• 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.30 no.3
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• pp.353-368
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• 2016

This study surveyed the diversity and distributional characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates and freshwater fish during the period from April to October, 2015 in Seonun Mountain Provincial Park. As a result, a total of 78 species of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 50 families, 16 orders, and four phyla were observed in Seonun stream; additionally, 25 species of freshwater fish belonging to six families were identified in all the investigated sites. Among benthic macroinvertebrates, Ephemeroptera(13 spp.: 22.81%) was the largest group in terms of species richness. In the FFGs, gathering-collectors(30 spp.: 36.14%) were relatively larger as represented by Ephemeroptera that usually inhabit fast flowing streams. In the HOGs, clingers(23 spp.: 29.49%) and burrowers(17 spp.: 21.79%) were the dominant groups. For both EPT ratio and ESB index, site 8 appeared to be the highest with 44.44% and 72 marks respectively, while the sites 4 and 9 showed relatively lower rates and indices. According to the results of evaluation, site 8 needs to be designated as the highest protection area while the sites 4 and 9 may be designated as target areas for preferential improvement. According to the analysis of fish community, the dominant species was Zacco teminchkii(333 inds.: 36.80%), and the dominant index was the lowest(0.24) and diversity index was the highest(1.81) at site 8, which therefore represents a stable freshwater fish community. In this survey, six Korean endemic species were identified: Ephemera separigata, Neoperla coreensis, Rhodeus uyekii, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Microphysogobio yaluensis, and Iksookimia koreensis. Also, three species belonging to the management of exportable group(Davidius lunatus, E. separigara, N. coreenis) were observed. Two habitat specific species: Thraulus grandis and Anguilla marmorata, were found for the first time in Gochang area and marked on the Korean distribution map through discussion.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.2 s.116
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• pp.145-156
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate biological health conditions and physicochemical status using multi-metric models at five sites of the Keum-Ho River during August 2004 and June 2005. The research approach was based on a qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI), index of biological integrity (IBI) using fish assemblage, and long-term chemical data (1995 ${\sim}$ 2004), which was obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. For the biological health assessments, regional model of the IBI in Korea (An,2003), was applied for this study. Mean IBI in the river was 30 and varied from 23 to 48 depending on the sampling sites. The river health was judged to be "fair condition", according to the stream health criteria of US EPA (1993) and Barbour et al. (1999). According to the analysis of the chemical water quality data of the river, BOD, COD, conductivity, TP, TN, and TSS largely varied epending on the sampling sites, seasons and years. Variabilities of some parameters including BOD, COD, TP, TN, and conductivity were greater in the downstream than in the upstream reach. This phenomenon was evident in the dilution by the rain during the monsoon. This indicates that precipitation is a very important factor of the chemical variations of water quality. Community analyses showed that species diversity index was highest (H=0.78) in the site 1, while community dominance index was highest in the site 3, where Opsariichthys uncirostris largely dominated. In contrast, the proportions of omnivore and tolerant species were greater in the downstream reach, than in the upstream reach. Overall, this study suggests that some sites in the downstream reach may need to restore the aquatic ecosystem for better biological health.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.828-836
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• 2014

The purpose of this study evaluates the water quality of artificial deep pool (ADP) during the late spring and summer. we monitored the water quality, as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature and conductivity at two stations (St. 1. open water, St. 2. in the ADP). The water quality in the ADP is very stable, and temperature and DO are lower than the open water (average value; temperature $1.4{\sim}3.2^{\circ}C$, DO 2.4~3.6 mg/L). In particular, daily variation of temperature in the open water showed above $4^{\circ}C$, but ADP remained stable. The water quality was analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the analysis showed difference about temperature, pH, DO, conductivity (two-way ANOVA, p<0.05). The ADP has created an aqua environment in thermal and DO gradients by depth. About 1.2 m, Temperature and DO were sharply decreased. The Rhodeus uyekii is dominant species in pond of this study. The ADP offers optimum water temperature ($16.5{\sim}18.5^{\circ}C$) to the Rhodeus uyekii about spawning. Consequently, the ADP offers stable habitat than open water for fish and aquatic organisms during the summer. It is also a good shelter for fish from a thermal stress.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.3
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• pp.337-351
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• 2015

The articles, published in the Journal of Korean Forest Society from Volume 1 (1962) to Volume 102 (2013), were investigated for the research trend analysis about forest plants for special purposes, i.e., edible plants, medicinal plants, feed resources, landscape plants, fiber plants, industrial usage, bee plants, bioenergy/phytoremediation uses, dye materials, and rare/endangered/endemic plants. These research articles were classified again based on the contents of research into following categories - habitat environment, ecology, physiology, propagation, silviculture (including planting and tending), genetics and breeding, identification, pest and disease control, animal-related research, components analysis and extracts, vegetation survey, biotechnology, management, recreation and forest healing, and research review. Among the total 2,433 articles published, 611 (25.1%) were related to plants for special usage or purposes. The highest frequency (14.9%) in publications was found in the field of silviculture followed by physiology, propagation, identification, and genetics and breeding, respectively. On the bases of usage, edible plants showed higher frequency (26.5%) than others, followed by industrial purpose, bioenergy/phytoremediation usage, landscape plants, medicinal plants, and rare/endangered/endemic plants. Populus plant species was the most popular in research, showing 62 articles; and Castanea crenata 36; Pinus koraiensis 35; Robinia pseudoacacia 20; Ginko biloba 17, etc. Based on the survey and analysis, the following points are suggested: 1) improved evaluation of forest plants as non-wood resources, 2) expanding research topics on the basis of production, management, and utilization of non-wood forest resources, 3) management of database of forest plant information and encouragement needed to strengthen cooperative researches satisfying the needs of other industrial and scientific areas, and 4) encouraging to promote traditional knowledge based research on forest plants.

