• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.3 s.113
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• pp.341-351
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• 2005

Ecological stream health, based on the index of biological integrity (IBI) , was evaluated at five sampling locations of Youdeung Stream during August-October 2004. For the study, we also analyzed spatial and temporal patterns of conventional water quality over tine period of 1995 ${\sim}$ 2004, using the water chemistry dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. The water quality parameters used here were conductivity, total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand $(BOD_5)$, chemical oxygen demand $(COD_{mn})$, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). The multi-metric model values averaged 27.8 in the stream and ranged 24 ${\sim}$ 32. The health condition was judged as 'Fair' to 'Poor' conditions, according to the stream health criteria of US EPA (1993). Longitudinal variation occurred from the upstream to downstream reach; largest differences in all water quality variables occurred between Site 5 and the other sites. This was mainly attributed to the impacts of wastewater treatment plants near the locations. Also, relative proportions of tolerance and omnivore species increased in downstream reaches. The model values, however, did not match the values, based on water quality parameters. We assume that this may be associated with primarily reduced water volumn during dry season in the stream along with modified physical habitat conditions.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 2010

The ecological characteristics of the Korean Aucha perch, Coreoperca herzi, were determined in order to estimate stock of the mid-upper system of the Seomjin River. The age was determined by counting the otolith annuli. The oldest fish observed in this study was 5 years old. Relationships between body length (BL) and body weight (BW) were $BW=0.0195BL^{3.08}$ ($R^2=0.966$) (p<0.01). Relationships between the otolith radius (R) and body length (BL) were BL=3.882R+1.66 ($R^2=0.944$). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated from a non-linear regression method were $L_{\infty}=19.68\;cm$, $W_{\infty}=188.64\;g$, $K=0.17\;year^{-1}$ and $t_0=-1.46$ year. Therefore, growth in length of the fish was expressed by the von Bertalanffy's growth equation as $L_t=19.68$ ($1-e^{-0.17(t+1.46)}$) ($R^2=0.997$). The annual survival rate (S) was estimated to be $0.666\;year^{-1}$. The instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) of estimated from the Zhang and Megrey method was $0.346\;year^{-1}$, and instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality (F) was calculated $0.061\;year^{-1}$. From the estimates of survival rate (S), the instantaneous coefficient of total mortality(Z) was estimated to be $0.407\;year^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.184-192
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• 2007

This study was to evaluate ecological health of Sumjin River during April${\sim}$June 2006. The ecological health assessments was based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), Qualitative Babitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), and water chemistry. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 10 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. We also analyzed spatial patterns of chemical water quality over the period of $2002{\sim}2005$, using the water chemistry dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. In Sumjin River, values of IBI averaged 33 (n= 12), which is judged as a "Fair${\sim}$Good" condition after the criteria of Barbour at al. (1999). There was a distinct spatial variation. Mean IBI score at Site 5 was estimated as 40, indicating a "Good" condition whereas, the mean at Site 3 was 23, indicating a "Poor${\sim}$Fair" condition. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI values in the river averaged 109 (n=6), indicating a "Marginal" condition after the criteria of Harbour et al. (1999). Values of BOD and COD averaged 1.3 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: $0.9{\sim}1.8$ mg $L^{-1}$) and 3.3 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: $2.8{\sim}4.0$ mg $L^{-1}$), respectively during the study. It was evident that chemical pollutions by organic matter were minor in the river. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged 2.5 mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.067 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, and the nutrients did not show large longitudinal gradients between the upper and lower reach. Overall, dataset of IBI, QHEI, and water chemistry suggest that river health has been well maintained, compared to other major watersheds in Korea and should be protected from habitat disturbance and chemical pollutions.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.8-34
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• 2014

