• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.381-389
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• 2023

The germination characteristics of Pseudolysimachion kiusianum var. diamantiacum (Nakai) T.Yamaz., a rare and endemic plant designated by the Korea Forest Service, were investigated according to light conditions, temperature, and pretreatment. As a result of the germination experiment according to light conditions, it was determined that P. kiusianum is a photoblastic seed that does not germinate at all in dark conditions. The optimum germination temperature of the seeds was found to be 20-25℃, considering the final germination rate and germination time. Three growth regulators (IAA, GA₃, kinetin) and two inorganic salts (KNO₃, KCl) were pretreated to improve the germination rate of P. kiusianum seeds. The growth regulators IAA and kinetin had no significant effect on improving the germination rate of P. kiusianum seeds. On the other hand, GA₃ significantly increased the final germination percentage and germination rate regardless of the concentration, especially the treatment of more than 500 mg·L^-1 at 20℃ was more than 4 times more effective than the untreated. The inorganic salts KNO₃ and KCl had no significant effect on the seeds of P. kiusianum at low concentrations, but at higher concentrations (40 mM and 300 mM, respectively), they improved the germination rate and germination age by 2 times compared to the untreated. The results of this study will be useful for the mass propagation of P. kiusianum, which has the potential to be utilized as a native plant for restoration.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.471-501
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• 2022

This study was carried out on 455 forest wetlands of south Korea for which an inventory was established through value evaluation and grade. Correlation analysis was conducted to find out the correlation between the types and grades of forest wetlands and 23 evaluation factors in four categories: vegetation and landscape, material circulation and hydraulics·hydrology, humanities and social landscape, and disturbance level. Through the improvement of types and grades of forest wetlands, it is possible to secure basic data that can be used in setting up conservation measures by preparing standards necessary for future forest wetland conservation and restoration, and to found a systematic monitoring system. First, between the type of forest wetland and size and accessibility showed a positive correlation, but the remaining items were analyzed to have negative or no correlation. In particular, it was found that there was no negative correlation or no correlation with the grades of forest wetland. Moreover, it was found that there was a very strong negative correlation with the weighted four category items. Thus, it is judged that improvement is necessary because there is an error in the weight or adjust the evaluation criteria of the value evaluation item, add an item that can increase objectivity. Especially, in the case of forest wetlands, the ecosystem service function due to biodiversity is the largest, so evaluation items should be improved in consideration of this. Therefore, it can be divided into five categories: uniqueness and rarity (15%), wildlife habitat (15%), vegetation and landscape (35%), material cycle·hydraulic hydrology (30%), and humanities and social landscape (5%). It will be possible to propose weights that can increase effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of the western front (Paju-Yencheon Area) of the Civilian Control Zone. Vascular plants collected in these areas were a total of 558 taxa composing of 501 species, 3 subspecies, 48 varieties and 1 forma of 330 genera under 109 families This shows that 11% of the 4,880 vascular plant species that are known to exist in Korea is distributed in the western part of the DMZ. 1 taxa of endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment was found: the Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim in the edge of the military operation road from Taepung observatory to Imjin river. For the floristically specific ones of the Korean floristic zones, 3 taxa of the $5^{th}$ grade, 3 taxa of the $4^{th}$ grade, 13 taxa of the $3^{rd}$ grade, 13 taxa of the $2^{nd}$ grade and 22 taxa of the $1^{st}$ grade were found. For the endemic species of Korea, 4 taxa including Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai were confirmed to be distributed mostly on the slope or the cutting area. Among the collected rare plants (11 taxa), there were 1 taxa of endangered species, 4 taxa of vulnerable species and 6 taxa of least concern species. Also, 51 taxa of naturalized plants were identified and 4 taxa of ecosystem disturbance organism designated by the Ministry of Environment were identified. The urbanization index and naturalization index for all species were estimated to be 15.89% and 9.14% respectively. Our survey is expected to be considered as primary data of biological diversity and ecological axis in the DMZ and the western part of the DMZ. According to the results of this study, it is thought to be necessary to establish policies for conservation and protection of the DMZ.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.121-133
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• 2016

