• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.450-463
• /
• 2023

The objective of this study is to derive the core habitat of the Kirengeshoma koreana Nakai utilizing Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) models. Expert-based models have been criticized for their subjective criteria, while statistical models face difficulties in on-site validation and integration of expert opinions. To address these limitations, both models were employed, and their outcomes were overlaid to derive the core habitat. Five variables were identified through a comprehensive literature review and spatial analysis based on appearance coordinates. The environmental variables encompass vegetation zone, forest type, crown density, annual precipitation, and effective soil depth. Through surveys involving six experts, importance rankings and SI (Suitability Index) scores were established for each variable, subsequently facilitating the creation of an HSI map. Using the same variables, the MaxEnt model was also executed, resulting in a corresponding map, which was merged to construct the definitive core habitat map. Out of 16 observed locations of K. koreana, 15 were situated within the identified core habitat. Furthermore, an area historically known to host K. koreana but not verified in the present, Mt. Yeongchwi, was found to lack a core habitat. These findings suggest that the developed models exhibit a high degree of accuracy and effectively reflect the current ecological landscape.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.301-316
• /
• 2015

The endangered species, The Red-crowned Crane and the White-naped Crane are vulnerable species to the disturbance for human beings. We examined the importance of CCZ for the cranes by comparing the crane's density in some CCZ-released areas, which are cranes' wintering site in Cheorwon. We also assessed influence of disturbance such as construction and greenhouses on core habitats of cranes. Our study results suggested that the construction and reclamation in the CCZ shrunk core habitat area while increasing core area of far from the construction and reclamation area. The CCZ has been set since March, 2011 and the number of greenhouse has rapidly increased after 2012. As the number and size of greenhouse in the area where designation of CCZ was cancelled increased, foraging area of cranes diminished. Although the area where designation of CCZ was cancelled seemed to have more human disturbance than CCZ, the foraging density of cranes did not decline and even that of white-naped cranes increased. This could be the influence of artificial food supply at their roosting site. In conclusion, if the area of CCZ decline continuously in the future, density of cranes would decrease.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2016

Mallard and Spot-billed ducks that are typical wintering water birds use the wide rice field in the center of the water system as a wintering ground. I try to figure out the daily movement distance from Home-Range to wintering ground for mallard and spot-billed ducks in Mangyunggang, Dongjingang where located in central region. In 2015 wintering period by using a Cannon-net, I attached WT-300 to 5 mallard and 5 spot-billed ducks. Daily movement distance is an overall average 0.89km, the largest distance was 31.09km. Daily movement distance of mallard was 0.97km, the largest distance was 28.78km. Daily movement distance of Spot-billed ducks was 0.80km, the largest distance was 33.39km. Home-Range analysis is used by the SHP files that is compatible with GIS and ArcGIS 9.0 Animal Movement Extension, it was analyzed using the Minimum Convex Polygon Method (MCP) and the Kernel Density Estimation (KDE). The behavior rights of two kinds of ducks was $490.34km^2$ by Minimum Convex Polygon Method (MCP) ($SD=311.20km^2N=10$), an important habitats Kernel Density Estimation (KDE 50%) was $42.24km^2$. Home-Range of Mallard (MCP) was $568.02km^2$, it is wider than home-range(MCP) of spot-billed duck $397.13km^2$ relatively, the core habitats of mallard is $53.05km^2$, it is wider than mallard's core habitats(KDE 50%) $29.26km^2$ relatively.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2013

