• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2019

Although inconspicuous marsh birds are an indicator of marsh health, there is little understanding of their status and population trends due to their behavioral characteristics and lack of reliable survey methods in Korea. We applied the Standardized North American Marsh Bird Monitoring Protocols(SNAMBMP) already validated in North America for effective survey of the marsh birds. We selected 29 sites with emergent marshes, rice fields and riparian forests in Seocheon-gun, Buyeo-gun and Gunsan-si. We conducted the survey with a combination of passive 5 minute point-count and vocal survey method (30 seconds call-broadcasting+30 seconds silence) that was targeted eight species 2~7 times/site from March to July 2017. Four species, Brown-cheeked Rail(Rallus indicus), Ruddy-breasted Crake (Porzana fusca), Watercock (Gallicrex cinerea) and Greater Painted-snipe (Rostatula benghalensis), were detected at one site respectively (naïve occupancy rate=0.035). Vocal survey method with conspecific call-broadcasting provided better on Brown-cheeked Rail and Watercock than the others. We suggest a combination of passive point-count and vocal survey method like SNAMBMP to monitor inconspicuous marsh birds at nationwide scale and collection of sound files through recording of the entire process during the survey.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.430-440
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• 2020

The application contents, process, and its limitations are discussed for the setting of Korean legal guides & criteria for water cycle and ecological condition in development project of land use by thorough comparison and examination of prerequisites and credits of water cycle and soil+vegetation by USA's SITES (Sustainable Sites Initiative). In the case of SITES, due to the implementation procedure operated as a non-governmental independent assessment system by Green Business Certification, Inc, the natural condition of water cycle and soil-vegetation items-the key element of ecosystem services can be quantitatively assessed, well along with its legal and institutional guidelines and regulations. On the other hand, in the case of Korea, as a part of the national certification procedure for green building, the ecological area ratio system still have very limited role as an only amenity resource in the creation of artificial green spaces and insufficiency of management system for rain water. In conclusion, it was understood as an urgent situation in necessary for prompt establishment of site's sustainability certification system at the national level, based on management of water circulation and natural soil & vegetation in developed area with consideration of various land uses and types of development projects.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.324-330
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• 2020

Ozone (O₃) is a general disinfectant to remove micro-pollutants in water treatment system. Previous studies have reported effect of ozone to bacteria and pathogens removal, but its effect to the relatively large organisms has little known. In this study, we investigated potential effects of ozone toxicity to the non-bite midge larvae (Glyptotendipes tokunagai) with accumulate mortality, coloration change and expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). The accumulate mortality rate of G. tokunagai increased in a dose-time dependent manner and the highest mortality rate was observed to 75% at 30 minute of exposure duration with 2.0 ppm of ozone concentration. Exposure to ozone was a factor increasing body color of the larvae. The tendency of HSP70 mRNA expression showed up-regulation in ozone exposure at 20 minute. After that time, the expression of HSP70 in exposed group decreased to a similar level of control group. Our results clearly showed that ozone toxicity affects physical and molecular activity of G. tokunagai, implying the potential hazardous of ozone in the aquatic ecosystem including macroinvertebrates.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.595-602
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• 2021

Human intestinal microbiota play an important role in the regulation of the host's metabolism. There is a close pathological and physiological interaction between dysbiosis of the intestinal microflora and obesity and metabolic syndrome. Akkermansia muciniphila, which was recently isolated from human feces, accounts for about 1-4% of the intestinal microbiota population. The use of A. muciniphila- derived external membrane protein Amuc_1100 and extracellular vesicles (EVs) could be a new strategy for the treatment of obesity. A. muciniphila is considered a next-generation probiotic (NGP) for the treatment of metabolic disorders, such as obesity. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii accounts for about 5% of the intestinal microbiota population in healthy adults and is an indicator of gut health. F. prausnitzii is a butyrate-producing bacterium, with anti-inflammatory effects, and is considered an NGP for the treatment of immune diseases and diabetes. Postbiotics are complex mixtures of metabolites contained in the cell supernatant secreted by probiotics. Parabiotics are microbial cells in which probiotics are inactivated. Paraprobiotics and postbiotics have many advantages over probiotics, such as clear chemical structures, safe dose parameters, and a long shelf life. Thus, they have the potential to replace probiotics. The most natural strategy to restore the imbalance of the intestinal ecosystem normally is to use NGPs among commensal bacteria in the gut. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new foods or drugs such as parabiotics and postbiotics using NGPs.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2021.06a
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• pp.448-448
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• 2021

