• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.221-231
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• 2023

Great tit (Parus major) is a bioindicator species that can measure environmental changes in urban ecosystems and plays an important role in maintaining health as a representative insectivorous bird. Researchers have utilized artificial nest box surveys to understand the reproductive ecology of the Paridae family of birds, including the Great tits, but it is difficult to conduct a macroscopic study due to spatial and temporal limitations. This study designed and applied a citizen-participatory monitoring of artificial nest boxes project to transcend the limitations of expert-centered monitoring methods. The Suwon Front Yard Bird Monitoring Team installed artificial nest boxes in green spaces in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province and observed the reproductive ecology of the Paridae family through the participation of voluntary citizen surveyors. Participants were recruited through an online survey from February 9 to February 22, 2021, and they directly performed from installation to observation of artificial next boxes from February 23 to August 31, 2021. Online education was provided to the volunteers for the entire monitoring process to lower the entry barrier for non-expert citizen surveyors and collect consistent data, and observation records were collected through a mobile app. A total of 98 citizen surveyors participated in the citizen-participatory monitoring of artificial nest boxes project, and 175 (84.95%) of the 256 distributed artificial nest boxes were installed in green spaces in Suwon City. Among the installed artificial nest boxes, the results of the citizen science project were confirmed for 173 (83.98%), excluding two boxes with position coordinate generation errors. A total of 987 artificial nest box observation records were collected from citizen surveyors, with a minimum of one time, a maximum of 26 times, and an average of 5.71±4.37 times. The number of observations of artificial birdhouses per month was 70 times (7.09%) in February, 444 times (44.98%) in March, 284 times (28.77%) in April, 133 times (13.48%) in May, 46 times (4.66%) in June, 6 times (0.61%) in July, and 4 times (0.41%) in August. Birds using the artificial nest boxes were observed in 57 (32.95%) of the 173 installed artificial nest boxes, and they included Great tit (Parus major) using 12 boxes (21.05%), Varied Tit (Parus varius) using 7 boxes (12.28%), and unidentified birds using 38 boxes (66.67%). This study is the first to consider citizen participation in the monitoring of artificial nest boxes, a survey method for the reproductive ecology of the Paridae family, including Great tits, and it can be utilized as basic data for the design of ecological monitoring combined with citizen science in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.110-126
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• 2024

This study conducted a classification of small-scale biological habitats created in Seoul to analyze and synthesize location characteristics, habitat structure, biological habitat functions, and threat factors of representative sites, as well as derive creation and management problems according to the ecological characteristics. The aim was to suggest improvement measures and management items. Data collected through a field survey was used to categorize 39 locations, and 8 representative sites were selected by dividing them into location, water system, and size as classification criteria for typification. Due to the characteristics of each type, the site was created in an area where amphibian movement was disadvantageous due to low or disconnected connectivity with the hinterland forest, and the water supply was unstable in securing a constant flow and maintaining a constant water depth. The habitat structure has a small area, an artificial habitat structure that is unfavorable for amphibians, having the possibility of sediment inflow, and damage to the revetment area. The biological habitat function is a lack of wetland plants and the distribution of naturalized grasses, and threats include the establishment of hiking trails and decks in the surrounding area. Artificial disturbances occur adjacent to facilities. When creating habitats according to the characteristics of each type, it was necessary to review the possibility of an artificial water supply and introduce a water system with a continuous flow in order to connect the hinterland forest for amphibian movement and locate it in a place where water supply is possible. The habitat structure should be as large as possible, or several small-scale habitats should be connected to create a natural waterfront structure. In addition, additional wetland plants should be introduced to provide shelter for amphibians, and facilities such as walking paths should be installed in areas other than migration routes to prevent artificial disturbances. After construction, the management plan is to maintain various water depths for amphibians to inhabit and spawn, stabilize slopes due to sediment inflow, repair damage to revetments, and remove organic matter deposits to secure natural grasses and open water. Artificial management should be minimized. This study proposed improvement measures to improve the function of biological habitats through the analysis of problems with previously applied techniques, and based on this, in the future, small-scale biological habitat spaces suitable for the urban environment can be created for local governments that want to create small-scale biological habitat spaces, including Seoul City. It is significant in that it can provide management plans.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.565-575
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to derive political implications and to look into the establishment of new directions for the biotope mapping across the Korean territory so that such biotope mapping process could be used as a means of actual plan for natural environment preservation through the comparative study of biotope mapping methodology with that of the biotope mapping pioneer-Germany. As for research methodology, this study collected literature and data related to the biotope mapping of Korea and Germany and examined the general characteristics and inclinations about biotope mapping of both country, at a level of the national territory, federal government, provincial government, city and settlement areas. As a result of the examination, first, it was found that Germany drew up a landscape eco-type map and ecological landscape grade map throughout the nation in order to preserve and manage effectively by differential landscape eco-type unit. In contrast, Korea drew up a map on which Degree of Green Naturality and Ecological Nature Status are reflected for natural environment preservation at a nationwide unit. Secondly, the biotope mapping of German was worked centering on natural areas and their corresponding areas at German provincial government level and it drew up a Red-list by each province, while Korea has yet to carry out biotope mapping at a provincial level corresponding to Germany's. Thirdly, the biotope mapping on German cities and settlement areas includes not only big city areas but also medium & small cities and rural areas whereas Korean biotope mapping is conducted mainly centering on urban areas. In conclusion, this study suggests that the biotope mapping including natural areas and anti-natural area, not limited to city areas should be revitalized in order to be a real means of the all territory's balanced natural environment and biotope preservation & management. In addition, for this purpose, this study suggests that research on biotope pattern catalog and biotope red-list applicable to all territory should be preceded.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.457-471
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• 2014

