• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.533-542
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• 2023

Understanding the regional distribution of swans in the lower Nakdong River area is also important for the continuous habitat of swans according to changes in the surrounding environment of the area. This study was conducted to understand the regional distribution aspect of swans (Cygnus spp.) downstream of the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea, from October 2013 to September 2018. In the estuary, a small ship was used to move along a certain route and observe it with the naked eye or binoculars, and in the land area, Line transect census and Point census method were conducted in parallel. During this period, two species and 34,647 individuals of swans were observed, including 34,356 Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) and 291 Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus). The average number of individuals observed in 15 different areas was 1172, 103, 214, 1825, 1850, 13, 318, 1, 0, 1, 11, 21, 5, 0, and 239 respectively. The total average of the number of individuals in these areas was 384.76. The numbers differed significantly among the survey areas (Kruskal-Wallis test, X2=4349.01, P < 0.001). Particularly, the numbers were larger in Eulsukdo, Lower Eulsukdo, and Daemadeung than in the other regions. In conclusion, as long-term survey data, it can be used as basic data to analyze the distribution of swans due to environmental changes caused by the development of the Nakdong River, predict changes in the habitat status of migratory birds, and prepare measures necessary for preservation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.478-485
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• 2018

With the total population of 3,356 worldwide as of 2016, the black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) is designated as "endangered (EN)" species by IUCN. About 70% of population breeds on the uninhabited islands near the west coast of Korea and wintering area is Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, etc. However, there is few detail research in Korea and East Asia on black-faced spoonbill's long range migration and its habitat when migrating southward. We studied black-faced spoonbill's migration route, distribution, stopover, wintering sites, and timing of migration movements using a wild-tracker (WT-200, GPS-Mobile phone based telemetry, KoEco). We caught the black-faced spoonbills in the breeding sites (Gugi island, Bi island, Sangyeobawi, Chilsan island) in Korea in late June 2014. We attached the wild-tracker to 10 juvenile black-faced spoonbills. The tracking showed that the black-faced spoonbills started southward migration between late October and early November. The traveling distance to wintering site was maximum at 1,820 km, minimum at 746 km, the average at 1,201km. The maximum daily traveling distance was 1,479 km with an average of 782 km. The average days it took from breeding site to wintering site was 10 days (SD=10.7). The shortest duration was 2 days, and the longest duration was 34 days. Most individuals used 2-3 stopover sites between the breeding sites to the wintering sites and stayed almost 1-2 days (maximum 31 days). Stopover sites were wetlands such as rivers, streams, reservoir, and mud flat. The wintering sites were coastal areas (five individuals) in China, inland (one individual) in China, Taiwan (three individuals), and Japan (one individual). In conclusion, it is necessary to preserve the stopover sites and wintering site of the black-faced spoonbills through consultation and protection policy between countries and establish the systematic preservation measures and activity plans through continued moniting and additional studies.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.42-53
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• 2017

One of the negative ecological effects following road construction is roadkill; animals die on the roads after being struck by vehicles. Roadkills have been a major concern in South Korea due to the large mountain areas in the country and have been mentioned as a causal factor for the decline in wildlife. Although snake roadkills frequently occur, as with mammals, birds, and amphibians, there are not many related studies done on snake roadkills. In this study, we determined snake roadkill patterns in the northeast part of South Korea including most of the Gangwon-do areas and parts of Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do by analyzing the snake roadkills found between May 2007 and Aug 2012. We identified a total of 155 roadkilled snakes from 10 different species. Red-sided water snake (Rhabdophis tigrinus), Red-tongue viper snake (Gloydius ussuriensis), Cat snake (Elaphe dione), Red-banded snake (Dinodon rufozonatus), and Viper snake (Gloydius brevicaudus) accounted for more than 90% of the total cases. It was found that more active forager snakes were killed than sit-and-wait foragers, more male snakes were killed than female snakes, and more adult snakes were killed than subadult snakes. The snake roadkill frequency was the highest in September between the altitudes of 200 and 400 m, and on roads between either a mountain and a body of water or between a mountain and a crop field. Our results are expected to enhance the understanding of snake roadkills in general and to determine the areas, specific sites and species for planning projects for snake roadkill reduction in the northeast of South Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.511-520
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• 2006