최근 급격한 기후변화와 도시화 및 산업화로 인한 지류하천에서의 수량과 수질의 변동은 생물 다양성 감소와 수생태계 건강성 저하에 큰 영향을 미치고 있다. 효율적인 수생태 관리를 위해서는 지속적인 유량, 수질, 그리고 수생태 모니터링을 통한 데이터 축적과 더불어 면밀한 상관 분석을 통해 수생태계 건강성의 악화 원인을 규명해야 할 필요가 있다. 그러나 수많은 지류하천을 대상으로 한 지속적인 모니터링은 현실적으로 어려움이 있으며, 수생태계의 특성 상 단일 영향 인자만으로 수생태계의 건강성 변화와의 관계를 정확히 파악하는데 한계가 있다. 따라서 지류하천에서의 유량 및 수질의 시공간적인 변동성과 다양한 영향 인자를 고려하여 수생태계의 건강성을 효율적으로 예측할 수 있는 기술이 필요하다. 이에 본 연구에서는 경험적 데이터 기반의 머신러닝 모델 구축을 통해 미계측 하천에서의 수생태계 건강성 지수(BMI, TDI, FAI)의 등급(A to E)을 예측하고자 하였다. 머신러닝 모델은 학습 데이터셋의 양과 질에 따라 성능이 크게 달라질 수 있으며, 학습 데이터셋의 분포가 불균형적일 경우 과적합 또는 과소적합 문제가 발생할 수 있다. 이를 보완하고자 본 연구에서는 실제 측정망 데이터셋을 바탕으로 생성적 적대 신경망 GAN(Generative Adversarial Network) 알고리즘을 통해 머신러닝 모델 학습에 필요한 추가 데이터셋(유량, 수질, 기상, 수생태 등급)을 확보하였다. 머신러닝 모델의 성능은 5차 교차검증 과정을 통해 평가하였으며, GAN 데이터셋의 정확도는 실제 측정망 데이터셋의 정규분포와의 비교 분석을 통해 평가하였다. 최종적으로 SWAT(Soil and Water Assessment Tool) 모형을 통해 예측 된 미계측 하천에서의 데이터셋을 머신러닝 모델의 검증 자료로 사용하여 수생태계 건강성 등급 예측 정확도를 평가하였다. 본 연구에서의 GAN에 의해 강화된 머신러닝 모델은 수질 및 수생태 관리가 필요한 우심 지류하천 선정과 구조적/비구조적 최적관리기법에 따른 수생태계 건강성 개선 효과를 평가하는데 활용될 수 있을 것이다. 또한 이를 통해 예측된 미계측 하천에서의 수생태계 건강성 등급 자료는 수량-수질-수생태를 유기적으로 연계한 통합 물관리 정책을 수립하는데 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the perception of early childhood teachers on ecological art activities oriented to education for sustainable development. The research results are as follows. First, Early childhood teachers recognized the visual art of natural media, the pursuit of community values, and the participation and communication of social members as educational significance of ecological art activities. And difficulties in practicing ecological art were recognized as lack of educational environment, lack of ecological art teaching materials and specific examples, and teachers' lack of understanding of ecological art. Also, they recognized that ecological art activities foster core competencies in art experience area, such as nature-friendly communication skills, eco-friendly sensibility, and creative convergence skills. Second, regarding ecological art activities and sustainable development education, early childhood teachers considered the difficulties in practice as lack of awareness about sustainable development, lack of play meia and materials, lack of educational policies and support, and insufficient teacher training programs. Also, regarding the SDGs that can be practiced in ecological art activities, teachers were found to be highly aware of 'grow affordable and clean energy', 'improve clean water and sanitation', 'provide quality education' in the order. In the contents of education for sustainable development that can be practiced in ecological art activities, teachers are given the order of 'climate change response', 'clean energy', 'water and sanitation', 'quality education', 'health and well-being' and 'marine ecosystem'. was highly recognized. If an ecological art activity program is developed, the rate of responding that it will be used is high, so it is considered that the development of an ESD-oriented ecological art activity program is urgent.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2023

