• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.533-544
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• 2017

In this study, the fauna of freshwater fish were investigated from March until October of 2016 in 24 independent streams in the Jeonnam and Jeonbuk provinces, which were flowing into the Yellow Sea. The health of the aquatic ecosystem in those streams was assessed through the biological and abiological character index (BAc index). During the surveyed period, a total of 4,127 individuals were collected; they belonged to 59 species of 44 genera in 18 families. The most dominant species identified was Zacco platypus, and 12 species were endemic species of Korea, including Rhodeus uyekii. The BAc index indicated a statistically significant correlation (p<0.01 or 0.05). The stage distribution of the aquatic ecosystem health assessment showed the highest rating of 41.7% at the "Fair" stage. The "Good" and "Poor" stages accounted for 20.8% while the "Excellent" stage took up 16.7%. It has been confirmed that the aquatic ecosystem health of independent streams is influenced more by the abiological character index as a consequence of geographical characteristics and artificial/natural limiting factors, than by the biological character index.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.484-498
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• 2023

This study aimed to analyze the appropriateness of the criteria and methods of the feasibility study for national park re-planning. The rate of 'release area' was derived at a lower rate in the absolute evaluation (the second) than the relative evaluation(the third) Seoraksan and Juwangsan National Parks as well as Gayasan National Park. Despite the third evaluation method aiming to maintain park area through retention by setting the areas available for release as 10% rather than applying release, it was found that the absolute evaluation method did not derive more areas available for release. When the second and third ecology-based assessments were applied to study sites, both second and third ecological-based assessments showed that the actual release areas were not reflected in the extraction in 2011. Consequently, it was found that the ecological-based assessment was only a means of assistance instead of a means of critical decision-making for determining the release area. From the district adjustment of the park planning easibility study, it can be determined that interactive exchange and priority application of release criteria as external factors acted more significantly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.3
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• pp.290-295
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• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the possibility of establishing a reproductive system for the seed of Pedicularis hallaisanensis, which is in the endangered wild species II class in Korea. The seed of P. hallaisanensis is egg-shaped, and the seed coat is dark brown. The embryo was identified as a dwarf type by the seed section. The seed length was $0.47{\pm}0.07mm$, width $0.16{\pm}0.006mm$, and thickness $0.12{\pm}0.01mm$. The weight of one seed was $0.0003{\pm}0.0001mg$, and 1000 seeds weighed $4.59{\pm}0.02mg$. The degree of seed viability was 75.33% by the tetrazolium (TZ) assay. The highest germination rate of P. hallaisanensis seed was 71% after 4 weeks of storage at $4^{\circ}C$. However, the germination rate tended to decrease gradually over a longer storage period. The germination rates after 6 or 8 weeks of storage at $4^{\circ}C$ were 64% and 60%, respectively. We used two host plants, Artemisia princeps and Dendranthema zawadskii, to determine the effect of host plants on P. hallaisanensis seed germination. The germination of P. hallaisanensis mixed with A. princeps or D. zawadskii started at 53.5 and 62.5 days after sowing, respectively. We did not find any germination 164 days postsowing with both host plants. When A. princeps and D. zawadskii were used as host plants for P. hallaisanensis seed germination, P. hallaisanensis seed germination rates were 45.5% and 19.5%, respectively. The average time to germination was 70.2 days for A. princeps, and 46.8 days for D. zawadskii.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.293-309
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• 2024

This study was conducted to provide basic data on the structure of the Carpinus turczaninowii community and the characteristics of the habitat environment for ex situ conservation. To identify the current ecological environment, 27 plots (each measuring 100m²) were selected for analyzing the detailed structure of plant communities in Anmyondo Isl.(Jungjangri San 14-217), Hwanggumsan Mt., Gayasan Mt.(Wonhyobong) and Palbongsan Mt.. The research methodology employed in this study was qualitative analysis. The TWINSPAN classification yielded a total of seven distinct communities. Group I represents the C. turczaninowii - Quercus mongolica community, Group II represents the C. turczaninowii - Pinus densiflora community, Group III represents the C. turczaninowii - P. densiflora community, Group IV represents the C. turczaninowii - Q. mongolica community, Group V represents the C. turczaninowii - Q. variabilis community, Group VI represents the C. turczaninowii - Prunus serrulata Lindl. var. pubescens community, and Group VII represents the C. turczaninowii - Styrax japonicus community. The species diversity ranged from 0.8056 to 1.1568, the importance value ranged from 0.1214 to 0.3024, and the similarity index ranged from 9.37% to 36.36%. Based on the correlation analysis of six environmental factors for the seven communities using RDA ordination, the results indicate that on the first axis, Altitude, Crown density, Bare rock, and Slope exhibited a positive correlation. In the C. turczaninowii - P. densiflora community (Group III) and C. turczaninowii - Q. mongolica community (Group IV), altitude, bare rock, and slope were analyzed as factors influencing vegetation distribution. In the C. turczaninowii - Q. variabilis community (Group V), C. turczaninowii - P. serrulata Lindl. var. pubescens community (Group VI), and C. turczaninowii - S. japonicus community (Group VII), crown density was analyzed as a factor influencing vegetation distribution.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.439-448
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• 2018

