• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.21-31
• /
• 2020

Shorebirds migrating along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) have been drastically decreasing due to continuous area loss and quality degradation of intertidal mudflats in the Yellow Sea. Evaluating the current habitat quality by means of habitat carrying capacity estimation could be effective in predicting the magnitude of impacts caused by habitat loss and provide better understanding to improve management strategies. In this study, we estimated the total biomass of Macrophthalmus japonicus, a main prey item of curlews in the Korea peninsular as habitat carrying capacity of the southern intertidal mudflat of Ganghwa Island, one of the key stopover sites for curlews in the EAAF. The result of the estimation took into account spatial differences of prey biomass and the available foraging time by tide patterns. Accordingly, it was found that curlew populations account for 30.26% of the habitat carrying capacity. When we calculated the mean biomass of the area and extrapolated it to the whole area to calculate the total biomass, it was found that the curlews have consumed 10.92% of the total biomass. The results show that the habitat carrying capacity of the southern intertidal mudflat of Ganghwa Island has decreased by 7.8% compared to a study conducted twenty years ago employing the same method. This study shows that there can be considerable differences in the results of habitat carrying capacity estimation between different methods, indicating that various environmental factors that affect the estimation results of habitat carrying capacity must be considered to achieve a more precise analysis and assessment.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.243-250
• /
• 2021

Information on butterflies in the Niger Delta Region is relatively scanty because monitoring of their activities and distribution has not been fully documented and these are paramount to establish their conservation protocols. The study therefore aimed at evaluating the species richness distribution pattern, and relative abundance of butterflies in the University of Port Harcourt. The University Park was purposively selected for this study. The park was stratified into three different habitat types (secondary forest, farmland, and residential/garden). A sampling of each stratum was done three times; twice in the morning between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm as well as once in the evening between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm along a 100 m line transects for 16 months (May 2017-August 2018). Data collected were analyzed for species diversity indices, evenness, and similarity index. A total of 1,932 individual butterflies belonging to 28 species, 18 genera, and five 5 families were identified in the study area. Species diversity and evenness were higher on farmland (1-D=0.909; H'=2.615; E=0.833), and least in the residential area/gardens (1-D=0.744; H'=1.975; E=0.659). The family Nymphalidae (39.0%) had the highest number of species occurrence while Hesperidae (0.4%) had the lowest composition. Anthene larydas (24.12%) had the highest relative abundance in the entire study area, followed by Acraea serena (17.49%). The study, therefore, recommends continuous monitoring of butterfly species diversity and composition also in other regions.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.79-95
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to find the changes in the habitat of wild birds caused by climate change in urban rivers and protected areas that greatly require ecological functions. In the future, this study can be used as a management index to protect the urban river ecosystem and maintain the health of sustainable urban rivers, thereby ensuring biodiversity. The Tancheon Ecological and Landscape Conservation Area, selected as a target site, has been affected by climate change. The four seasons of Korea have a distinct temperate climate, but the average annual temperature in Seoul has risen by 2.4-2.8℃ over the last 40 years. Winter temperatures tended to gradually increase. Precipitation, which was concentrated from June to August, is now changing into localized torrential rain and a uniform precipitation pattern of several months. Climate change causes irregular and unforeseen features. Climate change has been shown to have various effects on urban river ecosystems. The decrease in the area of water surface and sedimentary land impacted river shape change and has led to large-scale terrestrialization. Plants showed disturbance, and the vegetation was simplified. The emergence of national climate change indicator species, the development of foreign herbaceous plants, the change of dry land native herbaceous species, and wet intelligence vegetation were developed. Wild birds appeared in the territory of winter-summer migratory. In addition, species change and the populations of migratory birds also occurred. It was judged that fluctuations in temperature and precipitation and non-predictive characteristics affect the hydrological environment, plant ecology, and wild birds connecting with the river ecosystem. The results of this study were to analyze how climate change affects the habitat of wild birds and to develop a management index for river ecological and landscape conservation areas where environmental and ecological functions in cities operate. This study can serve as a basic study at the level of ecosystem services to improve the health of urban rivers and create a foundation for biodiversity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.39-49
• /
• 2015