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is an apex predator of the riparian ecosystem. It is a keystone and an indicator species; consequently, its presence suggests a sustainable water environment. Otter is a keystone species as a predator at the top of the food web in the aquatic environment and an indicator species representing the health of the aquatic environment. Although Eurasian otters disappeared from the Han River urban water system because of anthropogenic activities like habitat destruction, poaching, and environmental pollution in the 1980s, the species were sighted in the Cheonggye Stream, Jungrang Stream, and Seongnae Stream, which are urban sections of the Han River, in 2016 and 2021. Therefore, it is pertinent to assess the habitat potential in the area for conservation and management measures to ensure its permanent presence. However, existing studies on otter habitats focused on natural rivers and reservoirs, and there is a limit to applying them to habitats artificially confined habitats in narrow spaces such as tributaries in urban areas of the Han River. This study selected the Cheonggye Stream, an artificially restored urban stream, to evaluate its potential as a habitat for Eurasian otters in urban water environments using the habitat suitability index (HSI). The HSI was calculated with selected environment attributes, such as the cover, food, and threat, that best describe the L. lutra habitat. According to the results, the confluence area of Seongbuk Stream and Cheonggye Stream and the confluence area of Cheonggye Stream and Jungnang Stream were suitable otter habitats, requiring appropriate conservation efforts. The HSI model suggests a valuable method to assess the habitat quality of Eurasian otters in urban water environments. The study is crucial as it can help rehabilitate the species' populations by identifying and managing potential Eurasian otter habitats in highly urbanized areas of the Han River basin and its tributaries.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.116-138
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• 2024

This study presents a new tool and protocol to assess the impact of 'Marine Invasive and Harmful Species' (MIHS) on marine environments and socio-economic aspects. It addresses shortcomings in the Marine Ecosystems Conservation and Management Act in South Korea by proposing an impact assessment framework divided into marine environmental and socio-economic groups. Six distinct evaluation categories are included in each group, and a semi-quantitative five-step scale is utilized to provide a flexible approach, addressing a variety of issues from ecological disturbances to effects on health and property. The assessment tool is applied through a systematic five-stage process based on the Delphi method. This approach posters collaboration among a diverse sets of experts and stakeholders, enabling a comprehensive evaluation that incorporates various perspectives. The study also examines strategies to effectively manage uncertainties and improve the consistency of the outcomes. The application of this assessment protocol is expected to be crucial in quantifying the ecological damage caused by MIHS and in identifying management and prevention priorities. The ultimate aim of this evaluation process is to aid decision-makers in developing strategies to preserve the marine ecosystem and mitigate socio-economic impacts.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2024

The amphibians serve as environmental indicator species warning of threats from pollution and development, and information regarding their body condition and surrounding habitat can be utilized as crucial indicators for assessing ecosystem health. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in body condition and the climate environments according to the season and sex of Class II endangered Kaloula borealis. A total of 53 surveys were conducted from June to October 2018, targeting frogs inhabiting the Godeok-dong area of Gangdong-gu, Seoul. Using the weight and length of each individual, the body condition index (SMI, Scaled mass index) was calculated. Results showed a total capture of 396 individuals, consisting of 235 males and 161 females. Females exhibited longer SVL and greater weight compared to males, with higher body condition indices. Monthly body condition indices were lower for males in June, while no differences were observed between males and females from July to September. Among the climate environments where females and males appeared, environmental variables related to precipitation and humidity showed differences. These research findings are deemed crucial for providing fundamental information to ascertain suitable habitats for Kaloula borealis and selecting alternative habitats due to developmental impacts in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.183-201
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• 2018

The tolerance of Korean benthic macroinvertebrates to organic pollution has been analyzed since the early 1990s. However, considering the fact that there have been related studies carried out in some European countries since the early 20th century, the history of the research in Korea is very short and there is still much knowledge to supplement. We revised the saprobic valency, the saprobic value and the indicator weight value of 190 benthic macroinvertebrates taxa through the data of water quality and individual abundance collected from 7,086 sampling units in Korea from 2008 to 2014. The individual abundance of Uracanthella (Ephemeroptera) as a representative, one of the most common and abundant taxa in Korea, showed a typical lognormal distribution to 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) concentration, and a normal distribution to the class interval of BOD5 concentration according to saprobic series. The value combining the mean individual abundance and the relative frequency of occurrence was a more efficient indicator value than that of each property alone. Benthic Macroinertebrates Index (BMI) was newly proposed as a modification of the saprobic index of Zelinka and Marvan (1961). BMI showed extremely significant correlation (determination coefficient $r^2$ > 0.6, n = 569 sites) with the concentration of BOD5, and the coefficient was a little higher than those of the previous indices. Until now, there has been very little research on the assessment of biological integrity of benthic macroinvertebrates community in Korea. While continuing researches into improve the reliability of BMI, it is necessary to develop multimetric indices for evaluating the integrity, including the composition of species and functional guilds, and the richness and diversity of the community.