• Title/Summary/Keyword: Ecological integrity

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Ecosystem Diagnosis and Evaluations Using Various Stream Ecosystem Models (다양한 하천생태모델을 이용한 생태계 진단 및 평가)

  • Kim, Ja-Hyun;Lee, Eui-Haeng;An, Kwang-Guk
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.40 no.3
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    • pp.370-378
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    • 2007
  • The objective of this research was to diagnose integrative ecological health in Bansuk Stream, one of the tributaries of Gap Stream, using the fish assemblage during July 2006${\sim}$April 2006. For this research, we selected six sampling sites and applied some approaches such as the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), and necropsy-based Health Assessment Index (HAI). The stream health condition, based on the IBI values, averaged 24 (n= 18, range: $10{\sim}46$), indicating "poor${\sim}$fair" condition according to the criteria of US EPA (1993). Physical habitat condition, based on the QHEI, averaged 116 (n=6, range: $77{\sim}139$), indicating "fair${\sim}$good" condition. Values of IBI were more correlated with 3 metrics of instream cover ($M_1$, r=0.553, p=0.017, n=18), flow/velocity ($M_3$, r=0.627, p=0.005, n=18), and riffes/bends ($M_7$, r=0.631, p=0.005, n=18) than other metrics. Value of HAI in the control was zero (i.e., excellent condition), while the values in the T1 and T2 treatments were 5 (range: 0${\sim}$30) and 50 (range: 40${\sim}$80), respectively. The maximum values of IBI (46) were coincided with zero of HAI. Thus, these approaches seem to be a good tool for a diagnosis and evaluations of stream ecosystem health.

EVALUATION OF GENETIC TOXICITY FROM ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS IN DAPHNIA MAGNA AND CHIRONOMUS TENTANS FOR APPLICATION IN ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Park, Sun-Young;Lee, Si-Won;Choi, Jin-Hee
    • Environmental Engineering Research
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    • v.11 no.5
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    • pp.277-284
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    • 2006
  • The genetic toxicity of environmental pollutants, namely, nonylphenol (NP), bisphenol A (BPA) and chloropyriphos (CP) was investigated in aquatic sentinel species, freshwater crustacean, Daphnia magna, and larva of aquatic midge, Chironomus tentans, using Comet assay. Physiological effect of such pollutants was also investigated by studying the specimens' rates of reproduction, growth and survival. Acute toxicity results showed that, as expected, Daphnia was more sensitive than Chironomus to chemical exposure. The order of acute toxicity was CP > NP > BPA in D. magna and NP > CP > BPA in C. tentans. BPA may exert a genotoxic effect on D. magna and C. tentans, given that DNA strand breaks increased in both species exposed to this compound, whereas NP- and CP-induced DNA damage occurred only in C. tentans. In vivo genotoxic data obtained in aquatic sentinel species could provide valuable information for freshwater quality monitoring. The experiments with NP-exposed D. magna showed that the pollutant has long-term effects on reproduction, whereas no short-term effect on DNA integrity was found, being an example of a false-negative result from the biomarkers perspective. This result could be interpreted that other mechanism than genetic alteration might be involved in NP-induced reproduction failure in D. magna. False-positive results from the genotoxic biomarker obtained in BPA-exposed D. magna and in NP-exposed C. tentans make it difficult to use DNA integrity as an early warning biomarker. However, as the mere presence of genotoxic compounds, which are potentially carcinogenic, is of high concern to human and ecosystem health, it could also be important to rapidly and effectively detect genotoxic compounds in the aquatic system in ways that do not necessarily accompany a higher level of alteration. Considering the potential of D. magna and C. tentans as bioindicator species, and the importance of genotoxic biomarkers in ecotoxicity monitoring, DNA damage in these species could provide useful information for environmental risk assessment.

