• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2021

To analyze the distribution characteristics of alien plants in various habitat types, 249 sites were selected from four administrative districts in the Gyeongsang region of Korea. The survey was conducted across nine different habitat types. A total of 115 species of alien plants were collected; comprising 23 families, 73 genera, 112 species, and 3 varieties. Species from the family Compositae were the most common at 33.0%. Raunkiaer's life forms had the highest occurrence rate with 70 species(60.9%) of therophytes(Th) followed by 30 species (26.1%) of hemicryptophytes (H) and 8 species (7.0%) of geophytes (G). The distributions of alien plant species per habitat type were: 81 species on the roadside; 80 species on vacant lots and artificial habitats; 67 species in streams; 53 species in grasslands; 47 species in cultivated lands; and 39 species on the coast. Since 2017, the number of alien plants has increased in Gyeongju-si, Cheongdo-gun, and Pohang-si, and decreased in Ulsan Metropolitan-si. In each region, 614 taxa were observed. The invasive alien species, Sicyos angulatus, Hypocaeris radicata, and Solanum carolinense, were observed for the first time and are expected to further increase the disturbance of the ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2021

The effects of forest type and fragmentation of forests by a road on the beetle community were investigated in the Gwangneung Forest, South Korea. Beetles were collected monthly using pitfall traps and by sweeping at 16 sites (eight in coniferous forests and eight in deciduous forests) for one year from April 1993 to April 1994, excluding winter. A total of 17,616 beetles belonging to 271 species from 39 families were collected. Among them, Synuchus cycloderus was the dominant species, with 14,060 individuals accounting for 80% of the total population. The influence of forest type (coniferous and deciduous) or sampling region (fragmented by a road) on species richness(number of species) was observed. We found that species richness was substantially different depending on the sampling method and taxa used. Beetles collected using pitfall traps responded more sensitively to habitat types than those collected by sweeping. Four dominant families differently responded to forest fragmentation and forest types. Carabidae was influenced by forest fragmentation, whereas Staphylinidae and Curculionidae were influenced by forest types. Chrysomelidae was not influenced.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.251-257
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• 2022

Monitoring and assessing aquatic ecosystems using the behavior of organisms is essential for sustainable ecosystem management. Oligochaetes, which inhabit various freshwater ecosystems, are frequently used to evaluate the environmental conditions of freshwater ecosystems. Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) (Oligochaeta, Tubificidae) is tolerant to organic pollution and has been used to evaluate the toxicity of toxicants, including heavy metals. We studied the behavioral responses of T. tubifex to three different copper concentrations (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg L^-1). The specimens were exposed to copper in an observation cage containing 150 mL of dechlorinated water. Movement behavior (diameter, speed, acceleration, meander, and turning rate) was continuously observed for two hours before and after the copper treatments. After the treatments, the diameter shrank and showed rapid twisting movement under all the copper conditions. The turning rate had a positive correlation with meander and acceleration both before and after treatment at all three concentrations, whereas speed and meander had a negative correlation. Length and turning rate also showed a negative correlation. The correlation coefficient between speed and acceleration in the highest copper concentration changed from positive before treatment (r=0.64) to negative (r= -0.52) after treatment. Our results present the possibility of using behavioral parameters to detect copper contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.341-351
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• 2022

The physiological characteristics, growth, and yield of each regional rice variety ('Odaebyeo', 'Saechucheong', 'Ilmibyeo') were investigated depending on the impact of changes in temperature and CO₂ concentration. Experiments were conducted with a control group, which reflected atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature, and treatment groups, in which the CO₂ concentration and temperature were increased by 250 ppm and 2.0℃ from those in the control group. The results showed that the increase in CO₂ concentration and temperature reduced the growth and yield of the rice 'Odaebyeo', but did not substantially change the productivity of the 'Saechucheong' and 'Ilmibyeo'. The increase in CO₂ concentration and temperature increased stomatal conductance and rate of transpiration of the 'Odaebyeo' variety, thereby decreasing its water use efficiency (WUE). In contrast, the increase in CO₂ concentration and temperature increased the photosynthetic rate and WUE of the 'Saechucheong' and 'Ilmibyeo' varieties. The gradual change in climate is considered to directly affect growth and development of rice and diversely affect the productivity of each variety. Therefore, it is necessary to implement technological development, select regionally optimal rice varieties, develop new rice varieties, as well as conduct long-term monitoring of each rice variety for climate adaptation to counter global warming.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.393-405
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• 2023

