• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.393-405
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• 2023

This study was conducted to select indicators for assessing national biodiversity. For this purpose, 140 biodiversity-related indicators were identified as a result of inventorying biodiversity-related indicators used in Korea and abroad, and when these indicators were applied to the pressure, status, and response indicator system, it was found that status indicators accounted for the largest number of indicators, with 29 pressure, 59 status, and 44 response. We also categorized the status indicators into genes, species, habitat, function, and quality, and found that species and habitat indicators accounted for the majority. Pressure indicators were categorized into direct exploitation, pollution, alien species, climate change, and habitat change. As a result, it was found that direct exploitation and pollution accounted for most of the pressure indicators. In addition, this study used internationally used indicator selection criteria to establish criteria for selecting domestic biodiversity assessment indicators. Using this list of indicators and indicator selection criteria, we evaluated the prioritization of domestically applicable biodiversity indicators through relevant expert consultations. 1) Vegetation class, 2) Land cover indicators, and 3) Change of protected area ranked highly. In fact, these indicators have been used in many studies due to the availability of assessable data. However, most of the highly scored indicators are based on ecosystem area, and further consideration of ecosystem functions and components(species) is needed.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.325-330
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• 2011

In order to revive the ecological function of degraded rivers, a total restoration plan for riverbeds and riparians needs to be developed. Previous evaluations for rivers were mainly focused on the river's physical structures. Therefore, this research has developed indicators to evaluate a riparian restoration considering biodiversity. Through literature and previous cases review, 4 fields and 13 indicators are selected for the evaluation. Four fields are biodiversity, habitat diversity, connectivity and habitat functionality. In the biodiversity field, 4 indicators of the exuberant extent of herbaceous vegetation and their diversity, the exuberant extent of shrub and woody plants and their diversity, the number of plant communities and naturalized plants are included. Habitat diversity are comprised of 4 indicators of the longitudinal continuity of vegetation, the mixture of plant communities, the extent of plant type color fruit abundance and the distribution of vegetation. Connectivity includes 3 indicators of target distribution, the shore slope of low water channels and the extent of artificial embankment materials. Habitat functionality has 2 indicators of the status of food supply plants and the habitat functionality. The value weighting for the fields and indicators has been calculated based on the AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. 50 experts were surveyed with quantifiable questionnaire, among them 43 experts have more than 10 yesrs experiences in the nature restoration field. The selected and weighted indicators have been tested to the 12 sections in Gap stream located in Daejeon. In conclusion, the indicators are feasible and the selected indicators could be used to establish the direction and objectives of riparian restoration.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2018

This study presents an integrated evaluation method to assess the level of achievement of quantitative expansion goals and qualitative improvement goals based on the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 for quantitatively expanding and qualitatively improving national protected areas. The quantitative evaluation indicators for national protected areas are the percentage of terrestrial and inland water areas protected and the percentage of marine and coastal areas protected. The quantitative evaluation indicators for national protected areas are selected as 6 indicators: 1) ecologically important areas, 2) ecological representativeness, 3) management effectiveness, 4) connectivity, 5) social equity and 6) integration. Ecologically important areas are an indicator which evaluates how many areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services are included in national protected areas. Ecological representativeness is to assess how well national protected areas represent the ecosystem. Management effectiveness is an indicator which evaluates how effectively national protected areas are conserved and managed, and connectivity is an indicator to assess how well national protected areas are connected. Social equity is evaluating how equitably national protected areas are managed and the integration is assessing how much national protected areas are integrated into the wilder landscape and seascape. This study is significant in that it provides a perspective of qualitative improvement as well as quantitative expansion of national protected areas for biodiversity conservation through accurately understanding Aichi Biodiversity Target 11.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.31-39
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• 2012

In this study, biodiversity was classified as 4 sectors (genes, species, ecosystems, and cultures) and overall 14 indicators were subdivided by the classification criterion of 4 sectors. Among those 14 indicators, monetary evaluation was conducted for 11 indicators that can be quantified in economic perspectives. Results show that negative economy effects (forest degradation, forest fire, forest damage caused by diseases and insects, deforestation, and cost under the assumption with the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol to be compensated for traditional knowledge) by reducing forest biodiversity were evaluated as 254.5 billion won annually. Also, Bioindustry, indigenous species, forest production, protection area, and income associated with mountain village were considered as positive economy effects and their annual economic value was 6.72 trillion won. Net annual benefit by maintaining forest biodiversity was about 6.5 trillion won.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.459-468
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• 2013

