• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.229-236
• /
• 2010

We conducted field surveys of amphibians and reptiles over a two-year period in 16 lagoons along the eastern coastline of South Korea, and determined the habitat characteristics correlated with the number of amphibian and reptilian species and individuals. We documented 11 amphibian species and 8 reptilian species. The dominant amphibian species was the black-spotted pond frog (Rana nigromaculata), and the dominant reptilian species was the red-eared turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans), an invasive species. Among the 14 habitat characteristics, connectivity to mountainous area significantly affected the number of amphibian and reptilian individuals. Other factors, including emerged plant cover, salinity, pH, the number of birds for amphibians and connectivity to agricultural land, lagoon perimeter length for reptiles also influenced the number of species or individuals of them. Our results demonstrate that these lagoons are home to more amphibians and reptiles than has been previously known. To effectively conserve herpetofauna in the lagoon ecosystem, lagoons as well as surrounding wetlands, grasslands, and mountainous areas should be protected.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.188-191
• /
• 2018

To know if deforestation practice affects the distribution and abundance of herpetofauna in Mt. Gariwang, South Korea, we conducted field surveys over 12 times both at deforested (n=9 sites) and un-touched (control, n=12 sites) forest areas from March to October, 2017. Each survey site was approximately $100m\;long{\times}20m$ wide area, which in the middle of the site, mountain road presented. During each survey, we recorded the species and the number of amphibians and reptiles which identified. To compare environments between the two areas, we analyzed eight environmental variables, extracted from digital sources. Overall, we found one amphibian and four reptile species at deforested area, while each five amphibian and reptile species at un-touched area. The number of amphibian species significantly tended to be smaller at deforested area. The number of the survey sites where amphibians found and the number of amphibian individuals showed the same trend. For reptiles, although the number of reptile individuals showed some increases, all variables investigated were not significantly changed by deforestation practice. Our results imply that deforestation practice negatively affects amphibians, but effects of that on reptiles are not evident.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2007

Fauna of Shinpo nuclear powerplant site were surveyed during Feb 27-Mar 4, 2003 as a part of ecological environmental survey. This area is well dominated by coniferous trees (Pinus densiflora) ranging 15-50 years. In the shoreline black pine (Pinus thungergii) is the dominant species and was planted for wind protection. Around Shinpo areas inside 50 km in radius was found 33 mammal species (3 orders, 15 families), and amphibian-reptiles 6 species (2 orders, 3 families) were recorded. Natural monument in the areas were estimated 6 species of mammals and one species of reptiles. Although the habitat of Shinpo area is deteriorated due to deforestation, illegal hunting, etc. the fauna seems to be rich in species. Despite the sudden halt of KEDO project the conservation efforts and continuous monitoring are required considering a continuation of the project.

• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.87-99
• /
• 2012

Before the construction of Hantangang dam, we surveyed vertebrate fauna along the Hantangang River and collected samples. We collected 248 specimens (1,394 individuals) of 41 fish species from 10 families in four orders, including 17 endemic species and 5 endangered species. In our herpetofauna survey, we collected 47 amphibian samples of 10 species from 5 families in 2 orders, and 19 reptile samples of 5 species from 2 families in 1 order. We observed 25 species of bird (6 orders, 14 families) inclulding collection of 51 bird specimens (10 species from 5 families in 1 order). We collected 91 mammals of 6 species, and identified 7 species from field sign and direct observation from a total of 10 families in 5 orders. This collection and list comprise the final vertebrate faunal survey of the Hantangang region, and will provide basic scientific information for future research on conservation and restoration of the region.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.105 no.2
• /
• pp.268-273
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to clarify the differences in habitat structure and amphibian and reptile (herpetofauna) populations between before and after thinning in the coniferous and deciduous forests from June to September 2014 and 2015 at the Mt. Maewha of Hongcheon, Gangwon province, Korea. Forest structure was dramatically changed after thinning. Coverage of understory and mid-story were decreased while volume and number of downed trees were increased after thinning. We used line transect sampling method on a total of 4 transect lines, 2 lines in each forest type. 119 individuals of 5 amphibian species and 5 individuals of 3 reptile species were recorded. Mean number of amphibian species were decreased after thiining in the coniferous forest. There was no observed reptiles after thinning in the coniferous and deciduous forests. Detailed monitoring with different area, frequency and intensity might be needed to clarify more precise differences characterisitics of herpetofauna by thinning.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.400-406
• /
• 2006

To investigate the incidence of the road-kill of amphibians and reptiles in Songgye valley, Woraksan National Park, a survey of Songgye valley was conducted from January, 2003 to December, 2005. Before the investigation, the survey area was divided into 50 sites at 300m intervals. As a result, road-kill by vehicles were confirmed to affect 40% of the amphibians and 68.3% of the reptiles among the total species in the Woraksan National Park. The most affected species was Rana dybowskii, with a frequency of 94.9% among the total number of road-killed Individuals. The highest road-kill rate occurred between April to May, every year. Therefore, it is necessary to construct an eco-bridge and to perform the continuous ecological monitoring for the conservation of R. dybowskii including other species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.49-58
• /
• 2021

