• Title/Summary/Keyword: Agricultural Ecosystem

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Assessment of environmental impact of vitamin A-enhanced soybeans and hybrid soybeans

  • Sung-Dug Oh;Ji Eun Choi;Ye-Jin Jang;Seong-Kon Lee;Gang-Seob Lee;Ancheol Chang;Doh-Won Yun
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.50 no.4
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    • pp.749-758
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    • 2023
  • An understanding of safety problems pursuant to environmental release of GM (Genetically Modified) crops is considered important. Among the recognized safety problems, the possibilities of weediness and ecosystem invasion are constantly being validated. We herein compared the growth characteristics and germination rate of soybeans formed by hybridization with vitamin A-enhanced soybeans carrying an introduced gene that increases β-carotene content. We also examined overwintering, survival, and weed competitiveness to evaluate hybrid ecological impact on long-term unmanaged cultivatable land. These studies revealed that the hybrid soybeans exhibited intermediate growth characteristics and germination rate compared with the vitamin A-enhanced soybeans and wild soybeans, or exhibited traits similar to those of the maternal strain. Overwintering experiments were conducted by planting seeds at depths of 0, 5, 10, and 20 cm and recovering them after three or five months. After five months, all seeds at depths more than 5 cm lost viability. Among seeds recovered after three months, only wild soybeans retained viability at depths of more than 5 cm. Survival and weed competitiveness were assessed by sowing each type of seed and performing no irrigation, or pest or weed control. Quantitative assessment of numbers of individual soybean plants that appeared in the experimental plot revealed that all plants germinated after sowing, but only wild type plants survived overwintering. These studies suggest that both GM soybeans and hybrid soybeans cannot survive in uncultivated land even if they are released into the environment, which indicates less possibility of ecosystem invasion and weediness.

Effect of Temperature on the Development of Copris tripartitus Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) (애기뿔소똥구리(Copris tripartitus Waterhouse)의 발육에 미치는 온도의 영향)

  • Bang, Hea-Son;Na, Young-Eun;Kim, Myung-Hyun;Roh, Kee-An;Lee, Jung-Taek
    • Korean journal of applied entomology
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    • v.46 no.3
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    • pp.357-362
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    • 2007
  • Copris tripartitus Waterhouse is a coprophagus insect which enhances the soil fertility as conveying dung into the soil. We compared preimaginal development, mortality, and size of C. tripartitus at various temperature condition (15, 17.5, 20, 25, 27.5, 30). Total preimaginal periods ranged from 118.0d at $17.5^{\circ}C$ to 49.3d at $27.5^{\circ}C$. Development threshold temperature (DT) and total effective temperature for the development of egg, larva, pupa and for complete development (egg to emergence) were 12.1, 11.2, 12.1 and $9.2^{\circ}C$ and 82.7, 462.0, 225.7 and 947.2 degree days, respectively. The mortality of egg and larva was the lowest at $25^{\circ}C$. The optimum temperature for hatchability and on the development of C. tripartitus was estimated to the $25^{\circ}C$.

Insect natural enemies as bioindicators in rice paddies

  • Ueno, Takatoshi
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.39 no.4
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    • pp.545-553
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    • 2012
  • In Asia, including Japan and Korea, rice paddies occupy the largest cultivated area in agricultural land. Rice paddies provide the habitats for many organisms including endemic species, sustaining high biodiversity. Insect natural enemies inhabiting rice paddies have an important function for rice production as agents of 'ecosystem services' because they play a major role in suppressing rice pests. The diversity and abundance of natural enemies can be a good index reflecting the 'healthiness' of agro-ecosystem services in rice paddies. The present study investigates whether insect natural enemies could be good biological indicators for general arthropod biodiversity and agricultural practice. First, the concept of ideal bio-indicators was summarized. The strategy to explore and select such bio-indicators was then proposed. Lastly, field survey was made to evaluate the abundance and biodiversity of natural enemies in Japanese rice paddies where chemical inputs, i.e., insecticide use, were different. The results showed that reduction of chemical inputs led to an increase in species richness or diversity of natural enemies including parasitoids and predators. Then, the data were analyzed to examine suitable indicator species to assess environmental soundness of agricultural practice and biodiversity in rice paddies. The density of several species of natural enemies did respond both to pesticide use and to general arthropod biodiversity. The analyses thus have indicated that natural enemies can be suitable as bio-indicators. Usefulness of indicator species in rice paddies is discussed in the context of ecologically sound agriculture.

A Study on the Image Evaluation for the Improvement of the Landscape of Horticultural Complex in Rural Area (농촌지역 시설원예단지의 경관 개선을 위한 이미지평가)

  • Kong, Minjae;Lee, Siyoung;Kang, Donghyeon;Park, Minjung;Yun, Sungwook;Shin, Jihoon;Son, Jinkwan
    • Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.78-86
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    • 2017
  • Humans are provided with a wide range of public benefits from ecosystems and agricultural ecosystems, but the establishment of the horticulture complex could be a space that hampers the public function of the agricultural ecosystem. In this study, we sought to focus the function of landscape creation of agricultural landscape and tried to analyze the landscape of the horticulture complex. Therefore, This study aims to suggest ways to build a greenhouse complex which is being indiscreetly introduced in the agriculture landscape through environmentally-friendly manner and minimize the function of the ecosystem service. We divided the greenhouse complex into two categories of Plastic Greenhouse(v) and Glass Greenhouse(g), and compared them to the Netherland and Japan counterparts. Each image of research areas was selected by 3 pics and polled by a total of 101 people. The results of the Evaluation of Landscape Image are as shown in the figure. Netherland Glass Greenhouse scored 1.80 in terms of 'Neat' which is one of the given 15 adjectives. Study results shows that Korean Plastic Greenhouse landscapes need to endeavor Japanese vinly greenhouses and Dutch glasshouses. Consequently, an analysis on the elements of landscapes including green area, variant elements, separation distance is essential in order to improve our country's greenhouse complex landscapes. In this regard, continuous research is required to improve rural landscapes and harmonize large-scale horticultural facilities into the existing agricultural ecosystem.

