• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.140-150
• /
• 2023

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is an apex predator of the riparian ecosystem. It is a keystone and an indicator species; consequently, its presence suggests a sustainable water environment. Otter is a keystone species as a predator at the top of the food web in the aquatic environment and an indicator species representing the health of the aquatic environment. Although Eurasian otters disappeared from the Han River urban water system because of anthropogenic activities like habitat destruction, poaching, and environmental pollution in the 1980s, the species were sighted in the Cheonggye Stream, Jungrang Stream, and Seongnae Stream, which are urban sections of the Han River, in 2016 and 2021. Therefore, it is pertinent to assess the habitat potential in the area for conservation and management measures to ensure its permanent presence. However, existing studies on otter habitats focused on natural rivers and reservoirs, and there is a limit to applying them to habitats artificially confined habitats in narrow spaces such as tributaries in urban areas of the Han River. This study selected the Cheonggye Stream, an artificially restored urban stream, to evaluate its potential as a habitat for Eurasian otters in urban water environments using the habitat suitability index (HSI). The HSI was calculated with selected environment attributes, such as the cover, food, and threat, that best describe the L. lutra habitat. According to the results, the confluence area of Seongbuk Stream and Cheonggye Stream and the confluence area of Cheonggye Stream and Jungnang Stream were suitable otter habitats, requiring appropriate conservation efforts. The HSI model suggests a valuable method to assess the habitat quality of Eurasian otters in urban water environments. The study is crucial as it can help rehabilitate the species' populations by identifying and managing potential Eurasian otter habitats in highly urbanized areas of the Han River basin and its tributaries.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.56 no.4
• /
• pp.406-413
• /
• 2023

Captive breeding and reintroduction are crucial strategies for conserving endangered species populations. However, fish raised in predator-free environments, show a lack of recognition of predationrelated stimuli such as chemical and visual signals. It is critical to recognize chemical signals from injured conspecifics, also known as alarm signals, and the order or shape of predators to indicate the spread of predation risk in the habitat. We conducted a laboratory experiment to determine and adjust the optimal exposure period to induce appropriate anti-predator behavior response to different types of stimuli (Chemical, Visual and Chemical+Visual) for the endangered species Microphysogobio rapidus. Our results demonstrate that predator avoidance behavior varies depending on the types of stimuli and the duration of predation risk exposure. First, the results showed captive-breed M. rapidus show lack of response against conspecific alarm signal (Chemical cue) before the predation risk exposure period and tend to increase response over predation risk exposure time. Second, response to predator (visual cue) tend to peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, but show dramatic decrease after 72 hours cumulative exposure. Finally, response to the mixed cue (Chemical+visual) tend to peak prior to the predation risk exposure period and show reduced response during subsequent exposure periods. This experiment confirms the lack of responsiveness to conspecific alarm signals in captive-bred M. rapidus and the need for an optimal nature behavior enhancement program prior to release of endangered species. Furthermore, responsiveness to predator visual signal peak at 48 hours cumulative exposure, suggest an optimal predation risk exposure period of up to 48 hours.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.155-164
• /
• 2023

Sedirea japonica is one of the critically endangered species in South Korea mostly due to artificial harms such as illegal collection and habitat destruction. Therefore, artificial propagation through improving germination rate, increasing growth, and controlling flowering is meaningful for the conservation and reintroduction of S. japonica. It is suggested that cytokinins are one of the multi-factors that contribute to plant growth and floral responses. Especially, exogenous cytokinins have been known to induce or promote shoot growth or earlier flowering in orchids. Therefore, it was investigated how the application of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) influenced the growth and inflorescence of S. japonica. A foliar spray containing BA at 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm was applied from 1st July to 30th December 2021. Leaf length, leaf length growth rate, leaf width, and width and length ratio were measured as growth-related factors. Visible inflorescence rate, inflorescence length, the number of flowers per inflorescence, and the distance between the stalks were measured as flowering-related factors. Growth-related factors except for leaf growth rate were not affected by BA treatments, while leaf growth rate was significantly increased by 200 ppm of BA treatment. The visible inflorescence rate increased by 200 ppm of BA treatment, and there seems an optimal concentration and threshold of BA treatment. An iterative experiment with more seedlings and measurement factors would be helpful to figure out the effects of exogenous BA treatment on S. japonica, and it can be applied for mass propagation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.197-207
• /
• 2016

