• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2022

Background: Pollinators are important ecological elements due to their role in the maintenance of ecosystem health, wild plant reproduction, crop production and food security. The pollinator-plant interaction supports the preservation of plant and animal populations and it also improves the yield in pollination dependent crops. Having knowledge about the plant-pollinator interaction is necessary for development of pesticide risk assessment of pollinators and conservation of endangering species. Results: Traditional methods to discover the relatedness of insects and plants are based on tracing the visiting pollinators by field observations as well as palynology. These methods are time-consuming and needs expert taxonomists to identify different groups of pollinators such as insects or identify flowering plants through palynology. With pace of technology, using molecular methods become popular in identification and classification of organisms. DNA metabarcoding, which is the combination of DNA barcoding and high throughput sequencing, can be applied as an alternative method in identification of mixed origin environmental samples such as pollen loads attached to the body of insects and has been used in DNA-based discovery of plant-pollinator relationship. Conclusions: DNA metabarcoding is practical for plant-pollinator studies, however, lack of reference sequence in online databases, taxonomic resolution, universality of primers are the most crucial limitations. Using multiple molecular markers is preferable due to the limitations of developed universal primers, which improves taxa richness and taxonomic resolution of the studied community.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.87-101
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• 2023

The constituents of a watershed control a wide range of ecosystem processes, such as, carbon sequestration, nutrient retention, and biodiversity preservation. Maintenance of a healthy watershed is advantageous to humans in many direct and indirect ways. Dissolved organic matter fluorescence analysis is one of the most commonly utilized parameters for water quality measurement, pollution source tracking, and determination of the ecological state of a watershed. Throughout the recent decades, the advancement in data processing, instrumentation, and methods has resulted in many improvements in the area of watershed study with fluorescence analysis. The current trend of coupling advanced instrumentations and new comparative parameters, such as, microplastics of different types, antibiotics, and specific bacterial contaminants have been reported in watershed studies. However, conventional methodologies for obtaining fluorescence excitation emission matrices and for calculating the fluorescence and spectral indices are preferred to advanced methods, due to their easiness and simple data collection. This review aims to gain a general understanding of the use of dissolved organic matter fluorescence analysis for diagnosis and source identification of watershed pollutions, by focusing on how the studies have utilized fluorescence analysis to improve existing knowledge and techniques in recent years.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.45-66
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• 2024

This study aims to examine and analyze the diverse vascular plants in Maisan Provincial Park, with the objective of establishing fundamental data for the systematic preservation and efficient management of plant resources. A total of 23 field surveys were conducted from February 2022 to March 2023, and a total of 733 taxa were identified, including 120 families, 410 genera, 644 species, 17 subspecies, 52 varieties, 13 formas, 2 cultivars, and 5 hybrids. Among the surveyed taxa, 20 taxa were identified as rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service. Additionally, one taxa of Cyrtosia septentrionalis, a grade II endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment, was recognized. There were 26 taxa categorized as Korean endemic plants, and a total of 101 taxa represented floristic regional indicator plants. Moreover, a total of 53 taxa were identified as naturalized plants and 5 taxa were classified as ecosystem-disturbing plants. The urbanization index and naturalized plant index were calculated to be 16.5% and 7.2%, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.181-193
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• 2018

