• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2022

The complete chloroplast genome (cp genome) sequence of Clematis calcicola J. S. Kim (Ranunculaceae) is 159,655 bp in length. It consists of large (79,451 bp) and small (18,126 bp) single-copy regions and a pair of identical inverted repeats (31,039 bp). The genome contains 92 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and two pseudogenes. A phylogenetic analysis based on the cp genome of 19 taxa showed high similarity between our cp genome and data published for C. calcicola, which is recognized as a species endemic to the Korean Peninsula. The complete cp genome sequence of C. calcicola reported here provides important information for future phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Ranunculaceae.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2023

Leuzea chinensis (S. Moore) Susanna (Asteraceae), a previously unrecorded species in Korea, was found in Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Symplocos nakaharae (Hayata) Masam. (Symplocaceae), which had been recorded in the literature but whose native habitat was yet to be identified, was found in Geojedo Island, Gyeongsangnam-do. It was confirmed that Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. (Onagraceae) grew naturally on the islands of Jeollanam-do. Detailed morphological descriptions and geographical distribution of the three taxa are provided.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.216-221
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• 2020

A eukaryotic marine microalga was isolated from Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Jeju Island, Korea and an integrated approach, including molecular phylogeny and morphology, was used to determine its taxonomical status. Molecular phylogenetic evidence inferred from the small subunit (SSU) 18S rRNA sequence and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) secondary structure analysis clearly showed that the isolate belonged to the recently described species, Jaagichlorella roystonensis. Distinctive morphological keys of the species were also observed by light microscopy and scanning/transmission electron microscopy(S/TEM). In this study, a Korean marine J. roystonensis species was described for the first time and was subsequently added to the national culture collections in Korea.

• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.521-526
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• 2019

During the 2014 survey of the mushroom flora of Gwangneung forest in South Korea, we collected two specimens of boletoid mushroom growing on a felled tree of Pinus koraiensis. These specimens were characterized by a light brown to reddish-brown pileus with appressed tomentum, pore surface bluing instantly when bruised, golden-yellow mycelium at the base of stipe, and lignicolous habitat. Both specimens were identified as Buchwaldoboletus lignicola, a rare basidiomycete, based on morphological characteristics and sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS; fungal barcode). Here, we describe these specimens and provide the first report of this genus in South Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.663-673
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• 2011

In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss and its significance in our coexistence with nature, biodiversity is becoming more crucial in sustainable development perspective. To estimate biodiversity in the future which provides valuable information for decision making system especially in the national level, a quantitative approach must be studied forehand as a baseline of the present status. In this study, we developed a large-scale map of Plant Species Richness (PSR, typical indicator of biodiversity) for Young-dong and Pyung-chang provinces. Due to the accessibility of appropriate data and advance of modelling techniques, reduction of variables without deteriorating the predictive power is considered by applying Genetic algorithm. In addition, a number of Correctly Classified Instances (CCI) with 10-fold cross validation which indicates the predictive power, was carried out for evaluation. This study, as a fundamental baseline, will be beneficial in future land work as well as ecosystem restoration business or other relevant decision making agenda.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to measure and compare polyphenol content, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity of six halophytes (Limonium tetragonum, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda japonica, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, and Sonchus brachyotus). Depending on the total polyphenol content, the plants were categorized into two groups: (1) a high total polyphenol content group that included L. tetragonum, S. brachyotus, and S. europaea, and, (2) a low total polyphenol content group consisting of S. glauca, T. maritima, and S. japonica. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, and by measuring ROS. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring NO and $PGE_2$. L. tetragonum and S. brachyotus, that have high polyphenol content, also showed strong antioxidant activity. In addition, L. tetragonum, S. brachyotus, and S. europaea showed good anti-inflammatory activity. Consequently, the total polyphenol content was thought to be related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, S. brachyotus and L. tetragonum are good candidates for use in pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

• 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.