• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.31-45
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• 2020

The biological indices based on the community structure with species richness and/or abundance are commonly used to assess aquatic ecosystem health. Meanwhile, recently functional traits-based approach is considered in ecosystem health assessment to reflect ecosystem functioning. In this study, we developed a database of biological traits for 136 taxa consisting of major stream insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, and Odonata) collected at Korean streams on the nationwide scale. In addition, we obtained environmental variables in five categories (geography, climate, land use, hydrology and physicochemistry) measured at each sampling site. We evaluated the relationships between community indices based on taxonomic diversity and functional diversity estimated from biological traits. We classified sampling sites based on similarities of their environmental variables and evaluated relations between clusters of sampling sites and diversity indices and biological traits. Our results showed that functional diversity was highly correlated with Shannon diversity index and species richness. The six clusters of sampling sites defined by a hierarchical cluster analysis reflected differences of their environmental variables. Samples in cluster 1 were mostly from high altitude areas, whereas samples in cluster 6 were from lowland areas. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) displayed similar patterns with cluster analysis and presented variation of taxonomic diversity and functional diversity. Based on NMDS and community-weighted mean trait value matrix, species in clusters 1-3 displayed the resistance strategy in the life history strategy to the environmental variables whereas species in clusters 4-6 presented the resilience strategy. These results suggest that functional diversity can complement the biological monitoring assessment based on taxonomic diversity and can be used as biological monitoring assessment tool reflecting changes of ecosystem functioning responding to environmental changes.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.21-37
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• 2010

The abiotic factors and the vegetation naturalness of the 13 tributary wetlands around Namgang-River were assessed to investigate the present state and to present the conservation counter plan for the wetland ecosystem of the tributaries. Assessment indices for the abiotic factors were estimated based on the dominant land use types of the riparian zone, ecological function of the upper levee, levee slope structure, artificiality and utilization intensity of the waterfront, artificiality of the revetment structure, diversity of the substrate, and severance of the transverse. The assessment index of Omi-cheon is the highest among 13 tributaries. The second was Banseong-cheon and third was Hyangyang-cheon, followed by Nabul-cheon and Yeongcheon-gang and Sugok-cheon, Jungchon- cheon, and Daegok-cheon in their order and Munsan-cheon got the lowest assessment index. Assessment indices for the vegetation naturalness were estimated based on the vegetation diversity, exotic species dominance, annual herb dominance, naturalness and peculiarity of the vegetation, and species diversity. The assessment index of Omi-cheon is the highest among 13 tributaries. The second was Sugok-cheon and third was Banseong-cheon, followed by Yeongcheon-gang, Jungchon- cheon, Jinae-cheon, Nabul-cheon, and Jisu-cheon in their order, and Yonga-cheon got the lowest assessment index. The grades of the stream naturalness were estimated based on the the naturalness indices for the abiotic factors and the vegetation naturalness. The grades of Omi-cheon is the highest among 13 tributaries as the grade I. Those of Banseong-cheon, Sugok-cheon, Yeongcheon-gang, Nabul-cheon and Jungchon-cheon, Hyangyang-cheon, Jinae-cheon, Jisu-cheon, Daegok-cheone, and Munsan-cheon and Doksan-cheon were grade II in their order, and Yonga-cheon got the lowest as the grade III. It was suggested that restoration of the simple and flat substrate, create the natural vegetation on the levee slope constructed with concrete or stone wall, and rehabilitation of the eco-bridge were demanded to improve the grades of the stream naturalness through the restoration of the tributaries for the diverse aquatic wildlife, high vegetation diversity and species diversity with the vegetation consisted of perennial herbs and trees.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1 s.110
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• pp.83-94
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• 2005

