• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.8
• /
• pp.28.1-28.12
• /
• 2018

Intertidal macroalgae are exposed to many abiotic stress factors, and they must regularly react to changes in their environment. We used RNA-seq to describe how Porphyra umbilicalis (Rhodophyta) changes gene expression patterns to interact with different habitats. Tissue samples were taken from a typical habitat along the open-coast of the Northwest Atlantic, as well as from a rare, atypical habitat in an estuarine tidal rapid environment. Differential gene expression analyses suggest that pathogic bacteria and viruses may be a significant factor influencing the transcriptome in the human-impacted estuarine environment, but the atypical habitat does not necessarily induce more stress in Porphyra umbilicalis growing there. We found genes related to nitrogen transport are over-expressed in tissue from the open-coastal site compared to those from the estuarine site, where environmental N levels approach hypertrophic levels. Low N levels impede growth, but high levels are toxic to cells, and we use qPCR to show this species regulates expression of a putative high-affinity $NH_4{^+}$ transporter under low and high N conditions. Differences in expression of this transporter in these habitats appear to be inherited from parent to offspring and have general implications for adaptation to habitat in other species that are capable of asexual reproduction, as well as more specific implications for this species' use in aquaculture.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.311-325
• /
• 2017

Habitat suitability index (HSI) of 17 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa, which were lotic insects of generic category except Potamanthidae in mayfly, was developed for three physical habitat factors (current velocity, water depth and substrate) based on an ecological monitoring in a Korean stream (Gapyeong). Weibull model was used as a probability density function to analyze the distribution of individual abundance related with physical factors, which showed it was so available. Number of species and total individual abundance increased along with the increase of current velocity and the mean diameter of substrate, and decreased along with the increase of water depth. Most taxa showed a clear preference for a fast current velocity, shallow water depth and coarse substrate except Ephemera, Potamanthidae (mayfly), and Plectrocnemia (caddisfly) which were rheophobic, potamophilic and lithophobious. Based on the canonical correspondence analysis, the relative importance of each factor was determined as follows: current velocity > substrate > water depth.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.105-114
• /
• 2017

This study performed physical habitat simulation for fish and macroinvertebrate species in the Gongneung River. Target fishes were selected as Rhinogobius brunneus and Zacco platypus. Target macroinvertebrate species were selected as Hydropsyche kozhantschikovi and Chironomidae. Habitat suitability curves were constructed by using monitoring data from the monitoring project which is called "the survey and evaluation of aquatic ecosystem health". For calculation of CSI, weighted mean method was used. For macroinvertebrates species, the weighting factor derived from analytic hierarchy method was considered. River2D, which is capable to simulate flow in two-dimensional space, was selected for flow computation. Composite suitability index was simulated for target fish and macroinvertebrate species for discharge of drought, low, normal, and averaged-wet flow. Simulation results show that Chironomidae and Hydropsyche kozhantschikovi prefer the pool and riffle habitat, respectively. Rhinogobius brunneus and Zacco platypus show high suitability in riffle habitat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.33-44
• /
• 2015

This study was performed to propose the site selection plan for the restoration of the target Narrow-mouth Frog(Kaloula borealis) habitat, and has developed the AHP model to select the optimal site for narrow-mouth frog habitat restoration on the basis of the narrow-mouth frog Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) items (factors and variables). The assessment areas were established by the narrow-mouth frog HSI factors such as space, feed, cover, water(breeding), threatening factors and others, and the sub-assessment items by each assessment area were established based on the narrow-mouth frog HSI variables. The weighting values of the assessment areas and items were calculated by the developed AHP method. The weighting values of the 5 assessment areas were arranged in order as cover(0.283), water(breeding)(0.276), feed(0.230), space(0.147), and threatening factor(0.064). The final weighting values of the 14 assessment items were arranged in order of height as low-rise grassland(0.190), soil quality(0.178), and stones and between the stones(0.105). The scoring criteria according to the assessment items and factors were marked and applied by equal intervals considering the criteria by HSI items of the narrow-mouth frog and finally the scoring criteria diagram has been proposed for the optimal site selection of the narrow-mouth frog habitat restoration.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.626-639
• /
• 2017

