• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.71-84
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• 2013

This study investigated some of the specific ecological characteristics Torreya nucifera forest and its health conditions so that was drawn from four different management strategies, such as Types A, B, C, and D, for protected areas of forest genetic resources. Type A refers to passive management which routinely keeps the current status of forests by removing competitive trees or curing damaged ones. Type B, as active one which improves Torreya nucifera forest, includes increase of soil pH and removal of Sasa borealis, Phyllostachys bambusoides, and deciduous broad-leaved trees such as Quercus variabilis, Carpinus tschonoskii et al.. Type C is another passive one which reduces soil acidity within Chamae cyparisobtusa forest and maintains the existing forests. Type D is another active one which decreases soil acidity and simultaneously reduces problems associated with competitive and invasive plants to nurture the young trees. At last, it is important to note that the protected areas for forest genetic resources need to be entitled to categories III(natural monument) or IV(habitat/species management area) in accordance with protected area management guidelines of IUCN.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2019

While the expansion of protected areas in accordance with Korea's National Biodiversity Strategy contributions to the conservation of biological diversity, it incurs economic losses and poses threats to the livelihoods of local residents. Payment for ecosystem services (PES) compensates local residents for their economic damages in a sustainable manner. To assess feasibility of PES, there is a need to estimate the general public's benefits from biodiversity conservation in protected areas. This study attempted to estimate visitors' willingness to pay (WTP) for biodiversity conservation in Mt. Jiri using the contingent valuation method (CVM). The WTP of respondents for the expansion of protected areas to increase biodiversity conservation was estimated at 16,103 KRW per household per year and this equates to a total of 316.8 billion KRW for all the households in Korea. The higher a respondent's age, education level and household income level, the more willing he or she is to pay for biodiversity conservation. Likewise, respondents who are aware of Mt. Jiri's designation as an Ecosystem and Landscape Conservation Area are more willing to pay for biodiversity conservation. Moreover, the higher the importance placed on biodiversity conservation policy, the higher the willingness to pay for biodiversity conservation. To enhance the feasibility of PES schemes, it is necessary to improve the general public's knowledge and awareness of biodiversity by providing opportunities for education and more information on biodiversity and biodiversity policies.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1199-1208
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• 2019

Korea's protected horticulture is rapidly increasing in scale due to various advantages such as year-round harvesting, labor savings through automation and shortened culture period, and greater income generation. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of protected horticulture on water quality. The results of this study are expected to provide basic data contributing to improvements towards sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly design of protected horticulture complex. The average T-N and T-P loads from vinyl greenhouses were 286.55± 143.98 mg/L and 59.14±13.77 mg/L, respectively and those from glass greenhouses 380.68 ± 150.41 mg/L and 61.85±20.72 mg/L. The annual discharge of wastewater derived from the monthly discharge from the horticulture greenhouses were estimated at 2597 ton/ha, with the annual phosphorus load amounting to 155.3 kg/ha. The average T-N and T-P loads in the tested greenhouse effluents were in excess of 8.3- and 13.5-fold the standards for the Korean wastewater plant effluent. The waste nutrient solution discharged from a protected horticulture complex can cause water contamination. Therefore, there is a need to conduct follow-up research using a water purification system or a trench method to develop a eco-friendly protected horticulture complex for sustainable agriculture.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.277-290
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• 2013

