• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.311-338
• /
• 2021

This study was investigated to find out the distribution of vascular flora and remarkable plants and its factors and management plan in the forest genetic resource reserve of Mt. Munsu, located in the DMZ and DMZ border area in Gimpo, Gyeonggi-do province. The survey was carried out 17 times from April 2019 to October 2020. First of all, in the forest genetic resource reserve of the Mt. Munsu, a total of 444 taxa in 95 families, 276 genera, 395 species, 13 subspecies, 33 varieties and 3 forms. This result was found to be about 9.09% of the total 4,881 taxa of vascular plants in Korea. In addition, endemic plants were classified as 6 taxa. Floristic special and rare plants were identified as 39 taxa and 3 taxa, respectively. Lastly, the invasive alien plants that appeared in Mt. Munsu of the forest genetic resource reserve were observed in 58 taxa. Moreover, the naturalization rate was 13.1% and the urbanization index was calculated to be 18.0%. As a result of comparing the vascular flora at the forest genetic resource reserve on Mt. Munsu identified in this study with previous studies, it was found the number of taxa was decreased compared to the previous studies, despite the fact that the recent survey section was wider and more varies routes were investigated. In particular, it was confirmed that the number of rare and endemic plants decreased significantly, and the number of invasive plants greatly spread to forest roads and hiking trails. Therefore, it is considered that the forest rest year system should be introduced for the conservation and management of native plants in the forest genetic resource reserve.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.229-248
• /
• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Mt. Jaamsan on the Gyeongsang supergroup, Korea. From the results of eight field surveys from March to October 2017, we have identified 530 total taxa, representing 483 species, eight subspecies, 35 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids, which were placed in 325 genera and 110 families. The plant formation of Mt. Jaamsan is the deciduous broad-leaved and conifer mixed forests, which are the common ones in the middle part of the Korean Peninsula. Most of the mountain is covered with young secondary forest, which is mainly composed of Quercus spp., and Pinus. Out of these 530 taxa, 12 are endemic to Korea, 17 taxa are listed on the Korean Red List of threatened species, 65 are floristic target species, and 55 are invasive alien species. The percentage of naturalized index(NI) and urbanization index (UI) were 10.4% and 17.2%, respectively. Mt. Jaamsan has a high plant diversity, including endemic and rare species, which consist of geomorphological landscapes. We considered that the composition and distribution of species are affected by the different environmental factors according to the sedimentary rocks, drying ridges, valleys, and streams. Together with the rocks and soils were the substrate type that play a major role in providing the unique habitats for sun plants in the area.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.317-345
• /
• 2022

This study carried out a survey to utilize basic data for the conservation of northern lineage plants that are vulnerable to climate change, targeting algific talus slope of a specific forest biodiversity region in Yeotan-ri, Jeongseon-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do. The survey was conducted by dividing the wind hole into 625 m² inside and 6,925 m² outside based on the wind hole. The vascular flora were identified as 84 families, 203 genera, 296 species, 6 subs., 27 var., 2 for., and a total of 331 taxa. This was found to be about 7% of 4,724 species of vascular plants in Korea. Plants endemic to the Korean peninsula were identified as 19 taxa, including Syringa fauriei, and 11 taxa for rare plants designated by IUCN. Critically endangered grade (CR) was Paeonia obovata 1 taxa, Endangered grade (EN) was Forsythia saxatilis and Prunus choreiana 2 taxa. A total of 78 taxa were florisitc target species, and 19 taxa were classified for indicator plants in the limestone area. As for alien plants, 20 taxa such as Taraxacum officinale were identified, and the naturalization rate was 6.04% and the urbanization rate was 5.33%. Geographical plants of the study area are 2 taxa of Syringa fauriei and Syringa villosa subsp. wolfii.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.11-24
• /
• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the flora of Jinjosan Mt. (Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do). The vascular plants were surveyed 9 times between March 2019 and April 2020. The results of this survey revealed a total of 414 taxa comprising of 87 families, 274 genera, 365 species, 12 subspecies, 32 varieties, and 5 forms. Among them, 9 taxa were Korean endemic plants and 5 taxa were rare plants of Korea. In addition, the specific plants by floristic region were 66 taxa including 1 taxon of grade IV, 18 taxa of grade III, 24 taxa of grade II, and 23 taxa of grade I. Additionally, eight taxa were classified as plants adaptable to climate change. Thirty-one taxa were of alien plants and three taxa were of ecosystem disturbance species, which were also investigated. The percentage of naturalized plants species and the urbanization index were estimated to be 7.5% and 5.0%, respectively. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants flora, and will guide the conservation processes of plant resources such as plant diversity and distributional changes in Jinjosan Mt.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.246-262
• /
• 2024

