• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 2004

The non-planned development of the rural area surrounding the Metropolitan area has become a social problem. The land development program until now has an aspect of not combining the spacial plan and the environmental plan. The land use and city development system based on development should change into a form that combines developing the area and conserving the environment. Therefore, this research attempts to compare the results of the overlay analysis and the gravity matrix which are ways to evaluate the value land that has a high environmental conservation value. The research area is the town of Seonggeo-eup, Cheonan City, and the reason for selecting this area is because it is expected to be densely populated as a connected area to the Metropolitan and the development pressure, such as expanding the industrial area, is high due to convenient transportation. The environmental factors used in the research are the relative altitude, incline, age-class, natural degree of the ecology, classification of the land covering and the NDVI, and the research methods used are the overlay analysis of the GIS and the statistical method. The overlay analysis results showed level 1 13.2%, level 2 30.7%, level 3 47.4%, level 4 1.0%, level 5 2.4%, level 6 5.4% and so on. The gravity matrix was classified as level 1 27.0%, level 2 9.3%, level 3 58.2%, level 4 2.4%, level 5 2.3%, level 6 0.9% and so on. These results are more appropriate than current methods for plans that value the environment because the analyzed results of the gravity matrix have a tendency to highly condense the environmentally valuable area. Consequently, if the spacial and environmental plans combine and therefore expand the efficient use of the land in the current state where the nation's concern in environment is getting higher, it is thought that it will contribute highly on the development of the nation's life quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2006

As the imports of foreign agricultural products are liberalized and the consumption of agricultural products declines, abandoned rice paddy fields continues to rise. However, such abandoned rice paddy fields has not been precisely surveyed yet. In this backdrop, a necessity to develop technology to utilize such abandoned rice paddy fields has emerged. Utilization of abandoned rice paddy fields as wetlands may be a good example. This study aimed to survey the current status and characteristics of wetlands created within abandoned rice paddy fields by selecting abandoned rice paddy fields throughout the nation and conducting field surveys on the sites that had transformed into wetlands. The abandoned rice paddy fields almost transformed into wetland and the types of wetlands transformed from abandoned rice paddy fields were mainly Inland/Moutain/Depression/Abandoned rice paddy fields/Marsh/Phragmites communis community and Inland/Moutain/Depression/Abandoned rice paddy fields/Swamp/Salix koreensis community. Abandoned rice paddy fields that had transformed into wetlands was depending heavily on waterways for water supply than other reservoirs and lakes do. Abandoned rice paddy fields transformed into wetlands was most observed in mountainous area. Abandoned rice paddy fields are because agricultural land is no longer profitable due to international and social changes and is not cultivated as government policy. Wetland period and dimension originated from abandoned rice paddy fields are very various and its surrounding land its mostly forest and the next largest follow roads and rural community. The abandoned rice paddy fields transformed into wetlands is mostly deserted currently. Despite their value as wetlands, no restoration and utilization efforts are made in Korea today. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a precise current status survey on these areas and introduce management and restoration plans at the government level in the case of important habitats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.73-83
• /
• 2016

Forest degradation reduces ecosystem services provided by forest and could lead to change in composition of species. In North Korea, there has been significant forest degradation due to conversion of forest into terrace fields for food production and cut-down of forest for fuel woods. This study analyzed the phenological changes in North Korea, in terms of vegetation and moisture in soil and vegetation, from March to Octorber 2013, using MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) images and indexes including NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDSI (Normalized Difference Soil Index), and NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index). In addition, marginal farmland was derived using elevation data. Lastly, degraded terrace fields of 16 degree was analyzed using NDVI, NDSI, and NDWI indexes, and marginal farmland characteristics with slope variable. The accuracy value of land cover classification, which shows the difference between the observation and analyzed value, was 84.9% and Kappa value was 0.82. The highest accuracy value was from agricultural (paddy, field) and forest area. Terrace fields were easily identified using slope data form agricultural field. Use of NDVI, NDSI, and NDWI is more effective in distinguishing deforested terrace field from agricultural area. NDVI only shows vegetation difference whereas NDSI classifies soil moisture values and NDWI classifies abandoned agricultural fields based on moisture values. The method used in this study allowed more effective identification of deforested terrace fields, which visually illustrates forest degradation problem in North Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 2013