This study was carried out to propose the new procedure to apply Habitat Evaluation Procedure(HEP) of target species using delphi technique, which is suitable to develop endangered species with few researches and ecological knowledges. To identify habitat quality of specific species in development project site, we can develop habitat model and create habitat suitability maps. In this study, we select the Common Kestrel(Falco tinnunculus) as target species in four areas(Paju, Siheung, Ansan, Hwaseong) which is located near the Seoul metropolitan area. The Delphi technique was selected to get the reliable information on the species and habitats requirements. Through the delphi approach, seven habitat components were determined as suitable variables for the Common Kestrel: density($n/km^2$) of small mammals, area($km^2$) of bare-grounds, pasturelands and riparian, and open area(%), spatial distribution and area of croplands, landscape diversity, breeding sites(tall trees, cliffs, high-rise buildings), and the length of shelf. Habitat variables used in this model were classified into two categories: % of suitable land-cover type(open areas, croplands, pasturelands, wetlands, and baregrounds) and the quality of feeding sites(within 250m from edges of woodlands). Habitat quality of the Common Kestrel was assessed against occurred sites derived from the nationwide survey. Predicted habitat suitability map were closely related to the observed sites of the endangered avian species in the study areas. With the habitat suitability map of the Common Kestrel, we assess the environmental impacts with habitat loss after development project in environmental impact assessment.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.803-815
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• 2017

In this study of the oak wilt disease that has occurred in a large scale in a protected area located near South Korea's metropolitan region, a detailed analysis has been conducted on the terrain, species and Diameters at Breast Height (DBH) of infected trees to identify the distribution of infection properties in the affected area. Taking into consideration the distribution of oak tree vegetation, a total of 4,640 quadrats in a size of 10 m by 10 m, have been set; and oak tree species, the DBH and infection damage per quadrat have been investigated. Geological properties have been analyzed according to elevation, slope, aspect and micro topography while a weighted value has been given according to the degree of infection in order to calculate an infection index. Through correlation analysis, the infection ratio of seriously-damaged and withered trees and the infection index have been analyzed with regards to the geological properties, tree species and DBH. The analysis shows that the disease tends to affect an area with medium elevation rather than those in the highest or lowest areas and that serious damage has been observed at rugged spots with a steep gradient (more than $30^{\circ}$). Although there has been no distinct tendency with regards to aspect, the infection ratio is relatively high in areas facing the north while the seriously-damaged and withered ratio are high in areas facing the south. In terms of micro topography, more damage has been spotted in valley terrain. Quercus mongolica has sustained more damage than other species. When it comes to the DBH, as seen in previous studies, large trees have suffered severe damage, but the analysis has also revealed conspicuous damage to medium trees with a DBH of 15-20 cm, which had not previously been considered at high risk.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

The objective of this research is to study on the analysis of long-term performance characteristics of various solar thermal system for heating protected horticulture system for reducing heating cost, increasing the value of product by environment control, and developing advanced culture technology by deploying solar thermal system. Long term field test for the demonstration was carried out in horticulture complex in Jeju Island. Reliability and economic aspect of the system which was operated complementary with thermal storage and solar hot water generation were analyzed by investigating collector efficiency, operation performance, and control features. Optimum operating condition and its characteristics were closely investigated by changing the control condition based on the temperature difference which is the most important operating parameter. However, it is expected that, in high-insolation areas where large-scale ground storage is adaptable, solar system demonstrated in the research could be economically competitive and promisingly disseminate over various application areas.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.61-72
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• 2019

Background: Organic carbon stored in coastal wetlands, which comprises the major part of oceanic "blue carbon," is a subject of growing interest and concern. In this study, organic carbon storage in coastal wetlands and its economic value were estimated using the raw data of 25 studies related to soil carbon storage. Data were collected from three tidal flats (one protected and two developed areas) and two estuarine salt marshes (one protected and one restored area). Bulk density, soil organic matter content, and standing biomass of vegetation were all considered, with Monte Carlo simulation applied to estimate the uncertainty. Results: Mean carbon storage in two salt marshes ranged between 14.6 and $25.5kg\;C\;m^{-2}$. Mean carbon storage in tidal flats ranged from 18.2 to $28.6kg\;C\;m^{-2}$, with variability possibly related to soil texture. The economic value of stored carbon was estimated by comparison with the price of carbon in the emission trading market. The value of US $ $6600\;ha^{-1}$ is ~ 45% of previously estimated ecosystem services from fishery production and water purification functions in coastal areas. Conclusions: Although our study sites do not cover all types of large marine ecosystem, this study highlights the substantial contribution of coastal wetlands as carbon sinks and the importance of conserving these habitats to maximize their ecosystem services.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.101-113
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• 2011

