• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.114-119
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• 2021

To restore the Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), a Korean endangered frog, 600 captive-reared individuals were reintroduced between August and September 2019 into an aquatic garden in the National Institute of Ecology where P. chosenicus had previously inhabited. After reintroduction, six post-release monitoring sessions were conducted from August 2019 to May 2020. Monitoring was performed using three methods (counting calls, observation, and capture) from sunset to midnight near release sites, eliminating potential threat factors. Snout-vent lengths and body weights of recaptured individuals were measured before they were released immediately. We noted that both snout-vent lengths and body weights of recaptured individuals were slightly higher than those before. The average recapture rate was 4.66%. Reintroduced frogs were recaptured at the last monitoring session conducted in May 2020, indicating that these reintroduced frogs hibernated during the winter successfully. We found that these reintroduced frogs successfully settled after release. This result will be useful for establishing management strategies for endangered frogs in Korea. Particularly, post-release monitoring could be an essential approach in the restoration program of a target species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.377-389
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• 2010

Understanding the factors relevant to endangerment and the patterns of habitat locations in relation to protected areas is critically important for the conservation of rare species. Although 64 plant species have recently been listed as endangered species in Korea, this information has, until now, not been available, making appropriate management and conservation strategies impossible to devise. Thus, we collected information on potentially threatening factors, as well as information on the locations in which these species were observed. The potentially threatening factors were classified into seven categories. National parks, provincial parks, ecosystem conservation areas, and wetland conservation areas were defined as protected conservation areas. Korean digital elevation model data, along with the maps of all protected areas were combined with the maps of endangered plant species, and analyzed via Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Excluding the category of "small population", endangered plant species in Korea were associated more frequently with extrinsic factors than intrinsic factors. Considering land surface only, all conservation areas in Korea totaled 4.9% of the land, far lower than International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)'s 10% coverage target. At the species level, 69% of the endangered plant species were detected in conservation areas, mostly in national parks. However, this result demonstrates that 31% of endangered species inhabit areas outside the conservation zones. Furthermore, at the habitat level, a large proportion of endangered species were found to reside in unprotected areas, revealing "gaps" in protected land. In the face of rapid environmental changes such as population increases, urbanization, and climate changes, converting these gap areas to endangered species' habitats, or at least including them in habitat networks, will help to perpetuate the existence of endangered species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.324-333
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• 2022

Background: The Korean scarlet dwarf, Nannophya koreana Bae (Odonata: Libellulidae), is anendangered dragonfly with an increasing risk of extinction owing to rapid climate changes and human activities. To prevent extinction, the N. koreana population and their habitat should be protected. Therefore, suitable habitat evaluation is important to build the N. koreana restoration project. The habitat suitability index model (HSI) has been widely used for habitat evaluation in diverse organisms. Results: To build a suitable HSI model for N. koreana, 16 factors were examined by seven experienced researchers. A field survey for N. koreana observed sites and spatial analysis were conducted to improve the model. Five factors were finally selected by this procedure (crown density, open water surface, water depth, pioneer plant cover, and type of water source). Finally, the N. koreana HSI model was generated with the five adjusted factors based on interview, field survey, and spatial analysis. This model was validated by a current N. koreana habitat in 2021. With this model, 46 sites in Uljin-gun, Korea, were surveyed for N. koreana habitats; five sites were identified as core habitats and seven as potential core habitats. Conclusions: This model will serve as a strong foundation for the N. koreana restoration project and as a reference for future studies on N. koreana and other endangered insect populations. Further analysis and long-term data will improve the efficacy of this model and restore endangered wildlife.

• 환경생물
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.174-179
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• 2018

Clithon retropictus has been protected by the Ministry of Environment as an endangered species since 1998 and has been listed on the state red list of endangered species category II. It is viewed as a representative for all endangered species in the northeastern coastal waters of Korea. Most of the habitats of C. retropictus have been found to be in an unstable state because of development projects such as road construction, small stream development, irrigation for securing agricultural water, and flood prevention. These habitats are damaged by small stream maintenance projects and development, and the risk of damage is increasing and active efforts are needed in order to protect them. Although the Ministry of Environment is striving to preserve this endangered species, the habitat of C. retropictus is still facing external threats because it spreads to only a small area at high densities. Therefore, in order to protect the habitat of C. retropictus, a level II endangered species, it is urgent to make an effort to minimize habitat damage and to take measures for its protection.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제55권3호
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

The number of wild animal species is gradually decreasing due to poaching, hunting and habitat loss. While several endangered animal species have been successfully preserved at the zoo, assisted reproductive technology (ART) must be applied to restore wild animals. In the case of critically endangered animals, somatic cell cloning is considered the most appropriate method of ART. Somatic cell cloning can be beneficial for the reproduction of endangered species with limited female populations. However, gene and cell banks, and understanding of reproductive physiology and optimization of ART for wild animals are urgently required for further activation of artificial reproduction of endangered species, which enlarges its application and maintains biodiversity. Care should also be taken to consider ethical and legal issues associated with somatic cell cloning for conservation of endangered animals.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.366-373
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• 1997

Recently the endangered species of wild fauna and flora used in TCM have been held under a spotlight by CITES-implementing countries. USA and other western countries have suspected Oriental countries might not keep the regulation of CITES effectively for the continuous use of endangered species such as tiger bone, rhino horn, bear gallbladder and others. However, most of Oriental countries have tried to keep CITES truly. The misunderstanding of culture and thought in Oriental countries can be one of important factors. Thus, for effective implementation of CITES, we have to keep communication with western countries especially in the principles of TCM or others and vice versa. In addition, TCM using countries and counterpart countries should prevent illegal trade of endangered species in TCM and also fry to develop natural or synthesized substitutes for endangered species. We have to continue to develop methods to artificially propagate endangered species, while trying to alleviate the ethical problems entailed by breeding in captivity. In south Korea we also have to make known our implementation of CITES such as reinforced law for prohibition of using CITES items, public awareness by training program, brochure and surveys to other countries.

