• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.385-389
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• 2019

Knowledge of abundance, or population size, is fundamental in wildlife conservation and management. Camera-trapping, in combination with capture-recapture methods, has been extensively applied to estimate abundance and density of individually identifiable animals due to the advantages of being non-invasive, effective to survey wide-ranging, elusive, or nocturnal species, operating in inhospitable environment, and taking low labor. We assessed the possibility of using coat patterns from images to identify an individual leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), a Class II endangered species in South Korea. We analyzed leopard cat images taken from Digital Single-Lense Relfex camera (high resolution, 18Mpxl) and camera traps (low resolution, 3.1Mpxl) using HotSpotter, an image matching algorithm. HotSpotter accurately top-ranked an image of the same individual leopard cat with the reference leopard cat image 100% by matching facial and ventral parts. This confirms that facial and ventral fur patterns of the Amur leopard cat are good matching points to be used reliably to identify an individual. We anticipate that the study results will be useful to researchers interested in studying behavior or population parameter estimates of Amur leopard cats based on capture-recapture models.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.390-401
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and inhabiting status of endangered species in the Bukcheon (Stream) of Seoraksan National Park, Korea from April to September 2020. A total of 4,356 fish of 7 families and 22 species were collected from 17 survey stations during the survey period. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (relative abundance, 41.8%), and subdominant species was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis (relative abundance, 15.1%), followed by Pungtungia herzi (10.1%), Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa (5.0%), Coreoleuciscus splendidus (4.1%), Zacco platypus (3.8%), Microphysogobio longidorsalis (3.5%), and Hemibarbus mylodon (2.2%). Among the fish species collected, 14 species (63.6%) were identified as Korean endemic species. There was one natural monument species (Hemibarbus mylodon), and four species of class II endangered wildlife that were designated by the Ministry of Environment (Acheilognathus signifer, Pseudopungtungi tenuicorpa, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis). Among the four species of class II endangered wildlife, B. lenok tsinlingensis inhabited in the upper stream, and A. signifer, P. tenuicorpa and G. brevibarba inhabited mainly in the middle-lower stream. Also, P. tenuicorpa, H. mylodon, and B. lenok tsinlingensis were inhabited in large numbers. Additionally, two cold-water fish species (R. kumgangensis and B. lenok tsinlingensis) and one landlocked species (B. lenok tsinlingensis) were collected. According to the results of cluster analysis, the dominance index decreased from upstream to downstream, but the diversity, evenness, and richness index increased; the cluster structure was divided into the uppermost, upstream, midstream, and downstream. The water quality of Bukcheon was evaluated as good overall since the river health (index of biological integrity) evaluated using fish was evaluated as very good (11 stations), good (2 stations), and normal (4 stations). However, river repair work was being carried out in some areas and some wastewater was flowing in from the midstream, therefore, supplementary measures to preserve fish habitats are required.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2013

This study investigated mammal fauna in the sabbatical area of Mt. Unmun, Kyungsangbuk-do from December, 2007 to September, 2009. A total of 24 species belonging to 11 Families, 6 Orders, were identified in the survey area. Dominant species were as follows: Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis), Siberian chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), Korean mole (Mogera wogura), and East Asian field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae). Especially, four Legal Protection Species specified as National Monument (NM) and Endangered Species (ES) found in this survey were as follows: Flying squirrel (Petromys volans; NM #328 and ES level II), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra; NM #330 and ES level I), Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis; ES level II) and Marten (Martes flavigula; ES level II). These results on the geographical distribution of various mammal species and Legal Protection Species indicate that this area is a valuable ecosystem for native mammal species. On the other hand, many feral cats were also found and specified as a management species. The results of this study show that further long-term investigation and management plan are needed to protect against harmful species and maintain the native ecosystem of Mt. Unmun.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.74-83
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• 2021

