• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2021

In this study, we analyzed the changes in the topographical landscape and the sedimentary environment to evaluate the ecological value of the Dongcheon Estuary and protect the wetland, and presented the conservation management method of the Dongcheon Estuary. Based on the result of topographical landscape analysis, agricultural land tended to decrease continuously, and artificial structures gradually increased. Moreover, in sediment analysis, the Dongcheon Estuary showed both the characteristics of river sediments and coastal sediments, and in some areas problems such as acidification and nutritional imbalance appeared. Therefore, in order to protect and manage the Dongcheon Estuary with high ecological value, it is necessary to limit the development around micro topography and minimize the artificial damage in the Dongcheon Estuary. In addition, efforts such as securing facilities for reducing pollutants and freshwater wetlands for pollutants, that flow in from nonpoint pollutants are required.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2023

Paddy fields not only provide a variety of ecosystem services but also serve as crucial habitats for biodiversity conservation. Recently, their ecological value and significance have been increasingly emphasized. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the characteristics of soil seed banks and analyze their correlation with soil environmental factors in Conventional Paddy field (CP) and Organic Paddy field (OP) with different farming practices. Our results revealed that the vegetation in CP was simple, resulting in low plant diversity in the soil seed banks. On the other hand, the vegetation in OP was relatively diverse, leading to higher plant diversity in the soil seed banks. Additionally, distinct differences in soil environmental characteristics were observed between OP (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, B↓) and CP (K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, B↑). These results suggest that variations in agricultural practices for rice cultivation have influenced the structure and diversity of vegetation and soil seed banks. Furthermore, these agricultural practices have had both direct and indirect effects on soil environmental factors. Our findings can serve as fundamental data for evaluating biodiversity conservation in agricultural ecosystems, ecosystem restoration, and ecological value assessment.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2001

The flora, vegetation structure, distribution of the vascular plants, physico-chemical characteristics of sediment, and nutrient contents of palnts were investigated in the ten disturbed and undisturbed wetlands around the littoral zone of Namgang, Jinju-si, Gyongsangnam-do, Korea from August 7 to August 15 in 1999. 217 taxa of the vascular plants distributed into 2 formas, 26 varieties, 189 species belong to 142 genera under 52 families were sampled or recorded. Dominant species of the undisturbed and the disturbed area were Persicaria thunbergii and Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior, of which importance values were 13.86, and 15.81, respectively. Among 26 species of the naturalized plants, importance value of Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior was highest as 9.54. The ranges of species diversity indices (H') were 1.370~1.819, and highest in the site 1 of the undisturbed area. The ranges of eqitability (J') were 0.779~0.902, and highest in the site 8 of the disturbed area. The ranges of community similarity indices ($CC_s$) were 0.341~0.578 among the ten wetlands, and highest between site 1 and site 2 which were the undisturbed area. The ranges of sediment properties such as pH, conductivity, organic matter, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen were 5.17~7.35, $24.67{\sim}74.33{\mu}mhocm^{-1}$, 1.09~3.82%, 0.0008~0.0034 mg/100g, and 0.06~0.15%, respectively. Nutrient contents of plants such as total nitrogen and total phosphorus were 1.52~2.65% and $0.010{\sim}0.039mg100g^{-1}$, respectively. It was recommended that the establishment of the conservation area was necessary to ensure the habitat for wild life and to maintain the diversity of the vascular hydrophytes and hygrophytes.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Fisheries' biological resources were considered public resources before the 1990s. Every country could access and use these resources without regulation. However, the United Nations adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity and the privileges and rights to these resources were attributed to countries. This research starts with the research background and social and academic value of "The Jasan Eobo (or Report on Marine Organisms in the Coastal Waters near Heuksan Island)" by Jeong Yak-Jeon, who pioneered the new field of Fisheries Science and Marine Biology in Korea in the early 1800s. We also searched for recent results from the Marine Bio-Diversity Research Activities of the Korean National Council for Conservation of Nature (KNCCN) and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (MOMAF). KNCCN reported that marine bio-diversity comprised approximately 6,500 species in 1996, and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries reported there were about 10,000 species in 2007. Among these marine species, plankton account for about 25%, seaweeds 11%, invertebrates 52%, and vertebrates 12% in Korean Coastal Areas. The Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MIFAFF) enacted a law for Agriculture and Fisheries Resources Management in 2012; this law includes the preservation of marine ecosystems, the conservation of wetlands and the preservation of fisheries resources, and describes the boundary of taxonomy for new species and unknown species that could be identified in the near future. To follow the new regulation for Access to General Resources and Benefit-Sharing, this research suggests (1) the importance of taxonomy for new species and unknown species as a goal of "No Name = No Information", (2) integrated research on bio-diversity, species distributions and the abundance of fisheries resources, both in local areas and in Korean Coastal Areas, and (3) the observance of international regulations or agreements for benefit-sharing without additional damage in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1446-1457
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• 2016

