• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2016

Forest degradation reduces ecosystem services provided by forest and could lead to change in composition of species. In North Korea, there has been significant forest degradation due to conversion of forest into terrace fields for food production and cut-down of forest for fuel woods. This study analyzed the phenological changes in North Korea, in terms of vegetation and moisture in soil and vegetation, from March to Octorber 2013, using MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) images and indexes including NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDSI (Normalized Difference Soil Index), and NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index). In addition, marginal farmland was derived using elevation data. Lastly, degraded terrace fields of 16 degree was analyzed using NDVI, NDSI, and NDWI indexes, and marginal farmland characteristics with slope variable. The accuracy value of land cover classification, which shows the difference between the observation and analyzed value, was 84.9% and Kappa value was 0.82. The highest accuracy value was from agricultural (paddy, field) and forest area. Terrace fields were easily identified using slope data form agricultural field. Use of NDVI, NDSI, and NDWI is more effective in distinguishing deforested terrace field from agricultural area. NDVI only shows vegetation difference whereas NDSI classifies soil moisture values and NDWI classifies abandoned agricultural fields based on moisture values. The method used in this study allowed more effective identification of deforested terrace fields, which visually illustrates forest degradation problem in North Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2004

The objectives of this study were to select superior fungus for lignin degradation and to decolor dyes by selected fungus. Ligninolytic fungi were screened and isolated from decayed woods. Ten ligninolytic fungi were selected by ligninolytic enzyme activity on the PDA media containing rhemazol brilliant blue R, guaiacol and gallic acid. Their lignin degradation abilities were tested on the extractive-free wood powder of Quercus acutissima and Pinus densiflora. As a result, 8J-28 was selected as superior fungus for lignin degradation. Also, decolorization abilities of dyes were examined by shaking and static culture. And congo red, crystal violet, poly R-478, methylene blue used to investigate decolorization abilities of dyes. As a result, 8J-28 showed over 90% in decolorization of congo red, crystal violet, poly R-478.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2020

In this study, we evaluated the anti-cancer activity and potential molecular mechanism of 70% ethanol extracts of the Berchemia floribunda (BF) which belongs to Rhamnaceae against human colorectal cancer cells. The treatment of BF decreased the cell proliferation in HCT116 cell and suppressed cellular accumulation of Cyclin D1 protein. Inhibition of proteasomal activity by MG132 attenuated BF-mediated Cyclin D1 downregulation and Cyclin D1 was decreased in the cell treated with BF. These findings indicates that BF-mediated Cyclin D1 downregulation may be result from Cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation. Additionally, BF-mediated Cyclin D1 degradation was blocked in the presence of LiCl, a GSK3β inhibitor, but not PD98059, SP600125, SB203580, Bay11-7082, LY294002 an ERK1/2 inhibitor, JNK inhibitor, p38 inhibitor, IκK inhibitor and PI3K inhibitor. Furthermore, BF phosphorylated Cyclin D1 at threonine-286 (Thr286), and LiCl-induced GSK3β inhibition reduced the BF mediated phosphorylation of Cyclin D1 at Thr286. These results suggested that BF may downregulate Cyclin D1 expression as a potential anti-cancer target through GSK3β dependent Cyclin D1 degradation. Therefore, this study provides that the extract of BF has anticancer activity against human colorectal cancer cells.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.445-452
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• 2006

The number of species and forest area has decreased as urbanization is progressed. The landscape degradation was examined by analyzing vegetation map, satellite image and characteristics of actual vegetation. The study was conducted in Mt. Baekja and its surroundings located on Gyeongsan city, southeastern Korea. As the result of landscape analysis, agricultural field was a characteristic attribute of the study area. Lowlands of this study area were occupied by agricultural field and various plantations. For 15 years from 1987 to 2002, forest area decreased from 2,072.9 ha to 1,853.2 ha, and shape index and fractal dimension of vegetation patches increased from 1.32 to 1.65 and from 1.05 to 1.09, respectively. Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucco. community showed the highest species diversity, whereas Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriere community showed the lowest species abundance. As forest management implications, monitoring of endangered plant species (Jeffersonia dubia (Maxim.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Baker & S.Moore), and restoration of lowland forest from plantation to natural forest were discussed. Further, establishment of greenways utilizing existing streams, roadside, and public facilities were recommended.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.1083-1096
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• 2020

