• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.377-389
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• 2010

Understanding the factors relevant to endangerment and the patterns of habitat locations in relation to protected areas is critically important for the conservation of rare species. Although 64 plant species have recently been listed as endangered species in Korea, this information has, until now, not been available, making appropriate management and conservation strategies impossible to devise. Thus, we collected information on potentially threatening factors, as well as information on the locations in which these species were observed. The potentially threatening factors were classified into seven categories. National parks, provincial parks, ecosystem conservation areas, and wetland conservation areas were defined as protected conservation areas. Korean digital elevation model data, along with the maps of all protected areas were combined with the maps of endangered plant species, and analyzed via Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Excluding the category of "small population", endangered plant species in Korea were associated more frequently with extrinsic factors than intrinsic factors. Considering land surface only, all conservation areas in Korea totaled 4.9% of the land, far lower than International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)'s 10% coverage target. At the species level, 69% of the endangered plant species were detected in conservation areas, mostly in national parks. However, this result demonstrates that 31% of endangered species inhabit areas outside the conservation zones. Furthermore, at the habitat level, a large proportion of endangered species were found to reside in unprotected areas, revealing "gaps" in protected land. In the face of rapid environmental changes such as population increases, urbanization, and climate changes, converting these gap areas to endangered species' habitats, or at least including them in habitat networks, will help to perpetuate the existence of endangered species.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.97-100
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• 2017

Endangered native plant habitats and populations are rapidly disappearing because of climate and environmental changes. As a representative, the abundance of the first-class endangered wild plant, Cypripedium japonicum, has been rapidly decreasing in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of rhizosphere and endophytic fungi on C. japonicum in its native habitat. A total of 440 rhizosphere and 79 endosphere fungi isolates were isolated and identified on the basis of their molecular characteristics. Sixty-five genera and 119 fungi species were identified in this study. The genus Trichoderma showed the highest abundance among both rhizosphere and endosphere fungi. Mortierella, Hypocrea, and Penicillium spp. were also relatively dominant species on C. japonicum. The community structures of rhizosphere and endosphere fungi were similar, but endosphere fungi showed greater diversity.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2021

The present study aimed to clarify flora living at the area of Restoration Center for Endangered Species in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk Province. In May, August, and September 2019 and in May and July 2020, all of vascular plants were recorded, and endangered, Korea endemic, and exotic plant species were further identified. The study site contained a total of 418 floral taxa (98 families, 261 genera, 384 species, 4 subspecies, 27 variations, and 3 formations), in which Magnoliophyta accounted for larger proportion (95.2%) than Pteridophyta (3.6%) and Pinophyta (1.2%). In addition, 1 endangered (Cypripedium macranthos Sw.) and 5 Korea endemic species (Aconitum pseudolaeve Nakai, Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis [Nakai] C.H. Kim & B.-Y. Sun, Lonicera subsessilis Rehder, Paulownia coreana Uyeki, and Weigela subsessilis [Nakai] L.H. Bailey) were detected. The number of exotic species was 33, consisting of 4 invasive-exotic, 4 potentially invasive-exotic, and 25 non-invasive species. Compared to a previous assessment before the establishment of the center (in 2014), there were increases in total floral taxa (from 361 to 418), endangered species (from 0 to 1), and exotic species (from 26 to 33). These results possibly reflect temporal changes in floral community, which should be confirmed through subsequent long term monitoring.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2005

Based on the specific plant species for environmental assesment by the Ministry of Environment(MoE), a total of 68 taxa were identified; 29 taxa for the floristic degree(FD) I, 12 taxa for the FD II, 11 taxa for the FD III, 9 taxa for the FD IV and 6 taxa for the FD V. The endangered plant species, in Woraksan National Park, such as Lilium cernum and Berchemia berchemiaefolia are categorized as the Conservation Degree (CD) II which is designated by the MoE. The rare and endangered species such as Crypsinus hastatus, Lilium cernum, Berchemia berchemiaefolia, Lilium callossum, Gastrodia elata, Aristolochia contorta, Koelreuteria paniculata, Rhododendron tschonoskii, Scopolia japonica, Cypripedium macranthum, Paeonia japonica and Thymus quinquecostatus including 12 plant taxa are categorized as Rare and Endangered Plant Species by the Korea Forest Service.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2018

Genetic assessments of rare and endangered species are among the first steps necessary to establish the proper management of natural populations. Transcriptome-derived single-sequence repeat markers were developed for the Korean endangered species Astilboides tabularis (Saxifragaceae) to assess its genetic diversity. A total of 96 candidate microsatellite loci were isolated based on transcriptome data using Illumina pair end sequencing. Of these, 26 were polymorphic, with one to five alleles per locus in 60 individuals from three populations of A. tabularis. The observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.950 and from 0.000 to 0.741, respectively. These polymorphic transcriptome-derived simple sequence repeat markers would be invaluable for future studies of population genetics and for ecological conservation of the endangered species A. tabularis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2009

