• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.437-449
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• 2023

This study measured PM₁₀ concentrations and wind speeds in buffer green spaces and neighborhood parks located along the road, and compared them with roadside measurementresults to understand the effect of mitigating PM₁₀ concentrations by type of green space and the influence of wind speeds on it. As a result of the analysis, the effect of mitigating PM₁₀ concentration was different depending on the type of roadside green space, and an increase in wind speed had a significant effect on reducing PM₁₀ concentration. In buffer green areas with high planting density, wind speed was low and PM₁₀ stagnated inside, resulting in the highest concentration. On the other hand, green areas in neighborhood parks with relatively low planting density had high wind speeds and the lowest PM₁₀ concentration. The non-green area within the neighborhood park recorded the highest wind speed, which was advantageous for the spread of PM₁₀, but the concentration was higherthan that of the green area. Therefore, in orderto reduce PM₁₀ concentration in roadside green space, it is necessary to create green space with good ventilation, and the combined effect of green space and wind speed seems to be more advantageous in reducing PM₁₀ concentration. Green spaces capture and remove PM inside, contributing to reducing the concentration of PM outside. In order to manage PM in the entire city and on roads, it is necessary to increase planting density and leaf area in roadside green spaces, such as buffer green spaces, so that PM can be removed within the green spaces. However, in green spaces such as neighborhood parks that are actively used by city residents, in orderto minimize damage to users due to PM, it is desirable to create green spaces with a structure that allows PM to spread to the outside rather than stagnate inside.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

Amphibians are a taxonomic group that ecologically connects terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems. They play a very important role in the food chain of the ecosystem. It is known that there are about 5,948 species distributed all over the world, but after the Industrial Revolution, due to industrialization and urbanization, there has been a decrease in species and populations. In particular, it is becoming a factor in exacerbating habitat fragmentation or fragmentation due to artificial canals. In orderto improve the survivalrate of wild animals in artificial canals, escape facilities are installed to reduce it. This study analyzed the slope, height of the escape facility, escape rate, and travel distance in the operating facility for Bombina orientalis, which mainly inhabits near forests. The slope of the escape facility showed a relatively similar escape success rate regardless of height at 50° and 60°, while at 70°, it showed a relatively high escape success rate at only 40cm in height. The success rate of escape from the waterway escape facility in operation was 14.71%, showing a very low utilization rate, and the recognition rate of the artificial canal escape facility was found to be very low as it moved along the side wall of the artificial canal. Therefore, in the case of a waterway escape facility for Bombina orientalis, it is possible to construct it at an angle of 60°, and if the side walls of the artificial canals are built within 60°, Bombina orientalis can move freely in both directions, overcoming the low utilization rate of existing waterway escape facilities. It is expected to minimize the impact of movement and death of artificial canals. In addition, if the spacing between escape facilities is narrowed from the installation standard of 30m and ramps are constructed in both directions upstream and downstream, the escape success rate of amphibians,reptiles, and small mammals otherthan lady frogs is expected to improve.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2017

CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) is a technical process to capture $CO_2$ from industrial and energy-based sources, to transfer and sequestrate impressed $CO_2$ in geological formations, oceans, or mineral carbonates. However, potential $CO_2$ leakage exists and causes environmental problems. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the spatial and temporal variations of $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations after artificial $CO_2$ release. The Environmental Impact Evaluation Test Facility (EIT) was built in Eumseong, Korea in 2015. Approximately 34kg $CO_2$ /day/zone were injected at Zones 2, 3, and 4 among the total of 5 zones from October 26 to 30, 2015. $CO_2$ fluxes were measured every 30 minutes at the surface at 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, and 10m from the $CO_2$ releasing well using LI-8100A until November 13, 2015, and $CO_2$ concentrations were measured once a day at 15cm, 30cm, and 60cm depths at every 0m, 1.5m, 2.5m, 5m, and 10m from the well using GA5000 until November 28, 2015. $CO_2$ flux at 0m from the well started increasing on the fifth day after $CO_2$ release started, and continued to increase until November 13 even though the artificial $CO_2$ release stopped. $CO_2$ fluxes measured at 2.5m, 5.0m, and 10m from the well were not significantly different with each other. On the other hand, soil $CO_2$ concentration was shown as 38.4% at 60cm depth at 0m from the well in Zone 3 on the next day after $CO_2$ release started. Soil $CO_2$ was horizontally spreaded overtime, and detected up to 5m away from the well in all zones until $CO_2$ release stopped. Also, soil $CO_2$ concentrations at 30cm and 60cm depths at 0m from the well were measured similarly as $50.6{\pm}25.4%$ and $55.3{\pm}25.6%$, respectively, followed by 30cm depth ($31.3{\pm}17.2%$) which was significantly lower than those measured at the other depths on the final day of $CO_2$ release period. Soil $CO_2$ concentrations at all depths in all zones were gradually decreased for about 1 month after $CO_2$ release stopped, but still higher than those of the first day after $CO_2$ release stared. In conclusion, the closer the distance from the well and the deeper the depth, the higher $CO_2$ fluxes and concentrations occurred. Also, long-term monitoring should be required because the leaked $CO_2$ gas can remains in the soil for a long time even if the leakage stopped.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.127-139
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• 2017

