• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.10
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• pp.290-301
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• 2017

Background: Forest edges create distinctive ecological space as adjacent constituents, which distinguish between different ecosystems or land use types. These edges are made by anthropogenic or natural disturbance and affects both abiotic and biotic factors gradually. This study was carried out to assess edge effects on disturbed landscape at the pine-dominated clear-cut area in a genetic resources reserve in Uljin-gun, eastern Korea. This study aims to estimate the distance of edge influence by analyzing changes of abiotic and biotic factors along the distance from forest edge. Further, we recommend forest management strategy for sustaining healthy forest landscapes by reducing effects of deforestation. Results: Distance of edge effect based on the abiotic factors varied from 8.2 to 33.0 m. The distances were the longest in $Mg^{2+}$ content and total nitrogen, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ contents, canopy openness, light intensity, air humidity, $Na^+$ content, and soil temperature followed. The result based on biotic factors varied from 6.8 to 29.5 m, coverage of tree species in the herb layer showed the longest distance and coverage of shrub plant in the herb layer, evenness, species diversity, total coverage of herb layer, and species richness followed. As the result of calculation of edge effect by synthesizing 26 factors measured in this study, the effect was shown from 11.0 m of the forest interior to 22.4 m of the open space. In the result of stand ordination, Rhododendron mucronulatum, R. schlippenbachii, and Fraxinus sieboldiana dominated arrangement of forest interior sites and Quercus mongolica, Vitis amurensis, and Rubus crataegifolius dominated spatial distribution of the open area plots. Conclusions: Forest interior habitat lies within the influence of both abiotic and biotic edge effects. Therefore, we need a forest management strategy to sustain the stability of the plant and further animal communities that depend on its stable conditions. For protecting forest interior, we recommend selective logging as a harvesting method for minimizing edge effects by anthropogenic disturbance. In fact, it was known that selective logging contributes to control light availability and wind regime, which are key factors affecting microclimate. In addition, ecological restoration applying protective planting for the remaining forest in the clear-cut area could contribute to prevent continuous disturbance in forest interior.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.252-260
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• 2012

The wetlands have eco-sociological values because their functions have proven to be useful to human society. Many countries are working to conserve and protect the wetland ecosystems. However, many wetlands have disappeared or have been fragmented due to a natural and/or anthropogenic disturbance. These isolated wetlands appear to work best in the landscape, as a spatially distributed system. We have analyzed the spatial-social distribution patterns of wetlands in Gyeongsangnam-do Province (GNP). We examined the frequency distribution of wetland sizes, the distances to the nearest wetlands, the shapes of the wetlands, land-use patterns, land owners, and official land values were confirmed as social characteristics for each wetland. A total of 146 wetlands (3,598.85 ha), including 76 riverine wetlands (1,955.60 ha), 49 palustrine wetlands (1,282.28 ha) and 21 mountain wetlands (1,282.28 ha) were identified in GNP. Most wetlands left for use to drainage were small (<2 ha) and located in agricultural areas. However, small and isolated wetlands were clustered, according to the location, indicating that these wetlands can be connected to each other using the linear riverine wetlands and water channels in agricultural areas. This is extremely valuable in maintaining the biodiversity, such that any loss of small wetlands will cause a direct reduction in the connectedness among populations of the remaining species. Due to most wetlands belonging to the nation or businesses, being classified as reservoirs (water storage areas), and consequently, degradation of wetlands will progress due to grand-scale engineering works. Therefore, wetland policy and ecologically sensitive laws and policies should be developed in order to promote the wise-use for wetlands.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.717-726
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• 2022

This study was conducted to assess the geochemical contamination degree of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn in the soil and water samples from an abandoned gold mine. Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were carried out to assess the geochemical contamination degree of the soil samples. Variations of sulfate and heavy metals concentration in water samples were determined to identify the geochemical distribution with respect to the distance from the mine tailing dam. Geochemical pollution indices indicated significant contaminated with As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil samples that areas close to the mine tailing dam, while, Sb showed similar indices in all soil samples. These results indicated that the As, Cd, Pb, and Zn dispersion has occurred via anthropogenic sources, such as mining activities. In terms of water samples, anomalies in the concentrations of As, Cd, Zn, and SO₄^2- was determined at specific area, in addition, the concentrations of the elements gradually decreased with distance. This result implies the heavy metals distribution in water has carried out by the weathering of sulfide minerals in the mine tailing and soil. The study area has been conducted the remediation of contaminated soil in the past, however, the geochemical dispersion of heavy metals was supposed to be occurred from the potential contamination source. Therefore, continuous monitoring of the soil and water is necessary after the completion of remediation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.148-157
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• 2005