The study analyzed the distribution of mammalia per altitude in Gamebong, the highest trail of Juwangsan National Park and confirmed the inhabitation of 22 different species inhabiting in the park. Starting from 200 m to 800 m above the sea level was segmented into 100 m unit. The result of analysis has shown that the Tamias sibiricus is the dominant specie throughout in all segments. Species confirmed to be inhabiting in all segments of research areas were Mustela sibirica, Caproelus pygargus and squirrel. By analyzing the confirmed Field Sign basing from the observation point, it has shown close relations between types of species and population following the increase in altitude (y=-0.0234 + 25.552, $R^2$=0.9296, $F_{0.05}$(1,4)=7.71, p<0.05). However, the result of analysis targeting nine species inhabiting in at least five out of six 100 m segmented units has shown that only two species, Apodemus sgrarius (y=-0.034X+25.2, $R^2$=0.905, $F_{0.05}$(1, 4)=38.169, p<.0.01) and Sciurus vulgaris (y=-0.0154X+ 12.819, $R^2$=0.781, $F_{0.05}$(1, 4)=14.270, p<0.05) were affected by the altitude. Therefore, it is judged that the distribution of species does not follow the altitude variation but follows the food conditions and the structure of habitat. The result of analysis of Box and Whisker Diagram had shown lowest quartile deviation($Q_U-Q_L$) in Nature Restoration Area that is located in $200{\sim}300m$ above the sea level, where hikers are prohibited from entering. In $500{\sim}600m$ above the sea level segment that has similar food environment and trail, it has shown the widest distribution. Further research is required on this segment for the excretion drops of Prionailurus bengalensis, a Grade II class of endangered species, were found on the trails.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Pintail (Anas acuta) is the major wintering bird in South Korea and known as a major mediator of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Pintail migrates long distances between Russian Siberia and Korea. This species prefers a rice paddy area as their winter habitat. The purpose of this study is to provide the data necessary for the conservation and management of bird habitats in Korea by understanding the wintering home-range and habitat of pintail in Korea. We captured six pintails using a cannon-net in the winter of 2015 and attached the GPS-mobile phone based telemetry (WT-300) on them to study the wintering home-range and wintering habitat. We analyzed the tracking location data using ArcGIS 9.0 Animal Movement Extension and calculated Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP). The average home-range in the wintering ground analyzed by MCP was $677.3km^2$ (SD=130.2, n=6) while the maximum and minimum were $847.7km^2$ and $467.5km^2$, respectively. Extents of home-range analyzed by KDE were $194.7km^2$ (KDE 90%), $77.4km^2$ (KDE 70%), and $35.3km^2$ (KDE 50%). The pintails mostly used both sea and paddy field as habitat in the winter season and utilized paddy fields more during the nighttime and than the daytime. We concluded that the home-range and habitat of pintails in the winter could be used as the reference data for the preservation of species, management of habitats, and coping with a breakout of HPAI.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 2014

Anaplasmosis is a rickettsial zoonosis mediated by blood-sucking arthropods, such as ticks, flies, and mosquitos. Migratory birds are common hosts of ticks that are mediators of anaplasmosis, in particular, the tick infection rate in thrushes (family Turdidae) has been known to be high. The main purpose of this study is to survey the occurrence and prevalence of Anaplasma spp. from the migratory thrushes in Jeju island. We collected blood samples from 6 thrushes rescued at the Jeju Wildlife Rescue Center and from 34 wild-caught thrushes on Mara island which is a satellite island of Jeju. As a result, the nested PCR confirmed that seven out of 40 individuals (17.5%) were infected by Anaplasma spp. and all of them were identified as A. phagocytophilum based on sequences obtained from partial 16S rRNA. All the infected birds were on their northward migration in spring, our results suggest that the Turdidae family, which is a common and abundant migrant group passing through Jeju island, may act a role as active reservoir and disperser of A. phagocytophilum causing potential influx of the zoonotic pathogens from its wintering grounds in lower latitude to the mainland Korea as well as Jeju.

