• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.483-490
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• 2020

This study aims to construct an ecological community and lay the foundation for sustainable development in the Korean Peninsula by promoting cooperation between the South and North Korea in the non-political and no-military natural environment sector under the rapidly changing inter-Korean relations. It analyzed South Korea's aid and international cooperation projects in natural environmental sectors in North Korea and examined North Korea's national plan and the cooperation projects that North Korea proposed to the international community to identify potential cooperation projects. It selected 15 potential cooperation projects and 6 crucial factors to be considered in prioritizing the projects through case studies and the first expert survey (five persons). The six crucial factors were i) urgency, ⅱ) linkage between North and South Korea (ecological community in the Korean Peninsula), ⅲ) contribution to sustainable development (prosperity), i) North Korea's acceptability, ⅴ) cooperation conditions and budget, and ⅵ) project sustainability. The second expert survey (14 persons) focused on prioritizing the 15 potential inter-Korean cooperation projects in line with six crucial factors. The 15 potential inter-Korean cooperation projects in the natural environment were comprehensively reviewed and scored based on the six crucial factors. The resulting priority projects were identified as follow: i) Mt. Seorak - Mt. Keumgang International Peace Park, ⅱ) support and cooperation for agro-forestry, ⅲ) joint conservation projects for internationally important migratory birds (such as Black-faced Spoonbills and Cranes), iv) inter-Korean ecotourism linkage and promotion, and ⅴ) establishment of integrated information system on leading ecosystems and biodiversity in the Korean Peninsula. The priority cooperation projects presented in this study are based on the perception of experts engaged in inter-Korean natural environmental cooperation in consideration of existing cooperation cases and conditions. For the actual implementation of these potential projects, a systematic approach, including the formation of consensus between North and South Koreas and the creation of a cooperative network with suitable partners suitable for each project's characteristics, would be needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.6
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• pp.733-739
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• 2009

This study was carried out to analyze the relationship between major climatic factors (monthly temperature, precipitation) and radial growth of Korean Pine (Pinus koraiensis) in Inje-gun(Mt. Seorak), Sanchung-gun and Namwon-si(Mt. Jiri). Radial growth measurements were crossdated and correlated with climate variables. The climatic factors used were monthly mean temperature and monthly precipitation from August of previous year to September of the current year. In Inje-gun, radial growth was negatively correlated with monthly mean temperature in April, May, June, and August of the current year and was positively correlated with precipitation in August, October of the previous year and in April, August of the current year. Sanchung-gun showed a negative correlation with monthly mean temperature in September of the previous year and August of the current year but positive correlation in January of the current year. In contrast, precipitation in September of the previous year and August of the current year showed a positive influence. The results suggest that high temperature together with low precipitation may thus cause water stress and thereby limit radial growth in this region. In Namwon-si, the climategrowth relationships show that radial growth was negatively correlated with monthly mean temperature in August, October of the previous year and June of the current year. But August of the previous year and May, August of the current year in precipitation was positively correlated with radial growth. In the study areas, precipitation plays an important role for the radial growth of Kroean Pine (Pinus koraiensis). The results suggest that precipitation is important in the radial growth because water deficit in trees would take place in response to high temperature in the study area. Also there was some differences with study areas in the effects of both climatic variables probably as a result of different stand structure and geographical conditions and micro-climate.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.379-392
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• 2014