In order to understand distribution characteristics and pollution of heavy metals in the artificial Lake Shihwa in the vicinity of Kyunggi Bay in relation with huge environmental changes, various environmental samples including seawaters, surface sediments and settling particulate matters were collected from Lake Shihwa in 2004. Due to extreme pollutant discharge from various anthropogenic sources such as the Banweol and Shihwa Industrial Complexes and cities, the highest metal concentrations in the samples such as waters, sediments and settling particulate matter were found in inner part of the lake. High metal contents (Cu, Zn and Hg) in sediments were observed at Sts. 2-4 and 9. The contents of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in SPMs were high at St. 5 and low in the outer part of the lake. Spatial distribution of heavy metals were mainly controlled various biogeochemical factors and physical mixing as well as input of industrial and municipal wastewaters. Although tile environmental qualities of heavy metals in the lake have been improved partially due to inflow of outer seawater, it is not clear to reach a good environmental quality. Therefore, further environmental programs should be conducted continuously for environmental improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.699-709
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• 2017

We measured the grain size, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in order to understand the spatial distribution and pollution level of organic matter and metals in surface sediment around Goseong Bay, a shellfish farming area, Korea. The surface sediments were composed of finer sediments such as mud and clay. The concentration of TOC, TN, and heavy metals were much higher in the innermost bay than in the mouth and outside of bay. The spatial distribution of organic matter and heavy metals and C/N ratio (5-10) in sediment showed that the organic matter and heavy metals in sediment of the study region were significantly influenced by oceanic origin organic matter and anthropogenic sources, respectively. Based on the results of four assessment techniques (sediment quality guideline, geoaccumulation index, pollution load index, ecological risk index), the sediments around the Goseong Bay were a little polluted for heavy metals and the high metal concentrations in the northern region of bay could adverse impact on benthic organisms in sediment. Thus, the systematic management plan for the improvement of water and sediment environment and the concentrated monitoring of pollutants for sustainable aquaculture and seafood safety around Goseong Bay are necessary in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.318-326
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• 2023

The floristic target species (FTS) has been widely used as a important tool for environmental assessment in Korea. Here the floristic district is a key criterion for the selection and evaluation of FTS. The aim of this study is to clarify the intellectual meaning of the floristic district i.e. a sort of phytogeographical subunit. We reviewed 7 main literatures related to the floristic district. Nakai's 1919 Ulleungdo flora survey report was first to mention a region and/or province in terms of general geographical divisions. In 1977, the floristic district map of the Korea vascular plants was first described by Oh. In 1978, Lee & Yim proposed a new floristic district map dividing the central and southern regions, and the district boundaries have been adjusted by many other researchers. In the end, the floristic district map modified slightly from Lee & Yim's map was nationally recognized in 2018. However, the boundaries of floristic districts were inconsistent, both in their setting and adjustment, as well as the indicator species of the district. No basis for this inconsistency could be confirmed. We concluded that all district maps depend on arbitrary lines drawn a priori, and finally proposed the following two ecological strategies to ensure the effectiveness and practicality of the FTS as a scientific means for environmental impact assessment and national flora evaluation: (i) designing to achieve the flora list and the floristic district based on nativeness of plant distribution, (ii) constructing a habitat-based floral monitoring system.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.90-101
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• 2015

Objective: This study was conducted to develop a chemical oxygen demand (COD) regression model using water quality monitoring data (January, 2014) obtained from the Han River auto-monitoring stations. Methods: Surface water quality data at 198 sampling stations along the six major areas were assembled and analyzed to determine the spatial distribution and clustering of monitoring stations based on 18 WQPs and regression modeling using selected parameters. Statistical techniques, including combined genetic algorithm-multiple linear regression (GA-MLR), cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to build a COD model using water quality data. Results: A best GA-MLR model facilitated computing the WQPs for a 5-descriptor COD model with satisfactory statistical results ($r^2=92.64$,$Q{^2}_{LOO}=91.45$,$Q{^2}_{Ext}=88.17$). This approach includes variable selection of the WQPs in order to find the most important factors affecting water quality. Additionally, ordination techniques like PCA and CA were used to classify monitoring stations. The biplot based on the first two principal components (PCs) of the PCA model identified three distinct groups of stations, but also differs with respect to the correlation with WQPs, which enables better interpretation of the water quality characteristics at particular stations as of January 2014. Conclusion: This data analysis procedure appears to provide an efficient means of modelling water quality by interpreting and defining its most essential variables, such as TOC and BOD. The water parameters selected in a COD model as most important in contributing to environmental health and water pollution can be utilized for the application of water quality management strategies. At present, the river is under threat of anthropogenic disturbances during festival periods, especially at upstream areas.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2005.05b
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• pp.1274-1279
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• 2005