Distribution status, habitat characteristics, and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis were investigated in 2015 and 2019. Historical distribution reports of B. l. tsinlingensis were divided into before 1990, 1997~2006, 2000~2011, and 2010~2019. Among the 150 sampling sites investigated during the study period, number of individuals of B. l. tsinlingensis were collected 542 individuals from 67 sites. The streams inhabited of B. l. tsinlingensis were Naerincheon (11 stations), Odaecheon (11 stations), Bukcheon (10 stations), Bangtaecheon (8 stations), Songjeongricheon (4 stations), Suipcheon (3 stations), Inbukcheon (3 stations), Hyeondongcheon (3 stations) etc. The main habitat of B. l. tsinlingensis was upstream of the river with a high altitude of more than 400 m, 4~20 m water flow width, 1~2 m water depth, and high ratio (70~80%) boulder bottoms. The main reasons for the decline in population size were assumed as river works, construction of reservoirs and bridges, discharge of contaminated water into the river, the inflow of summer vacationers, and weir. Compared to our results there exists evidence that states a 20.7% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, in a small appearance range (7,732 km²) and occupancy area (268 km²), number of disconnected locations (15 locations), and a decline in habitat quality. Therefore, B. l. tsinlingensis is now considered as Near Threatened (NT) based on the results (Near meets VU A2acd, B1b(i,ii,iii)+B2b(i,ii,iii)) of IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.436-486
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• 2010

The vascular flora of Mt. Seorak had been researched from 1984 to 2010, and this research revealed 994 taxa in total, including 814 species, 1 subspecies, 122 varieties and 57 forms in 463 genera, 109 families. Among them were 53 taxa of Korean endemic species, 60 taxa of rare and endangered species, and 248 taxa of specially designated species in view of floristics by the Ministry of Environment, which includes 42 taxa of grade V, 27 taxa of grade IV, 58 taxa of grade III, 57 taxa of grade II, and 64 taxa of grade I. With regard to the naturalized plants, 60 taxa were recognized, and Compositae taxa was distributed in highest ratio, accounting for 31.7%, and naturalization ratio was found to be 6.0%. Furthermore, hemicryptophytes (27.6%), geophytes (25.0%) and phanerophytes (21.8%) showed high proportional ratio in life form spectrum.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2016

The gold-spotted pond frog(Pelophylax chosenicus) classified as an Anura in Amphibia is sharply decreasing due to various changes of habitats environment, and designated as IUCN Red List Threatened species(VU; Vulnerable) internationally and domestic endangered species Class-II; therefore, it's in urgent need of the research on habitats restoration of the gold-spotted pond frog in order to prevent its extinction. This study was carried out to verify the effect after restoration by introducing the inhabitation elements deducted by the literature research and a field survey on the habitats for the gold-spotted pond frog in danger of regional extinction in the urban area of Ansan city, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Accordingly, the capacity for bio-species was increased by expanding the area of habitats into $11,845m^2$, and securing the place for hibernation and corridors and discharge within the habitats, etc. As a result of the monitoring the number of individuals increased by 9.5 times as the reproductive success rate of the gold-spotted pond frog got higher, and by virtue of improvement in the habitats, biodiversity increased to 183 species(4 species of amphibians and reptiles, 4 species of mammals, 17 species of birds, 53 species of insects(terrestrial/Benthic), 4 species of fish, and 102 species of plants). It might be possible to verify the restoration effect of the habitats through continuous monitoring, and suggest the restoration model on the habitats for continuously survivable the gold-spotted pond frog in the urban area by deducting the matters to be improved.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.87-107
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to present the basic data for maintenance and management of river ecosystem by surveying and analysing the kinds and their characteristics of vascular plants in Bukcheon stream, Gyeongju-si, South Korea. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 428 taxa including 92 families, 265 genera, 3 subspecies, 24 varieties, 6 forms, 5 hybrids and 5 cultivars. Among the identified taxa, there were 90 planted species. The endangered wild species was Cicuta virosa, and the rare plants were 5 taxa including Prunus × yedoensis, Juniperus chinensis L. var. sargentii and so on. The Korean endemic plants were 5 taxa Populus × tomentiglandulosa, Salix koriyanagi, Lespedeza maritima, Forsythia koreana and Aster pseudoglehni. The specific plants by floristic region were 26 taxa including 2 taxa of grade V, 3 taxa of grade IV, 2 taxa of grade III, 8 taxa of grade II and 11 taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were 81 taxa including Euphorbia maculata, Erigeron strigosus, Vulpia myuros and so on. The invasive alien plants were 7 taxa including Humulus scandens, Rumex acetosella, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Ambrosia trifida, Lactuca seriola, Symphyotrichum pilosum and Paspalum distichum.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.382-391
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• 2004

