• Title/Summary/Keyword: Ecosystem function

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Potential Applications of Low Altitude Remote Sensing for Monitoring Jellyfish

  • Jo, Young-Heon;Bi, Hongsheng;Lee, Jongsuk
    • Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.15-24
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    • 2017
  • Jellyfish (cnidarian) are conspicuous in many marine ecosystems when in bloom. Despite their importance for the ecosystem structure and function, very few sampling programs are dedicated to sample jellyfish because they are patchily distributed and easily clogged plankton net. Although satellite remote sensing is an excellent observing tool for many phenomena in the ocean, their uses for monitoring jellyfish are not possible due to the coarse spatial resolutions. Hence, we developed the low altitude remote sensing platform to detect jellyfish in high resolutions, which allow us to monitor not only horizontal, but also vertical migration of them. Using low altitude remote sensing platform,we measured the jellyfish from the pier at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Chesapeake Bay. The patterns observed included discrete patches, in rows that were aligned with waves that propagated from deeper regions, and aggregation around physical objects. The corresponding areas of exposed jellyfish on the sea surface were $0.1{\times}10^4pixel^2$, $0.3{\times}10^4pixel^2$, and $2.75{\times}10^4pixel^2$, respectively. Thus, the research result suggested that the migration of the jellyfish was related to the physical forcing in the sea surface.

Function of Habitat Heterogeneity for the Biodiversity and Demography of Population in Small Mammal Community (소척추동물군집에서 개체군 변동과 생물다양성 유지를 위한 서식지 이질성의 기능)

  • Lee, Sang-Don
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.513-513
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    • 1995
  • The central theme of Habital heterogeneity is to provide animals with habital complexity or structural diversity and to allow resource partitioning among individuals. In turn, the leads to population stability because prey can escape more easily with more hiding places causing less population fluctuation. Species diversity is characterized due to more potential niches both horizontally and verticall. Empirically, in homogeneous habitats population was less abundant, reproduction and survival were lower, spacing behavior, competition and dispersal were higher than in heterogeneous habitats. The results imply that diversity and conservation of species can be maintained through providing heterogeneous habitats.

Assessing conservation priorities of unexecuted urban parks in Seoul using ecological network and accessibility analyses (생태네트워크와 접근성 분석에 의한 서울시 미집행 도시공원의 보전 우선순위 평가)

  • Kang, Wan-Mo;Song, Young-Keun;Sung, Hyun-Chan;Lee, Dong-Kun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.53-64
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    • 2018
  • This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the conservation priorities of unexecuted urban parks in Seoul both from an ecological and public perspective. To this end, two methodologies, ecological network analysis based on graph and circuit theory and accessibility analysis, were employed in order to assess ecological connectivity of and public accessibility to unexecuted parks, respectively. This study applied linkage-mapping methods (shortest path and current flow betweenness centrality) of connectivity analysis to an integrated map of landscape permeability. The population-weighted accessibility to unexecuted parks was measured based on a negative exponential distance decay function. As a result, for both ecological connectivity and accessibility, Gwanaksan, Suraksan, and Bulamsan urban natural parks are found to be the most important (rank 1-3) to be conserved. For these sites, inner park areas with conservation priorities for connectivity and accessibility were identified. The findings of the study can be used for giving conservation priority to the unexecuted urban parks in terms of long-term sustainable urban planning.

Soil Contamination by Heavy Metals in Playgrounds of Kindergartens in Vilnius

  • Valskys, Vaidotas;Ignatavicius, Gytautas;Sinkevicius, Stanislovas;Gasiunaite, Ugne
    • Journal of Environmental Science International
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.11-21
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    • 2016
  • The soil contamination by heavy metals in playgrounds of kindergartens in Vilnius city is analysed in this article. The aim of this research is to investigate and evaluate soil contamination by heavy metals in playgrounds of kindergartens in different territories of Vilnius city. Concentrations of heavy metals were measured using Thermo Fisher Scientific Niton$^{(R)}$ XL2 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Maximum allowable and background concentrations that are given in Lithuanian hygiene standard and Lithuania geochemical atlas are used to compare and evaluate concentrations of heavy metals. Concentrations of heavy metals and their spatial distribution were analysed in order to exclude the most contaminated areas relating with different functional areas of the city. Geo-statistical analysis and maps of spatial distribution were developed using IDW interpolator in ArcMap software. Detail soil surveys helps to assess the extent of anthropogenic impact in different parts of the city which can be harmful to the soil ecosystem and human health. Such researches can help to change or select different function for city areas in territorial planning process.

