• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.16-16
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• 2018

Flora investigations have been conducted by many researchers for a long time in Korea. Even though large amount of investigation data has been accumulated, there is no accurate statistics or database because most of data were published in a printed form. We developed a web-based database of flora investigation, named as the Integrated Korean Flora Database (http://www.floradb.net/) to understand distribution patterns and habitats of plants in Korea. Till now, 480 published paper, 356 thesis, 76 reports and books, and 8 unpublished papers written in between 1962 and 2017 were collected and their species lists from 280 papers were parsed into the database. From 124,105 records, 3,100 species belonging to 206 families and 965 genera were identified via comparing with two major Korean plant species lists. 55 endangered species, 159 endemic species, and 367 rare species were identified. The most frequently surveyed species were Commelina communis in herbaceous and Rosa multiflora in woody plants. Microclimate data provided by Korea Meteorological Administration were also integrated and analyzed to assign cold hardness zones for each species. By comparing minimum temperature (<2%) acquired from automated weather stations (AWS) near by plant species, 6a to 10b zones (7b is the most frequent zone) were identified. Integrated Korean Flora Database will be a fundamental platform of korea flora investigation as well as a new standard for classifying distribution of plants based on accurate microclimate data. Moreover, it can also provide evidences of investigated plant species, such as specimen and/or pictures with connecting to the InfoBoss Cyber Herbarium (http://herbarium.infoboss. co.kr/) and Biodiversity Observation Datbase (BODB; http://www.biodiversitydb.org/).

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.275-285
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• 2020

Background: In Korea, Symplocos prunifolia Siebold. & Zucc. is only found on Jeju Island. Conservation of the species is difficult because little is known about its distribution and natural habitat. The lack of research and survey data on the characteristics of native vegetation and distribution of this species means that there is insufficient information to guide the management and conservation of this species and related vegetation. Therefore, this study aims to identify the distribution and vegetation associated with S. prunifolia. Results: As a result of field investigations, it was confirmed that the native S. prunifolia communities were distributed in 4 areas located on the southern side of Mt. Halla and within the evergreen broad-leaved forest zones. Furthermore, these evergreen broad-leaved forest zones are themselves located in the warm temperate zone which are distributed along the valley sides at elevations between 318 and 461 m. S. prunifolia was only found on the south side of Mt. Halla, and mainly on south-facing slopes; however, small communities were found to be growing on northwest-facing slopes. It has been confirmed that S. prunifolia trees are rare but an important constituent species in the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Jeju. The mean importance percentage of S. prunifolia community was 48.84 for Castanopsis sieboldii, 17.79 for Quercus acuta, and 12.12 for Pinus thunbergii; S. prunifolia was the ninth most important species (2.6). Conclusions: S. prunifolia can be found growing along the natural streams of Jeju, where there is little anthropogenic influence and where the streams have caused soil disturbance through natural processes of erosion and deposition of sediments. Currently, the native area of S. prunifolia is about 3300 ㎡, which contains a confirmed population of 180 individual plants. As a result of these low population sizes, it places it in the category of an extremely endangered plant in Korea. In some native sites, the canopy of evergreen broad-leaved forest formed, but the frequency and coverage of species were not high. Negative factors that contributed to the low distribution of this species were factors such as lacking in shade tolerance, low fruiting rates, small native areas, and special habitats as well as requiring adequate stream disturbance. Presently, due to changes in climate, it is unclear whether this species will see an increase in its population and habitat area or whether it will remain as an endangered species within Korea. What is clear, however, is that the preservation of the present native habitats and population is extremely important if the population is to be maintained and expanded. It is also meaningful in terms of the stable conservation of biodiversity in Korea. Therefore, based on the results of this study, it is judged that a systematic evaluation for the preservation and conservation of the habitat and vegetation management method of S. prunifolia should be conducted.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.361-377
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to examine whether the guideline by the Ministry of Environment (ME) successfully and appropriately applied the IUCN Red List criteria at regional level and the rare and endangered national list considered eligible. A certain number of vascular plants, which are widely distributed in the world or in east Asia, deemed to be ineligible for assessment at a regional level as Not Applicable category (NA), because it occurs at very low numbers in South Korea. Among 377 vascular plant taxa evaluated by the ME, NA included 238 species, which represented 63.1%. The number of synonymized species or illegitimate name species were 13 species, which accounted for 3.4%. 21 species (9.3%) were threatened at global level and 103 species were possibly candidates species list for Red List assessments at regional level in the near future. The proportion of NA or waiting list was 66.6% among the list assessed by the ME. The most common errors involved incorrectly application of species extinction in case of population extinction in South Korea to the assessment and provided incorrect interpretation of the Red List criteria at regional level. The most assessments proposed by ME were not backed up without quantitative data quality, justifications, and sources. It is suggested that the risk of extinction should be reassessed at least in the Korean peninsula within the light of their overall distribution including far eastern Russia and North eastern China in north and for Japan and Taiwan in south for regional assessment. The results obtained here using the IUCN criteria at regional level showed that the list proposed by the ME produced an overestimation of the number of threatened vascular plants. Also, the misapplication of the term 'species extinction' for regional assessment was open to some degree of subjectivity and misinterpretation.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2017

