• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2014

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is currently identified as a restoration target species, because it is listed as level 1 in the Korean National Park Service's endangered species list. The present research was conducted to investigate the basic behavioral patterns distribution of red foxes. For this study, red foxes under semi-natural conditions were observed and recorded from May 2012 to April 2013. The results revealed that the activities of the red foxes began at $16:59{\pm}01:20t$ and ended at an average time of $05:50{\pm}03:02t$. The males began and ended their activities earlier than their female counterparts. Among the seasonal activity durations, the longest activity duration was observed in summer with activity of 14 hours and 5 minutes, while the shortest activity duration was observed in winter with activity periods of 10 hours and 11 minutes. Generally, the red foxes exhibited a nocturnal behavioral pattern; the activity start time of the foxes was influenced by the sunset time. However, the activity end time showed no relationship with the sunrise time. The frequency of daily feeding activity ranged from one to eight times per day, with the males ($2.40{\pm}1.66$) exhibiting higher frequency than their female counterparts ($1.87{\pm}1.24$). The feeding activity peaked in November (average, 3.52 times per day) and was lowest in January (average, 1.28 times per day). Both males and females engaged in daily drinking activity (average, $2.03{\pm}1.296$ times per day). Thus, the increase in the frequency of the feeding activity is related to increase in the frequency of the drinking activity. Although the present research was conducted under semi-natural condition, the findings will be useful for the daily specification management of the species, monitoring of the released foxes, and habitat management based on the behavioral characteristics of the species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.150-164
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• 2022

The objective of this study is to analyze the biodiversity changes and characteristics of the benthic macroinvertebrate community in the Nakdong River with eight weirs, which was constructed as one of the Four Major River Restoration Projects from May to October 2020. The study also includes the analysis of changes in the major groups of benthic macroinvertebrates for about ten years, from 2010 to 2020. The surveys collected 97 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 83 genera, 52 families, 18 orders, five classes, three phyla, and 128.1 individuals/m². Chironomidae sp. and Tubificidae spp., which are pollutant indicators, dominated throughout the sections. The community analysis result shows the average dominant index and the diversity index of 0.62±0.20 and 1.87±0.63, respectively, and indicated the most stability of the freshwater ecosystem in the upper stream of the Nakdong River. The survey showed dominance by Chironomidae sp. at the center of the Nakdong River weir and the most unstable community in Chilgok and Gangjeong Goryeong weirs. The results of the community stability analysis showed a high distribution of the characteristic group I with high resilience and resistance and small distribution of characteristic group III with low resistance and resilience, indicating a very unstable condition of communities in the Nakdong River weir section. Predators were relatively abundant among the functional feeding groups (FFGs), whereas shredders, gathering-collectors, and filtering-collectors were relatively lower. Among the habitat orientation groups (HOGs), burrowers and climbers were dominant, indicating a wide distribution of groups in ecosystems with low dissolved oxygen. An endangered species level II of Macromia daimoji was found in Sangju and Nakdan weirs. The analysis results for 10 years from 2010 showed that the number of species and populations increased immediately after the dam construction but plummeted in 2016 and are now stabilizing. Chironomidae spp. has been dominant in all sections over the past 10 years, and they are currently maintained at a rate of about 50%. The EPT groups have decreased significantly since 2011, and the Plecoptera and Trichoptera of the group have not yet been restored. The population of Tubificidae spp. showed an increase after construction was completed in 2012 and drastically increased in 2015 and 2020. The species of Cristaria plicata, designated as endangered species level I, has not been observed since 2011 in Hapcheon Changnyeong weir. Moreover, Macromia daimoji was rarely observed in seven weirs until 2015, and it has been confirmed that the current distribution habitat has decreased rapidly.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.79-90
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• 2013

