• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.603-617
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• 2018

This study surveyed the diversity and community characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates and freshwater fish, which are the main animal classifications in a hydro ecosystem, from May to September 2017 in the western plains of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The results showed a total of 125 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 66 families, 19 orders, and four phyla in the streams and wetlands. Among benthic macroinvertebrates, Coleoptera (27 spp.: 21.60%) was the largest group in terms of species richness followed by Odonata (26 spp.: 20.80%), non-Insecta (22 spp.: 17.60%), and Hemiptera (11 spp.: 8.80%) occupying in the lentic area. Of the feeding function groups (FFGs), predators (51 spp.: 56.67%) showed a relatively larger presence, indicating the dominance of hygrophilous invertebrates that usually inhabit the freshwater wetlands or ponds. Of the habitat oriented groups (HOGs), climbers (33 spp.: 24.44%) and burrowers (17 spp.: 12.59%) were the dominant groups. This observation is typical in a slow flowing habitat and can lead to the disturbance of the ecosystem due to cannibalism among predators. Cannibalism can be caused by stress induced by various population and environmental factors. For the ecosystem services benchmark (ESB) value, site 13 appeared to be the highest with 82 marks while other sites showed relatively lower rates and indices (III water quality class with ${\alpha}$-mesosaprobic). The analysis result of stability factors showed that almost all sites were evaluated to be the I characteristic group with high resilience and resistance or the III characteristic group that was sensitive to environmental disturbance and formed uneven and unstable communities. Of the freshwater fishes, 46 species (3,405 individuals) belonging to 39 families and 18 orders were identified in all the investigated sites. Among them, Cyprinidae (30 spp.: 65.2%) was the largest group, and Zacco koreanus was identified as the dominant species (728 individuals, 21.4%). The survey of freshwater fish communities found both stable communities (sites 7 and 13) with low dominant index (0.39) and high diversity index (2.29) and unstable communities (sites 2, 3, 8, and 10) in opposite tendency. This survey found five Korean endemic species, 17 species belonging to the export controlled species, two endangered species level II (Lethocerus deyrollei and Cybister chinensis), and rare species (Dytiscus marginalis czerskii) among benthic macroinvertebrates. The survey also found an invasive species, Ampullarius insularus, which was distributed throughout the whole area and thus can continuously disturb the ecosystem in the western plain area in the DMZ. Of freshwater fish, one natural monument (Hemibarbus mylodon) and three endangered species level II (Acheilognathus signifer, Gobiobotia macrocephalus, and G. brevibarba) were observed. The survey also found four introduced species (Pomacea canaliculate, Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus, Micropterus salmoides) in the western DMZ area, indicating the need for the protection and conservation measures.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.154-164
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• 2018

We investigated the ichthyofauna and fish community structure of the Mudeungsan National Park, Korea from 2014 to 2016 to prepare a conservation plan. We collected 21 species of 6 families collected from 8 survey stations through skimming nets and cast nets during the period. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco temminckii (43.0%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (15.1%), respectively. The other abundant species were Z. platypus (11.2%), Pungtungia herzi (10.1%), Squalidus gracilis majimae (8.9%), and Z. koreanus (4.5%). Among the fish collection, 13 species (61.9%) were Korean endemic species, but, endangered species and exotic species were not found. Similarity indices based on species composition and abundance showed the clear division of the fish community into two river systems (Yongsan River drainage system (St. 1-7) and Seomjin River drainage system (St. 8)). The Youngsan River system was further divided into the uppermost (St. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7) and the upper-middle (St. 3 and 5) regions. The number of species appearing in a year was similar at 19 to 20 throughout the survey period. However, the individual number of fish in 2015 (2,670) was 20% less than that of 2014 (3,366) and 2016 (3,429), respectively. The probable reason for this decline is the rapid decline of stream level in 2015 compared to the other years. During the survey period, river works were undergoing at 3 out of 8 stations, having created disturbance in fish habitat and especially impacted on benthic fishes.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2021

