• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.204-219
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate and analyze the characteristics of the plant community structure of vegetation distributed on the western slope and ridge connecting Mt. Noja to Mt. Gara. This basic research was executed not only to restore and manage forest vegetation, but also to monitor the trend of change in the long term. As a result of classifying the communitise in 86 survey quadrats, the Pinus thunbergii-Platycarya strobilacea comm. and P. thunbergii-P. densiflora comm. were distributed around the lowlands. The Carpinus tschonoskii-Deciduous broad-leaved comm., Styrax japonicus-Deciduous broad-leaved comm., Acer pictum subsp. Mono-Deciduous broad-leaved comm., Deciduous broad-leaved comm., and Zelkova serrata comm. appeared in the valley and all stone areas. Quercus serrata comm., Q. serrata-S. japonicus comm., S. japonicus-Carpinus cordata comm., Euonymus oxyphyllus comm. were classified as being distributed on steep slopes with relatively high altitude. According to the succession trend of the forest, evergreen conifers will be transition to deciduous broad-leaved trees. However, deciduous broad-leaved arboreous forests, such as Carpinus tschonoskii, zelkova serrata, and Acer pictum subsp. Mono, were considered to maintain their current succession stage because not only the stratified structure was developed over about 50 years tree age, but also ecologically stabilized. As environmental factors, it was analyzed that altitude, pH, content of clay and silt, Mg⁺⁺, Ca⁺⁺, etc. directly or indirectly affect the distribution of plant communities.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.162-177
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• 2020

Background: Ecologists have achieved much progress in the study of mechanisms that maintain species coexistence and diversity. In this paper, we reviewed a wide range of past research related to these topics, focusing on five theoretical bodies: (1) coexistence by niche differentiation, (2) coexistence without niche differentiation, (3) coexistence along environmental stress gradients, (4) coexistence under non-equilibrium versus equilibrium conditions, and (5) modern perspectives. Results: From the review, we identified that there are few models that can be generally and confidently applicable to different ecological systems. This problem arises mainly because most theories have not been substantiated by enough empirical research based on field data to test various coexistence hypotheses at different spatial scales. We also found that little is still known about the mechanisms of species coexistence under harsh environmental conditions. This is because most previous models treat disturbance as a key factor shaping community structure, but they do not explicitly deal with stressful systems with non-lethal conditions. We evaluated the mainstream ideas of niche differentiation and stochasticity for the coexistence of plant species across salt marsh creeks in southwestern Denmark. The results showed that diversity indices, such as Shannon-Wiener diversity, richness, and evenness, decreased with increasing surface elevation and increased with increasing niche overlap and niche breadth. The two niche parameters linearly decreased with increasing elevation. These findings imply a substantial influence of an equalizing mechanism that reduces differences in relative fitness among species in the highly stressful environments of the marsh. We propose that species evenness increases under very harsh conditions if the associated stress is not lethal. Finally, we present a conceptual model of patterns related to the level of environmental stress and niche characteristics along a microhabitat gradient (i.e., surface elevation). Conclusions: The ecology of stressful systems with non-lethal conditions will be increasingly important as ongoing global-scale climate change extends the period of chronic stresses that are not necessarily fatal to inhabiting plants. We recommend that more ecologists continue this line of research.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.48-63
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• 2008