The altitude range of habitats in which Fairy Pitta inhabited in 1960s is different from the present in Jeju Island. We studied on the habitat environment to understand the causes of difference through the comparison of satellite image data(Landsat) between 1975 and 2002, the literature review in relation to habitats, vegetations, and forest landscapes. The area of below 600m asl.(above sea level) where is mainly Fairy Pitta inhabited at the present with a lot of forests, was massive pasture with small isolated forests nearby valley. The forests were broad-leaved evergreen forests, and second forests with poor condition in the size and forest structure. The forests around 700m asl. were also second forests with approximately 3m height trees. The forests from 800m to 1300m asl. were also disturbed by mushroom cultivation by local people. The authors believe that Fairy Pitta could not inhabited in the area above 1300m because of the poor forest conditions in the size and structure in which consist of Ilex crenata, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum and coppice forests. Therefore it might be possible that the best forests for the Fairy Pitta habitat were located in the area of 1,000m to 1,300m above sea level in 1960s. Compared to present habitats, forests at 100m up to 800m above sea level, the authors believe that the size of habitats were smaller with less population of Fairy Pitta. Since 1960s the forest landscape of Jeju Island has been improved successfully, and because of that the population of Fairy Pitta also has been increased. To protect the Fairy Pitta and habitats in Jeju Island, it is suggested that sustainable forest management focusing on the species composition and stand structure maintain or enhance the biodiversity.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.288-297
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate the ecological stream health through the Multimetric Fish Assessment Index (MFAI) along with fish fauna analysis based on the tolerance and trophic guilds at Miho stream in 2008 and 2009. Also, we analysed total mercury concentration in fish tissues to examine heavy metal contamination. Total sampled fish were 40 species and 2,557 individuals and Zacco platypus was the most dominant with 35% relative abundance. It was sampled with 11.4% RA for Korean endemic species (10 species 291 individuals) less than average RA 39.3% for the Geum river watersheds. According to the tolarance guild analysis, tolerant species was more dominant with 58.9% RA (15 species, 1,507 individuals) than sensitive species with 6.6% RA. Trophic guild analysis also suggested that omnivores were more dominant (60.5% RA) than insectivores (31.5% RA). Riffle-benthic species was also sampled with 7.7% RA. Ecological stream health based on the MFAI were averaged 25.3 (n=3) with fair-poor condition in 2008 and also 26.3 (n=3) with fair condition in 2009, just slightly increased than 2008. Qualitative habitat evaluation index was averaged 134 (n=3) with fair condition but most of sites had sediment accumulation that reflected substrate degradations proceeding. From the result of total mercury accumulation in fish tissues, kidney and liver tissues showed the highest but the lowest for gill tissues. Overall mercury concentration were not exceed the national standards by Korean Federation of Drug and Administration (KFDA). Consequently, our result could correspond with the characteristics of Miho stream where point sources such industrial complexes and wastewater treatment plant widely distributed around the stream along the gradient of up and downstream.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2018