The present study was conducted to analyze the quality of the habitats of Abies koreana WILS. by using the InVEST model based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) technique and to evaluate the economic value by estimating the carbon fixation. Abies koreana WILS., an original biological species of South Korea, may be an essential element in establishing the national biological sovereignty in the future. The subjects of the present study were the national parks in Mt. Halla, Mt. Jiri, and Mt. Sobaek, which are the habitats of Abies koreana WILS. As suggested by previous studies as a limitation of the InVEST model, the utilization of the data from relevant international publications as the input data, due to the lack of the domestic input data, may decrease the accuracy of the modeling. Therefore, the AHP technique was applied for the input data. The modeling was performed with reference to the years of 1980, 1990, and 2000 for the scenario analysis. The result of the modeling showed that the habitat quality was changed most in the national park in Mt. Halla, as the habitat quality score was decreased from 0.96 in 1980 to 0.97 in 1990 and 0.94 in 2000. In the national part of Mt. Sobeak, the habitat quality was changed most in the sub-alpine zone, as the habitat quality score was decreased from 0.98 in 1980 and 0.98 in 1990 to 0.97 in 2000. The habitat quality was best conserved in the national part in Mt. Jiri, as the habitat quality score was 0.98 in 1980, 0.99 in 1990, and 0.99 in 2000. The estimated economic loss by the change of the habitat quality was 19,280,000 USD for Mt. Halla and 8,030,000 USD for Mt. Sobeak. In the present study, the habitat quality of the Abies koreana WILS, the original species of South Korea, was evaluated and the economic value of the ecological services provided by the habitats was estimated quantitatively. The result showed that the ecosystem service model may be used to qualitatively analyze the quality of a habitat located in a specific region and to estimate the economic value quantitatively. The objective evaluation of ecosystem services demonstrated in the present study may be applied to promote sustainable utilization of natural resources and conservation of the ecosystem by predicting the changes that may be caused by external factors including the development of preservation areas.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2013

This study investigated flora and vascular plants area around Buyongdae where include optimum view point Okyeonjeongsa and Gyeomamjeongsa in Hahoe Village, Andong. Based on the findings, the aim of results was attempted to suggest the management plan of the vegetation area around Buyongdae which designated UNESCO World cultural heritage and folk village in Korea. The results of the study is as the following. All flora of this site, Buyongdae in Andong, were 301 taxa; 89 families, 217 genera, 251 species, 1 subspecies, 38 varieties and 11 forms. Vegetation of each of areas in site was classified Pinus densiflora as representative forest around Buyongdae, Quercus variabilis forest around Gyeomamjjeongsa and Koelreuteria paniculata forest in river cliff of Buyongdae. The 14 taxa(Polygala tenuifolia, Koelreuteria paniculata, and others) as the rare plants and the 7 taxa(Weigela subsessilis, and others) as endemic species were recorded in the surveyed site among the whole flora. The specific plants which is categorized to degree by the Ministry of Environment appeared as 32 taxa; degree IV was 4 species; Polygala tenuifolia, etc. and degree III was 10 species; Hypodematium glandulosopilosum, Pyrrosia petiolosa, etc. and degree I was 13 species; Hemiptelea davidii, Zizyphus jujuba var. jujuba, etc. Also, the 11 taxa were recorded in limestone area as the chamaephyte; Hypodematium glandulosopilosum, Celtis koraiensis, Siphonostegia chinensis, Artemisia gmelini, and others. The naturalized plants recorded as 25 taxa; Viola arvensis, Erechtites hieracifolia, etc. and invasion of Sicyos angulatus which is ecosystem disturbing plants. The naturalization rate(NR) was 8.3% and the urbanization index(UI) was 7.8% by field survey. For recovery of indigenous to traditional vegetation landscape in Buyongdae, Pinus rigida of upper-growth and Alnus sibirica of middle-growth need thinning. In addition, the site demands both sustainable management through long-term monitering and gradual elimination method for the naturalized plants including Sicyos angulatus where found in Kyumamjeongsa. Particularly, intentional planting for decoration and cultivation around Hwachunseowon, Helianthus tuberosus must be substitute with the native plants. Meanwhile, Polygala tenuifolia is potently demanded preventing habitate, confirming additional habitate, seed securing and preservation of gene resource internally or externally. Koelreuteria paniculata; denoting feature of river cliff, including Hypodematium glandulosopilosum, Siphonostegia chinensis, Zizyphus jujuba var. jujuba, Pyrrosia petiolosa, and Celtis koraiensis, also need an assertive preservation. Futhermore, Wisteria floribunda for. floribunda, located around Galmo rock to Chunggil course, remained by colonizing form, need preservation and observation for a while. Beside that, the information boards are required to educate visiting user about safe regulations on the narrow way in rock hill.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.162-169
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• 1998

