• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.191-201
• /
• 2015

Measuring and mapping connectivity among habitats is a key component of sustainable urban planning and design process. In this study, we examined how functional corridors connect forest bird habitats in a metropolitan area of Korea using graph theory-based techniques. High-quality forest habitat was defined as a function of forest cover, presence of residential areas, and road networks. We then constructed a network of high-quality forest habitats using the FunConn (functional connectivity) tools, and computed metrics ($T_i$) of patch importance based on the minimum ($Q_1$) and the 25th percentile ($Q_{25}$) rank least-cost distance values. We investigated the relative influence of two values of patch importance on forest bird species richness. As a result, the patch importance index based on the $Q_{25}$ effective distance threshold was most positively correlated with species richness (P < 0.001) after controlling for the area effect. Thus, using the $Q_{25}$ effective distance threshold, we mapped not only the locations of important habitat patches and functional corridors, but also the network backbone of forest bird habitats. The network developed in this study can help guide urban planning for biodiversity conservation.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.71-80
• /
• 2017

Landscape design pursues a balance among different values in our society, but aesthetic value and ecological value in landscapes must bring complex relationships into harmony. Ecological aesthetics can be defined as a domain of study that manages the relationship between landscape ecology and landscape aesthetics to create aesthetically attractive and ecologically beneficial landscapes. Despite the importance of the research area, there has been limited empirical research addressing ecological aesthetics. This article aspires to connect and expand the conceptual framework to the research methodologies of ecological aesthetics. First, this study suggests a conceptual framework that examines the relationship between landscape and perceptual process in the context of ecological aesthetics. This framework stresses the importance of information and design intervention as moderators in this relationship. From this framework, three key topics in ecological aesthetics arise: (1) correlation between ecological integrity and aesthetic preference, (2) "compromised" design and management intervention principles that enhance aesthetic pleasure and still have biodiversity, and (3) the impact of information intervention in aesthetic experience. The framework indicated three domains affect each other; thus, when one domain is studied, the other two need to be considered. Secondly, several theoretical and empirical studies on ecological aesthetics will be reviewed from a methodological point of view. This will help to consider ecological aesthetics research, which has primarily been limited to theoretical discourse in empirical research.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 2018

This study was intended to provide basic data for more ecological and systematic preservation and management planning of forest vegetations in the Baekdudaegan sector between Danmoknyeong and Guryongnyeong where biodiversity is considered to be very important. A vegetation survey using the Zurich-Montpellier (Z.-M.) method of phytosociology was carried out in a total 142 sites to examine the environmental characteristics. The survey showed the forest vegetation types of one community group, two communities, four groups, and four subgroups. Quercus mongolica and Acer pseudosieboldianum, which fall under Constancy Class V, were dominant species and deemed to be the key species of the forest ecosystem management plan for the investigated areas. Regarding species diversity, it was found that the dominant species of the VT3 type were evenly distributed in the area while the species of the VT4 type showed not only a diverse composition but also the most abundant number of species. Moreover, there were 24 of rare plants found in the Danmoknyeong-Guryongnyeong section: the critically endangered species include Dracocephalum rupestre; the endangered species include Saxifraga octopetala; the vulnerable species include Paeonia japonica, Euphorbia fauriei, Hanabusaya asiatica, and Parasenecio pseudotaimingasa; the least concern species include Aristolochia manshuriensis, Rodgersia podophylla, Salvia chanryoenica, Scopolia japonica, and Parasenecio firmus.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.21 no.9
• /
• pp.893-902
• /
• 2011

