• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2008

We analyzed soil characteristics, soil seed banks, and plant communities in a small islet in Ganwol Lake from May 2005 to August 2006 to examine the forces driving plant settlement on sand bars and the effects of plant settlement patterns on nesting sites of little terns (Sterna albifrons). The soil nutrients contents in a site where the feces of wintering birds accumulate (N: 15.4 mg/kg, P: 10.5 mg/kg, LOI: 0.51 %, pH: 6.8) and a site where organic sediments accumulate (N: 20.7 mg/kg, P: 16.4 mg/kg, LOI: 0.40%, pH: 6.6) were much higher those of a control site which was not affected by bird feces and organic sediments (N: 4.1 mg/kg, P: 5.4 mg/kg, LOI: 0.41%, pH: 6.7). However, a seed bank was formed only on the site with accumulated organic sediments. Plant settlement was accelerated by feces from wintering birds and organic sediment accumulation on sand bars in Ganwol Lake. The percentage of area disturbed by human activities increased from 0.2% in May 2005 to 13.9% in August 2006, and the percentage of annual communities increased from 27.5% to 43.3%, but the percentage of open area decreased from 55.2% to 28.0% from May 2005 to August 2006. These increases in disturbed area and annual communities decreased the open area for breeding of little terns. The enlargement of P. communis and T. angustata communities was suppressed by irregular flooding. These results provide useful information for the management of little tern breeding sites for conservation purposes.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.54-65
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• 2017

Background: "Igune," a traditional agricultural landscape in the Tohoku region of Japan, is characterized by small-scale artificial woodlots surrounding a farmer's house that are interspersed with paddy fields. During the rapid economic growth of Japan over recent decades, some igune woodlots have been abandoned or logged. Biodiversity conservation is an important issue worldwide, and traditional agricultural landscapes are of particular interest. To elucidate the role of igune landscapes in conserving biodiversity, we examined the effects of environmental factors on avian communities. Results: The study was conducted in the suburban areas of Oshu and Hanamaki cities, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, at eight sites that varied in the density and area of igune woodlots within the landscape. Bird surveys were conducted from the middle to late breeding season, and several environmental factors of the igune landscape were also measured. The results of canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the characteristics of avian communities were mainly determined by the total forested area in the landscape. Increased total forested area and shrubs layer of igune woodlots did not cause a reduction in number of bird species of any habitat and foraging types, while increased both in species number and abundance of insectivores and forest species. The number of raptor species increased in igune sites without shrubs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that maintaining igune landscapes may enhance avian diversity within this landscape, although the effects of shrubs within igune varied; developed bush communities increased the evenness of the avian community, whereas some raptor species preferred an open forest understory.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 1995

This study was conducted to investigate bird community and to suggest a proper way how to manage and protect wildbirds in Chuwangsan National Park. The survey was carried out over two survey sections by the line transect method in spring, summer and autumn in 1994. Total number of observed birds were 42 species(33 species in spring, 32 species in summer, and 26 species in autumn), and the result was the same with the typical pattern of temperate bird communities. Total number of natural monument and rare birds were 7 species, which included Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos), Chinese Sparrow Hawk(Accipter soloensis), Eagle Owl(Bubo bubo), etc. In breeding season, species richness was high in canopy nesting guild, and density(ea/ha) was high in hole nesting guild. Canopy foraging guild was dominated in spring and summer, ratio of bush(or ground) foraging guild was increased in autumn. Since the habitats of observed natural monuments and rare species were roughly overlapped with the nature preservation area, it is necessary to preserve the area completely and to investigate and protect these species continuously. For the protection of the bush(or ground) foraging guild, it needs to plant bushes around trails and to control users. Food plants, artificial food planting of bushs, and artificial nest are needed for the habituation of wildbirds, and as the damage of wild cats is increasing lately, it needs to control these cats.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.439-447
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• 2018

Adult mosquito surveillance was conducted from 2013 through 2014 at four cattle sheds, a wild bird refuge, and two residential areas located in Gyeongnam Province in the Republic of Korea. Adult mosquitoes were collected in black light traps from April 1, through November 30. Mosquito surveillance was conducted to figure out population densities of vector mosquitoes, possibly invaded mosquitoes and identify various virus infections at the selected sites. A total of 107,466 females comprising 14 species and 7 genera were collected from 2013 to 2014. The most common species collected were Culex tritaeniorhynchus Giles (63.8%), Anopheles sinensis s.l. (18.9%), Aedes vexans nipponii (Theobald) (7.7%), and Culex pipiens Coquillett (5.1%). Trap indices (TIs) varied widely for species over their range, due to geographical distribution and degree of association with rural and urban communities. The most collected An. sinensiss.l. and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus appeared at a cow shed in Hapcheon (TI 347.5) and a pigsty in Daejeo-1-dong, Busan (TI 1,040.8), respectively, due in part to their situation near breeding sites such as rice paddies. The bi-weekly population densities for mosquito species were variable for each of the years, apparently as a result of variable annual weather conditions. None of the mosquito species collected tested for the flavivirus including Japanese Encephalitis Virus, West Nile Virus, Dengue Virus, and Zika Virus infections by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were positive.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.367-374
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• 2005

