• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.303-312
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• 2008

Despite the impacts of the climate changes on the pelagic ecosystem, few studies have examined the pelagic-benthic coupling in the adjacent East China Sea and Korea Strait. Therefore, the species composition and abundance of the macrobenthic community, as well as the potential food sources of benthic fauna were investigated in the present study using stable isotope analysis (${\delta}^{13}C\;and\;{\delta}^{15}N$) for suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM), sedimentary organic matter (SOM), phytoplankton, and zooplankton. A total of 157 macrobenthic fauna were collected, and the density of the macrobenthic fauna ranged from 4 to 434 ind./0.25 $m^2$, with an average density of 149 ind./0.25 $m^2$. The density of the benthic fauna increased moving from offshore shelf sites to coastal sites adjacent to the Korea Strait. Cluster analysis showed that the macrobenthic communities consisted of three distinct groups: group A in the Korea Strait, group B in the East China Sea, and group C near Ieodo. The dominant species in group A were the amphipods Photis japonica and Ampelisca miharaensis, followed by the polychaete Scolotoma longifolia. Environmental variables, such as the temperature of the seawater and sediment, and oxygen, and chlorophyll a levels, appeared to affect the structure of the community, suggesting the importance of coupling with the pelagic system. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of SPOM and zooplankton ranged from -22.97 to -23.5% and -19.92 to -21.86%, respectively, showing a relatively narrow range(<1%) between the two components. The difference between the ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of SOM and pelagic organic matter was also within 1%, suggesting that the SOM originated from the pelagic system, which is an important factor controlling the macrobenthic community.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.508-519
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• 2017

There have been many studies on monitoring of biodiversity changes and preservation of Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve (GFBR) in South Korea in recognition of the rare ecosystem that has been preserved for a long period. However, there are few studies on diversity and community characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates as an indicator of stream health of GFBR. The purpose of this study was to assess the water quality of Bongseonsa Stream that penetrated through Gwangneung Forest and the nearby torrents by analyzing the benthic macroinvertebrates community during April to September 2016. The investigation collected a total of 114 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 56 families, 17 orders, 8 classes, and 5 phyla from the Bongseonsa Stream and Kwangneung Stream. Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were the largest groups in species diversity with 30 species (32.3%) and 16 species (17.2%), respectively, and Tubificidae sp., Baetis fuscatus, Antocha KUa, and Cheumatopsyche brevilineata, which usually habit in contaminated streams, appeared frequently. Among the feeding function groups, the gatherers and hunters appeared relatively frequently, and the shredders and scrapers appeared frequently in the torrents. Among the habitat oriented groups, the clingers and burrower appeared more frequently and represented the microhabitats in the shallow areas. The result of the analysis of benthic macroinvertebrates community showed that the dominant index was $0.48{\pm}0.10$ in average while it was lowest with 0.33 in GS 8 of the Gwangneung Forest torrent and highest in BS 1 of Bongseonsa Stream. The diversity and richness indices were inversely proportional to the dominant index and were 2.53 and 4.22, respectively, in GS 8 where the dominant index was low. The result of the analysis of community stability showed that area I, which had high resistance and restoration, was high in Bongseonsa Stream while the area III, which had low resistance and restoration, was high in Gwangneung Forest, indicating that the water system in Gwangneung Forest had a wider distribution of specifies sensitive to agitation. The biological water quality assessment showed ESB of $50.88{\pm}17.69$, KSI of $1.11{\pm}0.57$, and BMI of $78.55{\pm}11.05$. GS 8 of Gwangneung Forest torrent was judged to be the highest priority protective water area with the best water environment and I class water quality with ESB of 63, KSI of 0.55, and BMI of 89.9. On the contrary, BS 1 of Bongseonsa Stream was judged to be the high priority improvement area that had the lowest water quality rating of III with ESB of 25, KSI of 2.13, and BMI of 62.7. Although the diversity of water beetle was higher in the water system of nearby Bongseonsa Stream than the water system inside the Gwangneung Forest, the annual community structure appeared to have distinct differences.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 1983

Algal vegetation in the subtidal zone between a small rock output and the Juckdo Island, eastern coast of Korea was investigated at several selected sites. The objectives of the survey were to descirbe the poorly known macroalgae community in this area and correlate the pattern of distribution as well as the change of zonatin with the environmental conditions. The water movement, light intensity and theinclinatin of substrate are considered as the environmental parameters. The upper and mid subtidal zones in sheltered area with less steep rocky surface are dominated by large brown algae Srgassum confusum; in the exposed area are characterised by species of Costaria costata. In the lower subtidal zone, the difference of vegetaton between the sheltered and the exposed areas is not recognized. At this depth the light intensity is an important ecological factor. Six narrow algal zones occur in the sheltered area, whereas two broad belts occur in the exposed area. the biomass value is 4 times greater in the sheltered area than in the exposed area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.307-319
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• 2000