This research is to apply suitable natural ecosystem evaluation criteria in order to develop the ecosystem conservation, restoration and ways to build substitute habitats as a compensation plan for damaged soundly natural ecosystems in small-scale projects such as resource recovery facility, filtration, etc. The environmental ecology evaluation i.e. generally based on their actual vegetation, community structure, wildlife, water system survey were measured the primary plans for reflecting unique natural environment level of site. As a result, it is necessary to conserve the land in fallow type of wetland, good conservative condition of deciduous forest, wetlanded watercourse for amphibia and reptiles crossing. However, the plan of filtration plant was destroyed wetland(sound ecosystem), natural forest, asian toad spawning area. According to the result of it schemed to build alternative wetland and spawning area, plan to healthy ecosystem and surface soil transplantation as compensation plan. The alternative wetland and spawning area are not only created a various water levels like depth of water is $0{\sim}30cm,\;30{\sim}60cm$, more than 1.5m but also it leads to asian toad spawning and wildlife inhabitant. Moreover, the ecosystem and surface soil transplantation be applied to use the Quercus acutissima forest resources(114 upper trees, 71 canopy trees, 401 shrubs) and surface soil$(5,072m^3)$ in ecology creation sets.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.59-69
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• 2003

Most denuded mountain areas in Korea were completely stabilized by the successful work of the 1st and 2nd 10-year Forest Development Plans which targeted the reforestation of denuded forest lands. The objectives of this study are (1) to estimate the depth of organic horizon in the soil profile, (2) to investigate the change of vegetation structure, (3) to estimate the change of biomass in the erosion controlled and rehabilitated mountain areas with the passage of time. This study was carried out as the 5th times. The first study began in the year of 1985, the second study was in the year of 1988, the third study was in the year of 1992, 4th was in the year of 1998 and 5th was in the year of 2002. The first study started in the study sites which elapsed 9 years after erosion control works. The results of the study were as follows : The increase rate of soil thickness was estimated to $Y_{(cm)}=2.906log_{(yr)}-3.2476(r^2=0.917)$ during 26 years after erosion control works. The important value of pines decreased to 14.7% on upper layer. But, the important value of alders. which did not plant on erosion control work increased to 27.1%. The decrease of whole crown projection indicates that pines. and alders were heavily injured by pine leaf gall midge in the year of 1993, 1995 years and Agelastica coerulea Baly in the year of 1986, 1987 years at Yoju-gun. The young growth of pines and alders not appeared on the soil surface which elapsed 26 years after erosion control works. On the lower layer, oaks occupied over 50% in I.V, RD, RC, RF. In process of years, the increase of biomass estimated to be $Y_{(t/ha)}={0.7505X_{(yr)}}^{1.6335}\;(r^2=0.9712)$ for 26 years after erosion control works.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 1985

The productivity and growth pattern of Sargassum confusum (Phaeophyta, Sargassaceae) was investigated in Ohori, east coast of Korea, from March 1983 to April 1984. S. confusum shows an obvious seasonal variation of the growth by passing through the germinative, vegetative, reproductive and decaying phases for about an year. The mean length of tagged individuals shows a positive correlation with the water temperature during the growing period. The growth is depressed at less than 1$0^{\circ}C$ in February, and accelerated at above 15$^{\circ}C$ in May. The rapid growth (1.29 cm/dry) occurs at 15-l8$^{\circ}C$ during May-June and the maximum length is shown at 20-21$^{\circ}C$ in early August. Daily net production estimated by the oxygen light and dark bottle method is 11.2 g C/$m^2$/ day in June. The annual value calculated by the integration of the daily net production, growth rate and biomass is 745 gC/$m^2$/yr. Net production estimated from the biomass change only is 287 gC/$m^2$/yr. But this must be an underestimated value, because the loss of considerable biomass by shedding is not included.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.181-190
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• 1983