This study aims at providing basic data to objectively evaluate the areas suitable for reintroduction of the species of Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in order to effectively preserve the Asiatic black bears in the Korean protection areas including national parks, and for the species restoration success. To this end, this study predicted the potential habitats in East Asia, Southeast Asia and India, where there are the records of Asiatic black bears' appearances using the Maxent model and environmental variables related with climate, topography, road and land use. In addition, this study evaluated the effects of the relevant climate and environmental variables. This study also analyzed inhabitation range area suitable for Asiatic black and geographic change according to future climate change. As for the judgment accuracy of the Maxent model widely utilized for habitat distribution research of wildlife for preservation, AUC value was calculated as 0.893 (sd=0.121). This was useful in predicting Asiatic black bears' potential habitat and evaluate the habitat change characteristics according to future climate change. Compare to the distribution map of Asiatic black bears evaluated by IUCN, Habitat suitability by the Maxent model were regionally diverse in extant areas and low in the extinct areas from IUCN map. This can be the result reflecting the regional difference in the environmental conditions where Asiatic black bears inhabit. As for the environment affecting the potential habitat distribution of Asiatic black bears, inhabitation rate was the highest, according to land coverage type, compared to climate, topography and artificial factors like distance from road. Especially, the area of deciduous broadleaf forest was predicted to be preferred, in comparison with other land coverage types. Annual mean precipitation and the precipitation during the driest period were projected to affect more than temperature's annual range, and the inhabitation possibility was higher, as distance was farther from road. The reason is that Asiatic black bears are conjectured to prefer more stable area without human's intervention, as well as prey resource. The inhabitation range was predicted to be expanded gradually to the southern part of India, China's southeast coast and adjacent inland area, and Vietnam, Laos and Malaysia in the eastern coastal areas of Southeast Asia. The following areas are forecast to be the core areas, where Asiatic black bears can inhabit in the Asian region: Jeonnam, Jeonbuk and Gangwon areas in South Korea, Kyushu, Chugoku, Shikoku, Chubu, Kanto and Tohoku's border area in Japan, and Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian border area in China. This study is expected to be used as basic data for the preservation and efficient management of Asiatic black bear's habitat, artificially introduced individual bear's release area selection, and the management of collision zones with humans.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.512-521
• /
• 2001

Recently. the reintroduction of air-abrasion technology in dentistry has added a new potential method of pretreating teeth prior to placing sealants. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate microleakages of several pit and fissure sealants following various surface pre-treatment methods to the enamel, because there was a question concerning the validity of claim that this method was better than the conventional acid etching. Permanent molars were divided randomly into nine groups and treated accordingly: acid etching(group 1, 4, 7), air-abrasion(group 2, 5, 8), acid etching after air-abrasion(group 3, 6, 9). Then the authors placed and cured the three kinds of sealants(group $1\sim3$: Teethmate-F, group $4\sim6$: Ultraseal XT plus, group $7\sim9$: Denseal) according to the manufacturer's order. They were observed to determine the degree of microleakage. And these specimens were separated from the corresponding enamels and examined by Scanning Electron Microscope. The following results were obtained: 1. In comparing microleakage among tooth surface treatment methods, air-abrasion group(group 2, 5, 8) showed the greatest microleakage, while combination(air-abrasion + acid etching) group showed the least (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found between group 7 and 9. 2. The mean microleakages were ranked as follows(p<0.05): In acid etching groups, group 7> group 4> group 1. In air-abrasive groups, group 8>groups 5> group 2. In combination groups, group 9>group 3> group 6. However, no significant differences were found between group 4 and 7 between group 2 and 5 and between group 3 and 6. 3. SEM showed that comparably longer resin tags were distributed regularly in acid etching groups and that shorter ones irregularly in air-abrasion groups. It also showed that these two kinds of tags were distributed simultaneously in combination groups.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.126-149
• /
• 2020