In the application of the ecosystem-based fisheries assessment Jeonnam marine ranching ecosystem, two fisheries, funnel fishery and trap fishery, were selected as target fisheries. Black seabream, Acanthopagru schlegelii, rock bream, Sebastes inermis, gray mullet, Mugil cephalus, were selected as target species for the funnel fishery, and conger eel, Conger myriaster, was target species for the trap fishery. For assessing indicators of four management objectives, that is the maintenance of sustainability, biodiversity, habitat quality and socio-economic benefits, indicators were selected considering the availability of data, which were 5 indicators for sustainability, 3 indicators for biodiversity, 4 indicators for habitat, 2 indicators for socio-economic benefit. The Objective risk indices for sustainability and biodiversity of two fisheries were estimated at yellow zone, medium risk level. The objective risk indices for habitat and socio-economic benefit were estimated at green zone, safe level. The species risk indices (SRI) were estimated at yellow zone. The fishery risk indices (FRIs) were estimated at 1.143 and 1.400 for funnel net fishery and trap fishery, respectively. Finally the ecosystem risk index estimated at 1.184.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.73-84
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate biodiversity and natural habitat environment of freshwater ecosystem. Our aim was therefore to produce a set of biodiversity and habitat indicators based on multi-parameters of water quality and biodiversity by analyzing the characteristics of the results by indicators. We selected four indicators a) anthropogenic disturbance, b) habitat diversity, c) biodiversity, d) ecosystem structure. The fishes cohabiting with Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and Zacco koreanus. As a result of the anthropogenic disturbance evaluation, it was analyzed that vegetation embankment showed a more stable environment in the tributary than the main stream, and other disturbance was not confirmed As a result of the habitat diversity evaluation, it was analyzed that habitat evaluation index showed a high score of 200 more on average, showing an optimal habitat condition. As a result of the biodiversity evaluation, it was analyzed as a clean habitat condition with a high proportion of sensitive species, abundant dissolved oxygen, and little pollutants. As a results of the ecosystem structure, the ecological health condition metrics and appearance of endangered species showed large score deviation, but it was analyzed that the stream ecosystem health was generally excellent. There was a slight correlation between the habitat environment and the results of the nature habitat evaluation according to the appearance of the B. lenok tsinlingensis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

The loss of biodiversity poses a significant threat not only to business sustainability and investment risk but also to societal well-being. Nature serves as a crucial driver for long-term business viability and economic prosperity. The Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), established in September 2023, mandates that companies assess and disclose their impacts on nature. Despite this, many businesses lack a full understanding of their reliance on and impact upon natural capital and ecosystem services, leading to insufficient disclosures. This study evaluates the applicability of TNFD's assessment methodologies and indicators within a domestic context, highlighting the condition of nature and ecosystem services, and exploring potential synergies with national biodiversity policies. Our analysis suggests that TNFD necessitates a unique approach to the spatial and temporal data and methodologies traditionally employed in environmental impact assessments. This includes assessing the reciprocal influences of corporate activities on natural capital and ecosystem services via the LEAP framework. Moreover, in industries where the choice of specific indicators depends on unique sectoral traits, developing a standardized strategy for data and assessment indicators-adapted to local conditions-is crucial due to the variability in the availability of assessment tools and data. The proactive engagement of the private sector in ecosystem restoration projects is particularly promising for contributing towards national biodiversity objectives. Although TNFD is in its nascent phase, its global adoption by numerous companies signifies its potential impact. Successful implementation of TNFD is anticipated to deepen businesses' and financial institutions' understanding of natural capital and ecosystem services, thereby reinforcing their commitment to sustainable development.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.85-97
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• 2011

The tidal flats of Korea today have reduced by 40% in size compared to 1964. To manage this important habitat properly, development of well-organized and nationwide-applicable grading systems is required. There have been several assessment systems proposed previously in Korea, but they are critically flawed in that selected biological indicators are not adequate and grading criteria are obscure and arbitrary. We reviewed the indicators used in these previous evaluation systems (e.g., diversity indices, quantity and quality of benthic macrofauna, halophytes, water birds, etc.) and subsequently proposed new indicators and an improved grading scheme. For the quantitative assessment of macrobenthic community, biomass reflecting production and ecosystem function is recommended over density, which is much less discriminatory among habitats. Of biodiversity indices used, within-, between-habitat and regional biodiversity indices that accurately reflect sampling efforts are suggested. In addition, we proposed to include species rarity, ecosystem engineers, and the ecological quality index ISEP (Inverse function of Shannon-Wiener Evenness Proportion). As for halophytes, their low spatial coverage on benthic habitat suggests that their presence can be used as an ecological indicator of benthic habitat, regardless of their protective status. We stress the need to introduce 1) quantile approach for quantitative indicators (e.g., diversity, biomass, etc.) in relation to grading, 2) presence-absence approach for spatial or aggregate indicators (e.g., boundaries of halophytes and feeding ground of water birds) and 3) benthic habitat mapping that combines all of these indicators.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.114-123
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• 2018

For conservation of biodiversity, we designate and manage the major areas that are habitats of organisms as ecosystem protected areas. It is necessary to evaluate the biodiversity of protected areas relatively in order to establish strategies to protect and secure the biodiversity of protected areas. In this study, we selected evaluation indicators by which we can compare objectively the biodiversity of protected areas corresponding to forest ecosystem, and applied them to Mt. Jiri and Mt. Bukhan National Parks. We reviewed literatures to select evaluation criteria. Frequently mentioned criteria and the structure of the forest which plays an importantrole of forest biodiversity were selected as the evaluation criteria. As the result, the selected evaluation indicators were 7-species diversity, species richness, evenness, rarity, disturbance species, indigenous species, and forest structure. In Mt. Jiri and Mt. Bukhan National Parks, species diversity were 3.492 and 2.943, species richness were 8.998 and 9.793, evenness were 0.849 and 0.680,rarity were 11.976 and 10.783, and disturbance species index were 0.214 and 0.357 respectively. Both national parks had abundant indigenous species and showed various forest physiognomies and stable 4-layer structure. It was found that crown density was higher in Mt. Jiri. Most indicators were implied high biodiversity in Mt. Jiri and Mt. Bukhan national parks.