• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.625-631
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• 2008

We used the visitation aspect of dabbling ducks(Anas spp.) to investigate the estuarine ecosystem of Nakdong River and to compare the data collected during two periods: trom May, 1989 to April 1993 and from May, 2002 to April 2006. Over for the 8 years of field surveys, 356,110 individuals from 11 species of dabbling ducks(Anas spp.) were observed in the Nakdong estuary. In the early 1990s, the average number of species gradually increased from October through November, whereas the highest numbers of species were recorded in October during the second survey period. The average number of individuals recorded during the second period was 2-3 times higher than that observed in the 1990s. Statistical analysis using a t-test indicated that the number of individuals showed significant difference at 5% level between November and February in both the early 1990s and the mid-2000s. During the winter, dabbling ducks select both estuarine wetlands as resting sites and rice paddy as feeding sites. More wintering migrants including ducks would visit to Nakdong river if we provide with enough rice paddy near the estuary. The farmland around Nakdong estuary is used by dabbling ducks as a habitat, we hope it must be conserved thoroughly. CRP(crop reserve program), implemented by the local government of Kangseo-gu, Busan City is effective in conserving rice paddy; therefore, the CRP program need to be continuously applied in the Nakdong river basin.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

For the restoration of lateral connectivity between channel and floodplain, it is important to find the former floodplain and to characterize its land use in streams which were channelized by the levee construction for the flood protection. The aim of this study is to map the former floodplains and to assess its land use pattern in the Cheongmi-cheon Stream, Korea. The former floodplains were explored by being overlapped on a digital elevation model (DEM), digital topographic map and design flood level using a geographical information system (GIS) in the Cheongmi-cheon Stream basin. The land use of the identified former floodplains was classified by land-use map. The total number of the former floodplains was 104 and their total area was $11.9km^2$ in the Cheongmi-cheon Stream. The land use pattern of the former floodplains was mostly farmland (87.1%). The former floodplains were usually surrounded by mountain forest in the downstream of the Cheongmi-cheon Stream. These former floodplains are probably suitable for restoration of lateral connectivity because of lower ratio of urban area but higher ratio of farmland. The results of delineation and land use analysis of the former floodplain can be used as a baseline data for planning stream restoration in the Cheongmi-cheon Stream.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.38 no.2 s.171
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• pp.135-142
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• 2005

In order to investigate the contamination level and seasonal variation of heavy metals and evaluate the bioavailability of toxic elements, environmental geochemical survey was undertaken at the Dogok Au-Ag-Cu mine area. The main pollution sources in the area were suggested as tailings, mine waste materials and mine water. Elevated levels of $140{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}As,{\;}107{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}Cd,{\;} 3017{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}Cu,{\;}12926{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg{\;}Pb,{\;}9094{\cal}mg/{\cal}kg$ Zn(before rainy season) were found in mine tailings. Concentrations of heavy metals in farmland soils exceeded normal level in nature soil (Bowen, 1979). The highest level of heavy metals was found in water samples near the mine tailing dumps regarded as a main pollution source of toxic elements in the area. These concentrations decreased to downstream due to the effect of dilution. From the results of sequential extraction analyses for tailings and soils, non-residual forms of heavy metals were found, which indicate the contamination to be progressing by continuing weathering and oxidation. Cadmium and Zn would be of the highest mobility in all samples. The bioavailability of Cd, Cu, Zn and As using SBET analysis from paddy soils was $53.3{\%},{\;}46.5{\%},{\;}41.0{\%}$ and $37.0\%$, respectively. The farmland soil sample(S3) showed the highest total concentration and bioavailability of heavy metals.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2014

Korea's agricultural land is constantly being reduced. The reasons for this are due to the change of agricultural profitability and the policy conditions. The reduction of agricultural land in 2010 showed a decline trend by 14.4 % of paddy fields and 1.2% of uplands compared to areas from 2000. These reductions were mainly due to switch rice paddy fields into upland or greenhouse facility cultivation because of low profitability of rice products compared to farm products. In addition, the permit system of agricultural areas was relaxed in switching paddy fields and this accelerated the reduction of agricultural land. For this reason, more than 1% of agricultural land area has been reduced every year for last five years. Moreover, indiscreet fill and cover materials such as construction wastes were used in agricultural lands and caused land contamination which threatened foundation as sustainable agricultural lands. For these reasons, it is a desperate situation to conserve good agricultural lands. However, the standards of transported soils, filling soils and cutting soils in the Agricultural Land Act are qualitative and have a problem of causing complaints. Therefore, the following criteria (proposals) are proposed in the Agricultural Land Act; (1) Use the proper soils for crops (criterion), (2) Soil components and amounts should be proper as transported soils (range), and (3) Prohibiting usage of improper earth rocks or recycled aggregates in case of filling soils (kinds). The presented criteria (proposals) suggest following; (1) Use physio-chemically proper soils for crops (criterion), (2) In case of transported soils, i, exclude potential acid sulphate soils, ii, gravel content sould be less than 15%, and iii, Heavy metals and other contaminants should be less than the soil contamination warning limit from the Ministry of Environments, (3) In case of filling soils, 13 kinds of recycled wastes specified in the Wastes Control Act should not be used as filling soils, (4) Practice soil conservation technology in case of sloping areas, and (5) Follow proper fertilizer application standards for maturing paddy fields and uplands when cutting soils.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1-19
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• 2017

