• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.280-285
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• 2012

We investigated germination rate of Zostera marina and Phyllospadix japonicus, which are the most two abundant seagrass species of Korea, in related to light, salinity and temperature. Light had no significant effect on Z. marina germination, but it promoted P. japonicus germination. The highest germination of Z. marina appeared in 0 psu, and that of P. japonicus appeared in 15 psu. The optimum water temperatures for germination of Z. marina and P. japonicus were $5^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$, respectively. These differences of optimum germination requirements of Z. marina and P. japonicus were probably caused by the difference of the habitat environment of the two seagrass species. Since few data exist concerning germination of Korean seagrasses, this study provides valuable information for the conservation of seagrass habitats in Korea.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.548-561
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• 2019

The surfgrass Phyllospadix japonicus is a dominant seagrass species playing critical ecological roles on the eastern coast of Korea. However, few studies have been conducted on the ecological characteristics of this species, generally due to the turbulent water conditions in its habitat. In this study, to examine the growth dynamics of P. japonicus, we investigated monthly changes in morphological characteristics, density, biomass, and leaf productivity as well as changes in the underwater irradiance, water temperature, and water column nutrient concentrations of its habitat from August 2017 to July 2018. Underwater irradiance and water temperature showed clear seasonal changes increasing in spring and summer and decreasing in fall and winter. Nutrient availability fluctuated substantially, but did not display any distinct seasonal trend. Morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, and leaf productivities of P. japonicus exhibited significant seasonal variations, increasing in spring and decreasing in fall months. Spadix of P. japonicus occurred from March to August, with the maximum spadix percentage(15.8%) occurred in May 2018. The average leaf productivity of P. japonicus per shoot and area were 2.1 mg sht^-1 d^-1 and 7.5 g m^-2 d^-1, respectively. The optimum water temperature for the growth of P. japonicus in this study was between 13-14℃. The productivity of P. japonicus was not correlated with underwater irradiance, water temperature and nutrient concentrations. These results suggest that the study site provide sufficient amount of underwater irradiance, suitable water temperature range and nutrients for the growth of P. japonicus.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.352-362
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• 2022

Photosynthesis and respiration of seagrasses are mainly controlled by water temperature. In this study, the photosynthetic physiology and respiratory changes of the Asian surfgrass Phyllospadix japonicus, which is mainly distributed on the eastern and southern coasts of Korea, were investigated in response to changing water temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30℃) by conducting mesocosm experiments. Photosynthetic parameters (maximum photosynthetic rate, P_max; compensation irradiance, I_c; and saturation irradiance, I_k) and respiration rate of surfgrass increased with rising water temperature, whereas photosynthetic efficiency (α) was fairly constant among the water temperature conditions. The P_max and I_k dramatically decreased under the highest water temperature condition (30℃), whereas the I_c and respiration rate increased continuously with the increasing water temperature. Ratios of maximum photosynthetic rates to respiration rates (P_max : R) were highest at 5℃ and declined markedly at higher temperatures with the lowest ratio at 30℃. The minimum requirement of H_sat (the daily period of irradiance-saturated photosynthesis) of P. japonicus was 2.5 hours at 5℃ and 10.6 hours at 30℃ for the positive carbon balance. Because longer H_sat was required for the positive carbon balance of P. japonicus under the increased water temperature, the rising water temperature should have negatively affected the growth, distribution, and survival of P. japonicus on the coast of Korea. Since the temperature in the temperate coastal waters is rising gradually due to global warming, the results of this study could provide insights into surfgrass responses to future severe sea warming and light attenuation.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2017

To examine the ecological characteristics of seagrasses growing naturally in Dokdo, shoot morphology and density of seagrasses in a study site each from Dongdo and Seodo, where seagrasses occurred, were investigated in September 2016. In the study sites, Phyllospadix japonicus Makino, a protected seagrass species, was found to be scattered, forming small clusters. P. japonicus shoots from the study sites in Dongdo and Seodo were morphologically similar. The mean leaf width was 2.0 mm at both study sites in Dongdo and Seodo. Numbers of leaves per shoot was 4.8 and 4.7, and the leaf lengths were 42.5 cm and 41.9 cm, in Dongdo and Seodo, respectively. The shoot densities were $3,500{\pm}334.2shoots\;m^{-2}$ and $2,275{\pm}415.1shoots\;m^{-2}$, in Dongdo and Seodo, respectively, with no significant difference. Shoot density and morphological chacteristics of P. japonicus in Dokdo were similar to those on the eastern coast of the Korean peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the current status of seagrass species in the Nakdong River estuary from May to June 2023. To survey the seagrass habitat area, the Nakdong River estuary was divided into seven zones. Aerial photography using drones was conducted to find seagrass areas, GPS tracking was carried out on foot in the intertidal zone and by boat and SCUBA diving in the subtidal zone. To analyze the seagrass status, we measured the morphological characteristics, shoot density, and biomass of representative seagrass species in each zone. Four seagrass species were found in this area: Zostera japonica, Z. marina, Ruppia maritima, and Phyllospadix japonicus. The distribution areas of each species was 338.2 ha, 92.9 ha, 0.9 ha, and 1.4 ha, respectively, with a total area of 432.5 ha. Z. japonica was widely distributed in most of the tidal flats and mudflats of the Nakdong River estuary, while Z. marina was restricted to Nulcha-do, Jinu-do, and Dadae-dong. R. maritima occurred within the habitat of Z. japonica in Eulsukdo and Myeongji mudflats, and P. japonicus inhabited rocky areas in Dadae-dong. The shoot density of each species was 4,575.8±338.3 shoots m^-2, 244.8±12.0 shoots m^-2, 11,302.1±290.0 shoots m^-2, and 2862.5±153.5 shoots m^-2, respectively. The biomass of each species was 239.7±18.5 gDW m^-2, 362.3±20.5 gDW m^-2, 33.3±1.2 gDW m^-2, and 1,290.0±37.0 gDW m^-2, respectively. The results of this study revealed that Z. japonica was dominant in the Nakdong River estuary. In particular, Z. japonica habitats of Eulsukdo, Daema-deung, and Myeongji mudflats were identified as the largest in Korea. The Nakdong River estuary is an important site of ecological, environmental, and economic value, and will require continuous investigation and management of the native seagrasses.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.155-162
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• 1976

Forty one samples from thirty three species of algae (19 from 15 species of Rhodophyceae, 18 from 14 species of Phaeophyceae, 3 from 3 species of Chlorophyceae, and 1 of marine Phanerogams) collected from several locations on the east, west and south coast of Korea, were analyzed for their contents of crude protein, fat, cellulose, ash, nitrogen free extract, amino nitrogen, and total amino acids. For the examination of extractability of algal protein with water, 4 species of algae, Sargassum thunberggi, Grateloupia filicina, Phyllospadix japonica, and Sargassum confusum, were analyzed. And the effect of some precipitation treatments for isolation of algal protein was also tested. As a matter of fact, Rhodophyceae showed high content in crude protein and low in crude fat while the case was opposite for Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Refering to the content of crude protein and total amino acids, the recommendable algae for protein sources were Sargassum thunbergii, Acrosorium flabellata, Phacelocarpus japonicus, Laurencia okamurai, Laurencia intermedia, Grateloupia filicina, Chondrus ocellatus, Gloiopeltis furcata, Gigartina tenella, Dictyota dichotoma, and Scytosiphon lomentaria. Methanol treatment appeared most effective in precipitation isolation of protein from water extracts whereas pH control method did not so beneficial. The precipitation rate of protein was particularity higher in the extract of Sargassum confusum ana the lowest was makted from the extract of Sargassum thunbergii.