This study was conducted to comprehend the breeding bird community of thirteen urban forests ranged in size from $0.63{\~}37.0$ ha and compare the species richness of streetscapes such as wooded streets, street trees, and green patches. In urban forests, among thirty-one species observed, two species of Pica pica and Parus major were observed in all study areas, but five species of Phoenicuros auroreus, Pericrocotus divaricatus, Eurystomus orientalis, Emberiza elegans, and Cettia squameiceps were observed only one areas. Number of species was high at urban forests of Manchon, Bonri and Chimsan parks distributed in peripheral area of city, that was low at urban forests Jungri, Igoksaengsu and Sinam parks located in the center area of city. We observed the nests at wooded streets and green patches, did not find at street trees. Number of species and density were significantly high at wooded streets than at street trees. Number of species was highly correlated with the area of forests, and srecies richness of bush-nesting guild was low. As the area of urban forests increase, species richness of bush-nesting and -foraging guild showed the relative low rate of increase than other nesting guild. Our results indicate that bush-nesting and -foraging guild of birds was not being provided with their good habitat at urban forests in Daegu city Among streetscapes, birds preferred to u9e the wooded streets and green patch as habitat and pathway in urban ecosystem.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2008

An eco-washland is increasingly getting attentions as a new alternative plan for management of water resources because of role as flooding control and ecological park without social and ecological side effects. However, there is a lack of study regarding technological development and ecological guidelines to create eco-washland. This study was carried out to suggest ecological guidelines necessary for engineering process to create eco-washland. A study site was the lower reach of Seokjang stream connecting to Yimjin river, a candidate of new eco-washland, and Kumsa area in Namhan river was selected as a reference site. The analysis of ecological characteristics focused on vegetation, fishes, and birds. Major vegetation communities, composed of dominant species such as Salix koreensis, Salix gracylistyla, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Phragmites communis, etc., formed physical conditions along with other land uses including open water, sandbar, cultivated land, etc. Dominant species of fishes were some species belonging to Cyprinidae and Acheilognathinae, and in case of birds Anser albifrons, Anas platyrhychos, Anas poecilorhyncha belonging to waterbirds and Paradoxornis webbinanus dependent to forest edge were dominantly distributed. The results showed that complex wetland types associated with partially deep water and upland was the optimal eco-hydrological condition of washland. Cyprinidae and Acheilognathinae in case of fish and Egretta spp. (spring season) and Anas spp. (winter season) in case of bird were selected as target species for the these wetland types. Finally, a detail planning criteria to create habitats of these target species were discussed in terms of spawning, breeding, feeding, resting, refuge, nesting, etc.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.359-367
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: As natural wetlands are decreased by increment of human demand, the importance of rice fields as an alternative habitat for waterbirds is well documented. However, the relationship between waterbirds use and management practice of rice fields has not been fully understood. The present study attempted to understand the changes in temporal abundance of waterbirds and their preference for habitat types in rice fields all year round. METHODS AND RESULTS: Waterbirds census were conducted in rice fields around Asan bay in Korea during April 2009-March 2010 and April 2011-March 2012. In the bird counts, the locations of the observed birds on a 1/2,500 map were recorded along with the local habitat type (paddy, ditch, levee, road). Thirty five species of waterbirds recorded in the rice fields during the survey period and three major groups (shorebirds, herons, and waterfowls) were characterized according to season and micro-habitat use. Shorebirds visited a flooded paddy for feeding during their spring migration season (April-May), and herons used the rice field as feeding sites during their breeding periods (April-October). Most waterfowls were observed in a dry paddy to feed a fallen rice seed and stubs during the winter season (September-March). Waterbird groups selectively used micro-habitats in rice field. Shorebirds and waterfowls mainly preferred at rice paddies, while herons were attracted to most habitat types. CONCLUSION(S): Rice fields supported various waterbirds all year round and waterbird communities using the rice fields were dramatically changed according to seasonal change of rice field condition.