• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.198-204
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• 2018

Background: The effective use of habitats is essential for the successful adaptation of a species to the local environment. Although habitats exhibit a hierarchical structure, including macro-, meso-, and microhabitats, the relationships among habitats of differing hierarchy have not been well studied. In this study, we studied the quantitative measures of microhabitat use of Gekko japonicus from three field populations in Japan: one at Tsushima Island, one at Nishi Park, Fukuoka, and one at Ohori Park, Fukuoka. We investigated whether land cover type, a higher hierarchical habitat component, was associated with quantitative microhabitat use, a lower hierarchical component, in these populations. Results: The substrate temperature where we located geckos (SubT) and the distance from the ground to the gecko (Height) were significantly different among the three populations. In particular, SubT on Tsushima Island was lower than it was in the other two populations. Irradiance at gecko location and Height were significantly different among the land cover types. In particular, Height in evergreen needleleaf forest was significantly lower than that in deciduous broadleaf forest. Furthermore, significant interactions between population and land cover type were observed for the SubT and Height variables. Conclusions: The quantitative measures of microhabitat use of G. japonicus varied with population and land cover type, which exhibited significant interaction effects on microhabitat use variables. These results suggest that higher hierarchical habitat components can affect the quantitative measures of lower hierarchical microhabitat use in nocturnal geckos.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

Background: Abandoned coal piles after the closure of mines have a potential negative influence on the environment, such as soil acidification and heavy metal contamination. Therefore, revegetation by efficient species is required. For this, we wanted to identify the role of Silene acaulis in the succession of coal piles as a pioneer and a nurse plant. S. acaulis is a well-studied cushion plant living in the Arctic and alpine environments in the northern hemisphere. It has a highly compact cushion-like form and hosts more plant species under its canopy by ameliorating stressful microhabitats. In this research, we surveyed vegetation cover on open plots and co-occurring species within S. acaulis cushions in coal piles with different slope aspects and a control site where no coal was found. The plant cover and the similarity of communities among sites were compared. Also, the interaction effects of S. acaulis were assessed by rarefaction curves. Results: S. acaulis was a dominant species with the highest cover (6.7%) on the coal piles and occurred with other well-known pioneer species. Plant communities on the coal piles were significantly different from the control site. We found that the pioneer species S. acaulis showed facilitation, neutral, and competition effect in the north-east facing slope, the south-east facing slope, and the flat ground, respectively. This result was consistent with the stress gradient hypothesis because the facilitation only occurred on the north-east facing slope, which was the most stressed condition, although all the interactions observed were not statistically significant. Conclusions: S. acaulis was a dominant pioneer plant in the succession of coal piles. The interaction effect of S. acaulis on other species depended on the slope and its direction on the coal piles. Overall, it plays an important role in the succession of coal piles in the High Arctic, Svalbard.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.299-310
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• 1997

A mutant, or(orange body), and the KNIH(Korea National Institute of Health) strain of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica(L.) (Orthoptera: Blattellidae), were observed continuously in semi-natural conditions through video taping and data processing by computers. Male adults were individually observed for 4-5 days in a rectangular-shaped rearing cage with four different microhabitats, allowing observations of behavior such as resting, feeding, drinking and communicating with other individuals. The frequencies of visits to and times spent within harborage were determined. Although there were relatively large variations among individuals, the average stays withing harborage ranged from 47-61% of the total observation time. The duration of within-harborage time was significantly different between maternal origins, while not distinctively different between the strains. Diel differences were observed in body strains. The time spent within harborage was longer in photophase than in scotophase. visiting frequency, which represented local activity around harborage, appeared slightly higher in the or strain than in the KNIH strain, and was significant in the or strain while it was not significant in the KNIH strain. Although there were variations among individuals, similar temporal patterns in some progenies from the same maternal origins were observed in time spent within harborage and in visiting frequency.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.192-203
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• 2018