The purpose of this study are to develop a SDSS (Spatial Decision Support System) that can incorporate diverse opinions of stakeholders related the designation of protected areas (PA), and to employ the model for the readjustment of the boundary line of the Jirisan National Park of Korea. The SDSS would lead to more rational and less controversial decision-making during the expansion or removal of PA in Korea. Research methods are as follows. Firstly, to select evaluation criteria for SDSS for PA designation by using expert interview and literature survey. Secondly, to measure their preferences on the designation of additional PA or the removal of a part of PA based on the opinions of various stakeholders such as local residents, environmental groups, or public officials. Thirdly, to produce conservation priority maps based on a multi-criteria decision making technique. The SDSS would be used to rational decision making for the expansion of PA or the release of a certain part of PA by reflecting diverse preferences on biodiversity conservation and economic interest of residents. The visualization of conservation priority maps would also increase the efficiency of such decision making processes. The evaluation criteria for the expansion of PA for biodiversity conservation includes vegetation conservation value, wildlife conservation value, and the habitats of key species. The evaluation criteria for the removal of PA includes the proximity to roads and the boundary of PA, land use types, and conservation zoning of the PA. Preference weights are based on data collected from the Jirisan National Park. Both the conservation priority and removal priority maps are based on land parcels so that property rights of all parcels would be correctly represented.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2024

According to the REDD+ program, it is necessary to monitor, quantify, and report forest conditions in protected land areas. The objectives of this work were to quantify the average monthly aerial net primary productivity (ANPP_MONTH) of semi-arid Chaco Forest at Copo National Park (CNP), Santiago del Estero, Argentina, during the period 2000-2023, as well as its spatial distribution and relationship, and its use efficiency (RUE) of average monthly rainfall (AMR). The ANPP_MONTH model accounted for 90% of the seasonal variability from October to May, the average seasonal ANPP_MONTH was 145 tons of dry matter per hectare (t dm/ha), being the maximum in January with 192 t dm/ha and the minimum in May with 91 t dm/ha. The surface area covered by ANPP_MONTH exhibited a consistent positive trend from October to May (t test=15.65, p<0.01). Strong and significant direct relationships were found between ANPP_MONTH and AMRs, linear models explaining 90% and 96% of the variability, respectively. The results obtained become reference values for assessing the capacity of the forest systems to stock carbon for global warming mitigation and for monitoring and controlling their response to extreme climatic adversities. The average ANPP_MONTH reduces uncertainty when defining the thresholds to monitor and quantify ANPP and forest area, thus facilitating the detection of negative changes in land use in CNP. Such results evidence the National Parks Administration's high effectiveness for the maintenance of protected area and for the high ANPP of the FCHS of CNP in the period 2000-2023.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.193-203
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• 2021

As endangered species are gradually increasing due to land development by humans, it is essential to secure sufficient protected areas (PAs) proactively. Therefore, this study checked priority conservation areas to select candidate PAs when considering the impact of land development. We determined the conservation priorities by analyzing four scenarios based on existing conservation areas and reflecting the development impact using MARXAN, the decision-making support software for the conservation plan. The development impact was derived using the developed area ratio, population density, road network system, and traffic volume. The conservation areas of endangered species were derived using the data of the appearance points of birds, mammals, and herptiles from the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey. These two factors were used as input data to map conservation priority areas with the machine learning-based optimization methodology. The result identified many non-PAs areas that were expected to play an important role conserving endangered species. When considering the land development impact, it was found that the areas with priority for conservation were fragmented. Even when both the development impact and existing PAs were considered, the priority was higher in areas from the current PAs because many road developments had already been completed around the current PAs. Therefore, it is necessary to consider areas other than the current PAs to protect endangered species and seek alternative measures to fragmented conservation priority areas.