• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.84-98
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• 2022

Estuary is important in terms of biodiversity because it has the characteristics of transition waters, created by the mixing of fresh- and seawater. The estuarine water circulation provides a variety of habitats with different environments by inducing gradients in the chemical and physical environment, such as water quality and river bed structure, which are ultimately the main factors influencing biological community composition. If the water circulation is interrupted, the loss of brackish areas and the interception of migration of biological communities will lead to changes in the spatial distribution of biodiversity. In this study, among the sites covered by the Estuary Aquatic Ecosystem Health Assessment, we selected study sites where changes in biodiversity can be assessed by spatial gradient from the upper reaches of the river to the lower estuarine area. The α-, γ- and β-diversity of diatom, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish communities were calculated, and they were divided into open and closed estuary data and compared to determine the trends in biodiversity variation due to estuarine circulation. As results, all communities showed higher γ-diversity at open estuary sites. The benthic macroinvertebrate community showed a clear difference between open and closed estuaries in β-diversity, consequently the estuarine transects were considered as a factor that decreases spatial heterogeneity of their diversity among sites. The biodiversity trends analyzed in this study will be used to identify estuaries with low γ- and β-diversity by community, providing a useful resource for further mornitoring and management to maintain estuarine health.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.186-194
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• 1998

Species composition and biomass of intertidal benthic algae were studied at the coast of Yonggwang Nuclear Power Plant area and its adjacent stations over 4 seasons (October 1995-August 1996), Of 68 species identified, 7 were Cyanophyta, 12 were Chlorophyta, 14 were Phaeophyta and 35 were Rhodophyta. The largest number of algal species (44) was found at Sangnok, the northernmost station of the study area, whereas the smallest number of species (15) was found from Tongho, ca. 13 km north of the power plant site. Number of species showed highest during the spring (44) and minimum was recorded in autumn (28). Biomass per unit area showed maximum in spring ($189.5\;g\;dry\;wt{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in average) and minimum in winter ($107.9\;g\;dry\;wt{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in average). Biomass values exhibited a wide range of variation among the stations, ranging from a low of $22.0\;g\;dry\;wt{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in annual average at Tongho to a high of $295.7g\;dry\;wt{\cdot}m^{-2}$ in average at Sangnok. Dominant species in biomass were Corallina pilulifera, Sargassum thunbergii, Gymnogongrus flabelliformis and Enteromorpha compressa. There have been little variation in the dominant algal species around the power plant site during the past 10 years and also these algae appeared throughout the west coast of Korea with higher frequency.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.6567-6574
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• 2015

In order to estimate the characteristics of the growth and composition of phytoplankton according to the available nutrients, we added nitrate (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, $100{\mu}M$) and phosphate (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, $10{\mu}M$) to field samples in a eutrophic site (St. 1) and an oligotrophic site (St. 22) in 2010 as well as a eutrophic site (St. 1, 5), a mesotrophic site (St. 19), and an oligotrophic site (St. 22) in 2011 at Jinhae Bay, Korea. The phytoplankton growth in the areas with additional nitrates and phosphates on St. 1 were significantly different from the control (One-way ANOVA:P<0.01). The dominant species at St. 1 in 2010 were Heterocapsa triquetra and Pseudo-nitzchia spp., to which nitrate and phosphate were added, respectively. The dominant species at St. 22 in 2010 differed between treatment conditions as follows: nitrate treatment Chaetoceros spp. (${\leq}10{\mu}M$), Thalassiosira spp. ($20{\mu}M$), and Pseudo-nitzchia spp.(${\geq}50{\mu}M$) for nitrate treatment; Cylindrotheca spp. ($2{\mu}M$) and Pseudo-nitzchia spp. ($5{\mu}M$) for phosphate treatment. Phytoplankton growth in 2011 according to the added nutrient were significantly different with treatment concentrations (One-way ANOVA: P<0.01). Moreover, the beginning of exponential growth in phytoplanktons was different between the eutro-mesotrophic sites (St. 1, 5, and 19) and the oligotrophic sites (St. 22) on day 2 and day 6 respectively. This implies that phytoplankton growth in the low nutrient condition may be retarded. The dominant species at St. 1 were Eucampia spp. and Chaetoceros spp. in the low nutrient treatment compared to Skeletonema spp., and Thalassiosira spp in the high nutrient treatment. The dominant species at St. 5 and St. 19 were mostly Skeletonema spp. and Chaetoceros spp. However, the dominant species at St. 22 was Thalassiosira spp.. The results of this study showed that phytoplankton growth and composition were different in areas with different nutrient characteristics resulting from the additional nutrients. Therefore, the nutrients additional algal assay could be indirectly explained why the biomass and composition of phytoplankton in Jinhae Bay has shown spatial differences.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.391-400
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• 2015