Considering significant words that stand for the history of Paleolithic in North Korea, these can be summarized for each decade since the 1960s. The 1960s ought to be when the earliest discovery of a Paleolithic site was made by Korean hands. The 1970s might be the earliest period for textbooks being published that were geared towards increasing general understanding of the Paleolithic era in the Korean peninsula. The 1980s can be summarized as a period of reissued Paleolithic articles from a newly introduced archaeological journal. The 1990s witnessed efforts to formulate nationalistic interpretations about the Paleolithic period in Korea. The 2000s then synthesized several of these aspects of Paleolithic studies. Gulpori, the Paleolithic site that was discovered in the 1960s, holds significance not just because of the discovery itself, but because of its prompt acceptance by North Korean academic authorities. The publications that covered general understanding of Paleolithic archaeology such as Joseon Gogohag Gaeyo, Joseon-ui Guseoggisidae, and Joseonjeonsa: Wonsipyeon in the 1970s hold immense significance themselves, as they demonstrate contemporary achievements. Reintroduction of the archaeological Journal, Joseongogoyeongu in 1986, is the beacon of alleviation of conspicuous effect to the academic sector. During the 1990s, a new emphasis on nationalism influenced Paleolithic studies. In the 2000s, the formally constructed elements of Paleolithic research such as Paleolithic chronology, social evolution, lithic assemblage, Quaternary studies, and human evolution were consistently refined. Metaphorically speaking, these parts are like a polygonal structure. As is the case with a polygonal structure, these research aspects are united and work together. Each part affects the others. Although the content of each research aspect has been altered by either academic growth or sociopolitical agenda, the fundamental part of the polygonal structure is not likely to be changed. The structure is solid enough to continue to serve the purposes of North Korean Paleolithic studies. North Korean Paleolithic archaeology seems to be a juxtaposition; some parts are easily changed while others are not. In order to ascertain these, not only the academic but also the sociopolitical context should be followed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2016

Cymbidium kanran Makino is being threatened in its own habitats due illegal collecting and habitat changes by vegetation growth along historical landuse change. In this study, we established habitat restoration model for conservation of C. kanran based on ecological diagnosis. Through exploration to Jeju Island in 2014 and 2015, we identified 27 unknown habitats of C. kanran and in there, abiotic variables and vegetation structure and composition were quantified. Altitudinal distribution of C. kanran was between 200 m~700 m a.s.l. and compared to distribution in 2004, Area of Occupation (AOO) decreased at 82%. Specific habitat affinity was not observed by evenly found in mountain slope and valley and summergreen and evergreen broadleaved forests, but likely more abundant in valley habitats with higher soil and ambient moisture. Total of 96 individual of C. kanran was observed with an average density of $942.6individuals\;ha^{-1}$. The plants showed relatively short leaf length (average=$10.7cm{\pm}1.1cm$) and small number of pseudo bulbs ($1.2{\pm}0.2$). Flowering and fruiting individuals were not observed in field. C. kanran was classified into endangered plant species as CR (Critically Endangered) category by IUCN criteria. Phenotypic plasticity of C. kanran was likely support to sustain in more shaded habitat environment and recent habatat changes to closed canopy and low light availability may exhibit negatively effects to C. kanran's life history. Restoring C. kanran habitat should create open environment as grassland and low woody species density.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 1977

