• Title/Summary/Keyword: Ecology

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Affordable method of video recording for ecologists and citizen-science participants

  • Yang, Eunjeong;Lee, Keesan;Ha, Jung-moon;Kim, Woojoo;Song, Ho-Kyung;Hwang, Injae;Lee, Sang-im;Jablonski, Piotr G.
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.42 no.2
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    • pp.85-89
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    • 2018
  • Observations and video documentation of interactions between animals living in dens, cavities, and other enclosed spaces are difficult, but they play an important role in field biology, ecology, and conservation. For example, bird parents visiting nests and feeding their nestlings may provide crucial information for testing of ecological hypotheses and may easily attract attention of participants of citizen-science ecological and conservation projects. Because of the nest concealment of cavity-nesting birds, their behaviors in the nest can only be studied by using video surveillance. Professional wildlife surveillance systems are extremely expensive. Here, we describe an inexpensive video setup that can be constructed with relatively little effort and is more affordable than any previously described system. We anticipate that the relatively low cost of about 250 USD for a battery-operated system is an important feature for citizen-science type of projects and for applications in heavily populated areas where the potential for theft and vandalism may be high. Based on our experiences, we provide methodological advice on practical aspects of using this system in the field for ecological research on birds. We highlight the low cost, easiness of construction, and potential availability to a large number of observers taking part in wildlife monitoring projects, and we offer technical help to participants of such research projects.

Development of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-reinforced Probiotic Yogurt Using Bifidobacterium bifidum BGN4

  • Kim, Ji-Youn;Seo, Han-Seok;Seo, Min-Jeong;Suh, Joo-Won;Hwang, In-Kyeong;Ji, Geun-Eog
    • Food Science and Biotechnology
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    • v.17 no.5
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    • pp.1025-1031
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    • 2008
  • S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) exerts several beneficial effects on depression, chronic diseases, and cognitive impairments. Bifidobactrium bifidum BGN4 reportedly produces higher amounts of SAM than any other lactic acid bacterium used in yogurt. The aim of this study was to develop a SAM-reinforced probiotic yogurt using Bifidobacterium. The sensory aspects of the yogurt via response surface methodology (RSM) and the texture and SAM content of the yogurt were assessed. Based on the sensory assessments for sweetness, sourness, and thickness evaluated by 48 panelists, the optimized conditions for preparation of SAM-reinforced yogurt were 4.0-4.4%(w/w) sugar, 3.2-3.5%(w/w) skim milk, and a pH of 4.7-4.8. The SAM content of the developed yogurt was 0.05 nmol/mL. In conclusion, SAM-reinforced probiotic yogurt may provide a vehicle for the potential exploitation of the benefits of increased dietary SAM.

Distribution characteristic of invasive alien plants in Jeju Island

  • Ryu, Tae-Bok;Kim, Mi-Jeoung;Lee, Chang-Woo;Kim, Deok-Ki;Choi, Dong-Hui;Lee, Hyohyemi;Jeong, Hye-Ran;Lee, Do-Hun;Kim, Nam-Young
    • Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.41 no.6
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    • pp.173-181
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    • 2017
  • Background: This study was undertaken to analyze the distribution and ecological characteristics of invasive alien plant species on Jeju Island, and to provide basic data for their management and control. Results: A field research was conducted at 436 locations on Jeju Island. The field research identified nine species of invasive alien species growing on Jeju Island. Based on the distribution pattern, Hypochaeris radicata L., Rumex acetosella, and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. were found to be distributed horizontally throughout Jeju Island, with vertical growth in two or more vegetation zones, from warm temperate to the subalpine zone. Widely distributed species penetrate various habitats, such as grasslands, ranches, roadsides, farmlands, and empty lots, and have an immensely negative impact on the ecosystem, including declining biodiversity on Jeju Island. Paspalum distichum var. indutum Shinners, Paspalum distichum L., Solanum carolinense L., and Aster pilosus Willd. were distributed in some areas as a biased distribution species, whereas Lactuca scariola L. and Solidago altissima L. were found only in certain areas as centralized distribution species. Conclusions: The centralized distribution species and biased distribution species of the invasive plants in the ecosystem of Jeju Island should be physically eliminated, keeping in mind the short- and mid-term perspectives and monitoring, and by considering expansion of additional distribution areas. Due to limitations of physical/chemical elimination, time, and cost, widely distributed species require to be eliminated and managed, mainly to restore the integrity of the ecosystem, by planting native species to reestablish the habitat.

Measuring the Effectiveness of an Ecosystem Service to Regulate Air Quality in Wetland, South Korea

  • Kim, Jung In;Lee, Kyungeun;Yeo, Inae;Choi, Tae-Young;Lee, Beom Hee;Jung, Pil Mo;Joo, Wooyeong
    • Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.62-69
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    • 2021
  • This study aimed to verify the suitability of an air quality regulating service for wetland ecosystem service evaluation by investigating the effect of reducing particulate matter (PM) on vegetation in wetlands. We installed tunnel-type experimental plots at Yonghwasil Pond in the National Institute of Ecology and set up the input and output of PM by applying the natural vegetation of the relevant wetlands. We took measurements by replicating four different conditions four times each. The air quality regulating service in each experimental plot was measured based on PM10 concentration; further, the difference between the input and the output concentration of PM passing through the Phragmites australis community tunnel was measured using a light scattering method. For the Phragmites australis community in the outdoor conditions and bare land, the PM concentration was measured with the same specifications as tunnel-type experimental plots without setting up the input and output. For the tunnel-type experimental plots, PM10 concentration was significantly lower in the output than in the input. Furthermore, in the outdoor conditions, a comparison between the Phragmites australis community and bare land showed that the concentration was relatively low in the former than in the latter. This confirmed the PM reducing effect due to the blockage and absorption of PM depending on the growth of Phragmites australis. Based on the results of this study, we assessed the air quality regulating service in wetlands as an evaluation indicator.

