• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.343-355
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• 2021

Eelgrass, Zostera marina L., was widely distributed around Sinyangseopji Beach in Bangdu Bay, on the eastern coast of Jeju Island, until breakwater construction in the late 1990s resulted in its complete loss. Six experimental sites were identified for restoration of the Z. marina bed in Bangdu Bay. Using the staple method, 500 Z. marina shoots were transplanted at each site in January 2019 and 2020. The transplants, along with environmental parameters, were monitored for 10 months following transplantation. There were significant differences in underwater irradiance, water temperature, and salinity among the sites, but all were suitable for Z. marina growth. The Ulva species, an opportunistic alga, appeared in spring and accumulated during summer at all sites; however, there was no significant effect of Ulva species on the survival and growth of the eelgrass transplants. Most of the transplanted Z. marina survived, and after 3 months, the density increased by 112.5-300% due to vegetative propagation, with a rapid rate of increase observed during spring and early summer at all sites. For 1-2 months after transplanting, the Z. marina shoots showed signs of transplant shock, after which the shoot density increased at all sites, confirming that all transplants adapted well to the new environment. However, in both 2019 and 2020, during late summer to early fall, the sites experienced heavy damage from typoons (twice in 2019 and three times in 2020) that hit Bangdu Bay. The transplants at two sites located in the center of Bangdu Bay were completely destroyed, but those at three sites located to the west of the bay showed a 192-312% increase in density. Thus, we confirmed that the Bangdu Bay Z. marina bed can be restored, with the highest probability of success for Z. marina restoration on the western side of Bangdu Bay, which is protected from typhoons.

• Journal of Life Science
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• 제32권7호
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• pp.578-587
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• 2022

Korea, as the world's 7^th largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has raised the national greenhouse gas reduction target as international regulations have been strengthened. As it is possible to utilize coastal and marine ecosystems as important nature-based solutions (NbS) for implementing climate change mitigation or adaptation plans, the blue carbon ecosystem is now receiving attention. Blue carbon refers to carbon that is deposited and stored for a long period after carbon dioxide (CO₂) is absorbed as biomass by coastal ecosystems or oceanic ecosystems through photosynthesis. Currently, there are only three blue carbon ecosystems officially recognized by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses. However, the results of new research on the high CO₂ sequestration and storage capacity of various new blue carbon sinks, such as seaweeds, microalgae, coral reefs, and non-vegetated tidal flats, have been continuously reported to the academic community recently. The possibility of IPCC international accreditation is gradually increasing through scientific verification related to calculations. In this review, the current status and potential value of seaweeds, seagrass fields, and non-vegetated tidal flats, which are sources of blue carbon on the east coast, are discussed. This paper confirms that seaweed resources are the most effective NbS in the East Sea of Korea. In addition, we would like to suggest the direction of research and development (R&D) and utilization so that new blue carbon sinks can obtain international IPCC certification in the near future.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.117-131
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• 2020

Although most species in genus Zostera inhabit shallow coastal areas and bays with weak wave energy, the Asian eelgrass, Zostera asiatica is distributed in deep water depth (8-15 m) unlike other seagrasses on the eastern coast of Korea. To examine factors limiting distribution Z. asiatica in relatively deep coastal areas, a transplantation experiment was conducted on October 2011, in which Z. asiatica shoots were transplanted from the reference site (donor meadow, ~9 m) to the shallow transplant site (~3 m). We compared shoot density, morphology, and productivity of Z. asiatica as well as environmental factors (underwater irradiance, water temperature, and nutrients) between the reference and transplant sites from October 2011 to September 2012. Shoot density and shoot height of transplants dramatically decreased within a few months after transplantation, but were similar with Z. asiatica in the reference site during spring. Shoot productivity were significantly higher in the transplant site than in reference site because of high light availability and nutrient concentrations. Transplants showed photoacclimatory responses such as higher rETR_max and E_k and lower photosynthetic efficiency in the transplant site than those in the reference site. Most of Z. asiatica transplant in the shallow transplant site disappeared in summer, which may be due to the high wave energy and physical damages induced by typhoons (TEMBIN and SANBA) in August and September 2012. According to the results of this study, Z. asiatica could not survive in shallow areas despite of more favorable light and nutrient conditions. Thus, Z. asiatica may restrictively occur in deep areas to avoid the intense physical stresses in the shallow area on the east coast of Korea.