This study aims to present an evaluation scheme to improve the problems in tree shapes and tree growth which were identified through shape and growth assessments of landscape trees currently planted in Haedoji Park, Songdo, Incheon Metropolitan City after plant structure status and propriety review for funtion of space and concept of planting. Suitability the planting concept was evaluated according to function of space. The result indicated that the shade planting areas accounted for 29.5% of the the shade spaces area. 58.7%, respectively planting areas of visual landscape. And 11.8%, respectively planting areas of buffer. Because the planting areas was lacked according to the park established spatial configuration of central facilities and the result of plant young trees. Plant structure status required consideration with plant structure, density, size, growth status for improve planting function. The tree assessment was performed on a total of 28 species and 600 trees of which 22 species and 209 trees were planted in the buffer zone, 8 species and 71 trees in the shade zone, 16 species and 266 trees in the visual landscape zone, and 4 species and 54 trees in the ecological landscape zone. The trees were divided into grades based on their assessment score and were statistically grouped by the functional zone in where they are planted and by tree species to verify their significance. The tree shape assessment was an average of 56.6 points and the tree growth assessment was an average of 76.0 points. Using the results of the tree assessments, the tree standards for each functional space were identified and a concept of optimum planting and cultivating was applied. When applying the shape assessment results by zone to the concept of planting, since trees for buffering require high functionality they received E's, the lowest grade; as trees for ecological landscaping require diverseness and naturalness, they received D's; since trees for shading require utilization, they received C's as trees with branching at the main stems were considered; and since trees for visual landscaping required aesthetical value, they received A's and B's. When applying the growth assessment results by zone to the concept of planting, based on planting foundations of favorable and poor, for buffering, visual landscaping, and ecological landscaping, trees from grades A to E could be planted, and for shading, trees from grades A to C could be planted. For a cultivation plan that could improve the growth of the trees, we proposed that the topography of the land be selected considering the tree's characteristics and that a method of pot seeding be used. Also, to improve the shape of the trees, we proposed that poles be used to improve the growth of vertically-straight stems, an appropriate planting density be applied for reasonable branch growth, manage tree shape to maintain good crowning, and better manage fertilization to maintain a reasonable crown density.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.579-591
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the actual vegetation, the structure of plant community, and ecological succession sere of forest ecosystem in temperate northern climate zone, Daegwallyeong Ranch, Gangwon-do (Province) and to offer the basic data for planning of the forest managemant. As a result of analysis of actual vegetation, vegetation types divided into 56types and the area of survey site was $19,397,361m^2$. The ratio of vegetation type dominated by Quercus mongolica forest was 39.1%, primary grassland was 24.7%, Quercus mongolica-Deciduous broad-leaved forest was 11.3%. Twenty eight plots (size is $20m{\times}20m$) were set up and the results analyzed by DCA which in one of the ordination technique showed that the plant communities were divided into six groups which area community I (Pinus densiflora-Quercus mongolica community), community II (Quercus mongolica-Pinus densiflora community), community III (Quercus mongolica community), community IV (Quercus mongolica-Deciduous broad-leaved community), community V (Deciduous broad-leaved community), community VI (Sorbus alnifolia community). The age of community Iwas ranged from 57 to 62 years old, that of community IIwas ranged from 41 to 77 years old, community III was ranged from 47 to 108 years old, community IV was ranged from 47 to 82 years old, community V was 47 years old, community VI was 55 years old, thus we supposed that the age of the study site is about from 41 to 108 years old. The Ecological succession is predicted from Pinus densiflora community to Quercus mongolica community and Deciduous broad-leaved were distributed in the center of the valley in Daegwallyeong Ranch. According to the index of Shannon's diversity (unit: $400m^2$), community IV was ranged from 0.8203 to 1.1439, community III was ranged from 0.8019 to 1.1375, community V was 1.0993, community I was ranged from 0.9475 to 1.0797, community II was ranged from 0.6896 to 1.0324, community VI was 0.9909.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.593-603
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• 2012

