• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.186-191
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• 2016

Distribution status and threatened assessment of endangered species, Pungitius sinensis (Pisces: Gasterosteidae), were investigated from March to October 2015 in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do etc., Korea. During the study period, a total of 854 individual P. sinensis were collected from 21 of 71 sampling stations using skimming nets. P. sinensis appeared in 23 streams during the past 30 years. However, it was only collected in 12 streams. Therefore, its habitats and populations were drastically reduced. The preferred habitat of P. sinensis was pool of the lower stream with lots of aquatic plants. Given these evidences of small occupying areas ($84km^2$) and drastic reduction in its habitats and populations, P. sinensis is considered as an endangered (EN) [B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)] species based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.4
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• pp.371-381
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• 2020

The Ministry of Environment (ME) is planning to adopt in 2020 the IUCN regional Red List for "Guidelines for listing and delisting rare & endangered species and management of endangered Species System". The ME designated 377 species of vascular plants on the regional Red List. In a previous study it had been suggested that 103 species from this list are candidates for the regional Red List. With respect to a possible Red List, we assessed 59 species (after excluding 34 additional NA species and ten endemic species). These assessments indicated that 16 species are at the "threatened" level. Of those, one species is Critically Endangered, ten are Endangered, and five are Vulnerable. A further four species are classified as Near Threatened, 30 as Of Least Concern, and nine as Data Deficient. We found that most of the assessments proposed by the Ministry of Environment were not supported by scientific data, including quantitative geographic data (over 70%) in Criteria B. In order to determine the endangered species belonging to the orchid family, it is necessary to obtain records of illegal activities or data on overcollection. The current problem with the Ministry of Environment Red List has been the lack of management of scientific data on species showing a trend in decreasing population in the mid- to long-term; thus, there is a lack of critical resources for policy-makers. The ME legally designated categories and assessment, and the lack of expertise in failing to comply with the legal law by itself. The key to presenting an accurate overview of the state of Korean flora is to fill the information gaps with respect to significant geographical and taxonomical biases in the quality and quantity of data. By regularly updating the qualified data, we will be able to track the changes in the conservation status of the flora and inform the necessary conservation policies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.3
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• pp.428-436
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• 2013

To obtain biological basic data for the conservation strategies establishment of a rare mistletoe species, Loranthus tanakae(Loranthaceae) in Korea, the distribution range, habitat characteristics and an assessment of the conservation status on the natural populations of L. tanakae were investigated. As a result, the natural populations of L. tanakae were distributed in Bakdudaegan from Mt. Chiri to Mt Seorak in Korea penninsula, and 97.8% of surveyed individuals of the mistletoe species were found in Gangwon province. In natural populations, 1,385 individuals of L. tanakae were parasitic on 480 host trees, and distributed in sunshiny ridges of mountains of altitude range of 353 m to 1,250 m. The range of host trees of L. tanakae were composed of 5 families, 6 genera, 9 species, 1 subspecies, and of these, Quercus mongolica was preferred with 81.5% (389 trees among 480 host trees). As a result of assessing the conservation status through IUCN, L. tanakae was evaluated as Vulnerable (VU). It was considered that Mt. Seorak, Mt. Taegi and Mt. Odae population as habitats with the highest density of distribution of natural populations of L. tanakae should be designated as the protected areas. Thus, conservation strategies and related methods of the natural populations of L. tanakae were also discussed for the sustainable conservation.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.189-199
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• 2013

The distribution status and habitat characteristics of the endangered species, Lethenteron reissneri were investigated in 2011~2012 in Korea. During the study period, L. reissneri were collected 60 stations among 755 sampling stations investigated. The total numbers of ammocoetes and adults were 208 and 435, respectively from eight stations of the Han River drainage system, four stations of Geum River drainage system, 32 stations of Seomjin and Yeongsan River drainage systems, and 16 stations of Nakdong River drainage system. The Han and Geum river drainage systems, the Sapkyo Stream and independent streams running toward the East Sea were estimated to have suffered sudden reductions of population density, whereas the Seomjin River drainage system showed increased population density compared with historic occurrence records. L. reissneri inhabited the middle-upper stream of clean water with well-developed rapids and lots of aquatic organisms. According to IUCN Red List categories and criteria L. reissneri was assessed to be vulnerable (VU) [B2ab (ii,iii,iv,v);D1] because of the rapid reduction of the occupying areas and the small number of mature individuals. Besides the distribution status and habitat characteristics we discussed the conservation strategies of L. reissneri.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 2022

A distribution survey was conducted from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate the distribution status, habitat characteristics, and extinction threat of the short ninespine stickleback Pungitius kaibarae (Gasterosteidae). Literature reports of P. kaibarae distribution have been sorted by each period, 1980~1996, 1997~2005, and 2007~2017, and the samples were collected in 32, 43, and 64 stations for each period. Among the 75 streams and 193 sampling sites investigated during the study period, 1,400 P. kaibarae individuals were collected from 26 streams at 39 sites. The main habitat of P. kaibarae was downstream or brackish water zones with a low altitude, slow water velocity, and many aquatic plants. The main reasons for the decline in population size were assumed to be drought and flood, river work for flood restoration and river maintenance, bridges construction, and predation by the exotic fish species Micropterus salmoides. Previous evidence reported a 42.6% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, a decline in habitat quality, and the spread and impact of the exotic fish species Micropterus salmoides. Therefore, P. kaibarae is now considered a Vulnerable (VU A2ace) species based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Therefore, P. kaibarae should be redesignated as an endangered species by the Ministry of Environment and systematically managed.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.169-192
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• 2021

