• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.230-236
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• 2023

Rhododendron caucasicum Pall. is a shrub distributed in the mountainous areas of the Caucasus from northeastern Türkiye towards the Caspian Sea. This study reports the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of R. caucasicum. The plastome is 199,487 base pairs (bp) long and exhibits a typical quadripartite structure comprising a large single-copy region of 107,645 bp, a small single-copy region of 2,598 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions of 44,622 bp each. It contains 143 genes, comprising 93 protein-coding genes, 42 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The large chloroplast genome size is likely due to the expansion of inverted repeats. A phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast genomes with other Rhododendron species supports previously recognized infrageneric relationship.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.72-76
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• 2023

The spider fauna of mountains, including national parks, in Korea was intensively surveyed in 2018-2019. During the seasonal surveys, males of Clubiona bakurovi Mikhailov, 1990 (family Clubionidae Wagner, 1887) and Otacilia ansula sp. nov. (family Phrurolithidae Banks, 1892) were collected from shrub foliage and leaf litter, respectively, in mountainous mixed forests. The males of Otacilia ansula sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from those of other its congeners by the slender and hook-shaped retrolateral tibial apophysis, ovoid distal tegular apophysis, and one dorsal spine on the femur with seven pairs of ventral spines on the tibia of leg I. This study provides descriptions of these two species with diagnosis, measurements, and morphological photographs.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.211-226
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• 2011

The purpose of this paper was to ensure the basis for effective management of Tricholoma matsutake mountain province, to perform biotope mapping of Pinus densiflora based on growth environment of Tricholoma matsutake, target a cluster of Yangyang-gun, Kang Won-do. Study Methods were to review on growth and environmental characteristics of Tricholoma matsutake through internal and external documents and to identify vegetational structure and soil characteristics. This paper studied growth structure and soil environment of Pinus densiflora forest where a farm of production area for Tricholoma matsutake of in order to set the standard of Pinus densiflora biotope. Mapping standards were derived by separating of landform conditions, soil conditions, vegetation conditions. Biotope types were divided into possible production area for Tricholoma matsutake and potential production area for Tricholoma matsutake, possible production area for Tricholoma matsutake were Pinus densiflora biotope in landform and soil structure that enables Tricholoma matsutake production and Single-layered Pinus densiflora biotope of less than 30cm(DBH)-Tree species that other shrub is dominant in shrub layer, Multi-layered Pinus densiflora biotope that Pinus densiflora forest was predominant in understrory layer. Potential production area for Tricholoma matsutake were single-layered Pinus densiflora biotope of more than 30cm(DBH) in landform that enables Tricholoma matsutake production, Pinus densiflora biotope with Quercus predominant in the understrory layer, single-layered Pinus densiflora biotope with Quercus predominant in shrub layer, inappropriate vegetation structure area that the induction of production of Tricholoma matsutake was possible through future vegetation management. According to the research results, Pinus densiflora forest were divided into 16 types; 6 types of possible Tricholoma matsutake production areas, 9 potential Tricholoma matsutake production areas and 16 types of areas where Tricholoma matsutake production was impossible. Possible production areas account for 15.48%, or $9.8km^2$ out of the total Pinus densiflora forest while potential production areas take up 32.42%, or $20.52km^2$, and areas where Tricholoma matsutake production was impossible was 52.10%, or $32.97km^2$.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.691-706
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• 2008

