• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.147-157
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• 2020

Mass change in the Antarctic Ice Sheet(AIS) is the most important indicator of changes in Earth's climate system including global mean sea level rise that are largely affected by ongoing global warming. In this study, AIS mass variations are examined with satellite gravity data and outputs from a regional climate model. The analysis of gravity data shows that along the coastal region the Western AIS has experienced a continuous and significant ice loss while a slight increasing in the Eastern AIS during the study period (2002.08-2016.08). The temporal and spatial variations in ice mass changes are recovered by a regional climate model, but the recovered amplitudes are much smaller than those of observations. This under-estimation is remarkably resolved by modifying a base flow field for the ice discharge. The recovered estimates based on the ice-flow field can explain about 97% of the rate of mass change in observations before 2009. This implies that changes in ice flow dynamics along the coast line plays a pivotal role in regulating long-term budget of ice mass in AIS.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2013

Focal mechanism solutions in the southwestern region of the Korean Peninsula ($34^{\circ}N-36^{\circ}N$, $126^{\circ}E-128^{\circ}E$) were obtained from the analysis of the recent 22 earthquakes ($M{\geq}2.0$) occurred from January, 2005 to March, 2011. The spatial differences between the epicenters recalculated by this study and those by KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration) and KIGAM (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) are less than $0.05^{\circ}$, indicating a small deviation. However, they become a little bit larger in the coastal area due to a biased arrangement of seismic stations. Redetermined depths of hypocenters show a difference less than 12.7 km by comparison with the depth data announced by KIGAM. Most epicenters in inland area are located closely to the lineaments. Fault plane solutions were obtained from the analysis of P and SH wave polarities, and SH/P amplitude ratios. They show strike-slip faulting or strike-slip faulting with reverse components dominantly. The P-axes trends are mainly ENE-WSW or E-W directions. The direction of fault plane and auxiliary plane with 'NNE-SSW and WNW-ESE' or 'NE-SW and NW-SE' are dominant and almost parallel to the general trends of lineaments in the study area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2010

We researched community structure, species composition, and habitat environment of Dendropanax morbifera populations distributed in Goheung, Haenam, Wando (I.), and Bogildo (I.) at south coast of the Korean Peninsula. Our research was also estimated possible area for growth of Dendropanax morbifera by analyzing meteorological factors of the habitat thereof. Dendropanax morbifera community divided into Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii group and Carpinus laxiflora group by difference of species composition. Broad-leaved evergreens showed high dominance value in view of rNCD in Dendropanax morbifera community as follows: Camellia japonica (100.0), Quercus acuta (88.6), Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii (55.8), Dendropanax morbifera Lev. (41.4), Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium (23.8), Eurya japonica (19.9) and Ligustrum japonicum (11.5). In the population distribution, 94.2% of Carpinus laxiflora group consisted of sapling and small size class that are less than 5 cm in DBH while 54.2% of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii group did. The soil environment of habitat showed low soil acidity, good organic matter and water content, and good drainage. The distribution area of Dendropanax morifera habitat had $13^{\circ}C$ or more in annual mean temperature, $7.4^{\circ}C$ or more in daily minimum temperature, $100^{\circ}C$ month or more in warmth index, and approximately 1,344 mm in mean annual precipitation. Dendropanax morifera habitat corresponded to evergreen broad-leaved forest zone located in islands and coast in the southwest region of the Korean Peninsula. The northern limit line of Dendropanax morifera community was determined as Gunsan-Jeongeup-Gwangju-Jinju-Pohang-Youngdeok line based on $13^{\circ}C$ in annual mean temperature that was confirmed in natural habitat of Dendropanax morifera community.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-15
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• 2011

This work is to review the granite landforms studies by Korean geographers. It is verified that geomorphlogical characteristics of granite present landscapes characterized by 1) in case of mountains, are difficultly or irregularly weathered, so as to develop rocky forms such as domes, cliffs, and tors ; 2) in case of stream valley that is inter-massif lowland, low relief hills and flood plains with alluvium. All these facts owe to the difference of weathering mode granite properties. The granite hills and alluvial plains of southwestern coastal parts in Korean peninsula is low undulatory and large owing not only to the existence of highly weathered granitic regolith, but also to frequent flooding. Cultivated brownish field, orchard, meadow and forest are located at granite hills. On the other hand paddy rice field at granite alluvial plains. Korean peninsula have endured erodible geomorphlogical processes since Miocene when warping it up. Therefore many intermontane basins are located on the weathered granite areas which are surrounded by mountains composed of much less Precambrian gneiss complex. In fact, intermontane basin is mainly linear fault-line valley. The landforms of the intermontane basins are characterized by gentle piedmont slopes, alluvial fans, fluvial terraces and alluvial plains.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the germination and growth response by Salinities of Spergularia marina Griseb grown in the western coastal region in South Korea. The germination was investigated for 10 days at temperature $10^{\circ}C$, $15^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $25^{\circ}C$ in order to examine the germination of Spergularia marina Griseb by NaCl concentration 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0%. The germination of NaCl concentration 0.0~1.0% was 90% over at $15^{\circ}C$ treatment, but the germination of NaCl concentration 2.0% was 0% at all temperature treatments. To identify the growth response of Spergularia marina Griseb according to the salinity, Spergularia marina Griseb was cultivated for 8 weeks in Hoagland culture medium and sea water. In nutrient solution culture, growth was best in NaCl 50mM among 0~400 mM concentrations and in 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100% of sea water, growth was best in 12.5% (dilution ratio with fresh water) treatment. Spergularia marina Griseb's inorganic component contents according to salinity showed that $Na^+$ content increased, but contents of $K^+$, $Ca^+$, $Mg^+$ decreased. As a result, appropriate condition for Spergularia marina Griseb's germination is considered to be maintained at $15^{\circ}C$ and in less than NaCl 1.0% of salinity. When nutrient solution culture, NaCl 0.3% of treatment level is considered to be the optimum salinity.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.185-205
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• 2010

