• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.289-302
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• 2018

The study investigated the forest vegetation in 59 plots between June 2017 and August 2017 to understand the forest vegetation structure of the protected zone for forest genetic resource conservation (forest genetic resource reserve area) in Heuksando Island. We classified the vegetation using the Z-M phytosociological method analyzed the importance value and species diversity of each vegetation classification. The analysis showed the Camellia japonica community group at a top level of forest vegetation hierarchy. In the level of community, it was classified into Dendropanax morbiferus community (Vegetation unit 1; VU 1), Carpinus turczaninowii community, and C. japonica typical community (VU 6). C. turczaninowii community was subdivided into Buxus koreana group (VU 2), Rhododendron mucronulatum group (VU 3), Vitis amurensis group (VU 4) and C. turczaninowii typical group (VU 5). Therefore, it was classified into a total of six vegetation units (one community group, three communities, and four groups). The analysis of the mean codominant value of each VU show that Quercus acuta was the highest in VU 1, C. turczaninowii in VU 2, Pinus thunbergii in VU 3, Pinus densiflora in VU 4, and Castanopsis sieboldii in VU 5 and VU 6. The analysis of species diversity showed that VU 2 was the highest among six units in species richness index, species diversity index, and species evenness index. VU 6 showed the highest among six units in species dominance index. In conclusion, a synecology approach to manage six units and twelve species groups was needed for the forest vegetation of Heuksando Island protected area for forest genetic resource conservation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2017

Korean Red Pine (Pinus densiflora) has been protected and used as the most ecologically and socio-culturally important tree species in Korea. However, as dieback of Korean red pines has occurred in the protected area of the forest genetic resources. The aims of this study is to identify causes for dieback of pine tree by investigating topographical characteristics of pine tree dieback and its correlation to meteorological factors. We extracted the dead trees from the time series aerial images and analyzed geomorphological characteristics of dead tree concentration area. As a result, 1,956 dead pine trees were extracted in the study region of 2,600 ha. Dieback of pine trees was found mostly in the areas with high altitude, high solar radiation, low topographic wetness index, south and south-west slopes, ridgelines, and high wind exposure compared to other living pine forest area. These areas are classified as high temperature and high drought stress regions due to micro-climatic characteristics affected by topographic factors. As high temperature and drought stress are generally increasing with climate change, we can evaluated that a risk of pine tree dieback is also increasing. Based on these geomorphological characteristics, we developed a pine tree dieback risk map using Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt), and it can be useful for establishing Korean red pine protection and management strategies.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.242-257
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• 2019

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) stretches two kilometers north and south from the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) of South and North Korea. This area was established as a weapons-free buffer zone when an armistice agreement was signed in 1953. However, there have been several very high-tension military standoffss over the past 65 years. On the South Korean side, civilian access to the Civilian Control Line (CCL) and beyond to the north has been restricted, and natural heritage has been well maintained. Natural heritage is defined as living things, their habitat and non-living things of the ecosystem which deserve to be protected. Research shows that a variety of flora and fauna, their habitat, marshes and geographical structures are found across the DMZ region. Although the DMZ region has not been such a good place for habitat conservation, we can say that this area may be the best location for restoration in terms of its variety of ecosystems and considerable land size. Restoration of course depends on future plans and management policies. This area, including the DMZ and the well-protected north of the CCL, will be the best habitat for endangered species of wild fauna and flora if we classify the various habitat types and create a habitat map. In doing this project, we need to include the estuary of the Han River and the lagoon (brackish water lake) of the East Sea coast. In addition, we must establish long-term plans for conservation and sustainable use and do international scientific research across the DMZ region in collaboration with scientists of South and North Korea and international experts. Mutual cooperation between the two Koreas for investigation and conservation efforts is paramount.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2020