Headwater streams provide various microhabitats, resulting in high diversity of macroinvertebrate community. In this study, we compared the differences of communities between two adjacent headwater streams (Jangjeon stream (GRJ; GRJ1-GRJ5) and Haanmi stream (GRH; GRH1-GRH3)) in Jungwang and Gariwang mountains, Gangwon-do and evaluated the effects of habitat condition to the macroinvertebrates community composition. In order to characterize the macroinvertebrate communities and extract influential environmental factors, we applied to Cluster analysis (CA), Indicator species analysis and Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Total 33,613 individuals in 3 phyla, 5 classes, 13 orders, 51 families, and 114 taxa (genera or species) were collected. Gammarus sp. was dominant at the upper stream of GRJ, whereas Chironomidae spp. was abundant at GRH and the downstream of GRJ. The CA classified samples into six clusters (1-6) reflecting spatial and temporal variation of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. Benthic macroinvertebrate community composition was significantly different between two adjacent streams. Sweltsa sp. 1, Psilotreta kisoensis, Rhyacophila shikotsuensis and Serratella setigera were identified as representative indicator species for clusters 1, 2, 3 and 5, respectively. Similar to CA results, NMDS revealed the spatial and temporal differences of benthic macroinvertebrate communities, indicating the difference of community composition as well as microhabitat condition. Forest composition, proportion of boulders (>256 mm), and water velocity were main factors affecting the macroinvertebrate community composition.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.19 no.3 s.53
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• pp.40-51
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• 2004

Community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in the water system of Anyang Stream was analyzed from August, 2002 to April, 2003. Species number of benthic macroinvertebrates was 78 species, 33 families, 11 orders, 5 classes in 3 phyla. They were collected 49 species at 1st survey, 51 species at End survey and 53 species at 3rd survey, respectively. Species numbers at each tributary were 43 species at the Wanggok Stream, 44 species at the Mokgam Stream, 33 species at the Ohjeon Stream and 26 species at the Hakeu Stream, while it was only 9 species at the Dangjeong Stream. Species number of the main course of Anyang Stream was 24 species. Dominant species of benthic macroinvertebrates at the Wanggok, Ohjeon and Hakeu Stream were Baetis fuscatus, Alainites muticus, Physa acuta and chironominae sp. They were mainly intermediate and tolerant species. Dominant species and subdominant species of the Dangjeong Stream were Limnodrilus socialis, Psychoda KUa and Telmatoscopus KUa as indicator species for severe sewage pollution. Dominant species at Geumjeong-dong and KUa bridge in the main course of Anyang Stream were Physa acuta, Limodrilus gotoi, Chironominae sp., Species diversity indices at the Mokgam Stream were $high(3.53\~4.28\;range)$ and those of the Hakeu, Wanggok and Ohjeon Stream were some what high$(2.00\~3.13\;and\;2.34\~3.10\;range)$. But, species diversity indices in the Dangjeon Stream were low$(1.36\~1.70\;range)$ too. and those of the main course of Anyang Stream were low$(0.86\~1.79\;range)$ too. Species richness indices in the Wanggok and Mokgam Stream were very high$(3.55\~4.02\;and\;2.96\~5.31\;range)$ and those of Geumjeong-dong and Kia bridge in the main course of Anyang Stream were low$(0.89\~1.98\;range)$. Stream bed and riparian bank of middle reach in the Wanggok Stream were good condition and water was clean. The Mokgam Stream had various microhabitats, good water weed area, hetero geneous substrates and etc.. And, stream bed in the Hakeu Stream was in good condition. So, above streams should be continuously in good ecological condition and useful area for citizens.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.508-525
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• 2019

Algific talus slopes provide microclimates suitable for disjunct or relict populations of northern plant species at low elevation habitats in the temperate zones. The propose of this study was to assess the phytogeographical significance and produce a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation on algific talus slopes. Therefore, we studied the floristics of bryophytes on 15 algific talus slopes in Korea. The bryophytes on the algific talus slopes in Korea consisted of 59 families, 138 genera, 226 species, two subspecies, and five varieties, totaling 233 taxa. Peculiarly, many northern bryophytes, such as Andreaea rupestris var. fauriei (Besch.) Takaki., Buxbaumia minakatae S. Okamura, Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp., and Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. were found on the algific talus slopes. Of them, unrecorded species from south Korea numbered 14 taxa and unrecorded species from the Korean peninsula numbered seven taxa. A similarity analysis based on the bryophyte flora showed that the index of similarity between regions with similar environmental factors was high. This means that the bryophyte flora composition on each algific talus slopes was affected by topography and microclimate. Algific talus slopes are phytogeographically significant microhabitats where northern plant species that advanced southward during the latest glacial age have been isolated and adapted. However, algific talus slopes have constantly been destroyed or damaged by humans without consideration of conservation. Conservation strategies to ensure the biodiversity and effective management of algific talus slopes in Korea are discussed in detail.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.86-93
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• 2013