As fish communities are sensitive to natural environmental changes as well as anthropogenic pressures, their composition and characteristics help us to assess the aquatic ecosystem health. The fish fauna and the length-weight relationship of Zacco platypus in the Seomjin River system were investigated from July 2018 to May 2019. The collected species during the survey period were 49 species belong to 14 families including 19 Korean endemic and two endangered species. According to Bray-Curtis similarities, 14 sites were divided into four groups based on the fish community composition; two groups(group A, B) and two uncategorized sites(group C, D). There were significant differences between groups A and B(analysis of similarities, R=0.722, p=0.002). A similarity percentage analysis revealed that Z. koreanus(8.55%), Micropterus salmoides(6.90%), and Lepomis macrochirus (4.90%) contributed to these differences of fish assemblages between group A and B. Group A showed higher relative abundances of exotic species such as M. salmoides and L. macrochirus, while Z. platypus and Z. koreanus which are the common species in Korea, were the most dominant species in group B. Based on the length-weight relationship of Z. platypus, b values were varied from 2.82 to 3.80, indicating that growth patterns of the species were spatially different. This study could be served as baseline data for understanding fish fauna, assessing habitat characteristics based on the fauna, and identifying health conditions of Z. platypus in the Seomjin River system.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.314-329
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• 2015

The fish fauna was investigated from 2010 and 2013 at main stream and tributaries in the Seomjin River which has no estuary dike. The collected fishes were identified into 37,751 individuals of 107 species of 81 genera belonging to 41 families. Among the collected fishes the primary freshwater fishes were 57 species (Relative Abundance: 53.3%), the secondary fishes were 10 species (RA: 9.3%) and the marine fishes were 40 species (RA: 37.4%). The dominant species was Zacco platypus (RA: 28.7%), and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus (RA: 15.0%). The endemic species were 21 species (RA: 31.3%). The endangered fishes were Acheilognathus somjinensis (Level I), Lampetra reissneri (Level II) and Microphysogobio koreensis (Level II). The exotic species were Carassius cuvieri, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. We supposed that Odontobutis interrupta in the Seomjin River is translocated species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-70
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• 2011

The fish fauna and population of Zacco koreanus in the upper region of the Gapyeong Stream was investigation from April, 2005 to August, 2009. The collected species during the survey period were 16 species belonging to 6 families. Dominant species was Z. koreanus and subdominant species was Pungtungia herzi. korea endemic species were Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Hemibarbus mylodon, Gobiobotia brevibarba, Microphysogobio longidorsalls, Z. koreanus, Koreocobitis rotundicaudata, Iksookimia koreensis, Silorus microdorsalis, Liobagrus andersoni, Coreoperca herzi and Odontobutis platycephala, which showed a ratio of 75 % in all collected species. The species of H. mylodon was identified as natural monument, and P. tenuicorpa and G. brevibarba were endangered species. Length-weight relationship in the population of Z. koreanus was 3.44, and condition factor in the popuation was 0.004. The spawning season of Zacco koreanus was May and June.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.198-209
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• 2008

During studies of the fish fauna and communities of Mankyeong River, which flows to the Yellow Sea, 14 families in 44 genera and 63 species of freshwater fishes were caught. Zacco platypus (27.7%) was the dominant species and Z. koreanus (11.3%) the subdominant species in this river. Twenty-three species of Korean endemic fishes appeared, and two of these, Pseudopungtungia nigra and Liobagrus obesus, represented endangered Korea species. Community structure of each branch stream was stable, showing appropriate dominant species: Z. koreanus in Jeonju Stream, Z. platypus in Kosan and Soyang Streams, and Carassius auratus in Mankyeong main stream. Three introduced species appeared: C. cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides, and Lepomis macrochirus. Among these introduced species, M. salmoides expanded its territory from midstream to downstream because of its strong carnivorous tendency and it favoring of lentic waters. This distribution of M. salmoides affected the number and distribution of small native freshwater fishes, especially those in the subfamily Acheilognathinae.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.154-159
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• 2007

