• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2008

As a step toward developing conservation and restoration plans for an endangered species of the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana), we studied daily foraging behavior and ecology. We released two individuals, male and female, after enclosing study site with a fence and cutting out a part of two or three feathers of primaries. Research was conducted from 16 June to 11 July, 2007 for 25 days at Whawonri, Mewonmyung, Chungbuk province. We investigated diural and daily variation of foraging time budget, diet composition, and habitat selection of the feeding individuals. The storks quadratically invested for foraging time and resting time according to time of day, but no significant variation in the foraging time and resting time appeared daily over 25 days. As a result, the storks mainly used wetland as a foraging site in the center of the study area to that in the edge as well as to other types of habitat. The high usage for wetland in the center did not change over the 25 days while Rice field decreased and Wetland in the edge and Pathway increased. Female invested more time for foraging than male, but the foraging efficiency did not differ between them. We discussed the significance of foraging behavior and habitat selection for management plan.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to describe the development and testing of an initial ecological health assessment model, based on the index of biological integrity (IBI) using fish assemblages, before establishing the final and currently used model for ecological health assessment, conservation and management of freshwater fish in Korea. The initial fish IBI model was developed during 2004~2006 and included 10 metrics, and in 2007 the final IBI 8-metric model was established for application to streams and rivers in four major Korean watersheds. In this paper, we describe how we developed fish sampling methods, determined metric attributes and categorized tolerance guilds and trophic guilds during the development of the multi-metric model. Two of the initial metrics were removed and the initial evaluation categories were reduced from six to four (excellent, good, fair, poor) before establishing the final national fish model. In the development phase, IBI values were compared with chemical parameters (BOD and COD as indicators of organic matter pollution) and physical habitat parameters to identify differences in IBI model values between chemical and physical habitat conditions. These processes undertaken during the development of the IBI model may be helpful in understanding the modifications made and contribute to creating efficient conservation and management strategies for stream environments to be used by limnologists and fish ecologists as well as stream/watershed managers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.2
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• pp.165-178
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• 2021

Owing to the lack of consistent research on endangered plant species in Korea, there are insufficient data to preservespecies and expand habitats. This study analyzed the preferred habitat and threats to the survival of Aconitum austrokoreense, found on Baekwun Mountain in Gurye-gun, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do Province, and classified as a level two endangered wild plant by the Ministry of Environment, by investigating major environmental factors such as climate, location, soil, and stand structure. By examining five selected sites inhabited by Aconitum austrokoreense on BaekwunMountain, this study found that the habitat had an altitude of 420 to 675 m above sea level and showed a northeast tendency, spreading over a range of inclination angles between 15° and 37°. The average number of plants across the five sites was 156. Site 4 (550 m) had the highest density of 372 plants, with an average height of 0.6 m. The average soil moisture and relative light intensity were 20.48% and 7.34%, respectively. Layer soil was presumed to be sandy loam, characterized by high sand content and good drainage. The habitat had average soil pH of 5.2, average organic matter of 16.46%, average nitrogen of 0.86%, average available phosphate of 11.86 mg/kg, average electrical conductivity of 0.44 dS/m, and average cation exchange capacity of 37.04 cmolc/kg. The total carbon in soil averaged 10.68%. From the analysis of the vegetation structure of sites inhabited by Aconitum austrokoreense, the dominant populations were Pinus koraiensis and Lindera erythrocarpa in Site 1, Magnolia obovata and Carpinus laxiflora in Site 2, Zelkova serrate and Quercus variabilis in Site 3, Staphylea bumalda and Lindera erythrocarpa in Site 4, and Morus bombycis,Styrax japonicus, and Carpinus laxiflora in Site 5. With most habitats located near trails and sap collection sites of Acer pictum, the species were exposed to artificial damage and interference threats.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-297
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• 2024