A recent topic of interest within ecology is ecosystem services that are importantly connected with biodiversity. Biodiversity is a fundamental component of ecological studies and has been the subject of many studies worldwide. However, studies on the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish were not undertaken in earnest until 2000, and the number of internationally available studies is therefore still limited. In this study, we used data from "The Survey and Evaluation of Aquatic Ecosystem Health (hereafter SEAEH)" within the framework of which whole water systems on the Korean peninsula are annually monitored to investigate and determine the current status of the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish, as well as to elucidate major factors impacting freshwater fish. A total of 130 species from 28 families were identified at around 953 sites in the SEAEH investigation of 2014. The species Zacco platypus (relative abundance: 28.2%) and Z. koreanus (19.3%) were identified as the most abundant species on the Korean peninsula, and besides these 20 endangered species, 51 endemic species and 4 exotic species were also collected. Highest (96 species) and lowest (72 species) diversity were identified in the Han River Watershed and the Yeongsan/Seomjin River Watershed, respectively. The mean endemic rate was 32.7%, which is higher than the previous rate determined in 1995. The exotic species Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus and Carassius cuvieri were found in the whole river system except north Yeongdong, whereas Oreochromis niloticus occurred only at three sites due to the cold water temperatures in winter. Totally, 28 species were found to be translocated to different water systems not connected with known original habitats, most translocations occurring in the Nakdong River and the Yeongdong region. Among the translocated species, Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, and Erythroculter erythropterus were dominantly distributed in the mid- to lower reaches of Nakdong River where they may be harmful to the native fish assemblages due to their strong predation. The construction of weirs in connection with the "4 River Project" generated changes in fish assemblages before, during and after the project, resulting in altered habitat condition. Especially, a decrease in the number of endemic species and an increase in the abundance of lentic species were seen. Human-induced global warming will allow exotic species requiring high water temperatures to adapt to the environmental conditions of the Korean peninsula, which may enhance the diversity of native fishes and create changes in distribution. For the establishment of realistic and efficient management and protection strategies for Korean freshwater fish, SEAEH, which produces fundamental and quantitative data for Korean streams, is an important and necessary tool.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.86-93
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• 2023

This study investigated the ecological characteristics of Odontobutis interrupta at the Geumdang Stream from January to December 2021. The riverbed structure of the species habitat was rich in sand and mud. The water was deep, ranging from 21 to 124 cm, with an average of 48 cm. The stream velocity was slow at 0.24 (0.08-0.36) m/sec. The ratio of females to males was 1:0.98, and the total length of collected individuals ranged from 23 mm to 162 mm. The age according to the total length-frequency distribution as of May indicated that the group with a total length of 23-59 mm was one year old, the group with 60-99 mm was two years old, the group with 100-139 mm was three years old, and the group with 140-162 mm was four years old. As a secondary gender characteristic, the females genital papilla had a cylindrical shape, a hollow inside of the tip, and a longer diameter than males. The males had a cone shape with a pointed end. Sexually mature males had the nuptial color, with a black abdomen and whole body. Some females with a length ranging from 60 to 69 mm and all females 70 mm longer were sexually mature. Some males with a length ranging from 70 to 79 mm and all males 80 mm longer were sexually mature. The spawning season was from May to July, and the water temperature was between 19.6℃ to 29℃ during that period. The prosperous spawning season was June (26℃). The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 2,473 (883-4,955) per matured female, and the matured eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 1.42 (1.20-0.54) mm. The correlation between total length and weight was BW=0.0000006TL^3.21 with the constant a as 0.0000006 and parameter b as 3.21. The condition factor (K) was 1.67 (1.18-2.43) on average, and the slope was 0.116.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.148-155
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• 2024

This study investigated the ecological characteristics of Odontobutis platycephala at Jaho stream from January to December 2022. The riverbed structure of the species' habitat was rich in cobble and pebble. The water was deep, ranging from 22 to 153 cm, with an average of 64 cm, and the stream velocity was rapid at 0.89 (0.42-1.46) m/sec. The ratio of females to males was 1:1.02, and the total length of collected individuals ranged from 38 to 156 mm. The age according to the total length frequency distribution as of May indicated that the group with a total length of 38-69 mm was one year old, the group with 60-99 mm was two years old, the group with 100-139 mm was three years old, and the group 140-156 mm was four years or older. As a secondary gender characteristic, the genital papilla was cylindrical in females and cone-shaped with a pointed tip in males. Some females with a length ranging from 60 to 69 mm and all females 70 mm or longer were sexually mature. Some males with a length ranging from 70 to 79 mm and all males 80 mm or longer were sexually mature. The spawning season was from May to July, and the water temperature was between 17 ℃ and 28 ℃ during that period. The prosperous spawning season was June (24 ℃). The average number of eggs in the ovaries was 988 (284-2,722) per mature female, and the mature eggs were yellowish and spherical with a mean diameter of 1.46 (1.19-1.71) mm. The correlation between total length and body weight is BW=0.00000006TL^3.12 with the constant a as 0.00000006 and the parameter b as 3.12. The mean condition factor (K) was 1.44 (0.96-2.26), and the slope was negative at -0.0007

