• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.353-365
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• 2023

The effects of climate change on green infrastructure and environmental media remain uncertain and context-specific despite numerous climate projections globally. In this study, the extreme weather conditions in seven major cities in South Korea were characterized through statistical analysis of 20-year daily meteorological data extracted fro m the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Additionally, the impacts of extreme weather on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) were determined through a comprehensive review. The results of the statistical analysis and comprehensive review revealed the studied cities are potentially vulnerable to varying extreme weather conditions, depending on geographic location, surface imperviousness, and local weather patterns. Temperature extremes were seen as potential threats to the resilience of NbS in Seoul, as both the highest maximum and lowest minimum temperatures were observed in the mentioned city. Moreover, extreme values for precipitation and maximum wind speed were observed in cities from the southern part of South Korea, particularly Busan, Ulsan, and Jeju. It was also found that extremely low temperatures induce the most impact on the resilience of NbS and environmental media. Extremely cold conditions were identified to reduce the pollutant removal efficiency of biochar, sand, gravel, and woodchip, as well as the nutrient uptake capabilities of constructed wetlands (CWs). In response to the negative impacts of extreme weather on the effectiveness of NbS, several adaptation strategies, such as the addition of shading and insulation systems, were also identified in this study. The results of this study are seen as beneficial to improving the resilience of NbS in South Korea and other locations with similar climate characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.519-533
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• 2018

The sensible heat flux (SHF)and latent heat flux (LHF) over Korean Peninsula ocean during recent 4 years were calculated using Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE) 3.5 bulk algorithm and satellite-based atmospheric-ocean variables. Among the four input variables (10-m wind speed; U, sea surface temperature; $T_s$, air temperature; $T_a$, and air humidity; $Q_a$) required for heat flux calculation, Ta and $Q_a$, which are not observed directly by satellites, were estimated from empirical relations developed using satellite-based columnar atmospheric water vapor (W) and $T_s$. The estimated satellite-based $T_a$ and $Q_a$ show high correlation coefficients above 0.96 with the buoy observations. The temporal and spatial variability of monthly ocean heat fluxes were analyzed for the Korean Peninsula ocean. The SHF showed low values of $20W/m^2$ over the entire areas from March to August. Particularly, in July, SHF from the atmosphere to the ocean, which is less than $0W/m^2$, has been shown in some areas. The SHF gradually increased from September and reached the maximum value in December. Similarly, The LHF showed low values of $40W/m^2$ from April to July, but it increased rapidly from autumn and was highest in December. The analysis of monthly characteristics of the meteorological variables affecting the heat fluxes revealed that the variation in differences of temperature and humidity between air and sea modulate the SHF and LHF, respectively. In addition, as the sensitivity of SHF and LHF to U increase in winter, it contributed to the highest values of ocean heat fluxes in this season.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.577-587
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• 2021

Drought is generally considered to be a natural disaster caused by accumulated water shortages over a long period of time, taking months or years and slowly occurring. However, climate change has led to rapid changes in weather and environmental factors that directly affect agriculture, and extreme weather conditions have led to an increase in the frequency of rapidly developing droughts within weeks to months. This phenomenon is defined as 'Flash Drought', which is caused by an increase in surface temperature over a relatively short period of time and abnormally low and rapidly decreasing soil moisture. The detection and analysis of flash drought is essential because it has a significant impact on agriculture and natural ecosystems, and its impacts are associated with agricultural drought impacts. In South Korea, there is no clear definition of flash drought, so the purpose of this study is to identify and analyze its characteristics. In this study, flash drought detection condition was presented based on the satellite-derived drought index Evaporative Stress Index (ESI) from 2014 to 2018. ESI is used as an early warning indicator for rapidly-occurring flash drought a short period of time due to its similar relationship with reduced soil moisture content, lack of precipitation, increased evaporative demand due to low humidity, high temperature, and strong winds. The flash droughts were analyzed using hydrometeorological characteristics by comparing Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), soil moisture, maximum temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and precipitation. The correlation was analyzed based on the 8 weeks prior to the occurrence of the flash drought, and in most cases, a high correlation of 0.8(-0.8) or higher(lower) was expressed for ESI and SPI, soil moisture, and maximum temperature.