This study, conducted in Geolpo-dong and Gamjeong-dong near Gimpo-Hangang New Town, examines an area adjacent to the Han River estuary, a major wintering ground for migratory birds. Over 59 surveys from October 2015 to March 2022 in four representative rice fields (sites A-D) recorded 44,942 individuals from 32 genera and 72 species. Site D, a large area near the Han River, exhibited high species diversity. Despite lower diversity in areas under development (sites A, B, C), ongoing species influx and utilization persist. The study focuses on Anser fabalis, a species predominantly utilizing rice fields, and identified their distribution characteristics. The analysis revealed 162 instances of population influx, with over a 30-fold increase observed across 39 surveys conducted over a 30-month period (October to March, '15~'22). The area, a key wintering site for migratory birds of Janghang Wetland, about 5 km from feeding sites, is heavily utilized by migratory geese, indicating the region's high value considering migration distance and anticipated continuous bird influx despite urban expansion. Therefore, future developments should preserve ecological corridors and connected stepping stone habitats to not only preserve existing habitats but to secure alternative feeding sites, ensuring smooth movements and mitigating habitat loss.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 1994

The census of Amphibia fauna in Tokyusan National Park was carried out during April 10, 1993 and August 8 - August 9, 1993 at the areas of construction field of golf course in Muju Resort and the Chibong. There were 6 species of 5 genera on the 4 families, 2 orders of Amphibia in Tokyusan National Park including Hynobius leechii. Onychodactylus fischeri, and Bufo bufo gargarizans which were announced the specific wild animals with the object of conserving by The Ministry of Environment. At the area of construction field of golf course in Muju Resort, there were 5 species of Amphibia observed as Hynobius leechii, Bombina orientalis, Bufo bufo gargarizans, Rana nigromaculata, and Rana dybowskii. Onychodactylus fischeri and Rana dyhowskii were observed at the Chibong area. The Chibong inwhich was observed 9 relatively large number of individuals of Onychodactylus fischeri was revealed as an environmentally sound habitat to Onychodactylus fischeri. Whereas in the construction field of golf course, there were intended to diminishing species and population size rapidly by progress with construction works. Therefore the large construction works such as golf couse and ski slopes which were concerning to deteriorate the natural environment should be restrain in National Park for animal diversity conservative.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 2022

A distribution survey was conducted from March to August 2021 to evaluate the distribution status, habitat characteristics, and threat of extinction of the Korean cold-water fish Ladislabia taczanowskii Dybowski (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae). Historical distribution reports were divided into 1997~2005, 2006~2012, 2013~2019, and distribution surveyed 169 sampling sites, and 1,040 individuals were collected from 72 sites. Areas where the habitat was confirmed were Namhan River (27 stations), Han River (17 stations), Bukhan River (16 stations), Samcheok Osipcheon (4 stations), Yeongokcheon (3 stations), Gangneung Namdaecheon (2 stations), Jeoncheon (1 station), Chucheon (2 stations). The main habitat of L. taczanowskii was upstream of the river with a high altitude of more than 300 m, 2~30 m water flow width, 0.3~1.5 m water depth, and high ratio (50~90%) boulder bottoms. The main reasons for the decline in population size were assumed as river works, construction of reservoirs and bridges, discharge of contaminated water into the river, the inflow of summer vacationers, and weir. Compared to our results there exists evidence that states a 36.1% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, in a small appearance range (7,820 km²) and occupancy area (288 km²), number of disconnected locations (19 locations), and a decline in habitat quality. Therefore, L. taczanowskii is now considered as Vulnerable (VU) based on the results (VU A2ac, Near meets B1b (i, ii, iii)+B2b (i, ii, iii)) of IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Lastly, the conservation plan of Ladislabia taczanowskii was discussed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.335-343
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• 2016

Of the Nak-dong Jeongmaek, five mountains, viz. Mt. Baek-byeong, Mt. Chil-bo, Mt. Baek-am, Mt. Un-ju, Mt. Go-heon, which are considered to well represent the natural environmental characteristics of Nak-dong Jeongmaek as well as its various terrain, were selected for this study. Two fixed plots were selected as sample study areas of each type of bird habitats and surveyed from May to October in 2015. According to the results of the survey conducted in the five mountains of Nak-dong Jeongmaek, a total of 47 species with 1,163 individuals birds was identified. The largest variety of species occupying a particular habitat type was found in the forest road and the ridge with 31 species. Also, the number of individuals was highest in the valley with 471 individuals. According to the results of nesting guild analysis of the vein (Pearson Chi-Square test, ${\chi}^2=13.377$, p = 0.037) by each Nak-dong Jeongmaek habitat type, the communities that belong to the canopy nesting guild showed a high frequency in development land and the valley while the communities that belong to the hole nesting guild showed a high frequency on the forest road and ridge. The results of Pearson Chi-Square test (${\chi}^2=15.555$, p=0.004) showed that the communities that belong to Bush foraging guild were most frequent in the development area and the community that belong to canopy foraging guild were most frequent inthe valley, the forest road and the ridge. These findings show that different habitat types of Nak-dong Jeongmaek support a great variety of birdlife by providing diverse and excellent resources.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 1995