Measurements of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of $CO_2$ based on the eddy covariance technique provide reasonable carbon balance estimates in response to local environmental conditions. In South Korea, the forest ecosystems cover approximately 64% of the total area, thereby strongly affecting regional carbon balances. Cultivated croplands that cover about 17% of the total area should also be considered when calculating the carbon balance of the country. In this study, our objectives were (a) to quantify the range and seasonal variation of NEE at forest ecosystems, including deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, and agricultural ecosystems, including rice paddies and a potato field, in South Korea and (b) to compare NEE at ten Fluxnet sites that have the same or similar ecosystems as found in South Korea. The results showed that the forest and agricultural ecosystems were carbon sinks. In Korea, NEE at the forest ecosystems varied between -31 and $-362gC/m^2/yr$, and NEE at the croplands ranged from -210 to $-248gC/m^2/growing$ season. At the deciduous forest, NEE reached low values in late spring, early summer, and early autumn, while at the coniferous forest, it reached low values in spring, early summer, and mid autumn. The young mixed forest was a much stronger carbon sink than the old-growth deciduous and coniferous forests. During each crop growing season, beet had the lowest NEE value within six crops, followed by wither wheat, maize, rice, potato, and soybean. These results will be useful for designing and applying management strategies for the reduction of $CO_2$ emissions.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.440-456
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• 2019

The controversy of the risk perception related to particulate matters becomes significant. Therefore, in order to understand the nature of the particulate matters, we gathered articles and comments in on-line community related to bicycling which is affected by exposure of the particulate matters. As a result, firstly, the government - led particulate matter policy was strengthened and segmented every period, butthe risk perception related to particulate matters in the bicycle community has become active and serious. Second, as a result of analyzing the perception change of outdoor activities related to particulate matters, bicycle users in community showed a tendency of outdoor activity depending on the degree of particulate matters ratherthan the weather. In addition, the level of the risk perception related to particulate matters has been moved from fears of serious threat in daily life and health, combined with the disregard of domestic particulate matter levels or mask performance. Ultimately, these risk perception related to particulate matters have led some of the bicycling that were mainly enjoyed outdoors to the indoor space. However, in comparison with outdoor bicycling enjoyed by various factors such as scenery, people, and weather, the monotonous indoor bicycling was converted into another type of indoor exercise such as fitness and yoga. In summary, it was derived from mistrust of excessive information or policy provided by the government or local governments. It is considered that environmental policy should be implemented after discussion of risk communication that can reduce the gap between public anxiety and concern so as to cope with the risk perception related to particulate matters. Therefore,this study should be provided as an academic basis for the effective communication direction when decision makers establish the policy related to particulate matters.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-112
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• 2019

Over the last few years, air pollution ($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$) in the Seoul metropolitan area (SMA) has emerged as one of the most concerned and threatening environmental issues among the residents. It brings about various harmful effects on human health, as well as ecosystem and industrial activities. Governments and individuals pay various costs to mitigate the level of air pollutants. This study aims to empirically find the willingness to pays (WTP) among the parents from different socio-cultural groups - international and domestic groups to mitigate air pollution ($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$) in their residential area. Contingent Valuation Methods (CVM) is used with employing single-bounded dichotomous choice technique to elicit the respondent's WTP. Using tobit (censored regression) and probit models, the monthly mean WTP of the pooled sample for green electricity which contributes to improve air quality in the region was estimated as 3,993 KRW (3.58 USD). However, the mean WTP between the international group and domestic group through a sub-sample analysis shows broad distinction as 3,325KRW (2.98 USD) and 4,449 KRW (3.98 USD) respectively. This is because that socio-cultural characteristics of each group such as socio-economic status, personal experience, trust in institutions and worldview are differently associated with the WTP. Based on the results, the society needs to raise awareness of lay people to find a strong linkage between the current PM issue and green electricity. Also, it needs to improve trust in the government's pollution abatement policy to mobilize more assertive participation of the people from different socio-cultural background.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.160-170
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to perform clustering of the habitat types and to identify the characteristics of species in the habitat types using mammal data (70,562) of the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey conducted from 2006 to 2012. The 15 habitat types recorded in the field-paper of the 3rd National ecosystem survey were reclassified, which was followed by the statistical analysis of mammal habitat types. In the habitat types cluster analysis, non-hierarchical cluster analysis (k-means cluster analysis), hierarchical cluster analysis, and non-metric multidimensional scaling method were applied to 14 habitat types recorded more than 30 times. A total of 7 Orders, 16 Families, and 39 Species of mammals were identified in the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey collected nationwide. When 11 clusters were classified by habitat types, the simple structure index was the highest (ssi = 0.07). As a result of the similarities and hierarchies between habitat types suggested by the hierarchical clustering analysis, the residential areas were the most different habitat types for mammals; the next following type was a cluster together with rivers and coasts. The results of the non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis demonstrated that both Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus restrictively appeared in a residential area, which is the most discriminating habitat type. Lutra lutra restrictively appeared in coastal and river areas. In summary, according to our results, the mammalian habitat can be divided into the following four types: (1) the forest type (using forest as the main habitat and migration route); (2) the river type (using water as the main habitat); (3) the residence habitat (living near residential area); and (4) the lowland type (consuming grain or seeds as the main feeding resource).