In order to investigate the distribution and species composition of fish in shallow wetlands that might be affected by environmental factors, we investigated the physicochemical parameters, macrophytes biomass, and fish assemblage in 24 shallow wetlands in South Korea from May to June, 2012. In this study, a total of 20 fish species were identified, and Cypinidae were found to be the most dominant species. Physicochemical parameters and macrophyte biomass were different in the survey sites, and macrophytes biomass, in particular, showed a positive relationship with fish abundance in stepwise multiple regression (df=1, F=32.00, P=0.001). According to the result of the cluster analysis between survey sites, the survey sites were divided into three groups in accordance with species composition of fish in relation to macrophytes biomass. In the wetlands of the first group, Lepomis macrochirus which belongs to Centrarchidae was found to be dominant and other fish assemblages were hardly seen. In the second group, unlike the first group, Carassius auratus that belongs to Cypinidae was found to be dominant. In the third group, Lepomis macrochirus was found to be as dominant as the first group but various other fish species appeared. Where there was abundance of the main food sources (i. e. zooplankton) of fish in the survey sites, there were more diverse macrophyte biomass. Consequently, it is proven that macrophytes strongly affect the species composition and abundance of fish, and high biomass of macrophytes support high assemblage of fish. Based on these results, we recommend establishing diverse aquatic macrophytes communities when restoring or creating wetlands to assure high diversity of fish species that use macrophytes as their habitat.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.223-236
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• 2021

This study aims to provide basic data for the systematic conservation and efficient management of forest ecosystems by analyzing changes in understory vegetation of temperate broad-leaved deciduous forests. One-hectare permanent survey plot, consisting of 100 subplots sized 10 × 10 meters, was installed in Gwangneung forest in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do in 2003. The state of stands and the understory vegetation in the permanent survey plot were examined at a 5-year interval from 2003 to 2018. The vascular plants found in the survey area were 56 families, 128 genera, 176 species, 18 variants, 4 varieties, and 1 subspecies, for a total of 199 taxa. The number of species in both the shrub layer and the herbaceous layer showed a tendency to decrease with time. The MRPP-tests showed a significantly differing species composition of the shrub layer in all years except 2008-2013, whereas significant differences were found in all years concerning the herbaceous layer. As for the average importance value, Euonymus oxyphyllus (18.23%), Acer pseudosieboldianum (16.48%), and Callicarpa japonica (13.85%) were dominant in the shrub layer, while Ainsliaea acerifolia (23.41%), Disporum smilacinum (9.45%), and Oplismenus undulatifolius (5.62%) were dominant in the herbaceous layer. In the shrub layer, the richness of Smilax china, Lonicera subsessilis, and Philadelphus schrenkii was high when the basal area and the stand density of an upper layer were high. By contrast, smaller basal area and stand density were associated with the richness of Acer pseudosieboldianum, Deutzia glabrata, Morus bombycis, and Cornus kousa. Furthermore, it was found out that the impact of the basal area and the stand density on the herbaceous layer decreased over time, while the herb layer's species composition was greatly affected by cover degrees of Euonymus oxyphyllus and Acer pseudosieboldianum in the shrub layer. In conclusion, the number of species in the understory vegetation in Gwangneung forest is continuously decreasing, thus implying that species diversity, basal area, and stand density of an upper layer can influence the species composition in understory vegetation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.87-97
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• 2023

