• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2012

To provide the basic information for preservation and reasonable management plan of Abies koreana population, vegetation structure and growing condition by altitude were analyzed. Six sites($400m^2$) were set up along the Georim valley in Mt. Jiri from 1,000m to 1,500m. The importance value of A. koreana in tree layer was the highest at 1,400m(site V) and 1,500m(site VI), and that of Quercus mongolica in the other site was high. In subtree layer, the importance value of A. koreana was the highest at site VI which located at 1,500m above the level of the sea. In DBH distribution, A. koreana population distributed evenly at all DBH class(below 10cm, 11-20cm, 21-30cm, above 31cm). Since 2000, the amount of tree-ring growth of A. koreana at site I, II, III, IV, V, and VI were 1.002, 0.996, 1.752, 1.850, 1.198, 0.984 mm/yr, which has decreased slowly in time for 2000, except site III.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.515-521
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• 2015

There is an increasing concern over heavy metal(loid) contamination of soil in agricultural areas including paddy soils. This study was conducted to monitor the background levels of heavy metal(loid)s, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in major rice growing soils and its accumulation in brown rice in Korea. The samples were collected from 82 sites nationwide in the year 2012. The mean and range values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in paddy soils were 4.41 (0.16-18.9), 0.25 (0.04-0.82), 13.24 (3.46-27.8), 0.047 (0.01-0.20), 13.60 (3.78-35.0), 21.31 (8.47-36.7), and 54.10 $(19.19-103.0)mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. This result indicated that the heavy metal(loid) levels in all sampled paddy soils are within the permissible limits of the Korean Soil Environment Conservation Act. The mean and range values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in brown rice were 0.146 (0.04-0.38), 0.024 (0.003-0.141), 4.27 (1.26-16.98), 0.0024 (0.001-0.008), 0.345 (0.04-2.77), 0.113 (0.04-0.197), and 22.64 $(14.1-35.1)mg\;kg^{-1}$, respectively. The mean and range BCF (bioconcentration factor) values of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in brown rice were 0.101 (0.01-0.91), 0.121 (0.01-0.70), 0.399 (0.05-2.60), 0.061 (0.016-0.180), 0.033 (0.004-0.44), 0.005 (0.003-0.013), and 0.473 (0.19-1.07), respectively, with Zn showing the highest. The results show that the levels of all metal(loid)s in all sampled brown rice are generally within the acceptable limit for human consumption.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 2021

This study was conducted to develop a habitat type classification system and its map based on the ecological characteristics of species, spatial type, vegetation, topography, and geological conditions preferred by species. To evaluate the relationships between species and their habitats in Korean national parks, we prepared a classification standard table for systematic classification of habitat types. This classification system divides habitats into 6 low-level and 59 mid-level ecological classes based on habitat structure. The mid-level system divided forest ecosystems into 20 subtypes, stream and wetland ecosystems into 8 types, coastal ecosystems into 7 types, arable land into 6 types, development land into 9 types, and 1 type of marine ecosystem. A habitat classification map was drawn utilizing square images, detailed vegetation maps, and forest stand maps, based on the above habitat classification system, and it covered 1,461 plots spanning 21 national parks. The habitat classification system and survey protocol, which consider domestic habitat conditions, should be further developed and applied to habitat assessment, to enhance the utility of this study.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.174-189
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• 2012

This study aims to examine the traditional living space to reflect the environment-friendly design methods and principles of reestablishment. To do so, this study carried on a related literature study and field survey. The traditional living space in terms of the environmental friendliness is reflected on site selection and space composition, and utilization of natural energy and natural materials. Focused on the Kwangajeong in Yangdong Village, this study is to identify eco-friendly techniques on the traditional living space. As a result, it shows that Kwangajeong with the side of the southeast in site selection had been considered in aspect of environmental control such as sunshine and solar radiation. Also building construction techniques had been used to minimize the variation of terrain. In aspect of environmental conservation, Kwangajeong had structurally arranged the gate, an inner yard and an inner floor to allow good ventilation. In aspect of space composition, Kwangajeong with the emphasis of scenic view had utilized the methods that attract external landscape through the control of its fences. Environment-friendly techniques and control principles in traditional space had been developed by a long experience through the long periods and the traditional techniques suitable for local climate and local environment have been developed. The technical development of these techniques to resolve the global environmental and energy issues and create a more pleasant living environment of human beings might be critical.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.164-177
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• 2011

This study aims to examine the traditional living space to reflect the environment-friendly design methods and principles of reestablishment. To do so, this study carried on a related literature study and field survey. The traditional living space in terms of the environmental friendliness is reflected on site selection and space composition, and utilization of natural energy and natural materials. Focused on the Kwangajeong in Yangdong Village, this study is to identify eco-friendly techniques on the traditional living space. As a result, it shows that Kwangajeong with the side of the southeast in site selection had been considered in aspect of environmental control such as sunshine and solar radiation. Also building construction techniques had been used to minimize the variation of terrain. In aspect of environmental conservation, Kwangajeong had structurally arranged the gate, an inner yard and an inner floor to allow good ventilation. In aspect of space composition, Kwangajeong with the emphasis of scenic view had utilized the methods that attract external landscape through the control of its fences. Environment-friendly techniques and control principles in traditional space had been developed by a long experience through the long periods and the traditional techniques suitable for local climate and local environment have been developed. The technical development of these techniques to resolve the global environmental and energy issues and create a more pleasant living environment of human beings might be critical.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.483-494
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• 2021