Endophytic fungi are little known for their role in gibberellins (GAs) synthesis and abiotic stress resistance in crop plants. We isolated 10 endophytes from the roots of field-grown soybean and screened their culture filtrates (CF) on the GAs biosynthesis mutant rice line - Waito-C. CF bioassay showed that endophyte GMH-1B significantly promoted the growth of Waito-C compared with controls. GMH-1B was identified as Penicillium minioluteum LHL09 on the basis of ITS regions rDNA sequence homology and phylogenetic analyses. GC/MS-SIM analysis of CF of P. minioluteum revealed the presence of bioactive $GA_4$ and $GA_7$. In endophyte-soybean plant interaction, P. minioluteum association significantly promoted growth characteristics (shoot length, shoot fresh and dry biomasses, chlorophyll content, and leaf area) and nitrogen assimilation, with and without sodium chloride (NaCl)-induced salinity (70 and 140 mM) stress, as compared with control. Field-emission scanning electron microcopy showed active colonization of endophyte with host plants before and after stress treatments. In response to salinity stress, low endogenous abscisic acid and high salicylic acid accumulation in endophyte-associated plants elucidated the stress mitigation by P. minioluteum. The endophytic fungal symbiosis of P. minioluteum also increased the daidzein and genistein contents in the soybean as compared with control plants, under salt stress. Thus, P. minioluteum ameliorated the adverse effects of abiotic salinity stress and rescued soybean plant growth by influencing biosynthesis of the plant's hormones and flavonoids.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.308-319
• /
• 2016

In order to evaluate the role of macrophytes as refuge of zooplankton on physical distribution (i.e. summer rainfall), we investigated the environmental factors, macrophytes, and zooplankton in waterside zones (macrophytes zones) and open water zones of 17 wetlands from May and August, 2011. In this study, a total of 51 zooplankton species were identified, and Polyarthra sp. and Diaphanosoma brachyurum were found to be the most dominant species. Waterside area of each wetland were occupied by a total of 10 macrophyte species, species composition and biomass (dry weight) were different in the survey sites. Zooplankton was more abundant in waterside zone than open water zones lacking macrophytes (One-way ANOVA, df=2, F=27.1, P<0.05), in particular, waterside zone of 1, 8, 9, 10, and 11 wetland were supported by high zooplankton density after summer rainfall. This wetlands were developed by various macrophyte species than other wetland, and submerged plant commonly presented. Waterside zones with various macrophyte species provides complexity to the habitat structure, should be utilized as refuge to avoid disturbance such as summer rainfall. The results indicate that macrophytes are the key components to enhance bio-diversity include zooplankton, and the inclusion of diverse plant species in wetland construction or restoration schemes will result in ecologically healthy food webs.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.137-150
• /
• 2010

Traditionally, like many people in mountain region of the Himalaya, the Lwang communities depend on mix of subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and seasonal migrant labor for their livelihoods. These traditional systems are characterized by low productivity, diverse use of available natural resources (largely for home consumption), limited markets, and some aversion for innovation. The potential to generate wealth through commerce has largely been untapped by these mountain residents and thus is undervalued in local and national economies. Introduction of organic tea farming is a part of Lwang community's several initiatives to break the vicious poverty cycle Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) played facilitating roles in all their efforts since beginning. In five years, the tea plantation emerged as a new means for secured a livelihood. This study aims to analyze the current practices in tea farming both in terms of farm management and soil nutrient status(technical) and the prosperity of the tea farmers (social). The technical aspect covers the soil and tea leaf analysis of various nutrients contents in the soil and tea leaf. Originally, the technical aspect of the study was not planned but later during the consultation with the advisor it was taken into consideration which added value to the research study. The sample were collected from different locations and analyzed on the field itself. The other part of the study i.e. the social aspect was done through questionnaire survey and focus group discussion. the tea farming provided them not only a new opportunity but also earned an identity in the region. This initiative was undertaken as a piloting measure. Now that the tea is in production with processing unit established locally, more serious consideration has to be given for better yield and economic prosperity. This research finding will help the community to analyze their efforts and make correction measures in tea garden management and application of fertilizer. It is also expected to fill up the gaps of knowledge and information required to reduce economic stresses and enhance capacity of farmers to make the tea farming a sustainable and beneficial business. The findings are expected to Sustainability of organic tea farming has direct impacts on biodiversity conservation compared to the other traditional farming practices that are more resource intensive. The study will also contribute to identify key action points required for reducing poverty while conserving environment and enhancing livelihoods