• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.161-169
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• 2007

Global climate changes including elevated $CO_2$, drought, and global warming may influence greenhouse gas emissions in wetlands. A variety of microbial communities including denitrifiers and methanogens play a key role in determining such processes. In this paper we summarize current knowledge on the effects of climate changes on $CO_2,\;CH_4$, and $N_2O$ production and microbial communities mediating those processes in wetlands. Elevated atmospheric $CO_2$ and warming generally increase gas emissions, but effects of droughts differ with gas type and drying level. The responses of microbial community to climate changes in terms of composition, diversity and abundance are still in question due to lack of studies in wetlands. Based on the present review, it is suggested that future studies on microbial processes should consider microbial community and relationships between microbial function and structure with diverse environmental factors including climate changes. Such knowledge would be crucial to better understand and predict accurately any shifts in ecological functions of wetlands.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.387-398
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• 2010

SWAT model would be applied to evaluate the pollutant removal capacity with various best management practices (BMPs) in Kyongan stream watershed which plays an important role in water quality conservation and improvement of Paldang reservoir. The methods for the representation of various BMPs scenarios with SWAT is developed and evaluated. Riparian buffer strip, agricultural conservation practices to reduce fertilizer, sediment, and nutrients occurring from farm field (Grassed swale, Contour farming/Parallel terrace, Field border, Farm retention pond, Grade stabilization structure), and washland such as wetland and pond to extend detention and improve water quality are represented in SWAT. And to represent the expansion of existing Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), reduction effect for point source pollutants was simulated. As the result of simulation, the removal rates of SS, TN, TP from scenarios of Kyongan stream watershed are the average annual SS yield by 5.2% to 69.2%, the average annual TN yield by 0.5% to 26.3%, and the average annual TP yield by 1.3% to 32.5%, respectively. This study has demonstrated that the SWAT is a very reliable and useful water quality and quantity assessment tool, and the BMPs representation in SWAT for watershed management is able to effectively simulate in Kyongan Stream watershed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.135-151
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• 2015

DMZ is considered as an ecologically sensitive landscape and one of the highest biodiversity regions in the Republic of Korea. There have been, albeit the significant value, increased interests in developing this region for a variety of purposes including tourism and commemorative events. As this region has been already facing a range of problems derived from previous development, natural disaster and invasive species, the necessity for active management of ecological health within this region has been increased, which weighs the importance of executing ecological restoration. The objective of this study was to develop evaluation indices as an effective management means of properly evaluating ecological restoration and sustainably maintaining the restored conditions on a long-term scale. Through literature review existing evaluation indices related to restoration were collected, and then the most suitable indices were selected based upon two interviews and one questionnaire survey targeting experts in the relevant field to ecological restoration. They were categorized by two major division and their subclasses (Ecological base - vegetation structure & composition, habitat characteristics, soil environment; landscape ecology - connectivity, landscape patch, boundary & surrounding) and 40 indices. These indices were considered helpful to comprehensively evaluate ecological restoration on degraded environments within ecologically sensitive areas, and sustainably manage target areas by employing a long-term monitoring approach. As this result played a meaningful role in providing the fundamentals of evaluating ecological restoration, it should develop a suitable evaluation system through further research.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2009

We investigated characteristics of channel morphology, flora and vegetation distribution at the main and the abandoned channels of the Hwangguji Stream and the Cheongmi Stream. The analysis of aerial photographs and old topographical maps showed that the abandoned channels were made by cut-off from the main channel due to the construction of artificial levee. The total number of species and percentage of exotic plants at the main channels were higher than those at the abandoned channels. At the abandoned channel, the percentage of species number of hydrophytes and hygrophytes was higher than those at the main channels in the both stream. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the floral structure between at the main and the abandoned channel was more similar in the Hwangguji Stream than that in the Cheongmi Stream. The relative distribution areas of hydrophytes and hygrophytes at two abandoned channels were much higher than those at the main channels in the both stream. The dominant plant was an emergent macrophyte, Zizania latifolia at two abandoned channels. Therefore, flora and vegetation at the abandoned channel showed more hydric and lentic characteristics and provided diversity on the landscape level.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.256-261
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• 2020