Prangos fedtschenkoi (Regel et Schmalh.) Korovin (Apiaceae) is an endemic species for mountainous Middle Asia, which is both a rare and useful plant. Organic extractions from this species are being used in pharmaceutics and cosmetology. In recent years, P. fedtschenkoi distribution area has considerably decreased, presumably, resulting from human activities such as agriculture, construction works, overgrazing and collection from wild for pharmaceutic purposes. Six populations were found in Uzbekistan and their genetic divergence and differentiation were studied with 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, selected out of 101. Totally 166 amplified ISSR fragments (loci) were revealed, of which 164 were polymorphic. Relatively moderate level of polymorphism was found at population level with polymorphic bands ranging from 27.71% to 47.59%. Mean P = 39.05%, $N_a=1.40$, $N_e=1.25$, S.I. = 0.21, and $H_e=0.14$ were revealed for all loci across six populations. AMOVA showed higher variation among populations (62%) than within them (38%). The Bayesian model determined 5 clusters, or genetic groups. The posteriori distribution of the Theta II estimator detected full model identifying high inbreeding, intensified by low gene flow (Nm = 0.3954). Mantel test confined population 6 as distinct cluster corresponding to geographic remoteness (R = 0.5137, $p{\leq}0.005$). Results were used as the bases for developing conserve measures to restore populations.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.13-34
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• 2023

Many ecologists try to understand plant communities and societies' changing processes by interacting with environmental factors. Plant communities formed in the sidings of streams, which are more dynamic than forest vegetation, are closely related to the disturbance regime of streams. U. pumila, which forms communities at the edges of streams, is distributed over the central and northern regions of the Korean Peninsula. In this study, we intended to explain the regeneration of U. pumila communities in the upstream region of the Namhangang River. Heights from the stream surface to the mid-high points of communities increased when the age class of U. pumila communities increased. On the other hand, the height of U. pumila tended to increase and decrease as the age class increased. The richness (S), evenness (J'), diversity (H'), and maximum diversity (H'max) also showed a tendency to increase and then decrease as the age class increased. On the other hand, the number of stems per individual and density (D) decreased as the age class increased. Seedlings of U. pumila failed to regenerate in the communities at the intermediate or higher stage of the age class. Regeneration of seedlings occurred in the spaces formed by the flooding, which occurred periodically in streams. After regeneration, U. pumila communities grew like a single organism. On the other hand, the plant species consisting of U. pumila communities exhibited a process in which the S and H' increased and then decreased as they developed. In other words, we determined that the changes in the species compositions were associated with changes in each species' environment and community. A space where seeds can regenerate seedlings should be provided for the regeneration of U. pumila communities. In the mid/upstream region of the Namhangang River, where the present study focused, newly formed communities were rare because the space required to regenerate U. pumila ceased to exist. Accordingly, we suggest securing an appropriate space for the regeneration of seedlings to maintain the U. pumila communities in the upstream region of the Namhangang River.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

