• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.603-614
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities in the Bangtaecheon Stream in Korea from April to October 2020. The survey collected 4,640 fish of 26 species in 9 families from 11 survey stations. The dominant and subdominant species were Rhynchocypris kumgangensis(relative abundance at 31.5%) and Zacco koreanus(27.8%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Ladislavia taczanowskii(15.9%), Pungtungia herzi(4.0%), Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis(3.7%), Microphysogobio longidorsalis(2.4%), and Zacco platypus(2.3%). Among the collected fish species, 17 (65.4%) were Korean endemic species, 4 (15.4%), including Acheilognathus signifer, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and B. l. tsinlingensis,were class II endangered wildlife as designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 1 species, Hemibarbus mylodon, was a natural monument. Moreover, two landlocked species (B. l. tsinlingensisand C. koreanus) were also collected. Additionally, four cold-water species (R. kumgangensis, L. taczanowskii, B. l. tsinlingensis,and Cottus koreanus) were collected, and all of them mainly inhabited the upper and middle streams. Fish community analysis showed a tendency for dominance and uniformity to decrease and abundance and diversity to increase from upstream to downstream and that the community structure was divided into upstream and downstream groups. The river health was rated as excellent (9 stations) and good (2 stations). Compared to the previous studies, three species (Carassius auratus, Leiocassis ussuriensis,and Siniperca scherzeri) appeared in the past but did not appear in this survey, and three species (Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, Microphysogobio yaluensis,and Orthrias nudus) that did not appear in the past appeared in this survey. Bangtaecheon Steam is well-preserved, and climate-sensitive species, endangered wildlife, and natural monuments inhabit the stream. Therefore, continuous attention and systematic conservation measures are required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.182-191
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• 2023

This study was carried out to identify the distribution and growth characteristics and evaluate the conservation status of the Michelia compressa Maxim., a rare and endangered wild plant II, in the habitats in Korea. A total of 314 individuals were found in the natural habitats of Heuksan Island and Jeju Island and were divided into four populations. About 45.9% (144 individuals) were distributed in the range of 401m~500m above sea level. The average height of trees was 2.7(±4.8)m, the diameter at breast height was 12.6(±13.9)cm, and the number of branches was 1.0(±0.5) on average. 54.3% of the sapling individuals of M. compressa were distributed within a radius of 30 m from the mother tree, 25.8% were distributed between 31 m through 40 m, and most (90.1%) were distributed within a radius of 60 m. The fact that sapling individuals of M. compressa are not identified even around some mature individuals and appear only in extremely limited areas is estimated to be closely related to the growth conditions as well as the environment of the natural habitats. The dispersal of M. compressa is presumed to be related to the birds and natural seedlings because water puddles, a resting place for birds beyond the range of natural seedlings, characterize its habitats. The IUCN Red List evaluation criteria at the regional and national level of M. compressa corresponds to the Critically Endangered category, and the domestic population under the category of "CR B2ab(v); C2a(i); D."

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.81-91
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate and monitor changes in aquatic ecological communities, particularly benthic macroinvertebrates from the upper reaches to the down reaches of Songchu valley before the project of Songchu valley translocation initiates. We aimed to verify the translocation effects of the valley on the aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. A field investigation was conducted over three rounds from November 2012 to August 2013. A total of four sites were selected: one to represent the control site (St. 1), two for the translocation sites (St. 2, 3), and one for the downstream sites (St. 4). Our quantitative sampling revealed that the total number of benthic macroinvertebrates were 3,805, which belong to 62 species, 32 families, 9 orders, 5 classes and 4 phyla. As a result of the community analysis at the control site, dominant index was 0.52(${\pm}0.16$), diversity index was 1.95(${\pm}0.44$), evenness index was 0.81(${\pm}0.04$), and richness index was 2.25(${\pm}0.85$). Thus, the community structure was found to be relatively stable. For the EPT ratio of species and individuals that appeared, the control site showed the highest values at 67.60(${\pm}5.66$)% and 66.30(${\pm}2.06$)% respectively, but its value became lower towards the downstream sites. Upon the statistical analysis of the functional feeding groups, it was found that gathering-collectors and filtering-collectors increased toward the downstream sites while shredders decreased. From the point of habitat-oriented group evaluation, sprawlers decreased and burrows increased toward the downstream sites. According to the analysis using Korea Saprobic Index (KSI), the control site is categorized as grade A with average value at 0.75(${\pm}0.10$). However, the grade gradually falls from A to B toward the lower reaches, as the KSI value increases at the translocation and downstream sites.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.381-396
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• 2017