The Maximum Temperature Distribution and Improvement Plan of Protected Horticulture Planning Area in Saemanguem Using CFD Simulation (CFD를 활용한 새만금 시설원예 예정지 최고온도 분포 및 개선방안)

  • Son, Jinkwan;Choi, Deuggyu;Park, Minjung;Yun, Sungwook;Kong, Minjae;Lee, Seungchul;Kim, Changhyun;Kang, Donghyeon
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.115-128
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    • 2019
  • The A1B scenario predicts that the mean air temperature of South Korea will rise up to $3.8^{\circ}C$ by 2071. However, the effects of ecosystem services are declining because of various environmental problems, including climate change, land use change, stream intensification, non-point pollution, and untreated garbage. Moreover, horticultural sites which have various ecosystem services suffer highly absorbed heat from the heat island phenomenon associated with climate change. Therefore, we analyzed the heat island phenomenon occurring in an protected horticulture estimated area in Saemanguem, South Korea. Using an advanced measurement method, we examined the air temperature change derived from water channels as well as open spaces. The CFD analysis of coverage ratio 85% design showed wind speed of 2.09 m/s and temperature of $38.07^{\circ}C$. At a coverage ratio of 70%, the wind speed was improved to 2.61 m/s and the temperature was improved to $36.89^{\circ}C$. In Alternative 2 with wetlands and trees, the wind speed was 2.71 m/s and the temperature was $35.90^{\circ}C$. When the coverage ratio decreases to 55%, the wind speed increases showing 3.06 m/s and the temperature decreases showing $35.18^{\circ}C$.

Comparative Analysis of Groundwater-Ecosystem Service Value of Protected Horticulture Complex and Paddy Fields (시설원예단지와 논의 지하수 생태계서비스 가치 비교 분석)

  • Son, Jinkwan;Choi, Deuggyu;Lee, Siyoung;Kang, Donghyun;Park, Minjung;Yun, Sungwook;Kim, Namchoon;Kong, Minjae
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.47-58
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    • 2018
  • Protected horticultural complexes would increase crop productivity but would adversely affect the groundwater recharge function in the area because the impervious area would increase. Further, they would limit the movement of living beings, affecting biodiversity. Therefore, this study evaluated the groundwater ecosystem services provided by protected horticultural complexes in terms of consistent utilization of water. The estimated amounts of groundwater loss obtained through quantitative assessment of groundwater infiltration showed that a higher impervious area results in higher losses. We, therefore, predict a much higher loss if similar changes in land use are realized on a nationwide scale. A plan to promote groundwater recharge in impervious areas is actively being discussed for urban areas; however, this plan is not yet applicable to farming areas. We consider it is essential to develop groundwater infiltration facilities for horticultural complexes, infiltration trenches, permeable pavements, surface water storage facilities, water purification facilities, etc. Further research and development of groundwater infiltration facilities is important for consistent utilization of water and the improvement of ecosystem services.

Stability Analysis of Soil Oribatid Mite Communities (Acari: Oribatida from Namsan and Kwangreung Deciduous Forests, Korea

  • Jung, Chulue;Lee, Joon-Ho
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.239-243
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    • 2001
  • One of the most important justifications of conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity is that diversity begets stability. Impact of biodiversity on community and ecosystem function has long been debated in science. Here we report the stability analysis of soil oribatid mite communities from environmentally stressed habitat(Namsan) and relatively well preserved habitat (Kwangreung) with the perspective of consistency as a primary criteria of stability. Stability of oribatid mite communities were evaluated with turnover rate, constancy analysis, b diversity index, and absolute abundance, abundance ranking, and the presence or absence of species over time. Out of 6 criteria, three consented that oribatid community from Kwangreung was more stable than that from Namsan. Those are turnover rate in litter layer, constancy analysis, and absolute abundance. Feasibility of stability analysis using oribatid mites was further discussed, rendering further study.

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Modeling Virtual Ecosystems that Consist of Artificial Organisms and Their Environment (인공생명체와 그들을 둘러싸는 환경으로 구성 되어지는 가상생태계 모델링)

  • Lee, Sang-Hee
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.122-131
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    • 2010
  • This paper introduces the concept of a virtual ecosystem and reports the following three mathematical approaches that could be widely used to construct such an ecosystem, along with examples: (1) a molecular dynamics simulation approach for animal flocking behavior, (2) a stochastic lattice model approach for termite colony behavior, and (3) a rule-based cellular automata approach for biofilm growth. The ecosystem considered in this study consists of artificial organisms and their environment. Each organism in the ecosystem is an agent that interacts autonomously with the dynamic environment, including the other organisms within it. The three types of model were successful to account for each corresponding ecosystem. In order to accurately mimic a natural ecosystem, a virtual ecosystem needs to take many ecological variables into account. However, doing so is likely to introduce excess complexity and nonlinearity in the analysis of the virtual ecosystem's dynamics. Nonetheless, the development of a virtual ecosystem is important, because it can provide possible explanations for various phenomena such as environmental disturbances and disasters, and can also give insights into ecological functions from an individual to a community level from a synthetic viewpoint. As an example of how lower and higher levels in an ecosystem can be connected, this paper also briefly discusses the application of the second model to the simulation of a termite ecosystem and the influence of climate change on the termite ecosystem.