• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.331-341
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• 2012

Using data sets for Japan as a whole, as arranged with approximately $10{\times}10$ km squares (a secondary grid), we investigated the relationship between population density and the habitats of threatened vascular plants listed in the Japanese Red Data Book; depopulated areas in the present and future, areas where under-use may be serious, and those with a predominance of elderly people; and the present state of the habitats in terms of a characteristic land use pattern. Regarding the habitats of threatened vascular plants, the progress of deterioration [$(N_{CR}+N_{EN})/(N_{CR}+N_{EN}+N_{VU})$] in depopulated areas has been confirmed, where $N_{CR}$, $N_{EN}$, and $N_{VU}$ are the numbers of species classified as critically endangered, endangered, and vulnerable, respectively. Moreover, in grid squares used by a human such as farmland, the progress of the deterioration simply increases when population density becomes low. However, for many vascular plants, they are particularly endangered in populous areas. Local populations will decrease throughout Japan with the rate of depopulation in and around large cities being relatively slow. We also propose some issues that need further study. The deterioration by human activity may be reduced. On the other hand, some vascular plants may be adversely influenced by depopulation. Additionally, we should keep a close watch on grasslands and water areas in large cities to preserve vascular plants.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.23-23
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• 2019

There are many island areas in Jeonnam Province and various plants are naturally grown due to their regional characteristics. Among them 217species were found to be Rare-Specialty plants in Jonnam Province. There are growing 35 species of Critically Endangered(CR), 37 species of Endangered Species(EN), 54 species of Vulnerable(VU) and 36 species of Least Concern(LC), many of which are native to islands far south or western of the sea. This report briefly describes the geographical distribution location and the state of reproduction among Rare-Specialty woody plants grown in the Warm-temperature Zone of Jeonnam Province. There are growing Michella compressa(Shinan-gun), Actinidia rufa(Wando-gun), Glochidion chodoense(Jindo-gun), Rhus ambigua(Yeosu), Wikstroemia ganpi (Goheung-gun, Yeosu) among of the 35 Critically Endangered species. Woody plants of Endangered Species(EN) are growing Albizia kalkora(Mokpo, Muan-gun), Daphne kiusiana(Shinan-gun), Marsdenia tomentosa(Wando-gun), Osmanthus insuralis(Yeosu, Shinan-gun). Woody plants of Vulnerable(VU) are growing Ardisia crenata(Wando-gun, Shinan-gun), Hibiscus hamabo(Wando-gun), Illicium anisatum (Jindo-gun), Koelreuteria paniculata(Wando-gun), Wikstroemia ganpi(Youngam-gun). Woody plants of Least Concern(LC) are Celtis choseniana(Yeosu), Chionanthus retusus(Wando-gun, Goheung-gun), Cinnamomum camphora(Wando-gun, Jindo-gun), Linder sericea(Boseong-gun).

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.186-191
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• 2016

Distribution status and threatened assessment of endangered species, Pungitius sinensis (Pisces: Gasterosteidae), were investigated from March to October 2015 in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do etc., Korea. During the study period, a total of 854 individual P. sinensis were collected from 21 of 71 sampling stations using skimming nets. P. sinensis appeared in 23 streams during the past 30 years. However, it was only collected in 12 streams. Therefore, its habitats and populations were drastically reduced. The preferred habitat of P. sinensis was pool of the lower stream with lots of aquatic plants. Given these evidences of small occupying areas ($84km^2$) and drastic reduction in its habitats and populations, P. sinensis is considered as an endangered (EN) [B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)] species based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.75-92
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• 2013

