• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.751-761
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the vegetation properties, soil characteristics and ordination of Rhododendron brachycarpum population in South Korea. Rhododendron brachycarpum were mainly distributed along the Ulleungdo and Baekdudaegan of the Korean penninsula and it's population was located at an elevation of 872m to 1466m. The Rhododendron brachycarpum population was classified into Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia dominant population, Magnolia sieboldii dominant population, Thuja koraiensis dominant population and Rhododendron brachycarpum typical population. The composition of soil properties in the same areas are as follows: organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorous, exchangeable $K^+$, exchangeable $Ca^{2+}$, exchangeable $Mg^{2+}$ contained, and soil pH. The capacities of these chemical properties of the soil ranged from 10.45~15.28%, 0.37~0.61%, $0.21{\sim}0.35cmol^+/kg$, $0.39{\sim}2.54cmol^+/kg$, $0.17{\sim}0.50cmol^+/kg$, $18.28{\sim}22.81cmol^+/kg$ and 4.66~5.23 respectively. The results of the correlation between communities and soil conditions of vegetation of Rhododendron brachycarpum by DCCA ordination method are as follows: Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia dominant population was found in the very steep sloped area that has low percentage of total organic matter and nitrogen than other populations. Magnolia sieboldii dominant population and Thuja koraiensis dominant population was found in the steep sloped area that has high percentage of total organic matter and nitrogen than other populations. Thuja koraiensis dominant population was found in the gentle sloped area that has high percentage of altitudinal and rock exposure. Current status of Rhododendron brachycarpum is very vulnerable with a collection of herbs constantly threatening the species' survival. Thus, concrete conservation plans to protect natural habitats should be set up as soon as possible.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.298-304
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• 2021

The anti-aging and anti-inflammatory activities of hot-water (Ca-HW) and 70% ethanol (Ca-E70) whole-plant Calamagrostis arundinacea extracts, as well as their bioactive potentials, were investigated using cell-free and cell-mediated experimental systems. Use of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical decolorization assay to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the Ca-HW and Ca-E70 extracts revealed DPPH radical scavenging activities of 27% and 48%, respectively. Neither extract caused significant cytotoxicity, and both showed cell proliferation and promotion effects using RAW 264.7, B16F10, and CCD986sk cells. B16F10 melanoma cells showed higher melanin synthesis when treated with 100 mg/ml Ca-HW or Ca-E70 than with arbutin, indicating a stronger inhibitory effect of arbutin on melanin synthesis. Ca-HW and Ca-E70 increased pro-collagen biosynthesis in the human fibroblast CCD986-SK cell line by 24.69% and 12.55%, respectively. Analysis of the anti-inflammatory effects of different concentrations of Ca-HW and Ca-E70 in RAW264.7 cells revealed that Ca-E70 appeared to inhibit the lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide and IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine; therefore, Ca-E70 showed an anti-inflammatory effect. These results suggested that C. arundinacea extracts could have skin anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.100-139
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• 2023

This study was intended to identify the distribution and characteristics of plants such as native plants, rare plants, and endemic plants through a flora survey in Sangwangsan Mt. (644m), Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, a group habitat of warm temperate forests in Korea, and use the data for the conservation of plant species diversity and the study of climate and distribution changes in warm-temperate forests. A total of 32 field surveys were conducted from 2018 to 2022. The survey identified 785 taxa, including 8 forms, 53 varieties, 16 subspecies, 708 species, 473 genera, and 132 families. The endangered wild plants designated by the Ministry of Environment included 6 taxa: Woodwardia japonica, Metanarthecium luteoviride, Bulbophyllum inconspicuum, Dendrobium moniliforme, Pelatantheria scolopendrifolia, and Cymbidium macrorhizon. Rare plants designated by the Korea Forest Service were identified as 26 taxa. The red list designated by the Korea National Arboretum was identified as 7 taxa, the red list designated by the Ministry of Environment was identified as 29 taxa, and endemic plants in Korea were identified as 17 taxa. Floristic target species in Korea were identified as 200 taxa, specifically 6 taxa of grade V, 13 taxa of grade IV, 73 taxa of grade III, 29 taxa of grade II, and 79 taxa of grade I. Naturalized plants were identified as 73 taxa, and invasive alien plants were identified as 6 taxa. Target plants adaptable to climate change in Korea were identified as 55 taxa, specifically 8 taxa of endemic plants, 46 taxa of southern plants, and 1 taxon of northern plants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-24
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• 1980

