• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2007

We placed and monitored 2,137 nest boxes to determine how the size of the entrance hole and the box placement influenced nest box selection by secondary cavity-nesting birds and to derive recommendations for the use of nest boxes for management of cavity-nesting birds in forested environments. A total of 566 pairs of seven bird species used the nest boxes from 1997 to 2006, 562 of which were secondary cavity-nesters. Sympatric tits such as varied tits (Parus varius), great tits (P. major), and marsh tits (P. palustris) were common breeding birds in nest boxes, and showed clear preferences for 4.0 cm, 3.5 cm and 3.0 cm nest holes, respectively. Tree sparrows (Passer montanus) and Eurasian nuthatches (Sitta europaea) preferred 4 cm and 3.5 cm holes, respectively. We did not detect selection for the directional orientation for the entrance hole, but the birds appeared to avoid nest boxes that faced steep or gentle upward slopes and those less than 1.8 m from the ground. These results are probably related to avoidance of disturbance and predation. We suggest that diverse species can be supported by the placement of nest boxes with entrance holes of various sizes and that specific species can be targeted by selecting the hole sizes preferred by those species. To attract secondary cavity-nesters, managers should avoid placing nest boxes close to the ground and facing hills. This study also suggests that careful selection and placement of nest boxes is needed to avoid biases in research using nest boxes.

• Advances in environmental research
• /
• 제4권4호
• /
• pp.247-262
• /
• 2015

The few lignin biomarker studies conducted in tropical environments are hampered by having to use references signatures established for plants and soils characteristic of the temperate zone. This study presents a lignin biomarker analysis (vanillyls (V), p-hydroxyls (P), syringyls (S), cinnamyls (C)) of the dominant plant species and soil horizons as well as an analysis of the interrelated terrigenous organic matter (TOM) dynamics between vegetation and soil of the $Tapaj{\acute{o}}s$ river region, an active colonization front in the Brazilian Amazon. We collected and analyzed samples from 17 fresh dominant plant species and 48 soil cores at three depths (0-5 cm, 20-25 cm, 50-55 cm) from primary rainforest, fallow forest, subsistence agriculture fields and pastures. Lignin signatures in tropical plants clearly distinguish from temperate ones with high ratios of Acid/aldehyde of vanillyls ((Ad/Al)v) and P/V+S. Contrary to temperate environments, similarly high ratios in tropical soils are not related to TOM degradation along with pedogenesis but to direct influence of plants growing on them. Lignin signatures of both plants and soils of primary rainforest and fallow forest clearly distinguish from those of non-forested areas, i.e., agriculture fields and pastures. Attalea speciosa Palm trees, an invasive species in all perturbed landscapes of the Amazon, exhibit lignin signatures clearly distinct from other dominant plant species. The study of lignin signatures in tropical areas thus represents a powerful tool to evaluate the impact of primary rainforest clearing on TOM dynamics in tropical areas.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• 제31권4호
• /
• pp.288-296
• /
• 2015

In many very high density cities in Asia in which there is limited area to expand, growth is forced upward as well as outward. Densely packed detached houses and low-rise buildings are replaced by lower density high-rises, leaving open spaces between high-rise buildings. Through this process, areas that formerly did not have much green space gain valuable green spaces, and new ecological corridors and patches are created. In this study, the demographic and housing-type changes of Wonju City were delineated using land use maps, aerial images, census data, and other administrative data. Green area changes were calculated using land cover data derived from multi-year Landsat TM satellite imagery. The values were then compared against demographic and housing-type changes for each administrative unit. The overall results showed a decrease of forested area in the city and an increase of developed area. Urban sprawl was clearly visible in many of the suburban areas. However, as expected, we also detected areas in which greenness did not decrease when the population greatly increased. These areas were characterized by residential building complexes of ten or more stories. If an equal number of housing units had been built as detached houses, these areas would not have kept as much green space. Our research result showed that high-density and high-rise residential structures can offer an alternative means to protect or create urban green spaces in high-density urban environments.

• 한국환경과학회지
• /
• 제21권10호
• /
• pp.1171-1179
• /
• 2012

Headwaters initiate material export to downstream environments. A nested headwater study examined the flux of dissolved constituents and water from a perennial stream and four ephemeral/intermittent streams in the Upper Gulf Coastal Plain of Mississippi. Water was collected during storm and baseflow conditions. Multiple linear regression was used to model constituent concentration and calculate flux. Event was the major source of water discharged from the ephemeral and intermittent streams however, baseflow was the major source for water discharged by the perennial stream during events. The perennial stream had an area weighted average yields of 10.1, 0.01, 1.03, 0.65 kg/ha/yr of DON (dissolved organic nitrogen), $NO_3^-$-N, $NH_4^+$-N and $PO_4^{-3}$, respectively while large variabilities existed between the ephemeral and intermittent streams. These findings highlight the importance of headwaters in protecting the low order drainage basins as a key to water quality within perennial streams.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• 제47권4호
• /
• pp.193-199
• /
• 2023