The climate of Minamiakikawa forest in Japan is similar to that of Mt. Jiri in South Korea. There is a large development plan for Minamiakikawa forest, and a change in the species composition is expected. This study was initiated to compare forest transition caused by artificial perturbations in Korea and Japan. Long-term field observations on species composition are reported. We found 98 families, 231 genera, 315 species, 29 varieties, and 8 races, making a total of 352 classification groups of higher plants in the Minamiakikawa forest area. Among them, 11 families, 12 species and 2 varieties are rare or endangered. The study area is dominated by Cryptomerica japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa. The time and restoration effects on secondary and latent forestation consider the development of the Quercus mongolica community, the Quercus serrata community, and deciduous-broadleaved tree ascension. This indicates that the forest has been restored to Abies firma, Pinus densiflora or Cryptomeria japonica and Fagus japonica, which is considered latent natural forestation of the area in a natural transfer.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of the western front (Paju-Yencheon Area) of the Civilian Control Zone. Vascular plants collected in these areas were a total of 558 taxa composing of 501 species, 3 subspecies, 48 varieties and 1 forma of 330 genera under 109 families This shows that 11% of the 4,880 vascular plant species that are known to exist in Korea is distributed in the western part of the DMZ. 1 taxa of endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment was found: the Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim in the edge of the military operation road from Taepung observatory to Imjin river. For the floristically specific ones of the Korean floristic zones, 3 taxa of the $5^{th}$ grade, 3 taxa of the $4^{th}$ grade, 13 taxa of the $3^{rd}$ grade, 13 taxa of the $2^{nd}$ grade and 22 taxa of the $1^{st}$ grade were found. For the endemic species of Korea, 4 taxa including Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai were confirmed to be distributed mostly on the slope or the cutting area. Among the collected rare plants (11 taxa), there were 1 taxa of endangered species, 4 taxa of vulnerable species and 6 taxa of least concern species. Also, 51 taxa of naturalized plants were identified and 4 taxa of ecosystem disturbance organism designated by the Ministry of Environment were identified. The urbanization index and naturalization index for all species were estimated to be 15.89% and 9.14% respectively. Our survey is expected to be considered as primary data of biological diversity and ecological axis in the DMZ and the western part of the DMZ. According to the results of this study, it is thought to be necessary to establish policies for conservation and protection of the DMZ.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.337-364
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• 2005

The vascular flora of Mt. Deokhang (a.s.l. 1072.5m, $37^{\circ}17^{\prime}{\sim}37^{\circ}20^{\prime}N$, $128^{\circ}09^{\prime}{\sim}129^{\circ}03^{\prime}E$), one of the limestone areas in Korea and is located between Samcheok-si and Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do, is surveyed from 10 Oct. 2003 to 4 Oct. 2005. The characteristics of the flora from the phytogeographical point of view is also discussed. The number of the vascular plant taxa identified in this study is 590 in total which belongs to 90 families, 337 genera, 537 species, 4 subspecies, 46 varieties and 3 forms. Of them, 30 taxa are endemic to Korea, 4 taxa are legally protected ones, and 17 taxa are generally regarded as rare and endangered species in Korea. Naturalized plants are 19 taxa. The phytogeographical importance and the conservation strategy of the flora of Mt. Deokhang focusing on either rare, endemic or phytogeographically important species are discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.376-384
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• 2017

Bangladesh is a South Asian country with subtropical monsoonal climate between the intersection of the Indo-Himalayan and Indo-Chinese sub-regions, is known as biodiversity hotspot of the Asian region. The country has different types of forest like deciduous forest, evergreen forest, mixed forest, haor (wetlands) and mangrove forest. The natural beauty of the country is increased with the presence of so many rivers, longest sea beach of the world, green plants, critical hilly regions and green agricultural forest widely spread here and there. Sundarbans is the world largest mangrove forest and world natural heritage site declared by UNESCO in 1999 situated in Bangladesh and India. About 62 percent of this mangrove forest is situated in Bangladesh and there are so many plants and animals are found in this forest. To meet the increasing demand of the large population most of the natural ecosystem is now altered, deforestation rate is increased, natural habitat of the species is disturbed. Due to the imbalance of the climate and natural system many of the rare species of the world found this region is now endangered and some of the species are extinct. Directly or indirectly they are benefited from natural resources. At present time community, based ecotourism is also an important source of income for rural poor peoples. To protect the natural resources the government is now developed so many conservation acts and policy as well NGOs are also doing work for the conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity. At present transboundary pollutants and so many natural disasters also destruct the natural resources of Bangladesh.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.49-99
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• 2021

Gwangdeoksan Mountain (699.3 m) is the highest border mountain between the two cities of Chungcheongnamdo Province, Cheonan and Asan, Korea. In this study, we investigated the flora of Gwangdeoksan Mt. from April of 2015 to October of 2017. Through 20 independent field investigations, we identified and tallied a total of 428 species, 9 subspecies, 30 varieties, and a forma in 287 genera and 97 families. Of a total of 468 taxa, 128 taxa in 112 genera and 58 families were found to be Korean endemic species (7 taxa), floristic regional indicator species (45 taxa), rare or endangered species (3 taxa), species subject to the approval of outbound transfer (73 taxa), and alien or ecosystem disturbing species (32 taxa). The flora of Gwangdeoksan Mt. can be divided into four distinct floristic subregions, with higher diversity in the north-facing subregion. The complex flora of Gwangdeoksan Mt., emerging at the edge of two floristic regions of the Korean peninsula, may represent a significant conservation priority and a topic for future ecological and geographical studies.