The genetic diversity plays a significant role in determining a species' survival and perseverance. Endangered species often lack genetic variation, which makes them vulnerable to numerous dangers of extinction including selection, genetic drifts and human interference. Knowing an endangered species' genetic background greatly enhances conservation efforts since it reveals why, what and how to conserve that species. Cotoneaster wilsonii is an endangered plant species endemic to Ulleung island, but not enough genetic research has been done on this taxon for its effective conservation plans. In this study, three populations of C. wilsonii in Ulleung island underwent allozyme analysis through starch gel electrophoresis. 10 loci were analyzed and F-statistics was calculated. Overall data indicated that C. wilsonii possessed low genetic diversity with intense inbreeding, heterozygote deficiency and low differentiation among populations. These results implied that C. wilsonii was recently introduced to the Ulleung island from ancestor species, and did not have much time to differentiate. Current status of C. wilsonii habitats is very fragile and vulnerable, with increasing tourism constantly threatening the species' survival. It is very likely that C. wilsonii will become extinct in near future unless organized conservation protects its populations and genetic diversity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.165-177
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• 2023

Field surveys were conducted at a total of 50 locations targeting naturalized plants on Ulleung-do. A total of 109 taxa were identified, including the list of naturalized plants in the preceding literature. The naturalized plants of Ulleung-do had a high proportion of Asteraceae, which appeared frequently in the habitat of the ruderal type. There were no naturalized plants that settled only on Ulleung-do, and all naturalized plants found on Ulleung-do first settled on the Korean Peninsula. This was proved by the high rates of epecophyten (90.8%) and the introduction period 2nd (70.6%). On the other hand, among ecosystem-disturbing species that have a great influence in the inland of the Korean Peninsula, Hypochaeris radicata and Rumex acetosella appeared in a limited area in Ulleung-do. On the other hand, Lapsana communis appeared in high density along the forest edge, requiring management of naturalized plants different from those in the Korean Peninsula. Naturalized plants on Ulleung-do showed a rapid increase in the 1990s after increased academic research, coastal road development, and other development projects. This highlights the necessity for continuous research on the pattern of naturalized plant occurrence after the completion of the Ulleung Airport, which is currently under construction.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.201-207
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• 2003

Tissue culture techniques arguably are an important approach for ex situ conservation of rare and endangered plant species. However, there is utmost importance on maintaining the genetic integrity of the introduced plants especially in tree species. To examine the genetic integrity of the micropropagated plants, we randomly screened few hardened plants of Syzygium travancoricum, a critically endangered tree taxon, using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Twenty-three random. primers were tried and twenty-five polymorphic loci were identified. The dendrogram based on the Unweighted Pair-Group Method Arithmetic Average and Nei's similarity index depicted about 97% homology between the mother plants and micropropagated plants. Further, an attempt was made to reintroduce the micropropagated plants in the wild. Over three hundred small trees could be successfully established.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2009

Corylopsis coreana Uyeki is endemic species in the Korean peninsula and is designated a Category Endangered Plant Species by the Wildlife Protection Act of South Korea. We developed the plan and cooperative model within the local community for the species conservation. In order to carry out this plan we first investigated the ecological characteristics of the species. The species shows patterns of discontinuous distribution and is coupled with the unusual feature of only growing on northern exposed slopes. Although Corylopsis coreana is cut the stem every year, many new sprouts are still grown from the root. Natural germination of the seed occurs only on north-facing slopes, but not on south-facing slopes at spring. That is, the species is highly influenced by soil moisture until the seedling stage has been reached. This factor limits the distribution of the species. When saplings are planted on south-facing slopes, they grow well. The information we gathered greatly helped with efforts to draw up conservation plans. In addition, when the information was shared with the local community, builders and residents showed great interest and displayed a will to help with conservation efforts. Therefore, a cooperative model within the local community was drawn up for the conservation of the species. Accordingly this model could be applied at mitigation measure at environment impact assessment.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.166-169
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify the natural habitat of Bulbophyllum inconspicuum Maxim. in Hongdo, Jeonnam Province, South Korea. A field investi gation was conducted between May 2019 and May 2021. The growth of B. inconspicuum species was confirmed in three known regions based on National Survey on the Distribution of Endangered Species. Additionally, in the area investigated, 37 new regions harboring B. inconspicuum were detected. The newly observed B. inconspicuum grew naturally on Quercus mongolica, Rhaphiolepis indica var. umbellata, Carpinus turczaninowii, and rocks. Most of them were found on southeast and southwest slopes with altitude above 250 m. As few as 10 up to hundreds of B. inconspicuum were found in clusters. Close to their habitat, Calanthe sieboldii Decne. ex Regel, C. aristulifera Rchb. f. and C. × kibanakirishima Maek. were also found. As Hongdo is an island, multiple endangered species were found together. Thus, once the habitat of a certain plant is discovered, it is very likely that illegal collection of several other species will also occur. Proactive internal and external measures are needed to preserve these species.