This study set out to identify problems with amphibian habitation by the wetland types and improve their habitation environment in urban forest wetlands, thus creating a habitat for amphibians. Study site include forest swamps in Jatjul Park as well as Yeoji neighborhood Park in Guro-gu, and in Choansan neighborhood Park in Dobong-gu. The forest swamp in Jatjul Park gets its water from Mt. Maebong and it is a former escalated farmland-turned wetland. The swamp area is $2,500m^2$, a forest zone and a landscape planting site are 83.27% and 6.70% each. Target species Seoul pond frogs are inseparable from rice fields because they live in a short radius of and lay eggs in or near paddy fields, and Rana nigromaculata have similarities with Rana plancyi chosenica in choosing their habitats. There was need for paths that would lead to other paths so amphibians would spread to other parts of the forest and for measures to secure open water. Modifying a variety of routes for water, human and animals along with building a buffer to keep the core habitation zones were required. The forest swamp in Yeonji neighborhood Park used to be a water reservoir on the foot of Mt. Gunji. The swamp area is $1,980m^2$, a forest zone and farmland account for 80.61% and 4.88% each. Non-point pollutants from upstream along run into the subject forest marsh, bare ground on the around swamp and steep stone embankments obstructed amphibians. Target species was Bufo gargarizans that live in forests and edges of hills and spawn in deep water. The forest swamp in Choansan neighborhood Park gets its water from Mt. Choan and it is close to its water source that it is a mountain stream forest wetland. The basin and the swamp are $35,240m^2$ and $250m^2$ in size respectively. A forest zone accounts for 90.20%, high stone embankments laid in refurbishing the valley obstruct amphibians and there is water shortage in times of droughts. Target species were Rana coreana, Rana dybowskii and Hynobius leechii that live in mountain valleys, streams and wetlands and lay eggs in forest marshes and rocks in valleys. Looking into the three swamps of amphibian habitation, I came to conclusions that those wetlands were suitable for their amphibians but man-made facilities blocked their corridors leading to other corridors and even killed off target species in some parts of those swamps by destroying those parts. Amphibians live in water, on ground and underground at different stages of life. Hence, we should take this fact into consideration when planning their habitats and design core habitation zones, buffers zone and use zones accordingly. Buffer zones ought to be between core habitation zones and surrounding trees. Aiming at protecting core habitation zones, buffers should be in harmony with habitation zones. Use zones should be minimized in size and not in direct contact with core habitation zones.

• Magazine of the Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.2603-2609
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• 1972

A study on how the condition of farmland influences operating efficiency of a tractor came up with the following results in the primary experiment. (1) $10m{\times}30m$ plot of which length is shortest in this experiment, took a maximum of required time per onea plow, whereas $20m{\times}120m$ plot, whose length is longest in the same experiment, took a minimum of required time per one a to plow. It reveals, accordingly, that the proportion between width and length should be 1:6; the most desirable proportion that proves to most profitable in terms of time. (2) All the available efforts were made to diminish some unplowed parts of plot to a minimum. It was revealed, however, in the experiment that the ratio of unplowed plot leads to 7.52% in the plot 6; the highest ratio, and 3.44% in the plot 1; the lowe ratio. That shows us that the ratio of availability of land be higher in a more rectangular plot. (3) But even a rectangular plot allows lower ratio of availability in case that the width is narrow. It is showed that a higher ratio of availability can be obtained in when the width of plot is more than 20 meters at minimum. (4) In the operation of plowing by using a tracter, It was also revealed that we could not but have a quite a considerable loss in terms of both the ratio of availability and the required tine for plowing unless we maks a plan to with the unplowed part of plot.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2006