We reviewed foreign evaluation systems based on the macrobenthic and macroalgal communities and developed a system, composed of a set of ecological indices able to evaluate the functionality (FI, Functional Index; estimation of stability and productivity) and maturity (MI, Maturity Index; comparisons with biological parameters of natural reefs) of artificial reefs by comparing the status in the adjacent natural reefs in Korean coastal waters. The evaluation system was applied to natural and artificial reefs/reef-planned areas (natural reefs), established in the 5 marine ranching areas (Bangnyeong-Daechung, Yeonpyung, Taean, Seocheon and Buan) in the west coast of Korea. The FI ranged between 31.6 (Bangnyeong-Daechung) and 72.5% (Buan) and MI did between 53.1 (Seocheon) and 76.9% (Taean) in average. The evaluation of artificial reefs by the two indices, showed the most appropriate status in Taean. The FI between the adjacent artificial and natural reefs were in significant linear relationship ($r^2=0.83$, p=0.01). This indicated the local status of biological community may be critical in determining the functionality of the artificial reefs. We have suggested an integrative but preliminary evaluation system of artificial reefs in this study. The output from the evaluation system may be utilized as a tool for environment/resource managers or policy makers, responsible for effective use of funds and decision making. Given the importance, we need to use the options to enhance and improve the accuracy as follows: (1) continuous validation of the evaluation system and rescaling the criteria of indicators, (2) vigorous utilization of observation and experience through the application and data accumulation and (3) development and testing of brand-new indicators.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.279-287
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate ecological conditions of Hyeongsan River watershed from April to September 2009. The ecological health assessments was based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), water chemistry during 2000~2009, and the fish multi-metric model, Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. Values of IBI averaged 25.4 (n=6), which is judged as a "fair" condition (C) after the criteria of Barbour et al. (1999). The distinct spatial variation was found in the IBI. Physical habitat health, based on the values of QHEI, varied from 76 in the downriver (H6) to 150.5 in the headwater (H1) and was evidently more disturbed in the downriver reach. Values of BOD and COD averaged 2.4 $mgL^{-1}$ (range: 0.3~13.8 $mgL^{-1}$) and 4.3 $mgL^{-1}$ (scope: 0.6~12.8 $mgL^{-1}$), respectively during the study period. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged 3.0 $mgL^{-1}$ and 103.5 ${\mu}gL^{-1}$, respectively, indicating a severe eutrophication, and the nutrients increased more in the downriver than the headwater. Overall, physical, chemical and IBI parameters showed a typical downriver degradation along main axis of the river from the headwater-to-the downriver. This was mainly attributed to livestock waste and residential influences along with industrial discharge from the urban region.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.617-622
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• 2011

The policy of total maximum daily load (TMDL) was introduced to manage wasteload within the loading capacity to achieve water quality standards in the watershed. While the TMDL was implemented, the institutional and technical correction for the improvement of procedure was accomplished even though there were various problems and basically through the process of trial & error. However, a fundamental improvement of this policy is needed to implement the TMDL. This study has come up with a new viewpoint on improving this procedure for reasonable implementation of TMDL. First of all, the water quality and flowrate monitoring of the tributaries should be implemented. This should be done through the establishment of a monitoring system which will include standards of scope, a set time period, water quality parameters and frequency follow ups for the implementation of TMDL. The basic plan in all of the watersheds should be developed based on the establishment of water quality parameters and standards for water use and ecological purposes according to the results of the water quality and flowrate monitoring in the watersheds. The implementation plan for water quality improvement should be established in the watersheds where exceeds the targeted water quality standards. The performance assessment of TMDL should be conducted every year to meet the satisfaction assessment of water quality standards in the watersheds. Finally, if the water quality standards in the watersheds can not be attained or the water quality parameters and standards should be changed, the implementation procedure will be performed according to the iterative process. On the contrary, the policy of TMDL in the watersheds where the water quality standards have been met the goal will be finished.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.598-606
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• 2013

The blackfin flounder Glyptocephalus stelleri is a commercially important species in the East Sea of Korea, but its catches and biomass have decreased gradually in recent years. This study estimated the optimal catch (acceptable biological catch, ABC) for the effective management of this species by estimating population ecology parameters and the stock biomass of blackfin flounder in the East Sea of Korea. The estimated instantaneous coefficient of total mortality (Z) of blackfin flounder was 1.0542/year, the survival rate (S) was 0.3485, and the instantaneous coefficient of natural mortality (M) was 0.3637/year. From the values of S and M, the instantaneous coefficient of fishing mortality (F) was calculated to be 0.6905/year. The age at first capture was 1.304 years, and the total length was 11.5 cm at that time. On the basis of these parameters, the annual biomass was estimated by a biomass-based cohort analysis using annual catch data in weight by year for 1991-2012 in the East Sea of Korea. The annual biomass peaked in 1997 at about 12,800 mt and then subsequently declined continuously to a level of 10,500 mt in 2004 and to 9,800 mt in 2011 and 2012. The maximum sustainable yield and $F_{0.1}$ were estimated as 3,547 mt and 0.3595/year, respectively. Using these estimations, the ABC was estimated to be 3,571 mt in tier 5, 3,397 mt in tier 4, and 2,622 mt in tier 3.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.591-607
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• 2013

