• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.216-228
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to apply the handheld Raman spectrometer to identify the coloring materials used in a large Buddhist painting (of Maitreya Buddha) at Janggoksa Temple through cross-validation with HH-XRF. An in situ investigation was performed together with use of a digital microscope and HH-XRF analysis to verify the properties of pigments used in the gwaebul ("large Buddhist painting") via a non-destructive method. However, the identification of coloring materials composed of light elements and mixed or overlaid pigments is difficult using only non-destructive analysis data. Unlike in situ investigation, laboratory analysis often required samples yet the sampling is restricted to a small quantity due to the cultural heritage characteristic. Thus, it is necessary to develop a non-destructive in situ method to supplement the HH-XRF data. The large Buddhist painting at Janggoksa Temple was painted mainly using white, red, yellow, green, and blue colors. The Raman spectroscopy provides molecular information, while XRF spectroscopy provides information about elemental composition of the pigments. Analysis results identified various coloring materials: inorganic pigment, such as lead white, minium, cinnabar, and orpiment, as well as organic pigment such as gamboge and indigo. Therefore, it is possible to obtain more information for the identification of pigments; organic pigment and mixed or overlaid pigments, while at the same time minimizing the collection sample and simplifying the analysis procedure compared to previously used methods. The results of this study will be used as basic data for the analysis of painting cultural heritage through a non-destructive in situ method in the future.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.354-362
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• 2018

Population genetic assessment is essential for the conservation and management of endangered and rare plants. Neofinetia falcata is endangered epiphyte orchid and protected by law in Korea. In Korea, this species is only found on islands in the South Sea of Korea (including Jeju-do) and the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. We developed nine microsatellite makers to assess the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of three populations of N. falcata. The genetic diversity at the species level was low, which can be attributed to inbreeding or fragmentation into small, isolated populations. A recent bottleneck was detected in one population, likely due to overcollection. N. falcata exhibited moderated levels of differentiation among populations, with the three populations were divided into two clusters based on genetic structure. The genetic diversity and structure of N. falcata are affected by restricted gene flow by pollen or seeds due to isolation and geographic distance. Strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation of this species are been proposed based on the results of our study.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 2018

Background: Juniperus chinensis L. populations are distributed locally on several areas including coastal cliffs which are difficult to access in the central eastern Korea. Wild populations inhabit relatively barren environments such as rocky areas and cliffs, which are very sensitive to even minor environmental disturbances including artificial interventions and natural disturbances, and thus demonstrate great fluctuations in the population size and density. This study aims to analyze the genetic diversity, differentiation, and genetic structure of each population in order to provide useful data required to establish a substantial conservation strategy of J. chinensis. Results: The genetic diversity of J. chinensis at the population level (P = 78.7%, h = 0.282, S.I. = 0.420) was somewhat higher compared with those measured in the same genus, Juniperus. The genetic differentiation degree among nine populations established naturally in central eastern Korea was 11.50% and that among sub-populations within the same area was 5.52%. On the other hand, genetic variation of individuals within the populations was 82.93%. But frequency of the main allele was different among loci. In particular, fixation of allele frequency and occurrence of rare allele in the highly isolated population suggest a likelihood that genetic drift would occur in populations of this plant. As the result of analysis on the genetic structure of nine populations, nearby populations and isolated populations tended to form separate clusters from each other as the hypothetical number of clusters (K) increase. Conclusions: This result implies that if the population size of J. chinensis is reduced due to environmental change and artificial and/or natural disturbances in the future, it could affect negatively on the genetic diversity of the plant species. In order to maintain and conserve genetic diversity of J. chinensis, ecological network, which can help genetic exchange among the local populations, should be prepared, and conservation strategies in situ as well as ex situ are also required with continuous monitoring.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to provide basic guidelines for conservation and management of endangered plants in the national parks of Korea. Iris dichotoma Pall. (Iridaceae), which is a popular garden plant, is considered a second-class endangered species by Korean government and it is listed as a EN (Endangered) species in Red Data Book of Korea. We analyzed ecological conditions of I. dichotoma habitats based on vegetation properties and soil characteristics. This species which is known to inhabit in grassland adjacent to the ocean of lowlands slope and its population was located at an elevation of 8 m to 11 m. In the study sites, the mean of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and soil pH were 6.16%, 0.234% and 5.39 respectively. Additionally, the genetic variation and structure of three populations were assessed using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. The genetic diversity of I. dichotoma (P = 59.46%, H = 0.206, S = 0.310) at the species level was relatively high. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 82.1% of the total genetic diversity was occurred in within populations and 17.9% variation among populations. Lastly, we developed predicted distribution model based on climate and topographic factors by applying SDMs (Species Distribution Models). Consequently, current status of I. dichotoma habitats is limited with natural factors such as the increase of the coverage rate of the herbs due to ecological succession. Therefore, it is essential to establish in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for protecting natural habitats and to require exploring potential and alternative habitats for reintroduction.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.330-336
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• 2020

