• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2014

The climate of the earth is expected to change rapidly and continuously. Despite climate change is expected to impact on productivity of crop and livestock, a study for adaptation and impact of livestock to global warming is not enough. This study was performed to develop a method to evaluate the effects of heat stress on dairy cattle. Feedlot environment and health status of livestock were measured through an infrared thermography camera and a temperature-humidity sensor. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity were measured to calculate the Temperature humidity index (THI). The change of the milk yield was similar to THI data pattern, suggesting that THI might play an important role to predict the effect of climate change on dairy cattle. THI data would be useful to predict long-term climate change effects on dairy cattle with RCP8.5 scenario.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.69-93
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• 2014

The aim of this research was to develop a climate change vulnerability index at the district level (Si, Gun, Gu) with respect to the health care sector in Korea. The climate change vulnerability index was esimated based on the four major causes of climate-related illnesses : vector, flood, heat waves, and air pollution/allergies. The vulnerability assessment framework consists of six layers, all of which are based on the IPCC vulnerability concepts (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity) and the pathway of direct and indirect impacts of climate change modulators on health. We collected proxy variables based on the conceptual framework of climate change vulnerability. Data were standardized using the min-max normalization method. We applied the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) weight and aggregated the variables using the non-compensatory multi-criteria approach. To verify the index, sensitivity analysis was conducted by using another aggregation method (geometric transformation method, which was applied to the index of multiple deprivation in the UK) and weight, calculated by the Budget Allocation method. The results showed that it would be possible to identify the vulnerable areas by applying the developed climate change vulnerability assessment index. The climate change vulnerability index could then be used as a valuable tool in setting climate change adaptation policies in the health care sector.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.503-514
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• 2020

Climate change leads to changes in phenological response and movement of plant habitats. Korea's evergreen broad-leaved forest has widened its distribution area compared for the past 20 years, and the range of its native habitats is moving northward. We analyzed climate indices such as the warmth index, the cold index, the lowest temperature in the coldest month, and the annual average temperature, which are closely related to vegetation distribution, to predict the change in the native habitat of Lauraceae evergreen broad-leaved trees. We also analyzed the change and spatial distribution to identify the habitat climate characteristics of 8 species of Lauraceae evergreen broad-leaved trees distributed in the warm temperate zone in Korea. Moreover, we predicted the natural habitat change in the 21st century according to the climate change scenario (RCP 4.5/8.5), applying the MaxEnt species distribution model. The monthly average climate index of the 8 species of Lauraceae evergreen broad-leaved trees was 116.9±10.8℃ for the temperate index, the cold index 3.9±3.8℃, 1495.7±455.4mm for the annual precipitation, 11.7±3.5 for the humidity index, 14.4±1.1℃ for the annual average temperature, and 1.0±2.1℃ for the lowest temperature of winter. Based on the climate change scenario RCP 4.5, the distribution of the Lauraceae evergreen broad-leaved trees was analyzed to expand to islands of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, adjacent areas of the west and south coasts, and Goseong, Gangwon-do on the east coast. In the case of the distribution based on the climate change scenario RCP 8.5, it was analyzed that the distribution would expand to all of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, and most regions except for some parts of Jeollabuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the capital region. For the conservation of Lauraceae evergreen broad-leaved trees to prepare for climate change, it is necessary to establish standards for conservation plans such as in-situ and ex-situ conservation and analyze various physical and chemical characteristics of native habitats. Moreover, it is necessary to preemptively detect changes such as distribution, migration, and decline of Lauraceae evergreen broad-leaved trees following climate change based on phenological response data based on climate indicators and establish conservation management plans.

