• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.154-163
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• 2021

This study was carried out to identify the factors affecting the distribution of suitable habitats for Geranium carolinianum, which was naturalized in South Korea, and to predict the changes of distribution in the future. We collected occurrence data of G. carolinianum at 68 sites in South Korea, and applied the MaxEnt model under climate change scenarios (SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5). Precipitation seasonality (bio15), mean temperature of warmest quarter (bio10), and mean temperature of driest quarter (bio09) had high contribution for potential distribution of G. carolinianum. According to climate change scenarios, high suitable habitats of G. carolinianum occupied 6.43% of the land of South Korea in historical period (1981~2010), and 92.60% under SSP2-4.5, and 98.36% undr SSP5-8.5 in far future (2071~2100).

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2010

Ecological risk assessment (ERA) has been used to establish environmental quality standards or evaluate ecological risk in site-specific areas. The scope of ERA was expanded based on regions, and the concept of regional-scale ecological risk assessment was recently introduced in developed countries. In the present study, regional ERA approaches of relative risk model (RRM), contaminants in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems (CATS) model, and procedure for ecological tired assessment of risks (PETAR) in advanced countries were extensively investigated. Regional ERA was compared with traditional ERA process. Stressors, receptor and response in traditional ERA were replaced with sources of stressors, habitats, and ecological impacts, respectively in regional ERA. This study introduces the concept and assessment process of regional ERA, and provides a wide perspective how the relative ERA could be applied in Korean ecosystem.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.307-322
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• 2020

This study was conducted to obtain information relevant to resolving problems related to artificially introduced plants in ecological restoration projects. We investigated artificially introduced plants and plants growing naturally from its surroundings in the active restoration sites of the Ecosystem Conservation Fund Return Project (ECFRP) of the Ministry of Environment and the Civilian Control Zone Forest Restoration Project (CCZFRP) of the Korea Forest Service. We also analyzed the characteristics of native, exotic, and cultivated plants in addition to their Raunkiaer's life forms. Furthermore, we compared the planted areas and inhabited areas, as well as the characteristics of the habitats of native plants among the planted plants. We found that among the plants planted in the ECFRP, 50.4% were native, 6.8% were exotic, and 42.9% were cultivated. Meanwhile, in the CCZFRP, 78.6% were native, 21.4% were exotic. We also noted that many native plants were found in the planted areas that were far from their habitats. In addition, we identified many native plants that were planted in areas judged to have characteristics different from that of their natural habitat. In the case of Raunkiaer's life forms, the planted plants showed high ratios of megaphanerophytes (MM) and microphanerophytes (N), while the invasive plants showed high ratios of therophytes (Th) and hemicryptophytes (H). When restoring the ecosystem, the ratio of planting native plants should be higher than that of exotic or cultivated plants. Moreover, the habitats and ecological characteristics should be considered when selecting native plants to enhance the effect of ecological restoration.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2022

Busan, where the coastal ecosystem health is deteriorating due to high development pressure and intensity of use, needs ecosystem management that considers humans and the natural environment together for sustainable use and ecosystem preservation of the coastal areas. In this study, the InVEST model was applied to assess the habitat status of the coastal land and coastal sea to manage the ecosystem based on habitats. As a result of the assessment of the coastal land, the habitat quality of Gadeok-do, Igidae, and Sinseondae, Gijang-gun are high, and Seo-gu, Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Suyeong-gu are low. In the case of the coastal sea, the habitat risk of the Nakdong river estuary is low, and some areas of Yeongdo-gu, Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu are high. Therefore, for the sustainable use and preservation of coastal ecosystems, it is necessary to prepare ecosystem-based management measures to improve damaged habitats and reduce threats. In addition, the impact on coastal seas should be fully considered when planning coastal land development. The results of the InVEST habitat quality model in coastal land show similar tendencies to the biotope and environmental conservation value assessment map. The results of the habitat risk assessment in the coastal sea are expected to be utilized to identify habitats in the coastal sea and management of threat factors.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.649-664
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• 2012

The grid cell analysis is used to select good sites as habitats at the region. The northern area of Yeongjong Island, Incheon has been disturbing by habitat loss due to human activities such as residential development, deforestation. In order to determine significant places as bird habitats and to select conservation areas at this island, the study area was divided into 70 grid cells($500{\times}500m$ each grid) and then each grid was ranked by spatial analysis using the species diversity index. Fieldwork was carried out in Spring and Autumn of 2010. To examine grid cells which were ranked high in both seasons in common, we used the average ranking value, combined data from two seasons. This area consists of mainly agricultural areas and forests(more than 68%) among eight habitat types: the agricultural land, forest, coast, lake, meadow, stream, city and other things. A total of 110 species was recorded: 4,183 birds of 102 species in Spring and 3,326 birds of 58 species in Autumn. In other words, the number of individuals and species was higher in Spring than in Autumn. Species diversity index presented the highest value at M8 grid cell in Spring(3.380) and at A4 gird cell in Autumn(2.736). In 18 of 22 grid cells where the average ranking value was higher than 3, the forest was distributed and in 4 grid cells, the coast and wetland were widely distributed, in which theses were located apart from human-associated disturbances such as construction works for a leisure complex. Our results present a new estimate method not only to minimize loss of bird habitats but also to conserve important habitats when the large-scale development takes place at particular region.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.307-315
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• 2022