Wetlands exhibit intermediate characteristics of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the biodiversity is rich in these unique biological habitats. The symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi that inhabit these wetlands play an important role in natural resource management, biodiversity, and conservation. Accordingly, the mujechi, having academic value for the study of the natural environment, was investigated in terms of genetic diversity of endophytic fungi, which inhabit the roots of wild plants. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified to identify fungal strains. In total, 226 strains were isolated and categorized into three phyla, seven classes, 10 orders, 22 families, and 31 genera. In plants by endophytic fungi were classified in Isachne globosa (Ig) to 19 genera, Scirpus karuisawensis (Sk) to 11 genera, Utricularia racemosa (Ur) to 19 genera, and one incertae sedis, Eriocaulon decemflorum (Ed) to 11 genera. The fungal taxa was identified the genera Acephala (19.9%), Tolypocladium (16.3%), Neopestalotiopsis (11.5%), and Perenniporia (7.1%). The fungal group isolated from Isachne globosa (Ig) grew the largest number of isolated fungal strains. After comprehensive evaluation, the endophytic fungal group from Utricularia racemosa (Ur) ranked highest in diversity analyses. From the roots of wild plant in mujechi-neup, it confirmed the distribution and diversity of endophytic fungi. This study provides the basic data to understand fungal community structure in peat wetlands.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2018

Reproductive phenology and physiological responses of Epilobium hirsutum L. to moisture content and nutrient content of soil were analysed in order to obtain basic data for effective conservation and restoration. Epilobium hirsutum L. is a perennial plant. But Epilobium hirsutum L. grew reproductively in all moisture and nutrient gradients. Flower bud, flowers and peduncle were respectively ripened in earlier under highest moisture condition and highest nutrient condition. And, number of flowers and peduncle were more quickly increased under highest moisture condition and highest nutrient condition. Chlorophyll content was high under highest moisture condition and higher middle moisture condition. However, we found no significant difference of chlorophyll content regard to nutrient gradients. There was no difference in minimum chlorophyll fluorescence among all moisture and nutrient gradients. The photochemical efficiency values of PS II were 0.75 in all moisture gradients, and it was 0.78 in highest nutrient gradient. The chlorophyll content of Epilobium hirsutum L. increased as the moisture content increased, and the Fv/Fm value increased as the organic matter increased. Our results showed that high moisture and nutrient content of soil advance their breeding season and promote reproductive growth. It might be important basic informations for the maintenance of population and the management of habitat of Epilobium hirsutum L. an endangered plant species.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2021

We reviewed the methods employed in Korean tidal flat surveys to measure the local abundance of the endangered wildlife and marine protected species, the fiddler crab, Austruca lactea. A complete census for infinite population is impossible even in a limited habitat within a tidal flat, and density estimates from samples strongly vary due to diverse biological and ecological factors. The habitat boundaries and areas shift with periodicities or rhythmic activities of organisms as well as measurement errors. Hence the local abundance calculated from density and habitat areas should be regarded as transient. This conjecture was valid based on the spatio-temporal variations of the density averages, standard error ranges, and spatial distribution of the crab, A. lactea observed for 3 years (2015-2017) in Songdo tidal flat in Incheon. We proposed the potential habitat areas using the occurrence probability of 50% from logistic regression model, reflecting the importance of habitat conservation value as an alternative to local abundance. The spatial shape of potential habitat predicted from a generalized model would remain constant over time unless the species' critical environmental conditions change rapidly. The species-specific model is expected to be used for the introduction of desired species in future habitat restoration/creation projects.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.409-422
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• 2022