Background: The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) holds the distinction of being the world's smallest carnivorous animal, yet its presence in South Korea has remained poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates the habitat preferences and distribution of the least weasel in South Korea. Results: Our study compiled presence data from various sources, including citizen reports, national surveys, and expert observations. The results confirmed the nationwide presence of the least weasel in mainland South Korea, with notable concentration regions such as Gangwon province. Among the various habitats, forest edges and forests emerged as the predominant choice, with over half of the documented locations situated within these environments, particularly in broadleaf forests. Additionally, the data reveal a year-round presence of the least weasel, with recorded cases occurring at varying levels throughout the year. Conclusions: Our research advances the understanding of least weasels in South Korea. Despite the relatively modest dataset, our results provide as a valuable resource for future conservation initiatives, emphasizing the significance of forested landscapes. Additionally, it assists in identifying priority areas for protection and management efforts. To secure the future of the least weasel in South Korea and beyond, further research, including long-term monitoring and genetic studies, is imperative.

• 한국조경학회지
• /
• 제44권4호
• /
• pp.109-120
• /
• 2016

본 연구에서는 열환경 취약성 평가에 관한 국 내외 선행연구 고찰을 바탕으로 열환경 취약성 평가에 적합하면서 도시 및 환경계획 등 공간계획 분야에서 활용할 수 있는 취약성 평가지표를 선정하고, 이를 활용하여 사례지역인 서울시의 열환경 상태를 진단하였다. 이를 위해 폭염, 도시 열섬, 도시 미기후 등 국내 외 열환경 취약성 평가에 활용된 지표들을 고찰하여 도시 열환경 취약성 평가를 위한 15개 지표를 선정하였는데, 기후노출 분야의 건물체적, 민감도 분야의 열환경 취약 건축물, 적응능력 분야의 녹지면적 등 도시구조적 공간적 지표를 포함하였다. 선정된 지표 중 사례지역인 서울지역에 대해 활용가능한 12개 지표의 공간정보를 구축하고, 퍼지이론을 활용한 GIS 공간분석을 통해 서울의 열환경 취약성을 평가하였다. 분석 결과, 강남 지역이 강북 지역보다 열환경에 더 취약한 것으로 파악되었는데, 강남 지역에서는 서초구, 강남구, 동작구, 영등포구, 강서구 일대의 열환경 취약성이 상대적으로 높게 나타났으며, 강북 지역에서는 동대문구, 강북구, 광진구, 중랑구 일대가 다른 구에 비해서 취약성이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 산림지역 및 서울시 외곽지역에 위치한 관악구, 도봉구, 은평구, 노원구 등은 관악산, 북한산 등 산림의 영향으로 인해 '기후노출'과 '민감도' 분야의 취약성이 낮았다. 하지만, 자료수집의 한계로 활용하지 않았던 '적응능력' 분야의 에어컨 보유 현황 지표가 분석에 반영된다면, 서초구, 강남구 등 취약성이 높게 평가된 지역의 결과에 영향을 미쳤을 것으로 예상된다. 본 연구는 기존의 국내 열환경 취약성 평가에서 활용하지 않았던 도시구조적 공간적 지표를 활용함으로써 도시 및 환경계획 분야에서 열취약성을 개선하기 위한 정책 마련에 기여하고, 열환경 위험성을 저감하기 위한 공간계획 수립에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 판단한다.

• 한국물환경학회지
• /
• 제40권2호
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 2024

The introduction of a significant amount of phosphorous into aquatic environments can lead to eutrophication, which can in turn result in algal blooms. For the effective management of watersheds and the prevention of water quality problems related to nonpoint organic matter (OM) sources, it is essential to pinpoint the predominant OM sources. Several potential OM sources were sampled from upper agricultural watersheds, such as fallen leaves, riparian reeds, riparian plants, paddy soil, field soil, riparian soil, cow manure, and swine manure. Stream samples were collected during two storm events, and the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphorous (DOP) from these OM sources and stream samples were assessed. DOM indicators using fluorescence spectroscopy, including HIX, FI, BIX, and EEM-PARAFAC, were evaluated in terms of their relevance in discerning DOM sources during storm events. Representative DOM descriptors were chosen based on specific criteria, such as value ranges and pronounced differences between low and high-flow periods. Consequently, the spectral slope ratio (S_R) paired with fluorescence index (FI) using end-member mixing analysis (EMMA) proved to be suitable for estimating the contribution of organic carbon (OC). The contribution of each organic phosphorous (OP) in stream samples was determined using the phosphorous-to-carbon (P/C) ratio in conjunction with the OC contribution. Notably, OP derived from swine manure in stream samples was found to make the most dominant contribution, ranging from 61.3% to 94.2% (average 78.1% ± 12.7%). The results of this research offer valuable insights into the selection of suitable indicators to recognize various OM sources and highlight the main sources of OP in forested-agricultural watersheds.