Community structure (seasonal fluctuation), taxon diversity, nematodes/benthic harpacticoids and nematodes/kinorhynchs ratios of meiobenthos were studied in the Gamak Bay, Korea. A series of samplings were carried out from April 1997 to May 1999. Meiobenthic organisms was collected by van Veen grab and three subcores of 34 mm in internal diameter were taken from each sediment sample. The total density of meiobenthos in each seasons was found to be the highest in May 1999, and the lowest in December 1998. Total density of meiobenthos at each station was the highest at Station 9 in May 1999 ($2,218 inds./10 cm^2$) and the lowest at Station 3 in December 1998 ($2 inds./10 cm^2$). The Gamak Bay seemed to have an individual number increased from the inner toward the outer stations. The highest number of meiobenthos was observed on 0.125 and 0.063 mm mesh size. In every season, over $80{\%}$ of the meiobenthos was composed of only four groups: nematodes, benthic harpacticoids, sarcomastigophorans and nauplius larvae of crustaceans. Seasonal fluctuation of meiobenthos was also studied. The nematodes/benthic harpacticoids(nematodes/kinorhynchs) ratios were studied as an index of pollution monitoring for benthic ecosystem at each station in each season. The value of nematodes/benthic harpacticoids ratio was the highest at the inner stations and the lowest at the outer stations in the Gamak Bay. Taxon diversity (H') was the highest at the outer stations and the lowest at the inner stations in the Gamak Bay. The value of nematodes/benthic harpacticoids ratio significantly increased from the outer toward the inner stations, whereas the taxon diversity (H') significantly increased from the inner toward the outer stations in Gamak Bay.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.1407-1418
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyze seasonal variations of seaweed community structure according to ocean environment at three areas in the east coast of Korea. Mean water temperatures of Gosung, Samchuk, and Gyeongju were $8.3^{\circ}C$, $11.2^{\circ}C$, and $13.1^{\circ}C$, respectively, during the growing winter season of 2011. Subtidal benthic macroalgal flora and community structure were investigated at the sites between February to November 2011. The numbers of seaweed species at the areas were 38, 12, and 15, respectively. The amounts of biomass were 7.35 kg $m^{-2}$, 1.80 kg $m^{-2}$, and 0.84 kg $m^{-2}$, respectively, during the period. The values of C/P, R/P, and (R+C)/P representing flora characteristics at Sokcho area were 0.1, 1.1, and 1.2, respectively. The values of flora characteristics at Samchuk were 0.3, 0.6, and 1.0, respectively. The values of flora characteristics at Gyeongju were 0.4, 4.0, and 1.2, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.262-271
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• 2000

This study was carried out to clarify the spatial and temporal patterns of benthic environments and macrobenthos on the subtidal soft-bottom in Chonsu Bay. Seasonal surface water temperature was similar to the bottom layer, but freshwater discharges into the outlets dereased the surface salinity around the dyke in summer. Bottom dissolved oxygen was decreased deeply around the dyke and created the de-oxygenated layer during summer. Sediment grain size was consisted of finer at the neighboring of the dyke than the mouth of the bay. Organic matters including the sediment were decreased at the mouth of the bay. A total of 311 species ($769\;ind./m^2$) were identified. Polychaetes were the most abundant faunal group in the number of species and densities. The number of species revealed the spatial patterns that it was higher in the mouth of the bay, and their densities showed seasonal changes by mass recruitment occurred at the most of the area in summer, At this time, opportunistic species, Lumbrineris iongifolia and Theora fragilis, were also recruited massively. Chonsu Bay were classified into five station groups by the cluster analysis. The dominant species around the dyke were composed to opportunistic species, those in middle area were Sternaspis scutata, Paraplionospio pinnata, and those in the mouth of the bay were Mediomastus californiensis, Nephtys polybranchia. Seasonal fluctuations and spatial difference of environments seem to have influenced to the species compositions and affected to the stability of benthic ecosystems spatial-temporally In Chonsu nay.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2011