In this study, we examined the effects of a large wildfire in the coastal area of Uljin-gun. The analysis of water quality and the dominant species, species composition, and community structure of marine algal was conducted quarterly in 2022 at Nagok (F-1), Hujeong (F-2), Bongpyeong (F-3), and Gongse Port (F-C) in Uljin-gun. As a result of water quality analysis, the pH, a factor of wildfire impact was 8.07~8.30 and 8.12~8.48 in surface and bottom layers, respectively, which are normal values in coastal waters of the East Sea, suggesting no direct impact from wildfires. By marine algal species composition, the coastal areas show the following order: Rhodophyta (58.1%) > Ochrophyta (25.8%) > Chlorophyta (14.5%) > Magnoliophyta (1.6%). By season, Undaria pinnatifida was the most dominant at Nagok and Hujeong in March and June, which in September and November, Gelidium elegans and Lithophyllum sp. were the most dominant in Bongpyeong and Gongse Port, respectively. In the cluster analysis, the stations were divided into two groups according to presence and absence of specific marine algal by season. The dominant species were U. pinnatifida, G. elegans and D. divaricata in group A, and Lithophyllum sp. was mainly present in group B. Thus, the species composition and group structure reflected the normal seasonal change pattern with water temperature variation and showed little significant difference from the control site, suggesting no direct effects of the wildfire on algae distribution in Uljin.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.738-751
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• 2023

The Sembilan Archipelago is famous for its great biodiversity, in which the humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) (locally named Napoleon fish) is the primary commodity (economically important), and currently, the environmental degradation occurs due to anthropogenic activities. This study aimed to examine the eco-environmental parameters and assess their influence on the abundance of humphead wrasse and other coral reef fish compositions in the Sembilan Archipelago. Direct field monitoring was performed using a visual census throughout an approximately one km transect. Coral cover data collection and assessment were also carried out. A coastal water quality index (CWQI) was used to assess the water quality status. Furthermore, statistical-based analyses [hierarchical clustering, Pearson's correlation, principal component analysis (PCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA)] were performed to examine the correlation between eco-environmental parameters. The Napoleon fish was only found at stations 1 and 2, with a density of about 3.8 Ind/ha, aligning with the dominant composition of the family Serranidae (covering more than 15% of the total community) and coinciding with the higher coral mortality and lower reef fish abundance. The coral reef conditions were generally ideal for supporting marine life, with a living coral percentage of about > 50% in all stations. Based on CWQI, the study area is categorized as good and excellent water quality. Of the 60 parameter values examined, the phytoplankton abundance, Napoleon fish, and temperature are highly correlated, with a correlation coefficient value greater than 0.7, and statistically significant (F < 0.05). Although the adaptation of reef fish to water quality parameters varies greatly, the most influential parameters in shaping their composition in the study area are living corals, nitrites, ammonia, larval abundance, and temperature.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 2004

