• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제3권4호
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• pp.212-220
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• 2022

DNA markers have been studied and used intensively to identify plant species based on molecular approaches. The genus Medicago belongs to the family Fabaceae and contains 87 species distributed from the Mediterranean to central Asia. Five species of Medicago are known to be distributed in South Korea; however, their morphological characteristics alone cannot distinguish the species. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic relationships using collected five species of Medicago from South Korea and 44 taxa nucleotide information from NCBI. The constructed phylogenetic tree using gibberellin 3-oxidase 1 and tRNA^Lys (UUU) to maturase K gene sequences showed the monophyly of the genus Medicago, with five species each forming a single clade. These results suggest that there are five species of Medicago distributed in South Korea. In addition, we designed polymerase chain reaction primers for species-specific detection of Medicago by comparing the plastid sequences. The accuracy of the designed primer pairs was confirmed for each Medicago species. The findings of this study provide efficient and novel species identification methods for Medicago, which will assist in the identification of wild plants for the management of alien species and living modified organisms.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제42권2호
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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.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제17권5호
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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.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제41권6호
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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.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제2권1호
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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.

• 환경생물
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.682-689
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• 2019

이 연구에서는 주요 가로수인 왕벚나무를 대상으로 구례지역의 조기낙엽 현황 진단을 위해 제주도와 낙엽비율 비교연구를 진행하였고, 구례군에서 수행가능한 주요 가로수 관리방법을 두 가지로 구분하여 관리방법별 조기낙엽 지연효과와 피해를 규명하여 최적관리방법을 도출하였다. 구례지역은 기상청 단풍시기와 낙엽시기가 유사한 제주도 지역보다 같은 시기 낙엽비율이 높았고, 약제처리, 약제와 관수처리를 진행했을 때 구멍병이 방제되어 낙엽 시기가 2주 지연되었다. 조기낙엽은 왕벚나무의 생장과 개화에 영향을 미쳤으며, 약제와 관수처리를 진행한 관리방법에서 생장이 가장 높았고, 2년 뒤 개화량이 가장 높은 것으로 추정되었다. 따라서 왕벚나무 가로수의 조기낙엽을 지연시키기 위해 구멍병 방제가 중요하고, 조기낙엽이 수관의 발달과 개화량에 영향을 미칠 수 있으므로 약제와 관수처리를 함께 처리하는 관리방법을 도입하는 것이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국농림기상학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국농림기상학회 2005년도 추계 학술발표논문집
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• pp.29-32
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• 2005

• 한국환경교육학회지:환경교육
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• 제12권1호
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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.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• 제26권2호
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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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제22권2호
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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.