• Atmosphere
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.83-95
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• 2008

In this study we have investigated the preceding eighteen large-scale climate indices with a lead time from zero to twelve months that have an influence on the variability of temperature and precipitation in Korea in order to understand which climate indices are overall available as predictors for long-range forecasting. We also have studied the dynamic link between preceding large-scale climate indices and regional climate using singular value decomposition analysis (SVDA) and correlation analysis (CA). Based on the coupled mode between large-scale circulation and regional climate, and correlation pattern between the preceding large-scale climate indices and large-scale circulation, the level of significance on climate indices as a predictor for monthly mean temperature and precipitation was evaluated for 5 and 1% level.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.509-516
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• 2012

In this research, it was intended to examine the vulnerability of Pinus rigida to climate changes, a major planting species in Korea. For this purpose, the distribution of Pinus rigida and its changes caused by climate changes were estimated based on the 'A1B' climate change scenario suggested by IPCC. Current distribution of Pinus rigida was analyzed by using the $4^{th}$Forest Type Map and its potential distribution in the recent year (2000), the near future (2050) and the further future (2100) were estimated by analyzing the optimized ranges of three climate indices - warmth index(WI), minimum temperature index of the coldest month (MTCI) and precipitation effectiveness index(PEI). The results showed that the estimated potential distribution of Pinus rigida declines to 56% in the near future(2050) and 15% in the further future (2100). This significant decline was found in most provinces in Korea. However, in Kangwon province where the average elevation is higher than other provinces, the area of potential distribution of Pinus rigida increases in the near future and the further future. Also the result indicated that the potential distribution of Pinus rigida migrates to higher elevation. The potential distributions estimated in this research have relatively high accuracy with consideration of classification accuracy (44.75%) and prediction probability (62.56%).

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.22-38
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• 2012

Adaptation of climate change is necessary to avoid unexpected impacts of climate change caused by human activities. Vulnerability refers to the degree to which system cannot cope with impacts of climate change, encompassing physical, social and economic aspects. Therefore the quantification of climate change impacts and its vulnerability is needed to identify vulnerable regions and to setup the proper strategies for adaptation. In this study, climate change vulnerability is defined as a function of climate exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Also, we identified regions vulnerable to ozone due to climate change in Korea using developed proxy variables of vulnerability of regional level. 18 proxy variables are selected through delphi survey to assess vulnerability over human health sector for ozone concentration change due to climate change. Also, we estimate the weighting score of proxy variables from delphi survey. The results showed that the local regions with higher vulnerability index in the sector of human health are Seoul and Daegu, whereas regions with lower one are Jeollanam-do, Gyeonggi-do, Gwangju, Busan, Daejeon, and Gangwon-do. The regions of high level vulnerability are mainly caused by their high ozone exposure. We also assessed future vulnerability according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) A2, A1FI, A1T, A1B, B2, and B1 scenarios in 2020s, 2050s and 2100s. The results showed that vulnerability increased in all scenarios due to increased ozone concentrations. Especially vulnerability index is increased by approximately 2 times in A1FI scenarios in the 2020s. This study could support regionally adjusted adaptation polices and the quantitative background of policy priority as providing the information on the regional vulnerability of ozone due to climate change in Korea.

• Atmosphere
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.53-66
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to describe the roles of carbon dioxide in the climate change, and carbon dioxide reduction policies in some countries. In addition, ways to cope with climate change in Korea are also discussed. Currently, global temperatures are rising due to the carbon dioxide produced by human beings. Global temperatures will rise approximately $6^{\circ}C$ until 2100 if we emit carbon dioxide at a present rate. Temperature rise will affect the terrestrial and oceanic resources, and ultimately influence the socio-economic structures including political stability. Most of the carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuels. Therefore, it is urgent to reduce the use of energy, which comes from fossil fuels. Solving the climate change due to the increases in carbon dioxide is a global problem. Korea should participate in the international community and cooperate with each other in order to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration. No policy was announced for the reduction of carbon dioxide so far. Korea should make a policy for the reduction of carbon dioxide in a specific year compared to that of certain standard year such as 1990 or 2005. Making policy should be based on the scientific result of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted and absorbed. Germanwatch announced the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) in order to evaluate an effort to reduce the carbon dioxide for 56 countries which emits 90 % of global carbon dioxide. Ranking for Korea is 51 among 56 countries. This clearly indicates that the appropriate carbon dioxide reduction has not been exercised yet in Korea. Researchers have a moral responsibility to provide updated new ideas and knowledges regarding climate change. Politicians should have a sharp insight to judge the ideas provided by researchers. People need an ethics to reduce the carbon dioxide in every day's life. Scientific research should not be influenced by stress caused by external budget and negative impact of capitalism. Science should be based on the pure curiosity.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.458-458
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• 2012