This study was carried out to assess the roles of soil and vegetation on the nutrient cycling in paddy ecosystem where excessive amounts of animal wastes were flowed in due to the rain. Experimental sites included one abandoned and four cropping paddy fields which were moderately terraced under a small farm village raising 90 milk cows and 35 deer under open-air condition. The watershed covered 4 ha with every 50% of uptown and fodder crops. Concentrations of $NH_4-N$ and $P_2O_5$ in waste water flowed into the abandoned paddy field, enforced by the rain of $56.4mm\;day^{-1}$, were $8.3mg\;{\ell}^{-1}$ and $1.8mg\;{\ell}^{-1}$, respectively. Total mass of rainfall inflow to abandoned field during rice growing period (1 May to 30 Sept.) was $20,900Mg\;ha^{-1}$. Total amounts of $NH_4-N$ and $P_2O_5$ contained in that inflow were estimated as 173 kg and 38 kg, respectively. Concentrations in the outflow water through one abandoned and four rice paddy fields were reduced by 92% for $NH_4-N$ and 95% for $P_2O_5$, as compared to those in the inflows. The reserved portions of nutrients in the abandoned paddy field ecosystem, which were the summation of the uptake by weed and residues in soil, were 29% of the inflow amount for $NH_4-N$ and 30% for $P_2O_5$. These results demonstrated that soil and vegetation in paddy field ecosystem reduced the excessive nutrients from the animal waste inflow to the extents that might be suitable not only for the better growth of rice plant, located at the lower paddy fields, but also for preservation of the downstream from eutrophication.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1040-1046
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• 2010

This research is composed of a series of survey of existing plants species by classifying biotope type of agro-ecosystem of Guksoo village area of Yangpyeong County, to collect and analyze basic data of vegetation analysis for indicators development of agro-ecosystem habitat quality. From the observation area, we found total 141 kinds of tracheophytes (53 Family 114 Genus 124 Species 16 Variety 1 Breed) and they are 3.36% of total Korean tracheophytes (4,191 kinds). Among those 141 tracheophytes, there are 23 kinds of naturalized plants (11 Family 20 Genus 20 Species 2 Variety) and they are 8.61% of total Korean naturalized plants (267 kinds). Among those 141 tracheophytes, they include 0.71% of pteridophyte, 0.71% of gymnosperm, 98.58% of angiosperm. So, most of them are angiosperm. When we classify them according to plant life form characteristics, dormant/diapause type plants include 45 species (31.91%) of annual plant (Th), 19 species (13.48%) of Th (w), 17species (12.06%) of hemicryptophyte (H). Regarding propagation type, as for the Radicoid form, there are 99 species (70.21%) of crumb structure plant, 13 species (9.22%) of $R_4$, 12 species (8.51%) of $R_{2.3}$ are the crumb structure does not make any connection on the ground or under ground. As for the Disseminule form of propagation type, there are 62 species (43.97%) of Gravity dispersal type $D_4$), 23 species (16.31%) of Wind dispersal type ($D_1$), 21 species (14.89%) of $D_{1.4}$. According to this survey of plant distribution rate by plant life form characteristics, we may acquire many knowledge about species composition of sociability, cluster's reaction against environmental elements, space usage and possible species competition in community. It may be very useful basic data for habitat preservation to keep and promote biological diversity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

