• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.633-640
• /
• 2007

The diurnal changes of chlorophyll fluorescence and antioxidative enzyme activity were investigated in the leaves from four subtropical plant species (Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum Bak., Osmanthus insularis Koidz., Asplenium antiquum Makino and Chloranthus glaber Makino) under the natural habitats in summer and winter. The intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence was lower in O-, I-, J-, P-steps of O-J-I-P transient in winter than summer, and prominent diurnal change was not found in the fluorescence intensity of four subtropical plant species in winter. The activity and isoenzyme pattern of SOD and catalase did irregularly change seasonally and diurnally in four subtropical plant species. In contrast, the peroxidase activity and isoenzyme pattern was different depending on plant species and growth seasons; The activity increased slightly more in winter than in summer in four subtropical plant species, and several isoenzymes appeared in the leaves from C. asiaticum var japonicum, O. insularis and A. antiquum in winter.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.389-395
• /
• 2005

The changes of O-J-I-P transients were investigated using leaves of four subtropical plant species (Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum, Osmanthus insularis, Chloranthus glaber and Asplenium antiquum) under the natural conditions in winter, in order to select the stress indicators for diagnosing physiological states of plants under low temperature. In the O-J-I-P transients of these species, the fluorescence intensity was found to be higher in O-step and lower in P-step in winter than in summer. Particularly, the fluorescence intensity of the P-step in Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum was lower than those of other three plant species, indicating that Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum is the most sensitive to low temperature. Of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters derived from O-J-I-P transients of four subtropical plants, Fm, Fv/Fo, ABS/CS, TRo/CS, $\phi_{po}$ and $\phi_{po}/(1-\phi_{po})$ decreased significantly with the increase of Fo, Sm, N, EToICS, ETo/RC and $\psi_o/(1-\psi_o)$ depending on temperature drop in winter. Therefore, these parameters could be used as indicators for estimating low temperature stress and diagnosing physiological states of plants under the natural conditions in winter.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.196-198
• /
• 2017

Sciaphila secundiflora occurs on Jeju Island as a second species of the genus Sciaphila in Korea. This is an important finding in relation to the flora of Korea, as species of the genus Sciaphila are concentrated mainly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Few species are found on the mainland of Asia, in Japan, Taiwan, China (Hainan), tropical Africa, Australia, and on the Pacific islands. In this paper, the species S. secundiflora is described and illustrated as a new record from Korea. In addition, we suggest that the species of the genus Sciaphila should be protected with regard to its habitat characteristics and for its phytogeographic and climatic significance.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.100-108
• /
• 2018

This study presents a survey of bryophytes in a subtropical forest of Nabeup-ri, known as Geumsan Park, located at Aewol Gotjawal in the northwestern part of Jejudo Island, Korea. A total of 63 taxa belonging to Bryophyta (22 families 37 genera 44 species), Marchantiophyta (7 families 11 genera 18 species), and Anthocerotophyta (1 family 1 genus 1 species) were determined, and the liverwort index was 30.2%. The predominant life form was the mat form. The rates of bryophytes dominating in mesic to hygric sites were higher than the bryophytes mainly observed in xeric habitats. These values indicate that such forests are widespread in this study area. Moreover, the rock was the substrate type, which plays a major role in providing micro-habitats for bryophytes. We suggest that more detailed studies of the bryophyte flora should be conducted on a regional scale to provide basic data for selecting indicator species of Gotjawal and evergreen broad-leaved forests on Jejudo Island.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.326-331
• /
• 2021

The complete chloroplast genome of Zoysia macrostachya Franch. & Sav. isolated in Korea is 135,902 bp long (GC ratio is 38.4%) and has four subregions; 81,546 bp of large single-copy (36.3%) and 12,586 bp of small single-copy (32.7%) regions are separated by 20,885 bp of inverted repeat (44.1%) regions, including 130 genes (83 protein-coding genes, eight rRNAs, and 39 tRNAs). Thirty-nine single nucleotide polymorphisms and 11 insertions and deletion (INDEL) regions were identified from two Z. macrostachya chloroplast genomes, the smallest among other Zoysia species. Phylogenetic trees show that two Z. macrostachya chloroplast genomes are clustered into a single clade. However, we found some incongruency with regard to the phylogenetic position of the Z. macrostachya clade. Our chloroplast genome provides insights into intraspecific variations and species delimitation issues pertaining to the Zoysia species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.53-69
• /
• 2015

