• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2021

Iris dichotoma Pall. found on Daechung Island in Korea has been designated as an endangered species. To aid in conservation efforts of this species, this study investigated its germination characteristics and seed dormancy type. Four sets of seeds were incubated at different temperatures (4/1℃, 15/6℃, 20/10℃, and 25/15℃). One set of seeds was cold stratified (4 weeks at 4/1℃). The final germination rate and mean germination time showed that the optimal germination temperature was 25/15℃. Final germination rates were ~70%, showing no significant difference among temperature treatments. However, mean germination time were significantly different among all temperature treatments except for 4/1℃. Mean germination time for seeds with temperature treatments of 15/6℃, 20/10℃, and 25/15℃ were 3.2, 2.1, and 1.5 weeks, respectively. At 25/15℃, the mean germination time was half of that at 15/6℃. Seeds of I. dichotoma had fully developed embryos at the time of dispersal. No additional growth of the embryo was observed. Cold stratification did not affect the final germination rate or the mean germination time. This study shows that seeds of I. dichotoma have no physiological or morphological dormancy, unlike other members of the Iris genus known to have seed dormancy that needs a relatively high incubation temperature (≥25/15℃) for mass propagation to occur. These results will be useful for understanding ecophysiological mechanisms related to the species' habitat. They are also useful for mass propagation of I. dichotoma for the purpose of conserving this endangered species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.95-113
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• 2018

We studied the change of wetland vegetation structure to understand ecological restoration process of wetlands through the field survey of ecological restoration projects in Incheon, Iksan and Busan. We compared the vegetation plan at the time of planted with the results of the vegetation monitoring in 2018, and analyzed the changes in wetland vegetation structure. Based on results, we attempted to understand the restoration process of those wetlands and discuss the management measures for sustainable wetland restoration. As a result, in the Incheon Yeonhee restoration wetland, the number of plant species was increased, from 18 species in 2016 to 29 in 2018. The dominant species, Myriophyllum verticillatum, covered the wetland most and its occupied area was increased. On the other hand, the distribution area of the planted emergent hydrophytes was reduced. The area of open water decreased from 71.7% in 2016 to 48.8% in 2018. In Busan Igidae restoration wetland, the number of plant species was increased, from 6 species in 2014 to 31 in 2018. The dominant species was Myriophyllum verticillatum and its occupied area was increased. The area of floating plant communities that planned has decreased. The open water area decreased from 83.9% in 2014 to 31.8% in 2018. In Iksan Sorasan restoration wetland, the number of plant species was increased, from 13 species in 2016 to 36 in 2018. The dominant species was Phragmites communis Trin. and its occupied area was increased. The other planted species showed a tendency to be decreased by Phragmites communis Trin. and its terrestrialization. The open water area decreased from 86.6% in 2016 to 6.7% in 2018. These results suggest that wetlands should be managed by considering the change of vegetation structure and open water areas based on the following succession process, because it affects the habitat suitability of wetland organisms and biodiversity as well. Thus, the continuous monitoring for the ecological structure of restored wetland is important, and it could be possible step to develop sustainable wetland ecological restoration model.

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

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.247-258
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• 2021

To understand restoration and conservation projects conducted in Korea for endangered freshwater fishes and amphibians/reptiles, information about Request for Protocols-related studies on restoration, breeding, and release were collected. Trends of studies were visualized via word clouds and VOSviewer program using a text mining technique. Analysis of restoration projects for endangered freshwater fishes elucidated that most research studies conducted to date were focused on genetics and release through captive breeding that could be classified into captive breeding and habitat environments. As for research projects related to amphibians/reptiles, monitoring projects had the highest number, followed by genetic, translocation, and monitoring studies. In addition, restoration projects for amphibians/reptiles included a large number of post-capture translocation projects. Thus, many projects were confirmed by public institutions rather than by the Ministry of Environment. Network analysis revealed that it was largely classified into capture, translocation, and Kaloula borealis. Based on these results, limitations, achievements, and challenges associated with projects conducted thus far are highlighted. Research directions for future restoration and conservation of endangered freshwater fishes and amphibians/reptiles in South Korea are also suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.124-137
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• 2010

This study was started with the objective of restoring abandoned embanked farms, which are recently increasing, to mud flat by putting in least amount of energy in the aspect of environmental restoration. For the direction and establishment of the proposal for the restoration of mud flat using embanked farms, a case of Maipo Wetland in Hongkong was analyzed, and a proposal was prepared considering the condition of mud flat in Gochang. The restoration of mud flat in Gochang is intended to create various wetland ecological spaces as well as to provide opportunities for experience, education, recreation, and tourism. Effort was made to development an environment closest to the local ecological environment considering the shape and topographical condition of existing abandoned farms. For construction of the habitat, a target species was chosen and the plan for selection, planting, and management of species of trees suitable for the target species was established. In addition, the water level will be controlled by water gates to conform to the resting, spawning, breeding, and migration period considering the behavioral pattern of waders, the target species. The research on the restoration of mud flat in Korea is in incipient stage and this study provided an opportunity to review the possibility of restoration of abandoned embanked farms to mud flat. For the success of mud flat restoration from a long-term perspective, development of acclimating design infrastructure, technology improvement for mud flat restoration, and basis of partnership for the maintenance should be prepared in a systematical way.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.579-592
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• 2022