This study was carried out to investigate the ecological succession sere and conservative value, and to provide the basic data for the planning of the Provincial Park Management in Seonamsagol(Valley), Jogyesan(Mt.) Provincial Park(altitude 884m), Suncheon City, Korea by analysing the structure of the plant community. Twenty plots(size is $20m{\times}20m$) were set up at an altitude of range from 315m to 480m. As a result of analysis of TWINSPAN which is one of the ordination technique, the plant communities were divided into four groups which are community I(Quercus variabilis community), community II(Q. serrata community), community III(Decideous broad-leaved plant community), and community IV(Carpinus tschonoskii community). The warmth index is $104^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$ based on the data of monthly mean temperature during the past thirty years(1981~2010), so we found out that the vegetation of the study site located in the South Temperate Climate Zone. We supposed that the ecological succession sere of the study site is in the early stage of developing from Q. serrata community to Carpinus tshonoskii community, however we should do a long-term monitoring to investigate the changes of the ecological succession each plant community, meanwhile Sasa borealis was dominant species in the shrub layer. The diameter at breast height of specimen tree is range from 20 to 55cm(average 36cm) and the height of that is range from 14 to 35m(average 23cm). The age of community I was 64 years old, that of community II was from 59 to 64 years old, that of community III was from 51 to 62 years old, and that of community IV was from 41 to 68 years old, thus the age of the study site is about from 38 to 72 years old. According to the index of Shnnon's diversity(unit: $400m^2$), community IV was ranged from 0.8452 to 1.2312, community III was ranged from 0.8044 to 1.1404, community II was ranged from 0.8221 to 0.9971, and community I was 0.8324.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.733-743
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• 2020

We estimated the carbon storage of coal mines reclaimed using Betula platyphylla (BP), Pinus koraiensis (PK), and Pinus spp. (PS, Pinus densiflora, Pinus rigida, and Pinus thunbergii). The carbon storage of tree biomass (TB), forest floor(FF), mineral soil (MS), and the total forest were quantified. Reclaimed sites were located in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Jeollanam-do; reclamation was conducted at various times in each region. The carbon storage (ton C ha^-1) in FF (BP: 3.31±0.59, PK: 3.60±0.93, PS: 4.65±0.92), MS (BP: 28.62±2.86, PK: 22.26±5.72, PS: 19.95±3.90), and the total forest(BP: 54.81±7.22, PK: 47.29±8.97, PS: 45.50±6.31) were lower than that of natural forests (NF). The carbon storage in TB was lower in BP (22.57±6.18) compared to NF, while those in PK(21.17±8.76) and PS (20.80±6.40) were higher than in NF. While there were no significant differences in the carbon storage of TB, FF, and the total forest among tree species, results from MS showed a significant difference among species. TB and the total forest carbon storages in all sites increased after reclamation. Soil pH and cation exchange capacity values in BP and PS were lower than in NF. Amounts of labile carbon, available phosphate, and microbial biomass carbon in reclaimed sites were less than half of NF. There are a number of methods that could increase the reclamation efficiency. Applications of lime or organic fertilizers, as well as tillage operations, may improve soil properties in reclaimed coal mines. Additionally, pruning and thinning would increase tree growth thereby increasing carbon storage.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.429-438
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• 2023