Fish Community and Stream Health Assessment in Lake Chungju and its Tributaries (충주호의 어류상과 유입하천의 생태건강성 평가)

  • Choi, Myung-Jae;Park, Hae-Kyung;Yun, Seuk-Hwan;Lee, Jangho
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.185-196
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    • 2012
  • The fish community within the lake and 5 tributaries of Lake Chungju in spring and autumn, 2009 was surveyed. In this study, the total 128,506 individuals were collected belonging to 11 families 29 genera 34 species. The most dominant species was Squalidus japonicus coreanus that account for 91.6% of population and 49% of biomass of fish community. In the point of population, dominant species were small-sized species, which became the prey of big-sized predatory species. In the point of biomass, dominant species were predatory species which were large-sized. The most dominant species in lacustrine area was S. japonicus coreanus which accounted for 92.2% of total population and 49.1% of total biomass. The most dominant species of tributary streams was Tridentiger brevispinis which accounted for 66.4% of total population and 55.1% of total biomass. The site of C3 in lacustrine area and Dongdal-cheon in tributary streams collected the most number of species. Through ecological health evaluation of five tributary streams using 8 metric index of biological integrity (IBI) model, two streams (Dongdal-cheon, Kwang-cheon were evaluated as, "B", "good" condition, and Jangsung-cheon obtained grade C indicating "Fair" condition, Jecheon-cheon obtained grade D indicating "Poor" condition based on IBI model. Lepomis macrochirus which was designated as a domestic ecosystem-disturbing alien species with wide food niche have shown tendency to increase the number of individuals since 1991 indicating the adverse effect on not only fish community but also aquatic ecosystem food web of Lake Chungju.

Evaluation of Ecological quality and establishment of ecological restoration guideline in landscape level of Mt. Moodeung National Park (무등산국립공원의 생태적 질 평가 및 복원 가이드라인 수립)

  • Lim, Chi Hong;Park, Yong Su;An, Ji Hong;Jung, Song Hie;Nam, Kyeong Bae;Lee, Chang Seok
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.49 no.4
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    • pp.296-307
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    • 2016
  • Ecological restoration is an eco-technology, which heals the nature damaged by human activity by imitating organization and function of the integrate nature and thereby provide an inhabitable space for diverse organisms. Such an ecological restoration has to be carried out by applying restoration plan prepared based on the results of diagnostic evaluation discussed in the diversified respects. This study aims to prepare an ecological restoration plan of the damaged forest ecosystem in Mt. Moodeung National Park. To arrive at the goal, first of all, we diagnosed quality of forest landscape established in Mt. Moodeung National Park based on natural (topography, climate, and distribution of vegetation) and artificial (land use, linear landscape element) factors. In addition, we evaluated the integrity of each zone divided by linear landscape element quantitatively based on geometric property and land use intensity. As the result of analysis, topography of Mt. Moodeung National Park tended to be depended on weathering property of parent rock and vegetation zones were divided to three vegetation zones. Based on land use pattern, deciduous broad-leaved forest, evergreen needle-leaved forest, and mixed forest occupied about 90% of Mt. Moodeung National Park. Mean score of forest landscape quality was shown in $69.86{\pm}11.41$. As a result, forest landscape elements in Mt. Moodeung National Park were influenced greatly by human activity and the degree was depended on topographic condition. This study suggested the synthetic restoration plan to improve ecological quality of Mt. Moodeung National Park based on the results of diagnostic evaluation.

A Study on Moltmann's Creationism and the Ecological Integrity of Christian Education (몰트만의 창조론과 기독교교육의 생태학적 통전성 고찰)