Macromia daimoji nymphs (Endangered Species II) are known to inhabit the Naeseong Stream in Korea. In March 2019, we performed a correlation analysis between sediment particle size and the M. daimoji population using data collected from a 0.2-㎡ area at 37 sites in Naeseong riverbed. Particle size analysis showed different ratios of sediments in the riverbed: Coarse Sand (500-1,000 ㎛) 52.5%; Very Coarse Sand (1,000-2,000 ㎛) 25.6%; Medium Sand (250-500 ㎛) 17.2%; Fine Sand (125-250 ㎛) 3.1%; Very Fine Sand (63-125 ㎛) 1.0%; and Silt (less than 63 ㎛) 0.7%. The number of M. daimoji nymphs showed a positive correlation with Very Fine Sand and Fine Sand and a negative correlation with Coarse Sand, indicating that M. daimoji nymphs inhabit fine sand. These results can be used to monitor changes in the riverbed environment of Naeseong Stream to ensure the conservation of M. daimoji habitat.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2022

In this study, the vascular plants of the Mt. Deokhangsan protected area were surveyed for the purpose of forest genetic resources conservation in Gangwon-do, South Korea. The flora on Mt. Deokhangsan were classified as follows 537 taxa, 90 families, 302 genera, 479 species, 4 subspecies, 51 varieties, and 3 forms. Among the taxa, 19 were Korean endemic plants and 17 were rare and endangered plants. Plants as indicators of limestone areas were found in 33 taxa. Naturalized plants were found in 27 taxa and species threatened by climate change were found in 33 taxa, including 11 endemic plant taxa and 22 northern plant taxa. Plants endemic to Korea and northern plants were mainly found at the study site, whereas southern plants were not found. Thus, Mt. Deokhangsan apparently has an environment suitable for the growth of northern plants.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2010

Mangroves are special plant communities that live along intertidal zones in tropical and subtropical areas. They are regarded as one of the most important types of natural ecosystem in the world because of the many ecosystem functions that they perform, of which water purification is the most complex. Mangrove ecosystems are conducive to the deposition and retention of heavy metals. So it is important to understand the impact of heavy metals on mangrove ecosystems, and especially on soil subsystems. We examined the levels of heavy metals in the soil of mangroves in the Dongzhaigang Mangrove National Nature Reserve. Dongzhaigang, the first mangrove nature reserve established in China, is located south of Haikou in Hainan Island and encompasses $33.37\;km^2$, of which mangroves comprise $20.56\;km^2$. To assess the impact of human activities, we collected a large number of soil samples in four sampling areas (the protection station, the harbor, a tour area, and Yeboluo island) in the study area. We measured the concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd in the soil samples using the spectra of polyatomic molecules. The average concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cd were $5.04\;{\mu}g/g$, $10.36\;{\mu}g/g$, $20.06\;{\mu}g/g$ and $0.06\;{\mu}g/g$, respectively, and the heavy metal concentrations were lowest in the protected area, highest in the harbor, and intermediate in Yeboluo Island and the tour area. The heavy metal concentrations in the soil collected from different sample plots are related not only to the physical and chemical properties of the soil, but also to the heavy metal emitted by nearby pollution sources. Our analysis indicates that tourist boats are the main pollution sources in the study area.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2014

DMZ has a lot of natural resources. Also there is very important position as a ecological and geographical. Meanwhile, development schemes and plans were established but that was development to only simple plan such as a tourism and income without communication with local residents. This study was tried to exhibit increasing income of residents in DMZ area using FGI (Focus Group Interview) and SWOT analysis. First of all, analyzed the status of forest resources and carried out a Focus Group Interview targeting residents who live in around DMZ, and then suggest an alternative to increasing income and regional development in Yanggu-gun by SWOT strategies. As a result, realistic plan for achieving regional development is deregulation of the laws related to forest land use conversion for the forest product in DMZ area. Military experts and forest experts have to inspect the area for considering the practical application of the regulation in protected areas directly. National or local government has to effort pursuing future business for regional development through the communication with residents in DMZ area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2007

