• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2012

The tiger population that once inhabited the Korean peninsula was initially considered a unique subspecies (Panthera tigris coreensis), distinct from the Amur tiger of the Russian Far East (P. t. altaica). However, in the following decades, the population of P. t. coreensis was classified as P. t. altaica and hence forth the two populations have been considered the same subspecies. From an ecological point of view, the classification of the Korean tiger population as P. t. altaica is a plausible conclusion. Historically, there were no major dispersal barriers between the Korean peninsula and the habitat of Amur tigers in Far Eastern Russia and northeastern China that might prevent gene flow, especially for a large carnivore with long-distance dispersal abilities. However, there has yet to be a genetic study to confirm the subspecific status of the Korean tiger. Bone samples from four tigers originally caught in the Korean peninsula were collected from two museums in Japan and the United States. Eight mitochondrial gene fragments were sequenced and compared to previously published tiger subspecies' mtDNA sequences to assess the phylogenetic relationship of the Korean tiger. Three individuals shared an identical haplotype with the Amur tigers. One specimen grouped with Malayan tigers, perhaps due to misidentification or mislabeling of the sample. Our results support the conclusion that the Korean tiger should be classified as P. t. altaica, which has important implications for the conservation and reintroduction of Korean tigers.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.871-882
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• 2004

Korea's national park system resembles that of Japan in many ways. In this study, National park Systems of the two countries are compared from a standpoint of their historical backgrounds to be formed and in aspect of its conservation by the main revision of national park laws in perspective. In conclusion it was found out that Korea's toleration-based regulations on building park amenities have gradually neglected the park conservation effort, whereas Japan's authorization-oriented regulations have streng thened their emphasis on park conservation. From the comparison as above, the polices to be modified for Korean national park are proposed as follows: 1. National park system, which values diversity of species, is to be proposed. For this, the Article 8 which allows a development of National parks, Enforcement Ordinance Article 4, The Article 18 of Law, Enforcement Regulation Article 6 & 7 of National Park Law should be reviewed for deletion and revision. 2. On the basis of the laws, zoning system should be readjusted by discriminated conservation policy. Also, the readjustment of zoning system should be enforced after thorough analysis and research on the value of natural resources in the national park. 3. Korea should closely review the recently revised Japanese laws on the national parks and nature revitalization promotion for applying them to conservation policy of Korean national parks.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.455-466
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to seek application plans of National Ecosystem Survey database based on comparison and examination of feasible analysis methods for distribution characteristics of alien plants. In order to set up a correlation analysis method between alien plants and environmental factors, we had reviewed the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey guide book and consequently, two kinds of analysis method were tested. One was 1/25,000 scale map boundary based analysis and the other was representative mountain area based analysis. In this study we restricted the research area to select reliable surveyed database from whole "2011 National Ecosystem Survey flora database" according to two major criteria. First, an area defined by 1/25,000 scale map boundary and representative mountain area where the number of surveyed flora records should be within top 20%. Second, land cover map should also be built up inside that area. As a result, 25 map boundaries and 25 representative mountain areas were extracted to be analyzed. To limit a boundary for every representative mountain area we had analyzed distribution of environmental factors around that area by manual inspection with SPOT-5 remote sensed satellite image then designated 3km buffer zone from each alien plant location in that area. After then, naturalized index (NI) and urbanized index (UI) was calculated and correlations analysis was carried out. With the result of correlation analysis by map boundary only agricultural land area showed significant value of r (0.4~0.6, correlated) and the rest of factors did not. In the case of representative mountain area, the result showed that agricultural land, road and forest area showed significant value of r (0.6~0.8, highly correlated) which was corresponding to existing researches. Therefore, representative mountain area based method is preferable when using the alien plants database of National Ecosystem Survey for species distribution analysis. And also, considering the way of database utilization is strongly suggested at the first stage of survey planning for promoting active use of national ecosystem survey database.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2021

This study targets the city of Paju, Gyeonggi-do, where many challenges are facing ecological assets management due to the increase in recent development. Using the survey data provided by the National Institute of Ecology in Korea, the study analysed the differences in the local residents' perception of local ecological assets. The Q methodology, which is useful for revealing differences in opinions, was applied to classify the narrative groups, which had different points of view in evaluating each asset. Next, the study compared the differences in perceptions of the vulnerability of ecological assets. As a result of the analysis, the city of Paju was divided into two main narrative groups: a 'Nature Conservation Group' and a 'Heritage Conservation Group'. The Nature Conservation Group wanted to prioritize ecologically valuable assets, such as wetlands, brackish zones, and forests. The Heritage Conservation Group preferred preserving ecological assets having a cultural contexts, such as royal tombs, graves, and the surrounding landscape. Evaluating the ecological assets, the two groups identified 23 ecological sites under threat from development among the 25 ecological sites considered. The Nature Conservation Group noted the importance of sites such as the Sannam Wetlands, Gongneungcheon, Gongneungcheon Brackish Zone, and Simhak Mountain. These were considered to be the most vulnerable ecological assets in the city. The study found differences in the perceived values for each ecological asset by residents. The results can serve as useful data for decision-making on ecological asset management in the city of Paju.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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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 Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze a conservation state and a sustainable use of coastal wetland in Sindu-ri Tae-an, using the plant community structure analysis and the awareness result of local residents by published paper. To investigate a forest structure in Sindu-ri area, twenty plots were set up and surveyed. The community, is divided by three groups. The divided groups are Robinia pseudoacacia(I), Pinus thunbergii-Robinia pseudoacacia(II), Robinia pseudoacacia(III). Survey site I is simple canopy layer and deteriorative forest. Survey site II is grassland and swamp, where Pinus thunbergii-Robinia pseudoacacia is dominant trees of vegetation. Robinia pseudoacacia is competition species with Pinus thunbergii in survey site II. Survey site III is barren land(sand-hill) where main species is Robinia pseudoacacia. As a result, survey II district is considered as the most suitable for the conservation of species diversity. It is proposed in this paper that the ecological nature trail would be connected in survey site I and II for environmental education. The local residents of Tae-an, where natural environment is well-conserved, prefer conservation to development of the region. In case of Tae-an, where the condition of the natural environment is well conserved and the development potential exists, the development is in harmony with the environmental education program.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2022

