• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.56-64
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• 2023

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient required for plant growth and crop production. However, N in soil is usually insufficient for plant growth. Thus, chemical N fertilizer has been extensively used to increase crop production. Due to negative effects of N rich fertilizer on the environment, improving N usage has been a major issue in the field of plant science to achieve sustainable production of crops. For that reason, many efforts have been made to elucidate how plants regulate N uptake and utilization according to their surrounding habitat over the last 30 years. Here, we provide recent advances focusing on regulation of N uptake, allocation of N by N transporting system, and signaling pathway controlling N responses in plants.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the possibilities of use as a factor of the water landscape in modern urban spaces such as parks and, apartments, through a case study of the concept, functions, and culture of moats in the East and West from ancient times to the Middle Ages. This study aimed to examine the concept, origin, and function of the moat as a theoretical consideration. Asian castles with moats, including those in Korea, China and Japan, and Western castles with moats in Britain, France, Belgium, and Germany were investigated and analyzed. By reflecting on these cultures and the functions of the moat in modern urban spaces and converting the environment damaged due to industrialization and urbanization into an eco-friendly and environment symbiotic city the quality of life can be improved, and sustainable development can be achieved. This study was conducted through a literature survey and field investigation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.124-138
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• 2024

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Korean Red Data Book both categorize the dragon swallowtail Sericinus montela Grey, 1852 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) as a vulnerable insect. In South Korea, the main reason for this categorization is habitat destruction and deterioration, along with limited distribution mainly to the eastern region of South Korea, particularly to Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Considering much of the information is older than ten years the renewed survey to estimate distributional stability is required, particularly under global warming. In addition, the population genetic diversity and isolation of S. montela, which is important information when seeking to evaluate its vulnerability, is not yet known. In this study, we visited 38 habitable sites, consisted of 15 sites with the previous record for the sightings of the species and 23 sites without such record. Moreover, nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region was sequenced for 56 individuals collected from seven sites. We observed S. montela at 20 sites, consisted of 11 recorded and 9 new sites in seven provinces, excluding Jeollanam-do and Jeju-do. Finding of the species in 9 new sites and location of the 4 in western region, which has a rare previous record are promising. However, failure to observe in 4 recorded sites and an extremely low observed number in new sites (5.3 vs. 17.6 individuals per site on average) is not optimistic. Population genetic data partially corroborate with the field observation data, showing that the populations in western region have lower genetic diversity and intermittent genetic isolation compared to those in eastern region. Taken these together, we suggest that S. montela should be remained as a vulnerable insect. However, more extensive field monitoring and co-dominant molecular data are required to verify this conclusion.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.28-28
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• 2023

Most countries worldwide are finding it difficult to make decisions regarding the utilization of water resources and the ecological flow protection of rivers because of serious water shortages and global climate warming. To overcome this difficulty, accurate ecological flow processes and protected ecological objectives are required. Since the introduction of the concept, ecological flow calculations have been developed for more than 60 years. This technical development has always been dominated by countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The technical applications, however, vary substantially worldwide. Some countries, for instance, did not readjust the method because of a lack of understanding of the ecological effect or because they failed to achieve elaborate scheduling. Mostly, readjustments were not made because the users could not make their choices from among numerous methods for ecological flow. This paper presents three research results based on a systematic review of 240 methods with clear connotation boundaries. First, the ecological flow algorithm was developed along with the scientific and technological progress in the river ecosystem theory, ecohydrological relationship, and characterization and simulation of hydrological and hydrodynamic processes. In addition, the basis of the method has evolved from the hydrological process of the ecosystem, hydraulics-habitat conditions, and social development interference to whole ecosystem simulation. Second, 240 methods were classified into 50 sub-categories to evaluate their advantages and disadvantages according to the ecological flow algorithms of hydrology, hydraulics, habitat, and other comprehensive methods. According to this evaluation, 60% of the methods were not suitable for further application, including the method based on the percentage of natural runoff. Furthermore, the applicability of the remaining methods was presented according to the evaluation based on the aspects of allocation of water resources, water conservancy project scheduling, and river ecological evaluation. Third, In the future, most developing countries should strengthen the guarantee of high-standard ecological flow via a coordination mechanism for the ecological flow guarantee established under a sustainable framework or via an ecological protection pattern at the national level according to the national system. Concurrently, a reliable ecological flow demand process should also be established on the basis of detailed investigation and research on the relationship between river habitats, ecological hydrology, and ecological hydraulics. This will ensure that the real-time evaluation of ecological flow forces the water conservancy project scheduling and accurate allocation of water.

• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.49-55
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• 2023

The discovery of lunar ice in the lunar polar region has fueled international interest in in situ resource utilization (ISRU) and the construction of lunar habitats. Unlike Earth's atmosphere, the Moon presents unique challenges, including frequent meteoroid impacts, direct exposure to space radiation, and extreme temperature variations. To safeguard lunar habitats from these threats, the construction of a protective shield is essential. Lunar regolith, as a construction material, offers distinct advantages, reducing transportation costs and ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials. Moreover, it streamlines manufacturing, integration schedules, and enables easy repairs and modifications without Earth resupply. Adjusting the shield's thickness within the habitat's structural limits remains feasible as lunar conditions evolve. Although extensive research on protective shields using lunar regolith has been conducted, unresolved conflicts persist regarding shield requirements. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the primary lunar threats and suggests a minimum shield thickness of 2 m using lunar regolith. Furthermore, it outlines the necessary technology for the rapid construction of such protective shields.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.337-346
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• 2023

Although wildlife bridge are built as a way to reduce habitat fragmentation caused by road construction, there is still a lot of debate about their effectiveness. Monitoring methods such as footprint traps and camera traps are used evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife bridge, but there is a limit to evaluate of effectiveness. In this study, the degree of use the wildlfe bridge was surveyed by striped field mouse that is likely use the wildlife bridge and surrounding as a habitat with capture-mark-recapture method.(Apodemus agraius). The distance and route of movement were identified by connecting the capture points, and the environmental factors on the use of the wildlife bridge implemented a generalized linear model(GLM) with the capture number of captured as a dependent variable. Consequently of capture, no individuals crossing the wildlife bridge, striped field mouse use the wildlife bridge as a habitat.The environmental factors affecting the use of mice were vegetation cover(1~2m, 2~8m, over 8m), vegetation construction, maximum diameter at breast height were positively correlated and slope was nagatively correlated. In conclusion, it is expected that the effectiveness of the wildlife bridge will be further improved by planting shrubs and trees and preventing high slope and cut slope increasing the utilization of the rat, such as being used as a food source in the ecosystem.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.168-176
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• 2023

Background: Many insectivorous bats have flexible diets, and the difference in prey item consumption among species is one of the key mechanisms that allows for the avoidance of interspecies competition and promotes coexistence within a microhabitat. In Korea, of the 24 bat species that are known to be distributed, eight insectivorous bats use forest areas as both roosting and foraging sites. Here, we aimed to understand the resource partitioning and coexistence strategies between two bat species, Myotis ikonnikovi and Plecotus ognevi, cohabiting the Mt. Jumbong forests, by comparing the differences in dietary consumption based on habitat utilization. Results: Upon examining their dietary composition using the DNA meta-barcoding approach, we identified 403 prey items (amplicon sequence variants). A greater prey diversity including Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Ephemeroptera, was detected from M. ikonnikovi, whereas most prey items identified from P. ognevi belonged to Lepidoptera. The diversity index of prey items was higher for M. ikonnikovi (H': 5.67, D: 0.995) than that for P. ognevi (H': 4.31, D: 0.985). Pianka's index value was 0.207, indicating little overlap in the dietary composition of these bat species. Our results suggest that M. ikonnikovi has a wider diet composition than P. ognevi. Conclusions: Based on the dietary analysis results, our results suggests the possibility of differences in foraging site preferences or microhabitat utilization between two bat species cohabiting the Mt. Jumbong. In addition, these differences may represent one of the important mechanism in reducing interspecific competition and enabling coexistence between the two bat species. We expected that our results will be valuable for understanding resource partitioning and the coexistence of bats inhabiting the Korean forests.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2024