This study analysed problems of railroadside buffer green space and suggested planting methods according to space function and planting concept in seashore reclaimed land, Ansan city. Planting density of railroadside buffer green zone of Ansan city was $0.04{\sim}0.17tree/m^2$, GVZ was $0.15{\sim}1.65m^3/m^2$ which is represented of deficiency of buffer function. In addition, soil hardness of mounded buffer green zone was $2.72{\sim}15kg/cm^2$. It was examined to have functions in terms of habitat for wildbirds and other organisms, surrounding landuse, urban greens, seasonality, landscape for function improvement of buffer green space. Functions of buffer green space were re-established as habitat for organism, buffer and landscape improvement, landscape and urban park, buffer zone and habitat. It was suggested to select Pinus thunbergii as a dominated species of planting method for buffer function and planting density in canopy and under-canopy layer was $0.4tree/m^2$, $0.5/m^2$ in shrub layer. In terms of landscape improvement function, Zelkova serrata, Prunus sargentii and Prunus armeniaca were selected as major species and it in canopy and under-canopy layer was $0.2tree/m^2$ and $0.5tree/m^2$ in shrub layer. In terms of habitat function Quercus acutissima, Prunus sargentii and Sorbus alnifolia were as major species and it in canopy layer was $0.06tree/m^2$, $0.1tree/m^2$ in under canopy layer, $0.8tree/m^2$ in shrub layer.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.528-534
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• 2009

Styan's Grasshopper Warblers (Locustella pleskei) are vulnerable species distributed in East-Asia only. Its known breeding sites in Korea are remote islets including Hongdo Islet, Chilbal Islet, Mara Islet, and Chuja Islets, and, therefore, the breeding biology of this species is still poorly known. This study was conducted on Mara Islet (N $33^{\circ}$ 06', E $126^{\circ}$ 16') from May to September 2008 to investigate the breeding status and breeding site characteristics of the grasshopper warblers. A total of 11 breeding pairs and their nests were found on trees and shrubs at artificially planted forests and hedges of Pinus thunbergii. The grasshopper warblers preferentially utilized the shrub trees for nesting places, and major nesting trees were Camellia japonica, Pittosporum tobira and Pinus thunbergii as nesting trees. Average heights of nesting trees and nests were $2.77{\pm}1.10m$ and $1.75{\pm}0.56m$, respectively. The grasshopper warblers selected lower shrubs and trees for nesting than randomly selected ones around them, probably to avoid strong and prevailed winds in flat and un vegetated environments on Mara Islet. The shape of nests was a round bowl-type, and measurements of nests were $11.9{\pm}0.5cm$ in exterior nest diameter, $11.1{\pm}1.1cm$ in height of exterior nest, $5.8{\pm}0.4cm$ in interior nest depth, and 6.0cm in interior nest diameter. It incubated eggs until the early August on Mara islet, and incubation periods of Mara Islet was possibly later than that of other areas. Furthermore, the clutch size in the study area was three, and they laid smaller number of eggs than normal clutch size (4~5 eggs) reported in other areas. Although we could not observe any nest predator on this species in the study area, selective cutting and pruning of trees will diminish dense shrub layer of forests. Therefore, it may affect the breeding of this threatened species which prefers dense shrubs of artificially planted forest of Pinus thunbergii. This study suggests that detailed and consistent further research on breeding biology and habitats of the grasshopper warblers are needed to conserve and manage of Pinus thunbergii forests on Mara Islet as an important breeding site of Styan's Grasshopper Warblers.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.215-224
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• 2013

