• 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.

• Mycobiology
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.239-257
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• 2015

We conducted five times surveys, in June, September and October in 2012; June and September 2013, to catalog the mushroom flora in Ulleung-gun, Republic of Korea. More than 400 specimens were collected, and 317 of the specimens were successfully sequenced using the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer barcode marker. We also surveyed the morphological characteristics of the sequenced specimens. The specimens were classified into 2 phyla, 7 classes, 21 orders, 59 families, 122 genera, and 221 species, and were deposited in the herbarium of Korea National Arboretum. Among the collected species, 72% were saprophytic, 25% were symbiotic, and 3% were parasitic. The most common order was Agaricales (189 specimens, 132 species), followed by Polyporales (47 specimens, 27 species), Russulales (31 specimens, 22 species), Boletales (10 specimens, 7 species), and so on. Herein, we also reported the first Bovista species in Korea, which was collected from Dokdo, the far-eastern island of Korea.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.364-372
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• 2020

To improve our understanding of the relationship between soil higher fungi (belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) and Abies koreana, we surveyed A. koreana soil fungal communities in a forest in Mt. Halla, Jeju Island, Korea by next-generation sequencing (Illumina Miseq). To confirm the soil higher fungal communities, we collected two types of soils from a defined plot: soils with dead (AKDTs) and living A. koreana (AKLTs), respectively. Soil fungi were classified into 2 phyla, 19 classes, 64 orders, 133 families, 195 genera, and 229 OTUs (895,705 sequence reads). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) showed significantly different soil higher fungal communities between AKDTs and AKLTs (p < .05). In addition, the saprophyte composition was significantly affected by A. koreana status (p < .05). The proportion of the mycorrhizal Clavulina spp. was different between soils with AKDTs and AKLTs, suggesting that Clavulina spp. may be a crucial soil fungal species influencing A. koreana. This study will lead to a better understanding of the ecological status of A. koreana in Mt. Halla. In addition, this study could be useful for the conservation and management of A. koreana habitats.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.76-76
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and whitening action of Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tataricum buckwheat seeds depending on their germination time. In a previous study, we reported significant changes in sprout yield and phytochemical content in ethanol extracts from F. esculentum and F. tataricum seeds with increase in germination times. DPPH radical scavenging activities of F. tataricum increased with increasing germination time, whereas that of F. esculentum decreased. Next, we investigated anti-melanogenic activities of these species by estimation of melanin content and tyrosinase activity. Inhibition of melanin production in ${\alpha}-MSH$ (${\alpha}$-melanocyte stimulating hormone)-induced B16F10 cells by extracts from these seeds were analyzed. Among the two, F. tataricum extracts were characterized by higher inhibitory activity against melanin production. In addition, when B16F10 cells were incubated with L-DOPA for detection of in situ tyrosinase activity, F. tataricum and F. esculentum extracts were observed to reduce melanin production in cells. Taken together, these results indicate that extracts from buckwheat seeds could influence cellular processes via modulation of tyrosinase activity. Hence, buckwheat seeds could be utilized as whitening agents in the cosmetic industries and as therapeutics for hyperpigmentation disorders in a clinical setting.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2019

Sparganium coreanum, a barely recognized species in Korea, was rediscovered during a field survey by the authors, who conducted a re-examination of specimens deposited in the Herbarium of the Korea National Arboretum (KH). This species was described initially by H. $L{\acute{e}}veill{\acute{e}}$ from a specimen collected by F. Taquet from Jeju-do (Taquet 2150). Subsequently, however, it was overlooked and unrecognized among South Korean flora. Several populations of S. coreanum were found in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and on Jeju-do, although it has long been recognized as S. erectum owing to certain vegetative morphological characteristics shared between the two species, such as robust stems, a similar plant height, and globose rhizomes. However, it is distinct from S. erectum by the number of female heads on the lowest inflorescence branch and the size and shape of the fruit. In this study, we provide a detailed description, illustrations, and photographs with a revised taxonomic key for identification of Sparganium species in Korea.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.244-253
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• 2022

Trichoderma fungi have been intensively studied for mycoparasitism, and the latter is closely related to their cell-wall degrading enzymes including chitinase. Here, we studied marine-derived Trichoderma spp., isolated from distinct sources and locations, for chitinolytic and antifungal activity. Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses, two strains designated GJ-Sp1 and TOP-Co8 (isolated from a marine sponge and a marine alga, respectively) were identified as Trichoderma bissettii. This species has recently been identified as a closely related species to Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The extracellular crude enzymes of GJ-Sp1 and TOP-Co8 showed activities of chitobiosidase and b-N-acetylglucosaminidase (exochitinase) and chitotriosidase (endochitinase). The optimum chitinolytic activity of the crude enzymes was observed at 50 ℃, pH 5.0, 0-0.5% NaCl concentrations, and the activities were stable at temperatures ranging from 10 to 40 ℃ for 2 h. Moreover, the crude enzymes showed inhibitory activity against hyphal growth of two filamentous fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the chitinolytic and antifungal activity of T. bissettii.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.59-59
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• 2022

Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb.가 경기도 여주시 강천리 일대에서 발견되었다. 본 종은 북아메리카 원산으로 알려져 있으며, 최근 호주와 일본, 우크라이나에서 침입외래식물로 보고된 바 있다. V. octoflora는 주로 건조한 건조한 모래나 자갈 모래밭에 자라는 잡초성 식물로, 도로변을 따라 개방된 지역이나 인위적 교란 지역에서 빈번하게 발견된다. 학자에 따라 북아메리카 지역에 분포하는 개체들의 지리적 분포와 형태 변이를 근거로 종하분류군으로 세분화하기도 하지만, 형태 변이의 일관성 부족으로 인해 종내 변이로 인식하여 통합하여 처리하는 것이 타당하게 여겨진다. 본 종은 최근에 국내에 보고된 침입외래식물인 들묵새아재비와 유사하나, 소수당 달리는 소화의 수가 더 많고, 호영 정단부의 까락의 길이가 짧은 것으로 명확히 구분된다. 좀들묵새에 대한 생태계 위해성 연구는 진행된 바 없으나, 최초 발견지인 여주시 강천섬 일대는 멸종위기 2등급종인 단양쑥부쟁이의 자생지이기 때문에, 새롭게 유입된 외래식물의 잠재적 생태 교란에 따른 위해성 평가 및 확산 방지를 위한 모니터링이 필요할 것으로 여겨진다. 본 연구에서는 주요 형질에 대한 기재와, 지리적 분포, 도해도, 화상자료와 국내에 분포하는 동속 분류군과의 검색표를 제공하고자 한다.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.345-353
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• 2024

As biodiversity loss has been highlighted as a global risk, biodiversity activities are gaining attention as a part of companies' Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) related management. This study evaluates various biodiversity activities of corporations based on domestic and international indicators. We present the role of corporations expressly in afforestation activities and suggest additional information that should be disclosed for the accurate verification of environmental values by third parties. KT&G was selected as the subject of the evaluation. The 4th National Biodiversity Strategy was used as a domestic indicator, and GRI Standard 304 as an international indicator. Companies can play a leading role in planning, implementing, and monitoring afforestation activities and should further disclose the species composition of the forests created and the age of the seedlings to enhance the credibility of the environmental values stated in their sustainability reports.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2017

This study describes the preliminary evaluation of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Allium hookeri. A. hookeri was extracted using crude extract and then fractionated sequentially with n-hexane, $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc, and n-BuOH. To screen for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents effectively, we first examined the inhibitory effect of A. hookeri extracts on production of oxidant stresses (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, xanthine oxidase, and superoxide). In addition, we examined the inhibitory effects of A. hookeri on production of pro-inflammatory factors (nitric oxide, prostaglandin $E_2$, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2) in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Of the sequential solvent fractions of A. hookeri, EtOAc fractions showed decreased production of oxidant stresses, and $CH_2Cl_2$ and EtOAc fractions of A. hookeri inhibited production of pro-inflammatory factors. EtOAc fraction inhibited production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and -$1{\beta}$). These results suggest that A. hookeri has significant effects on oxidant stresses and pro-inflammatory factors and is a possible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutic and preventive material.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2021

Biodiversity informatics applies information technology methods in organizing, accessing, visualizing, and analyzing primary biodiversity data and quantitative data management through the scientific names of accepted names and synonyms. We reviewed the GBIF data published by China, Japan, Taiwan, and internal institutes, such as NIBR, NIE, and KNA of the Republic of Korea, and assessed data in diverse aspects of data quality using BRAHMS software. Most data from four Asian countries have quality problems with the lack of data consistency and missing information on georeferenced data, collectors, collection date, and place names (gazetteers) or other invalid data forms. The major problem is that biodiversity management institutions in East Asia are using unstructured databases and simple spreadsheet-type data. Owing to the nature of the biodiversity information, if data relationships are not structured, it would be impossible to secure the data integrity of scientific names, human names, geographical names, literature, and ecological information. For data quality, it is essential to build data integrity for database management and training systems for taxonomists who are continuous data managers to correct errors. Thus, publishers in East Asia play an essential role not only in using specialized software to manage biodiversity data but also in developing structured databases and ensuring their integration and value within biodiversity publishing platforms.