• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2014

This study was carried out to determine the effects of seed storage methods and pre-treatments on seed germination, soil types and shading conditions on potted seedlings growth of S. sieboldiana var. pendula and S. sieboldiana for. xanthocarpa, endemic species in Korea. The seed germination rate of S. sieboldiana var. pendula was the highest at 48.6% when seeds were treated with stratification for 60 days and then soaked in 100 ppm $GA_3$. And seed germination rate of S. sieboldiana for. xanthocarpa was the highest at 51.4% when seeds were pre-chilled for 30 days and then soaked in 100 ppm $GA_3$. And potted seedlings of S. sieboldiana var. pendula showed the best quality under 50% shading in bedsoil with the growth characteristics of plant height (41 cm), number of leaves(8), leaf width (16 cm), leaf length (18 cm), root length (22 cm), fresh weight(aerial part/root part; 20/6.9 g) and dry weight(aerial part/root part; 4.5/2.0 g). And potted seedlings of S. sieboldiana for. xanthocarpa showed the best quality under non-shading in bedsoil with the growth characteristics of plant height (39 cm), number of leaves(10), leaf width (12 cm), leaf length (15 cm), root length (22 cm), fresh weight (aerial part/root part; 21/13 g) and dry weight (aerial part/root part; 4.2/2.2 g). Therefore, seeds treated with stratification or prechilling and then soaked in $GA_3$ were effective in germination of S. sieboldiana var. pendula and S. sieboldiana for. xanthocarpa, and potted seedlings should be cultivated in bedsoil under non or 50% shading condition.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.235-250
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• 2023

This study was carried out to identify the vascular flora of Mt. Bonghwa in the Baekdudaegan Mountain range, located on the border between Namwon City and Jangsu Country in Jeollabuk Province and Hamyang Country in Gyeongsangnam Province and use them as basic data for the conservation of plant diversity and prevention of the spread of alien plants. Specimens deposited at the Herbarium of Korea National Arboretum (KH) were reexamined, and 15 field surveys were conducted from April 2020 to July 2023. The result revealed a total of 466 taxa, consisting of 97 families, 279 genera, 409 species, 16 subspecies, 32 varieties and 9 forms, Of which, eight taxa were endemic plants, and one taxon, Aconitum coreanum (H.Lév.), belonged to the vulnerable (VU) on the national red list species. Moreover, there were 57 floristic target species, including 1 taxon of grade V, 9 taxa of grade III, 14 taxa of grade II, and 33 taxa of grade I, whereas there were 24 taxa of alien plants and 1 taxon of ecosystem disturbance species. In the usefulness survey, 353 taxa were for food, 3 for textiles, 71 for medicinal use, 21 for ornamental use, 108 for pasture use, 2 for industrial use, 7 for miscellaneous use, and 11 for timber plants.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2014

The description of vegetation cover and floral composition was undertaken in terms of phytosociological study in Dodamsambong(scenic site no. 44) and Danyangseokmoon(no. 45). In this study a total of 17 $relev{\acute{e}}s$ containing 144 taxa were collected and analyzed. Eight plant communities are differentiated, grouped into 4 physiognomic types: forest type(Buxus microphylla var. koreana-Thuja orientalis community, Tilia mandshurica-Quercus variabilis community, and Cynanchum wilfordii-Pinus densiflora community), mantle type(Cardamine leucantha-Neillia uekii community), secondary meadow type(Galium kinuta-Spodiopogon sibiricus community, Diarthron linifolium-Zoysia japonica community), and crevice type(Patrinia rupestris-Selaginella stauntoniana community, Hypodematium glandulosopilosum community). The vegetation of Dodamsambong and Danyangseokmoon is characterized by local flora, such as calciphilous plants, geological distribution-limit species, and endemic species. The soil depth, slope, and human impact have been identified as the most important differentiating ecological factors. Buxus microphylla var. koreana-Thuja orientalis community, Tilia mandshurica-Quercus variabilis community, and Patrinia rupestris-Selaginella stauntoniana community were evaluated highly by National Vegetation Naturalness. In order to restore the value of specific landscape for scenic site, we should improve the problems of protected area such as wrong management on habitat, forest fragmentation by facilities and decline in vegetation by lack of growing the next succession.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2014