We clarified the background for establishment of vegetation by comparing the spatial distribution maps of vegetation and substrate on a gravel bar in the Bangtae stream located on Inje-gun of Gangwon-do, the central eastern Korea. The total vegetation coverage was higher in the interior and lower in the marginal parts of the gravel bar. Spatial distribution of vegetation on the longitudinal section of the gravel bar tended to be arranged in the order of shrub, subtree, and tree dominated vegetation types from the front (upstream) toward the rear (downstream) parts. Coverage of the herbaceous plants was higher in the central and rear parts and lower in the front and right parts of the gravel bar. Vegetation height was higher in the rear part and became lowered as move toward the front part. Substrate was distributed in the order of boulder, gravel, sand, and boulder from the front toward the rear parts. Ordination of stands based on vegetation data was arranged in the order of annual plant, perennial herb, shrub, and tree dominated vegetation as move from the right to the left parts on the axis I. Species richness was higher in the order of Pinus densiflora community, Phragmites japonica community, Salix gracilistyla community, Fraxinus rhynchophylla community, annual plant dominated vegetation, and Prunus padus for. padus community based on the species rank-abundance curve. The order based on the Shannon's index was some different; diversity of Phragmites japonica community and Salix gracilistyla community, which showed higher dominance degree, were low differently from species richness. In conclusion, it was evaluated that the gravel bar newly established toward the upstream and vegetation dynamics of the gravel bar seemed to follow ecosystem mechanisms of succession. As were shown in the above results, the Bangtae stream corresponded to the upstream and thereby particle size of substrate was big. Therefore, they move by rolling and are accumulated for the upstream. Vegetation types were arranged in the order of woodland, shrub-land and grassland from the rear toward the front parts of the gravel bar and thereby reflected the formation process of the bar. However, the gravel bar is disturbed frequently by not only the running water but also the suspended sand as the dynamic space. Such disturbances cause habitat diversity and consequently led to high biodiversity.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.289-300
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• 2013

Forest vegetation of Hyangjeokbong (1,614 m) in Deogyusan National Park is classified into mountain forest vegetation and flatland forest vegetation. Mountain forest vegetation is subdivided into deciduous broad-leaved forest, valley forest, coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, shrub forest, grassland forest, afforestation and etc., while riparian forest was found under the category of flatland forest vegetation. Including 122 communities of mountain forest vegetation and 2 communities of riparian forest, the total of 124 communities were researched; the distributed colonies classified by physiognomy classification are 42 communities deciduous broad-leaved forest, 37 communities of valley forest, 8 communities of coniferous forests, 6 communities of subalpine coniferous forest, 3 communities of shrub forest, 1 communities of grassland forest, 21 afforestation and 4 other communities. As for the distribution rate for surveyed main communities, Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis communities account for 47.02 percent of deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fraxinus mandshurica community takes up 57.48 percent of mountain valley forest, Pinus densiflora community holds 77.53 percent of mountain coniferous forest holds, and Taxus cuspidate-Abies koreana community takes up about 50 percent of subalpine coniferous forest. Mountain shrub forest and mountain grassland forest vegetation are concentrated mainly on the top of Hyangjeokbong and the ridge connecting the top and Jungbong. Meanwhile, riparian forest vegetation comprises 0.024% of the whole vegetation area in a study area. In conclusion, minority species consisting of Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa, Pinus densiflora, Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata are distributed as dominant species of the uppermost part in a forest vegetation region in Deogyusan National Park. In addition, because of vegetation succession and climate factors, numerous colonies formed by the two species are expected to be replaced by Quercus mongolica, Carpinus laxiflora and Fraxinus mandshurica which are climax species in the area. However, in respect of subalpine coniferous forest, the distribution rate of deciduous broad-leaved forest seems to increase gradually due to global warming and artificial disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.369-381
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• 2004

This study was achieved to present the way to restore the Seonheulgot pasture-grassland damaged by landuse and interference for a long time to evergreen broad-leaved forests as the native vegetation structure. As a result of analyzing ecological succession tendency of structure in survey area, we established the optimal restoration model. The total of survey sites were 26, and the classified plant community types were four types by M.I.P of dominant woody species. Finally we classified the four types based on diameter of dominant woody species in canopy layer. The six community types are as follows: Community I was runner-shrub forest, community II was evergreen broad-leaved shrub forest, and community III was evergreen broad-leaved forest of small diameter. Community IV and V were evergreen broad-leaved forest of middle diameter. Community Ⅵ was evergreen broad-leaved forest of large diameter. The number of constituent species was 24 in community I, 28 in community II as the shrub forest, 16 as the evergreen broad-leaved forest of small diameter, 29 in community III, 30 in community IV as the evergreen broad-leaved forest of middle diameter and 27 in community Ⅵ as the evergreen broad-leaved forest of large diameter. The range of Shannon's index of all communitys was from 0.8763 to 1.2630 and the Similarity index between the community composed of middle diameter woody species and large diameter woody species. The ecological succession of community I, II, and III were changed from pasture-grassland to broad-leaved forest and the structure of community IV, V, and Ⅵ was similar to evergreen broad-leaved forest in warm temperate region. We suggest the restoration planting model evergreen broad-leaved forest of in Seonheulgot pasture-grassland, as follows: The target restoration vegetation were Castanopsis cuspidata var. sievoldii community and Queycus glauca community. Castanopsis cuspidata var. sievoldii and Quercus glauca should be dominant woody species in canopy layer, the number of trees was 10 per 100$m^2$, and Castanopsis cuspidata var, sievoldii, Quercus glauca, Camellia japonica, and Eurya japonica should be dominant woody species in the understory layer, the number of trees was 14 per 100$m^2$.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2011