We tried to find out the core feeding site of the Red-crowned Crane(Grus japonensis) in Cheorwon, Korea by using analysis techniques which are MCP(minimum convex polygon), KDE(kernel density estimation), LoCoH(local nearest-neighbor convex-hull). And, We discussed the difference and meaning of result among analysis methods. We choose the data of utilization distribution from distribution map of Red-crowned Crane in Cheorwon, Korea at $17^{th}$ February 2012. Extent of the distribution area was $140km^2$ by MCP analysis. Extents of core feeding area of the Red-crowned Crane were $33.3km^2$($KDE_{1000m}$), $25.7km^2$($KDE_{CVh}$), $19.7km^2$($KDE_{LSCVh}$), according to the 1000m, CVh, LSCVh in value of bandwidth. Extent, number and shape complexity of the core area has decreased, and size of each core area have decreased as small as the bandwidth size(default:1000m, CVh: 554.6m, LSCVh: 329.9). We would suggest the CVh value in KDE analysis as a proper bandwidth value for the Red-crowned crane's core area zoning. Extent of the distribution range and core area have increased and merged into the large core area as a increasing of k value in LoCoH analysis. Proper value for the selecting core area of Red-crowned Crane's distribution was k=24, and extent of the core area was $18.2km^2$, 16.5% area of total distribution area. Finally, the result of LoCoH analysis, we selected two core area, and number of selected core area was smaller than selected area of KDE analysis. Exact value of bandwidth have not been used in studies using KDE analysis in most articles and presentations of the Korea. As a result, it is needed to clarify the exact using bandwidth value in KDE studies.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 2016

Narrow-mouth frog (Kaloula borealis) is the only amphibian species of genus Kaloula living in South Korea. They are designated and managed as endangered class II wildlife by the Ministry of Environment, Korea. Therefore, there is a desperate need of a habitat restoration study to prevent the extinction of narrow-mouth frog. This study is primarily for the purpose of presenting the direction and practical applications to restore damaged narrow-mouth frog habitats or to suggest alternative habitat options. The habitat suitability index (HSI) of narrow-mouth frog was applied to the research area in Mokpo City of Jeollanam-do Province, in order to present a new narrow-mouth frog habitat. We analyzed the research area based on historical contexts, ecological environment, ecology, and habitat requirements. The research area was divided into the core, buffer, and transition zones according to UNESCO MAB (Man and Biosphere) to establish local land-use plans. As for the foundation of the plan, we divided the habitat composition of the core, where narrow-mouth frog live in, into wetland (spawning area), grassland (shelter and feeding grounds), and forestland (feeding ground). We had a comparative analysis of habitat suitability in pre and post planning of narrow-mouth frog habitat restoration. For the validation study of habitat restoration plans, the future research should be on the composition of test-bed, continuous monitoring, and scientific habitat maintenance.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2020

Domestic cats (Felis catus) introduced to insular environments can be invasive predators that often threaten endemic species and cause biodiversity loss or local extinction on the island. This study was conducted from March to July 2018 to understand the population size, home range, and spatial use of cats introduced to Mara Islet (N 33° 07', E 126° 16') in Jeju Special Governing Province, the Republic of Korea. Observation records based on their natural marks revealed that there were 20 adult cats on Mara Islet. A capture-recapture method also estimated 20 adult individuals (95% confidence interval: 20-24 individuals). According to our telemetry study on ten adults deployed with GPS-based telemetry units, the home range size was 12.05±6.99 ha (95% KDE: kernel density estimation), and the core habitat size was 1.60±0.77 ha (50% KDE). There were no significant differences in the home range and core habitat sizes by sex. The home range of domestic cats overlapped with the human residential area, where they might secure easy foods. Five of ten tracked cats were active at potential breeding colonies for the Crested Murrlet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume), and six approached potential breeding areas of the Styan's Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella pleskei), suggesting the predation risk of the two endangered species by cats. This study provides novel information on the population size and home range of introduced cats on Mara Islet which is an important stopover site of migratory birds as well as a breeding habitat of the two endangered avian species. Reducing the potential negative impacts of the introduced cats on migratory birds and the endangered species on Mara Islet requires monitoring of the predation rate of birds by cats, the population trends of cats and endangered breeding birds as well as the effective cat population control and management.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.545-555
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to predict the distribution density and potential habitat of domestic cats (Felis catus) in order to identify core distribution areas. It also aimed to overlay protected areas to identify priority areas for cat management. Kernel density estimation was used to determine the distribution density, and areas with high density were classified in Greater Seoul, Chungnam, Daejeon, and Daegu. Elevation, distance from the used area and roughness were identified as important variables in predicting potential habitat using the MaxEnt model. In addition, the classification of suitable and unsuitable areas based on thresholds showed that the predicted presence of habitat was more extensive in Seoul, Sejong, Daejeon, Chungnam, and Daegu. Core distribution areas were selected by overlapping high-density areas with suitable areas. Priority management areas were identified by overlaying core distribution areas with designated wildlife sanctuaries. As a result, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam have the largest areas. In addition, buffer zones will be implemented to effectively manage the core distribution area and minimize the potential for additional introductions in areas of high management priority, such as protected areas. These results can be used as a basis for investigating the status of the cat's habitat and developing more effective management strategies.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.200-207
• /
• 2019

