• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.97-111
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• 2021

This study was conducted to develop a habitat type classification system and its map based on the ecological characteristics of species, spatial type, vegetation, topography, and geological conditions preferred by species. To evaluate the relationships between species and their habitats in Korean national parks, we prepared a classification standard table for systematic classification of habitat types. This classification system divides habitats into 6 low-level and 59 mid-level ecological classes based on habitat structure. The mid-level system divided forest ecosystems into 20 subtypes, stream and wetland ecosystems into 8 types, coastal ecosystems into 7 types, arable land into 6 types, development land into 9 types, and 1 type of marine ecosystem. A habitat classification map was drawn utilizing square images, detailed vegetation maps, and forest stand maps, based on the above habitat classification system, and it covered 1,461 plots spanning 21 national parks. The habitat classification system and survey protocol, which consider domestic habitat conditions, should be further developed and applied to habitat assessment, to enhance the utility of this study.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.199-206
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• 2019

To understand vegetational characteristics of abandoned paddy terraces (APTs), species composition and plant species richness of APTs were compared with those of other natural- and constructed wetlands (NWs and CWs, respectively). Based on frequency of major vegetational components, Phragmites japonicus was more common in APTs (23.9%) than NWs (10.8%) and CWs (10.8%), whereas P. australis was less frequent in APTs (18.3%) than NWs (43.1%) and CWs (35.4%). Typha orientalis was common only in APTs (19.7%), whereas T. angustifolia was relatively common in NWs (21.5%) and CWs (32.3%). In addition, some wetland obligate species such as Leersia japonica, Oenanthe javanica, and Sium suave were frequently found only in APTs. In particular, APTs showed higher plant species richness ($6.3{\pm}2.2\;species/m^2$) than NWs ($4.9{\pm}1.8\;species/m^2$) and CWs ($3.9{\pm}1.3\;species/m^2$). APTs exhibited not only their distinctive vegetational characteristics but also higher ecological value in terms of plant species richness. Further attention on APTs as valuable biotopes supporting diverse plant species and continuous effort for management and conservation are needed more.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.15-30
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• 2019

Changpo Lake was created as a part of a land reclamation for refugee self-helping projects. It shows characteristics of a fresh water lake, and still retains the early appearance of reclamation that surrounding regions have not been developed into farm lands. Shallow wetland has formed around the lake, which provides great conditions for diverse lives, and surrounding earthiness is favorable for growth of vegetation and restoration of the ecosystem. However, as facilities of the Muan International Airport nearby Changpo Lake are expanding and barns are being constructed, artificialness is gradually increasing. Particularly, since pollution sources such as sport facilities, farm lands and barns are scattered around Changpo Lake, pollutants are flowing in constantly. Accordingly, the results for setting up management areas according to the spatial characteristics and creating natural ecological spaces near Changpo Lake, Taebongcheon stream and Hakgyecheon stream are as follows. First, the creation of a natural eco-friendly waterfront space should be promoted by securing the health of the aquatic ecosystem and restoring species and the ecosystem. In addition, a consultative body needs to be formed to lead local residents to participating in river investigation and monitoring, maintenance, and management through role sharing. Second, the basic direction of the spatial management plan is to keep the unique charm of Changpo Lake, maintain harmony with nature, create diverse waterfront areas, and secure the continuity of Changpo Lake and inflow streams. Moreover, the area should be divided into three zones such as a conservation zone, a restoration zone and a waterfront zone, and for each zone, the preservation of vegetation, the creation of ecological wetlands and restoration of the ecotone and ecological nature need to be promoted. Third, facilities and activity programs for each space of Changpo Lake should be operated for efficient management of protected areas. In order to suit the status of each space, biological habitats, water purification spaces, experiential and learning spaces, and convenience and rest spaces should be organized and designated as research, monitoring, education, and tourism areas. Accordingly, points of interest should be set up within the corresponding area. In this study, there are many parts that need to be supplemented for immediate implementation since the detailed plans and project costs for the promotion of programs by area are not calculated. Therefore, it is necessary to make detailed project plans and consider related projects such as water quality, restoration of habitats, nature learning and observation, and experience of ecological environments based on the categories such as research, monitoring, education and tourism in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.273-288
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• 2021