Global attention to the greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is increasing. There is a growing recognition of reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation plus (REDD+) as an effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the forestry sector. The Republic of Korea is implementing REDD+ pilot projects in four Southeast Asian countries as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluates countries with the potential to become priority partner countries for Korea's REDD+ programs, using the following five criteria: The first criterion is that a country should include the forest sector and REDD+ in its national plan for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The second and third criteria refer to an average forest coverage rate of over 44% and a forest change rate of over - 0.1%, among the countries with forest cover of more than 10 million ha. The fourth criterion is that the country should meet the Forest Reference Emission Level requirements, one of the four elements of the Warsaw REDD+ Framework. The fifth criterion is that the country should have bilateral relations with the Republic of Korea in forestry while at the same time be a partner country for cooperation on climate change as well as a REDD+ pilot country. Based on our evaluation, we conclude that the first priority countries are Indonesia, Cambodia, and Myanmar. The second priority countries include Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. Finally, the third priority countries are Columbia, Congo, and Mozambique. This study suggests that for the selection of priority partner countries, Korean REDD+ programs should center on existing REDD+ pilot countries.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.5
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• pp.609-617
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate ecological indicators of forest degradation after forest fire and clear-cutting in the Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) stand of Mongolia. The species abundance and biodiversity indices were higher in burned and clear-cut stands than those of reference stand, but boreal understory species, such as Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Pyrola incarnata, Linnea borealis and Maianthemum bifolium, completely disappeared and was replaced by sedge species, such as Carex duriuscula, C. lanceolata, C. pediformis, Poa attenuata and P. pratensis. During the research period, temperature increased by an average of $1.6^{\circ}C$ in burned stand and $1.7^{\circ}C$ in clear-cut stand compared to reference stand, but RH sharply decreased up to 15.7% in clear-cut stand. This result indicates that Larix sibirica stand became warmer and drier after forest fire and clear-cutting, and contributed to the abundance of sedge and grass species in the understory. Moreover, intense occupation of tall sedge grass after forest fire and clear-cutting had a vital role as obstacle on natural regeneration of Larix sibirica. The similarity of species composition between reference and burned stands was higher (73.6%) than between reference and clear-cut stands (63.8%). Soil moisture significantly decreased after forest fire and clear-cutting, and the extent of decrease was more severe in the clear-cut stand. The chemical properties at soil organic layer were significantly affected by forest fire and clear-cutting but not the mineral horizons. Inorganic nitrogen of the forest floor significantly decreased in the clear-cut stand ($1.1{\pm}0.4mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) than that of the burned ($4.5{\pm}2.3mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) and reference stands ($5.0{\pm}2.3mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$). Available P of the forest floor significantly increased after fire, whereas it decreased after clear-cutting. These results indicate that existence of boreal understory vegetation, and changes in soil moisture and available P are distinct attributes applicable as ecological indicators for identifying forest degradation in Mongolia.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.685-694
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• 2016

In this study, the thermal degradation behavior of biomass during torrefaction was studied by thermogravimetric and byproduct gas analysis. Torrefaction temperature, time, and heating rate were $220{\sim}300^{\circ}C$, 110 min, and $10{\sim}30^{\circ}C/min$, respectively. The degradation rate of yellow poplar was 8.01~8.81% at $220^{\circ}C$ and 71.86~77.38% at $300^{\circ}C$ depending on heating rate. The degradation rate significantly increased at temperature over $240^{\circ}C$. On the other hand, degradation rate of larch was relatively low as 49.58~54.15% at $300^{\circ}C$. The activation energy of yellow poplar was 87.32~91.24 kJ/mol; these values did not significantly change with heating rate. The activation energy of larch was 83.85~91.60 kJ/mol. The major components of the gas generated during torrefaction were derived from hemicellulose. The component types and concentrations increased with torrefaction severity. High concentrations of furfural and acetic acid were detected during torrefaction of yellow poplar.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.3
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• pp.476-482
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• 2011

As part of studies on the reduction of forest trails degradation caused by high users density, this study was carried out to investigate soil physical properties of forest trails of Gyeongnam Domain in Mt. Jiri, Southeast Korea. Since the forest were opened for leisure trailing in 2008, the average soil erosion amounts per a square meter on the forest trails were $0.0015m^3$ from Inweol to Gumgeo, $0.0018m^3$ from Dongang to Suchol, and $0.0027m^3$ from Suchol to Chungam for 3 years. But, from Chungam to Agyang, the erosion was almost not occurred because it was recently opened. The soil hardness in 5 cm depth was significantly higher than in 10 cm depth. It indicates that intensive soil compaction by users has mainly affected in 5 cm soil depth until now on. In three forest trails compacted intensively, the porosity of 0-7.5 cm soil layer was down to 1.4-1.5 times compared to that in 2008. In additions, the bulk density was up to 1.6-3.1 times compared to the controls, which were not opened to users. As a result, the degradation caused by high users density would keep occurring on the three forest trails unless any counterplans are considered for the degradation reduction. At the moment, users distribution to other forest trails and long-term sabbatical years would be the most effective counterplans to keep from users gravitation on the three forest trails.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2008

Degradation of mechanical properties of fire-killed Korean red pine has been investigated after death in 5 years period. Impact bending absorbed energy was the most sensitive property by elapsed time after forest fire. It is an indication of incipient decay of the wood and can be useful indicator to monitor any change of mechanical property of fire-killed tree after death. Degradation of mechanical properties was more pronounced in sapwood than heartwood. Impact bending absorbed energy was more reduced than any other properties in both sapwood and heartwood, while compressive strength was least impacted by elapsed time after forest fire. It is recommended that the fire-killed Korean red pine can be harvested in one year after the fire for industrial uses by considering decay and consequent changes of mechanical properties.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.568-578
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• 2010

In this study, the possibility of biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by various white rot fungi was evaluated, and outstanding white rot fungi for the degradation of PCBs were selected. Seven white rot fungi were used to degrade Aroclor 1254 and 1260, which are widely considered to be toxic and difficult to degrade. And the degradation rates of Aroclors by selected white rot fungi were performed by GC analysis. Through the resistance test of white rot fungi on different concentrations of PCBs, the inhibition of mycelial growth of Cystidodontia isubellina was much less than that of others, and this fungus grew faster than others, relatively. Based on this result, it was considered that C. isubellina was selected as degrading fungus for Aroclors. As a result of biodegradation rate of Aroclors by Cystidodontia isubellina, the degradation rate of Arolor 1254 was reached to 57.57% in 13 days, which showed very high degradation rate. Also the degradation rate of Aroclor 1260 by C. isubellina had a tendency of increasing along with increasing incubation day. Maximal degradation rate of Aroclor 1260 was 49.43% at 13 days. Based on this results, it indicated that in comparison with a previous study, high degradation rate was obtained by C. isubellina.