wastewater treatment plant.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.182-197
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• 2020

This study investigated the home range and characteristics of activities to contribute to the improvement of management techniques and the successful promotion of management policies of invasive nutria, which is a representative invasive species of South Korea. Six individuals were captivated for the study. Remote radio tracking on three of them was carried out followed by the analysis of the results. The average home range of the follow-up individuals were confirmed to be 0.043 ㎢ at MCP 95%, 0.085 ㎢ at K 95%. It was 0.018 ㎢ at K 50%, which is the core space. In 95% MCP, males exhibited the home range with 0.058 ㎢, showed wider home range 0.046 ㎢ than females who showed 0.012 ㎢, and showed a wider home range 0.015 ㎢ more at night than during the day. As a result of comparing the results of this study with the case studies of overseas studies, it is determined that the magnitude of the derived home range is the result of a stable habitat in which the procurement of food resources is smooth and human interference is limited. The daily moved distance of males was larger than that of females, with a maximum moved distance of 1,278 m per day. Activity at the study site is high from around sunset to around 6 A.M., 10 P.M., 7 P.M., 1 A.M., and 5 A.M., and high around sunrise and low during the daytime such as 2 P.M., which reflected the propensity of nocturnal animals to act. The results of this study on the home range and activity in nutria can be used as useful data forimproving the management of invasive alien species for the installation and operation of traps, the spatial setting of controlled areas, and the calculation of the amount ofresources together with a basic understanding of nutria's behaviors in South Korea.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.481-487
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide safety management information by analyzing the survival and growth-related properties of foodborne pathogens from Romaine lettuce. After cultivating E. coli O157:H7 for 72 h on Romain lettuce via spray inoculation, the bacteria population increased by 2.0 log CFU/g from the initial population, confirming the possibility of survival and multiplication of the pathogen thereon. The study also revealed that there is no significant difference in the cultivation of E.coli O157:H7 after 72 h from inoculation on damaged and undamaged lettuce leaves. As a result of investigating distribution of E.coli O157:H7 on damaged lettuce leaves, it was found that the bacteria is unlikely to adhere on the smooth surface of undamaged leaves and, thus, results in a low population density, whereas the bacteria cluster on the rough surface of damaged leaves and easily enter through the damaged tissues. Furthermore, after 24 h of cultivation of the pathogenic microbe in the extract with concentrations of 10-100%, utilization of the lettuce extract by the pathogen was found to be 8.9 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7, 8.6 log CFU/mL L. monocytogenes, and 8.8 log CFU/mL P. carotovorum. The increase in the population of both the pathogenic microbe and foodborne pathogen reached over 4 log CFU/mL, implying the microbe can utilize the lettuce extract as a source of nutrition. Compared to the initial inoculation concentration in 0.1% lettuce extract, the final concentration has increased up to 2.7 log CFU/mL E. coli O157:H7, 1.3 log CFU/mL L. monocytogenes, and 2.9 log CFU/mL P. carotovorum. Accordingly, the study confirms that the minimal growth concentration of the pathogenic microbe is lower than 0.1% and that the pathogen possibly survive and multiply inside the lettuce leaves given the lettuce extract with concentration of 0.1% is consistently supplied through the damaged tissues.