The movement distance and home range size of Pelophylax chosenicus were identified in the rice paddy and ecological park as alternative habitats from July to November 2017. A total of 39 frogs were tracked by radio tracking method. As a result, the average move distance in the population of rice paddy was 11.7 ± 1.9 m (n = 64) and the population of ecological park was 24.7 ± 4.3 m (n = 39). The move distance between the two populations was significantly different. The mean MCP of the population of rice paddy was 181.2 ± 110.8 m² (n = 11) and the population of ecological park was 416.1 ± 276.2 m² (n = 10), but there was no significant difference. The population area of rice paddy was 4,160 m² (Kernel density 95%) and the core area was 1,080 m² (Kernel density 50%). The population area (Kernel density 95%) of ecological park was 5,391 m² and the core area (Kernel density 50%) was 736 m². This study shows that it is appropriate to construct the area of alternative habitat for P. chosenicus at least 1.33 ha, and it is more advantageous for the ecological park to be constructed than the paddy field with high development pressure and human interference. If the rice paddies were to be abandoned for several years, or to be used traditional farming methods, such as refraining from using agricultural machinery and chemicals, they could be used as alternative habitat for P. chosenicus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.7 no.5
• /
• pp.12-25
• /
• 2004

Integration system of conservation ecology, ecosystem management and land planing in landscape scale is major principle strategy for national management system of environmental resource and biodiversity. Current conservation strategy is concerned with not only population and habitat level but also ecosystem and landscape level. In especially, ecological networking to link core areas or major habitat patches is most eminent and emerging issue in European Union (EU) and North America. Moreover, the promotion of national ecological network system in EU is focused on national cooperation to construct ecological corridor for key habitat that distributed in many countries. Integrating landscape ecology into conservation ecology and restoration have important role to stimulate the network system in regional and national level. In this review paper, comprehensive and necessary considerations arisen from the view of landscape ecology were discussed for the present situations of wildlife conservation and management in Korea compared with other countries. Especially, the conservation strategy and policy of biodiversity were addressed in broad sense including habitat protection, legal approaches, and ecological network programs. Finally, a national ecological network system was suggested for environmental policy in Korea in global consideration after the Korean Unification.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2020

This study aims to evaluate the effect of artificial facilities constructed afterthe release of the civilian controlled zone (CCZ) in Cheorwon on the inhabitation of cranes. The study site was released from the CCZ in 2012, and several barns have been built since 2017. The average number of Red-crowned Cranes was 9.3±4.3 individuals (±Standard Deviation) in the period before the release of the CCZ from 2009 to 2012, and it decreased by ca. one third of Red-crowned Crane's average individuals were showing 3.5±0.5 individuals after release. The average number of White-naped Cranes also appeared to be decreased by ca. 90% from 63.3±24.6 to 6.0±6.0 individuals. This results suggest that the construction of greenhouses and barns after the releasing of the CCZ affected the decrease of the population of these two crane species. In the case of Red-crowned Crane, the core area tended to move away from the area where barns were built. However, the distribution range of Red-crowned Cranes did not change significantly we expected because the study area was not their favorite place since 2012 when the area was released from the CCZ. The density of the White-naped Crane was relatively high even in the area where greenhouses were built, but after 2017 when the barn was built intensively, core habitat of crane became shrink and fragmented. These results suggest that both Red-crowned Cranes and White-naped Cranes response sensitively against habitat change due to the construction of barns. Since the release of the CCZ, the construction of the greenhouse has been influenced on the distribution of cranes, but subsequently, the construction of the barn seems to have caused a bigger change in their core habitat because the passage of people to barns is more frequent than the greenhouses.