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.124-138
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• 2018

This research was conducted to examine the availability of spatial data for assessing absorption rates of $CO_2$ in the forest of Ansan-si and evaluate the validity of methods that analyze $CO_2$ absorption. To statistically assess the $CO_2$ absorption rates per year, the 1:5,000 Digital Forest-Map (Lim5000) and Standard Carbon Removal of Major Forest Species (SCRMF) methods were employed. Furthermore, Land Cover Map (LCM) was also used to verify $CO_2$ absorption rate availability per year. Great variations in $CO_2$ absorption rates occurred before and after the year 2010. This was due to improvement in precision and accuracy of the Forest Basic Statistics (FBS) in 2010, which resulted in rapid increase in growing stock. Thus, calibration of data prior to 2010 is necessary, based on recent FBS standards. Previous studies that employed Lim5000 and FBS (2015, 2010) did not take into account the $CO_2$ absorption rates of different tree species, and the combination of SCRMF and Lim5000 resulted in $CO_2$ absorption of 42,369 ton. In contrast to the combination of SCRMF and Lim5000, LCM and SCRMF resulted in $CO_2$ absorption of 40,696 ton. Homoscedasticity tests for Lim5000 and LCM resulted in p-value <0.01, with a difference in $CO_2$ absorption of 1,673 ton. Given that $CO_2$ absorption in forests is an important factor that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, the findings of this study should provide fundamental information for supporting a wide range of decision-making processes for land use and management.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to estimate the concentrated distribution area of nutria (Myocastor coypus) and potential suitable habitat and to provide useful data for the effective management direction setting. Based on the nationwide distribution data of nutria, the cross-validation value was applied to analyze the distribution density. As a result, the concentrated distribution areas thatrequired preferential elimination is found in 14 administrative areas including Busan Metropolitan City, Daegu Metropolitan City, 11 cities and counties in Gyeongsangnam-do and 1 county in Gyeongsangbuk-do. In the potential suitable habitat estimation using a MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) model, the possibility of emergency was found in the Nakdong River middle and lower stream area and the Seomjin riverlower stream area and Gahwacheon River area. As for the contribution by variables of a model, it showed DEM, precipitation of driest month, min temperature of coldest month and distance from river had contribution from the highest order. In terms of the relation with the probability of appearance, the probability of emergence was higher than the threshold value in areas with less than 34m of altitude, with $-5.7^{\circ}C{\sim}-0.6^{\circ}C$ of min temperature of the coldest month, with 15-30mm of precipitation of the driest month and with less than 1,373m away from the river. Variables that Altitude, existence of water and wintertemperature affected settlement and expansion of nutria, considering the research results and the physiological and ecological characteristics of nutria. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect them as important variables in the future habitable area detection and expansion estimation modeling. It must be essential to distinguish the concentrated distribution area and the management area of invasive alien species such as nutria and to establish and apply a suitable management strategy to the management site for the permanent control. The results in this study can be used as useful data for a strategic management such as rapid management on the preferential management area and preemptive and preventive management on the possible spreading area.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.365-375
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• 2017

This study investigated in the vascular plants of special protection zones (the native land of Iris koreana in Gaeamsa Temple and Soeppulbawi Rock) of Byeonsanbando National Park and identified the whole flora. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 255 taxa including 71 families, 166 genera, 222 species, 2 subspecies, 27 varieties and 4 forms. Woody plants were identified as 114 taxa (44.7%) and herbaceous plants as 141 taxa (55.3%). A total of 178 taxa were identified in the area of Gaeamsa Temple, and 184 taxa were found in the Soeppulbawi Rock. As a legal protected species, the endangered wild plant II grade Iris koreana designated by the Ministry of Environment was confirmed. A total of 6 taxa of rare plants were identified, each of which was divided into 1 taxa of critically endangered (CR; Iris koreana), 1 taxa of vulnerable (VU; Ilex cornuta), and 4 taxa of least concern (LC; Asarum maculatum, Viola albida, Chionanthus retusa and Tricyrtis macropoda). The Korean endemic plants were 11 taxa (Populus tomentiglandulosa, Lonicera subsessilis, Carex okamotoi, etc.). In the specific plants by floristic region were 38 taxa, a degree I were 23 taxa (Euscaphis japonica, Hedera rhombea, Lophatherum gracile, etc.), 7 taxa of a degree II (Viola violacea, Ainsliaea apiculata, Cephalanthera falcata, etc.), 6 taxa of a degree III (Ilex cornuta, Callicarpa mollis, Mitchella undulata, etc.), 1 taxa of a degree IV (Carex remotiuscula), 1 taxa of a degree V (Iris koreana). The Iris koreana special protection area that is more natural and healthier than any other areas in Byeonsanbando National Park. Therefore, it should be possible to continue its role as a special protection area through regular monitoring in the future.