The petal and sepal micromorphology of five species of Glechoma (Lamiaceae) was investigated to evaluate their taxonomic significance, and a molecular phylogeny using the sequences of internal transcribed spacers (ITS) regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA was carried out to resolve their phylogenetic relationships. Stomatal complexes were mostly found in the inner and outer part of the sepal from all investigated taxa, and the size length of the guard cell was variable among the taxa. Five types of trichomes (uni-cellular non-glandular trichome, multi-cellular non-glandular trichome, short-stalked capitate glandular trichome, long-stalked capitate glandular trichome, and peltate glandular trichome) were variable among the taxa as well as their distribution and density. In molecular phylogenetic studies, the genus Glechoma was composed of three geographically distinct major monophyletic groups (Europe-U.S.A., China-Korea, Japan). G. longituba in Korea and China formed well-supported monophyletic group. G. hederacea in Europe and U.S.A. formed a monophyletic and well-supported clade with G. sardoa, which are endemic species in Italy, with G. hirsuta falling as a sister to this clade. However, G. grandis did not form any phylogenetic relationships with the remaining taxa. The ITS analyses provided taxonomic boundaries of taxa in Glechoma although the petal and sepal micromorphological characters provided weak evidences of the systematic value. As further studies, incorporating more DNA regions to the matrix including other additional morphological analysis will be significant to provide clearer taxonomic structure in Glechoma.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.46-55
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to review the taxonomic position of Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia endemic to Ulleung Island with related taxa T. cuspidata var. cuspidata, T. caespitosa, and T. cuspidata var. nana based on external morphological characters and DNA barcoding study. T. cuspidata var. latifolia was similar to T. cuspidata var. cuspidata in the arbor, straight trunk, and symmetric arrangement of leaf. But the unique differences between T. cuspidata var. latifolia and T. cuspidata var. cuspidata were leaf size and the exposure of seed from aril. Additionally, sequences of four chloroplast DNA regions including matK, rbcL, trnL intron and trnL-trnF spacer regions were analyzed. Korean Taxus species and their related taxon T. cuspidata var. nana were strongly supported as a monophyletic group in neighbor-joining analysis. Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia showed 100% sequence identity to related taxa. Korean endemic T. caespitosa is also distinguishable from related taxa by prostrate stems and spiral arrangement of leaf. The examinations of external morphology and DNA barcoding study suggest that the taxonomic position of T. cuspidata var. latifolia should be maintained as a variety of T. cuspidata.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.2082-2087
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• 2013

The present study was performed to quantitatively analyze eleutherosides (B and E) and ${\beta}$-glucan in different plant parts of three cultivars (Chungnam, Gangwon, and Jeju) of Acanthopanax senticosus and Acanthopanax koreanum using HPLC and a commercial enzyme kit. Our results showed high linearity in the calibration curves as the coefficients of correlation ($R^2$) were 0.998 (eleutheroside B) and 0.999 (eleutheroside E), respectively. Eleutheroside B and E were found in stem extracts of A. koreanum cultivated in Jeju (1,122 ${\mu}g/g$, eleutheroside B) and A. senticosus cultivated in Chungnam (2,536 ${\mu}g/g$, eleutheroside E), respectively. However, eleutheroside B was not detected in any part of A. senticosus cultivated in Chungnam. For ${\beta}$-glucan contents, stems of A. senticosus and A. koreanum showed higher than other parts. Furthermore, the ${\beta}$-glucan content in stems of A. koreanum cultivated in Gangwon was significantly higher than in those of other cultivars. These results show that the contents of eleutheroside B, E, and ${\beta}$-glucan were higher in stem extracts of A. senticosus and A. koreanum than other parts. Moreover, our results suggest that the contents of eleutheroside B, E, and ${\beta}$-glucan in A. senticosus and A. koreanum are influenced by cultivation area and the selected part.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.2
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• pp.236-243
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• 2012