We monitored 32 wetlands in order to investigate the influence of aquatic plants on zooplankton density and diversity in the littoral zone in Gyeongsangnam-do from May to June in 2011. A total of 65 zooplankton species were identified in the study sites. Among them, the diversity of epiphytic zooplankton were higher (40 species) than planktonic zooplankton. Littoral zones of all wetlands were covered by various aquatic plants, and influenced the epiphytic zooplankton assemblages. Based on the data from $1{\times}1$ (m) quadrat sampling, epiphytic and planktonic rotifer density showed no significant relationships with macrophyte cover. However, the epiphytic cladocerans density significantly increased under high aquatic plant cover ($r^2=0.39$, p<0.05, n=32). Types of aquatic plants strongly influenced epiphytic zooplankton density. Upo and Jangcheok are locations which have well developed Phragmites communis and Ceratophyllum demersum communities in the littoral zone, and a higher density of epiphytic zooplankton was recorded on the surface of C. demersum. Especially, rotifers such as Lepadella, Monostyla and Testudinella showed obvious differences (One-way ANOVA, p<0.05 for all three species). This result suggests that epiphytic zooplankton have a substrate preference for larger surface areas, likely for adherence, on C. dimersum. In conclusion, the complex structure of the littoral plant community is expected to provide diverse refuge and microhabitats to epiphytic zooplankton.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.271-284
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• 2014

The objectives of this research were to analyse the microhabitat of Cobitis choii which is designated as an endangered fish species (I) and national monument species in Korea (No. 454), and provide valuable information of suitable replacement habitat in the future for a conservation of the population with rapid decreases by environmental pollution. Sampling and microhabitat analysis in three streams such as Baekgok, Yugu and Gap Stream, known as one of the least habitats in Korea showed that the mean number of Cobitis choii observed was 2.6. This result indicated that the richness was too low, so the species conservation was very urgent. Optimal physical microhabitat of the population was determined as environmental conditions with > 60% sand with 1 mm particle size, optimal water depth of 20 - 60 cm in the habitats, and the optimal current velocity of < 0.4 m/s. Under the circumstances of the microhabitat, optimal water volume (discharge) was 0 - 2 m3/s in the each sectional analysis and this reach was mainly composed of the stream section with intermittant slow runs and pools. These microhabitats were largely disturbed by physical modifications of habitat and chemical pollutions due to direct influences of nutrient-rich water inputs from the urban area and intensive agricultural pollutants. For these reasons, optimal habitat replacement are required in the future for the conservation of the species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.61-89
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• 2006

Algific talus slopes are local cold micro-environmental habitats where cool air escapes through vents and fissures of talus layer, and ice forms in summer. To access the phytogeographical significance and to develop the conservation strategy on vegetation of the algific talus, plant species composition on seven algific talus in South Korea was investigated. As a results, phytogeographically significant northern elements such as Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh., Diplazium sibiricum (Turcz. ex Kunze) Sa.Kurata, Polypodium virginianum L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. and Hackelia deflexa (Wahlenb.) Opiz were distributed in these algific talus slopes (below $N37^{\circ}43^{\prime}$). In addition, subalpine species such as Woodsia subcordata Turcz, Rosa suavis willd., Clematis fusca var. coreana ($H.L{\acute{e}}v.$ & Vaniot) Nakai, Calamagrostis langsdorfii (Link) Trin. and Carex vaginata var. petersii (C.A.Mey.) Akiyama were also distributed as typical relictual species of these algific talus (less than alt. 400m). The algific talus slopes in Korean peninsular can be regarded as the insular refugia that northern plant species advanced southward during the latest glacial age have been isolated and adapted in some local microhabitats. Because the algific talus slopes as paleorefugia are very important in terms of phytogeography as well as meteorology ans geology, developments of strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation on these small isolated and threatened populations associated with the algific talus urgently needed.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.237-246
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• 2022

Owing to their high bioproductivity and unique physical environment, estuarine wetlands are gaining importance in national biodiversity management and habitat conservation. With regard to conservation and management of estuarine wetlands, this study analyzed the ecological characteristics of Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland, an open estuary with various habitat types. Data from vegetation and biotic surveys have shown that 12 plant communities of five physiognomic vegetation types, including lentic herbaceous vegetation, halophytic herbaceous vegetation, and chasmophytic herbaceous vegetation. Due to the discharge of Namgang Dam and the effect of the tide, vegetation are distributed along the narrow waterside area. In terms of biodiversity, a total of 715 species, including 12 endangered wildlife species, were identified. Species diversity was relatively high in sections I and III where various riverbed structures and microhabitats were distributed. Due to the effect of the brackish water area following the inflow of seawater, endangered wildlife of various functional groups were also found to be distributed, indicating the high conservation value of that area. The collection of ecological information of the Gahwacheon Estuarine Wetland can be used as a framework for establishing the basis for conservation and management of the estuarine ecosystem and support policy establishment.