Plants and birds have symbiotic relationship as the birds eat the fruits and disperse its seeds from the different places. Because Brown-eared Bulbul eats various fruits, We investigated the fruits consumed by Brown-eared Bulbul and the distribution of these seeds. Surveys were conducted at several area throughout Jeju Island at least twice a month from 2013 to 2014. We identified the fruits consumed by Brown-eared Bulbul through observation, pictures and interviews from the local residents. Results showed that this species consumed fruits from 82 plant species, belonging to 38 plant families. Thirty nine percent(39%) of these plant species belong to the Rosaceae, Lauraceae, Moraceae, Aquifoliaceae and Vitaceae and 33 species were classified as warm-temperate and subtropical plant which is 40% of the total plant species consumed. Two feeding types, which were gulper type and pecking type were observed for the Brown-eared Bulbul. It was also observed that this species preferred eating fruits of gulping type compared to that of pecking type. The average size of the fruits consumed through gulping was $8.92{\pm}3.41mm$ while it was $45.25{\pm}26.67mm$ for the pecker type. This bird species also consumed more fruits with globular shape compared to those of fruits with ellipse shape. For the fruit color, red and black-colored fruits were more preferred than yellow-colored fruits by Brown-eared Bulbul. Eaten frequency varied from 0.04 to 0.58 and the 10 fruits species were eaten frequently by Brown-eared Bulbul. This study would provide information for the role of Brown-eared Bulbul in the ecosystem as a seed dispersal agent.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.8-17
• /
• 2022

Background: Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae; hereafter Parthenium) is an invasive alien species of global significance because of its' negative ecological and socioeconomic impacts. This species is spreading rapidly from lowland Tarai to Middle Mountain regions in Nepal. In the present study, we analyzed the impacts of Parthenium on plant community composition including their soil seedbank in subtropical grasslands located in central Nepal. Data was collected in a 10 m long transects passing through areas of high (> 90% cover), medium (40%-60%) and low (< 10%) levels of Parthenium cover using a plot of 1 m². Altogether, we sampled 90 plots in 30 transects. Seedling emergence method was used to estimate soil seedbank density in the soil samples (0-10 cm depth) collected from the plots with high Parthenium cover. Results: There was no significant difference in the plant species richness at different levels of Parthenium invasion whereas there was a significant change in the species composition of above ground flora due to Parthenium invasion. There was also a significant difference in species composition between soil seedbank and aboveground flora in the highly invaded plots. Parthenium was the most dominant in soil seedbank, contributing 65% to the total soil seedbank. Conclusions: Our study suggests that Parthenium has considerable negative impact on the native grassland flora, and the dominance of Parthenium in the soil seedbank means there is a challenge for its management. It also suggests the need of monitoring the soil seedbank dynamics while managing Parthenium weed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.215-223
• /
• 2019

Recently, it has become known that Gotjawal terrain is an important area, therefore the study on this area has conducted in the geological, ecological, and cultural aspects. The studies on bryophytes of Gotjawal, however, have not been sufficiently performed. This study presents a survey on the bryophytes of the evergreen broad-leaved forest of Cheongsu-ri at Hangyeong Gotjawal in the southwestern part of Jejudo Island, Korea. A total of 72 taxa belonging to the Bryophyta (18 families 43 genera 55 species) and Marchantiophyta (11 families 13 genera 17 species) were determined and the liverwort index was 23.6%. Predominant life-form was weft. The rates of the bryophytes dominating in mesic to hygric sites were higher than the bryophytes mainly observed in xeric habitats. These values indicate that the forests are widespread and dense in this study area. Upon an investigation of the substrates, the bryophytes on rocks were most diverse. The results appear to stem from the fact that volcanic rock masses of various sizes lay scattered over the study area, offering numerous micro-habitats for bryophyte due to one of the characteristics of Gotjawal. We suggest that more detailed studies should be conducted at the regional scale to establish the bryophyte flora of Gotjawal and the evergreen broad-leaved forests on Jejudo Island.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.275-285
• /
• 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 Environmental Science International
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.635-644
• /
• 2016

Birds play a main role in the formation and change of forest structures as they are seed-dispersal agents. This study aims to identify birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree and their associated fruits and seeds on Jeju Island in the context on the forest restoration in Korea. We conducted field surveys twice a month from 2013 to 2015 at nine study sites located across Jeju Island and collected available photographic and observation records. A total of 50 species of birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree were identified and birds belonging to Bombycillidae, Pycnonotidae, Zosteropidae, Sturnidae and Fringillidae were confirmed as major birds consuming fruits and seeds of the tree. Gulping was the dominant type of feeding as well as crushing, but relationship between the size of a bird and the number of fruit and seed species used by the bird was not significant. We also documented that 118 fruit and seed species were consumed by birds and that shrubby fruits and seeds were more consumed by birds than those of other plant types. The relative consumption rate of fruits and seeds ranged from 0.02 to 0.44, but five species were the most important fruits and seeds for birds. Our finding suggest that avian frugivorous gulpers will benefit the seed dispersal, especially of five fruiting plants, providing useful baseline data for forest restoration and urban park design.