As the second-largest 1st degree of ecological zone in Kangwon Province, Pyeongchang County is expected to play an important role in expanding the protected areas of the Republic of Korea. However, Pyoungchang County is expected to experience an increase in demand for development due to the 2018 Winter Olympics. Problems related to various stakeholders and limited budget will arise regarding the issue of expanding the protected areas. In this study, in order to effectively control these problems, we designed expansion plans for the 1st degree ecological zoning map areas and the observed data of threatened species I and II in Pyoungchang County by using the MARXAN Software. As for the methods, we first set the planning units(PUs) for the spatial analysis. The PUs include boundary length, land cost, land status, etc. Then, we made the input data by controlling the conservation features, BLM(Boundary Length Modifier) and iteration numbers. There are two measures for the establishment of the protected areas, one of which only concerns with the ecological priority, and the other with combining the land cost on forest. The one illustrated shows that the larger patches that include the conservation feature was selected as a candidate of the protected areas. The other one presented shows that inexpensive land cost areas were selected. As this study produces visual results and enables an efficient application of various values in selecting protected areas, we believe that it will be useful to various stakeholders in spatial decision-making process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.159-170
• /
• 2013

The effect of climate change on urban woody plants remains difficult to predict in urban areas. Depending on its tolerances, a plant species may stay and survive or stay with slowly declining remnant populations under a changing climate. To predict those vulnerabilities on urban woody plants, this study suggests a basic bioclimatic envelop model of heat requirements, cold tolerance, chilling requirements and moisture requirements that are well documented as the 'climatic niche'. Each component of the 'climatic niche' is measured by the warmth index, the absolute minimum temperature, the number of chilling weeks and the water balance. Regarding the utility of the developed model, the selected urban plant's present probabilities are suggested in the future climate of Seoul. Both Korea and Japan's thermal thresholds are considered for a plant's optimal climatic niche. By considering the thermal thresholds of these two regions for the same species, the different responses observed will reflect the plant's 'hardening' process in a rising climate. The model illustrated that the subpolar plants Taxus cuspidata and Ulmus davidiana var. japonica are predicted to have low suitability in Seoul. The temperate plants Zelkova serrata and Pinus densiflora, which have a broad climatic niche, exhibited the highest present probability in the future. The subtropical plants Camellia japonica and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii may exhibit a modest growth pattern in the late 21C's future climatic period when an appropriate frost management scheme is offered. The model can be used to hypothesize how urban ecosystems could change over time. Moreover, the developed model can be used to establish selection guidelines for urban plants with high levels of climatic adaptability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.95-105
• /
• 2009

Land Use Changes (LUCs) have effects on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon stocks in soil and vegetation. Therefore, predictions for LUC are very important for achieving quantitative targets of $CO_2$ reduction rates. Some research exists on carbon fluxes and carbon cycles to estimate carbon stocks in terrestrial ecosystems in Korea. However, these researches have limitations in terms of helping us understand future potential reductions of $CO_2$ that reflect the influence of LUC. The aim of this study is to analyze the reduction levels of $CO_2$ emissions while considering LUC scenarios that effect carbon fluxes for LCS basic study in the year 2030. In this study, a common approach to model the effects of LUC on carbon stocks is the use of CA-Markov technical process with LUC patterns in the past. Potential reduction of $CO_2$ is calculated by change of land use that contains different soil organic carbon, each land use type, and biomass in vegetation. An IPCC analytical method of natural carbon sink and coefficient results from previous study in Korea is used as a calculation method for potential reduction of $CO_2$. As a result, 12,419 KtC will be reduced annually, which is 8.3% percent of 2005 $CO_2$ emissions in Korea. This will result in 3,226 hundred million won of economic efficiency. In conclusion, conservation of natural carbon sinks is necessary even if the amount of potential reduction change is little.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.607-615
• /
• 2010