One of the most important basic problems for developing the new techniques in the field of road landscape planting practices in Korea, is to clarify, analyse, and evaluate the existing technical level through actual field survey on the various kinds of planting techniques. This study is, therefore, aimed at the good grasp of detail essences of the existing level of road landscape planting techniques through field investigations of the executed sites. In this study, emphasized efforts are made to the detail analysis and systematic rearrangements of such main subjects as; 1) principles and functions of the road landscape planting techniques; 2) essential elements in planning of it; 3) advanced practices in execution of planting of it; 4) and improved methods in maintenance of plants and lands as an entire system of road landscape planting techniques. The road landscape planting techniques could be explained as the planting and landscaping practices to improve the road function through introduction of plants (green-environment) on and around the roads. The importances of these techniques have been recognized by the landscape architects and road engineers, and they also emphasize not on]y the establishment of road landscape features but also conservation of human's life environment by planting of suitable trees, shrubs, and other vegetations around the roads. It is essentially required to improve the present p]anting practices for establishment of the beautiful road landscape features, specially in planning, design, execution, establishment, and maintenance of plantings of the environmental conservation belts, roadside trees, footpathes, median strips, traffic islands, interchanges, rest areas, and including the adjoining route roads.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.248-270
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to collect the raw data for conservation of plant ecosystem by surveying and analysing the flora of Mt. Geumgok located in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. The flora were summarized as 453 taxa including 91 families, 298 genera, 397 species, 4 subspecies, 46 varieties and 6 forms. The rare plants designated by Korea Forest Service were 3 taxa such as Eranthis byunsanensis B.Y.Sun, Potentilla discolor Bunge and Iris odaesanensis Y.N.Lee. The Korean endemic plants were 6 taxa such as Carpinus laxiflora (Siebold & Zucc.) Blume, Eranthis byunsanensis B.Y.Sun, Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., Lespedeza maritima Nakai, Vicia chosenensis Ohwi and Weigela subsessilis (Nakai) L.H.Bailey. The specific plants by floristic region were 36 taxa such as Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc., Salix chaenomeloides Kimura, Anemone raddeana Regel, Chloranthus japonicus Siebold, Euphorbia pekinensis Rupr., Ilex macropoda Miq., Ajuga multiflora Bunge, Saussurea odontolepis Sch.Bip. ex Herd, Viola orientalis (Maxim.) W.Becker, Betula davurica Pall., Vitex negundo var. incisa (Lam.) C.B.Clarke and Cimicifuga heracleifolia Kom.. The naturalized plants were 36 taxa such as Fallopia dumetorum (L.) Holub, Lepidium apetalum Willd., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Trifolium repens L., Euphorbia supina Raf., Ipomoea purpurea Roth, Veronica persica Poir., Bidens pilosa L., Carduus crispus L., Xanthium canadense Mill., Bromus unioloides H.B.K. and Festuca arundinacea Schreb.. The invasive alien plants were 2 taxa such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Aster pilosus Willd.. The ratios of the urbanized index(UI), the naturalized index(NI) and the disturbed index(DI) were 11.2%, 7.9% and 18.2% each.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.893-902
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to survey structures and growth conditions of Pinus densiflora village groves, and to establish management strategies for their desirable growth and conservation. Twelve village groves were selected in western Gangwon province for the study. The age of the study groves ranged from 50 to 200 years. Average dbh (diameter at breast height) and density of trees for each study grove were 27~52cm and 0.5~9.3 trees/$100m^2$, respectively. Soil environments were favorable to Pinus densiflora growth in the majority of the study groves, but 2 study groves with sandy soils showed considerably poor nutrient contents. Low tree vitality was found in some of the study groves due to poor conditions of root growth from soil fill and trampling. There were detachment of cambial tissue and damage of stem cavity at 6 study groves, which were caused by artificial injury, careless pruning, and frost damage. Light disease damage by Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii and phomopsis blight were found at 6 study groves. Light pest damage by Thecodiplosis japonensis was also found at 6 study groves, but the pest damage at 2 study groves was relatively considerable. Thus, major factors limiting normal growth of Pinus densiflora village groves were infertility, soil fill and trampling, stem damage, and disease and pest. Desirable management strategies were explored to solve growth-related problems and to conserve the study groves. The management strategies included fertilization of organic matter and lime, removal of soil fill, soil plowing and graveling, wood-trail installation or woodchip mulching, supply of wood fences and protective frames, surgical operation for damaged stems, vitality enhancement, and trunk injection to improve growth environments or control stem damage and disease/pest.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.406-425
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• 2010