The objective of the study was to elucidate early life history of Rhinogobius brunneus, based on laboratory observations and field works, along with its courtship and spawning behaviors. The male and female fish matured were sampled for the lab experiments from Gap-Stream, which is one of the tributaries of Geum-River, Korea. The spawning behaviors and courtship of matured adults had a typical pattern; matured males of Rhinogobius brunneus built up spawning nests and had their own territory before the spawning, and the behavior then triggered the egg spawning of female with active courtship. The females attached elliptic egg mass as a single layer, on the stones below the spawning nest. After the spawning, the egg mass was guarded by males only until the hatching. The size of egg fertilized, measured by microscope was about 1.5${\pm}$0.1mm in length and 0.7${\pm}$0.1 mm in the egg's width. According to the lab experiments conducted under four temperature regime, the lapsed time for the hatching was shortened as temperatures increased in the treatments. On the contrary to the hatching time, the average length of newly hatched larvae showed a reverse relation with water temperature. The larvae, considered a final stage of the early life history was about 3.6 mm in total length for water temperature of $18^{\circ}C$, whereas they were between 3.1 mm and 3.2 mm for over $25^{\circ}C$. This indicates that higher water temperature may decrease the growth rate in the early life history. These results may provide valuable information for the population conservation and ecosystem protection under accelerated water pollution and habitat degradations in Korea.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1105-1112
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the metabolic adjustment of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) isozymes to the environmental temperature in bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). This study included three groups of bluegill collected in April (group Ⅰ), May (group Ⅱ), and September (group Ⅲ). The LDH activities of skeletal muscle, heart, and brain tissues were higher in group Ⅲ than in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ. The citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.7, CS) activity was higher in skeletal muscle but lower in heart and brain tissues of group Ⅱ as compared to group Ⅰ. In contrast, the CS activity was lower in skeletal muscle and higher in heart and brain tissues in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅱ. Furthermore, the LDH/CS activity ratio was higher in the skeletal muscle and brain in group Ⅲ than in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ. Accordingly, anaerobic metabolism was increased in group Ⅲ. LDH A₄, A₂B₂, and B₄ isozymes were expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, liver, and brain tissues. The LDH C hybrid was detected in brain tissue. The LDH A₄ isozyme was successfully purified by affinity chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified LDH A₄ isozyme was 136 kDa and its optimal pH for enzymatic activity was 8.0. The K_m^PYR values of LDH in skeletal muscle were 0.161-0.227 mM using pyruvate as a substrate. These kinetic properties of LDH in skeletal muscle are consistent with the fact that bluegill is a cold-adapted species. These results may be useful for predicting the habitat use of this fish.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.64-73
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• 2008

The cDNA of CCF (coelomic cytolytic factor)-like gene (EC 3.2.1.16), a kind of glycosyl hydorlase, was isolated and cloned from the midgut of the earthworm Eisenia anderi. The size of nucleotide sequence appeared to be 1,152 bp and its predicted coding region was composed of 384 amino acid residues including the initiation methionine. The 17 residues at N-terminal end in the deduced amino acid sequence were regarded to be a signal peptide. Based on the amino acid sequence analysis, it appeared that this CCF-like protein could belong to glycosyl hydrolase family 16 (GHF16) and showed a high sequence homology of about 79~99% with CCF and CCF-like proteins from other earthworm species. The CCFs and CCF-like proteins from various earthworm species exhibited a 100% homology in the polysacchride-binding motif and glucanase motif. It has been reported that the CCFs isolated from E. fedita appeared to show a broader pattern recognition specificity than those from other earthworm species because this species resides in decaying organic matter showing very high microbial activity, implying that CCF-like protein isolated in this study from E. andrei might exhibit a broad substrate specificity that is a useful characteristic for industrial application. A phylogenetic analysis using the deduced amino acid sequences of CCF-related proteins through the BLASTX revealed that GHF16 families could be divided into three groups of metazoa, viriplantae and eubacteria subfamily. Subsequently the CCF-related proteins of metazoa subfamily could clearly be subgroup into lophotrochozoan and edysozoan type including a deuterostome origin. Further understanding of the biological properties of E. andrei CCF-like protein should be addressed to regulate the ${\beta}$-D-glucan hydrolysis and production for the industrial uses.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 1999