Understanding species distribution plays an important role in conservation as well as evolutionary biology. In this study, we applied a species distribution model to predict hotspot areas and habitat characteristics for endangered herpetofauna species in South Korea: the Korean Crevice Salamander (Karsenia koreana), Suweon-tree frog (Hyla suweonensis), Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), Narrow-mouthed toad (Kaloula borealis), Korean ratsnake (Elaphe schrenckii), Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus), Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii) and Soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The Kori salamander (Hynobius yangi) and Black-headed snake (Sibynophis chinensis) were excluded from the analysis due to insufficient sample size. The results showed that the altitude was the most important environmental variable for their distribution, and the altitude at which these species were distributed correlated with the climate of that region. The predicted distribution area derived from the species distribution modelling adequately reflected the observation site used in this study as well as those reported in preceding studies. The average AUC value of the eigh species was relatively high ($0.845{\pm}0.08$), while the average omission rate value was relatively low ($0.087{\pm}0.01$). Therefore, the species overlaying model created for the endangered species is considered successful. When merging the distribution models, it was shown that five species shared their habitats in the coastal areas of Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, which are the western regions of the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, we suggest that protection should be a high priority in these area, and our overall results may serve as essential and fundamental data for the conservation of endangered amphibian and reptiles in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.409-419
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• 2017

Although Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) forests near temples are valuable as forests of the cultural landscape, they are likely to be deteriorated because of vegetation succession and climate changes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the vegetation structure, the pine vitality, and the site environmental characteristics of the pine forests near temples to identify the correlation between pine tree growth and location environment. We selected Chuneunsa, Wonhyosa, Jeungsimsa, and Taeansa Temples since these four areas still had the healthy pine forests. In all four studied area, the pine trees dominate the canopy layers while the deciduous broadleaf trees mostly inhabited appeared in the lower layers. The growth of pine trees in Jeungsimsa and Wonhyosa areas was not as good as Chuneunsa area where the pine trees tended to be older. We found higher total nitrogen content in soil in Jeungsimsa area than other areas, maybe because of increase in total nitrogen caused by the development of low vegetation in the area. This peculiarity may have led to the pine trees in the area to fall behind the deciduous broadleaf trees in competition for nitrogen nutrient and thus to show deteriorated growth. The altitude and the twig length showed a negative correlation as did the degree of slope and the mean importance percentage of the pine tree. In other words, the growth environment such as soil became poorer when the altitude and the degree of slope increased, and thus the growth amount and dominance of the pine trees were lower. The degree of slope showed a positive correlation with the twig length of the pine tree. Within boundaries of location environment where the pine tree forests were dominant, it seemed that growth of the pine trees was more favorable as the slope was steeper because the trees could avoid competition with deciduous broadleaf trees. On the other hand, the growth of pine trees deteriorated as the electrical conductivity of soil increased; increase in soil nutrients might have accelerated vegetation development of deciduous broadleaf trees and thus aggravated the growth environment of pine trees to negatively affect maintaining the health of the pine tree forests.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.200-209
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• 2012