Anderson(1937), Power and Barnes(1941) reported a study concerning a method of tubal sterilization in association with peritoneoscopy or laparoscopy in which they cauterized the tubes. There appears to have been a hiatus of interest in sterilization (cold or hot) associated with laparoscopy until reintroduction by Palmer(1963), Frangenheim(1964) and Steptoe(1967). On the other hand, for interval female sterilization, however, minilaparotomy is relatively new. By Saunder and Munsick(1972), John Lyle(1974), Frank Stubb(1974), Vitoon(1973) and B.C. Bai(1975), their own technique for interval female sterilization requires 2.0 to 2.5cm, incision at the margin of the mons pubis. In Korea, female sterilization by means of minilaparotomy firstly reported by B.C. Bai using Bai's uterine elevator, of his own device, early in 1975. Recently inteval female sterilization by laparoscopy and minilaparotomy are widely accepted throughout the world especially in Asian countries. Minilaparotomy is carried out from 1974, laparoscopic sterilization from 1976, and in this study each of 250 cases of those were analysed and discussed for the comparison at Seoul Red Cross Hospital. (1) In the age distribution, numerous clients were in their age of $31{\sim}35$ in laparoscopy as well as minilaparotomy. Average 33.7 years in L and 33.2 years in M. (M=minilaparotomy, L=laparoscopic sterilization) (2) As regarding living children, women having 3 children represented the greatest number, 113 cases out of 250 in M group and 102 cases out of 250 in L group. Average No. of child are 2.9 in Land 3.1 in M. (3) Concidering the operation day in the menstrml cycle, the greatest number of cases, those who underwent tubal sterilization during the days of $26{\sim}$, next during the $6{\sim}10$ days of the cycle in both group. (4) Concidering the operation time, 188 cases by laparoscopy were performed in $6{\sim}10$ minutes, 33 cases within 5 minutes and 24 cases in $11{\sim}15$ minutes. Maximum 50 minutes, minimum 4 minutes and average 8.3 minutes. The majority of cases (154 cases) by minilaparotomy required $6{\sim}10$ minutes and 67 cases $11{\sim}15$ minutes, 6 cases within 5 minutes. Maximum 30 minutes, minimum 4 minutes and average 10.4, minutes. In both groups, most of the reasons for the extra length were surgical difficulties such as thick abdominal wall, pelvic adhesion, less cooperation of patients in early period of this study. (5) Hospital stay after operation in L group required $3{\sim}4$ hours in 125 cases, $2{\sim}3$ hours in 41 cases, $4{\sim}5$ hours in 32 cases out of 250. Maximum 8 hours, minimum 1 hour and average 3.8 hours. In M group hospital stay required $6{\sim}7$ hours in 100 cases, over 7 hours in 85 cases, $5{\sim}6$ hours in 46 cases and so on. Maximum 14 hours, minimum 2 hours and average 6.5 hours. (6) The time between operation and gas passing in the majority cases of both groups, were $12{\sim}36$ hours. A veragetime 20.3 hours in L and 27.2 in M. (7) Laparoscopic sterilization coincident with induced abortion were carried out in 27 cases, laparoscopy with minilaparotomy to control for mesosalpingeal hemorrhage in 1 case. Minilaparotomy coincident with induced abortion were performed in 65 cases, D and C whit polypectomy, menstrual regulatian, and remaval of IUD in 1 case respectively. (8) In L group, 1 case of mesosalpingeal hemorrhage, 1 case of abdominal wall infection were complicated during operation. In M group, 1 case of uterine perfaration, 1 case of abdominal wall infection, 1 case of hemorrhage from omentum and 1 case of bloody vaginal discharge were complicated. No intensive medical treatment was required for those minor complications in both groups. (9) No failure has been recognized and these two sterilization techniques might be the simple, safe and the most effective method for permanent contraception at present time. There is no significant clinical defference between L and M group in this study.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2021

Munseom (Island) is known as the largest native Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus in Korea. Recently, disease damage from the E. sylvestris var. ellipticus community has been reported in Munseom. This study was conducted to understand the damage situation and growth characteristics of the E. sylvestris var. ellipticus population in Munseom. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spontaneous regeneration potential of the community by grasping the characteristics of the population of surviving E. sylvestris var. ellipticus individuals, and to discuss ways to restore native habitats. A total population survey was conducted to determine the distribution status of E. sylvestris var. ellipticus individuals. The field survey carefully recorded the height of tree, DBH, DRH, and growing status, along with GPS location information of the individual. The growth status of E. sylvestris var. ellipticus individuals distributed in Munseom and the characteristics of tree height, DBH, DRH of each individual were analyzed. The total number of E. sylvestris var. ellipticus populations identified in Munseom was 293. The dense E. sylvestris var. ellipticus community reported in 2005 has been identified as being greatly damaged or damaged. In particular, the damage was more serious in mature trees with a height of 6m or more forming the canopy layer in the forest, and it was confirmed that 80.6% of the mature trees died. In the growth characteristics of the old-growth tree, which is an indicator of the health of the forest based on DRH, 75.4% died or the growth condition was found to be poor. In order to restore the native habitat of E. sylvestris var. ellipticus in Munseom, conservation efforts such as pest control, preservation of mature trees, control of the territory of young trees, and reintroduction after ex-situ transplantation etc. are considered necessary.