Stand Structure of the Natural Broadleaved-Korean Pine Forests in Northeast China

  • Li, Fengri;Ma, Zhihai
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.94 no.5 s.162
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    • pp.321-329
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    • 2005
  • Based on the data representing four typical Korean pine forest types, the age structure, DBH distribution, species composition, and forking rule were systemically analyzed for old-growth Korean pine forest in Liangshui Nature Reserve, northeast China. The age structure of Korean pine trees was strongly uneven-aged with one dominated peak following normal distribution, and age of trees varied from 100 to 180 years within a stand. The DBH and height differences in same age class (20 years) varied from 28 cm~64 cm and 5 to 20 m, respectively. Many conifer and hard wood species, such as spruce, fir, costata birch, basswood, oak, and elm, were mixed with dominated trees of Korean pine. The canopy of the old-growth Korean pine forest can be divided into two layers, and differences of mean age and height between Layer I and Layer II were ranged 80~150 years and 7~13 m, respectively. The Weibull function was used to model the diameter distribution and performed well to describe size-class distribution either with a single peak in over-story canopy and inverse J-shape in under-story canopy for old-growth Korean pine stands. The forking height of Korean pine trees ranged from 16m to 24 m (mean 19.4 m) and tree age about 120 to 160 years old. The results will provide a scientific basis to protect and recover the ecosystem of natural old-growth Korean pine and also provide the model in management of Korean pine plantation.

Carbon Stable Isotope Ratios of Phytoplankton and Benthic Diatoms in Lake Katanuma with Reference to Those of Other Lakes

  • Kikuchi, Eisuke;Takagi, Shigeto;Shikano, Shuichi;Hideyuki, Doi
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.38 no.spc
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    • pp.8-11
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    • 2005
  • Carbon stable isotope ratios of producers varied in lake ecosystems. In tile present study, we tried to estimate the seasonal variations of carbon isotope ratios of phytoplankton and benthic diatoms in a strongly acidic lake ecosystem. Lake Katanuma is a volcanic, strongly acidic lake (average pH of 2.2), located in Miyagi, Japan. Only two algal species dominate in Lake Katanuma; Pinnularia acidojaponica as a benthic diatom, and Chlamydomonas acidophila as a green alga. Carbon isotope values of P. acidojaponica varied seasonally, while those of particulate organic matter, which were mainly composed of C. acidophila remained fairly stable. The differences suggested that $CO_2$ gas was more frequently limited for P. acidojaponica than C. acidophila, since high density patches of benthic diatoms were sometimes observed on the lake sediment. Generally, carbon concentration mechanisms (CCMs)of microalgae can fix bicarbonate in lakes, and affect the carbon isotope values of microalgae. While, in Lake Katanuma, CCMs of the microalgae may scarcely function because of high $CO_2$ gas concentration and low pH. This is the reason for low seasonal amplitude of carbon isotope values of phytoplankton relative to those in other lakes.

Hwaong Eco-park Land Use Plan in Consideration of Reclamation (화옹지구 간척생태공원 토지이용계획)

  • Sung, Ji-Young
    • Proceedings of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers Conference
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    • 2005.10a
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    • pp.443-449
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    • 2005
  • As sustainable development and environment-friendly efforts in large-scale development projects emerge as major interests at home and abroad, man-made wetlands and eco-park facilities have been newly planned or created when developing reclamation districts recently. In this study, based on findings from a comprehensive review of relevant studies and planning cases, the basic direction and objectives of the plan were developed. A comprehensive analysis on the status of ecological environment and demographic and social environment showed that the planned site is in a process of migrating from early stages of reclamation to middle stages. It was planned for the eco-park to function as a major base along an ecological network consisting a freshwater lake and rivers and streams flowing into the lake in Hwaong District. Through a master plan and sectoral plans were planned according to desalination levels after reclamation. Then, habitats for livings organisms were also planned. The eco-park, the planned site, is also in a process of migrating from the early stages to middles stages. By creating an eco-park that considers post-reclamation ecological environment changes, natural succession processes will be preserved, which is expected to help local ecosystems to restore their functions on their own over a relatively long period of time and enable to observe the restoration process.