Ex-situ conservation of the ornamental and medicinal orchid, Coelogyne stricta, was performed by mass propagation using seed culture. Propagation stages were optimized using full- and half-strength solidified MS medium with different phytohormones. Maximum seed germination (88 ± 0.5% over 6 weeks of culture) was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 15% coconut water. Maximum shoot numbers were found on full-strength MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L BAP, 2 mg/L Kinetin, and 10% coconut water, while the longest root was developed on full-strength MS medium with 1.5 mg/L IBA. A 2:1:1 combination of coco-peat, pine bark, and sphagnum moss was found to be a suitable potting mixture resulting in 80% seedling survivability. The cytotoxic activity of extracts of both wild plants and in vitro-developed protocorms was determined using an MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on a cervical cancer cell line. The wild plant extract inhibited the growth of 41.99% of cells, showing that this extract has moderate cytotoxic activity toward cervical cancer cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2010.04a
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• pp.150-154
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• 2010

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.304-308
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• 2021

Iris koreana (Iridaceae) is an endangered plant native to Korea. In order to develop an in vitro propagation method, we investigated the effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) and a-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on callus induction in different I. koreana tissues. In addition, we also investigated the effect of 2,4-D and Benzyl aminopurine (BA) treatments on adventitious shoot induction in viable calli and the effect of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) on root formation in viable shoots. We found that callus production was highest with 1.0 mg/L NAA (94.4% cultured rhizome explants), and adding low concentrations of 2,4-D to BA containing media significantly increased the frequency of shoot primordial formation. The best rooting results were obtained with 1.0 mg/L IBA, on which 98% of regenerated shoots developed roots and produced an average of 7.4 roots within 45 days. This in vitro propagation protocol will be useful for conservation, as well as for mass propagation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.310-319
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• 2013

The genetic diversity and structure of eight populations of Coreanomecon hylomeconoides Nakai, an endemic Korean plant, were investigated using 50 ISSR loci from eight primers. The average percentage of polymorphic loci was 47.3%. The Shannon's index (SI=0.218) and gene diversity (h=0.142) were relatively lower than those of other long-lived perennials. The Sancheong (SI=0.233, h=0153), Gwangyang (SI=0.263, h=0.171), and Suncheon (SI=0.241, h=0.159) populations showed greater genetic diversity than the Namhae and Gwangju populations, which are on the edge of the distribution. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that 18% of the total variation could be attributed to differences among populations, and 82% to differences within populations, indicating moderate gene flow among adjacent populations. These results were supported by value of Nm (2.184). The UPGMA conducted using the genetic distance and Bayesian cluster analysis showed a remarkable geographic trend structured into east and west regions. Overall, the results indicate that the Sancheong and Gwangyang populations, which had a large population size and higher degree of genetic diversity, should be the focus of in situ conservation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.193-201
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• 2010

The Ryukyus Archipelago consists of about 200 nearly subtropical islands located between Japan proper and Taiwan. Previous studies have found the Ryukyus to be a region of high biodiversity with many endangered vascular plant taxa, but they are not comprehensive. Here, we discuss the phytogeographic features and circumstances of the endangered plant taxa, make suggestions for effective in situ conservation, and highlight endangered plants in the Ryukyus that require further study.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.873-884
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• 2013

This study was carried out to establish the conservation plan of specific plants by surveying and analyse the individuals and the environment of habitats on specific plants designated by Juwangsan national park office. The specific plants were 14 species including Berchemia berchemiaefolia, Hylotelephium ussuriense, Aristolochia manshuriensis, Lilium cernuum, Thalictrum coreanum, Exochorda serratifolia, Lilium distichum, Aristolochia contorta, Jeffersonia dubia, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Salix chaenomeloids, Eranthis stellata, Scopolia japonica, and Paeonia japonica. The habitats of specific plants were 40 sites including Berchemia berchemiaefolia of 11 sites, Hylotelephium ussuriense of 8 sites, Lilium cernuum and Thalictrum coreanum of each 3 sites, Exochorda serratifolia of 2 sites, and Lilium distichum, Aristolochia contorta, Jeffersonia dubia, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Salix chaenomeloids, Eranthis stellata, Scopolia japonica and Paeonia japonica of each 1 site. The altitude was the most in 300~400 m. In direction, NW was the most, and it showed SW in that order. The slope angle was the most in 0~10%, and the cliff showed in that order. In the results of species composition by stratum layer, Berchemia berchemiaefolia had the most, 15 species, in tree layer. In shrub and herb layer, this had the most as 20 species and 29 species, too. The species that occupied the largest size was Salix chaenomeloids in 2,500 $m^2$, and Jeffersonia dubia showed 1,500 $m^2$ in that order. The conservation of specific plants is to accomplish the ex situ and in situ conservation at the same time.