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the aquatic environment of an urban stream using various ecological parameters of biological biomarkers, physical habitat quality and chemical water quality and to develop a "Multimetric Eco-Model" ($M_m$-E Model) for the ecosystem evaluations. For the applications of the $M_m$-E model, three zones including the control zone ($C_Z$) of headwaters, transition zone ($T_Z$) of mid-stream and the impacted zone ($I_Z$) of downstream were designated and analyzed the seasonal variations of the model values. The biomarkers of DNA, based on the comet assay approach of single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), were analyzed using the blood samples of Zacco platypus as a target species, and the parameters were used tail moment, tail DNA(%) and tail length (${\mu}m$) in the bioassay. The damages of DNA were evident in the impacted zone, but not in the control zone. The condition factor ($C_F$) as key indicators of the population evaluation indicator was analyzed along with the weight-length relation and individual abnormality. The four metrics of Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) were added for the evaluations of physical habitat. In addition, the parameters of chemical water quality were used as eutrophic indicators of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and conductivity. Overall, our results suggested that attributes of biomarkers and bioindicators in the impacted zone ($I_Z$) had sensitive response largely to the chemical stress (eutrophic indicators) and also partially to physical habitat quality, compared to the those in the control zone.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.3
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• pp.461-468
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• 2012

This study was conducted to study the seasonal changes of relative water relations parameters by pressure-volume curves of Korean mistletoe (Viscum album var. coloratum) leaves for understanding ecological characteristics. In growing season, the osmotic potentials at full turgor (${\Psi}_o^{sat}$) and at incipient plasmolysis (${\Psi}_o^{tlp}$) decreased, while increased the maximum bulk elastic modulus of the cell wall ($E_{max}$) and relavive water content ($RWC^{tlp}$). Korean mistletoe in Quercus variabilis and Korean mistletoe in Quercus mongolica in November showed best maximum perssure potential (${\Psi}_{P,\;max}$). Pressure potential (${\Psi}_P$) and water potential (${\Psi}_L$) in Korean mistletoe in Quercus variabilis were rapidly decreased with decreasing of relative water content. The values of $RWC^{tlp}$ in November were all above 84% showing that the function of osmoregulation is somewhat better, and symplastic water content (Vo/DW) and maximum water content (Vt/DW) were variable seasonally. Thus, responses to water relations of Korean mistletoe in Quercus variabilis and Korean mistletoe in Quercus mongolica such as ${\Psi}_o^{sat},\;{\Psi}_o^{tlp},\;E_{max},\;{\Psi}_{P,\;max},\;RWC^{tlp}$ showed increaing drought tolerance with increasing of leaf aging.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.36-51
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• 2012

The demand for a climatological dataset with a regular spaced grid is increasing in diverse fields such as ecological and hydrological modeling as well as regional climate impact studies. PRISM(Precipitation-Elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) is a useful method to estimate high-altitude precipitation. However, it is not well discussed over the optimization of PRISM parameters and DEM(Digital Elevation Model) resolution in South Korea. This study developed the PRISM and then optimized parameters of the model and DEM resolution for producing a gridded annual average precipitation data of South Korea with 1km spatial resolution during the period 2000-2005. SCE-UA (Shuffled Complex Evolution-University of Arizona) method employed for the optimization. In addition, sensitivity analysis investigates the change in the model output with respect to the parameter and the DEM spatial resolution variations. The study result shows that maximum radius within which station search will be conducted is 67km. Minimum radius within which all stations are included is 31km. Minimum number of stations required for cell precipitation and elevation regression calculation is four. Optimizing DEM resolution is $1{\times}1km$. This study also shows that the PRISM output very sensitive to DEM spatial resolution variations. This study contributes to improving the accuracy of PRISM technique as it applies to South Korea.