• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.19-28
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to investigate the habitat of Luciola unmunsana to understand the status of land snails, which are the larvae prey, and to evaluate the effects of larval feeding preferences and prey size for the restoration of the L. unmunsana habitat as a basis for future restoration projects. The research methods included field surveys of the habitat and laboratory experiments on feeding preferences using three types of land snails (Allopeas clavulinum kyotoense, Euphaedusa fusaniana, Pupinella rufa) observed in the habitat. Field surveys of 13 L. unmunsana habitat sites revealed a total of 24 land snail species. The experimental results regarding the larvae prey were analyzed for statistical significance of feeding preferences using Chi-square tests and independent sample t-tests. Consequently, larvae showed the highest preference for A. c. kyotoense, with statistically significant differences in feeding preferences (p<0.05). Also, statistically significant differences were observed in the size between the land snails that were eaten as prey and those that were not eaten. This research can deepen the understanding of the feeding preferences of L. unmunsana larvae and provide practical guidelines for the effective conservation and restoration strategies of the firefly habitat.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.687-698
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• 2021

We present quantitative estimations of changes in the areal extent of coral reef habitats at Weno Island, Micronesia, using high-spatial-resolution remote sensing images and field observations. Coral reef habitat maps were generated from Kompsat-2 satellite images for September 2008 and September 2010, yielding classifications with 78.6% and 72.4% accuracy, respectively, which is a relatively high level of agreement. The difference between the number of pixels occupied by each seabed type was calculated, revealing that the areal extent of living corals decreased by 8.2 percentage points between 2008 and 2010. This result is consistent with a comparison of the seabed types determined by field observations. This study can be used as a basis for remediation planning to diminish the impact of changes in coral reefs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2015

Jeju Island is managed intensively in terms of environmental and ecological aspect because of its extraordinary ecosystem types comprising numerous rare, protected flora and fauna. To depict rapid change of habitat status in Jeju Island, the InVEST Habitat Quality model has been operated and compared analytically with the Eco-Natural map. The Habitat Quality map of Jeju Island is turned out to have similar inclination with Eco-Natural map. We compared the average habitat quality value in each Eco-natural map class in Jeju Island and the habitat quality value of first second third grade and non-included area decreased as 0.95 0.76, 0.53 and 0.37 in eco natural map respectively. Compared to biodiversity map based on biological investigation, the result of the InVEST habitat quality model can be simply obtained by land cover map with threat and sensitivity data. Further studies are needed to make explicit coefficients for Jeju Island and Korean peninsula, then the Habitat Quality model could be applied to past and future scenarios to analyze extent of habitat degradation in time series to help decision makers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

This study aimed to develop the HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) model of Cypripedium guttatum. and to verify this model by applying to the candidate sites for replacement habitat. The development of HSI and SI (Suitability Index) model was conducted based on the existing literature, field surveys, and expert opinions for information on ecological habitat characteristics. Seven variables were selected as habitat variables including mean maximum temperature in Jul.-Aug., lighting, slope, altitude, effective soil depth, soil texture, and artificial overexploitation (i.e. protected areas). HSI model was developed for C. guttaum based on these variables. This HSI model showed high applicability to selection and evaluation of replacement habitats for C. guttaum. Our findings could provide the basic information on habitat assessment to prevent the extinction of endangered C. guttatum. However, since there is a limitation that the survey data were insufficient, further field surveys should be conducted on several habitat types to improve the accuracy of the HSI model.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.604-614
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• 2022

This study analyzed habitat status of barn swallows within 800 m and changes in potential food resource occurrence for 63 nests (Seocheon 23, Sejong 40) where barn swallows breeding was confirmed in Seocheon and Sejong in 2019 and 2020. As a result of checking habitat compositions of barn swallows in the study area, Sejong showed more varieties of habitat types than Seocheon, showing a larger number of dominant groups. Such large number of dominant groups was found to be an advantageous habitat factor for producing flying insects as potential food resources for barn swallows. As for the production of potential food resources, Seocheon had the highest production in dwelling and stream and Sejong had the highest production in the stream. The production of potential food resources differed in production season by habitat type. This study analyzed compositions of the habitat around the breeding site of swallows. It provides basic data necessary for protecting barn swallow habitats by comparing the production timing and production volume of potential food resources occurring in the habitat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.35-50
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• 2023

As urbanization progresses, there is a growing and continuous demand for green spaces that provide ecosystem services. However, increasing the quantity of green spaces within major cities is challenging. Therefore, it is essential to pursue qualitative improvements that consider ecological characteristics of existing green spaces. In this study, we focus on local neighborhood parks in Seoul and present the following two questions through an evaluation utilizing ecological design indicators and land use data: 1. Which factor, design or location, has a greater influence on the ecological quality of neighborhood parks in Seoul? 2. Additionally, when evaluating ecological characteristics, is there similarity between assessments based on land-use data and those utilizing ecological design indicators? For this study, we conducted research on 30 neighborhood parks in Seoul and classified them into mountainous types (adjacent to mountains, natural terrain parks) and urban types (independently designed within 300m without existing forests) based on previous studies. Firstly, we conducted evaluations according to park location types. When comparing the evaluation scores of urban types (14 parks) and mountainous types (16 parks), significant differences were observed with scores of 16.86 and 35.94, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between park types. In terms of habitat quality, the average values for urban and mountainous parks were 0.33 and 0.53, respectively, and statistically significant differences were observed between park types indicating differences in ecological potential according to park location. Secondly, when comparing the results of ecological potential evaluations based on park design and external connectivity, a correlation was found between habitat quality and total scores according to evaluation indicators. The correlation analysis showed significant linear relationships between habitat quality and total scores, biodiversity scores, and ecosystem function scores, with high positive correlation coefficients of 0.829, 0.861, and 0.802, respectively. This study holds significance in analyzing the ecological aspects of urban parks through the lens of both park location characteristics and design indicators. The analysis results underscore the importance of planning and managing ecologically sound urban parks contingent upon their location. Moreover, the utilization of appropriate ecological design indicators can help alleviate environmental limitations surrounding parks. Integrating these considerations could enhance the ecological quality and ecosystem services of urban green spaces.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2015

