• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2016

Asian dust (Hwangsa) interacts with light, atmospheric gas, aerosol, and marine ecosystem, affecting Earth climate. Mineralogical properties are essential to understand the interaction between the dust and environments. In this study, we examined the mineralogical properties of Asian dust collected at Deokjeok Island, Incheon, Korea in February 22, 2015. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses showed that phyllosilicate minerals (62 wt%) dominate the Asian dust. Illite-smectite series clay minerals (55%) were common with minor chlorite (5%) and kaolinite (2%). Non-phyllosilicate minerals were quartz (18%), plagioclase (10%), K-feldspar (4%), calcite (4%), and gypsum (1%). Similar results were obtained by mineral quantification using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Transmission electron microscopy combined with EDS confirmed illite-smectite series clay minerals as the dominant phyllosilicate type. Morphological analyses using SEM showed clay agglomerates, clay-coated quartz, feldspars, and micas. Gypsum grains were common on the particle surface, while calcite nanofibers, previously reported as common on the surface, were rare, indicating the reaction of calcite and acidic atmospheric pollutants to form gypsum. The analytical result of 2015 Asian dust would contribute to the establishment of mineralogical base for the modeling of the interaction between Asian dust and environments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.53-69
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• 2015

Plants and birds have symbiotic relationship as the birds eat the fruits and disperse its seeds from the different places. Because Brown-eared Bulbul eats various fruits, We investigated the fruits consumed by Brown-eared Bulbul and the distribution of these seeds. Surveys were conducted at several area throughout Jeju Island at least twice a month from 2013 to 2014. We identified the fruits consumed by Brown-eared Bulbul through observation, pictures and interviews from the local residents. Results showed that this species consumed fruits from 82 plant species, belonging to 38 plant families. Thirty nine percent(39%) of these plant species belong to the Rosaceae, Lauraceae, Moraceae, Aquifoliaceae and Vitaceae and 33 species were classified as warm-temperate and subtropical plant which is 40% of the total plant species consumed. Two feeding types, which were gulper type and pecking type were observed for the Brown-eared Bulbul. It was also observed that this species preferred eating fruits of gulping type compared to that of pecking type. The average size of the fruits consumed through gulping was $8.92{\pm}3.41mm$ while it was $45.25{\pm}26.67mm$ for the pecker type. This bird species also consumed more fruits with globular shape compared to those of fruits with ellipse shape. For the fruit color, red and black-colored fruits were more preferred than yellow-colored fruits by Brown-eared Bulbul. Eaten frequency varied from 0.04 to 0.58 and the 10 fruits species were eaten frequently by Brown-eared Bulbul. This study would provide information for the role of Brown-eared Bulbul in the ecosystem as a seed dispersal agent.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.68-76
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• 2006

A thermal time-based two-step phenological model was used to project flowering dates of Japanese cherry in South Korea from 1941 to 2100. The model consists of two sequential periods: the rest period described by chilling requirement and the forcing period described by heating requirement. Daily maximum and minimum temperature are used to calculate daily chill units until a pre-determined chilling requirement for rest release is met. After the projected rest release date, daily heat units (growing degree days) are accumulated until a pre-determined heating requirement for flowering is achieved. Model calculations using daily temperature data at 18 synoptic stations during 1955-2004 were compared with the observed blooming dates and resulted in 3.9 days mean absolute error, 5.1 days root mean squared error, and a correlation coefficient of 0.86. Considering that the phonology observation has never been fully standardized in Korea, this result seems reasonable. Gridded data sets of daily maximum and minimum temperature with a 270 m grid spacing were prepared for the climatological years 1941-1970 and 1971-2000 from observations at 56 synoptic stations by using a spatial interpolation scheme for correcting urban heat island effect as well as elevation effect. A 25km-resolution temperature data set covering the Korean Peninsula, prepared by the Meteorological Research Institute of Korea Meteorological Administration under the condition of Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change-Special Report on Emission Scenarios A2, was converted to 270 m gridded data for the climatological years 2011-2040, 2041-2070 and 2071-2100. The model was run by the gridded daily maximum and minimum temperature data sets, each representing a climatological normal year for 1941-1970, 1971-2000, 2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100. According to the model calculation, the spatially averaged flowering date for the 1971-2000 normal is shorter than that for 1941-1970 by 5.2 days. Compared with the current normal (1971-2000), flowering of Japanese cherry is expected to be earlier by 9, 21, and 29 days in the future normal years 2011-2040, 2041-2070, and 2071-2100, respectively. Southern coastal areas might experience springs with incomplete or even no Japanese cherry flowering caused by insufficient chilling for breaking bud dormancy.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.17-29
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• 2012