Diagnosis and management of the early defoliation of Korean flowering cherry in Gurye (구례 왕벚나무 가로수의 조기낙엽 진단 및 친환경적 관리 방법)

  • Han, Areum;Jin, Seon-deok;Jeong, Gilsang;Won, Ho-yeon;Lee, Young-sang;Son, Se Hwan;Choi, Sunghoon;Kang, Hyejin;Lee, ll Hwan;Han, Ah Reum
    • Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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    • v.37 no.4
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    • pp.682-689
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    • 2019
  • The Korean flowering cherry is a popular tree. However, the trees have started to defoliate early, including those in Gurye. Thus, it is necessary to identify the causes of the early defoliation and how to manage them. Therefore, the purpose of this study was threefold: 1) to investigate the early defoliation of flowering cherry trees, 2) to identify the differences in growth and flowering of the trees in response to treatment, and 3) to suggest an optimal treatment for the trees. The experiment was conducted in Gurye at a site 3km long with 102 flowering cherry trees along a street. There were three treatments: control, an environmentally friendly insecticide and a disinfectant(treatment 1), and an environmentally friendly insecticide, a disinfectant, and irrigation (treatment 2). The trees in Gurye were compared to trees on Jeju Island. The defoliation rates of the flowering cherry in Gurye were significantly higher than those on Jeju Island at each measurement time. Within Gurye, the defoliation rate was significantly higher in the trees of the control than in the two treatments and only the trees in the control from Gurye had shot-hole disease. Post-treatment, twigs collected from the control during April showed significantly poorer growth, lower numbers of flowering buds per twig, and lower numbers of foliar buds. The trees given treatment 1 showed significantly greater growth, number of total buds, flowering buds per twig, and density of buds than the trees given treatment 2. After analyzing the correlations, it was established that early defoliation led to poorer growth, affecting the flowering of the trees.

A Study on Development of Environmental Education Curriculum Based on the Standpoint of Ecology - content analysis of current curriculum and subjects of social studies and ethics - (생태학적 관점에 입각한 환경교육과정 개발연구(II) -사회.윤리과 교육과정 및 교과서 내용분석-)

  • 김태현;남현우;신현철;조강현
    • Hwankyungkyoyuk
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    • v.12 no.1
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    • pp.245-263
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    • 1999
  • We analysed current elementary and secondary school curriculum and subjects of social studies and ethics focused on environmental education. The criteria of content analysis is what are the keynotes of environmental education (environmentalism or ecology). In lower grades, most of curriculum and subjects are described on the standpoint of ecology. But in upper grades, environmentalism becomes the keynotes of environmental education. Ethics curriculum and subjects are constructed on the basis of ecology, On the other hand social studies and its curricula are written out skewed to the environmentalism. Overall, it seems that environmentalism and ecology are scattered in curriculum and subjects of social studies and ethics without coherent keynotes.

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Recreation Ecology and Visitor Carrying Capacity Management: Implications for Protected Areas in East Asia

  • Leung, Yu-Fai;Lee, Ju-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.53-58
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    • 2003
  • Ever-growing recreation, tourism and ecotourism worldwide have become a significant factor of resource degradation in many protected areas. Managers of these areas are increasingly challenged to implement policies, strategies and actions that would protect the resource base while providing quality visitor experience. One major issue in managing protected area visitations is that of carrying capacity, or the question of "how much use is too much\ulcorner". Scientific studies of visitor impacts, often known as recreation ecology, has generated a knowledge base that provides valuable input to the visitor carrying capacity management process adopted by the U.S. National Park Service. This paper aims at (a) providing an overview of recreation ecology research and its application in managing visitor carrying capacity, and (b) examining the relevance of recreation ecology to East Asian protected areas with special reference to the visitor capacity issue.ity issue.

Bioremediation of Pb-Contaminated Soil Based on Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation

  • Achal, Varenyam;Pan, Xiangliang;Zhang, Daoyong;Fu, Qinglong
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.244-247
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    • 2012
  • To remediate lead (Pb)-contaminated soils, it is proposed that microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) would provide the best alternative to other remediation technologies. In this study, Pb bioremediation in soils was investigated using the calcite-precipitating bacterium Kocuria flava. Results indicate that the Pb is primarily associated with the carbonate fraction in bioremediated soil samples. The bioavailability of Pb in contaminated soil was reduced so that the potential stress of Pb was alleviated. This research provides insight into the geochemistry occurring in the MICP-based Pb-remediated soils, which will help in remediation decisions.