Background: Bamboo forests provides benefits for nature and the welfare of the people of Turen in Malang Regency and Sumbermujur in Lumajang Regency. They interact with the forest to live through the development of forest potential based on local wisdom. This is believed to prevent various adverse impacts on the forest. Local wisdom is related to beliefs or/and taboos, ethics and rules, techniques and technology, as well as forest/ land management traditions carried out by the community in building, managing forests, and Turen springs in Malang Regency and Sumbermujur in Lumajang Regency. Therefore, it is important to study the potential of bamboo forests in Turen and Sumbermujur for ecotourism, the development of bamboo forest ecotourism in Turen and Sumbermujur based on local wisdom, and the potential of bamboo forests in Turen and Sumbermujur in sustainable spring conservation. Results: Bamboo forest ecotourism has become an attractive tourist attraction. It is also beneficial for environmental conservation and the welfare of the surrounding community. The potential of bamboo forests in ecotourism development consists of various types of old bamboo that are fertile which offer environmentally friendly tourism activities by prioritizing aspects of nature conservation and socio-cultural empowerment of the local community. This cannot be separated from the belief that bamboo has supernatural powers (as a protector), so they do not dare to take or damage the existing bamboo. This behavior has a positive impact on springs that are still sustainable. Conclusions: Therefore, the charm of the bamboo forest is a potential that can be developed through ecotourism based on local wisdom. The development of bamboo forest ecotourism based on local wisdom is able to meet the living needs of the surrounding community.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.39-54
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• 2019

This paper presents comprehensive scientific details about mangrove soil in Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat. A total of ten sites were studied during November, 2011 to December, 2014 in order to know the physico-chemical characteristics of mangrove soil. The results indicated that the soil in GoK had silty loam texture. Other physico-chemical parameters ranged as; pH: 7.39-7.61, Bulk Density: 0.30 g/㎤-0.54 g/㎤, Particle Density: 1.26 g/㎤-1.76 g/㎤, Organic Carbon: 0.70%-1.13%, Organic Matter: 1.01%-1.74% and Moisture Content: 33.45%-56.38%. The paper would be useful to the stakeholders, coastal managers and scientific communities to know the mangrove soil conditions of Gulf of Kachchh for management and planning for conservation of mangrove ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.327-343
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to perform community analysis and biological assessment of water quality using benthic macroinvertebrate from Wangpi-cheon watershed which is defined as conservation areas of ecosystem and landscape by ministry of environment in Korea. Field survey of the study area was carried out 2 times from June to September in 2012. As a result of the field survey, total 155 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 74 families, 15 orders, 7 classes and 5 phyla were collected. The findings of community analysis using the classified species and individuals showed relatively low DI(Dominant Index) value of 0.22 and very high value of average H'(Diversity index) as 4.24. And the analyzed results of SI(Similarity Index) according to habitat types using functional feeding groups showed higher values of 94.51% and 93.19% respectively to tributary and main stream after the designation of conservation areas of ecosystem and landscape. These results infer that various species and lots of individual are widely distributed at Wangpi-cheon watershed and stream ecosystem of the study area is healthy and well maintained after the designation of conservation areas. And also, the calculated EPT value was 62.9% as high enough to explain the cleanness of Wangpi-cheon watershed. We evaluated environmental condition and biological water quality by using ESB(Ecological Score of Benthic macroinvertebrate community) and KSI(Korean Saprobic Index). The average evaluated ESB shows very high value of 208.2, therefore Wangpi-cheon watershed is designated as 'First priority protection waters' area and the value of KSI is 0.32 which meets the saprobic water quality standard as 'First class'.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.61-71
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• 2012

Recent conditions in North Sulawesi Province (NSP) have become favorable for the development of tourism. In this paper, we present the recent status of biodiversity and tourism in NSP as a basic consideration towards integrative biodiversity conservation strategy. Overall, biological accounts suggest that NSP is important for the world biodiversity conservation program. NSP's biodiversity makes the area a major nature-based tourism (ecotourism) site in the world. Development of diverse tourism programs in NSP has provided new opportunities for balancing development and conservation of regional ecosystems. However, the excessive tourism growth in some particular areas in NSP has been identified as the primary factor of environmental degradation. Nowadays, biodiversity of North Sulawesi regions are suffering from the number of tourist impacts and facilities. Based on those conditions, tourism planning and development in NSP is needed to formulate a proper strategy to protect the ecosystem and biodiversity from degradation and extinction. This will be a new challenge of sustainable island tourism development and biodiversity conservation in NSP.