In order to improve a trip pattern in Mt. Halla climbing only to a summit, two trip programs with nature interpretation have been developed using the geomorphic characteristics of Mt. Halla which are distinct from those of mountains in the Korean peninsula. It also aims to help conservation of natural environment of Mt. Halla and to enhance the visitor satisfaction in Mt. Halla. The subalpine trip program is carried out on a 1.5 km-long trail between Wissaeoreum Hut and Janggumokoreum. Program participants are able to learn expertise about, and understand vulnerability of, a subalpine ecosystem, Consequently, the program can obtain an educational attainment getting them to recognize the necessity of preserving the subalpine zone of Mt. Halla as an important natural resource. The mountain river trip program is performed on a 1.5 km-long reach of Byeongmun River between Gwaneumsa trailhead and a gorge upstream of Gurin Cave. The program is capable of exhibiting effectively the river characteristics of Jeju Island using the geomorphic and hydrologic properties of Byeongmun River which differ from those of rivers in the Korean peninsula. Since the subalpine grassland and ephemeral stream of Mt. Halla are the visiting places which are rarely experienced in the Korean peninsula, the program participants can understand the regionality of Jeju Island as well as Mt. Halla through trip activities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.4
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• pp.511-529
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• 2022

The forest vegetation of the Korean Peninsula is dominated by deciduous Fagaceae forests. The study aimed to comparethe correlation between species composition and environmental factors in Namsan, Odaesan, and Ulleungdo. A vegetation survey of 75 sites was conducted from May to August 2018. Seven vegetation types were classified. The inland representative vegetation was classified as a Quercus mongolica community, and the island representative vegetation was classified as a Fagus multinervis community. The Quercus mongolica community was subdivided into the Aria alnifolia group, representative of cities, and the Tilia amurensis group, representative of mountainous regions. Analysis of important values and indicator species to examine the succession trends according to regional types showed that urban and island forestswere maintained as Fagaceae communities, and that mountainous region foreststransitioned to broadleaf species, such as Tilia amurensis and Carpinus cordata. A CCA analysis of vegetation type and site environmental factors showed that altitude had the biggest effect on species composition at the same latitude. The study results should contribute to a better understanding of the Korean Peninsula forest ecosystem characteristics and provide basic data for establishing a systematic conservation and restoration plan.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.28-45
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• 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the flora of Sonjukdo Island(Yeosu-si), Korea. From results of four field surveys from April 2023 to October 2023, we identified 483 total taxa, representing 440 species, seven subspecies, 35 varieties, and one hybrid. They were placed in 322 genera and 109 families, including 249 taxa newly recorded in this study. Among them, four taxa were endemic to Korea, four taxa were IUCN red list plants, and 22 taxa were climate sensitive indicator plants. Floristic target plants amounted to 99 taxa, including two taxa of grade IV, 41 taxa of grade III, 10 taxa of grade II, and 46 taxa of grade I. A total of 54 taxa of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 11.2% and an Urbanization Index of 13.8%. Three plants disturbed the ecosystem. The flora of this surveyed area belongs to the south-coast province among floral provinces of the Korean Peninsula. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants flora, plant species diversity, and distributional changes.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.272-289
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• 2017

This study analyzed the status of the naturalized plants in islands in Jeollanamdo from an island biogeographic perspective. As a result of a floristic analysis at 47 inhabited islands and 194 uninhabited islands, 30 families and 134 species naturalized plants are reported. The most commonly occurring naturalized plant from 141 islands was Rumex crispus. The average number of naturalized plants by islands is 20.6 species (${\pm}14.22$) at the inhabited islands and 3.7 species (${\pm}3.89$) at the uninhabited islands. Presence of fifty nine naturalized species at Geumodo in Yeosu-si is the largest in number. The naturalization ratio, which is the ratio of naturalized plants to native plants, is 7.66% (${\pm}3.96$) in the inhabitable islands and 4.97% (${\pm}3.70$) in the uninhabitable islands. The naturalization ratio among islands of the West Sea in Jeollanam-do is 5.92% (${\pm}4.49$), and it is higher than 4.96% (${\pm}2.15$) in islands in the South Sea. Especially, the naturalization ratio at the inhabitable islands, i.e., 8.39% (${\pm}4.37$) at the islands of the West Sea is higher than 5.80% (${\pm}1.41$) at islands in the South Sea. The naturalization ratio of naturalized plants at the islands shows positive correlation with the size of the island (r=0.412, p<0.01), but the correlations with distance from the mainland and altitude above sea level are not significant. Eight ecosystem disturbing species designated by law are reported, and each species shows distinct distributional ranges. The regional differences in the number of naturalized plant species seem to be a result of the complex reflection of natural and human environmental factors, such as the degree of traffic between mainland and islands, degree of cultivation activities, along with the physical environmental differences. Since islands have limited habitats and resources, islands could be more vulnerable to the incoming species from outside, and environmental changes than mainland. Therefore, continuous monitoring and management against the naturalized plants in islands are needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.327-337
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• 2022