The effect of water temperature, salinity and water column nutrient contents on pigment composition and concentration of purple lavers were studied at the main purple lavers production areas in Southwestern coast of Korea, during January to March, 2011. Water temperature was between 3.0 and $11.3^{\circ}C$. Salinity range was between 32.7 and 34.7, those were lower St. 1 and St. 6, which were at close to the seashore. Water column dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and silicate concentrations were $1.73{\sim}12.84{\mu}M$, $0.07{\sim}0.67{\mu}M$ and $4.93{\sim}18.29{\mu}M$, respectively. Chl a concentration was between 0.41 and $9.14{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, and it was the highest at St. 1 during January. Photosynthetic pigment of fucoxanthin was dominant at all sites, which showed its highest concentration ($0.06{\sim}3.41{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) at St. 1 on January. Water column DIN concentration was higher at January during low salinity period at all sites, but it was low at St. 1. Photosynthetic pigment of Chl a, PE and PC concentration of porphyra blades was between $1,173{\sim}8,124{\mu}g\;DW\;g^{-1}$, $3,281{\sim}10,076{\mu}g\;DW\;g^{-1}$, $388{\sim}1,346{\mu}g\;DW\;g^{-1}$, respectively. The concentration was relatively high at the St. 2 and St. 3. The pigment concentration of porphyra blades was higher at only Porphyra yezoensis was cultured than at Porphyra yezoensis and Porphyra seriata were cultured. The pigment concentration of porphyra blades was higher at St. 2 and St. 3 in only Porphyra yezoensis was cultured. This study shows that pigment concentration of porphyra blades may depend on habitat environment and culture methods.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.158-165
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• 2003

This study was conducted to reveal the role of meteorological elements on the habitat characteristics and vegetative structure for S. commixta natural populations at Ulleung Island. Potential Evapotranspiration(PET) by elevation of Ulleung Island was estimated using Thornthwaite's climatology estimating method. Also, Warm Index (WI), Coldness Index (CI) and vegetative composition by elevation were determined. The following results were obtained: The S. commixta trees wire mainly distributed from an elevation of 300 m to 900 m. The WI and CI were about 66.8∼95.0, -21.5∼-7.7, respectively. Water deficit by precipitation and Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) mainly occurred from March to October at all elevations. But wafer deficits diminished with increased elevation. The apparent species in S. commixta natural populations at Ulleung Island were: 10 tree layer species, 17 subtree layer species, and 25 species in the shrub layer. In the tree layer, S. commixta was dominant with the highest value of 46.85, then Fagus crenate 13.43, Acer mono and Tilia amurensis 12.41 and 12.03, respectively. In the subtree layer, A. mono was dominant with the highest value of 13.16, then F. crenata 12.68, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum and S. commixta 11.37 and 10.76, respectively. Dominant species and IV values in the shrub layer were Sasa borealis (22.09) and Rhododendron brachycarpum (10.51). The S. commixta natural forests were in a relatively stable rendition because of the even distribution of its various indexes: the species diversity index of Shannon, the evenness index and dominance were 0.6199∼1.1390, 0.6199∼0.8825 and 0.1852∼0.3801, respectively.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.502-513
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• 2016