The survey conducted from 2018 to 2020 aimed to investigate the changes in fish fauna and community characteristics in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, Korea. During the survey period, 35 sites were selected, resulting in the collection of 7,817 fish belonging to 12 families and 40 species. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus, with a relative abundance of 34.5%, followed by Z. platypus at 28.7%. Other significant species included Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.3%), and Squalidus gracilis majimae (4.3%). Notably, four protected species - Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Cottus koreanus, designated as class II endangered wildlife by the Ministry of Environment- were identified. These species predominantly inhabit the middle and lower reaches, except for Gobiobotia brevibarba, which is found in the upper reaches. Nineteen species, accounting for a 47.5% endemism rate, were endemic to Korea. The study also noted the presence of one climate-sensitive species, Cottus koreanus, and two exotic species, Carassius cuvieri and Micropterus salmoides. Community analysis indicated a trend of decreasing dominance and increasing diversity and richness from upstream to downstream, with a distinct division into uppermost reaches, upper reaches, middle and lower reaches, and lakes. The construction of the Hwaseong Dam has had a significant direct and indirect impact on the fish community. The habitat and abundance of endangered species such as R. pseudosericeus, A. signifer, and G. brevibarba decreased dramatically immediately after the dam's construction, transforming the submerged area from lotic to lentic environments. Approximately 20 years later, the habitats have stabilized, leading to an increase in the fish population and a recovery of the previously diminished endangered species. The river health (FAI) was also evaluated, with 27 sites rated as very good (A), seven as good (B), and one as fair (C). However, endangered species such as A. signifer continue to face threats from dam and river construction, while C. Koreanus has experienced a severe population decline due to river works. Additionally, the presence of the ecosystem-disrupting species M. salmoides in Hwaseong Lake raises concerns. To ensure a stable habitat for fish in the upper reaches of the Seomgang River, it is crucial to avoid indiscriminate river construction, urgently implement restoration policies for endangered species such as A. signifer, and develop management strategies to control the spread of invasive species such as bass.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.480-489
• /
• 2021

Climate change poses great threats to wildlife populations by decreasing their number and destroying their habitats, jeopardizing biodiversity conservation. Asiatic salamander (Hynobiidae) species are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their small home range and limited dispersal ability. Thus, this study used one salamander species, the Korean clawed salamander (Onychodactylus koreanus), as a model species and examined their habitat characteristics and current distribution in South Korea to predict its spatial distribution under climate change. As a result, we found that altitude was the most important environmental factor for their spatial distribution and that they showed a dense distribution in high-altitude forest regions such as Gangwon and Gyeongsanbuk provinces. The spatial distribution range and habitat characteristics predicted in the species distribution models were sufficiently in accordance with previous studies on the species. By modeling their distribution changes under two different climate change scenarios, we predicted that the distribution range of the Korean clawed salamander population would decrease by 62.96% under the RCP4.5 scenario and by 98.52% under the RCP8.5 scenario, indicating a sharp reduction due to climate change. The model's AUC value was the highest in the present (0.837), followed by RCP4.5 (0.832) and RCP8.5 (0.807). Our study provides a basic reference for implementing conservation plans for amphibians under climate change. Additional research using various analysis techniques reflecting habitat characteristics and minute habitat factors for the whole life cycle of Korean-tailed salamanders help identify major environmental factors that affect species reduction.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.420-431
• /
• 2010

