• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.92-104
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• 2018

The loss of biodiversity has become a global issue. In order to cope with this problem, national biodiversity strategies and action plan (NBSAP) at national level as well as local biodiversity strategies and action plan (LBSAP) at local level have been established in many countries. In this study, we analyzed 8 domestic LBSAPs and 41 foreign LBSAPs through semantic network analysis to investigate the characteristics of domestic and foreign LBSAPs. The results showed that conservation and management were the most used keywords in both domestic and foreign LBSAPs but the ranking of other keywords used in vision, goal, strategy, and action plan sector was different. Thus, it has been found that there is a difference between domestic and foreign practical approaches to conservation and management of biodiversity. Results of the network analysis showed that the domestic network has a more detailed distributed network, while the foreign network has a more comprehensive and integrally configured dense network. These differences may be due to differences of threats to biodiversity, problem recognition, or differences in local circumstances. These results are expected to help establish LBSAP in other region or to assess the local roles to achieve the strategic goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.252-265
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• 2017

This study aims to analyze the landscape ecological characteristics of green spaces within built up area of high density and evaluate the potential applicability of green patches, thereby introducing urban garden for generating green networks in residence areas. To this end, Yeoksam-Dong was selected as the site area since it is classified as both green initiative zone and alienated area of park service in Seoul. First, the current condition of green spaces in Yeoksam-Dong was identified by five categories: Street trees, private garden, public pocket garden, rooftop garden, and park. Then, the landscape index analysis through FRAGSTATS and connectivity assessment via multi-buffer zone analysis were carried out for analyzing the green networks and evaluating the potential value of green space. The results showed that the degree to which green areas in the site were distributed is arranged in the order of street tree, private garden, public pocket garden, park, and rooftop garden. In case of the street trees whose total core area (TCA, $1,618m^2$) is as high as the park's ($1,128m^2$). Private garden has potential for green network in built up area of high density by gardening since the shape of the patches are irregular (ED = 78.1m/ha) and the average distance among the patches is close (ENN=33.9m). Public pocket garden has also potential for gardening according to the result that it was found to be distributed evenly (LPI=5.7%, SHEI=0.9) with exposing external disturbance ($TCA=66m^2$). For the green network, 84% of all the study site is covered by small green network in 50m butter range of connected green area. The effect of green network was expected through gardening in public pocket garden (27%) and street tree (26%). Accordingly, it is encouraged to actively utilize street tree, private gardens, and rooftop gardens and to establish the urban gardens like local-based community gardens in public pocket garden where a variety of activities can be carried out near residential areas. By doing so, green networks can effectively be established in built up area with high density. The results of this study can contribute positively to fostering the creation of various types of urban gardens.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.331-335
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• 2005

The fusion technology of small sensor and wireless communication was followed by various application examples of the embedded system, where the social infrastructural facilities and ecological environment were wirelessly monitored. In addition, this technology represents the primary application area being extended into the healthcare field. In this study, a body area network for ubiquitous healthcare is presented. More specifically this represents a wireless biomedical signal acquisition device characterized by small size, low power consumption, pre-processing and archiving capability. Using this device, a new method for monitoring vital signs and activity is created. A PDA-based wireless sensor network enables patients to be monitored during their daily living, without any constraints. Therefore, the proposed method can be used to develop Activities of Daily Living (ADL) monitoring devices for the elderly or movement impaired people. A medical center would be able to remotely monitor the current state of elderly people and support first-aid in emergency cases. In addition, this method will reduce medical costs in society, where the average life expectancy is increasing.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.97-103
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• 2014

This study aimed at developing integrated logic for controlling heating device and openings of the double skin facade buildings. Two major logics were developed-rule-based control logic and artificial neural network based control logic. The rule based logic represented the widely applied conventional method while the artificial neural network based logic meant the optimal method. Applying the optimal method, the predictive and adaptive controls were feasible for supplying the advanced thermal indoor environment. Comparative performance tests were conducted using the numerical computer simulation tools such as MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) and TRNSYS (Transient Systems Simulation). Analysis on the test results in the test module revealed that the artificial neural network-based control logics provided more comfortable and stable temperature conditions based on the optimal control of the heating device and opening conditions of the double skin facades. However, the amount of heat supply to the indoor space by the optimal method was increased for the better thermal conditioning. The number of on/off moments of the heating device, on the other hand, was significantly reduced. Therefore, the optimal logic is expected to beneficial to create more comfortable thermal environment and to potentially prevent system degradation.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.31-41
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• 2010