Urban green space is often at the centre of the debate on urban substantiality because it provides functions of space, e.g. for wildlife, recreation, growing vegetables, psychological wellbeing, social interaction, etc. Traditionally, the various functions of urban green spaces clearly show that green spaces contain important values that contribute to the overall quality of urban life. After Kyoto protocol, it has becoming important to more accurately evaluate carbon uptake by urban green space. Many studies have analyzed the benefits, costs, and carbon storage capacity associated with urban green space. These studies have been limited by a lack of research on urban tree biomass and carbon uptake by soil, such that estimates of carbon storage in urban systems. This study calculate more accurately the amount of carbon uptake by urban green space. This study also complement the existing methods to estimate the urban green space carbon uptake. It has been studied how to evaluate carbon uptake function of urban green space. The surface area of urban green space increased 5% by complemented method and carbon uptake is also increased. Based on this result, the carbon uptake per capita was analysed and compared to the area of carbon uptake. And this study discussed the reasons for the differences between the new and earlier estimates, as well as implications for our understanding of the global carbon cycle. In conclusion, these results could contribute as preliminary data to policy makers when climate change adaptation strategy is established.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2009

Fragmentation due to land developments causes disturbances and changes of composition in forest vegetation. The purpose of the study was to develop the impact assessment model for quantitative distance or degree of disturbance by land developments. This study conducted a survey about structure and composition of forest vegetation to determine degree of impact from land developments. The results of field survey, there was a difference in structure and composition of forest vegetation such as tree canopy, herbaceous cover, and number of vine and alien species the distances from edge to interior area such as 0m, 10m, 20m, 40m, and over 60m. To assess the disturbance of forest vegetation, the factors selected were the rate of vine's cover and appearance of alien species. The impact assessment model about vine species explained by a distance, forest patch size, type of forest fragmentation, and type of vegetation ($R^2$=0.44, p<0.001). The other model about alien species explained by a distance, type of forest fragmentation, type of vegetation, and width of road (85.9%, p<0.005). The models applied to Samsong housing development in Goyang-si, Gyunggi-do. The vines and alien species in the study area have had a substantial impact on forest vegetation from edge to 20 or 40m. The impact assessment models were high reliability for estimating impacts to land developments. The impact of forest vegetation by development activities could be minimized thorough the adoption of the models introduced at the stage of EIA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.52-66
• /
• 2009

The increase of rice productivity, the decrease of rice demand, aging farmers, and the market-opening of rice along with the domestic and international conditions changes have been led to the increase of the abandoned rice paddy fields. Such abandoned rice paddy fields have been left in many areas and most of them have become wetlands. The purpose of this study is methodology of selection to the wetland for development in the abandoned rice paddy fields along with surroundings. The selection of habitat suitability index assessment study to conservation and restoration was done through hydrology, wild animals habitation, wetland vegetation, outside disturbance, and natural purification capacity assessment. In addition, the same method was applied to assessment items and standards for both the restoration site selection and the type of restoration. Both assessment items and standards were applied to the sites, drawn on the maps, and overlayer for the comprehensive map, and then the wetland suitability index was applied to the suitable site. The development technique was applied to 10 sites near the Banwol Stream watershed in Gunpo, Gyeonggi province. The selection of conservation, restoration, and the optimal sites can lead to not only the biodiveristy increase in agricultural or semi natural areas but also to the establishment of ecological networks in national level.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.195-201
• /
• 2013

Local governments are establishing their own greenhouse gas reduction goal and are playing a important role to respond to climatic changes. However, there are difficulties in quantitative analyses such as estimation of future greenhouse gas emission and computation of reduction potential, which are procedures required to establish mid to long term strategies to realize of low carbon society by each local governments. Also, reduction measures must reflect characteristics of each local government, since the reduction power of each local government can differ according to characteristics of each. In order to establish strategies that reflect characteristics of local governments, types of greenhouse gas emission from cities were classified largely into residential city, commercial city, residential commercial city, agriculture and fishery city, convergence city, and industrial city. As a result of analyzing basic unit of greenhouse gas emission by local government during 2007 in terms of per population, household and GRDP based on the type classification, significant results were deduced for each type. To manage the amount of the national greenhouse gas, reduction measures should be focused on the local governments that emits more than the average of each type's GHG emission.