Conventional Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) detects the propagated P-wave from epicenter which should be achieved within 5 seconds to provide seconds to minutes of warning, allowing people to prepare for protective actions. EEWS in Korea is currently capable of providing a warning within 50 seconds after the primary P-wave detection, however, it is well-known that earthquake warning systems operating around Korean National Parks (KNP) have limited capability to fully monitor earthquake events. This study, therefore, presents a strategy to quantify the potential vulnerability to earthquake hazards by superimposing the distribution of Korea Integrated Seismic System (KISS) and the discretized map of KNP. Total 22 national parks are evaluated, and the results suggest that the improvement of the on-site systems should be necessitated for Gyoengju, Gyeryongsan, Songnisan, Gayasan, and Deogyusan national parks, whereas enhancement of regional systems is required for Bukhansan national park.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.1
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• pp.96-106
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• 2007

The purpose of this paper was to identify the effects of elimination of entrance fee (EEF) affecting visitor's satisfaction (VS) and management sectors such as natural resources (NRs), park facilities, transportation, visitor service, visitor atmosphere (VA) in national parks (NPs). This research had obtained data through a questionnaire, which surveyed 336 visitors at Gayasan NP in 2006. The data were analyzed the data using descriptive statistical methods, Pearson's correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression method. It was found that 1) About EEF, 72.6% of respondents agreed. 2) As entrance fee was abolished, respondents predicted that degree of VA such as crowding, waste throwing, disorder etc. grew worse most. On the other hands, respondents predicted number and quality of commercial lodging facilities, festival, and local products would improved. 3) Respondents predicted that degree of VS would worse. 4) in multiple regression analysis, the relative contribution of the VA on VS have been determined to have respectively 1.84 times more important than that of the change degree of NRs. The results suggested that the management of VA in NP was the most important factor to prevent decline of VS. This paper would be helpful to establish national park management policy after EEF.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.130-141
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• 2020

National parks in Korea are subject to a survey of natural resources every five years, according to the Natural Parks Act. This study analyzed the insect diversity in each of the 21 national parks conducted as part of the Third Nature Resource Survey of National Parks (2010~2018). It compared insect diversity in each national park national biodiversity with insect diversity in all national parks and analyzed the uncollected sub-taxonomic groups of each taxonomic group and the legally protected species. The Third Nature Resource Survey identified 5,584 species in 456 families in 21 orders in all national parks, and they accounted for 31.3% of 17,848 species in the national insect diversity. By taxonomic group, Lepidoptera was the most frequently found with 2,195 species, followed by beetles (1,495 species), fellings (712 species), and stink bugs (515 species). By national park, Odaesan national park showed the highest insect diversity with 1,963 species, followed by Sobeaksan national park (1,511), Hanryeohaesang national park (1,321), Gayasan national park (1,282), Juwangsan national park (1,265), Dadohaehaesang national park (1,264), Woraksan national park (1,251), and Jirisan national park (1,240). The legally protected species included 3 species of endangered species rank I, 11 species of endangered species rank II, 12 climate change indicator species, 139 endemic species, and 532 species requiring approval for cross-border transfer.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.618-638
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• 2018