The wetland is very important ecologically as a habitat of diverse organisms. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the morphogenetic environment of Jilmoe Bog found in the Odae Mountain National Park Jilmoe Bog is located in the high etchplain(1,060m) where Daebo Granite which had intruded in Jura epoch of Mesozoic era has weathered deeply and has uplifted in the Tertiary. The annual mean temperature of study area is $5.3^{\circ}C$, the annual precipitation is 2,888mm. The minimun temperature of the coldest month(january) is below $-30^{\circ}C$ and the depth of frozen soil is over 1.6m. Jilmoe bog consists of a large bog and a small bog. The length of the large bog is 63m and its width is 42m. The basal surface of Jilmoe bog is uneven. Jilmoe bog is a string bog fanned due to frost actions. In String bog, its surface is wavy with stepped dry hills and net-like troughs crossing hill slope. It seems that string bog is related to the permofrost or seasonal permofrost of cold conifer forest(taiga) zone(where the depth of frozen soil is very deep in the least in winters). String bog is a kind of thermokarst that frozen soil thaws differentially locally in declining permofrost and ground surface becomes irregular. There is turf-banked terracette of width $30{\sim}40cm$ in the headwall of small cirque-type nivation hollow formed at footslope of Maebong mountain around Jilmoe bog. This turf-banked terracette is formed by the frost growth of soil water below grass mat in periglacial climate environment. Where water is plentiful such as a nivation follow${\sim}$valley corridor and a headwall of valley, turf patterned grounds of width $30{\sim}50cm$ are found. This turf patterned ground is 'unclassified patterned ground', earth hummock. In conclusion, Jilmoe bog is a string bog of thermokarst that the relief of ground surface is irregular according to locally differentially thawing of permofrost(frozen soil). Jilmoe bog is high moor, its surroundings belongs to periglacial environment that turf-banked terracette and turf patterned ground are fanned actively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.4
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• pp.493-512
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to provide the basic data necessary for establishing a vegetation management plan for the Yeongcheon River area by presenting a better understanding of the distribution and characteristics of naturalized plants through an investigation of the flora present in the Yeongcheon riverside, in Jinju, South Korea. Vascular plants were investigated for a total of 470 taxa, including 90 families, 282 genera, 425 species, one sub-species, 38 varieties, and six forms. Together, these accounted for 9.62% of the vascular plants (4,881 species) in Korea. Gramineae was the most abundant at 77 taxa (16.38%), followed by Cyperaceae at 56 taxa (11.91%), Leguminosae at 33 taxa (7.02%), Cyperaceae at 25 taxa (5.32%), and Rosaceae at 22 taxa (4.86%). Thirty species of indicator plants were surveyed and, among them, annual plants and hemicryptophytes accounted for a significantpercentage. Among ground plants, trees, shrubs, and sub-shrubs were surveyed to include 23 (4.89%), 17 (3.61%), and 14 taxa (2.97%), respectively. Furthermore, 36 aquatic plant taxa were found. Six rare plant taxa were surveyed including Penthorum chinense, Melothria japonica, Aristolochia contorta, Acorus calamus, Millettia japonica, and Magnolia kobus. Floristic special plants comprised 35 taxa,including 26 families, 34 genera, 34 species, and one variety. Plants endemic to Korea included six species. Naturalized plant species comprised 71 taxa, including 18 families, 53 genera, 68 species, and three varieties. The naturalization rate and urbanization index were 15.1% and 22.1%, respectively. Ecological disturbance species in Korea comprised nine taxa, including four families, eight genera, eight species, and one variety. These groups accounted for 64% of the ecological disturbance species in Korea. Ecological disturbance species in Korea tended to increase toward the downstream of Yeongcheon River. In particular, Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Sicyos angulatus, which cause human allergies and disrupt the habitats of plants and animals, must be removed artificially.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.361-368
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• 2002

