• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.177-185
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• 2009

Dryland species and ecosystems have developed unique strategies to cope with low and sporadic rainfall. They are highly resilient and recover quickly from prevailing disturbances such as fires, herbivore pressure and drought. Dryland people have engineered pastoral and farming systems, which are adapted to these conditions and have sustained the livelihoods of dryland people for centuries. In this article, we present the status of potentials and threats to dryland biodiversity and explore options for its conservation and sustainable use. Findings of the research can be summarized as follows: (i) The ecosystem goods and services are highly valued by the community but mechanism for wise use of the resources has disappeared, (ii) forests are under the ownership of the government but the local community is the realistic custodian of the forests through village leaderships and environmental committees; (iii) the immediate major threat to dryland biodiversity held in the forests appears to be the degradation of ecosystems and habitats caused by new and powerful forces of environmental degradation such as large scale irrigation of rice farms, poverty-induced overexploitation of natural resources, and disappearance and ignorance of traditional institutions for management of dryland biodiversity. These new forms of disturbances often overpower the legendary resilience of dryland ecosystems and constitute potentially serious threats to dryland biodiversity. Forests, wetlands and oases all of which are micro hot spots of dryland biodiversity, appear to be particularly vulnerable hence the need to set up some rules and regulations for sustainable utilization of these resources.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2014

This paper provides some of the scientific background on how projected environmental conditions could affect weeds and weed management in crops. Elevated $CO_2$ levels may have positive effects on crop competitiveness with $C_4$ weeds, but these are generally outnumbered by $C_3$ species in weed populations. Moreover, higher temperatures and drought will favor $C_4$ over $C_3$ plants. The implementation of climate change adaptation technologies, such as drought-tolerant germplasm and water-saving irrigation regimes, will have consequences for crop-weed competition. Rainfed production systems are thought to be most vulnerable to the direct effects of climate change and are likely to face increased competition from $C_4$ and parasitic weeds. Biotic stress-tolerant crop cultivars to be developed for these systems should encompass weed competitiveness and parasitic-weed resistance. In irrigated systems, indirect effects will be more important and weed management strategies should be diversified to lessen dependency on herbicides and mechanical control, and be targeted to perennial rhizomatous ($C_3$) weeds. Water-saving production methods that replace a weed-suppressive floodwater layer by intermittent or continuous periods of aerobic conditions necessitate additional weed management strategies to address the inherent increases in weed competition. Thus, climatic conditions have a great effect on weed population dynamics all over the world.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.12.1-12.8
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• 2019

Background: Wild fish populations stock is continuously diminishing in the Indo-Ganges river basin, and the population status of most fishes is unidentified. The identification of the population status and the conservation of commercially important and endemic wild fish populations in this region are crucial for the management. The aim of this paper was to identify the population status of Cirrhinus reba, a promising aquaculture but vulnerable species in the Indo-Ganges river basin in Bangladesh. Methods: C. reba samples were collected from four isolated populations of the Brahmaputra (n = 30), the Padma (33), the Karatoya (31), and the Jamuna Rivers (30) in Bangladesh, and the population status was evaluated using morphometric and landmark comparisons. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test, univariate analysis, discriminant function analysis, and the formation of a dendrogram. Results: Three meristic characters (Pectoral fin rays, caudal fin rays, scale in lateral lines), four morphometric characters (head length, pre-orbital length, post-orbital length, maximum body depth), and truss measurement (4-7) were significantly different among the stocks. The step-wise discriminant function analysis retained 15 variables from morphometric and landmark measurements that significantly differentiated the populations based on the constructed DFI and DFII. Discriminate function analysis also showed that 91.2% of the original groups were classified into their correct samples. The cluster analysis of Euclidean distances placed the Jamuna population in one cluster and the Brahmaputra, the Padma, and the Karatoya populations in the second one. Conclusion : Morphological differences among the stock were probably due to different ancestral origin. This is the first report about population status of C. reba in their natural habitat of the Indian subcontinent. Further genetic studies and the evaluation of environmental impact on C. reba populations in Bangladesh are suggested to support our findings.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1055-1066
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• 2023