The direction of Urban regeneration is changing toward holistic regeneration with residents' participation all over the world. While world leading projects in holistic regeneration such as "Ballymun of Ireland" and "Buffalo of U.S.A" appeared, recently in Korea, "Rainbow project" is getting paid attention as a similar example due to its Socio-Physical approach. The purpose of this study is to find the Effect of Socio-Physical Regeneration on Social Network characteristics of Elderly Residents in a public rental apartment. The subjects of the study are elderly residents who have resided since much before the environmental intervention. The research methods is in-depth interview. Specific features of social network included awareness of the physically improved surrounding environment, awareness of and participation in welfare programs, social interactions, identity, and vandalism behavior. As results, most of elderly residents recognized environmental improvement and felt very positive enough to enhance their attachment and pride in their residences. Physical environment changes had a considerable impact on the social network characteristics and also had a strong influence on their relations with community. Considering that permanent public rental housing has been a socially isolated place, it is significant to notice that residents' perception of being excluded and behaviors are changed gradually being influenced by environmental improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.62-69
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• 2008

This study was conducted in order to recommend forest-based wildlife protection areas in Chung-nam Province using several basic habitat conditions. The conditions used in this study were the forest patch size with the potential to keep wildlife animals safe, the distance from water sources, and the availability of food for wildlife. The fractal dimension index was also used to find the edge line dynamics, which can influence on habitat conditions for edge species. The natural conservation management indices including a forest map (indicating the level of forest age), a slope map, and an elevation map were used to find the forest patches with enough space for wildlife to live on. Water resources and their buffer areas were considered as factors to protect the space as an ecological corridor. Deciduous trees and trees mixed with deciduous trees and conifers were chosen to provide wildlife animals their food. In total, 525 forest patches were chosen and recommended for the wildlife protection area. Five of these forest patches were recommended as wildlife protection areas managed by the provincial government. The other 520 forest patches were recommended to protect local wildlife animals and be managed by each county or city. These forest patches were located around the Geum-buk and Geum-nam mountains, and the forest patches are important resources as habitats to keep wildlife in the area. An ecological network consists of these separate forest patches with the ecological integration. A fractal dimension index was used to divide forest patches into several categories in order to find how patches are shaped. The forest patches with longer edges or more irregular shapes have a much higher possibility of being inhabited by various types of edge species. Through comparison of the wildlife protection areas recommended in this study to the current wildlife protection areas, we recognized that the current wildlife protection areas need boundary adjustments in order for wildlife animals to survive by themselves with water sources and food.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2012

To select 10 representatives for the ecotourism networks around the areas bordering national rivers in Korea, the spatial ranges for ecotourism have been established, the ecotourism potential analyzed, and the ecotourism resources information collected by the Regional Environmental Offices and the Korea National Park Service has undergone reviews, amendments, supplements, and verification processes through familiarization tour previews, and the following main results have been derived. First, the spatial ranges of the eco-tourism networks have been set as the watershed areas that include areas around the four major rivers and the rivers. Second, the areas with high potential value for ecotourism were selected through the analysis of ecotourism potential. Since EGIS was used for the analysis, it was inevitable that insufficient amount of localized information was reflected, and the use of the results as reference for the potential would be feasible. Third, it was possible, by reviewing, amending and complementing the results of ecological resource information collected by the Regional Environmental Offices and the Korea National Park Service, to select 50 representative ecological resources around the national rivers. The selected resources were considered for the adjacency, attractiveness of ecological resources, and uniqueness of the national rivers, and they were derived by screening expert advice, official opinion, and geographical analysis information. Fourth, 10 representative ecotourism networks based on watershed areas were selected, and suitable themes were given based on the resource characteristics. Fifth, the appropriateness for ecotourism has been confirmed, with the familiarization tour previews and survey results, preservation of the future ecotourism resources, and the establishment of the foundation as the basis. In the future, the remaining 9 ecotourism networks would also need to undergo a verification process such as familiarization tours. It is deemed that, through future ecotourism contests, if the programs that select locally-pioneered tourism programs resulting from the capacities of local entities and residents, then it would be more effective in discovering resources that are more localized and of higher regional value.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2020

