• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determined the status and geographical distribution of the alien invasive Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) turtle on Jeju Island. We found thirty-two Red-eared slider habitats including twenty-five ponds, five agricultural reservoirs, a puddle and a stream. Among those, thirteen sites are newly determined habitats of the turtle. The remaining nineteen are previously reported. However, we could not find any turtles at nine sites, which were documented as turtle habitats in earlier reports. A total of one hundred thirty-three turtles were observed. Among them, we determined that thirty-nine were juvenile turtles, found in nineteen different habitats, indicating estimating that Red-eared sliders produced their progeny in the wild of this island. Because of geographical isolation by the ocean, no freshwater turtle had been found until $19^{th}$ Century. Therefore, the increased number of finding sites and Red-eared sliders indicate the possibility of human release of their pets or for other purposes, and natural propagation in the wild on Jeju Island. Our findings will be useful for management planning to deal with this invasive species, and implementation of a conservation program for native wildlife on Jeju Island.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.475-482
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• 2019

The increase in human use and activity in the oceans is leading to marine pollution and habitat destruction. As a result, in particular, marine animals with a long life cycle and small population are threatened with extinction. Thus, the Korean government designated 11 artificial habitats, such as aquariums and marine museums, as Ex-situ conservation institutions to preserve endangered marine life in 2010. However, studies on the significance and economic value of Ex-situ conservation institutions providing marine life conservation services have not been conducted. Thus, the purpose of this study was to estimate the public's quantitative support for the operation policy of Ex-situ conservation institutions, which is a management method for the protection and propagation of marine animals in Korea. To achieve this, the economic value of the marine animal conservation role of the National Maritime Museum was estimated, operated as an Ex-situ conservation institution for the preservation of green turtles in Korea. By using the representative non-market valuation method for public goods known as the contingent valuation method (CVM), the economic value of the Ex-situ conservation institution (National Maritime Museum) was estimated at approximately 41.8 billion won to a maximum of 78.1 billion won. The results of this study can be applied as basic data for marine animal management policymakers in establishing efficient management plans for endangered marine animals in Korea's coastal waters.

• 한국생태학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1999.05a
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• pp.43-54
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• 1999

1. Hanoi city was built up on the wetland landscape of the Red River delta therefore it has a network of many lakes and rivers. 2. The aquatic biodiversity (Macrophytes, Invertebrates, Fishes, Vertebrates) of the 6 main lakes (Ho Tay, Hoan Kiem, Bay Mau, Giang Vo, Dong Da, Thanh Nhan) are rich and diverse. It represents the patterns of Red River delta one's. Many rare and endangered species are found in these lakes Particularly a giant freshwater turtle species in Hoan Kiem lake. 3. All of these lakes are more or less polluted. Their environments are seriously degrading both in water quality and aquatic biodiversity. 4. Based on socio-economical and cultural role of these lakes of Hanoi city, it is very necessary to preserve and to restore their environments and aquatic biodiversity: water Pollution control, landscape planning, making roads around the lakes and erosion control for their banks, legislation measures, rational exploitation of aquatic biodiversity, restoration the artificial wetlands with macrophytes.

• Conservation Science in Museum
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• v.19
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• pp.1-18
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• 2018