This study was to evaluate the growth and spatial distribution characteristics of Rhus javanica population. The study was conducted between 2015 January and July at the cut-slope revegetation site in Dae-Ji Mountain. Seeds of native species were sowed on the disturbed cut-slope in 2002. There were 119 vascular plant species 55 families and 94 genera on the cut-slope. Compositae, Rosaceae, and Leguminosae plants were dominant species, which are pioneer species in dry and barren site. Canopy of trees covered 44.1% total area, which was 8.3% increase from 2008. Rhus javanica, main species, dominated all DBH classes except DBH >24cm. Albizzia julibrissin showed high frequency in the 6~17cm DBH class and Salix koreensis was abundant at >12cm. Elaeagnus umbellata, Corylus heterophylla var. heterophylla, Alnus sibirica, and Acer pictum were not observed. Rhus javanica population was the most frequently observed on the south facing cut-slope. The average DBH of Rhus javanica was $7.3({\pm}3.7)cm$ and the average height of them was $5.2({\pm}1.7)m$. Annual average DBH growth was 7.9mm/yr and the maximum growth(12.0mm/yr) was the $3^{rd}$ year. It decreased after $6^{th}$ years. Although Rhus javanica population in the Dae-Ji Mountain was a seed originated plantation, the forest had reverse J shape diameter frequency distribution. It indicated that the forest is uneven-aged forest. The Rhus javanica population was expected to sustain.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.34 no.2 s.115
• /
• pp.113-127
• /
• 2006

As the local self-government are stabilized and the environmental value is becoming more important among local residents, the occurrence of the anti-movements against waste treatment facilities is getting more frequent. Opposing to build the reuse facilities of wastes takes place because of concerning of health and hygiene, as well as matters of unclear policy making process. However, these facilities must be built in somewhere for the convenience and profit of the public. The NIMBY phenomenon against reuse facilities of wastes could be a burden for the city operation system, and it could worsen citizens' quality of life in the long run. In these lights, reuse and recycling facilities of wastes in East region are necessary facilities improving citizens' quality of life and enhancing the growth of cities in the region. However, there have been concerning of deforestation during the construction process of the facilities. The landscape design presented here for these facilities considers the features of the environmental ecosystem and tries to establish a plan to preserve the natural environment of the City of Ichon. This paper presents methods minimizing adverse effects of the facilities on the existing environments and promoting the city image with integrating culture, tourism, landscape and environment of the city. The landscape design makes efforts to harmonize natural environments in the site, human activities and culture. Well-being park was aimed to lead healthy and energetic outdoor activities of local residents. Ecological park was aimed to enhance the ecological functions of the forests and restore the valley ecology. Culture park was aimed to capture the city identity by creating a place that contains all the variety of meanings of the City of Ichon.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2006

This study is the primary study for analyzing the classifying characteristics of river wetlands in Korea and China. It is the first step for constructing the wetlands inventories and establishing the wetland conservation strategies in North-Eastern Asia. The case study sites are Han-river which is the representative river of Korea and Tu-men river which is flowing on the borderline of 3 nations, China, North Korea and Russia. The results are as follows : 1. The types of wetlands of Han-river in Korea and Tumen-river in China were classified by the methods of Koo(2002) which is focused on the topography and hydrology and Zhu(2002) which is emphasized the vegetation and habitats. 2. There are three features which are hydrology, topography and soil cover, and vegetation to classify the wetlands into each types. 3. According to the two wetland types by Koo and Zhu, classification system, wetlands in the case study area(Han river and Duman river) were classified by types. 4. In Koo's classifying system(2002), lots of Riverine, Lacustrins and Flat wetlands are found because the topographical and hydrological features are emphasized. On the contrary in Zhu's system(2002), there are lots of Palustrine wetlands because of emphasizing the vegetation. 5. By the topographic and geological characteristics of each sites, there are more wetland types in the lower Tumen river.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.124-141
• /
• 2006