Climate change vulnerability assessment based on local conditions is a prerequisite for establishment of climate change adaptation policies. While some studies have developed a methodology for vulnerability assessment at the national level using statistical data, few attempts, whether domestic or overseas, have been made to develop methods for local vulnerability assessments that are easily applicable to a single city. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to develop a conceptual framework for climate change vulnerability, and then develop a general methodology for assessment at the regional level applied to a single coastal city, Mokpo, in Jeolla province, Korea. We followed the conceptual framework of climate change vulnerability proposed by the IPCC (1996) which consists of "climate exposure," "systemic sensitivity," and "systemic adaptive capacity." "Climate exposure" was designated as sea level rises of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 meter(s), allowing for a simple scenario for sea level rises. Should more complex forecasts of sea level rises be required later, the methodology developed herein can be easily scaled and transferred to other projects. Mokpo was chosen as a seaside city on the southwest coast of Korea, where all cities have experienced rising sea levels. Mokpo has experienced the largest sea level increases of all, and is a region where abnormal high tide events have become a significant threat; especially subsequent to the construction of an estuary dam and breakwaters. Sensitivity to sea level rises was measured by the percentage of flooded area for each administrative region within Mokpo evaluated via simulations using GIS techniques. Population density, particularly that of senior citizens, was also factored in. Adaptive capacity was considered from both the "hardware" and "software" aspects. "Hardware" adaptive capacity was incorporated by considering the presence (or lack thereof) of breakwaters and seawalls, as well as their height. "Software" adaptive capacity was measured using a survey method. The survey questionnaire included economic status, awareness of climate change impact and adaptation, governance, and policy, and was distributed to 75 governmental officials working for Mokpo. Vulnerability to sea level rises was assessed by subtracting adaptive capacity from the sensitivity index. Application of the methodology to Mokpo indicated vulnerability was high for seven out of 20 administrative districts. The results of our methodology provides significant policy implications for the development of climate change adaptation policy as follows: 1) regions with high priority for climate change adaptation measures can be selected through a correlation diagram between vulnerabilities and records of previous flood damage, and 2) after review of existing short, mid, and long-term plans or projects in high priority areas, appropriate adaptation measures can be taken as per this study. Future studies should focus on expanding analysis of climate change exposure from sea level rises to other adverse climate related events, including heat waves, torrential rain, and drought etc.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.24-42
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• 1983

To develop Ilex cornuta which grow naturally in the southwest seaside district as new ornamental tree, the author chose I. cornuta growing in the four natural communities and those cultivated in Kwangju city as a sample, and investigated its ecology, morphology and characteristics. The results obtained was summarized as follows; 1) The natural distribution of I. cornuta marks $35^{\circ}$43'N and $126^{\circ}$44'E in the southwestern part of Korea and $33^{\circ}$20'N and $126^{\circ}$15'E in Jejoo island. This area has the following necessary conditions for Ilex cornuta: the annual average temperature is above $12^{\circ}C$, the coldness index below $-12.7^{\circ}C$, annual average relative humidity 75-80%, and the number of snow-covering days is 20-25 days, situated within 20km of from coastline and within, 100m above sea level and mainly at the foot of the mountain facing the southeast. 2) The vegetation in I. cornuta community can be divided that upper layer is composed of Pinus thunbergii and P. densiflora, middle layer of Eurya japonica var. montana, Ilex cornuta and Vaccinium bracteatum, and the ground vegetation is composed of Carex lanceolata and Arundinella hirta var. ciliare. The community has high species diversity which indicates it is at the stage of development. Although I. cornuta is a species of the southern type of temperate zone where coniferous tree or broad leaved, evergreen trees grow together, it occasionally grows in the subtropical zone. 3) Parent rock is gneiss or rhyolite etc., and soil is acidic (about pH 4.5-5.0) and the content of available phosphorus is low. 4) At maturity, the height growth averaged $10.48{\pm}0.23cm$ a year and the diameter growth 0.43 cm a year, and the annual ring was not clear. Mean leaf-number was 11.34. There are a significant positive correlation between twig-elongation and leaf-number. 5) One-year-old seedling grows up to 10.66 cm (max. 18.2 cm, min. 4.0 cm) in shoot-height, with its leaf number 12.1 (max. 18, min), its basal diameter 2.24 mm (max. 4.0 mm, min. 1.0 mm) and shows rhythmical growth in high temperature period. There were significant positive correlations between stalk-height and leaf-number, between stalk-height and basal-diameter, and between number and basal diameter. 6) The flowering time ranged from the end of April to the beginning of May, and the flower has tetra-merouscorella and corymb of yellowish green. It has a bisexual flower and dioecism with a sexual ratio 1:1. 7) The fruit, after fertilization, grows 0.87 cm long (0.61-1.31 cm) and 0.8 cm wide (0.62-1.05 cm) by the beginning of May. Fruits begin to turn red and continue to ripen until the end of October or the beginning of November and remain unfading until the end of following May. With the partial change in color of dark-brown at the beginning of the June fruits begin to fall, bur some remain even after three years. 8) The seed acquision ratio is 24.7% by weight, and the number of grains per fruit averages 3.9 and the seed weight per liter is 114.2 gram, while the average weight of 1,000 seeds is 24.56 grams. 9) Seeds after complete removal of sarcocarp, were buried under ground in a fixed temperature and humidity and they began to develop root in October, a year later and germinated in the next April. Under sunlight or drought, however, the dormant state may be continued.