Based on an ecological monitoring in a Korean stream (Gapyeong), Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) of nine fish species was developed for three physical habitat factors : current velocity, water depth and substrate. The species were chosen based on their abundance and frequency in the fish community of the Gapyeong stream. The Weibull model was used as the probability density function to analyze the distribution and number of each fish species according to the three identified physical factors, which showed good results. This HSI equation has advantages because it statistically expresses habitat preferences of fish species simply and clearly. From that, we can quantitatively deduce the central tendency and variation of environmental factors for fish distribution. The selected fish species showed different preferences for each habitat factor respectively. Although there are some exceptions, the distribution and abundance of individual species of nektonic fish (Zacco koreanus, Zacco platypus, Microphysogobio longidorsalis and Pungtungia herzi) were positively skewed to deep water and fine substrate while riffle-benthic fish (Koreocobitis rotundicaudata and Coreoleuciscus splendidus) were normally distributed at the shallow and coarse substrate zone. It seems that the species showing the positively skewed distribution to the current, Z. koreanus, Z. platypus, M. longidorsalis and P. herzi have adapted themselves to the fast current and have expanded their niche.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.179-190
• /
• 2019

In this study, a fish survey was conducted to investigate the habitat status of black shinner (Pseudopungtungia nigra) designated as endangered species level from the lower part of Yongdam Dam to the upper part of Daecheong Dam. Biodiversity analysis was performed on the basis of the number of fish emerged, and biological health and physical habitat environment were quantitatively analyzed using collected P. nigra. According to the survey, the habitat range of P. nigra was found from Banguri-myeon, Buri-myeon, Geumsan-gun, downstream of Yongdam Dam. The biodiversity analysis results of all species appeared to be low in overall dominance index and relatively high in species diversity and uniformity index. In addition, P. nigra collected in this study was confirmed to have normal growth and nutritional status by the full-length-weighted relativities and condition factor. The physical habitat environment of P. nigra was 0.3 - 0.6 m in depth, 0.3 - 0.7 m/s in flow rate, and bed materials showed high frequency of occurrence in the range of cobbles (64.0 - 256.0 mm) to boulders (>256.0 mm). These results are expected to be used as data for habitat restoration and management in the future as basic data on the spatial range and preferred physical habitat environment of P. nigra in Geumgang.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.287-299
• /
• 2015

If the Nakdong River estuary is to be sustainable, land use management practices need to consider bird habitat requirements, especially given that the area serves as an important migratory bird sanctuary. In this study, bird habitats found in the Nakdong River estuary were classified into 11 different types including Phragmites australiss, mud flat, farmland, open surface in freshwater, sand bar, riparian forest, Scirpus planiculmis, waterway, construction, grasslands, and open surface in sea or brackish water. Taking into consideration the regional characteristics, habitat properties, and landscape indices, a total of 12 study sites were analyzed. Mud flat, construction, farmland, and P. australis account for 80% of the total land area. The high area ratio of construction and farmland to other types of habitat revealed a high amount of historical human activity and intervention in the area. Both patch numbers as well as patch density were high in West Nakdong River, Samrak Waterfront, Maekdo River, and Daejeo Floodgate, with these areas showing the greatest fragmentation as well. Total numbers of species and individuals had a positive correlation with the area and the number of habitat types. Findings suggest that protecting the habitat area, especially in S. planiculmis, is the most important factor for bird habitat management and that future development could result in habitat loss, having a profoundly adverse impact on bird populations. Therefore, it is important that the total area should be carefully protected by land use regulations in order to ensure that the Nakdong River estuary maintains its functional integrity as a migratory bird sanctuary.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.133-143
• /
• 2015