Background: Invasive alien plant species (IAP) significantly threaten Nepal's protected areas and local communities. Understanding their distribution, impact, management, and utilization is essential for developing effective management strategies and sustainable utilization practices. The systematic literature review of publications from 2010 to 2023. The search was conducted through the database Nepal Journal online database (NepJOL) and Google Scholar, yielding an initial pool of 4,304 publication. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria; we meticulously reviewed 43 articles for data extraction. Results: Seventeen IAP are found in protected area, Nepal with the highest prevalence observed in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, followed by Chitwan and Sukhlaphanta National Park. The most problematic species in terrestrial ecosystems are Mikania micrantha, Lantana camara, and Chromolaena odorata. The grassland ecosystems of wildlife habitats, primarily in the Terai and Siwalik regions, are the most invaded. Various management approaches are employed to mitigate the spread and impact of IAP, including mechanical methods such as uprooting, burning, and cutting. However, these methods are costly, and context-specific interventions are needed. The study also explores the potential use of IAP for economic, ecological, or cultural purposes, such as medicinal properties, energy production potential, and economic viability. Local communities utilize these plants for animal bedding, mulching, green manure, briquette, and charcoal production. Conclusions: Applying silvicultural practices alongside mechanical management is recommended to maintain a healthy terrestrial ecosystem and utilize the removed biomass for valuable products, thereby reducing removal costs and increasing income sources, potentially benefitting both local communities and wildlife in protected areas.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2015

To secure water resources, dams are normally constructed on the upper - middle part of streams, and it generates physical disturbances such as habitat alteration and stream fragmentation. Such construction can restrict movement of aquatic organisms, especially for freshwater fish which is one of top predator in aquatic ecosystem, and cause genetic fragmentation and community change. In this study, to investigate impact of habitat alteration after dam construction on freshwater fish, we monitored fish community changes, and compared fish fauna between dam reservoir and inflows. Additionally, movement characteristics and habitat boundaries of four species were identified by radio telemetry method. The study was conducted in the Gunwi Dam which was constructed in December 2010. Radio telemetry was applied to Pungtungia herzi, Zacco platypus (living lotic and lentic), Silurus asotus (lentic preferred species) and Zacco koreanus (lotic preferred species). The number of species was remarkably decreased (4 family, 10 species) comparing with before the dam construction (7 family, 15 species). Specifically, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Niwaella multifasciata, Liobagrus mediadiposalis, Coreoperca herzi and Odontobutis platycephala that inhabit in the lotic environment were not collected in the study area. A total of 8 species were caught in both the dam reservoir and tributaries except 2 species (C. auratus and S. asotus). Sorenson's similarity between the reservoir and its tributaries was high (0.842). All of the radio tagged species stayed in the reservoir except S. asotus which moved to the tributary. These species mainly utilized the shallow littoral zone as a habitat. These results could be useful as a baseline data for efficient management of fishes in lakes.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

This study aims to evaluate the effect of artificial facilities constructed afterthe release of the civilian controlled zone (CCZ) in Cheorwon on the inhabitation of cranes. The study site was released from the CCZ in 2012, and several barns have been built since 2017. The average number of Red-crowned Cranes was 9.3±4.3 individuals (±Standard Deviation) in the period before the release of the CCZ from 2009 to 2012, and it decreased by ca. one third of Red-crowned Crane's average individuals were showing 3.5±0.5 individuals after release. The average number of White-naped Cranes also appeared to be decreased by ca. 90% from 63.3±24.6 to 6.0±6.0 individuals. This results suggest that the construction of greenhouses and barns after the releasing of the CCZ affected the decrease of the population of these two crane species. In the case of Red-crowned Crane, the core area tended to move away from the area where barns were built. However, the distribution range of Red-crowned Cranes did not change significantly we expected because the study area was not their favorite place since 2012 when the area was released from the CCZ. The density of the White-naped Crane was relatively high even in the area where greenhouses were built, but after 2017 when the barn was built intensively, core habitat of crane became shrink and fragmented. These results suggest that both Red-crowned Cranes and White-naped Cranes response sensitively against habitat change due to the construction of barns. Since the release of the CCZ, the construction of the greenhouse has been influenced on the distribution of cranes, but subsequently, the construction of the barn seems to have caused a bigger change in their core habitat because the passage of people to barns is more frequent than the greenhouses.