Roadside non-point pollution reduction facilities are classified as infiltration, vegetation, reservoir, and wetland types based on their respective pollution reduction mechanisms. However, without a detailed analysis of the road and traffic conditions it is very difficult for civil engineers to determine which category of pollution reduction facility is best suited to their planning requirements. To address this issue, we propose a new decision-making method for the selection of roadside non-point pollution reduction facilities. The principal factors informing the proposed decision-making methods are the road characteristics, including location, structure, number of lanes, and traffic volume. As a result of the study, a total of new pollution reduction plans were developed, with their selection conditions and the corresponding applicable facilities established. The effectiveness of the proposed pollution reduction schemes was demonstrated for roads in Kyounggi-do, providing a valuable basis for future pollution reduction plans.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.21-37
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• 2010

The abiotic factors and the vegetation naturalness of the 13 tributary wetlands around Namgang-River were assessed to investigate the present state and to present the conservation counter plan for the wetland ecosystem of the tributaries. Assessment indices for the abiotic factors were estimated based on the dominant land use types of the riparian zone, ecological function of the upper levee, levee slope structure, artificiality and utilization intensity of the waterfront, artificiality of the revetment structure, diversity of the substrate, and severance of the transverse. The assessment index of Omi-cheon is the highest among 13 tributaries. The second was Banseong-cheon and third was Hyangyang-cheon, followed by Nabul-cheon and Yeongcheon-gang and Sugok-cheon, Jungchon- cheon, and Daegok-cheon in their order and Munsan-cheon got the lowest assessment index. Assessment indices for the vegetation naturalness were estimated based on the vegetation diversity, exotic species dominance, annual herb dominance, naturalness and peculiarity of the vegetation, and species diversity. The assessment index of Omi-cheon is the highest among 13 tributaries. The second was Sugok-cheon and third was Banseong-cheon, followed by Yeongcheon-gang, Jungchon- cheon, Jinae-cheon, Nabul-cheon, and Jisu-cheon in their order, and Yonga-cheon got the lowest assessment index. The grades of the stream naturalness were estimated based on the the naturalness indices for the abiotic factors and the vegetation naturalness. The grades of Omi-cheon is the highest among 13 tributaries as the grade I. Those of Banseong-cheon, Sugok-cheon, Yeongcheon-gang, Nabul-cheon and Jungchon-cheon, Hyangyang-cheon, Jinae-cheon, Jisu-cheon, Daegok-cheone, and Munsan-cheon and Doksan-cheon were grade II in their order, and Yonga-cheon got the lowest as the grade III. It was suggested that restoration of the simple and flat substrate, create the natural vegetation on the levee slope constructed with concrete or stone wall, and rehabilitation of the eco-bridge were demanded to improve the grades of the stream naturalness through the restoration of the tributaries for the diverse aquatic wildlife, high vegetation diversity and species diversity with the vegetation consisted of perennial herbs and trees.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.609-620
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• 2021