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-metric Lentic Ecosystem Health Assessment (LEHA) model and apply model to dataset sampled from Daechung Reservoir in September 2005. The metrics were composed of 11 parameters such as physical, chemical and biological variables. The metric attributes of $M_1{\sim}M_8$ followed after the model of biological integrity using fish assemblages that previously adapted in lotic ecosystems, while the metrics of $M_9{\sim}M_{11}$ were added on the basis of literature. The metric of $M_9$ reflected habitat conditions in the littoral zone and the metric of $M_{10}$ reflected chemical conditions of the reservoir. For the application of regression analysis of long-transformed conductivity [$Log_{10}$(Cond)] against $COD_{Mn}$, based on 150 sampling sites at Korean reservoirs, showed that the variation of conductivity was explained 77.4% [$COD_{Mn}=4.42{\times}Log_{10}(Cond)-5.43;\;R^2=0.774$, p<0.01, n=150] by the variation of $COD_{Mn}$. The metric of $M_{11}$ was based on Tropic State Index (TSI), based on chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ concentrations (Chl-${\alpha}$). Analysis of TSI $(Chl-{\alpha})$ showed that above 50 was estimated "1", $40{\sim}50$ was estimated "3" and below 40% was estimated '5'. Overall, velues of LEHA in the reservoir averaged 30.5, indicating a "fair${\sim}$poor condition", which is judged by the criteria of U.S. EPA (1993). More studies such as metric numbers and attributes should be done for the application of the model.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.327-336
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• 2007

This study assessed ecological health using a multi-metric fish model from 15 sites in the headwater watershed of southern Han River during June${\sim}$August 1999 and then compared the health with conventional community diversity index to figure out differences between health and diversity index. For the analysis, we adopted 10 metric IBI model for regional applications. During this survey, total number of species sampled were 24 (6 families) and varied depending on magnitude of ecological disturbance and stream order. In the mountainous streams, mean proportion of sensitive and insectivore species was composed of 91% and 56%, respectively, indicating a potential healthy conditions. However, tolerant species with 66% and omnivore species with 76% were sampled from the 2nd order stream, which was shown deterioration in the physical habitat quality. In the overall watershed, mean IBI value was 38, judging as "fair" condition by the health criteria. Values of Individual IBI were closely associated with stream order and this pattern was similar to other mountainous streams showing low chemical pollutions and disturbance. Our comparison between IBI and diversity index over the stream order showed a distinct difference; Shannon-Weaver diversity index overestimated the actual community conditions and the variation range in the 2nd order stream was greater in the diversity index. Overall data suggest that the multi-metric approach may to a useful tool for stream ecosystem management and the conventional diversity index may not effective unless the stream order is considered for the stream evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.34 no.4 s.96
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• pp.267-276
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• 2001

The downstream reach of the Han River adjoining Seoul in Korea was the upper boundary of an estuary where tidal effect on the flow rate could be exerted. According to the comprehensive river regulation project, the river was channelize dand impounded by two overflow dams, which provided favorable condition for algal growth in this sewage polluted eutrophic reach. In this study primary productivity of phytoplankton was measured in the down reach and the autochthonous and allochthonous organic carbon loadings were estimated. Primary production of phytoplankton measured by C-14 uptake and P-I model method ranged from 140 to $4,890\;mgC\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$ (median value $1,865\;mgC\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$) showing the level of eutrophic lakes. Phytoplankton density that varied according to water flow rate was highest in spring. Allochthonous organic carbon loading was dominated by sewage input through tributaries in most of days except flood flow period. The average proportion of autochthonous carbon generation by phytoplankton was 40.9%, which is very high proportion for a lotic habitat.