• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.216-221
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• 2020

Parrots are common targets for illegal trade because of their beauty and high price. Accurate identification is necessary for the prevention of illegal trade and conservation of parrots. In the present study, mitochondrial markers of cytochrome b (CYTB) gene were used to identify parrot species from Korean zoos. Totally, 27 samples were collected from Seoul Zoo, Cheongju Zoo, and Uchi Zoo. After collection, total DNA of samples was extracted and used for PCR amplification. CYTB fragments were sequenced from all samples examined. The obtained sequences were used for GenBank blast, distance estimation, and phylogenetic analysis. All species were identified using CYTB sequences that determined 27 samples belong to 13 species in 7 genera, and 3 families. Our finding demonstrated the usefulness of CYTB sequences for identifying parrot species in Korean zoos.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.393-397
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• 2021

The unrecorded fungus Galactomyces pseudocandidus de Hoog & M.T. Sm. was isolated and cultured from an introduced species, Procambarus clarkii, in Korea. Two related species, Galactomyces citri-aurantii and Geotrichum candidum, have been reported, but no other Galactomyces spp. have been found in Korea. In this study, we isolated G. pseudocandidus from the digestive tract of American crayfish using RGY (river water-glucose-yeast) medium and then compared the morphological and molecular characteristics of this species with those of related species. As a result, we confirmed that G. pseudocandidus is an unrecorded fungus in Korea, so we described and reported the cultural characteristics and microstructures, such as conidia.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.82-96
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• 2010

Currently, biodiversity conservation is regarded as one of the most important environmental issues in the 21st century. However, The educational approaches on biodiversity conservation is not actively developed. This study was conducted to develop the educational program on biodiversity conservation related with endangered species conservation for improving elementary and middle school girl students' knowledge on biodiversity, inspiring the value and importance of biodiversity, and improving the attitude toward the conservation of biodiversity. Because the biodiversity loss of wetlands such as rice-fields, rivers, marshes has made the breeding population of Oriental White Stork(Ciconia boyciana) endangered in Korea, this subject was very effective for students to learn the cause and effect of biodiversity loss realistically. The education program was conducted to 68 local elementary and middle girl students from 2007 to 2009 and consists of three main activities such as feeding on storks in captivity, sampling living organisms in rice-fields, and designing the future stork living village. The results didn't show a positive effect on improving the knowledge on the biodiversity, but a positive effect on improving the attitude toward the conservation of biodiversity. And the number of taxa that students noticed in rice-fields has increased significantly. In conclusion, this educational program promoted students to concern about and take up a positive attitude on the biodiversity conservation issue.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 1993

The freshwater fish fauna of the Sobaeksan National Park was censused during May 1992 to October 1992 at nine sampling stations to establish base line data for national conservation program on the National Park. Twenty seven freshwater fishes included 13 endemic species in Korea belonging to 9 families were collected in this region. Fifteen species were found in Hangang and 17 species were found in Nackdonggang. however common species were only 6 species. Dominant species. of this region were Zacco temminckii. Moroco oxycephalus. Liobagrus andersoni and Odontobutis platycephala. Morphological anomaly was appeared in 11 species include Zacco temminckii. Zacco platypus. Moroco oxycephalus. thus definitive analysis and consideration for natural conservation need to this situation.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.271-274
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• 2010

The Ministry of Environment of South Korea has launched its plan to establish the National Ecological Institute. An International Symposium and Workshop was held at Ewha Womans University in Seoul on Thursday, 30 September 2010, to strengthen international cooperation, networking and partnerships for the conservation of biodiversity. This symposium was attended by experts of many major institutions for biodiversity conservation from South Korea and overseas. At the symposium and workshop preceded by a keynote speech by the renowned primatologist and conservation biologist Jane Goodall the participants discussed a wide range of topics including "biodiversity conservation: in situ and ex situ approaches", "conservation of species diversity and ecosystem management", and "international cooperation for biodiversity conservation and research". As a basis for future discussions, this article summarizes how the National Ecological Institute might contribute most effectively to public life and environmental management in South Korea and worldwide. It addresses the following issues: governance and funding, synergies within Korea, participation in international networks, external advice, a broad view of ecological issues, research agenda, building on identity, public outreach, and training the next generation of scientists.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.203-217
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• 2021