Much controversy has been generated over whether the ecological restoration project in Korea is faithful to the basic approach of ecological restoration compared to projects aimed at creating parks or green spaces. This study was aimed at understanding the level of awareness of practitioners in the planting design method, which is recognized as relatively important in landscape architecture and ecological restoration. The proficiency of practitioners in planting design techniques for ecological restoration projects was investigated and analyzed in seven areas: overall planting design awareness, plant species selection method, planting tree sizes, planting density, use of native species, vegetation climatic zone, soil environment, and weed control. There was no statistically significant difference between the group who thought they were experts in the field of ecological restoration and the group who thought they were experts in the field of parks and green spaces. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the degree of work performance, that is, the group whose main industry was ecological restoration, the group that performed relatively more ecological restoration work, and the group that rarely performed it. Therefore, to apply desirable ecological restoration techniques in the future and to clearly differentiate between the approach in the field of parks and green spaces, the appropriate tree size or planting density selected in the ecological restoration planting design stage must be chosen. To this end, the awareness of expert groups must be improved and related laws, systems, and guidelines must be revised.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 2003

Restoration ecology is undergoing rapid growth as academic field over the last 15 years. The specification of goals for restoration projects is frequently described as the most important component of a project. The endeavor for universal development of goals for ecological restoration continues to generate many discussion and controversy. I discuss the importance of restoration goals and diverse roots of restoration ecology, and show how the complex lineages within restoration ecology. I review the three major theme that currently are used to develop the restoration goals : restoration of species, restoration of whole ecosystem or landscapes, and the restoration of ecosystem services. Restoration ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology share goals to conserve biodiversity, but differ in focus of approach. I review the differences among three fields. Conservation biology has been more zoological, more descriptive, and theoretical, and more emphasized the population and genetic research. However, restoration ecology has been more plant ecological, more experimental, and emphasized the community and plant succession. Landscape ecology has emphasized the interaction of ecosystem and dispersal among populations. I suggest the integration of restoration ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology. For example, conservation biology will contribute to the preservation of original habitats by population study, restoration ecology will contribute to regenerate damaged ecosystem and ex situ preservation, and landscape ecology will contribute to restoration of population and landscape.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.508-523
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• 2017

This study monitored the changes before and after restoration of ecological stream focusing on the places which are applied Sustainable Structured wetland Biotop (SSB) system and ecological Fish-way for restoration of Maeno stream. A total of 11 species and 191 individuals of fishes were founded out which were not verified inhabitation before restoration at SSB wetlands. Especially, it was could identified that micro habitat and healthy Fish-way was created because the restored target species, Microphysogobio yaluensis and Iksookimia koreensis were identified that habitation was monitored in SSB wetland. Amphibian have been restored to a number of Rana nigromaculata found in and around wetlands at the time of the third survey, which is highly active after restoration. Specified endangered species class 1 and natural monuments designated by the Ministry of Environment, Lutra lutra lutra, as a Mammalian, uses the wetlands and ecological Fish-way as habitat areas, and the his habitat is restored. In the case of Flora, vascular plants emerging in the survey area were increased to 7 and 13 species before restoration and 15 and 19 species directly after restoration, and 22 species and 33 species after restoration. Vegetation after restoration was found to be a basic producer of various ecosystems and a plant community that contributes to the purification of water quality such as Phragmites japonica communities. As the result of water quality monitoring, the average of treatment efficiencies were BOD 64.3%, T-N 47.2%, T-P 80.7%. Successful treatment of the nonpoint pullution source, which is a limiting factor to disturb the ecosystem, creatively restored the target species in the water quality class I, II.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.857-864
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• 2016

To analyze the behavioral characteristics of Korea endangered species female gorals (n=6) during the period of birth, using GPS collar attached on their necks, we carried out this study in two areas (Seoraksan and Woraksan National park) from March 2007 to May 2014. According to our analysis there was a change in their home range during the period of birth. The home range of females (n=6) in MCP 95% was Spring ($1.00{\pm}1.00km^2$) > Autumn ($0.66{\pm}0.30km^2$) > Summer ($0.61{\pm}0.40km^2$) > Winter ($0.50{\pm}0.10km^2$) (F=4.198, p<0.05). In the monthly analysis, their home ranges were dramatically reduced in May, June and July. It showed a statistically significant difference (F=24.261, p<0.01). These gorals showing a drastic change in home ranges were identified as gorals having offspring individual and their home ranges were decreased. The average altitude was $615.77{\pm}173.508m$ and there was no significant difference in major change between parous and nonparous female gorals. Through this analysis, we expect that it can be applied to the goral management and restoration project considering the time of birth.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.24-36
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• 2008

The essence of a natural stream restoration project is providing habitats for various creatures in terms of the stream's environmental function. This research suggests the problems of natural stream restoration project by studying streams in terms of habitats for creatures and reviewing the national and international cases on existing natural stream restoration project. As a solution for the above, this research suggests a preservation method for biotope of upper stream areas focusing on the fish biotope area considering the ecological characteristics and preservation value of the respective stream so that the stream can be preserved as habitats for creatures. The research was carried out on Cheonglimli Baekcheon region which is an upper stream area of Buan-Dam located in the public park in Byunsanbando, Buangoon, Jeonlabookdo. We suggest the preservation method based on the habitat environment and keystone species of fish. The habitat environment evaluation was carried out mainly being divided into three groups namely, habitats and surrounding environment, reservoir's features and fish way and the diversity of fish. By improving the problematic elements discovered through such evaluation, it tries to improve the biotope of the stream and continuously preserve the stream. In addition, in order to restore the stream as habitats for various creatures, this research suggests to select keystone species which are suitable for the stream environment and restore the habitats based on the keystone species rather than restoring habitats for all species. Fish not only plays the role of a consumer of Epilithic algae and water beetles but also plays an important ecological role as a food for birds or small mammalia. If such ecologically important biotope for fish is preserved, the ecological environment of the stream will be maintained more stably.