The leaf growth and physiological characteristics of Forsythia saxatilis were investigated at six natural habitats under different light intensities in Bukhansan in order to figure out an appropriate growth environment for conservation and restoration of F. saxatilis that is Korean endemic plant designated as rare and endangered species. Relative light intensities (RLI) at six habitats showed from 10% to 78% of the full sun. Leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and dry leaf weight of population under highest relative light intensity (78%) were the highest. The ratio of dry leaf weight to leaf area increased with the increase of RLI. The content of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were the highest at 78% of RLI, whereas the ratio of total chlorophyll to carotenoid content reduced according to the increase of RLI. Photosynthetic parameters, such as photosynthetic rate, also increased with the increase of RLI. The total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) was 1.5 times higher at 78% of RLI than that at 10% of RLI and the total soluble sugar (TSS) was the highest at 78% of RLI. In conclusion, leaf characteristics and physiological characteristics have high positive correlation with light intensity. Therefore, light condition should be primarily considered to improve growth and physiology characteristics of F. saxatilis under low light intensity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.738-744
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• 2018

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai is a native Korean plant that grows only on Mt. Halla of Jeju Island. Its leaf is used for a popular bamboo tea due to its various health-promoting properties, and it has been increasingly used as food and cosmetic ingredients. To utilize the S. quelpaertensis leaf efficiently, the preparation method for phytochemical-rich extract (PRE) using the leaf's residue was previously reported, which was produced after hot water extraction. This study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of PRE and its solvent fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction of PRE (EPRE) showed higher DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide radical scavenging activities, and it effectively inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EPRE also induced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) by increasing the level of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a nuclear fraction. The inhibiting effect of EPRE on LPS-induced NO production was partially reversed by the HO-1 inhibitor (zinc protoporphyrin, ZPP), suggesting that HO-1 is involved in suppressing NO production. Taken together, the results suggest that EPRE has potential as a promising anti- oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.678-683
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin inflammation effects of three herb mixture extracts, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which are from Ullung island in Korea. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of Raw 264.7 cells. Tested cells were pretreated with 70% acetone extracts of Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus (LSA-A) and further cultured for an appropriated time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of LSA-A had no cytotoxicity. In these concentrations, LSA-A inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necorsis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). LSA-A showed a 60% $PGE_2$ inhibition rate at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. iNOS and COX-2 inhibition activities were 54%, and 65% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, LSA-A extract reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6. These results suggest that LSA-A may have significant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.646-655
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• 2015

A phytosociological survey carried out using the Z.-M. School’s methodology and system of numerical-classification analyses, this study sought to classify the syntaxa of forest vegetation on Mt. Byeokbang and to collect basic data on the transitional zones of the southern Korean peninsula’s coastal region. The syntaxa were classified into three physiognomic types and nine communities, including (1) evergreen coniferous forests (Eurya japonica-Pinus thunbergii community and Ardisia japonica-Pinus densiflora community), (2) summer-green, broad-leaved forests (Chloranthus japonicus-Quercus serrate community, Syneilesis palmata-Quercus mongolica community, Quercus acutissima community, Carpinus turczaninovii var. coreana community, Fraxinus siebolidiana-Quercus dentate community, and Deutzia glabrata-Lindera erythrocarpa community), and (3) artificial afforestation (Alnus firma afforestation). The Chloranthus japonicus-Quercus serrata community, Syneilesis palmata-Quercus mongolica community, Fraxinus siebolidiana-Quercus dentata community, Carpinus turczaninovii var. coreana, community and Deutzia glabrata-Lindera erythrocarpa community were closely evaluated for national vegetation naturalness. It was confirmed that the Carpinus turczaninovii var. coreana community was endemic to Korea. Most syntaxa were defined as a secondary forestation due to various human activities (e.g., forest fires, logging, digging, climbing, etc.). The results of a canonical-correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that human activities, altitude, humus depth, rock cover ratio, slope, etc. were the main ecological factors determining the classified plant communities’ distribution patterns.