A field-resistant strain of the diamondback-moth(Plutella xylostella L.), collected from Chinese cabbage alpine farmland at Gangwon-do, Korea, was used for determination of the characteristics of resistance to chlorpyrifos using the activities of esterases and glutathione-S-transferase(GST), protein sequestration and AChE insenstivity. Although the activities of esterases extracted from resistant strain and susceptible strain were not significantly different, isozyme bands shown on the electrophoresis were different. GST activity from field resistant strain was 1.5-fold higher than that of susceptible. No differences were shown between resistant and susceptible ones in protein sequestration. The insensitivities of AChE to chlorpyrifos, however, extracted from susceptible strain was 460-fold higher than those of resistant. These results indicated that the insensitivity of AChE is the major factor for developing the resistance and activities of GST might be a minor factor.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.523-532
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• 2017

Environmental problems in urban spaces tend to result from excessive use of resources faster than the ecosystem can recover itself. In order to address this problem, city or municipal governments tend to devise plans and policies to lead development within their ecological carrying capacity. This study computes ecological capacity of Asan city, Province Chung Nam, South Korea through applying the concept of ecological footprint. This study finds ecological footprint and deficit of Asan city in 2015 were 5.12 and -4.99, respectively. From 2001 to 2015, Asan city experienced not only an 81% increase of ecological footprint, but also a 190% increase of ecological deficit. Such results suggest that Asan city has experienced a steady increase of resource consumption due to population increase and urban growth, indicating that loss of ecological spaces such as green space, farmland, wetland and so on restoring the ecosystem has been accelerated. Therefore, in order to promote sustainable development, Asan city should not only protect green space, farmland, wetland, and so on but also create urban growth plans and policies taking into account its environmental capacity of the city. This study provides suggestions for Asan city to lead urban growth within its environmental capacity by applying ecological deficit.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.659-672
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• 2008

There is a need to develop diverse cultivation species with reference to the favorites and farming experiences of allotment garden participants, in addition to the crops being cultivated in the gardens. In this study, therefore, a survey on the status of cultivation and the demand for herb crops for the garden participants was conducted. Current trend of the programmes related to allotment garden for city dwellers, executed by various relevant organizations was analyzed. A questionnaire was accomplished by adult participants experiencing farming in allotments. Likewise, interview with farm proprietors was conducted. The results showed that the number of crop species cultivated in allotments was about ten species. The purchase of seeds and nursery plants was mainly dependent on the farmland proprietors. The selection of the crops was made by both wife and husband. The status of herb utilization indicated that 5.7% of participants were cultivating or had cultivated herb plants. Sixty-two percent of participants were not cultivating herb plants because they did not know how. The purposes of using herbs were for medicine and beauty (22.0%), for spices (22.0%) and for enjoyment (29.0%). Thirty-four percent (34.0%) of participants were interested or would like to use the herbs in the future for medicine and beauty, 39.0% for spices and 31.7% for enjoyment. It is expected that the demand for herbs would increase. Also, 78.3% of participants had the intension or had taken into consideration to cultivate the herb plants, if the farmland proprietors would provide the plants. And, they had interest in planting, management and post harvest utilization and if a reference material would be provided as well. An approach to plant new crops might be possible to those who have more than four years of farming experience and possess relatively high level of cultivation techniques. In conclusion, the favorable crop cultivation strategy corresponding to the participants' abilities; and rental process were essential for the sustainable operation of allotment gardens and expanded number of participants. Moreover, there is a need to pay attention to the city dwellers who have a lot of farming experiences in allotment gardens to maintain agriculture and rural community. This is so, because they are interested in agriculture and rural community and most of them replied that they had intentions to move to rural areas in the future.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 2013

Organic carbon and total nitrogen stable isotope ratios of suspended materials were determined at 3 stations (from Mongtan Bridge to Youngsan river estuary barrage) (n=6, each) from November 2008 to August 2009, in order to understand the origin of particulate organic matter at the Estuary of Youngsan River. Allochthonous organic matter, ammonia-N and silicate were increased after heavy rain (in August). Carbon isotope ratios were significantly different between stations in November and August, and it was possible to determine the origin of organic matter. The heavier nitrogen isotope ratios, as well as higher phosphate concentrations, were found in November than other sampling times. Livestock wastewater and farmland input was likely the main causes of these high values. In addition, YS3 station, the nearest site to estuary barrage, appears to be affected by a substantial amount of livestock wastewater and farmland input, considering that nitrogen isotope ratios were heavier than those at the upper sites. These results suggest that the analysis of stable isotope ratios is a simple but useful tool for the determination of organic matter origin in aquatic environments.