This study was performed to predict the future climate envelope of Pinus pumila, a subalpine plant and a Climate-sensitive Biological Indicator Species (CBIS) of Korea. P. pumila is distributed at Mt. seorak in South Korea. Suitable habitat were predicted under two alternative RCPscenarios (IPCC AR5). The SDM used for future prediction was a Maxent model, and the total number of environmental variables for Maxent was 8. It was found that the distribution range of P. pumila in the South Korean was $38^{\circ}7^{\prime}8^{{\prime}{\prime}}N{\sim}38^{\circ}7^{\prime}14^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$ and $128^{\circ}28^{\prime}2^{{\prime}{\prime}}E{\sim}128^{\circ}27^{\prime}38^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$ and 1,586m~1,688m in altitude. The variables that contribute the most to define the climate envelope are altitude. Climate envelope simulation accuracy was evaluated using the ROC's AUC. The P. pumila model's 5-cv AUC was found to be 0.99966. which showed that model accuracy was very high. Under both the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, the climate envelope for P. pumila is predicted to decrease in South Korea. According to the results of the maxent model has been applied in the current climate, suitable habitat is $790.78km^2$. The suitable habitats, are distributed in the region of over 1,400m. Further, in comparison with the suitable habitat of applying RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 suitable habitat current, reduction of area RCP8.5 was greater than RCP4.5. Thus, climate change will affect the distribution of P. pumila. Therefore, governmental measures to conserve this species will be necessary. Additionally, for CBIS vulnerability analysis and studies using sampling techniques to monitor areas based on the outcomes of this study, future study designs should incorporate the use of climatic predictions derived from multiple GCMs, especially GCMs that were not the one used in this study. Furthermore, if environmental variables directly relevant to CBIS distribution other than climate variables, such as the Bioclim parameters, are ever identified, more accurate prediction than in this study will be possible.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.36
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• pp.35-78
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• 2020

This study aims to reveal the overall Fengshui figuration and geomantic features of Daesoon Jinrihoe's Geumgangsan (Mt. Geumgang) Toseong Training Temple Complex from the Hyeonggi (Energy of Form) Theory in Fengshui. This study first looked at the mountain landscape viewable from the surface, examined the influence of Qi (Energy) flowing inside it, comprehended the flow of its vitality in terms of its strengths and weaknesses, and gauged the depth of the energy produced from mountain streams to determine fortune and misfortune. There is a special significance to this site due to Sangje's teaching that "⋯ it will be prosperous with 12,000 Dotonggunja (Dao-empowered Sages)," and it is also known as a efficacious grounds for cultivation among ascetics due to it housing the royal mausoleum of Dojeon (interpreted by some as Maitreya). Concerning this, this study explores the geomantic symbolism and growth-supporting land of Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex as it corresponds to Fengshui theory, and in keeping with this, the topography and conditions are likewise examined. The mountain range and its energy pathways (veins) harmonize with the pure water energy coming from the East Sea. The mountain terrain of Mount Geumgang, and the geomantic location, topography, and energy pathways that influence Daesoon Jinrihoe Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex are all explored. The Baekdudaegan Mountain Range extends through Mount Geumgang to Sinseonbong Peak, and one range extends to Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex whereas the other range extends through Sangbong Peak down to Misiryeong Valley and Mount Seorak. Thus, this study demonstrates that Daesoon Jinrihoe has always strongly considered the relationship between its temple complexes and their surrounding environment. The order has always selected locations that exhibit optimal conditions which suit the construction of sacred spaces. The determinations in this paper were made through an academic approach that drew upon various theories of Fengshui while examining Daesoon Jinrihoe's Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex. The in-depth analysis was specifically based on Hyeonggi Fengshui. At the same time, this study also looked into the surroundings of Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex. In particular, the mountains and flow of nearby bodies of water were comprehensively examined to show how the surrounding topography corresponds to the principles of Fengshui. An integral approach combining all major theories of Fengshui revealed that Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex starts from Sinseonbong Peak, and its energy flows through the main mountain range, going through numerous geographical changes of yin and yang. When the range flows down, the water flows accordingly, and where the water whirls, the mountains are shaped accordingly. Eventually, this energy reaches Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex. From the organic relationship between mountains and bodies of water, which can be said to be the essence of the order of nature, it can be judged that the most prominent geomantic feature of Geumgangsan Toseong Training Temple Complex corresponds to traditional theories of Fengshui in that it forms a configuration wherein optimal water energy supports the Virtuous Concordance of Yin Yang and harmonizes the Blue Dragon with the White Tiger.