The cultured meat industry is continuously evolving due to the collective efforts of cultured meat companies and academics worldwide. Though still technologically limited, recent reports of regulatory approvals for cultured meat companies have initiated the standards-based approach towards cultured meat production. Incidents of deception in the meat industry call for fool-proof authentication methods to ensure consumer safety, product quality, and traceability. The cultured meat industry is not exempt from the threats of food fraud. Meat authentication techniques based on DNA, protein, and metabolite fingerprints of animal meat species needs to be evaluated for their applicability to cultured meat. Technique-based categorization of cultured meat products could ease the identification of appropriate authentication methods. The combination of methods with high sensitivity and specificity is key to increasing the accuracy and precision of meat authentication. The identification of markers (both physical and biochemical) to differentiate conventional meat from cultured meat needs to be established to ensure overall product traceability. The current review briefly discusses some areas in the cultured meat industry that are vulnerable to food fraud. Specifically, it targets the current meat and meat product authentication tests to emphasize the need for ensuring the traceability of cultured meat.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2023

Genetic resources of mulberry trees are commonly preserved as trophosomes, which are vulnerable to environmental factors, such as natural disasters, diseases, and pests. This study establishes a basic protocol for ultra-low temperature cryopreservation of mulberry trees using a two-step freezing process. The procedure was established using the "Daeshim" variety and then tested on genetic resources from 24 other mulberry varieties. Samples were first dried to a moisture content of 33-43% in a low-temperature forced-air chamber at -5 ℃, then slowly frozen from -5 ℃ to -20 ℃, and preserved in liquid nitrogen (-196 ℃). To determine the regeneration rate, isolated dormant buds were inoculated into MS basal medium, and grown shoots were grafted onto 1-year-old rootstock via chip budding and then cultured. After freezing in liquid nitrogen, the "Daeshim" variety exhibited a survival and regeneration rate of more than 70% and 50%, respectively. Applying the two-step freezing process to genetic resources from 24 mulberry species yielded average survival and regeneration rates of 85.3% and 75.5%, respectively. Morus alba showed survival and regeneration rates of 100%, confirming the efficacy of the two-step freezing method. These results indicate the high feasibility of ultra-low-temperature cryopreservation through two-step freezing of dormant buds from mulberry genetic resources. Additional research is required into the variations in regeneration rates with freezing period in liquid nitrogen.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2016

Sharks (Selachii) comprising about 510 valid species worldwide. Forty-three shark species belonging to 30 genera, 19 families and 8 orders have been found in Korean coastal waters, and all these are registered at the IUCN Red List as followings: endangered (EN) 1 species (2.3%) (vs. worldwide 15 spp., 3.2%), vulnerable (VU) 11 spp. (25.6%) (vs. 48 spp., 10.3%), near threatened (NT) 10 spp. (23.3%) (vs. 67 spp., 14.4%), least concern (LC) 9 spp. (20.9%) (vs. 115 spp., 24.7%), data deficient (DD) 12 spp. (27.9%) (vs. 209 spp., 44.9%), and critically endangered (CR) absent (vs. 11 spp., 2.4%). Twelve species among 43 sharks distributing in Korean waters are assessed as Threatened in the IUCN Red List categories and criteria as followings: Sphyrna lewini (EN, A2bd+4bd), Rhincodon typus (VU, A2bd+3d), Cetorhinus maximus (VU, A2ad+3d), Carcharodon carcharias (VU, A2cd+3cd), Isurus oxyrinchus (VU, A2abd+3bd+4abd), Alopias pelagicus (VU, A2d+4d), A. vulpinus (VU, A2bd+3bd+4bd), Carcharhinus plumbeus (VU, A2bd+4bd), S. zygaena (VU, A2bd+3bd+4bd), Squalus suckleyi (VU, A2bd+3bd+4bd), Squatina japonica (VU, A2d+4d), and S. nebulosa (VU, A2d+4d). Eighteen chondrichthyan species are registered in the list of the CITES Appendices, among them five sharks are distributing in Korean waters as Appendix II, i.e., R. typus, C. maximus, C. carcharias, S. lewini and S. zygaena. The scientific name of "Gobsangeo" has been changed from Squalus acanthias of the North Pacific to S. suckleyi, and "Mojorisangeo" from S. megalops of the Northwest Pacific to brevirostris.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 2014