Climate extreme variability is a major cause of disaster such as flood and drought types occurred in Korea and its effects is also more severe damage in last decades which can be danger mature events in the future. The main aim of this study was to assess the effectives of climate change on drought for an agriculture as Nakdong basin in Korea using climate change data in the future from data of General Circulation Models (GCM) of ECHO-G, with the developing countries like Korea, the developed climate scenario of medium-high greenhouse gas emission was proposed of the SRES A2. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was applied for drought evaluation. The drought index (SPI) applied for sites in catchment and it is evaluated accordingly by current and future precipitation data, specific as determined for data from nine precipitation stations with data covering the period 1980-2009 for current and three periods 2010-2039, 2040-2069 and 2070-2099 for future; time scales of 3month were used for evaluating. The results determined drought duration, magnitude and spatial extent. The drought in catchment act intensively occurred in March, April, May and November and months of drought extreme often appeared annual in May and November; drought frequent is a non-uniform cyclic pattern in an irregular repetitive manner, but results showed drought intensity increasing in future periods. The results indicated also spatial point of view, the SPI analysis showed two of drought extents; local drought acting on one or more one of sites and entire drought as cover all of site in catchment. In addition, the meteorology drought simulation maps of spatial drought representation were carried out with GIS software to generate for some drought extreme years in study area. The method applied in this study are expected to be appropriately applicable to the evaluation of the effects of extreme hydrologic events, the results also provide useful for the drought warning and sustainable water resources management strategies and policy in agriculture basins.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.114-126
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a Korean thermality index (KTI) based on the distribution patterns of benthic macroinvertebrates according to altitude and latitude. Analyzing seasonal data (4,853 sampling units) surveyed and collected during 2007 ~ 2011 at 846 sites in South Korea, we estimated thermal valency, thermal value and indicator weight value of 208 species. Among them, 40 species in 6 orders (Decapoda 1 species, Collembola 1 species, Ephemeroptera 5 species, Plecoptera 17 species, Diptera 3 species, Trichoptera 13 species) were selected as the candidate indicator species sensitive and vulnerable to warmth along with climate change. KTI and Benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMI) were tested at three clean streams (Hangye stream, Buk stream and Bangtae stream). KTI showed significant differences according to altitude and water temperature whereas the saprobity index BMI showed little differences. This result means that KTI can be applicable to assess the impact of water temperature independently of organic pollutants.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1261-1269
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the external thermal environment, following the application of evaporative cooling systems in buildings, in response to climate change. In order to verify changes in the external thermal environment, a T-test was performed on the microclimate, Thermal Comfort Index (TCI), and building surface temperature. Differences in microclimate, following the application of the evaporative cooling system in the building, were significant in terms of temperature and relative humidity. In particular, temperature decreased by more than 7% when the evaporative cooling system was applied. According to the results of the Thermal Comfort Index analysis, the Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) was below the limit of outdoor activities, indicating that outdoor activities were possible. The Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values were within the very strong heat stress range when the evaporative cooling system was not applied, When the system was applied, the UTCI values were within the strong heat stress range, indicating that they were lowered by one level. The building surface temperature decreased by ~10% or more when the evaporative cooling system was applied, compared to when it was not applied. Finally, the outside surface temperature of the building decreased by ~12% or more when the system was applied, compared to when it was not applied. We conclude that the energy saving effect of the building was significant.