  • Lee, Hyangsoon
    • Journal of Christian Education in Korea
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    • v.70
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    • pp.107-140
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    • 2022
  • This study is a review of the role of Christian education in the face of ecological crisis and the task of its recovery from the perspective of Moltmann's creation theory. Mankind has achieved epoch-making industrial development through several industrial revolutions. However, as a result, the ecosystem has suffered severe physical aches and has reached the point of revealing anomalies. In the face of such destruction and suffering of the ecosystem, Christian education needs to approach the ecological sensitivity toward the natural world more holistically and present a practical alternative. Moltmann reminds us that today's growing exploitation of nature by humans stems from a human-centered ecological consciousness that the world belongs to humans. At the same time, it suggests a transition to a God-centered ecological world consciousness. 'A community of creation', 'the fellowship of the Triune God', and 'eschatological new creation through the Sabbath' are key concepts that integrate God-centered ecological world consciousness. Based on Moltmann's creation theory, this article examines the ecological sensibility that Christian education should pursue from the point of view of the sacramental creative community, and reviews the role and practical alternatives of Christian education. Through this, it was derived that the world, including humans, is not owned by humans, but is a sacramental community that is built together toward the end as a part of nature and reveals the glory of God. In addition, it was suggested that Christian education need to be recognized as a suffering subject which mediates humanity and the nature of the mutual fellowship of reconciliation. in the fellowship of God. Sabbath keeping education, which celebrates God's creation and aims for the completion of the eschatological creation, will become a practical area for Christian education to practice for the restoration of the collapsed ecosystem. Moltmann's creation theory is significant in that it provides a meaningful Christian educational insight to restore the ecological environment as well as interest in the ecological environment that has been overlooked or ignored by Christian education.

Effects of Landscape Ecological Characteristics on Bird Appearance - Focused on The Nakdong River Estuary - (경관생태학적 특성이 조류출현에 미치는 영향 - 낙동강 하구를 대상으로 -)

  • Kim, Bum-soo;Yeo, Unsang;Oh, Dongha;Sung, Kijune
    • Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.287-299
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    • 2015
  • If the Nakdong River estuary is to be sustainable, land use management practices need to consider bird habitat requirements, especially given that the area serves as an important migratory bird sanctuary. In this study, bird habitats found in the Nakdong River estuary were classified into 11 different types including Phragmites australiss, mud flat, farmland, open surface in freshwater, sand bar, riparian forest, Scirpus planiculmis, waterway, construction, grasslands, and open surface in sea or brackish water. Taking into consideration the regional characteristics, habitat properties, and landscape indices, a total of 12 study sites were analyzed. Mud flat, construction, farmland, and P. australis account for 80% of the total land area. The high area ratio of construction and farmland to other types of habitat revealed a high amount of historical human activity and intervention in the area. Both patch numbers as well as patch density were high in West Nakdong River, Samrak Waterfront, Maekdo River, and Daejeo Floodgate, with these areas showing the greatest fragmentation as well. Total numbers of species and individuals had a positive correlation with the area and the number of habitat types. Findings suggest that protecting the habitat area, especially in S. planiculmis, is the most important factor for bird habitat management and that future development could result in habitat loss, having a profoundly adverse impact on bird populations. Therefore, it is important that the total area should be carefully protected by land use regulations in order to ensure that the Nakdong River estuary maintains its functional integrity as a migratory bird sanctuary.

Change of Vegetation Based on Nature-friendly River of Urban Streams in Ulsan (울산시 도심하천의 자연형 하천 조성에 따른 식생 변화)

  • Kang, Ho Seon;Cho, Hong Je
    • Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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    • v.47 no.7
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    • pp.657-670
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    • 2014
  • We researched the vegetation restoration of 5 urban streams Mugeo-choen, Yaksa-choen, Yeocheon-choen, Myeongjeong-choen and Cheokgwa-choen in Ulsan established as nature-friendly streams by improving water quality and river environment. Ecological restoration effects have resulted from the establishment of streams, which involved supplying sufficient maintenance water for each streams, eliminating the covered sections, preventing the inflow of wastewater, doing vegetation composition, since 5 to 10 years ago. The vegetation inhabitations were compared according to the conditions of physical characteristics and water quality, inland and foreland. In the Cheokgwa-cheon, which is almost a natural river, the ecological integrity of the vegetation population has been maintained quite well. The Mugeo-cheon and the Meongjeong-cheon have cleanly shown the vegetation restoration effects resulting from supplying sustainable maintenance water and wastewater treatments. In the Yaksa-cheon and the Yeocheon-cheon, on the other hand, the vegetation restoration effects and inhabitations were low due to the inflow of wastewater and sledges in some part of stream though the improvement of water quality.