National parks and other protected areas often do not adequately protect national biodiversity because they were originally created for socio-economic and/or aesthetic values. The Korean government has committed to expanding the extent of protected areas to fulfill its commitments to the Aichi Biodiversity Convention. To do so, it is necessary to quantify the current levels of biodiversity representation within existing protected areas and to identify additional conservation needs for vulnerable species and ecological systems. In this study, we assess the proportion of species ranges found in South Korea's protected areas, for the species documented in the 3^rd National Ecosystem Survey. We modeled the range distribution of 3,645 species in the following taxonomic groups; plants (1,545 species), mammals (35), birds (132), herptiles (35), and insects (1,898) using the MaxEnt species distribution model and calculated how much of each species' range is within protected areas. On average, 17.4% of plant species' ranges are represented in protected areas, while for mammals and insects an average 12.0% is currently conserved. Conservation representation for herptiles averages 9.3%, while it is 8.6% for birds. Although large proportions of species that have restricted distributions should be represented in protected areas, 17 plant species, two insects (Parnassius bremeri and Lasioglossum occidens), and one bird species (Phylloscopus inornatus) with ranges smaller than 1,000 ㎢ have less than 10% of their ranges within protected areas. Establishing specific conservation goals such as the protection of endangered species or vulnerable taxonomic groups will increase the efficiency of the biodiversity conservation strategies. In addition, lowland coastal areas are critical for biodiversity conservation because the protected areas in South Korea are mainly composed of high mountainous areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 2017

Recently, the 'Ecological Network Restoration Project at Chupungnyeong' has been placed; this project is located at the center of the Baekdu mountain spine, the core of the ecological network of the Korean Peninsula. In the process of industrialization since the early 1900s, this area has been under railroad and road construction; as such, wildlife movements have been interrupted and many cases of road-kill have been found. The investment in railroads has increased because railroads are an environmentally sound means of transportation. Single track railways have been converted to double track electric railways and track reforming projects are underway in order to speed up the current railway system. This study suggests to take land use as a standard for assessing the ecological weaknesses of the domestic geo-spaces that are to be affected by rapid extension of railway lines. The land cover map issued by the Ministry of Environment was overlapped with the Korean Railway Line Map for analysis. The results showed that five items were high in sensitivity: paddy fields, fields, deciduous forests, bare land, and inland waters. It seems to be necessary to set weights for highly sensitive land use types; also, specific evaluation criteria need to be reestablished.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.272-281
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• 2023

Ecosystem observatories are burgeoning globally in an endeavour to detect national and global scale trends in the state of biodiversity and ecosystems in an era of rapid environmental change. In this paper we highlight the additional importance of regional scale outcomes of such infrastructure, through an introduction to the Great Western Woodlands TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network) SuperSite, and key findings from three gradient plot networks that are part of this infrastructure. The SuperSite was established in 2012 in the 160,000 km² Great Western Woodlands region, in a collaboration involving 12 organisations. This region is globally significant for its largely intact, diverse landscapes, including the world's largest Mediterranean-climate woodlands and highly diverse sandplain shrublands. The dominant woodland eucalypts are fire-sensitive, requiring hundreds of years to regrow after fire. Old-growth woodlands are highly valued by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and managing impacts of climate change and the increasing extent of intense fires are key regional management challenges. Like other TERN SuperSites, the Great Western Woodlands TERN SuperSite includes a core eddy-covariance flux tower measuring exchanges of carbon, water and energy between the vegetation and atmosphere, along with additional environmental and biodiversity monitoring around the tower. The broader SuperSite incorporates three gradient plot networks. Two of these represent aridity gradients, in sandplains and woodlands, informing regional climate adaptation and biodiversity management by characterising biodiversity turnover along spatial climate gradients and acting as sentinels for ecosystem change over time. For example, the sandplains transect has demonstrated extremely high spatial turnover rates in plant species, that challenge traditional approaches to biodiversity conservation. The third gradient plot network represents a 400-year fire-age gradient in Eucalyptus salubris woodlands. It has enabled characterisation of post-fire recovery of vegetation, birds and invertebrates over multi-century timeframes, and provided tools that are directly informing management to reduce stand-replacing fires in eucalypt woodlands. By building regional partnerships and applying globally or nationally consistent methodologies to regional scale questions, ecological observatories have the power not only to detect national and global scale trends in biodiversity and ecosystems, but to directly inform environmental decisions that are critical at regional scales.