Fiji is referred to as the hub of the South Pacific as it lies on the major sea and air transport routes in the region. Tourism, the fastest growing industry within the global economy, is already well established within the country. This paper aims to explore the characteristics of ecotourism in Fiji Islands as a foreign area study. To achieve the objectives, this research carried out a literature review before taking several field surveys in Fiji Islands. Research areas are Raintree Lodge in Suva, Kula Ecopark near Sigatoka, Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, Nalesutale Fijian indigenous village near Nadi. Most of all facilities and ecotour programs are developed for environmental, economical and educational effects. The case studies of Fiji present a good model of how to succeed in ecotourism and conservation management to Korea. In addition, this research will provide effective regional policies for the environmental friendly tourism in Korea.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2015

International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently developing rules with regard to exploitation of manganese nodules which will be contained in its first regulations governing the exploitation of deep seabed mineral resources. A stakeholder survey was conducted in the early 2014 by ISA with the aim of facilitating participation of interested entities in the development process of the rules. The stakeholders who had replied to the survey included existing contractors, sponsoring States, environmentalists, academics, and nongovernmental organizations. Opinions given by them largely reflect their own interests. This paper aims to clarify the scope of the obligations regarding the environmental protection which may be imposed on contractors under the new regulations for the exploitation of manganese nodules. To do so, it first analyses the express provisions on environmental protection applicable to deep seabed mining included in the Law of the Sea Convention, its agreement on implementation of Part XI, and the regulations on exploration for manganese nodules. Secondly, it categorizes these obligations based on the categories of international obligations suggested by Combacau and Alland. Based on the categorizations this paper concludes that, in addition to the existing duties to protect deep seabed environment within the Law of the Sea Convention system, the following new obligations could be added: conservation of exploitation sites for a limited time after the contract is ceased; taking all necessary measures for rehabilitation of destroyed ecosystems that occurredas a result of mining activities; monitoring exploitation sites for a limited period time after the contract is ceased; observing rules and standards on safety of ships and environmental protection adopted under IMO instruments; regulation on the discharge of mine tailings from the facilities used for exploitation of deep sea minerals. Lastly, this paper attempts to provide ways of reflecting national interests in terms of potential obligations which may be included in the new regulations.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.415-425
• /
• 2013

In order to understand phytoplankton and bacterial distribution in tropical coral reef ecosystems in relation to the mangrove community, their biomass and activities were measured in the sea waters of the Chuuk and the Kosrae lagoons located in Micronesia. Chlorophyll a and bacterial abundance showed maximal values in the seawater near the mangrove forests, and then steeply decreased as the distance increased from the mangrove forests, indicating that environmental conditions for these microorganisms changed greatly in lagoon waters. Together with chlorophyll a, abundance of Synechococcus and phototrophic picoeukaryotes and a variety of indicator pigments for dinoflagellates, diatoms, green algae and cryptophytes also showed similar spatial distribution patterns, suggesting that phytoplankton assemblages respond to the environmental gradient by changing community compositions. In addition, primary production and bacterial production were also highest in the bay surrounded by mangrove forest and lowest outside of the lagoon. These results suggest that mangrove waters play an important role in energy production and nutrient cycling in tropical coasts, undoubtedly receiving large inputs of organic matter from shore vegetation such as mangroves. However, the steep decrease of biomass and production of phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacteria within a short distance from the bay to the level of oligotrophic waters indicates that the effect of mangrove waters does not extend far away.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.107-133
• /
• 2014

The eco-tourism has caused a variety of problems between use and conservation. The situation requires introduction of scientific management techniques, such as controlling the number of visitors to the destination and identifying appropriate carrying capacity. Getz, LAC, VIM and VERP have been developed for this purpose and they are the management model based on carrying capacity that have been explored for introduction and application in Korea. However, it is necessary to modify and supplement the management model to suit the purpose of ecotourism characteristics and the status of ecotourism in Korea. Therefore, we identified the problems of the existing management model and presented three improvements. strengthen the interdependent linkages between carrying capacity and the management goals; improve the tourism opportunity distribution model; improve the phased management. It will help many ecotourism sites to effectively manage the impacts of visitors in Korea with a minimum amount of effort and costs.