It was required to evaluate ecological restorations in a comprehensive way in order to systematically manage conservation areas such as DMZ and national parks in South Korea. In this research we developed a new approach to evaluating ecological restorations with more various indexes than vegetation covering-related indexes. By analyzing damaged areas in the vicinity of DMZ, major damaged types were identified as six classes: landform modification, surface loss, soil pollution, soil physio-chemical modification, vegetation decline and vegetation damaged. From literature review, 39 indexes were selected and were grouped into four divisions: soil property, vegetation growth & structure, habitat property and landscape structure & functions. By conducting a survey with the selected indexes targeting relevant experts, data on relative importance among the divisions and indexes by damaged type were collected. As a result, it was found that the orders and values of weighted values of the divisions were different by damaged type: for example, soil property (0.402), vegetation growth & structure (0.209), habitat property (0.225), landscape structure & function (0.163) for "landform modification"; but soil property (0.171), vegetation growth & structure (0.401), habitat property (0.270), landscape structure & function (0.158) for "vegetation decline". Similarly, evaluation indexes showed different orders and values of relative importance, easiness in field measurement and representativeness for the division by damaged type, and the values were used for calculating importance factor for each index. In the evaluation table, score1 and score2 were made by the importance factors of indexes multiplied by distribution values which present grades and by the weighted values of divisions. In conclusion, while dealing with the damaged type was considered significant for evaluating and managing restorations, further tests on this table with a range of cases were needed to improve its quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.91-102
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• 2008

This study was conducted to obtain the basic information about Siberia Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus), and to establish a conservation area for the replacement of Siberia Musk Deer into Mt. Odea National Park, South Korea. We analyzed the main habitat for Siberia Musk Deer restoration in Mt. Odae National Park, Korea. We recorded Siberia Musk Deers' field signs (i.e., bedding sites, feeding areas, feces and tracks), and habitat variables such as nearest distance to the watercourse, trails, slope, aspect, forest type and land cover etc. from Dec. 2004 to Aug. 2007 in Mt. Jiri, Mt. Seorak, and Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Rocky areas, ridges, mixed coniferous forest (Red pine and Mongolian oak), southern and southeastern slope, elevation of above 800m, and distance from watercourse shorter than 300m etc. were dominant habitat types of Siberia Musk Deer. Based on the significant habitat types, a proper conservation plan should be prepared for the restoration of habitats in order to reintroduce, and to increase the population of Siberia Musk Deer in Mt. Odea National Park, South Korea. Small population size, and limited ecological data are the major constraints for the establishment of conservation areas. Furthermore, other anthropogenic factors including human activities, poaching, and residential area around the park caused the difficulties to qualify as a conservation area. For the successful establishment of conservation area in the future, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive ecological research, and to survey human disturbances including their impacts on the habitats of Siberia Musk Deer in the Mt. Odea National Park.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.43-56
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• 2014

In this study, ecological investigation was performed on Yong-neup, Daeam-san for 5 times. This area is considered DMZ zone located between Yanggu-gun and Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, where has been recognized highly valuable for ecological preservation. As a result, Sphagnum and hydrophobic vegetation were found in Little Yong-neup, revealing its characteristics of high moor, where as no Sphagnum were found in Baby Yong-neup. Thereby, the carnification has been investigated in both Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup. A main cause of damage was associated with the creation of stating rink and increases of visitors. The damages of vegetation in Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup have been intensified by road construction or uses of groundwater while relocating military troops to upper stream of Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup, further causing the damages of water circulation system and soil erosion. These artificial factors have caused the carnification of wetland protection areas including Little Yong-neup. The terrestrial vegetations, such as Plantago asiatica, Geranium Koreanum and Artemisia feddei have increased compared to current survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment. 5 endangered species, such as Lychnis wilfordii and Trientalis europaea and 5 other introduced species, such as Aster pilosus and Taraxacum officinale were found. 10 different species of mammal and 2 species of amphibian were investigated; and in addition to this, a original form of Sphagnum fens, the remaining wetland was found. Therefore, this study is to identify the causes of damages in Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup through their ecological survey and accordingly proposing a direction for ecological restoration through the improvement of water circulation system, creation of habitats for plant and animal, restoration of vegetation through eco-friendly materials and indigeneity, relocation of the current military troops, securing of structural stability.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.22-37
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• 2016