The forest in the lower Tumen River serves as an important ecosystem spanning the territories of North Korea, Russia, and China, and it provides habitat and movement corridors for diverse mammals, including the endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris) and Amur leopard (Panthera pardus). This study focuses on the Mijiang area, situated as a potential ecological corridor connecting North Korea and China in the lower Tumen River, playing a crucial role in conserving and restoring the biodiversity of the Korean Peninsula. This study aimed to identify mammal species and estimate their relative abundance, occupancy, and distribution based on the 48 camera traps installed in the Mijiang area from May 2019 to May 2021. The results confirmed the presence of 18 mammal species in the Mijiang area, including large carnivores like tigers and leopards. Among the dominant mammals, four species of ungulates showed high occupancy and detection rates, particularly the Roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa). The roe deer was distributed across all areas with a predicted high occupancy rate of 0.97, influenced by altitude, urban residential areas, and patch density. Wild boars showed a predicted occupancy rate of 0.73 and were distributed throughout the entire area, with factors such as wetland ratio, grazing intensity, and spatial heterogeneity in aspects of the landscape influencing their occupancy and detection rates. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) exhibited a predicted occupancy rate of 0.48, confined to specific areas, influenced by slope, habitat fragmentation diversity affecting detection rates, and the ratio of open forests impacting occupancy. Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) displayed a very low occupancy rate of 0.06 along the Tumen River Basin, with higher occupancy in lower altitude areas and increased detection in locations with high spatial heterogeneity in aspects. This study confirmed that the Mijiang area serves as a habitat supporting diverse mammals in the lower Tumen River while also playing a crucial role in facilitating animal movement and habitat connectivity. Additionally, the occupancy prediction model developed in this study is expected to contribute to predicting mammal distribution within the disrupted Tumen River basin due to human interference and identifying and protecting potential ecological corridors in this transboundary region.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.122-129
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• 2016

It is important to know the sensitivity of shrubs to de-icing salt in order to set guidelines for ecological tolerance of evergreen shrubs along roads. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of de-icing salt, calcium chloride($CaCl_2$), on the growth and physiological characteristics of three evergreen shrubs, Euonymus japonica, Rhododendron indicum, and Buxus koreana. Plants were exposed to calcium chloride at different concentrations(weight percentage, 0% as control, 1.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0%) through amended soil maintained from the start of the experiment in October of 2014 until termination in March of 2015. The survival rate, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf shape index, number of leaves, fresh weight, dry weight, dry matter, root/top ratio, chlorophyll contents, fluorescence, photosynthesis, stomatal conduct, and transpiration rate were recorded. Elevated calcium chloride concentrations decreased plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf shape index, fresh weight, dry weight, dry matter, and R/T ratio of the three shrubs. Root growth responded more sensitively than the top growth to salinity. However Euonymus japonica was more tolerant to salt stress than Rhododendron indicum and Buxus koreana. Their growths were totally inhibited by $CaCl_2$ above 3.0% and 1.0% concentrations, respectively. Chlorophyll content, fluorescence, photosynthesis, stomatal conduct, and transpiration rate of both Rhododendron indicum and Buxus koreana were reduced sharply, while Euonymus japonica exhibited mild reductions compared to plants grown in control when increasing calcium chloride was used. Especially, the transpiration rates of Rhododendron indicum, and the photosynthesis and stomatal conduct of Buxus koreana were suppressed as the concentrations of calcium chloride increased. Therefore, Euonymus japonica should be considered as an ecologically tolerant species with proven tolerance to de-icing salt.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.342-356
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• 2014

This study aims to provide the fundamental data for restoration through the analysis of vegetation structure characteristic for managed area with deforest and fumigation among the places damaged by oak wilt disease in Bukhansan National Park. Study areas were selected in six damaged areas with 18 plots ($20m{\times}20m$) including comparing plots between year 2006 and year 2011 after preliminary study finding the exact location with easy access. Analysis items are density and coverage of under story layer, Importance Percentage of under story layer and Importance Percentage of urban adapted species and alien species. As a result, density and coverage under the canopy layer's vegetation was higher than comparing plot in Musugol valley and Soquicheon valley which 4 years and more passed. And Wondobong, Darakwon, Doseonsa and Dobong valley which had not been passed 3 years after deforestation and fumigation decreased in those of vegetation. However, the plots in Wondobong and Doseonsa was analyzed to be higher in density of shrubs than comparing plot. In terms of distirbution of species in under canopy layer which is grown as a upper vegetation, Quercus serrata and Sorbus alnifolia dominated each other in under canopy layer except for Wondobong and Darakwon. Wondobong continuously maintained Quercus mongolica and Q. mongolica and Pinus densiflora dominated in under canopy layer of Darakwon. S. alnifolia which is Urban adapted species were distributed in most study areas. In terms of alien species, Magnolia obovata and Robinia pseudoacacia were newly intruded in the opened crown, and Pueraria thunbergiana was distributed in Soquicheon valley. As the result of soil analysis, acidification(pH 4.49) and low level of organic matter(3.23%), available phosphate(1.40mg/kg) and exchangeable cation were analyzed and it was considered that those environment poorly support the vegetation growth.