Freshwater macrophytes improve the structural heterogeneity of microhabitats in water, often providing an important habitat for zooplankton. Some studies have focused on the overall influence of macrophytes on zooplankton, but the effects of macrophyte in relation to different habitat characteristics of zooplankton (e.g., epiphytic and pelagic) have not been intensively studied. We hypothesized that different habitat structures (i.e., macrophyte habitat) would strongly affect zooplankton distribution. We investigated zooplankton density and diversity, macrophyte characteristics (dry weight and species number), and environmental parameters in 40 shallow wetlands in South Korea. Patterns in the data were analyzed using a self-organizing map (SOM), which extracts information through competitive and adaptive properties. A total of 20 variables (11 environmental parameters and 9 zooplankton groups) were patterned onto the SOM. Based on a U-matrix, 3 clusters were identified from the model. Zooplankton assemblages were positively related to macrophyte characteristics (i.e., dry weight and species number). In particular, epiphytic species (i.e., epiphytic rotifers and cladocerans) exhibited a clear relationship with macrophyte characteristics, while large biomass and greater numbers of macrophyte species supported high zooplankton assemblages. Consequently, habitat heterogeneity in the macrophyte bed was recognized as an important factor to determine zooplankton distribution, particularly in epiphytic species. The results indicate that macrophytes are critical for heterogeneity in lentic freshwater ecosystems, and the inclusion of diverse plant species in wetland construction or restoration schemes is expected to generate ecologically healthy food webs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.109-118
• /
• 2015

This study was performed to propose the site selection plan for the restoration of the target Reeve's turtle (Maunemys reevesii) habitat and has developed the AHP model to select the optimal site for Reeve's turtle habitat restoration on the basis of the Reeve's turtle Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) items (factors and variables). The assessment areas were established by the Reeve's turtle HSI factors such as breeding space, feed, cover, water, threatening factors and others and the sub-assessment items by each assessment area were established based on the Reeve's turtle HSI variables. The weighting values of the assessment areas and items were calculated by the developed AHP method. The weighting values of the 5 assessment areas were arranged in order as breeding space(0.293), food(0.273), water(0.217), cover(0.113), and threatening factor(0.104). The final weighting values of the 17 assessment items were arranged in order of height as all kind of food(0.222), water depth(0.096), altitude of spawning ground(0.093). The scoring criteria according to the assessment items and factors were marked and applied by equal intervals considering the criteria by HSI items of the Reeve's turtle and finally the scoring criteria diagram as been proposed for the optimal site selection of the Reeve's turtle habitat restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.30-39
• /
• 2010

We researched community structure, species composition, and habitat environment of Dendropanax morbifera populations distributed in Goheung, Haenam, Wando (I.), and Bogildo (I.) at south coast of the Korean Peninsula. Our research was also estimated possible area for growth of Dendropanax morbifera by analyzing meteorological factors of the habitat thereof. Dendropanax morbifera community divided into Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii group and Carpinus laxiflora group by difference of species composition. Broad-leaved evergreens showed high dominance value in view of rNCD in Dendropanax morbifera community as follows: Camellia japonica (100.0), Quercus acuta (88.6), Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii (55.8), Dendropanax morbifera Lev. (41.4), Trachelospermum asiaticum var. intermedium (23.8), Eurya japonica (19.9) and Ligustrum japonicum (11.5). In the population distribution, 94.2% of Carpinus laxiflora group consisted of sapling and small size class that are less than 5 cm in DBH while 54.2% of Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii group did. The soil environment of habitat showed low soil acidity, good organic matter and water content, and good drainage. The distribution area of Dendropanax morifera habitat had $13^{\circ}C$ or more in annual mean temperature, $7.4^{\circ}C$ or more in daily minimum temperature, $100^{\circ}C$ month or more in warmth index, and approximately 1,344 mm in mean annual precipitation. Dendropanax morifera habitat corresponded to evergreen broad-leaved forest zone located in islands and coast in the southwest region of the Korean Peninsula. The northern limit line of Dendropanax morifera community was determined as Gunsan-Jeongeup-Gwangju-Jinju-Pohang-Youngdeok line based on $13^{\circ}C$ in annual mean temperature that was confirmed in natural habitat of Dendropanax morifera community.