• 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 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.52 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2019

Swimming performance of fish is an important factor in the survival of fish. Also, swimming performance of fish is used in the form of habitat, or as a condition to consider when creating a fish ladder. However in Korea, researches in swimming performance of Korean freshwater fish were scarce and inadequate in some part, thus fish ladders were installed without considering their swimming performance. Therefore, in this study, we measured swimming performance of 4 Korean freshwater fish species to consider importance of swimming performance test. The fish used in this study were Carassius auratus, Zacco koreanus, Gnathopogon strigatus, Acheilognathus lanceolata intermedia species which was collected during October to November, 2018 at Geum River, and measurement for swimming speed of each fish was done by using $Loligo^{(R)}$ System, swim tunnel respirometer in January to February of 2019. The average value of the burst critical swimming speed ($U_{crit}$) for each species was $0.8{\pm}0.04m\;s^{-1}$ for C. auratus, $0.77{\pm}0.04m\;s^{-1}$ for Z. koreanus, $0.95{\pm}0.04m\;s^{-1}$ for G. strigatus, $0.73{\pm}0.03m\;s^{-1}$ for A. lanceolata intermedia and the average value of prolonged critical swimming speed was $0.54m\;s^{-1}$ for C. auratus, $0.67m\;s^{-1}$ for Z. koreanus, $0.7m\;s^{-1}$ for G. strigatus, $0.54m\;s^{-1}$ for A. lanceolata intermedia. Since the fish used in this experiment were collected from a small part of the water system in Korea and there were only 4 species, they were not enough to represent the species that inhabit the entire Korean water system. It will be necessary to continue evaluating the swimming performance of other freshwater species in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2021

In this study, we performed a Random Walker analysis to predict the Major Movement Paths of otters. The scope of the research was a simulation analysis with a radius of 7.5 km set as the final range centered on the Ansim-wetland in Daegu City, and a field survey was used to verify the model. The number of virtual otters was set to 1,000, the number of moving steps was set to 1,000 steps per grid, and simulations were performed on a total of 841 grids. As a result of the analysis, an average of 147.6 objects arrived at the boundary point under the condition of an interval of 50 m. As a result of the simulation verification, 8 points (13.1%) were found in the area where the movement probability was very high, and 9 points (14.8%) were found in the area where the movement probability was high. On the other hand, in areas with low movement paths probabilities, there were 8 points (13.1%) in low areas and 4 points (6.6%) in very low areas. Simulation verification results In areas with high otter values, the actual otter format probability was particularly high. In addition, as a result of investigating the correlation with the otter appearance point according to the unit area of the evaluation star of the movement probability, it seems that 6.8 traces were found per unit area in the area where the movement probability is the highest. In areas where the probability of movement is low, analysis was performed at 0.1 points. On the side where otters use the major movement paths of the river area, the normal level was exceeded, and as a result, in the area, 23 (63.9%), many form traces were found, along the major movement paths of the simulation. It turned out that the actual otter inhabits. The EN-Simulator analysis can predict how spatial properties affect the likelihood of major movement paths selection, and the analytical values are used to utilize additional habitats within the major movement paths. It is judged that it can be used as basic data such as to grasp the danger area of road kill in advance and prevent it.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2022

This study analyzed the relationship between the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates and habitat changes in open estuaries among the sites included in the national estuary monitoring program. The estuary survey was conducted under the "Guidelines for Investigation and Evaluation of Biometric Networks" and classified by sea area, 80 places in the East Sea, 102 places in the South Sea, and 19 places in the West Sea were investigated. In a total of 201 open estuaries, benthic macroinvertebrates were identified with 4 phyla, 9 classes, 41 orders, 139 families, 269 species and 196 species in the East Sea, 182 species in the South Sea, and 90 species in the West Sea. The highest population densities were Insecta in the East Sea, the Malacostraca in the South Sea, and the Annelida in the West Sea. Through SIMPER analysis, species contributing to the similarity of benthic macroinvertebrates communities in each sea area were identified. Some species greatly influenced the similarity of clusters. The benthic community in the East Sea was affected by the salinity, so the contribution rate of freshwater species was high. On the other hand, the benthic communities of the South and West Seas showed species compositions are influenced by the substrate composition. As results, the benthic macroinvertebrate community in Korean estuaries was impacted by salinity and substrate simultaneously, and the close relationship with geographical distance was not observed. The result of this study is expected to be used to respond to environmental changes by identifying and predicting changes in the diversity and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Korea estuaries.