This study was carried out to investigate the feasibility of reducing clean cover soil using a flooded column test in arsenic-contaminated farmland reclamation of abandoned coal mine area that shows generally low or about worrisome level (25 mg/kg) of Korea soil environment conservation act unlike abandoned metal mine. During the monitoring period of soil solution for 4 months, chemical properties (pH, EC, ORP, Fe, Mn, Ca, and As) in each layer (clean soil cover and contaminated/stabilized soil) showed different variation. This result revealed that soil solution in stabilized or contaminated soil rarely affected that in cover soil. Whether stabilized or not, arsenic concentrations in the rice roots grown in the soil covers with the thickness of 40 cm decreased by 98% in compared with the that grown in the control soil. In case of the soil covers with 20 cm thickness on stabilized soil, it decreased by 80% and this was 22 percentage point higher than when the soil of lower layer was not stabilized. Thus, reducing clean cover soil could be possible in contaminated farmland soil reclamation if appropriate stabilization of contaminated soil is carried.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 2022

For effective preservation of the rocks, which bearing plant fossils at Gumkwangdong Formation, Pohang, the properties of rock and treatment of chemicals were examined in an artificial weathering test. The rocks are diatomaceous siliceous mudstone, which contain a small amount of smectite and has developed laminated layers. The rocks react with water, the d₀₀₁ spacing of smectite was increased. On the one hand, the physical properties of the rock samples, such as surface hardness, improved after the application of ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener. On the other hand, the spacing of interlayer of swelling clay minerals decreased and spacing of laminae layer increased. When the ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener was applied after pretreatment with a swelling inhibitor, interlayer and spacing of laminae changes were similar to those when only the stone strengthener was treated. The effect of the swelling inhibitor was almost negligible. When the rocks that have been conserved with chemicals react with water, spacing of laminae has widened much, whereas when the rocks was in contact with moisture only, there was little change. In addition, if it is placed in the outdoor after conservation treatment, although it occurs slightly slower than the untreated rock, the separation of the lamination layer and the pulverization of the rock occur within a very short time. Consolidation is required to improve the physical properties of fossil rock, but when exposed to rain and undergoing freeze-thaw process, the effect is lost very quickly. Therefore, regardless of the chemical treatment, it is a priority to prevent direct rainfall contact with the rock.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.644-658
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• 2021

Understanding the functional traits of dominant species in urban ecosystems provides insight into species' trait adaptation and ecosystem function in response to fragmented and isolated urban vegetation and reduced biological interactions. This study compared means and variances of environmental factors (geographic, meteorological, and soil attributes) and 4 leaf traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry mass content, and leaf shape index) and 7 reproductive traits (fruit width, fruit length, fruit shape, fruit dry weight, fruit dry matter content, seed weight, and seed ratio) measured of 40 Sorbus alnifolia individuals in four mountainous areas south of Seoul downtown, South Korea. We then performed the multivariate analysis of trait combinations. While the measured environmental factors indicated the individuality of the survey sites, the urban vegetation was drier and had a longer growth period. The leaves of S. alnifolia in the urban areas were smaller and heavier, and the fruits produced longer and lighter seeds, showing the traits affected by long urbanization. The study confirmed changes in the growth and reproduction mechanism of the S. alnifolia population under the urban environment, indicating reduced biological interaction due to vegetation fragmentation and isolation. This study provides limited but distinct ecological information about the function and persistence of key species in cities with a reduced scale of biological interactions and many negative environmental factors such as air pollution.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2021

In 2012, the National Park Service conducted an ecological health assessment to efficiently preserve and manage the ecosystem. The need for improving pre-existing management indicators was recognized from the revised Natural Park Act because, while the indicators of the existing evaluation system focused on endangered species, ecosystem disturbance, diversity, water quality (BOD, DO), and habitat fragmentation, they did not reflect the lack of indicators for marine ecological assessment, policy changes, and the time demands. The evaluation results comprised a five-point grading system, which made the analysis of immediate changes, difficult. Therefore, the benthic pollution index (BPI) and habitat restoration indicators were added to improve the evaluation system. The National Park was assessed using 10 classifications, however, only four classifications were evaluated. The ratings were divided into five states, and ten classes were presented as pictograms. The assessment results showed a similar trend as the indicators were improved, increasing from level 3 to level 5. However, the results of the Wolaksan National Park after improvement in the indicators were lower than that before the improvement, whereas, for the Juwangsan National Park, it was higher. This study aims at contributing to the scientific and systematic management of the national park ecosystem by improving the ecological health assessment system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.3
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• pp.345-356
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• 2022

Yokjido is a 15-km² inhabited island located at the tip of the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Its forest is mostly composed of substitutional vegetation. Our aim was to provide basic information necessary for the conservation and management of the forest vegetation in Yokjido. We classified the types of existing vegetation using methods of the Zurich-Montpellier school of phytosociology. The resulting vegetation map shows the dominant tree species in the top canopy-layer. A total of 8 vegetation types were identified, which were arranged into a vegetation unit hierarchy of 2 communities, 4 sub-communities, 6 variants, and 2 subvariants. Evaluations of each type showed large and small differences in floristic composition, which reflect anthropogenic influences, site conditions, succession stages, and the establishment period. Moreover, vegetation types differed significantly in terms of species diversity indices; in particular, overall species richness, species diversity, and species evenness tended to increase significantly as the elevation increased. The herbaceous plant species showed the highest positive (+) correlation to x. These results were consistent with those of McCain, who reported that species diversity increases in mountainous areas with relatively low elevations due to the mid-domain effect. The forest succession in Yokjido will potentially enter a mixed-forest stage and then proceed to become an all-evergreen broad-leaved forest.