The present study has monitored the changes in the biodiversity of Dunchon-Dong ecological and landscape conservation area after the restoration of the wetland, identified and analyzed the threats to the ecosystem, and presented a management plan accordingly. In this area which was forests and rice paddies in the past, apartment reconstruction is currently underway, with some hinterland forests and wetlands remaining. When we look into the change in the floras, the total number of species was 193 in 2000 before the restoration, it decreased from 2004 to 2006, and as of 2019, it was 149, showing an increasing trend. The result of comparing the species that emerged before and after the restoration showed an increase in Cyperaceae herbs such as Carex maximowiczii and Carex dispalata growing in wetland areas within forests and Schoenoplectiella juncoides and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani growing in areas within wetlands where shallow water is maintained. As a result of analyzing the change in the area ratio of each type of extant vegetation, the wetland native herbs formed the power at the highest ratio after the restoration. The change in the power of the wetland native herbs was on an increasing trend until 2007, after which it decreased much in 2010 and then gradually increased, showing values of 26.6% in 2000, 44.6% in 2002, 49.0% in 2005, 53.3% in 2007, 28.7% in 2010, and 37.3% in 2019. The cause of the decrease in 2010 was judged to be due to the vegetation management conducted to secure open water and remove organic matter in freshwater reservoirs. The amphibia which emerged from 2000 to 2019 was a total of 9 species including Hynobius leeshii, Bufo gargarizans, Kaloula borealis, and Rana uenoi. As a result of the changes in the emerging wild birds, the species diversity index before the restoration was 0.9922 in 2000, and the species diversity index after the restoration gradually increased to 1.2449 in 2005, 1.2467 in 2010, and 2.2631 in 2019. The amphibia and wild birds inhibiting in the Dunchon-Dong forest and wetland were judged to have increased through continuous wetland maintenance such as naturalized plant removal management, native plant maintenance, and open water securing management. For the ecosystem preservation management of the Dunchon-Dong ecological and landscape conservation area, it was suggested to minimize the impact of the Dunchon-Dong reconstruction project, reorganize the indiscriminate access roads adjacent to the wetland, and reorganize the main entrance to the wetland. For ecosystem restoration management, systematic restoration and ecological buffer planting were suggested to be carried out at the time of construction fence demolition.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.436-445
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• 2020

The number of protected areas has been steadily increased in Korea to achieve Aichi Target 11, and there are studies on potential protected areas that required additional designation. However, there has been an insufficient assessment of the complementarity of protected areas to conserve biodiversity effectively. This study identified the potential habitat areas using the species distribution model for plant species from the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey and compared the plant species abundance in the existing protected area and the potential protected areas using the similarity indices, such as the Jaccard index, Sorenson index, and Bray-Curtis index. As a result, we found that the complementarity of the existing protected areas and most potential protected areas were low, leading to the preservation of similar plant species. Only the buffer zone for Korea National Arboretum had high complementarity and thus is important to conserve some species with the other protected areas. This study confirmed that it was necessary to select additional protected areas outside the existing or potential protected areas to protect plant species with a low inclusion ratio of potential habitats within the protected area. This study is significant because it identified the ecological representativeness of each protected area to examine if the individual protected area can conserve unique and various species and proposed a method of finding candidate areas for additional conservation spatially. The findings of this study can be a valuable reference for the qualitative improvement of protected areas through the complementarity assessments, including animals and the effectiveness assessment study of protected areas using the National Ecosystem Survey data in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2020

With the increasing attention of the international community on climate change and biodiversity promotion programmes, the Korean government and public agencies are trying to protect and restore the ecosystem of areas protected by law, such as waterfronts, by acquiring private land. However, the inadequate purchase system has caused various problems. In this study, an efficient and systematic land purchase system was developed through ecological evaluation, focusing on the ecological and landscape conservation areas of the Donggang basin. The ecological evaluation was developed by integrating parcel-level evaluation and regional-specific evaluation, and the overall level of ecological function was established and finalized through on-site verification. As a result of verifying the purchase land of 88 parcels, it showed a relatively high agreement of more than 85.2%, and the rest of parcels (non-agreement) were considered to have had an impact on vegetation, crop harvesting, etc. due to seasonal differences in ecological evaluation and field verification. The purchasing system was ranked according to the ecological evaluation grade based on the endangered species and the distance from the core ecosystem. As a result, the purchase priority was systematically drawn up to the 5th rank for a total of 68 parcels for the private lands of Geoeun-ri, Munsan-ri, Deokcheon-ri, Unchi-ri, Gumam-ri, and Suji-ri. This study is expected to contribute to the preservation, restoration and ecological management of purchased land in the protected area in the future by establishing and proposing a systematic land purchase system based on ecological evaluation.