Background: Sea turtles, which are globally endangered species, have been stranded and found as bycatch on the Korean shore recently. More studies on sea turtles in Korea are necessary to aid their conservation. To investigate the spatio-temporal occurrence patterns of sea turtles on the Korean shore, we recorded sampling locations and dates, identified species and sexes and measured sizes (maximum curved carapace length; CCL) of collected sea turtles from the year 2014 to 2020. For an analysis of diets through stomach contents, we identified the morphology of the remaining food and extracted DNA, followed by amplification, cloning, and sequencing. Results: A total of 62 stranded or bycaught sea turtle samples were collected from the Korean shores during the study period. There were 36 loggerhead turtles, which were the dominant species, followed by 19 green turtles, three hawksbill turtles, two olive ridley turtles, and two leatherback turtles. The highest numbers were collected in the year 2017 and during summer among the seasons. In terms of locations, most sea turtles were collected from the East Sea, especially from Pohang. Comparing the sizes of collected sea turtles according to species, the average CCL of loggerhead turtles was 79.8 cm, of green turtles was 73.5 cm, and of the relatively large leatherback turtle species was 126.2 cm. In most species, the proportion of females was higher than that of males and juveniles, and was more than 70% across all the species. Food remains were morphologically identified from 19 stomachs, mainly at class level. Seaweeds were abundant in stomachs of green turtles, and Bivalvia was the most detected food item in loggerhead turtles. Based on DNA analysis, food items from a total of 26 stomachs were identified to the species or genus level. The gulfweed, Sargassum thunbergii, and the kelp species, Saccharina japonica, were frequently detected from the stomachs of green turtles and the jellyfish, Cyanea nozakii, the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus, and kelps had high frequencies of occurrences in loggerhead turtles. Conclusions: Our findings support those of previous studies suggesting that sea turtles are steadily appearing in the Korean sea. In addition, we verified that fish and seaweed, which inhabit the Korean sea, are frequently detected in the stomach of sea turtles. Accordingly, there is a possibility that sea turtles use the Korean sea as feeding grounds and habitats. These results can serve as basic data for the conservation of globally endangered sea turtles.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.195-216
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• 2002

The flora of Ulleung island was summarized as 975 taxa with 122 families, 465 genus, 762 species, 5 sub-species, 178 varieties, 21 forms, and 9 hybrids. This extent of plant diversity of the island ecosystem was modified from the field surveys by the authors adding the number of 627 taxa; 109 families, 355 genus, 526 species, 2 sub-species, 89 varieties and 10 forms, and Considering the aspects of geographical distribution of the island, the flora showed much closer to the Korean penninsula than that of the Japanese Archipelago. An action plan including intensive conservation and management both for habitat and plant to conserve the island ecosystem should be prepared. The naturalized plants is expanding gradually due to the increase of the tourist. The Ulleung island ecosystem should be conserved as the Protected Area, which is enlarged habitat compared with the present legal conservation actions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.131-145
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• 2013

The purposes of this research are : to analyze biotop type and carry out conservation value assessment in study areas, Daegu Science Park national industrial complex; to supply basic data for the landscape ecological planning; and to improve the application of assessment model with the development of Biotop Value Assessment Tool (B-VAT). The result is as follows. First of all, the field survey showed 434 species of flora and 220 species of insecta. According to the result of biotop type analysis in the biotop classification system with field survey, 13 biotope groups and 63 biotope types were classified. In the map of biotop type classification, readjusted farmland biotop(FA) was prevalent and forest biotop(E) was shown to the southeast side of the site. Next, according to the first assessment with B-VAT, total 19 biotop types including natural river(BA) with abundant plants had I grade and total 16 biotop types such as vegetable garden adjacent to river(BC) had V grade. In terms of the second assessment, we analyzed total 30 areas, total 82 areas, respectively, which had special meaning for the conservation of species and biotop(1a, 1b) and which had meaning for the conservation of species and biotop(2a, 2b, 2c). This research will be a basic data, which can solve the damage problem systematically and control it landscape-friendly with biotop classification and assessment which we developed. In particular, we expect that biotop value assessment tool(B-VAT) with GIS will be a great contribution to popularity compared with the value model by complicated algorism such as adding-matrix, weight and equal distribution. In addition, this will save the time and improve the accuracy for hand-counting.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2019

In this study, a scientific survey on the material of the mother-of-pearl floor mirror was conducted and conservation treatment processes were introduced. The survey results showed that the mother-of-pearl floor mirror in Daejojeon Hall of Changdeokgung is made of Dalbergia spp., and repair work seems to be done later with shorea spp. FT-IR analysis results showed that the varnishing is similar to the spectrum of lacquer. The metal wheels and metal line decorations set with mother-of-pearl were found to be made of brass based on XRF analysis, and the ingredient ratio showed that these were made in modern times. Foreign materials were stuck on the surface of the mother-of-pearl floor mirror before conservation treatment, which was in a structurally unstable condition owing to some missing submaterials. Conservation treatment was conducted on the damaged area to restore the mirror to its original appearance by using the same species of wood determined from the data obtained through the scientific survey.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

The debate of South-North transboundary rivers must be expanded from the existing cooperation in water resources towards cooperation within ecosystem conservation. Regarding the Han and Imjin rivers confluence water system, the nature of the estuarine ecosystem must be conserved considering the aspect of climate change. Furthermore, the agenda of maintaining continuous inter-Korean communication and cooperation should focus on ecosystem conservation, including conserving migratory species that inhabit both Koreas. Notably, within the Han and Imjin rivers confluence, transboundary rivers are abundant legally protected species such as Grus vipio, Anser fabalis, Anser cygnoides, Platalea minor, Lutra lutra, Prionailurus bengalensis which suggests a strong need for a debate regarding habitat conservation. This study analyzed the ecosystem conditions and environmental aspects within the confluence of Han and Imjin rivers. In addition, this study provided step wise approach of ecosystem conservation that consider conditions for potential direct inter-Korean cooperation. The inter-Korean cooperation mentioned in this study will be developed into legitimate cooperation once the results from monitoring the ecosystem of transboundary rivers, awareness raising are exchanged.