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.189-203
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• 2023

This study analyzed potential breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills on 70 non-breeding, uninhabited islands in Incheon, Korea, in order to suggest potential breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills, whose breeding population has recently been increasing. By comparing the environmental characteristics of breeding and non-breeding areas identified through a literature search, we developed a discriminant to identify potential breeding areas for black-faced spoonbills. Among a total of eight environmental variables(Island area, distance from land, distance to mudflat, distance to rice field, distance to sea route, depth of water, mudflat area, rice field area), the variables that influenced the selection of breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills were average water depth, tidal flat area, and paddy field area. As a result of discriminant analysis of breeding islands using these variables, the accuracy was found to be quite high at 80%. As a result of applying the developed discriminant to non-breeding islands located in the Incheon region, a total of 9 islands(Yongrando, Goseokdo, Beolyeom, Joreumseom, Goeriseom, Hambakdo, Moido, Bigajido, Ahyeom) were identified as potential breeding grounds for spoonbills. The research results can be used as basic data for future management of black-faced spoonbill breeding sites and selection of alternative habitats.

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.93-108
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• 2014

The inventory list of wildlife species inhabiting or distributing in Gyeonggi Province was made by compiling species data from precedent surveys, 10 national level nature surveys, 1 survey that Gyeonggi-do conducted, and 46 local surveys presented in scientific journals. Total 2,913 wildlife species including 2,041 vascular plants, 39 mammals, 304 birds, 34 herptiles, 145 fish, and 350 benthic macro-invertebrates were listed in the inventory. It explains 47% of nationwide total species in vascular plants, 31.5% in mammals, 58.2% in birds, 65.4% in herptiles, 12.2% in fish. The total number of important species including endangered species, national monuments, national red lists, etc. was 628 species, accounting for 21.6% of all listed species in Gyeonggi Province. More than 90% of endangered bird species, almost half of endangered fish and herptile species were found in Gyeonggi Province. In particular, abundant bird diversity and inhabitation of many endangered bird species were identified in Gyeonggi Province. Species diversity was greater in the northern area adjacent to the Demilitarized Zone and the eastern forest area. The distribution of the important species such as national endangered species was more distinct in these areas, especially in Gapyeong and Yeoncheon Counties. The inventory list compiled in this study implicates the level of management for biological resources and can provide information for policy decisions regarding new survey sites, protection management of specific species and areas, management practices by spatial characteristics. It should be more compiled and updated with survey data to be utilized as basic indices for local biodiversity strategies and management of biological resources.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• 제4권3호
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• pp.131-133
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• 2023

Polyphylla laticollis manchurica Semenov, 1900, is a critically endangered species in the Republic of Korea and is strictly protected as a Class I endangered species. Although this beetle species faces a threat of extinction, its ecological understanding is limited. Previous studies conducted on this species in the Republic of Korea have focused only on its taxonomy and mitochondrial genome sequences. Herein, we report an observation of the mating of adults of P. l. manchurica in June 2021, during an ongoing study on Korean beetles. This incidence was reported around light sources from newly constructed townhouses near Geumgang River. Larval habitats were observed along the river between April 2022 and March 2023. Particularly, two larvae were found inside the plant debris, and three were found under the roots of reeds. This study provides key information on the mating ecology of P. l. manchurica that can assist conservation efforts of this critically endangered species.

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.155-164
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• 2023

Sedirea japonica is one of the critically endangered species in South Korea mostly due to artificial harms such as illegal collection and habitat destruction. Therefore, artificial propagation through improving germination rate, increasing growth, and controlling flowering is meaningful for the conservation and reintroduction of S. japonica. It is suggested that cytokinins are one of the multi-factors that contribute to plant growth and floral responses. Especially, exogenous cytokinins have been known to induce or promote shoot growth or earlier flowering in orchids. Therefore, it was investigated how the application of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) influenced the growth and inflorescence of S. japonica. A foliar spray containing BA at 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm was applied from 1st July to 30th December 2021. Leaf length, leaf length growth rate, leaf width, and width and length ratio were measured as growth-related factors. Visible inflorescence rate, inflorescence length, the number of flowers per inflorescence, and the distance between the stalks were measured as flowering-related factors. Growth-related factors except for leaf growth rate were not affected by BA treatments, while leaf growth rate was significantly increased by 200 ppm of BA treatment. The visible inflorescence rate increased by 200 ppm of BA treatment, and there seems an optimal concentration and threshold of BA treatment. An iterative experiment with more seedlings and measurement factors would be helpful to figure out the effects of exogenous BA treatment on S. japonica, and it can be applied for mass propagation.