This study was conducted to investigate bird community and to suggest a proper way how to manage and protect wildbirds in Chuwangsan National Park. The survey was carried out over two survey sections by the line transect method in spring, summer and autumn in 1994. Total number of observed birds were 42 species(33 species in spring, 32 species in summer, and 26 species in autumn), and the result was the same with the typical pattern of temperate bird communities. Total number of natural monument and rare birds were 7 species, which included Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos), Chinese Sparrow Hawk(Accipter soloensis), Eagle Owl(Bubo bubo), etc. In breeding season, species richness was high in canopy nesting guild, and density(ea/ha) was high in hole nesting guild. Canopy foraging guild was dominated in spring and summer, ratio of bush(or ground) foraging guild was increased in autumn. Since the habitats of observed natural monuments and rare species were roughly overlapped with the nature preservation area, it is necessary to preserve the area completely and to investigate and protect these species continuously. For the protection of the bush(or ground) foraging guild, it needs to plant bushes around trails and to control users. Food plants, artificial food planting of bushs, and artificial nest are needed for the habituation of wildbirds, and as the damage of wild cats is increasing lately, it needs to control these cats.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.172-179
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the current original habitat and to conserve the narrow-mouthed toad populations. For this study, we used 240 pitfall traps (30 cm height ${\times}$ 20 cm width) to catch the narrow-mouthed toads that inhabit in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, in Busan metropolitan city from August 2, 2013 to November 7, 2013. We measured the environmental characteristics (soil composition factors, soil moisture, Humidity, soil temperature) for the seven habitat patterns of narrow-mouthed toads based on vegetation types. Main habitats of narrow mouthed toads were flat grassland where grass and false acacia grew and there was wetland all over the place. When analyzing habitats that main habitats of narrow-mouthed toads prefer after selecting representative seven vegetation, it was found that the most narrow-mouthed toads were caught in amur silver grass colony while the least narrow-mouthed toads were caught in bare land. Totally, we caught 846 narrow-mouthed toads over 68 times, and released them into the newly constructed habitat after injection VIE-tag. It seems that the reason for which the least narrow mouthed toads were caught in bare land is that bare land is not suitable for narrow mouthed toads to protect themselves from strong sunlight and to hide themselves from natural enemy. We found that temperature had the greatest influence on activities of narrow mouthed toads and at temperature of less than $15.6^{\circ}C$. We also found that the activities of narrow mouthed toads were remarkably low and then temperature was below $15.6^{\circ}C$. It meant that narrow mouthed toads seemed to go into hibernation. From this research, we could find the prefer habitat after analyzing habitats for the narrow-mouthed toads and could suggest for construction for the better habitat of narrow-mouthed toads.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.269-281
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• 2004

The survey of birds in Nakdong River Basin was conducted from March in 2003 to February in 2004. This study shows that the population of birds was 94,481 individuals and 114 species. The bird recorded in Daemadeung (Ⅰ) was 21,781 individuals and 55 species. It is surrounded with silt to have a better condition for a habitat and the rest place than other areas in the Nakdong River Basin. In the traits of the groups, Grebes were well established in the lower estuary(Eulsook islet), Cormorants in the main stream of the Nakdong River and around West Nakdong River (F). Swans, Shelduck and Shorebirds were using silt in the lower estuary where the depth of water is shallow, dabbling ducks were also established in West Nakdong River (F) and Yummak (C), diving ducks in the upper Nosan Watergate in West Nakdong River (F). Besides, land birds was distributed in the Yummak (C), Eulsook islet (A) and West-Nakdong River (F). Because they are connected with the artifical forest in Eulsook Islet Garbage Field and Ⅱwoong islet, it is good for the land birds and the water birds to have a habitat in this kinds of vacant lot. The Nakdong River Basin is not only an important area as the habitat and rest place for ducks and geese but also one of the areas where we can not get out of the temptation to development. To preserve effectively the natural habitat from human s intervention, it needs to keep supervising in Daejeo Watergate (E) and the upper area Noksan watergate in West Nakdong River (F) and Yummak (C).