The main purpose of this study is to estimate tradial growth response and to predict the potential spatial distribution of major tree species(Pinus densiflora, Quercus mongolica, Quercus spp., Castanea crenata and Larix kaempferi) in South Korea, considering climate and topographic factors. To estimate radial growth response, $5^{th}$ National Forest Inventory data, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) and climatic data such as temperature and precipitation were used. Also, to predict the potential spatial distribution of major tree species, RCP 8.5 Scenario was applied. By our analysis, it was found that the rising temperature would have negative impacts on radial growth of Pinus densiflora, Castanea crenata and Larix kaempferi, and positive impacts on that of Quercus mongolica, Quercus spp.. Incremental precipitation would have positive effects on radial growth of Pinus densiflora and Quercus mongolica. When radial growth response considered by RCP 8.5 scenario, it was found that the radial growth of Pinus densiflora, Castanea crenata and Larix kaempferi would be more vulnerable than that of Quercus mongolica and Quercus spp. to temperature. According to the climate change scenario, Quercus spp. including Quercus mongolica would be expected to have greater abundance than its present status in South Korea. The result of this study would be helpful for understanding the impact of climatic factors on tree growth and for predicting the distribution of major tree species by climate change in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2014

Most evergreen Quercus species are typical, dominant members of Korean evergreen forests. However, little is known about the distribution status of Q. myrsinifolia Blume there. To enhance our knowledge about their natural range in Korea, we conducted field surveys based on specimen records and an extensive literature search. We also determined their exact number as a first step in planning their conservation. The results indicated that these trees are strictly limited to Jin Island, and 169 mature individuals were the maximum number and occurred in only three subpopulations on that island. Previous misidentifications and perhaps mislabeled locations for plant specimens were the main reasons for earlier confusion about distribution. We believe that these results can provide guidance when making specific recommendations for management interventions. These discoveries also demonstrate the value in having reliable information about plant specimens in general. We also speculated about what makes this species particularly vulnerable to local extinction.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2015

Giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus) is a endangered species considered as a vulnerable grade-organism in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. As a fundamental baseline study for establishing a giant grouper broodstock management system, the efficiency for parentage analysis was evaluated by using microsatellite makers previously available in this species. The eight microsatellites generated a total 52 alleles from 32 individuals, the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.663, and mean inbreeding coefficient was 0.011, consequently suggesting that the present broodstock has retained the high level of genetic diversity. However, our analysis also recommended the collection of more broodfish for more stable brood line, since the estimated value of the effective population size was proven to be 35. The average probability of identity was $6.85{\times}10^{-11}$. NE-2P and NE-PP of paternity non-exclusion probabilities were 0.00835 and 0.00027, respectively. As the result of principle coordinate analysis, the genotype of broodstock was not overlapped, suggesting that the management system of giant grouper based on eight selected microsatellite markers might be effective, although further validation with extended number of broodfish might also be needed in future. Data of present study could be a useful basis to avoid the unwanted selection of broodfish that possess close genetic relationship with current broodstock, and consequently to establish effective broodstock management system allowing the production of progeny with high genetic diversity.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.314-321
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• 2012

To quantitatively assess the effects of turbidity on egg development and larval fish survival, a laboratory fish rearing experiment was applied to different life stages (newly hatched larval stage, juvenile stage and pre-adult stage) of the Zacco platypus, one of the most universal and tolerant species in Korea. According to the stress index of turbidity in water with exposure time, three different treatments, including a reference condition (1~7 NTU) as well as intermediate (20~150 NTU) and high turbidity conditions (400~1,000 NTU) were applied, and egg hatching and larval fish mortality rates were observed. The mortality rates of newly hatched larval fish were significantly different among treatments (ANOVA, $F_{2,3}$=17.79, p<0.05). Average rates of survival to hatching were 20.9% (${\pm}0.1%$) for reference condition, 11% (${\pm}6.9%$) for intermediate level and 3.2% (${\pm}3.7%$) for high level conditions, respectively. A sudden change of mortality at the high level was observed within 5 days of the experiment. About 84% of juvenile fish survived until 20 experimental periods under conditions of reference turbidity, while survival under conditions of intermediate turbidity was over 80% of larval fish until day 13 of the experiment, but dropped to less than 10% after day 14 and 15 of two experiments. Fish mortality appeared from day 6 of the high turbidity experiment, and 50% mortality was achieved at day 9 to 10 of experiment. Full mortality occurred at day 14 of the experiment (RM-ANOVA, $F_{2,38}$, p<0.005). In the pre-adult stage experiment, no mortality was observed during the experiment at reference level treatment (20 days), while only slight mortality rates were observed for both intermediate and high levels until day 5 of the experiment, however, no further fish died in either experiment. It was significantly different compared to reference condition (RM-ANOVA, $F_{2,20}$=8.28, p<0.01), but no difference was observed between intermediate and high level conditions. Consequently, this tolerant species has been determined to be well adapted to high levels of turbidity in its adult stage, but more vulnerable throughout earlier life stages.