Ecological restoration is considered a good means to prevent biodiversity loss in terms of the ecosystem's health and sustainability. However, there are difficulties in putting it into practice as there is no comprehensive and objective standard for the selection of plant species, such as environmental, ecological factors, and restoration goal setting. Therefore, this study developed an evaluation index necessary for selecting plant species for restoration using the Delphi method that synthesizes the opinions of the expert group. A survey with 38 questionnaires was conducted twice for experts in ecological restoration, etc., and the importance and priority of evaluation indicators were analyzed by dividing the restoration targets into inland and island regions. The result of the importance analysis showed that "native plants" had the highest average of 4.9 among the evaluation indices in both inland and island regions, followed by "seed security", "propagation", and "root growth rate". In the inland region, the index priority was analyzed in the order of "native plants", "appearance frequency", "root growth rate", "distribution range", and "seed security" in the island region, it was analyzed in the order of "native plants", "root growth rate", "appearance frequency", "distribution range", and "tolerance", showing slight differences between the two indicators. As a result of the importance and priority indicator analysis, we set the mean importance and priority of 4.1 and 2.9, respectively, in the inland region and 4.2 and 2.9, respectively, in the island region. As for the criteria of selecting plant species for ecological restoration, the "native plants" had the highest importance and priority. "Seed securing", 'viability", "topography", "proliferation", "tolerance", "soil conditions", "growth characteristics", "early succession", "distribution range", "appearance frequency", and "germination rate" were classified into subgroups of low importance and priority. The lowest indicators were "final stage of succession", "transition period", 'transition stage", "root", "reproduction", "soil", "appearance", "technology", "landscape", "climate", and "germination rate". We expected that the findings through objective verification in this study would be used as evaluation indicators for selecting native plant species for ecological restoration.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2003

To set out restoration plan of Evergreen Broad-Leaved Forests(EBLF), a case study was done at Wando arboretum, Sinjido and Jangdo(Island). Firstly, basic environmental survey was done and the degrade levels of EBLF was assessed. And the forest functions and restoration goal of vegetation have been established before considering and setting restoration types of vegetation and restoration techniques. Taking social demand and restoration goal etc. into consideration, the forest functions were classified into a ecosystem preservation, scenery conservation and timber production. Quercus acuta Forest, Castanopsis siebodii Forest, Persea thunbergii Forest, Cinnamomum japonicum Forest, Dendropanax morbifera Forest etc. were suggested as a restoration goal of vegetation. Restoration types of vegetation were classified into a preservation type, restoration type, reconstruction type and afforestation type. And restoration techniques were subdivided into a preservation, induction, improvement, and creation according to the degraded levels of EBLF.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.323-337
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• 2006

This work discussed the species composition, phylogeny, spatio-temporal distribution, ecology and natural history of North Korean Pinaceae or pine tree family, which seems to be important to maintain nature and ecosystem in the Korean Peninsula. Out of five genera and sixteen species of Pinaceae of the Korean Peninsula, North Korea contains four genera and eleven species of Pinaceae, including Pinus densilflora, P. koraiensis, P. pumila, Picea jezoensis, P. koraiensis, P. koraiensis var. koraiensis, P. pungsanensis, Larix gmelini, L. gmelinii var. olgensis, Abies holophylla and A. nephrolepis. In terms of phylogeny Pinus is closely related to Picea, and followed by Larix. Abies is close to Tsuga which only occur at Ullung Island. Distributional pattern of North Korean Pinaceae can be classified into four types; three species of nation-wide montane type i.e., Pinus densilflora, P. koraiensis and Abies holophylla, four species of central and northern subalpine type, i.e., Pinus pumila, Picea koraiensis, Larix gmelini and Abies nephrolepis, one nation-wide subalpine type, Picea jezoensis, and three species disjunctive to north type, i.e., Picea koraiensis var. koraiensis, P. pungsanensis, and Larix gmelinii var. olgensis. Pinaceae species occurring on the alpine and subalpine belts of North Korea, such as Pinus koraiensis, P. pumila, Picea jezoensis, P. koraiensis, P. koraiensis var. koraiensis, P. pungsanensis, Larix gmelini, L. gmelinii var. olgensis and A. nephrolepis are considered as the glacial descendant from the boreal region. Those species might have migrated from the north during the Pleistocene glacial epochs in search of favourable condition, and since the Holocene period they survived on the hostile alpine and subalpine environments, in which they are more competitive than warmth-tolerant temperate vegetation. Certain species, such as Picea pungsanensis, is segregated on the isolated mountains since the Pleistocene period, and forced to adapt to local environment, and eventually became an endemic species of North Korea. Recent rapid global warming trend especially in northern high mountains of North Korea could cause an unfavourable environment for the survival of cold-tolerant Pinaceae of the alpine and subalpine belts. Pinus densiflora, which is occurring on the montane belt might faced with difficulties due to both the deforestation and the outbreak of insect-borne disease, such as Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.