Biodiversity and seasonal community composition of benthic macroinvertebrates were studied from Upo wetlands in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea, comprising Upo (4 sites), Mokpo (2 sites), Sajipo (1 site), Jjokjibeol (1 site), Yeobeol (1 site), and Topyeongcheon (2 sites) areas from October 2002 to August 2003. As a result, it was known that Upo wetlands retained relatively well-preserved littoral zones which may provide good habitats for benthic macroinvertebrates; however, frequent disturbances of littoral zones caused by flood were the major factor affecting on the survival and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in the areas. During the study period, a total of 135 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 10 genera, 59 families, 16 orders, 7 classes, and 3 phyla were collected those of which are the highest degree of diversity of the taxa ever known in Korean wetlands: aquatic insects 103 spp. (Diptera 27 spp., Odonata 24 spp., Coleoptera 19 spp., Hemiptera 16 spp., Ephemeroptera 9 spp., Trichoptera 7 spp., and Collembola 1 sp.), Crustacea 2 spp., Mollusca 19 spp. (Gastropoda 12 spp. and Bivalvia 7 spp.), and Annelids 11 spp. (Oligocaeta 1 sp. and Hirudinea 10 spp.). Sajipo (St.G) and Jjokjibeol (St.H) areas yielded relatively larger numbers of species, 54 spp. and 53 spp., respectively, while more than 40 species occurred at most other sites. Based on quantitative sampling (0.5m${\times}$2m), aquatic insects (88.0％), particularly chironomids in Diptera (61.0％), occupied major proportion of the total individuals of benthic macroinvertebrates, while Mollusca (5.3％), Annelida (3.5％), and Crustacea (3.2％) occupied minor proportions. In standing water areas, diverse groups of benthic macroinvertebrates such as chironomids, demselflies, aquatic bugs, aquatic beetles, crustaceans, and gastropods were dominant in terms of individual number; in the running water areas, on the other hand, chironomids and baetid mayflies were dominant. However, gastropods, i.e. viviparids, were the dominant group of benthic macroinvertebrates in most study areas in terms of biomass. Dominance indices were 0.22-0.51 (mean$\pm$sd 0.42$\pm$0.09) in autumn, 0.31-0.96 (0.02$\pm$0.23) in winter, and 0.30-0.89 (0.57$\pm$0.18) in summer; diversity indices were 3.50-4.26 (3.80$\pm$0.24) in autumn,1.55-4.50 (3.10$\pm$1.01) in winter, and 1.35-3.77 (2.55$\pm$0.09) in summer. Highly movable or true aquatic benthic macroinvertebyates such as aquatic bugs, aquatic beetles, and gastropods recovered earlier after flood. In the study sites of Upo wetlands, Upo and Sajipo areas showed relatively higher values of average diversity index which may indicate a good habitat condition for benthic macroinvertebrates.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.355-366
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• 2008

The composition and abundance of mesozooplankton were studied from the five stations on the Bulgap stream near Yeonggwang, Jeollanamdo, Korea. Mesozooplankton samples were collected bimonthly in April, July, August, October, and December 2006 and February 2007. Total 44 taxa of mesozooplankton occurred with the highest abundance (31$\sim$53,230 indiv. m$^{-3}$) in October, and the fewest (16$\sim$97 indiv. m$^{-3}$) in December. Diversity index is the highest in July (1.072) and the lowest in October (0.386). The two copepod species, Pseudodiaptomus inopinus and Macrocyclops albidus were dominant during the study periods. A brackishwater species, P. inopinus occurred in the Bulgap stream during from August 2006 to February 2007. This species was the most dominant species (53,010 indiv. m$^{-3}$) in the stations that usually have low salinities (0.1$\sim$14.0 psu). M. albidus was predominated during from April to August 2006 in the freshwater stations.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.348-361
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• 2012

Altitude is a factor that plays an important role in the diversity, richness and composition of species. Recently, much attention has been paid to the distribution of butterflies and insects according to altitude. The purpose of this article is to propose a method to preserve and manage species efficiently by reviewing the distribution of butterflies according to different altitudes in Mt. Gyeryong National Park. This study found that the number of species and individuals decreased as the altitude increased, possibly due to the increased amount of shade caused by the crown density. When analyzing the factors influencing the distribution of species other than altitude, it was found that the slope, vegetative colonies and hydrosphere distance were correlated with the change in species distribution. As these species are closely related to food plants, it may save time and reduce the cost as well as allow an efficient evaluation of the bio-diversity if these species are selected as biological indicator species suitable for detecting the changes in the forest. It is judged to be a more efficient means of species preservation to accumulate and quantify the materials regarding environmental elements such as the climate, microclimate and food plants, as this would allow the butterfly distribution to be estimated.