Sacred groves are large areas of virgin or human-modified landscape with a diverse range of species that have been protected by local people for centuries due to cultural, religious beliefs, and taboo that the deities live in them and protect the villagers from various calamities. The present study was carried out for quantitative analysis of diversity, population structure, regeneration and conservation status of tree species in the four 36.86 ha sacred groves of Jhargram district in West Bengal. Tree species composition, population structure and regeneration status were analyzed by randomly establishing of 1 ha subplots within the sacred groves. Density, frequency, basal area, abundance, evenness, and other diversity indices were calculated for adult trees with girth at breast height (GBH) >31 cm. A total of 146 tree species belonging to 116 genera distributed in 44 families from 21 orders were recorded. Pterospermum suberifolium, family Malvaceae showed the highest Species Importance Value Index (SIVI, 21.33) and Fabaceae showed the highest Family Importance Value Index (FIVI, 35.59) values respectively. Individuals are categorised into three groups, seedling, sapling and adult based on girth classes. The majority of tree species exhibited good (52.74%) regeneration followed by fairly (24.66%), poor (15.75%) and no regeneration (6.85%) respectively. With the healthy existence of the sacred grove, the overall population structure of tree species showed a strong regeneration potential. The current data will be useful in determining the current status of tree species and will be used by the forest department, politicians, and conservationists to establish management plans for the conservation of priority species in the region. Since the study areas were sacred groves, tribal members were keen to preserve them due to their religious significance.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2009.04a
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• pp.7-20
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• 2009

On the basis of introducing the development process of Chinese nature reserve since first nature reserve was set up in 1959 in China, and comparing the definition of nature reserve between IUCN and China, combining with the objectives and significance of the establishment of Chinese Nature Reserve, the present state and achievements of nature reserve in China were introduced detailedly. And the effect of the laws and rules on the protection in nature and biodiversity was assessed after analyzing the characteristics of the interrelated laws and rules enacted in course of development of Chinese nature reserve over 50 years. Also the qualifications and procedures of nature reserve establishment and relevance aspects of content in China were narrated, and the classification system and management system of Chinese nature reserve and their characteristics were introduced. Finally, the Medium and Long Term Program for Nature Reserve Development in China was introduced, and present some proposals to solve the problems on the basics that discuss the distribution status and its characteristics and problems on managing nature reserve in China.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.13-19
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is correct the scientific name of Aquilariae Lignum in Korean Herbal Pharmacoepia. Methods : The production areas of Aquilariae Lignum and its trading status with China in Chinese history, Sanscrit-Chinese Translation Sutra, Naming year and the discovered district in main Aquilaria spp., Several nation's Pharmacoepia, The Plant List(TPL), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora(CITES) and The International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) were cross-checked. Results : The records in the Jiaozhouyiwuzhi written in the early 2nd century said that Aquilariae Lignum was produced in Vietnam. NanfangCaomuZhuang written in 304 said that Agarwood in Vietnam had white flowers. Vietnam had led production and trading of Aquilariae Lignum until Qing Dynasty. Aquilariae Lignum from Malaysia and Indonesia was not traded with China. In Sanscrit-Chinese Translation Sutra, India Aquilariae Lignum was translated as Vietnam Aquilariae Lignum. Aquilaria malaccensis was discovered from Malay-Peninsular in 1783, and has green or dirty yellow flowers. A. agallocha from North-Eastern India in 1814, white flowers. A. crasssna from Vietnam in 1914, white flowers. A. crassna is different from A. malaccensis in several ways, such as flower, fruit, seed and disribution. In several Nation's Pharmacoepia, A. crassna was a synonym of A. agallocha. But in TPL, CITES and IUCN, A. malaccensis was an accepted name, and A. agallocha was a synonym of A. malaccensis. Conclusions : These results show that the original species of Aquilariae Lignum in Korea Herbal Pharmacoepia should be reversed from A. agallocha to A. crassna Pierre ex Lacomte.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-84
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• 2013

This study investigated some of the specific ecological characteristics Torreya nucifera forest and its health conditions so that was drawn from four different management strategies, such as Types A, B, C, and D, for protected areas of forest genetic resources. Type A refers to passive management which routinely keeps the current status of forests by removing competitive trees or curing damaged ones. Type B, as active one which improves Torreya nucifera forest, includes increase of soil pH and removal of Sasa borealis, Phyllostachys bambusoides, and deciduous broad-leaved trees such as Quercus variabilis, Carpinus tschonoskii et al.. Type C is another passive one which reduces soil acidity within Chamae cyparisobtusa forest and maintains the existing forests. Type D is another active one which decreases soil acidity and simultaneously reduces problems associated with competitive and invasive plants to nurture the young trees. At last, it is important to note that the protected areas for forest genetic resources need to be entitled to categories III(natural monument) or IV(habitat/species management area) in accordance with protected area management guidelines of IUCN.

• 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."