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Selection of Chemicals for the Dissolved Phosphorus Control by Variations of Alkalinity and Hardness (용존인 제어를 위한 알칼리도와 경도 조절제의 선택)

  • Kim, Sungok;Kim, Hag Seong
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.206-211
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    • 2014
  • This study was done to find chemicals adequate to control alkalinity and hardness in order to reduce dissolved phosphorus in water bodies like rivers and lakes. Five chemicals were selected for the study: calcite, lime, dolomite, magnesite, and gypsum. Data were obtained from the calculations with MINTEQ model as a function of dosage variations of each chemical. Findings are as follows: Three out of the five chemicals are found to be effective in reducing the dissolved phosphorus, i.e., calcite, lime, and dolomite. Calcite and dolomite are able to lower the phosphorus concentration up to one thousandth fold whereas lime does one hundred thousandths fold. In viewpoint of pH variation, both calcite and dolomite seem to be safe since the pH does not increase over 8.3 even in case of overdose. In the same circumstance, with lime the pH increases beyond 9 which is considered to be the highest pH level for the protection of water ecosystem. Nevertheless it is recommendable to use lime in case where there are some difficulties in water quality control due to algae blooms.

The Endocrine Disruption Induced by Ampicillin and Amoxicillin in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)

  • Kim, Kyung-Tae;Kim, Pan-Gyi
    • Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.207-210
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    • 2007
  • The study was designed to determine the estrogenic effect of some penicillins on endocrine function in adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Vitellogenin (Vtg) produced in male fish has been used for a biomarker to study endocrine disrupters. $17\beta-estradiol\;(E_2)$ was used a positive control that was induced Vtg in male fish. Result of total protein qantification and ELISA for female and male fish were exposed to $17\beta-estradiol$ 10ng/ml for $3\sim5$ days. As a result, male fish exposed to amoxicillin respectively appeared 0.75, 0.23, 8.21 and $9.36\%_{\circ}$ of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm respectively, that value was elevated compared with control male fish. Male fish exposed to ampicillin respectively appeared 1.85, 4.68, 0.85 and $39.59\%_{\circ}$ of 1, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm respectively, that value was elevated compared with control male fish. This study is one of the first reports suggesting potential endocrine disruption of some penicillins in aquatic ecosystem. These results suggest that vitellogenin and estrogen receptor induction patterns alter in male medaka treated with selected estrogenic compounds, and that these results may be useful molecular biomarkers for screening estrogenic EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) in the shortest possible time.

A Study on Planning Ecological School Buildings by Traditional Construction Techniques -Focused of the buildings of traditional education institutions- (전통 건축기법을 이용한 친환경학교건축 계획방향에 관한 연구 -전통 교육건축을 중심으로-)

  • Kim, Yeon-Hyouk
    • The Journal of Sustainable Design and Educational Environment Research
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.29-38
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    • 2008
  • The purpose of this study was to discuss how traditional construction practices could be applied to school buildings. The spatial arrangement and constituents of Seoweon and Hyanggyo buildings were analyzed, and the spatial arrangement and ground plans of current schools were analyzed as well. As a result, it's found that how the characteristics of traditional architecture should be reflected in today's school design is one of critical matters that need an immediate attention. Based on the case study, there are some suggestions about the application of traditional construction techniques to school buildings: (1) The link between internal and external spaces should be stressed. The type of spatial configuration the could ensure nature accessibility is required. (2) The use of environment-friendly materials is recommended, and classrooms should be arranged in a way to let them function as multipurpose educational spaces. (3) It's not advisable to construct school buildings according to the sung-Confucianistic construction techniques of traditional educational institutions, but there should evidently be a change in tasteless school buildings, They should be built in small size and in consideration of harmony with nature and ecosystem, and boarding schools should be constructed in a more careful and discreet manner.

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