The vascular plants of Thuja orientalis community in Seokmun-bong, Danyang were listed 222 taxa (4.5% of all 4,881 taxa of vascular plants); 67 families, 150 genera, 163 species, 2 subspecies, 43 varieties and 14 forms. Limestone plants, 29 taxa; Asplenium rutamuraria, Celtis koraiensis, Goodyera coreana, etc. So, Based on the legal protection species, endangered wild plants II, were recorded; Thalictrum coreanum (EN) and rare plants, 8 taxa; Thuja orientalis (LC), Exochorda serratifolia var. serratifolia (LC), Diarthron linifolium (EN), Bupleurum falcatum (VU), Lithospermum erythrorhizon (LC), Dracocephalum argunense (EN), Polygonatum robustum (EN), etc. and endemic plants, 3 taxa; Populus tomentiglandulosa (Planted plant), Thalictrum actaefolium var. brevistylum, Asperula lasiantha, etc. Based on the list of specific plants, 29 taxa; Thalictrum coreanum in class V, 7 taxa (Neillia uyekii for. uyekii, Prunus sibirica, Abelia coreana, etc.) in class IV, 8 taxa (Spiraea trichocarpa, Polygala tatarinowi, Asparagus oligoclonos, etc.) in class III, 2 taxa (Potentilla dickinsii var. dickinsii, Weigela florida) in class II, 11 taxa (Morus cathayana, Buxus microphylla var. koreana, Zizyphus jujuba var. jujuba, etc.) in class I. Based on the list of naturalized plants, 10 taxa (Robinia pseudoacacia, Oenothera biennis, Festuca arundinacea, etc.), naturalization rate (NR) was 4.5% of all 222 taxa of vascular plants and urbanization index (UI) was 3.1% of all 321 taxa of naturalized plants.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2022

Two tree frogs, Dryophytes suweonensis and Dryophytes japonicus, inhabiting Korea, are morphologically similar and share the same habitats. Therefore, they are identified mainly through their calls, especially for males. Dryophytes suweonensis is registered as an endangered (IUCN: EN grade) and protected species in South Korea. Thus, it is necessary to develop a method to rapidly identify and discriminate the two species and establish efficient protection and restoration plans. We identified significant genetic variation between them by sequencing a maternally-inherited mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA region. Based on the sequence data, we designed a pair of primers containing 7bp differences for high resolution melting(HRM) analysis to rapidly and accurately characterize their genotypes. The HRM analysis using genomic DNA showed that the melting peak for D. suweonensis was 76.4±0.06℃, whereas that of D. japonicus was 75.0±0.05℃. The differential melt curve plot further showed a distinct difference between them. We also carried out a pilot test for the application of HRM analysis based on immersing D. suweonensis in distilled water for 30 min to generate artificial environmental DNA(eDNA). The results showed 1.10-1.31℃ differences in the melting peaks between the two tree frog samples. Therefore, this HRM analysis is rapid and accurate in identifying two tree frogs not only using their genomic DNA but also using highly non-invasive eDNA.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-131
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Gyodongdo island (Ganghwa-gun). The vascular plants from 11 field surveys were revealed to belong to a total of 629 taxa; 118 families, 364 genera, 561 species, 5 subspecies, 53 varieties, 7 forms and 3 hybrids. 184 taxa were the first records from this region. The plants in Gyodongdo island are composed of the deciduous broad-leaved and conifer-mixed forests which are the common ones in the middle part of the Korean Peninsula. Five taxa of Korean endemic plants such as Clematis brachyura Maxim., Viola seoulensis Nakai, Populus ${\times}$ tomentiglandulosa T. B. Lee, Forsythia koreana (Rehder) Nakai and Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai were collected. Endangered wild plants designated by the law called 'Protection Law for Endangered wild fauna and flora' were one taxon. The red list plants according to IUCN valuation basis were examined for 13 taxa; endangered (EN) species of Prunus yedoensis Matsum., Vulnerable (VU) species of both Utricularia pilosa (Makino) Makino and Iris ruthenica var. nana Maxim., Near Threatened (NT) species of Senecio argunensis Turcz., Least Concern (LC) species of Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, Potentilla discolor Bunge, Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume, Acorus calamus L., Phacelurus latifolius (Steud.) Ohwi, Pseudoraphis ukishiba Ohwi, Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC., and Not Evaluate (NE) species of both Astragalus sikokianus Nakai and Potamogeton oxyphyllus Miq. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were a total of 47 taxa comprising three taxa of grade V, four taxa of grade IV, nine taxa of grade III, 10 taxa of grade II, and 21 taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were identified as 62 taxa and the percentage of naturalized index (NI) was 9.9 % and the percentage of urbanization index (UI) was 19.3 %, respectively. Furthermore, hemicryptophytes (28 %), therophytes (26 %), hydrophytes (13 %) and geophyte (12 %) showed high proportional ratio in life form spectrum.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to provide basic guidelines for conservation and management of endangered plants in the national parks of Korea. Iris dichotoma Pall. (Iridaceae), which is a popular garden plant, is considered a second-class endangered species by Korean government and it is listed as a EN (Endangered) species in Red Data Book of Korea. We analyzed ecological conditions of I. dichotoma habitats based on vegetation properties and soil characteristics. This species which is known to inhabit in grassland adjacent to the ocean of lowlands slope and its population was located at an elevation of 8 m to 11 m. In the study sites, the mean of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and soil pH were 6.16%, 0.234% and 5.39 respectively. Additionally, the genetic variation and structure of three populations were assessed using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. The genetic diversity of I. dichotoma (P = 59.46%, H = 0.206, S = 0.310) at the species level was relatively high. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 82.1% of the total genetic diversity was occurred in within populations and 17.9% variation among populations. Lastly, we developed predicted distribution model based on climate and topographic factors by applying SDMs (Species Distribution Models). Consequently, current status of I. dichotoma habitats is limited with natural factors such as the increase of the coverage rate of the herbs due to ecological succession. Therefore, it is essential to establish in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for protecting natural habitats and to require exploring potential and alternative habitats for reintroduction.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.192-212
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• 2015