DMZ (De-Militalized Zone) in South Korea is world heritage area by passage control of human-being for more than 50 years since 1953. Wild flora and fauna in these area have been protected from any development and/or habitat destruction. However, consideration on ecosystem and nature in the area is becoming higher, and demand for development is raising also. We have reviewed any publications, which are surveyed about ecosystem and interview local residents about wildlife inherit there. Totally 51 species have been reported inhabited DMZ belonging to 17 Families, 6 Orders, so far. National monuments in DMZ are following; Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), KOREAN goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus), flying squirrel (Pteromys volans) and spotted seal (Phoca vitalima). These results would be an essential data to establish management strategy and manuals for conserving native ecosystem, native flora and fauna in DMZ, and also using for registering world heritage area under UNESCO.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.167-179
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• 2023

The extent of change in the Land use/Land cover (LULC) of Okomu National Park (ONP) and fringe communities was evaluated. High resolution Landsat imagery was used to identify the major vegetation cover/land use systems and changes around the national park and fringe communities while field visits/ground truthing, involving the collection of coordinates of the locations was carried out to ascertain the various land cover/land use types identified on the images, and the extent of change over three-time series (2000, 2010 and 2020). The change detection was analyzed using area calculation, change detection by nature and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The result of the classification and analysis of the LULC Change of ONP and fringe communities revealed an alarming rate of encroachment into the protected area. All the classification features analyzed had notable changes from 2000-2020. The forest, which was the dominant LULC feature in 2000, covering about 66.19% of the area reduced drastically to 36.12% in 2020. Agricultural land increased from 6.14% in 2000 to 34.06% in 2020 while vegetation (degraded land) increased from 27.18% in 2000 to 38.89% in 2020. The magnitude of the change in ONP and surroundings showed the forest lost -247.136 km² (50.01%) to other land cover classes with annual rate change of 10%, implying that 10% of forest land was lost annually in the area for 20 years. The NDVI classification values of 2020 indicate that the increase in medium (399.62 km² ) and secondary high (210.17 km² ) vegetation classes which drastically reduced the size of the high (38.07 km² ) vegetation class. Consequent disappearance of the high forests of Okomu is inevitable if this trend of exploitation is not checked. It is pertinent to explore other forest management strategies involving community participation.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.393-401
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• 2017

The nitrate ($NO_3{^-}$) accumulation of hydroponically grown leafy vegetables may increase in the condition of a closed-type plant production system with low light intensity due to low activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen assimilation and the use of $NO_3-N$ as major nitrogen source. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of light intensities, nutrient solution compositions and the time of nutrient solution removal before harvest on nitrate contents of hydroponically-grown lettuces in a closed plant production system. The reduction of nitrate contents in leafy lettuces 'Cheongchima' was higher in the treatments of 'TW' (nutrient solution removal) and '$(NH_4)_2CO_3$' (use of ammonium carbonate as nitrogen source) than those in other treatments, which significantly lowered fresh weight and leaf area of the plants. In the light intensity of $100{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, the nitrate content was effectively reduced without causing any growth retardation, by substitution of the nutrient solution composition that $NO_3-N$ was removed ('$NO_3-N$ removal' treatment) or the half strength of standard nutrient solution was applied ('1/2 S' treatment), for 7days before harvest. The effects of light intensity and the time of nutrient solution removal before harvest on growth and nitrate contents in leafy lettuces were investigated. The nitrate contents in leaves under the light condition of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ before nutrient solution removal were lower than those of 100 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$. The removal of nutrient solution for 7 days before harvest quickly reduced the amount of nitrates in leaves in all the light intensities with a greater degree under the $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ of light condition, while the 7 days-removal with both 200 and $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ of light conditions caused decrease in 16~31% of leaf area and 20~35% of fresh weight, compared to the 3 days-removal treatment. The nitrate contents were greatly reduced from 3,018 to 1,035 in $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, and 2,021 to 480 ppm in the light condition of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$, with the nutrient solution removal for 3 days before harvest, without causing any deterioration in growth and product quality. The vitamin C contents in leaves were higher in the treatment of nutrient solution removal for both 3 and 5 days before harvest with the light condition of $300{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$ than those in the light condition of 100 or $200{\mu}mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}s^{-1}$.