Rural and agricultural landscapes are important forms of land use in maintaining biodiversity. In addition humans are provided with various public functions from ecosystems and agricultural ecosystems. But the creation of a facility horticultural complex can be a space that can undermine the public interest function of the agricultural ecosystem. Therefore, this study aims to quantify the function of ecosystem services that land use changes affect biodiversity in Korea's rice paddy fields. The area subject to the study was selected as the largest agricultural complex in Korea due to rice paddy fields and land use changes, and field agriculture was also carried out simultaneously. The survey was conducted only in the fields of vegetation, insects, amphibians, and birds, four areas of biodiversity that are believed to have a high impact on changes in land use in agricultural landscapes. The valuation of ecosystem services in four areas of biodiversity derived from this study was evaluated as non-market value. As a result of quantitative evaluation, about 25 species of vegetation were reduced due to changes in land use. The diversity of about 40 species of aquatic insects that inhabit rice paddies among insects has disappeared due to the creation of a horticultural complex. Birds and amphibian reptiles were also found to have decreased diversity and populations. This research is expected to be used in various ways to develop policies to enhance ecosystem service functions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 2018

Riparian management has become important as stream water quality as well as riparian ecosystem gain more public attentions. The objective of this study was to determine riparian widths based on the functions of nutrient removal and wildlife habitat protection and to apply for the Jinwee stream area as a preliminary case. Nitrogen and phosphorus filtration efficiencies were considered in water quality aspect, while the habitat radii of amphibian and reptiles were used for wildlife conservation purpose. In addition, observation of endangered species and human impact on wildlife disturbance in riparian area were also taken into account in determining riparian widths. The stream confluence zone was emphasized by doubling the riparian widths as the focal point for wildlife habitat conservation. As the results, three different levels of riparian widths were proposed depending on the major riparian functions and applied to the Jinwee stream section as the case study. The proposed method can be used to determine riparian width in other stream areas based on different functional focus, ie, water quality or riparian conservation purposes.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.84-99
• /
• 1997

Amphibian and Reptilian specimens which were surveyed in Gyebangsan during both from Apr. 26, 1995 to Oct. 15, 1995 and from Apr. 13, 1996 to July 28, 1996 were observed 9 Species in 5 Families on 2 Orders and 10 Species in 3 Families, 5 Fimilies, 9 Species and Reptiles were 2 Suborders, 3 Families on 2 Suborders, respectively. Bombina orientalis was revealed dominant species and Bufo stejnegeri was distributed abundant on this investigation area than other survey studies. Relatively large number of larvae of Rana dybowskii were found among the stream and small ponds at the Suchung-gol valley. There were 5 species of Specific wildlife species in Korea as Hynobius leechii, Rana dybowskii, Onchodactylus fischeri, Bufo stejnegeri and Bufo bufo gargarizans. Meanwhile Bufo stejnegeri were endemic species in Korea. 6 Species among 10 Species which were observed Reptiles in this survey Scincella laterale laterale, Dinodon rufozonatus rufozonatus, Agkistrodon brevicaudus, Agkistrodon saxatilis, Amphiesma vibakari ruthveni and Enhydris rufodorsata were Specific wildlife in Korea. Scincella laterale laterale and Takydromus amuriensis were habitated very abundant in Suchung-gol region. Habitat density of Takydromus amureinsis at Suchung-gol region was 36 individuals/ha. Total number of pressed to death individuals caused by press on the road from May to July, 1995 were 404 specimens in 10 Species. The 1,2,3 and 4 Stations where were found the largest number of death individuals caused by press on the road should considered to construct Eco-corridor to reduced the death individuals with small pipes beneath the road as a migration route. Onchodactylus fischeri have around 500m as moving distance and home range for lifelong and it were the climax of broad-leaved tree and highly moisture area that abundantly region of Onchodactylus fischeri.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2000

Herpetofauna biodiversity was surveyed at the Chin-do. The results are as follows: During census periods presence of 2 orders, 4 families, 6 species of amphibians and 1 order, 2 suborders, 4 families, 8 species of reptiles were observed or found indirectly by auditorial recording from residents at the Chin-do. Among them 1 protected wildlife(Agkistrodon saxatilis) and several rare species such as Takydromus wolteri, Sciucella laterale laterale and Zamenis spinalis were indentified. Rana nigromaculata and Rana catesbeiana were found in all surveyed areas. Dominant amphibian species was Rana rugosa (D'= 25.8%) and reptile was Takydromus wolteri (D'= 21.8%). Among 4 areas survey area, Uisin-myon showed the highest level of species richness, diversity, and evenness indices (R'= 2.393, H'= 1.931, and E'= 0.7772, respectively). The species richness of Kunnae-myon was lower (R'= 0.932) than other surveyed regions. Based on the frequency of occurrence (85.71%), habitation density of Rana catesbeiana was very common in Chin-do, suggesting that spreading of this foreign species in the entire Korean peninsula. Scincella laterale laterale, Elaphe dione, Elaphe rufodorsata, Dinodon rufozonatus rufozonatus, Rhabdophis tigrinus tigrinus, Agkistrodon ussuriensis, and Zamenis spinalis showed low frequency of occurrence ( < 10%) and efforts to protect them are required. [Herpetofauna, Bio-diversity, Chin-Do].