The Stele for National Preceptor Hongbeop from the Jeongtosa Temple site in Chungju is one of the most important stone cultural heritage items for exemplifying the style of the Goryeo era. Despite its obvious value, this relic has been stored in a weathered condition at the National Museum of Korea. It had suffered various dismantling and displacements during the Japanese colonial period and had long been exposed in the open air. The stele was selected as a subject for the Stone Monuments Restoration Project launched by the National Museum of Korea in 2015. In preparation for its outdoor exhibition as part of the restoration project, this study investigated the characteristics of its materials, produced a map of its deterioration from weathering, and carried out ultrasonic analysis of the materials to provide findings useful for conservation treatment. The materials analysis revealed that the turtle-shaped pedestal of the stele was made from two-mica granite consisting of medium-grained quartz, plagioclase, alkali feldspar, biotite, and muscovite. Its body stone is crystalline marble, the rock-forming mineral in which is medium-grained calcite in a rose-pink color with dark grey spots. The dragon top of the stele is made of crystalline marble, the major component of which is medium-grained calcite of a light-grey color. The deterioration consists of 21.5% abrasion on the stone body, with its south face most damaged, and 18.6% granular disintegration, with the north face most damaged. The ultrasonic material characterization conducted for mapping the general condition of weathering shows low values on the parts-assembly area of the turtle-shaped pedestal and on the upper portion of the stone body. It is considered that there is dislocation due to partial blistering and fracturing as well as to the differences in surface treatment. Prior to the outdoor exhibition of the stele, the surface was cleaned of contaminants and was consolidated based on the scientific investigation in order to prevent weathering from the external environment.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.402-407
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the habitat characteristics of a reservoir in Gyeongju City, Gyeongbuk, in which a large group of Mauremys reevesii (endangered species Class II and natural monument No. 453 in Korea) was discovered. We examined the biotic and abiotic factors that directly and indirectly threaten the survival of M. reevesii within the habitat. The reservoir where M. reevesii was discovered was built for agriculture and surrounded by submerged trees, dam, forests, reeds, and farmland (paddy field). All of the M. reevesii were found only in the submerged trees on the north side of the reservoir. We found 28 M. reevesii (8 juveniles) and 21 M. reevesii (16 juveniles) from field surveys on May 10th and August 9th, 2018, respectively. A number of red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana), which threaten the survival of M. reevesii, were also found in and around the reservoir. Moreover, there were signs of excavation of cultural asset, chemical fertilizer, and household garbage, all of which are considered to be major threats to the survival of M. reevesii, all over the reservoir. Newborn turtles in this year were not observed. However, we estimated that natural breeding had sufficiently occurred since we observed many young turtles in the reservoir. Furthermore, the presence of young T. s. elegans individuals can be a persistent problem for M. reevesii as they are competing species. In conclusion, in-situ conservation method should be considered for protecting the endangered turtle and their habitat.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.132-140
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• 2023

In this study, a total of 21 parts of the head, carapace, and plastron of 21 tortoises were examined to investigate the characteristics of male and female sexual dimorphism of the Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii), a natural monument in Korea. The ratio values of a total of 19 areas were derived from Head Length (HL) and Carapace Length (CL). As a result of comparing the ratio values, it was found that male tortoises had larger head length, head width, and head height than females compared to the size of the carapace. Since females grow eggs inside the body through internal fertilization after mating, female carapaces are judged to be larger than males overall. As a result of statistical analysis of the ratio values of the measured values, Plastron Length (PL), Bridge Length (BL), Gular Length (GL), Interhumeral Length (IH), Interanal Length (IAN), Femoral-Anal seam (FA) and Head Height (HH) showed statistically significant differences. Statistically significant in the part of the plastron, it is judged that the tortoise acts directly on each deck of the plastron as it grows. In addition, the head size of male tortoises was smaller than that of females, but it was found to be larger in proportion. It is considered that the tortoise has a rather large head compared to the body due to the male's habit of shaking his head and courtship behavior before mating. This study, we were able to identify the characteristics of sexual dimorphism in Reeve's turtle. However, since most of them were rescued, it was not possible to accurately determine habitat and age. In the future, if additional studies are conducted on individuals with clear habitats and ages, it is expected that the characteristics of the physical differences that develop as they grow can be identified.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.381-396
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• 2017

Understanding species distribution plays an important role in conservation as well as evolutionary biology. In this study, we applied a species distribution model to predict hotspot areas and habitat characteristics for endangered herpetofauna species in South Korea: the Korean Crevice Salamander (Karsenia koreana), Suweon-tree frog (Hyla suweonensis), Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), Narrow-mouthed toad (Kaloula borealis), Korean ratsnake (Elaphe schrenckii), Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus), Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii) and Soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The Kori salamander (Hynobius yangi) and Black-headed snake (Sibynophis chinensis) were excluded from the analysis due to insufficient sample size. The results showed that the altitude was the most important environmental variable for their distribution, and the altitude at which these species were distributed correlated with the climate of that region. The predicted distribution area derived from the species distribution modelling adequately reflected the observation site used in this study as well as those reported in preceding studies. The average AUC value of the eigh species was relatively high ($0.845{\pm}0.08$), while the average omission rate value was relatively low ($0.087{\pm}0.01$). Therefore, the species overlaying model created for the endangered species is considered successful. When merging the distribution models, it was shown that five species shared their habitats in the coastal areas of Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, which are the western regions of the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, we suggest that protection should be a high priority in these area, and our overall results may serve as essential and fundamental data for the conservation of endangered amphibian and reptiles in Korea.