In terms of habitat conservation, it is essential to develop a habitat assessment system that can evaluate not only the suitability of the current habitat, but also the health and stability of the habitat. This study aimed to develop a methodology of habitat quality assessment for endangered species by analyzing various existing habitat assessment methods. The habitat quality assessment consisted of selecting targeted species, planning of assessment, selecting targeted sites, assessing performance, calculating grade, and expert verification. Target sites were selected separately from core and potential habitats using a species distribution model or habitat suitability index. Habitat assessment factors were classified into ecological characteristic, landscape characteristic, and species-habitat characteristic. Ecological characteristic consisted of thirteen factors related to health of tree, vegetation, and soil. Landscape characteristic consisted of five factors related to fragment and connectivity of habitat. Species-habitat characteristic consisted of factors for evaluating habitat suitability depending on target species. Since meanings are different depending on characteristics, habitat quality assessment of this study could be used by classifying results for each characteristic according to various assessment purposes, such as designation of alternative habitats, assessment of restoration project, and protected area valuation for endangered species. Forest habitat quality assessment is expected to play an important role in conservation acts of endangered species in the future through continuous supplementation of this system in regard to quantitative assessment criteria and weighting for each factor with an influence.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2023

We analyzed data of endangered mammals in the 1st grade zone of the Ecological and Natural Map of Korea that were obtained through 202 field surveys over six years. Five endangered mammal species were identified including otters, long-tailed gorals, martens, leopard cats, and flying squirrels. The total number of habitat traces collected was 918, of which 897 traces (97.7%) were excrement types. The total surveyed distance was 697.7 km and there were 2,184 grids of 250×250 m each. Of these grids, 441 or 20.2% were confirmed as habitats of endangered mammals. Moreover, we analyzed results of repeated surveys in the same area by converting them into individual one-time surveys, accounting for 23.1% of the total area. The flying squirrel showed a low correlation with the frequency of field surveys but showed many habitats in a specific season. Leopard cats and martens were correlated with the frequency of field surveys. Results of analysis confirm that the grid method used for establishing the Ecological and Natural Map is unsuitable for the habitat division of flying squirrels, otters, leopard cats, and martens, and it does not reflect the actual habitats of these four species. Therefore, we propose that the concept of the habitat grid of species must be reevaluated and improved, specifically for endangered mammals.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.186-191
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• 2016

Distribution status and threatened assessment of endangered species, Pungitius sinensis (Pisces: Gasterosteidae), were investigated from March to October 2015 in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do etc., Korea. During the study period, a total of 854 individual P. sinensis were collected from 21 of 71 sampling stations using skimming nets. P. sinensis appeared in 23 streams during the past 30 years. However, it was only collected in 12 streams. Therefore, its habitats and populations were drastically reduced. The preferred habitat of P. sinensis was pool of the lower stream with lots of aquatic plants. Given these evidences of small occupying areas ($84km^2$) and drastic reduction in its habitats and populations, P. sinensis is considered as an endangered (EN) [B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)] species based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.115-132
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• 2009

We defined a dam as a wetland for assessing wetland functions of man made dam. We compared Boryung dam with Upo wetland by HGM assessment. Hydrologic functions of Boryung dam are not good at short term water storage, but good at long term water storage. Biogeochemical functions of Boryung dam are about 50% of Upo wetland's functions. Boryung dam is a good wetland as a plant habitats and animal habitats. But functions as a habitat for birds were not good. With this study we look forward to making clear merits and demerits of Boryung dam’s functions as a wetland.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.697-703
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• 2011

The purpose of this study aims to preserve biodiversity in increasingly fragmented green patches for spatial analysis of planting on the eco-corridors and to optimize the target species, the location, width, cross section of the eco-corridors. It was suggested that eco-corridors should have to planned at early stages of road planning so that the number and locations of eco-corridors in advance. Ecological corridor is the facility to connect two habitats fragmented by road, dam, housing and industrial area. And, everyone agree that ecological corridor is important useful structural component that help animal movement in fragmented landscapes. However, ecological corridors have many problems of the recorded the size of corridor, planting species to nearby exiting vegetation species and structure. The most important facts that there are no consideration for location of animal migration and behavior using eco-corridors. This study was carried out to spatial analysis of eco-corridors location, satellite data and GIS were used to analyze for searching optimum location of the eco-corridors.