This study was conducted to establish the effective and systematic counter plan of conservation by analyzing vegetation on Korean endemic plants and rare and endangered plants, Abeliophyllum distichum, habitats and to present the raw data and direction on counter plan of restoration. The dominant species of tree layers were Platycarya strobilacea(Goesan-gun Chujeom-ri I), Pinus densiflora(Goesan-gun Songdeok-ri II and Yulji-ri III), Robinia pseudo-acacia(Yeongdong-eup Maechon-ri IV), Quercus variabilis(Jincheon-gun Yongjeong-ri V) and Pinus densiflora$.$Quercus variabilis(Buan-gun Junggye-ri Ⅵ). Subtree layers were dominated by Quercus dentata(1st site), Quercus serratu(2nd site), Quercus acutissima(3rd site), Robinia pseudo-acacia(4th site), Zelkova serrata(5th site) and Quercus variabilis(6th site). And the dominant species of shrub layers were Lindera obtusiloba(1st and 5th site), Lespedeza bicolor(2nd site), Stephunandra incisa(3rd site), Quercus aliena(4th site) and Rhododendron schlippen-bachii(6th site). The dominant species of herb layers were surveyed Humulus japonicus$.$Pueraria thunbergiana(1st site), Oplismenus undulatifolius(2nd and 4th site), Carex siderosticta$.$Pueraria thunbergiana(3rd site), Streptolirion cordifolium$.$Humulus japonicus(5th site) and Sasa borealis(6th site). Among the surveyed sites, the Goesan-gun Yulji-ri supremely abounded in species and individuals, and there was surveyed each 21 species and 116 individuals. As well, this site showed the highest H'(1.123) and H'$_{max}$(1.322). Therefore, Goesan-gun Yulji-ri formed diverse vegetation and Yeongdong-eup Maechon-ri and Buan-gun Junggye-ri showed relatively poor vegetation.ation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.429-439
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• 2011

We investigated the flora of Imja-do(Isl.), an island of the Shinan archipelago, located in Imja-myeon, Shinan-gun, Jollanamo-do and discussed the vascular plants found there. Twenty-four separate field trips (100days) were completed from August of 1997 to October of 2009. As a result, we identified the distribution of 526 taxa in Imja-do(Isl.), comprising 112 families, 331 genera, 463 species, 1 subspecies, 60 varieties, and 2 forms. There are a total of 78 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants and one taxon of level II endangered species, Millettia japonica, as designated by the Korean Ministry of the Environment. The floristic regional indicator plants are as follows; four taxa of level V such as Utricularia bifida, two taxa of level IV such as Cladium chinense, 14 taxa of level III such as Aletris spicata, three taxa of level II, and 55 taxa of level I. In addition, one endangered species (EN), Nymphoides coreana, five vulnerable species (VU),such as Ilex cornuta, and three near-threatened species (NT) such as Utricula riaracemosa, were found in the investigated area. The plants of Imja-do(Isl.) are classified into four types based on the plant geographical origin, as follows: 1) boreal plants advancing southward in a glacial period, 2) temperate plants spreading eastward from the Himalayas and China to Japan passing through the south coast of Korea, 3) subtropical plants, and 4) indigenously developed endemic species of the warm-temperate region of East Asia.

• 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.