The species composition and distributions of benthic marine plants on the East Coast of Korea were studied. We examined all species found in the intertidal and subtidal zones at four sites seasonally from August 2006 to May 2009. Of the 148 species identified, 92 were rhodophytes, 39 were phaeophytes, 16 were chlorophytes, and 1 was a seagrass. The most species (125) were found at Jukbyeon, while the fewest (99) were found at Chuksan. Overall, the numbers of species were highest during the spring and lowest in autumn. Seventy-five species (50 rhodophytes, 15 phaeophytes, 9 chlorophytes, and 1 seagrass) were found at all four sites. The dominant species providing cover were melobesioidean algae, Sargassum spp., Phyllospadix japonica, and Corallina pilulifera. The vertical distribution of benthic marine plants was characterized by C. pilulifera, Sargassum spp., Hizikia fusiformis, Grateloupia elliptica, Symphyocladia latiuscula, Grateloupia lanceolata, Ulva pertusa, and Chondria crassicaulis in the intertidal zone; Sargassum spp., P. japonica, Prionitis cornea, C. pilulifera, and Acrosorium polyneurum at 1 m depth; Sargassum spp., P. japonica, and melobesioidean algae at 5 m depth; and melobesioidean algae at 10 m depth. There was variation among the sites, presumably due to differences in the local conditions.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.272-286
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the community structure and health assessment of macrobenthic assemblages in Cheonsu Bay, West Coast of Korea. Total species number was 224 and mean density was $1,940ind./m^2$, both of which were dominated by polychaete worms (111 species and $1,213ind./m^2$). In terms of density, the major dominant species were the bivalve Theora fragilis ($280{\pm}213ind./m^2$), the polychaetes Heteromastus filiformis ($254{\pm}218ind./m^2$), Lumbrineris longifolia ($216{\pm}41ind./m^2$), Mediomastus californiensis ($158{\pm}97ind./m^2$) and the amphipod Eriopisella sechellensis ($167{\pm}100ind./m^2$). As a result of community statistics (cluster analysis and nMDS ordination), the macrobenthic community structure was classified two major groups (inner and mouth of bay) and two stations (station 2 near Ganwol dyke in spring and summer). The Benthic Pollution Index (BPI) and AZTI's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) were applied to assess the benthic ecological status. During the sampling periods, the BPI Index values varied between 11 (bad status) and 92 (high status). On the other hand, the AMBI Index values was ranged between 1.34 (good status) and 4.39 (poor status). In conclusion, in terms of the mean BPI and AMBI Index values, the ecological status of Cheonsu Bay were moderate status (ecotone stage) and good status, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.480-487
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• 2012

This study was conducted to search the effects of debris barrier on the benthic macroinvertebrate. Gimcheon was selected as the survey site as it has relatively stable ecosystem with constantly running water. The survey was conducted 6 times before and after the construction of debris barrier from February in 2009 to October in 2010. In the first survey before construction, the identified species were 36 species belonged to 22 families, 9 order, 4 class, and 4 phylum. The figure slightly decreased to 30 species belonged to 18 families, 7 order, 2 class, and 2 phylum in the sixth survey after construction. Before construction, occupation ratio of EPT taxa was showed in the following order: Ephemeroptera (50.0%, 85.0%), Trichoptera (35.3%, 10.0%), and Plecopteran (14.8%, 5.0%). After construction, it was showed in the following order: Trichoptera (50.3%, 68.0%), Ephemeroptera (42.1%, 29.4%), and Plecopteran (7.5%, 2.7%). Ephemeroptera was the highest before construction. Trichoptera increased rapidly after construction. The Diversity, Richness, Evenness, and Dominance indices were all turned low in the second survey right after the construction. However, each index tended to increase with the course of time. In Functional Feeding Groups, GC type was the highest of 60.7% before construction. After construction, SC(53.1%) and FC(35.4%) increased rapidly and they became stabilized since the third survey. The result of this study reveals that debris barrier greatly affects the Aquatic Ecosystem right after its construction, but the system becomes stable and returns to normal with the course of time (about 18 months). Therefore, the study considering various influence factors such as time is required to recover completely through further long-term monitoring.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.265-272
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the community structure and distributional pattern of meiobenthos in the deep-sea bottom of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone of northeastern Pacific during July 2001. Examination of sediment samples collected on the eight survey station showed that there were 10 different types of meiobenthos. The most abundant meiobenthic animals were nematodes in all stations. Sarcomastigophorans, benthic harpacticoids were next abundant meiobenthos. Vertical distribution of meiobenthic animals showed the highest individual numbers in the surface sediment layers of 0-1 cm depth and showed more steep decreasing trend as sediment gets deeper on the stations of high latitude located in $16-17^{\circ}N$. Horizontal distribution of meiobenthic animal in the study area within CCFZ showed high densities of meiobenthos at the stations had few manganese nodules on their sediment surface in the site of low latitude. For size distribution analyses showed that animals which fit into the sieve mesh size of 0.063 mm were abundant.