Simple material budget models were developed to predict the dry season water quality for a river-type reservoir in Paldang, Republic of Korea. Of specific interest were the total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll ${\alpha}$ (Chl. ${\alpha}$), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The models fit quite well with field data collected for 20 years and have enabled the identification of the origins of organic materials in the reservoir. The critical hydraulic load that determines the usability of phosphorus for algal production appeared to be about $1.5m\;d^{-1}$. When a hydraulic load was smaller than the critical value, the concentrations of $Chl.{\alpha}$, COD, and BOD in the reservoir water became sensitive to internal algal reactions such as growth, degradation, and settling. In spite of the recent intensive efforts for organic pollutant removal from major point sources by central and local governments, the water quality in the reservoir had not been improved. Instead, the concentration of COD increased. The model analysis indicated that this finding could be attributed to the continuing increase of the algal production in the reservoir and the allochthonous load from non-point sources. In particular, the concentrations of COD and BOD of algal origin during 2000~2007, each of which is comprised of approximately one half of the total, were approximately 2.5 times higher than those observed during 1988~1994 and approximately 1.3 times higher than those between 1995~1999. The results of this study suggested that it is necessary to reduce the algal bloom so as to improve the water quality of the reservoir.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.162-168
• /
• 2002

Human ferritin H- and L-chain genes(hfH and hfL) were cloned into the yeast shuttle vector YEp352 with various promoters, and the vectors constructed were used to transform Saccharomyces cerevisiae 2805. Three different promoters fused to hfH and hfL were used: galactokinase 1 (GAL1) promoter, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GPD) promoter and alcohol dehydrogenase 1(ADH1 ) promoter. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting analyses displayed expression of the introduced hfH and hfL. In the production of both ferritin H and L subunits GAL1 promoter was more effective than GPD promoter or ADH1 promoter. Ferritin H and L subunits produced in S. cerevisiae were spontaneously assembled into its holoproteins as proven on native polyacrylamide gels. Both recombinant H and L-chain ferritins were catalytically active in forming iron core. When the cells were cultured in the medium containing 10 mM ferric citrate, the cell-associated concentration of iron was 174.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$ Per gram(dry cell weight) for the recombinant yeast YG-L and 148.8 $\mu\textrm{g}$ Per gram(dry cell weight) for the recombinant yeast YG-L but was 49.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$ Per gram(dry cell weight) in the wild type, indicating that the iron contents of yeast is improved by heterologous expression of human ferritin H-chain or L-chain genes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.242-254
• /
• 2010

Streams changed by artificial factor those support positive functions but also negative function to humanbeing. Time and pathway exceed the lost of structure and negative function appearing as disturbance. Therefore, it is desirable to prepare right situation to break of a vicious circle. Stream ecology was evaluated with using ichthyofauna during three years at the three disturbed sites and reference sites in Nakdong River. Forty-one species belonging three orders and ten families were identified in six surveying sites of Nakdong River during 2007~2009. Korean endemic species (14 species, 34.1%) and alien (3 species, 7.3%) were identified in Nakdong River ichthyofauna. Species number, species diversity, ecosystem structure and habitat variability of ecosystem were applied to evaluate stream ecosystem. In view of three year comprehended data at six sites; numeric instability appeared Andong Dam and Naeseongcheon sites worse than Gamcheon and reference site, otherwise more numeric diversity appeared Gamcheon and reference site than Andong Dam and Naeseongcheon. As a result of integration, sand stream including downstream of Andong dam, Naeseongcheon and Gamcheon has been having more diversified biodiversity and habitat diversity than those in the pebble stream.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.445-452
• /
• 1996

To investigate the promoter effect on heterologous gene expression in S. cerevisiae, the recombinant plasmids pYI11, pYI12, pYI10-2, and pYIGP were constructed to contain the inulinase gene (INUI) as a reporter under the control of GAL10, GAL7, GAL1, and GAP promoters, respectively. When the yeasts transformants were cultivated on galactose-containing rich media, the cell growth reached to 36-39 OD600 at 72 hours of cultivation. The specific growth rates of the cells harboring the four different plasmids decreased similarly : they dropped from $0.24 h^{-1}$ during the glucose-consuming period to 0.04 -$0.10 h^{-1}$ during the galactose-consuming period (gene expression phase for GAL promoter system). After the depletion of glucose, the expression of inulinase gene was started and reached to maximal levels of 4.3(GAL1 promoter), 4.0(GAL10 promoter), 3.8(GAL7 promoter), and 1.6(GAP promoter) unit/mL at 72 hours of cultivation. Based on the maximal expression level and activity staining on the plate, the promoter strength was in the order of GAL1, GAL10, GAL7 and GAP promoter. While the GAL-promoter systems showed a high plasmid stabilities of more than 78%, the GAP-promoter plasmid revealed a lower plasmid stability of 55%. Most of inulinase activity (98%) was found in the extracellular medium, indicating that the secretion efficiency of inulinase is independent on the type of promoter.