We analyzed the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of water quality and phytoplankton communities in the Isa Stream systems (ISS) from Sangsa Lake to Suncheon Bay. Sangsa Lake showed relatively oligotrophic and mesotrophic conditions, but the freshwater and mixed brackish water zones showed more severe eutrophication than Sangsa Lake and Suncheon Bay due to the influence of industrial waste such as livestock waste. In terms of the phytoplankton community, the number of phytoplankton species was higher in freshwater and mixed brackish water zones than in Sangsa Lake and Suncheon Bay, but the cell density and Chlorophyll-a concentrations (Chl-a) were relatively high in Sanga Lake and Suncheon Bay. In particular, the mesotrophic species Fragilaria crotonensis and Asterionella formosa showed different dominance in the surface and bottom layers, and the influence of A. formosa was significant in the freshwater and mixed brackish water zones in spring and summer. However, Skeletonema costatum-ls, a eutrophic indicator species, dominated in mixed brackish water zones to seawater in autumn and winter. Thus, the severe eutrophication and rapid environmental changes in the ISS could seriously damage the coastal ecosystem in Suncheon Bay. These ecosystem changes are threatening in terms of conservation and management of the UNESCO Suncheon Biosphere Reserve and Yeoja Bay including Suncheon Bay, which recorded the first Ramsar wetland in Korea. Therefore, further research is needed to establish an in-depth management plan.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2021

We reviewed the methods employed in Korean tidal flat surveys to measure the local abundance of the endangered wildlife and marine protected species, the fiddler crab, Austruca lactea. A complete census for infinite population is impossible even in a limited habitat within a tidal flat, and density estimates from samples strongly vary due to diverse biological and ecological factors. The habitat boundaries and areas shift with periodicities or rhythmic activities of organisms as well as measurement errors. Hence the local abundance calculated from density and habitat areas should be regarded as transient. This conjecture was valid based on the spatio-temporal variations of the density averages, standard error ranges, and spatial distribution of the crab, A. lactea observed for 3 years (2015-2017) in Songdo tidal flat in Incheon. We proposed the potential habitat areas using the occurrence probability of 50% from logistic regression model, reflecting the importance of habitat conservation value as an alternative to local abundance. The spatial shape of potential habitat predicted from a generalized model would remain constant over time unless the species' critical environmental conditions change rapidly. The species-specific model is expected to be used for the introduction of desired species in future habitat restoration/creation projects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.155-164
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• 2023

Sedirea japonica is one of the critically endangered species in South Korea mostly due to artificial harms such as illegal collection and habitat destruction. Therefore, artificial propagation through improving germination rate, increasing growth, and controlling flowering is meaningful for the conservation and reintroduction of S. japonica. It is suggested that cytokinins are one of the multi-factors that contribute to plant growth and floral responses. Especially, exogenous cytokinins have been known to induce or promote shoot growth or earlier flowering in orchids. Therefore, it was investigated how the application of 6-benzylaminopurine (BA) influenced the growth and inflorescence of S. japonica. A foliar spray containing BA at 100, 200, 300, and 400 ppm was applied from 1st July to 30th December 2021. Leaf length, leaf length growth rate, leaf width, and width and length ratio were measured as growth-related factors. Visible inflorescence rate, inflorescence length, the number of flowers per inflorescence, and the distance between the stalks were measured as flowering-related factors. Growth-related factors except for leaf growth rate were not affected by BA treatments, while leaf growth rate was significantly increased by 200 ppm of BA treatment. The visible inflorescence rate increased by 200 ppm of BA treatment, and there seems an optimal concentration and threshold of BA treatment. An iterative experiment with more seedlings and measurement factors would be helpful to figure out the effects of exogenous BA treatment on S. japonica, and it can be applied for mass propagation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.335-340
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• 2010

The paper describes the objectives of Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) project, focusing on procedural and practical aspects. YSLME is a highly productive sea yet possibly one of the most impacted large marine ecosystems, in terms of anthropogenic stressors, due the enormous coastal population. The aim of the YSLME project is the reduction of ecosystem stress through identification of the environmental problems in the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) that are then addressed in the Strategic Action Programme (SAP). One of the major problems found to be affecting biological diversity is habitat modification through wetland reclamation, conversion and degradation. Since the early 1900's more than 40% of intertidal wetlands have been reclaimed in Korea, and 60% of Chinese coastal wetlands have been converted or reclaimed. Damaging fishing practices, pollution and coastal eutrophication have further degraded the coastal environment reducing the biological diversity. To combat this loss, the YSLME project has mounted a public awareness campaign to raise environmental consciousness targeted at all different levels of society, from politicians at parliamentary workshops, local government officer training events, scientific conferences and involvement of scientists in the project research and reporting, to university and high school students in our visiting internship programmes and environmental camps. We have also built networks through the Yellow Sea Partnership and by liaising and working with other environmental organizations and NGOs. NGO's are recognised as important partners in the environmental conservation as they already have extensive local networks that can be lacking in international organisations. Effective links have been built with many of these NGOs through the small grants programme. Working with WWF's YSESP project and other academic and research institutions we have conducted our own biodiversity assessments that have contributed to the science-based development of the SAP for the YSLME. Our regional targets for biodiversity outlined in the SAP include: Improvements in the densities, distributions and genetic diversity of current populations of all living organisms including endangered and endemic species; Maintenance of habitats according to standards and regulations of 2007; and a reduction in the risk of introduced species. Endorsement of the SAP and its successful implementation, during the proposed second phase of the YSLEM project, will ensure that biological diversity is here to benefit future generations.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.305-315
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• 2013