The valley forests located at the east-facing slope and the west facing slope in Hambaeksan area were studied to investigate forest structure in relation to aspect and altitude of the slope. There was little difference in density. mean DBH and basal area of the tree layer between east-facing slope and west-facing slope. The importance percentages of Tilia amurensis and Betula costata in west-facing slope were higher than those in east-facing slope. However, the importance percentages of Quercus mongilica and Fraxinus rhynchophylla in the west facing slope were lower than those in east-facing slope. Species diversity of the west-facing slope was 1.415 and that of the east-facing slope was 1.328. Elevation trends were also found for forest structure. As elevation Increased basal area and mean height of the tree layer decreased in both of east-facing slope and west-facing slope. There was a tendency that number of species, species diversity and evenness decreased with increasing elevation. The importance percentage of Quercus mongolica increased with increasing elevation while those of Betula costata and Maackia amurensis decreased. The result of cluster analysis for the tree and subtree layer indicated that the studied forests were classified into the mixed forest community of broad-leaved tree species at west-facing slope and the low and middle elevation belts of east-facing slope and Quercus mongolica community at the high elevation belt of east-facing slope. Quercus mongolica was significantly and positively correlated with Symplocos chinensis for. pilosa, Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes and deutzia glabrata. Betula costata was significantly and negatively correlated with Quercus mongolica and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.243-256
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• 2007

The purpose of this paper is aimed at identifying the planting condition of greenbelt axis covering forests located at Sinhyeon-eup, Geoje-si and also establishing improvement plans for the ecological organization. The study was executed with buffer green space designed to mitigate noise, which is located at a halfway point linking Mt. Yukkyo(altitude of 50m) and Mt. Jungmae(altitude of 131m). The number of the biotope patterns was classified into 17 in total: the two are urbanized districts such as a townified district and streets and another 15 are greenbelts and open space such as forest biotope, inland water biotope, and landscaping tree plantations biotope. According to the analysis of biotope types, it was estimated that the making use of already established buffer greens as a linking medium with a foothold of Mt. Yukkyo and Jungmae, whose natural eco-system is well suited for habitation of living organism, is the one and only way to the influx of living organism into the downtown area. The green coverage rate of the base green area, sub-base green area and linkage green area was 160.29%, 128.37% and 44.37% respectively; the green capacity coefficient(i.e. GVZ[$Gr{\ddot{u}}nvolumezahl$]) for base green area, sub-base green area and linkage green area was $4.04m^3/m^2,\;3.95m^3/m^2\;and\;0.65m^3/m^2$ respectively. The base green area has constituted multi-layered vegetation structure and thus played a role as habitats for living organism and supply centre of species, whereas the sub-base green area has destroyed lower layer vegetation, and the linkage green area was in bad shape due to the lack of planting volume and damage of the shrub layer. Accordingly, this research paper intended to suggest detailed implementation plans for the improvement in landscape for city dwellers' use and relaxation; in other words, this paper focused on ecological build-up for the Influx of wild birds into the downtown area for the promotion of bio-diversity of species through the linkage of base green areas and the fostering of nature observing trails for citizens as well as the connecting of green areas through the build-up of roadside greens to make these green areas to be efficiently used as corridors for the influx of wild birds and bio-organism habitation and for citizens' using space.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.650-656
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• 2014

This study was executed in Woraksan National Park from Febuary, 2008 to December, 2013 in order to study the behavioral characteristics of introduced four female gorals using annual home range, seasonal home range, and elevation use characteristics. Annual home range of reintroduced female gorals were $1.13{\pm}0.32km^2$ of MCP 95%, $0.37{\pm}0.18km^2$ of MCP 95% and $0.07{\pm}0.03km^2$(t=0.607, p>0.05) of FK 50% respectively. In seasonal home range and elevation use characteristics of MCP 95%, autumn($0.73{\pm}0.26km^2$) and summer($0.77{\pm}0.06km^2$) were the largest home range and spring($0.58{\pm}0.38km^2$) and winter($0.47{\pm}0.25km^2$) had a smaller home range and it showed that there was a difference between summer and winter home ranges(F=3.868, P<0.05). As a result of seasonal elevation analysis, elevation use was 435m(28.4%) in spring, 464m(26.7%) in summer, 414m(28.8%) in autumn, and 393m(21.2%) in winter, respectively. It showed that these gorals used higher elevation in summer(F=0.783, P>0.05). We could not analyze the characteristics of introduced gorals, because only introduced female gorals were used for this study. However, we could understand that habitat use characteristics were of statistical significance in introduced gorals from the analyses of their home range, seasonal home range and elevation use.