This study was designed to investigate variation of pinitol content in different parts of seventeen legume species including silk tree (Albizia julibrissin). D-pinitol has been demonstrated to exert insulin-like and anti-inflammatory effects. These legumes were collected from Gyeongsangbuk-Do in Korea. Significant difference in pinitol content was observed among 17 different legume species. However, it was the highest in sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). The highest pinitol content was observed in leaf followed by stem, pod shell, seed and root among plant parts. Legume plants which had higher pinitol content in leaves were chinese pea shrub, bastard indigo, wild cowpea and sericea lespedeza, having 59.9 mg/g, 62.2 mg/g, 69.6 mg/g and 65.4 mg/g, respectively. Stem of astragali radix showed the highest pinitol content among all leagumes, which was 34.0 mg/g. In case of root, kudzuvine showed the highest pinitol content followed by licorice and chinese pea shrub, which were 24.6 mg/g, 16.9 mg/g, and 16.5 mg/g, respectively. However, in the case of pod shell and seed, only lablab purpureus and sericea lespedeza showed the highest pinitol content 52.5 mg/g (for pod shell) and 24.9 mg/g (for seed), respectively. Concluding, the sericea lespedeza showed the highest total pinitol content of whole plant followed by chinese redbud, chinese pea shrub, bastard indigo and silk tree. Considering the pinitol content and harvesting yield, sericea lespedeza can be used as a practical medicinal herb.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.185-198
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• 2016

Korea has put in significant efforts to increase the number of wildlife crossings between fragmented habitats to prevent loss of biodiversity and to encourage the habitat connectivity in Korea. However, there is a lack of biological data on the effect of vegetation structure in these wildlife crossings and guidelines for design and management of wildlife crossing structures in Korea. Therefore, we selected ground beetle assemblages as model organisms to compare the effect of vegetation structure in wildlife crossings, i.e. bare ground- and shrub-type corridors, in agro-forested landscapes. For this study, 4,207 ground beetles belonging to 33 species were collected through pitfall trapping along the northern forest-corridor-southern forest transects from late April to early September in 2015. Dominant species, abundance, and species richness of ground beetles were significantly higher in the shrub-type corridors than the bare ground-type corridors. Also, the species composition of bare ground-type corridor was significantly different compared to the other habitats such as shrub-type corridor and forests. Similarly, environmental variables were also influenced by vegetation management regimes or trap locations. Collectively, our study clearly indicates that the movement of forest associated ground beetles between forest patches can increase as the vegetation in wildlife crossings becomes complex. Although further studies are needed to verify this, there are indications that the current wildlife crossings that comply with the guidelines may be unfriendly to the movement of ground dwelling arthropods as well as ground beetles. To enhance the ecological function of wildlife crossings, the guidelines need to be rectified as follows: 1) Shrubs or trees should be planted along the corridor verges to provide refuge or movement paths for small mammals and ground dwelling arthropods, and 2) Open spaces should be provided in the middle of the corridors to be used as a path for the movement of large mammals.