This study surveyed six national parks that included a wide range of afforestation among national parks in Korea to analyze the vegetation structure of Larix kaempferi, which occupies the highest ratio among planted areas. Plots were established considering the dominant ratio, diameter at breast height and afforestation area of Larix kaempferi. The purpose of the study was to provide basic data for ecological management to promote diversity. A total of 51 plots were selected based on 400 m² quadrates. TWINSPAN was used for community classification, and each classified community was analyzed of importance percentage, species diversity, number of species, and populations. The community classification identified7 communities, all dominated by Larix kaempferi in the tree layer and classified by the appearance species of the subtree layer and shrub layer. In communities I, II, and VII that are located in the valley, Zelkova serrata, Morus bombycis, and Fraxinus rhynchophylla appeared, while dominated by Larix kaempferi were in the tree layer. Wetland deciduous broad-leaved species such as Fraxinus rhynchophylla and Morus bombycis frequently appeared in the subtree layer. In community III through VI is located on the slope, Quercus spp., such as Quercus mongolica and Quercus acutissima, mainly appeared while dominated by Larix kaempferi in the tree layer, and Quercus and wetland broad-leaved species frequently appeared in the subtree layer and shrub layer. The average species diversity of Larix kaempferi in the surveyed six national parks was 1.2090, with community III the highest at 1.5413 and community VI the lowest at 0.7042. The average number of species was 9.35±2.90, and the average population was 226.05±89.98.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.76-87
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of and to derive future maintenance-management measures of the constructed alternative habitat for the Kaloula borealis at the University of Seoul, examining the period between 2015-2017. The research was constructed in 2014 and in a $191m^2$ area. The performance evaluation was divided into maintaining the habitat of the target species, maintaining the population and reproduction rates of the target species, maintaining the habitat of the wild species, the resilience of natural ecosystems, and the harmony with the surrounding environment. In terms of maintaining the habitat of the target species, soil collected from the existing habitat of the Kaloula borealis and was the depth was increased to 30cm in the alternative habitat. An artificial water supply was required every year during the supporting the spawning and hatching of other amphibians along with the Kaloula borealis. The sources of water of the alternative habitat were both rain and tap water, as it cannot be maintained naturally. Additionally, the Kaloula borealis thrived because it inhabited the research site and the average temperature was $26.2^{\circ}C$ from April-June, which is when the Kaloula borealis spawns. In terms of maintaining the population and reproduction rates of the Kaloula borealis, they were evaluated to have stable rates of reproduction. In terms of maintaining the habitat of the wild species, studies on vegetation and the structure of the characteristics of prey or predators will be needed. Also, alien species, such as Humulus japonicus and Bidens frondosa needed to be removed to maintain the wetland ecosystem of the wild species. In the assessment of the resilience of the natural ecosystems, the mud was monitored, noting the changes in the depth of water, with steps taken to reduce the leakage of water. The mud collected from the Haneul Pond wetland, which is located around the research site was piled up. Also, partial mowing management and the inducement of a natural vegetation colony was required for vegetation management. It was also necessary to create porous spaces, such as old trees and tree branches to create a habitat with hiding places and feeding and spawning places for small organisms. In terms of the harmony with the surrounding environment, the following threat factors needed to be managed: amphibian roadkill by vehicles and pedestrians and artificial draining due to nearby user access. Based on the monitoring results, alternative habitat management measures presented the promoting various waterside structures, in which amphibians can spawn and hide in, managing the water environment consistently, managing the vegetation, focused on the habitat of the wild species, and managing the surrounding environment for the habitat. The creation of an alternative habitat should be managed through monitoring, reflecting the characteristics of the changes in the site. Also continuing efforts are also needed to improve the habitat of the target species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.365-380
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• 2017

Rapid changes in the flora of exotic species are ecological problems that cause the alteration of national and regional biota. The purpose of this study is to identify the reality of neophyte flora currently inhabiting in Korea. Having analyzed a total of 151 studies published up until 2016, we found the qualitative and quantitative gaps among the preceding studies due to the lack of rigorousness on the application of the spatial and temporal level of exotic species and academic terminology. In this study, the neophyte is defined as the flora introduced temporarily after the Enlightenment in Korea (late 19th century) and spatially in the Eastern Asiatic Province of the Takhtajan's floral region instead of a country boundary. A total of 326 taxa of 184 genera of 39 families were identified and analyzed for their distributional origin and habitat characteristics. Approximately 87% (285 taxa) was a component of the single-layered herb vegetation, and a total of 211 taxa originated from Europe and North America which are the same temperate biome as Korea. The wetland vegetation components were much fewer with 21 taxa, but they included a large number of invasive alien species that caused critical deterioration in the habitat structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Ecological approaches to exotic species categories such as Ephemerophyten and Apophyten have emerged.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.109-123
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• 2014

Kaloula borealis is the species of Amphibia which belongs to Kaloula genus and it is the only species inhabiting in Korea. The population size and habitat of Kaloula borealis have been significantly decreased on a national scale due to the diversified developments and the uses of agricultural pesticides. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment has designated and managed them as the class II of endangered species, in accordance with "Endangered Species Protection and Management Act"; however, a particular study focused on the ecological restoration of Kaloula borealis is desperately needed to prevent their extinction. This study was conducted to propose the HSI (Habit Suitability Index) of Kaloula borealis based on literature survey on ecology and habitats of Kaloula borealis, as well as their HSI. Factors to be investigated in HSI include: space, feed, cover, water(breeding) and threatening factors and the variables of each factor were also proposed. The distance from wetland, grassland, farm, stream and rice paddy, as well as the altitude of spawning pond were proposed as the variables of space, whereas the bed structure of forest and low-rise grassland were proposed as the variables of feeding. The variables of water (breeding) include the area of permanent and temporary wetlands, coverage of emerged pants (ratio of open water), water depth, water temperature, water quality, pH level, etc., whereas the presence of predator, distance from street and pollutants were proposed as the variables of threatening factor. The sub-standards by HSI factor of Kaloula borealis have been drawn from in-depth consultation with experts and based on this, the final HSI of Kaloula borealis was developed.