The complex vegetation and plant species distributions within riparian corridors influence plant species diversity patterns at both local and regional scales and further reflect both natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Because of these characteristics, riparian zones are often the ecosystem level component that are most sensitive to changes of the surrounding environment; they provide early indications of environmental change and can be viewed as the important source in the watershed. The objectives of this study were two concepts: first, document the composition and dominance of plant communities of riparian areas in the stream, second, compare species composition and temporal diversity between stations in riparian areas of the Ian Stream. The flora was composed to total 158 kinds of the vascular plants as 49 family, 54 genera, 145 species, 12 varieties, 1 forma When the naturalized plant were applied to the recent classification system 280 kinds, the naturalization rate was $10.8\% higher than that of mean value($10.3\%$) of the Korean mountain district. Furthermore, urbanization index (UI) was $6.1\%$. The dominant vegetation communities were distributed in the habitats of three compartments from upstream to downstream. The vegetations were included Phragmites japonica, Salix gracilistyla, S. hulteni and Robinia pseudo-acacia in the riparian area, and Persicaria sieboldii, Stellaria alsine var. undulata, Draba nemorosa var. hebecarpa, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Lepidium apetalum, Bidens frondosa, Trigonotis peduncularis and Hemistepta lyrata in the sandbank or the riparian area, and Equisetum arvense, Humulus japonicus, Persicaria perfoliata, Trifolium repens, Artemisia princeps var. orientalis, Lactuca indica var. laciniata, Avena fatua, Agropyron yesoense, Oenothera odorata, Viola mandshurica, Rumex crispus in banksides, respectively.

• 한국해양학회지
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 1992

Ninety-seven surface sediment samples, collected from the southeastern part of the Yellow Sea, were analyzed for their contents of five metallic elements, including Fe, Mn, Ni, Cu and Pb as well as their grain-size and calcium carbonate content. The result showed a contrasting behaviour among the five metallic elements. with respect to their relationship with the sediment grain0size. contents of nickel and copper demonstrated a fairly linear relationship with the pediment grain-size whereas those of manganese and lead did not. This different behaviour in these metals was interpreted as being the result of the anthropogenic inputs (for Pb) and modification during the early diagenesis (for Mn). The R0mode factor analysis result also confirmed the different behaviour of manganese and lead from that of copper and nickel. Based on this different behaviour in metals the (Mn+Pb)/(Cu+Ni) ratio was suggested as a possible criterion for distinguishing the fine sediments in the study area, which originated from two different source area. China and Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Industrial Safety Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.17-20
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• 2003

In a recent paper (Hartwig, ms.) I have shown that it is possible to understand and discuss the changing Austausch (i.e., exchange of air parcels between different atmospheric layers) between the stratosphere and troposphere by means of long-term measurement on series of spallation products. It is well known (Friend 1961; Muet et al. 1966, Hartwig et al. 1969) that there is a seasonal pattern in the 7Be concentration of ground-level air with a maximum during May-June. This maximum is caused by enhanced exchange processes between the atmospheric compartments of the stratosphere and troposphere during this interval. Generally, those exchange processes are a consequence of stability and dynamics of the atmospheric compartments, which themselves result from, among other factors, the distribution of the heat sources in those compartments, namely the ground and the ozone layer. Because of the growing importance of anthropogenic infrared-active gases in the atmosphere, it is to be expected that the relative importance of those original, naturally occurring heat sources will be of lesser significance, thus altering the Austausch. And indeed, it has been shown (Hartwig, ms.) by considering the ratio of the annual maximum and minimum during a 28-yr period of 7Be ground-level concentration at Braunschweig, Germany (10$^{\circ}$33'E, 52$^{\circ}$17'N) (Kolb 1992; Wershofen 1993), that there is a steady decline in that ratio, thus indicating alteration of atmospheric Austausch within the last three decades.(omitted)