Riverine wetlands are an important element of the river ecosystem and account for approximately 38% of the inland wetlands surveyed so far. The Shincheon Wetland located in Mangyeong River is also a channel wetland as the flow rate is slowed by the constructed weirs, leading to sediment accumulation. To identify the conservation value and ecological characteristics of Shincheon Wetland, its vegetation and plant diversity were identified using a phytosociological method, and a total of 45 vegetation-related datasets were collected. Overall, 24 plant communities, comprising a total of 153 taxa (49 families, 117 genera, 146 species, 2 subspecies, 5 varieties) were identified. The plant with the highest appearance rate in the communities was Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. In addition, annual herb species, including Rumex crispus L., Bromusjaponicus Thunb., Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., and Artemisia indica Willd. were frequently observed to be growing in the secondary grassland. Naturalized plants were surveyed in the 38 taxa; the urbanization index was 10.3% and the naturalized index was 24.8%. Plant communities were largely classified into submerged vegetation, floating and floating-leaved vegetation, annual and biennial vegetation, perennial herb vegetation, and woody vegetation. The distribution of plant communities reflecting various habitats, including the lentic and lotic zone maintaining a constant water depth, littoral zone experiencing intermittent water level fluctuations, and dry floodplain environment was also confirmed. Overall, plant community development plays an important role in the habitat for wild animals; therefore, it is expected to positively impact biodiversity enhancement.

• Forest Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.181-191
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• 2018

This study was carried out in the teaching and research forest of the University of Dschang in Belabo, with the aim of analysing land-cover and land-use changes as well as carbon stocks dynamic. The databases used are composed of three Landsat satellite images (5TM of 1984, 7ETM + of 2000 and 8OLI of 2016), enhanced by field missions. Satellite images were processed using ENVI and ArcGIS software. Interview, focus group discussion methods and participatory mapping were used to identify the activities carried out by the local population. An inventory design consisting of four transects was used to measure dendrometric parameters and to identify land-use types. An estimation of carbon stocks in aboveground and underground woody biomass was made using allometric models based on non-destructive method. Dynamic of land-cover showed that the average annual rate of deforestation is 0.48%. The main activities at the base of this change are agriculture, house built-up and logging. Seven types of land-use were identified; adult secondary forests (64.10%), young secondary forests (7.54%), wetlands (7.39%), fallows (3.63%), savannahs (9.59%), cocoa farms (4.28%) and mixed crop farms (3.47%). Adult secondary forests had the highest amount of carbon ($250.75\;t\;C\;ha^{-1}$). This value has decreased by more than 60% for mixed crop farms ($94.67\;t\;C\;ha^{-1}$), showing the impact of agricultural activities on both forest cover and carbon stocks. Agroforestry systems that allow conservation and introduction of woody species should be encouraged as part of a participatory management strategy of this forest.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.197-207
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• 2014

In this study, the functional priority of wetlands was determined through analysis of previous research. To determine relative importance, three processes were performed. First, quantitative values from the case studies were normalized. Second, non-quantitative values were prioritized based on standard criteria. Third, equal weight was applied as long as there was no special consideration regarding a particular value's disproportionate priority in the research. Finally, results were grouped into large, medium, and small classes.In this study, the functions of the medium class were found to be the most significant, in the following order of priority: water supply and ground water recharge; culture and recreation; biodiversity; product; water quality control; flood control; erosion control; moderation of climate change; and provision of biochemical matter. To verify these results, we compared our findings with those of an assessment that used the Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) on the same type of study area. Whereas this comparison indicated some correlations by the culture, water storage, and genetic sustainability functions, it suggested a lack of such relationship by the water purification and flood prevention functions.