In this study, heavy metal distributions in the tissues of feral pigeon (Columba livia) were characterized using samples collected from bio-monitoring sites (Hangang Park and Hampyeong Park) of the NESB (National Environmental Specimen Bank), Korea, in order to evaluate the feasibility of feral pigeons as an indicator for the environmental monitoring. Cadmium (Cd) was analyzed to be accumulated in kidneys at higher concentration than in the other tissues. Such trend can also be found in the reviews on the Cd accumulations of the 34 cases including 17 avian species which showed that 31 cases had the highest Cd concentrations in the kidney among tissues. However, lead (Pb) was found to be richest in the bones in this study. 17 cases out of 30 reviewed cases had the highest Pb concentration in bones, whereas other 10 cases showed the highest concentration in kidneys, and 3 cases in livers. Therefore, kidneys together with bones can be a main target organ to test cadmium exposure to different habitat environments depending on physiological traits of birds. Zinc (Zn) was found to be the highest concentration in the pigeon livers of Hangang Park, but not in the bones. In contrast, the 13 cases of 16 reviewed cases had the highest Zn concentration in bones, and the 3 cases in livers. In addition, the heavy metal distribution patterns in relations to the metal accumulation mechanisms (a competition between Pb and Ca, a function of methallothionein protein, and etc.) were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.5
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• pp.645-654
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to described the genetic structure of Eleutherococcus senticosus in Korea. We investigated 10 patches, which are eight Korean patches and two foreign patches come from Russia and China growing at Korean habitat, using ISSR(inter-simple sequence repeats) markers. In ISSR PCR, the overall percentage of polymorphic ISSR amplicons was 76% and the mean number of amplicons per ISSR primer was 11.5, which were higher than the RAPD results for the some cultivars collected in Korea(Kim et al., 1998) ; 57% and 5.7, respectively. So ISSR markers provide more powerful tool than RAPD markers for the investigation of genetic variation in E. senticosus. There are relatively high genetic variation among patches as 62.8%, but low variation within eight Korean patches. Such pattern of genetic variation, which is not ordinary in other tree species, may be result from the narrow and limited habitats and the asexual reproduction of this species at the natural stands in Korea. Although the small sample size in this study seemed to be resulted in the high genetic variation among patches, the overall genetic interpretation of this study might not be much affected on the basis of the characteristics of the distribution and the reproduction system of E. senticosus. Analysis of genetic distance between all pairs of the patches did not reveal any trends with regard to geographic distance, which was confirmed by the results obtained from AMOVA(analysis of molecular variance) and PCA(principal component analysis). These results suggest that, in addition to the preservation of the natural stands, the conservation of larger number of patches with small number of individuals per patch is more effective for the ex situ conservation and for maintaining the genetic diversity of E. senticosus in Korea than smaller patches with large number of individuals.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.101-110
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• 2004

The growth and niche breath of four species, i.e., native plants such as Bidens tripauita and B. bipinnata and naturalized plants such as B. frondosa and B. pilosa var. minor, were studied as related with environmental gradients including light intensity, soil moisture and soil nutrient. There were no significant differences in the phonology within each environmental gradients while considerable differences were found between species; the two naturalized species bloomed and produced fruit later than the two native species. Two naturalized species exhibited relatively higher total dry weight than the two native counterparts within all environmental gradients. Total dry weight showed positive responses to light intensity and soil moisture, and negatively to soil nutrient. The relative contribution of the environmental factors to total dry weight decreased in the order of soil nutrient, soil moisture and light intensity. Both B. bipinnata and B. pilosa var. minor showed significantly higher net assimilation rate (NAR) than other species. Also, NARs of B. bipinnata and B. pilosa var. minor decreased with increasing soil nutrient. Relative growth rate (RGR) decreased in order of B. tripartita, B. bipinnata, B. frondosa and B. pilosa var. minor in response to light intensity. In addition, RGRs of B. bipinnata and B. piEosa yay. minor increased in response to soil moisture, while those of B. pilosa var. minor and B. tripartita decreased with increment of soil nutrient. No significant fluctuations of shoot/root ratio were not observed in three species, but a native species, B. tripartita showed n decreased shoot/root ratio in response to soil nutrient. Comparing the growth characteristics of the species, B. pitosa var. minor and 3. tripartita revealed vigorous growth on barren soil. On the other hand, B. frondosa exhibited vigorous growth on fertile soil. Morphologically, B. tripartita adapted to light and required considerable moisture. On the contrary, the leaves of B. bipinnata did not change considerably in their area, although it preferred habitat with abundant light. In terms of niche breadth, B. bipinnata showed the widest ranges of 0.875 and 0.845 for light intensity and soil moisture gradients, respectively. B. pilosa var. minor showed a value of 0.933 for soil nutrient gradient. B. tripartita showed narrow ranges for the three environmental factors, whereas B. frondosa showed wide values for light intensity and soil nutrient, but relatively narrow value for soil moisture.