This study examined the vegetation structure in the ridge of the Hannamgeumbuk-Jeongmaek and Geumbuk-Jeongmaek by selecting 7 sites(2 sites at Hannamgeumbuk-Jeongmaek and 5 sites at Geumbuk-Jeongmaek) in consideration of the environmental conditions and artificial influences and conducting the vegetation survey in the selected sites. The community classification based on TWINSPAN categorized the vegetation at Hannamgeumbuk-Jeongmaek into 8 groups: Quercus variabilis-Q. acutissima community, Pinus densiflora-Q. mongolica community, Pinus densiflora community, P. densiflora-Q. mongolica-Q. variabilis community, P. densiflora-Deciduous oaks community, P. koraiensis community, Q. mongolica-Q. variabilis community, and Larix kaempferi-P. koraiensis community. It also categorized the vegetation at Geumbuk-Jeongmaek into 9 groups: Quercus variabilis community, Deciduous broad-leaved community, Q. mongolica community, Pinus densiflora-Q. mongolica-Q. variabilis community, Q. acutissima community, P. densiflora-Q. acutissima-Q. variabilis community, P. densiflora-Q. mongolica-P. rigida community, P. densiflora-P. thunbergii-Deciduous oaks community, and P. koraiensis community. Two species, Quercus mongolica and Pinus densiflora, which are widely distributed in the ridges of the Jeongmaeks and Baekdudaegan in South Korea, were dominant in many of the surveyed sites. The appearance of planted Castanea crenata in some plots, although not in high population, suggests human intervention in most regions of the Hannamgeumbuk-Jeongmaek and Geumbuk-Jeongmaek in the past. The Gayasan area, which is part of the Geumbuk-Jeongmaek and where the maritime climate and continental climate overlap, showed Pinus thunbergii, reflecting the local climate characteristics.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.172-179
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to analyze the current original habitat and to conserve the narrow-mouthed toad populations. For this study, we used 240 pitfall traps (30 cm height ${\times}$ 20 cm width) to catch the narrow-mouthed toads that inhabit in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, in Busan metropolitan city from August 2, 2013 to November 7, 2013. We measured the environmental characteristics (soil composition factors, soil moisture, Humidity, soil temperature) for the seven habitat patterns of narrow-mouthed toads based on vegetation types. Main habitats of narrow mouthed toads were flat grassland where grass and false acacia grew and there was wetland all over the place. When analyzing habitats that main habitats of narrow-mouthed toads prefer after selecting representative seven vegetation, it was found that the most narrow-mouthed toads were caught in amur silver grass colony while the least narrow-mouthed toads were caught in bare land. Totally, we caught 846 narrow-mouthed toads over 68 times, and released them into the newly constructed habitat after injection VIE-tag. It seems that the reason for which the least narrow mouthed toads were caught in bare land is that bare land is not suitable for narrow mouthed toads to protect themselves from strong sunlight and to hide themselves from natural enemy. We found that temperature had the greatest influence on activities of narrow mouthed toads and at temperature of less than $15.6^{\circ}C$. We also found that the activities of narrow mouthed toads were remarkably low and then temperature was below $15.6^{\circ}C$. It meant that narrow mouthed toads seemed to go into hibernation. From this research, we could find the prefer habitat after analyzing habitats for the narrow-mouthed toads and could suggest for construction for the better habitat of narrow-mouthed toads.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to set the direction to manage national parks to cope with climate change, and offer basic data to establish the relevant policies. Towards this end, this study analyzed the current and future climate change vulnerability of national parks using the 24 proxy variables of vulnerability in the LCCGIS program, a tool to evaluate climate change vulnerability developed by the National Institute of Environmental Research. To analyze and evaluate the current status of and future prospect on climate change vulnerability of national parks, the proxy variable value of climate exposure was calculated by making a GIS spatial thematic map with $1km{\times}1km$ grid unit through the application of climate change scenario (RCP8.5). The values of proxy variables of sensitivity and adaptation capability were calculated using the basic statistics of national parks. The values of three vulnerability evaluation items were calculated regarding the present (2010s) and future (2050s). The current values were applied to the future equally under the assumption that the current state of the proxy variables related to sensitivity and adaptation capability without a future prediction scenario continues. Seoraksan, Odaesan, Jirisan and Chiaksan National Parks are relatively bigger in terms of the current (2010s) climate exposure. The national park, where the variation of heat wave is the biggest is Wolchulsan National Park. The biggest variation of drought occurs to Gyeryongsan National Park, and Woraksan National Park has the biggest variation of heavy rain. Concerning the climate change sensitivity of national parks, Jirisan National Park is the most sensitive, and adaptation capability is evaluated to be the highest. Gayasan National Park's sensitivity is the lowest, and Chiaksan National Park is the lowest in adaptation capability. As for climate change vulnerability, Seoraksan, Odaesan, Chiaksan and Deogyusan National Parks and Hallyeohaesang National Park are evaluated as high at the current period. The national parks, where future vulnerability change is projected to be the biggest, are Jirisan, Woraksan, Chiaksan and Sobaeksan National Parks in the order. Because such items evaluating the climate change vulnerability of national parks as climate exposure, sensitivity and adaptation capability show relative differences according to national parks' local climate environment, it will be necessary to devise the adaptation measures reflecting the local climate environmental characteristics of national parks, rather than establishing uniform adaptation measures targeting all national parks. The results of this study that evaluated climate change vulnerability using climate exposure, sensitivity and adaptation capability targeting Korea's national parks are expected to be used as basic data for the establishment of measures to adapt to climate change in consideration of national parks' local climate environmental characteristics. However, this study analyzed using only the proxy variables presented by LCCGIS program under the situation that few studies on the evaluation of climate change vulnerability of national parks are found, and therefore this study may not reflect overall national parks' environment properly. A further study on setting weights together with an objective review on more proper proxy variables needs to be carried out in order to evaluate the climate change vulnerability of national parks.