• Spatial Information Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.85-99
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• 2000

Accurate information on habitat distribution of protected fauna is essential for the habitat management of Korea, a country with very high development pressure. The objectives of this study were to develop a habitat suitability model of wild boar based on GIS and logistic regression, and to create habitat distribution map, and to prepare the basis for habitat management of our country s endangered and protected species. The modeling process of this restudyarch had following three steps. First, GIS database of environmental factors related to use and availability of wild boar habitat were built. Wild boar locations were collected by Radio-Telemetry and GPS. Second, environmental factors affecting the habitat use and availability of wild boars were identified through chi-square test. Third, habitat suitability model based on logistic regression were developed, and the validity of the model was tested. Finally , habitat assessment map was created by utilizing a rule-based approach. The results of the study were as folos. First , distinct difference in wild boar habitat use by season and habitat types were found, however, no difference in wild boar habiat use by season and habitat types were found , however, ho difference by sex and activity types were found. Second, it was found, through habitat availability analysis, that elevation , aspect , forest type, and forest age were significant natural environmental factors affecting wild boar hatibate selection, but the effects of slope, ridge/valley, water, and solar radiation could not be identified, Finally, the habitat at cutoff value of 0.5. The model validation showed that inside validation site had the classification accuracy of 73.07% for total habitat and 80.00% for cover habitat , and outside validation site had the classification accuracy of 75.00% for total habitat.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.256-260
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• 2018

Cannibalism is a widely observed phenomenon in the animal kingdom. However, it is rarely found among birds outside nests in the wild because it occurs irregularly and it is almost impossible to monitor animal behavior constantly. On 17 January 2017, this behavior was directly observed from a group of vultures feeding on a conspecific in a paddy field near Lake Geumho in Haenam-gun ($34^{\circ}35^{\prime}58.25^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$, $126^{\circ}26^{\prime}57.64^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$). It was observed and recorded with the binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens in a car approximately 20 m (or 60 m) away from the site. The observer approached the feeding site after the last vulture had finished feeding and flown away and found remains of a vulture, including body feathers, skull, sterna keel, and both legs. It was the first report of cannibalism in Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus in its overwintering grounds. The remaining skeleton was very fleshy, and the surrounding grass was wet with the blood of vulture. No other traces of a mammal or bird that could have been the vultures' prey were found. This report provides a detailed account of the events related to this rare observation and the causes that might have led to it.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.233-246
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to suggest the possibility of utilizing the wildflower pasture for promoting public interest. Growth characteristics, botanical composition, fauna distribution on wildflower pastures were observed. The experimental design included two treatments: native wildflower pasture(NWP, turf grasses 6 species + native wildflower 11 species) and introduced wildflower pasture(lWP, turf grasses 6 species + introduced wildflower 9 species). The field trials were carried out on the experimental pasture plots at Chungnam National University from 1997 to 2000. The results obtained are as follows: 1. The flowering of wildflower was maintained continuously from May to September, and the colors of wildflowers; varied seasonally during this period. With native flowers, however, Hemerocallis fulva, Belamcanda chinenis and Aster koraiensisi showed problems in lately germination and early establishment. Meanwhile, Introduced wildflower showed not only excellent germination and early establishment compared to native flowers species but also maintained brighter colors. But Coreopsis tinctoria, Achillea mi/lefolium and Rudbeckia bicolor had colonized at a higher height or possessed stronger rhizome. 2. The appropriate species of turf grass which maintained continuous seasonal distribution are thought to be tall fescue, perennial ryegrass. Kentucky bluegrass in NWP and IWP. 3. Botanical composition of wild flower in NWP was arranged in the order of Achillea sibirica > Lotus corniculatus var. Japonicus > Dianthus chinensis > Plantago asiatica > Taraxacum pla~ycarpum > Viola mandshurica > Aster koraiensis > Vicia tetasperma > Lespedeza stipulacea > Hemerocallis fulva, respectively. The highest seasonal distribution of native wildflower, Achillea sibirica was in spring and summer, Lotus corniculatus var. Japonicus was in autumn. Botanical composition of wild flower in IWP was arranged in the order of Achillea millefolium Coreopsis tinctoria > Silene armeria > Coreopsis lanceolata > Rudbeckia bicolor > Sanguisorba oficinalis > Centaurea cyanus > Chrysanthemum leucanthemum > Dianthus petraeus, respectively. The highest seasonal distribution of introduced wildflower, Silene armeria was in spring, Achillea millefolium was in summer, and Coreopsis tinctoria was in autumn.