This study was carried out to survey the flora of the vascular plants of Ulleungdo Island. Fieldwork related to the study was carried out 55 times from 2007 to 2011. The results of the study showed that the flora of Ulleungdo Island consisted of a total of 494 taxa, with 93 families, 313 genera, 462 species, 6 subspecies, 52 varieties and 4 formas. Among the collected plants, there were 9 taxa of critically endangered species (CR), 6 taxa of endangered species (EN) and 12 taxa of vulnerable species (VU). Furthermore, protected species and those of floristic regional plants above degree III according to the Korean Ministry of Environment included 4 taxa and 72 taxa, respectively. In addition, 33 taxa were endemic to Ulleungdo Island and 66 taxa were naturalized plants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2017

The best source of information on the conservation status of species at a global scale is the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Until now, 236 vascular plants from Korean peninsula have been evaluated using the IUCN red list categories and criteria. It indicated that five taxa were considered as critically endangered, 20 as endangered and nine as vulnerable species as a threatened status. On the other hand, the rest (189 taxa) were assessed as a least concern, which did not qualify for threatened species categories. Korea Ministry of Environment published a revised version of 57 species list by re-classifying endangered species with idiosyncratic qualitative criteria for two levels (I and II) followed by status reviews in 2011. However, two thirds species proposed by Ministry of Environment do not qualify as threatened. The major difficulties found in applying IUCN Red List criteria at the global scale was a lack of knowledge on the status of species at broader geographic scales and the perceived difficulty the causes. The lack of consistency between two lists constrains the prioritization of species-based conservation work at the national level. Due to a lack of centralized monitoring data for most species, this status is largely qualitatively and so it carries a high level of uncertainty. This is reflected in the high number of species with an unknown population trend. The current list of endangered species of flora and fauna by the Ministry of Environment should be recognized as the national list (local and population extinction), which is different from the IUCN Red list due to the different geographical contexts. Also, it is necessary to improve the quality of evaluation and conservation management system rather than presenting massive number of endangered species list.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.90-109
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• 2016

This study aims to investigate the flora of Mt. Cheonma (Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea), including Korean endemic, rare and endangered plants. To support the biodiversity and usefulness of this investigation, we checked the red list plants, floristic regional indicator plants, climate change adaptation target plants and naturalized plants, and compared composition of plant species in Mt. Cheonma with nearby mountains. Totally, we performed 22 field investigations from April 2012 to October 2014. The number of vascular plants in this region is 433 taxa and comprised of 94 families, 266 genera, 378 species, 2 subspecies, 46 varieties, and 7 forms. Among them, there are 13 endemic plants designated by Korean Forest Service, whereas only 10 taxa are endemic species by Korean Ministry of Environment (KME). According to the IUCN criteria, there are 12 rare and endangered plants composed of 9 Least Concerned (LC), 2 Vulnerable species (VU), and one Endangered species (EN) found by Korea National Arboretum (KNA). Meanwhile, 8 taxa including 7 Least Concerned (LC) were found in Red List of KME. The floristic regional indicator plants designated by KME were 49 taxa. In addition, there are 14 taxa in The Adaptable to Climate Change Plant List designated by KNA, while only 19 taxa are naturalized plants. Generally, there are 190 common taxa in Gwangju Mountains area, and only 51 taxa are distributed in Mt. Cheonma.