This research sought to examine the strategies of cultural heritage proving the negative history to be registered as world heritage, among the World Heritages registered in UNESCO. Therefore, to comprehend "negative history"and the heritages with "instructive value," the new term of "Remembrance Heritage"was suggested, and such cases of world heritage were analyzed. Especially by analyzing the criteria of being registered by focusing on the cases of similar World Heritages with similar historical background or form as Korean DMZ, the criteria of OUV that may be applied when Korean DMZ is promoted to be registered as World Heritage. The research results may be summarized as the following. First of all, Remembrance Heritage is a place in which events of universal significance have occurred, rather than the historical, artistic, landscape, and scholastic value of the heritage itself, and was evaluated as architecture, landscape, or place in which the events or historical steps could be verified through architectural, landscape, archaeological or technical means. Secondly, Remembrance Heritage was often applied to be registered with the criterion (vi), and criterion (iii) or criterion (iv). Thirdly, in case of the Korean DMZ, application of criterion (iv) as heritage proving the age of cold war and criterion (vi) as symbolic value of peace may be possible.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.2
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• pp.198-209
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the impact of light intensity, manipulated through different shading levels, on the growth and physiological responses of Thermopsis lupinoides. To assess the effects of shading treatments, we examined leaf mass per area, chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence response, and photosynthetic characteristics. T. lupinoidesexhibited adaptive responses under low light conditions (50% shading), showing increased leaf area and decreased leaf mass per area as shading levels increased. These changes indicate morpho-physiological adaptations to reduced light availability. At 50% shading, the physiological and ecological responses were favorable, with optimal photosynthetic functions including chlorophyll content, photosynthesis saturation point, photosynthetic rate, carbon fixation efficiency, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency. However, at 95% shading, the essential light conditions for growth were not met, significantly impairing photosynthetic functions. Consequently, 50% shading was determined to be the most optimal condition for T. lupinoides growth. These findings provide valuable insights for effective ex-situconservation practices and site selection for T. lupinoides, serving as foundational data for habitat restoration efforts.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.105-116
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• 2021

Background: The creation of the National Institute of Ecology began as a national alternative project to preserve mudflats instead of constructing the industrial complexes by reclamation, and achieve regional development. On the other hand, at the national level, the research institute for ecology was needed to cope with the worsening conditions for maintaining biodiversity due to accelerated climate change such as global warming and increased demand for development. In order to meet these needs, the National Institute of Ecology has the following objectives: (1) carries out studies for ecosystem change due to climate change and biodiversity conservation, (2) performs ecological education to the public through exhibition of various ecosystem models, and (3) promotes regional development through the ecological industry. Furthermore, to achieve these objectives, the National Institute of Ecology thoroughly followed the basic principles of ecology, especially restoration ecology, in the process of its construction. We introduce the principles and cases of ecological restoration applied in the process. Results: We minimized the impact on the ecosystem in order to harmonize with the surrounding environment in all the processes of construction. We pursued passive restoration following the principle of ecological restoration as a process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem degraded for all the space except in land where artificial facilities were introduced. Reference information was applied thoroughly in the process of active restoration to create biome around the world, Korean peninsula forests, and wetland ecosystems. In order to realize true restoration, we pursued the ecological restoration in a landscape level as the follows. We moved the local road 6 and high-voltage power lines to underground to ensure ecological connectivity within the National Institute of Ecology campus. To enhance ecological diversity, we introduced perch poles and islands as well as floating leaved, emerged, wetland, and riparian plants in wetlands and mantle communities around the forests of the Korean Peninsula in the terrestrial ecosystem. Furthermore, in order to make the public aware of the importance of the intact nature, the low-lying landscape elements, which have disappeared due to excessive land use in most areas of Korea, was created by imitating demilitarized zone (DMZ) landscape that has these landscape elements. Conclusions: The National Institute of Ecology was created in an eco-friendly way by thoroughly reflecting the principles of ecology to suit its status and thus the impact on the existing ecosystem was minimized. This concept was also designed to be reflected in the process of operation. The results have become real, and a result of analysis on carbon budget analysis is approaching the carbon neutrality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2022

This study aims to systematically review the candidate types for OECMs suitable for domestic conditions in areas related to the Korea Forest Service in order to achieve the goal of establishing the protected areas and OECMs system required by Post-2020 GBF, and to provide basic data for the establishment of the national protected areas system. As a result of the study, the selection criteria for OECMs were presented, and it was found that arboretums·botanical gardens, Natural Recreation Forests, and air holes may correspond to the Candidate Types for OECMs. As a result of evaluating the possible areas for OECMs based on the OECMs selection criteria, in the case of arboretums·botanical gardens, it is judged that only conservation areas can be designated as OECMs, except for areas mainly used by visitors of arboretums·botanical gardens that fall under the BGCI conservation type among national and public arboretums·botanical gardens. However, private and school arboretums·botanical gardens have personal property ownership, so it was judged to have no effective measures to control activities that may adversely affect biodiversity, which showed limitations in designation of OECMs. Natural Recreation Forests was found to meet the OECMs selection criteria. However, private forests have personal property ownership, which limits the designation of OECMs. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the function of in-situ conservation in order to meet the OECMs for private and school arboretums·botanical gardens, and private forests that have personal property ownership. To this end, effective measures are needed to achieve biodiversity conservation outcomes, and it is judged that legal control and corresponding support policies (incentives) are needed. In the case of air holes, for sustainable conservation, the management boundary of air holes should be clearly defined based on the preparation of laws and guidelines related to air holes. In addition, it is judged that it is desirable to designate the competent local forest office as the management authority and conduct periodic detailed surveys of air holes, establish and implement the conservation plans based on those.