This study was conducted to select indicators for assessing national biodiversity. For this purpose, 140 biodiversity-related indicators were identified as a result of inventorying biodiversity-related indicators used in Korea and abroad, and when these indicators were applied to the pressure, status, and response indicator system, it was found that status indicators accounted for the largest number of indicators, with 29 pressure, 59 status, and 44 response. We also categorized the status indicators into genes, species, habitat, function, and quality, and found that species and habitat indicators accounted for the majority. Pressure indicators were categorized into direct exploitation, pollution, alien species, climate change, and habitat change. As a result, it was found that direct exploitation and pollution accounted for most of the pressure indicators. In addition, this study used internationally used indicator selection criteria to establish criteria for selecting domestic biodiversity assessment indicators. Using this list of indicators and indicator selection criteria, we evaluated the prioritization of domestically applicable biodiversity indicators through relevant expert consultations. 1) Vegetation class, 2) Land cover indicators, and 3) Change of protected area ranked highly. In fact, these indicators have been used in many studies due to the availability of assessable data. However, most of the highly scored indicators are based on ecosystem area, and further consideration of ecosystem functions and components(species) is needed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.420-429
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• 2023

This study was designed to examine the immune response in Korean rockfish during water temperature fluctuation and to elucidate the factors contributing to streptococcal pathogenesis in cultured Korean rockfish, S. schlegeli. We investigated cumulative mortality against Streptococcus iniae (FP5228 strain) infection in the exposed Korean rockfish (39.7±5.8 g) to environmentally relevant temperature (Control, 23℃; High temperature, 28℃ and 23℃ and 28℃ with 12 hours interval exchange, 23↔28℃) for 48 hours. Also, the expression of the mRNA related to the immune response genes (heat shock protein 70, interleukin1β, lysozyme g-type and thioredoxin-like 1) were measured in spleen and head kidney by real-time PCR analysis in the exposed fish to thermal stress. In this study, the combined stress with bacterial challenge in fishes exposed to thermal stress lowered the survival rate than that of control (23℃). The cumulative mortality in the group of control, 28℃ and 23↔28℃ was 24%, 24% and 40% (P<0.05), respectively. Also, thermal stress modulated the mRNA level of immune related genes; heat shock protein 70, interleukin-1β, lysozyme g-type and thioredoxin-like 1 in Korean rockfish. The present study indicates that a high and sudden water temperature change affect immune responses and reduce the disease resistance in Korean rockfish.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.440-448
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• 2023

This study measured soil respiration in pine forests dominated by Pinus densiflora in Mt. Jeombong, Mt. Namsan, Mt. Jirisan in Republic of Korea from 2009 to 2010. The seasonal variations, along with temperature and soil moisture content, were measured to understand the characteristics at each site. Soil respiration was highest in summer and autumn, closely influenced by the increase in soil temperature. Throughout the measurement period, soil respiration ranged from 205.6 to 312.2 mg CO₂ m^-2 h^-1, with Mt. Namsan showing the highest values and Mt. Jirisan the lowest. A strong correlation was observed between soil respiration and soil temperature, with Q₁₀ values ranging from 2.5 to 3.0. Precipitation significantly affected soil moisture content, and although it appeared to influence soil respiration, no significant correlation was found.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2023