Ecosystem Health Diagnosis Using Integrative Multiple Eco-metric Model Approaches

  • Kim, Hyun-Mac;Choi, Ji-Woong;An, Kwang-Guk
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.73-83
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    • 2013
  • The object of this study was to evaluate lotic ecosystem health using multiple eco-metric approaches such as water chemistry diagnosis, physical habitat health evaluations, and biological integrity modeling at 100 streams of four major watersheds. For the study, eight chemical water quality parameters such as nutrients (N, P) and organic material were measured and 11-metric models of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) and multiple eco-metric health assessment model (MEHA) were applied to the four major watershed. Nutrient analysis of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in all watersheds indicated a eutrophic state depending on the locations of sampling streams. Physical habitat health, based on the QHEI model, averaged 114 (range: 56 - 194), judging as a "good condition" by the criteria of Plafkin et al. (1989). In addition, primary (H1 - H4), secondary (H5 - H7), and tertiary habitat metric variables (H8 - H11) were analyzed in relation to the physical habitat degradations. The plots of tolerant species ($P_{TS}$) and sensitive species ($P_{SS}$) to water quality showed that the proportions of $P_{TS}$ had positive linear functions with nutrients, and that the $P_{SS}$ had inverse linear relations with the chemical variables. The model of eco-metric health assessment showed that mean MEHA was 20.4, indicating a fair condition. Overall, our data suggest that water chemistry, based on nutrients and organic matter, directly modified the trophic structures in relation to food chain in the aquatic ecosystems, and then these directly influenced the compositions of tolerance/sensitive species, resulting in degradations of overall ecological health.

Causal Relationship between Structural Characteristics of Metropolitan Neighborhoods and Homicide (도시지역의 사회구조적 특성과 살인범죄와의 인과관계 : 서울시 행정동을 중심으로)

  • Cheong, Jinseong;Kang, Wook
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.152-161
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    • 2013
  • This study attempted to test the causal effect of structural characteristics of metropolitan neighborhoods on crime, based on the ecological model of crime explanation. To this end, a Negative Binomial Regression analysis was performed for Seoul's 424 Dong Districts. Results showed that the incidence of homicide increases as much as the scales of economic disadvantage, family disruption, and commercial land use go worse. It suggested that family integrity is one of the most strong and consistent factors that could deter crime in neighborhood's contexts. Economic disadvantage and commercial land use were also critical targets as crime-generating factors. Reasoning with the results of past studies implied that neighborhood-specific approaches need to be developed for effective crime prevention. Although a few limitations could raise a caveat against such interpretation of the results, the value of this research would not be simply denied as the first attempt to utilize all Dong districts of Seoul. It is expected that this study contributes to activating Dong level research and developing effective crime control policy.

Chemical Water Quality and Fish Component Analyses in the Periods of Before- and After-the Weir Constructions in Yeongsan River

  • Kwak, Sang Do;Choi, Ji-Woong;An, Kwang-Guk
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.39 no.1
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    • pp.99-110
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    • 2016
  • The objective of this study was to analyze chemical water quality, ecological characteristics of fish compositions, and ecosystem health before- (Bwc; 2008-2009) and after-the weir construction (Awc; 2011-2012) at Juksan Weir and Seungchon Weir of Yeongsan River watershed. Suspended solids (SS) and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) in Juksan Weir increased, whereas nutrients such as total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) decreased in the epilimnetic water. In Juksan and Seungchon weirs, fish species distribution analysis in the periods of Bwc and Awc showed that sensitive species were rare and tolerant species were dominant in the community. In the analysis of trophic guild, relative abundance of carnivore species are increased to 22% and 12%, respectively, after the constructions of Seungchon Weir and Juksan Weir. Mann-Whitney U-tests of nonparametric statistical analysis indicated that omnivore and carnivore species had significant differences (p < 0.05) between the Bwc and Awc. The massive population growth of an exotic species, Micropterus salmoides, was evident in Seungchon Weir to influence on the structures of fish communities. The model values of mean Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), based on fish assemblages, were < 15, which indicates "poor" condition in the river health, and the significant difference of IBI values was not found between the Bwc and Awc.