Seasonal occurrence of benthic algae and changes of subtidal vegetation were studied for their species composition, diversity and biomass during 1982 and 1983 at several selected sites at Juckdo Island (38$^{\circ}$12'N, 128$^{\circ}$32'E), eastern coast of Korea. Three large brown algae which played a role in change of algal vegetation through their great biomass were investigated with regard to their seasonal growth. Large brown algae such as Undaria pinnatifida, Costaria costata, Laminaria japonica, Agarum cribrosum, Sargassum confusum and S. hornerii constitute the major portion of vegetation in this area throughout the year. Algal vegetation in spring time is characterized by dominance of species U. pinnatifida and C. costata, whereas the summer vegetation by S. confusum and S. hornerii. In autumn large brown algae are shedded and only small algae, such as Chondrus ocellatus and Grateloupia filicina, remain. The vegetation in winter is dominated by the growth of U. pinnatifida and C. costata. Monthly changes in mean length and weight of randomly collected U. pinnatifida, C. costata and S. confusum are as follows; U. pinnatifida occurs from December to June and shows their maximum growth during March (120 cm in length, 201 g/individual in wet weight), its maximum growth rate is 1.4 cm/day, 3.3 g/day in this month. The growth season of C. costata is very similar to U.pinnatifida, but their average maximum length(110 cm) and weight (106 g/ind.) are lower than U. pinnatifida. The greatest growth rate is during March (1.8 cm/day, 2.0g/day). S. confusum is present throughout the year and reaches the maximum growth (102 cm, 63g/ind.) in July. Maximum growth rate (1.5 cm/day, 1.2 g/day) occurs also during this month. U. pinnatifida and C. costata show different months of maximum growth evidently during the two year. This seems to be caused by a considerable damage to the local vegetation followed by heavy storm in February 1983.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.615-624
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• 2020

Background and objective: Urbanization caused a reduction in urban green space and a lack of community spaces. An attempt to solve these problems, urban gardens, have become popular and are currently being implemented in various downtown areas. However, urban gardens have some inadequate aspects from a visual or landscape perspective. The goal of this study was to examine the possibility of an aesthetic and productive garden space by introducing cultivation methods through the planting system design process. Methods: The design process using plants was classified and presented to suggest the importance of the landscape and aesthetic value. An urban garden space was designed according to the perspective of 'production scenery' and 'participation aesthetics'. According to the characteristics of the plant, urban gardens were divided into vertical type (corn, millet, sorghum), climbing type (kidney bean, cucumber, bitter gourd), and runner type (melon, watermelon, peanut). After classifying plants according to the shape of the root, the structure supporting climbing was installed and the crops were cultivated in an upright form with a tunnel. Results: In the designed cultivation, each crop cooperates, without invading each other's space. Compared with the conventional cultivation, there was little difference in production, and management was made more convenient since weed outbreaks were effectively suppressed while runner type crops cover over the land's surface. Since the positions of each crop are clearly distinguished, the aesthetic value is improved by offering a sense of rhythm with a balanced design. Conclusion: The results suggest that the cultivation methods through the plant system design process have aesthetic as well as productive value, and the design using plants, an infinite living resource, could lead to an expansion of the design field. Moreover, it would enable a sustainable symbiosis between industry and environment. There is potential for the design industry to make significant progress through collaboration with agriculture, horticulture, and landscape architecture.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 1983

In order to elucidate the change of plant community of natural forests caused by air pollution in the area of Mt. Dosjil of Ulsan city, 25 study subplots, 5 subplots from each 5 plots were set up. These plots lay along gradients of chronic exposure to airborne sulfur dioxide ($SO_2$), fluorides(F) and possibly other pollutants. Total nitrogen, organic matter, available $P_2O_5$, and CEC were generally depressed near industrial sourecs of air pollutants. The author found a total 7 species near sources of air pollutants and 13 species at the utmost plot from air pollutants. Number of individuals, species diversity, evenness, similarity index and biomass were generally depressed near the industrial source of air pollutants. Tolerant plants to air pollution is Cyperus amuricus, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Bidens bipinnata, Cocculus trilobus, Digtaria sanguinalis, Persicaria hydropiper, Pinus thunbergii, Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior, Rhododendron schlippenbachii and Robinia pseudoacacia. It contains 4.41ton/ha of aboveground biomass of Robinia pseudoacacia in damaged forest by air pollution and 39.47ton/ha of it in the non-attacked forest. The annual net production is 0.67ton/ha. yr in damaged forest and $7.73ton/ha{\cdot}yr$ in the non-attacked forest.

• 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.