The aquarium pet trade is a source of potentially invasive crayfish species, which can be subsequently intentionally or unintentionally introduced into new environments. There were 34 species of freshwater crayfish imported into Korea for ornamental purposes. Starting with 1 species in 2008, it shows a trend of continuous increase every year with the maximum of 25 species in 2020. The number of freshwater crayfish imported into Korea for ornamental purposes was 1,172,159, with an annual average of 78,144 being imported. The population also recorded a record high in 2017 with a 38% increase in population imports compared to the previous year. Among the 34 pet crayfish imported into Korea, four species classified as high-risk and managed in the US and Europe were American crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), Cherax quadricarinatus, Cherax cainii, and Cherax destructor. In addition to American crayfish (P. clarkii), 3 types of high-risk invasive crayfish are designated as legally managed species by conducting an ecological risk assessment, raising awareness among importers, retailers and consumers through awareness-raising education on freshwater crayfish, and measures for route management such as species identification and improvement of labeling methods are needed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2024

This note summarizes the application of zooplankton indices for water quality management and estimation based on main research topics of articles focusing on wetland ecosystems, topics that are remained poorly investigated in S. Korea. The aquatic ecosystem-based consists of indices that respond to different target environmental factors, including environmental disturbance. Among the major indicator species and biota, we reviewed that management strategy for the wetland environment has to be focused more on small-sizes, in terms of zooplankton ecology and indices. The ecology of zooplankton communities in freshwater ecosystem has been the focus of an increasing number of studies since 2019, and considerable progress has been made in understanding the major mechanisms involved in regulating their abundance, diversity and spatio-temporal patterns. Even though studies on the freshwater ecosystem in Korea have a long history, a few of studies on zooplankton biota were conducted at wetlands. We suggested the candidate zooplankton indices proposed by the U.S. EPA and EU to suit Korean conditions. In the step of selecting metrics, the best available metrics are species-related variables, such as composition and abundance, as well as richness and diversity. Overall, in spite of several limitations, the development of a plankton-based multivariate assessment method in Korea wetlands is possible using mostly field research data. Later, it could be improved based on qualitative metrics on zooplankton, and with the emergence of further survey data. The present information can be used as basic information for researchers who are dealing with aquatic environments and its interaction with organisms.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.441-448
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to analyze chemical water quality, fish trophic guilds, tolerance indicators, and fish community conditions in the Gap Stream and to compare the stream conditions between the unimpacted site and impacted site. This study was conducted in the physically stable season (May 2008) to minimize physical impacts such as flow and hydrological disturbance, and applied the study in the Gap Stream with two sites of unimpacted upstream site (Unim-S), mainly surrounded by forested area and impacted site (Im-S), influenced by the wastewater disposal plants and industrial complex in the urban region. Chemical data analysis showed that the degree of organic matter pollution, based on BOD, and COD, was $2{\sim}3$ fold greater in the Im-S than the Unim-S, and that TP, as eutrophication indicators, was 4.7 fold greater in the Im-S. Also, $NH_3-N$ was in 8.2 fold greater in the Im-S ($6.25\;mg\;L^{-1}$) than the Unim-S ($0.76\;mg\;L^{-1}$), indicating a massive influence of wastewater from the disposal plant. Similar results were found in other chemical parameters. Thus, chemical impacts in the Im-S were evident, compared to the unimpacted site. Evaluations of tolerant indicator species indicated that sensitive species were dominant in the Unim-S (23.9%) and tolerant species were dominant (97.8%) in the Im-S. Condition factor (CF) was averaged 0.95 ($0.68{\sim}1.18$) in the Unim-S and 1.08 ($0.93{\sim}1.22$) in the Im-S. Fish community in the Unim-S and Im-S was categorized as Zacco-community and Hemibarbus-community, respectively, and the community diversity index (H') was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the Unim-S (0.810) than the Im-S (0.466). Overall, our results suggest that the comparison approach of various chemical and ecological indicators provide important information in identifying multiple stressors in the stream ecosystems.