We investigated habitat characteristics of the yellow-throated marten Martes flavigula (Carnivora : Mustelidae) using geographic information system (GIS). GPS coordinates of the target mammal traces and seven habitat factors were used for the GIS analysis. The Odaesan National Park (ONP) is selected as a study area for GIS analysis of the habitat characteristics. According to the GIS analysis of whole area of ONP, main forest type was broadleaf trees which occupy 72% of forests. Trees of 4th to 6th age-calss account for 93% of the ONP forests. The mean elevation and slope of ONP was 901 m and $22.1^{\circ}$, respectively. According to the GIS analysis of M. flavigula habitats in ONP, most M. flavigula traces were found in borad-leaf forests and coniferous forests which are main forest types of ONP. In addition, the yellow-throated marten recorded a relatively high appearance rate of 7% in unstocked forests, which account for much less than 1% of the area of ONP. Most of the marten traces were found in forests with trees of 4th to 6th age-classes. The traces were found in the forest types in higher elevation (1,080.3 m) and lower slope ($15.0^{\circ}$) on average, compared with those of ONP. Appearance rate of the marten traces was 96% in range less than 600 m from the water. The traces were frequently found in areas far distantly beyond 1,400 m range from human residental areas and cultivated areas.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.952-959
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• 2012

This study examined habitat fragmentation that has occurred in Paju and Yeoncheon, the two border municipalities between North and South Korea in Gyeonggi-do (province) during the last 17 years using various landscape metrics. We 1) classified grass and agricultural habitats and forest habitats from two Landsat TM images collected in 1990 and 2007, and 2) compared the percentage of class area, patch density, mean patch area, and mean perimeter area ratio for the two habitat types between the two time points. Both types of habitats has been severely fragmented due to urban development in the last 17 years. The increased patch density and decreased mean habitat area are attributed to the construction of roads and railroads that separate a large habitat to many small pieces. The increased mean perimeter area ratio also indicates that the habitat fragmentation extended areas that are affected by the edge effect and so less suitable for interior species. A habitat conservation plan is urgently needed to minimize habitat fragmentation from developments that are expected to soon occur in the north and south Korean border.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.359-367
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• 2012

BACKGROUND: As natural wetlands are decreased by increment of human demand, the importance of rice fields as an alternative habitat for waterbirds is well documented. However, the relationship between waterbirds use and management practice of rice fields has not been fully understood. The present study attempted to understand the changes in temporal abundance of waterbirds and their preference for habitat types in rice fields all year round. METHODS AND RESULTS: Waterbirds census were conducted in rice fields around Asan bay in Korea during April 2009-March 2010 and April 2011-March 2012. In the bird counts, the locations of the observed birds on a 1/2,500 map were recorded along with the local habitat type (paddy, ditch, levee, road). Thirty five species of waterbirds recorded in the rice fields during the survey period and three major groups (shorebirds, herons, and waterfowls) were characterized according to season and micro-habitat use. Shorebirds visited a flooded paddy for feeding during their spring migration season (April-May), and herons used the rice field as feeding sites during their breeding periods (April-October). Most waterfowls were observed in a dry paddy to feed a fallen rice seed and stubs during the winter season (September-March). Waterbird groups selectively used micro-habitats in rice field. Shorebirds and waterfowls mainly preferred at rice paddies, while herons were attracted to most habitat types. CONCLUSION(S): Rice fields supported various waterbirds all year round and waterbird communities using the rice fields were dramatically changed according to seasonal change of rice field condition.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 2014

The distribution of animals is affected by habitat selection, and habitat type and prey resource are important factors affecting their survival. This study was conducted to investigate the distribution pattern of the Red-tongue viper snake (Gloydius ussuriensis) with respect to altitude, habitat type and distribution of potential prey resource in Cheon-ma mountain, Korea. The study area of Cheon-ma mountain was separated into three altitude categories (low, middle, and high altitude) and the habitat types were categorized according to presence or absence of aquatic ecosystem and the preferred habitat in relation to altitude was determined. The distribution pattern of Red-tongue viper snakes was significantly different according to altitude and habitat type: they were mainly distributed at low altitude and in the water valleys. The distribution pattern of the Red-tongue viper snake correlated with that of amphibians. The analyses of microhabitat use of the Red-tongue viper snake and amphibians showed that their microhabitat types were not different significantly in water valleys. In conclusion, Red-tongue viper snakes were mainly distributed in the water valleys at low altitude and this is because amphibians are important as potential prey of the Red-tongue viper snake in Cheon-ma mountain.