The flora for resource plants in Hapcheon-gun were investigated 10 times from March to October, 2009. Based on collected voucher specimens, the flora of this area consisted of 489 taxa in total; 82 families, 292 genera, 427 species, 4 subspecies, 49 varieties and 9 forms. The resources plants in the area were categorized by usage into 9 groups including an unknown group: 187 edible, 126 pasturing, 137 medicinal, 112 dyeing, 52 ornamental, 16 timber, 9 fiber, 2 industrial taxa and 134 unknown resource plants were recorded respectively. In addition, there were 18 taxa of Korean endemic plants, 33 taxa of specific plants which were designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 2 taxa of rare plants. Furthermore, 44 taxa of naturalized plants were observed in this investigated area. The vegetation status of the investigated area was well conserved, but it is likely that the contaminated area could be rapidly increased and exacerbated by the climbers and development of forest roads. Therefore, the systems for conservation need to be prepared for the effective management of forests, and there must be special rules to control the number of climbers and visitors.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.436-445
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• 2020

The number of protected areas has been steadily increased in Korea to achieve Aichi Target 11, and there are studies on potential protected areas that required additional designation. However, there has been an insufficient assessment of the complementarity of protected areas to conserve biodiversity effectively. This study identified the potential habitat areas using the species distribution model for plant species from the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey and compared the plant species abundance in the existing protected area and the potential protected areas using the similarity indices, such as the Jaccard index, Sorenson index, and Bray-Curtis index. As a result, we found that the complementarity of the existing protected areas and most potential protected areas were low, leading to the preservation of similar plant species. Only the buffer zone for Korea National Arboretum had high complementarity and thus is important to conserve some species with the other protected areas. This study confirmed that it was necessary to select additional protected areas outside the existing or potential protected areas to protect plant species with a low inclusion ratio of potential habitats within the protected area. This study is significant because it identified the ecological representativeness of each protected area to examine if the individual protected area can conserve unique and various species and proposed a method of finding candidate areas for additional conservation spatially. The findings of this study can be a valuable reference for the qualitative improvement of protected areas through the complementarity assessments, including animals and the effectiveness assessment study of protected areas using the National Ecosystem Survey data in the future.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.181-191
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• 2000

We have sequenced a portion of mitochondrial CO! gene (403 bp) of the firefly, Pyrocoelia rufa, to investigate genetic diversity within population, geographic variation, and phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes. A total of seven mtDNA haplotypes ranging in sequence divergence from 0.2% to 1.2% were obtained from 26 fireflies collected at four localities in Korea: Namhae, Pusan, Muju, and Yongin. The samples collected at the urban area, Pusan, were all fixed with one haplotype, differently those collected at the forest and/or agricultural areas. This appears to suggest that habitat fragmentation and population bottleneck caused by urbanization might have been severe in Pusan. On the other hand, from Muju known as the largest habitat and sanctuary for the firefly, four haplotypes with the maximum sequence divergence of 1.0% were obtained, and this estimate was the highest among the areas studied. The fireflies collected at the isolated islet, Namhae, revealed relatively low haplotype diversity(H=0.25), but one haplotype (PR7) was phylogenetically differentiated from others. This phenomenon was explained in terms of biogeographic history of the island and gene flow in the recent past. Grouping of Muju- Y ongin and Pusan-Namhae, respectively, in the hierarchical genetic analysis suggests the presence of historically occurred, biogeographic barrier against gene flow between them.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.507-512
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• 2018

Three natural Pinus thunbergii stands in southern Korea were studied to investigate stem density, biomass expansion factors, allometric equations and stand biomass. Stand ages of stand 1, 2 and 3 were 15, 29 and 45 years old, respectively. Three $10m{\times}10m$ plots were set up, five sample trees were cut and roots of three sample trees were excavated for dimension analysis in each stand. Stem density of stand 1, 2 and 3 were $0.450g/cm^3$, $0.440/cm^3$ and $0.457g/cm^3$, respectively, and there was no significant difference among the three stands. Biomass expansion factors of above-ground and total tree decreased with increasing stand age. Above-ground biomass expansion factor of stand 1 was significantly higher than those of stand 2 and 3, and total tree biomass expansion factor of stand 1 was significantly higher than that of stand 3. Allometric equations were developed for the 15 sample trees of the three stands based on D or $D^2H$. Above-ground biomass of stand 1, 2 and 3 were 50.72t/ha, 89.92t/ha, 194.07t/ha, respectively, and total tree biomass of stand 1, 2 and 3 were 61.62t/ha, 113.12t/ha, 248.36t/ha, respetively.