Manchurian trout (Brachymystax lenok) is an endangered fish species in East Asia including the Korean peninsula. To establish a method for artificial propagation and to improve our understanding of the reproduction in the species, we have produced recombinant gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (r-mtFSH) and luteinizing hormone (r-mtLH), which may play central roles in reproductive activities. In the present study, the biological activities of the recombinant hormones were analyzed by gonadosomatic index (GSI), ovarian follicle diameter, and sex steroid levels in mature rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In the 6th day post-injection, FSH-injected fish were slightly decreased in the GSI value, although there were no significant differences among those of control, r-mtFSH, and r-mtLH treatments. Injection of the r-mtFSH increased follicle diameters significantly as compared with those of control- and r-mtLH-injected fish. The plasma steroid levels showed wide differences in the groups at 1, 3, or 6th day post-injection. Despite the variable steroid levels, three individuals receiving either r-mtFSH or r-mtLH showed a great increase in a maturation-inducing steroid, $17{\alpha},20{beta}$-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, at 3 and 6 days. Taken together, these results suggest that biological efficacies of the recombinant FSH and LH should be further studied in the Manchurian trout.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2021

It is very important to secure sufficient river maintenance flow for the ecosystem, since the ecosystem in the downstream section of the dam is greatly affected by the stream maintenance flow from the dam. However, the amount of discharge from the Seomjingang Dam is decreasing year by year, this study estimated the ecological flow required for the downstream section of the Seomjingang Dam, which is known as the habitat of the endangered Acheilognathus somjinensis, in order to secure the river flow of the Seomjingang Dam. For this purpose, the proper discharge was calculated using the PHABSIM model, which is a hydrological survey and physical habitat simulation method, and the proper discharge of other fish species were also comprehensively reviewed. As a result of this study, the current river maintenance flow at the Seomjingang Dam partially satisfies the ecological maintenance flow including the Acheilognathus somjinensis in the downstream section of the Seomjingang Dam. However, this is recognized as the minimum discharge to maintain the ecology in the downstream section of the Seomjingang Dam, and it would be more desirable to secure larger river maintenance flow than this. This study can contribute the determination of the river maintenance flow of the Seomjingang Dam by proposing the river maintenance flow considering the fish habitat environment in the river.

• Water Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.149-159
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• 2005

With increasing recognition on conservation of endangered species in Taiwan, one of the major conservation projects is the habitat restoration of Formosan Landlocked Salmon which is major threatened by check dams in the channel for their blockading pathway to upstream and causing the problems of population isolation and close-blood mating. By creating an opening in the central dam body appropriately, partial removal dams can provide pathway for the fish for the better upstream channel habitat. Four check dams at Gau-Shan Creek were remodeled between April of 1999 and September of 2002 with information supported from model experiments under certain hydraulic condition of field environment. Based on the follow-up investigation, the channel morphology of observation sections is in stable condition and the total number of Formosan Landlocked Salmon in this creek increased promptly at the reach containing partial-removed dams.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.87-99
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• 2012

Before the construction of Hantangang dam, we surveyed vertebrate fauna along the Hantangang River and collected samples. We collected 248 specimens (1,394 individuals) of 41 fish species from 10 families in four orders, including 17 endemic species and 5 endangered species. In our herpetofauna survey, we collected 47 amphibian samples of 10 species from 5 families in 2 orders, and 19 reptile samples of 5 species from 2 families in 1 order. We observed 25 species of bird (6 orders, 14 families) inclulding collection of 51 bird specimens (10 species from 5 families in 1 order). We collected 91 mammals of 6 species, and identified 7 species from field sign and direct observation from a total of 10 families in 5 orders. This collection and list comprise the final vertebrate faunal survey of the Hantangang region, and will provide basic scientific information for future research on conservation and restoration of the region.