This study is aimed to provide the preliminary data for conservation and management of wintering site for Anser fabalis population in Cheongna Area, Incheon Free Economic Zone, Korea through analyzing the relationship between the biotop structure of its wintering site and behavior characteristics. The main types (size and ratio) of the biotope in Cheongna Area, Incheon Free Economic Zone are reed wetlands ($6,093,762m^2$, 47.8%), rice fields without rice straw ($2,927,916m^2$, 23.0%), and rice fields with rice straw ($1,915,655m^2$, 15.0%). According to the survey carried on 13th Feb., 2013, total 33 species and 6, 535 individual birds were observed and among of them, the dominant bird was Anser fabalis showing 5,128 indiviuals, 78% of total population. As the result of analyzing the migratory route of Anser fabalis, the bird moved from roosting site to foraging site before and after sunrise and from feeding site to roosting site before and after sunset. According to the analysis of interrelation between habitat characteristics and biotope types of the bird, population density was the highest in reed wetlands among habitat types and individual appearance was the highest in water-filled rice field melting ice. The bird ate the roots and bulb of hydrophytes in reed wetlands and showed various behaviors like eating dropped grains, resting and sleeping in water-filled rice fields and eating dropped grains and resting in rice fields with and without rice straw. It is shown that the number of Anser fabalis appearing in rice fields is depended on the presence of dropped grains than types of rice field.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.386-393
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• 2016

Agricultural ecosystem is recognized as a space for providing a variety of services, in addition to the food production that it originally encompassed, such as water purification, biological habitat, air purification, soil conservation, and landscape development. The construction of greenhouses in agricultural landscapes can cause deterioration of ecosystem services because of the increase of impermeable area and loss of biological habitats. This study aimed to compare insect diversity between different types of constructed greenhouses and paddy ecosystems. The target study area was selected by considering the distribution status of horticultural complexes and was classified as Single Vinyl Greenhouse, Multi Vinyl Greenhouse or Glass Greenhouse and they were compared with four paddies. The study locations were in Gu-Mi, Bu-Yeo, Ginje and Jin-Ju. A total of 2,333 individual insects belonging to 9 orders, 38 families, 76 genus, and 80 species were collected. The composition of orders was Hemiptera (22.37%), Coleoptera (18.42%), Hymenoptera (14.47%), Orthoptera (11.84%), and Diptera (10.53%). The average number of collected species were in the order Paddy (39.38 species) > Single Vinyl Greenhouse (35.50 species) > Multi Vinyl Greenhouse (22.50 species) > Glass Greenhouse (24.00 species). The Diversity Index (H') was Paddy (4.76) > Single Vinyl Greenhouse (4.57) > Multi Vinyl Greenhouse (4.12), and Glass Greenhouse (4.12). The Richness Index (RI) was Paddy (7.72) and Single Vinyl Greenhouse (7.03) > Multi Vinyl Greenhouse (4.99) and Glass Greenhouse (5.32). From our results, it can be seen that the biological diversity features of insects decreased when greenhouses are constructed.However, Single Vinyl Greenhouse is noted to promote insect diversity more than that by Multi Vinyl Greenhouse and Glass Greenhouse. Hence, when constructing greenhouses, it is necessary to consider insect habitat to conserve insect diversity.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.533-541
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• 2017

Agricultural landscape has many ecosystem service functions. However, the development of the horticulture complex has no consideration for environmental conservation. Therefore, we analyzed the priorities of ecosystem service functions required for the composition. The study was conducted in three stages. As a result of the first survey, 17 functions were selected to be improved. In the second survey, 12 functions were selected excluding 5 functions. Finally, 1. Measures for water purification, 2. Groundwater recharge plan, 3. Surface water storage space, 4. Flood control measures, 5. Vegetation diversity space, 6. Carbon emission reduction plan, 7. Aquatic insect habitat space, 8. Amphibian reptiles 9. Landscape and Waste Management, 10. Bird Species Space, 11. Heat Island Mitigation Plan, 12. Experience / Ecological Education Plan. We proposed the structure, capacity, flow rate, arrangement and form of the water treatment facility to improve water quality by improving the function. We proposed a reservoir space of 7-10% for groundwater recharge. The development of reservoir and storage facilities suitable for the Korean situation is suggested for the surface water storage and flood control measures. And proposed to secure a green space for the climate cycle. Proposed habitat and nutrient discharge management for biodiversity. We propose green area development and wetland development to improve the landscape, and put into the facilities for experiential education. The results of the research can be utilized for the development and improvement of the horticultural complex.