• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.145-159
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• 2020

Wetlands are vulnerable to biological invasion by alien species, because they function as sinks that accumulate excess water, sediments, nutrients, and other contaminants from the surrounding watersheds by disturbance. In this study, to understand the status and characteristics of the alien plants based on the type of wetlands, we classified 24 ecologically outstanding wetlands and analyzed the status of alien flora. A total of 130 alien plants were found in the wetlands, accounting for 11% of the total plant species. Among them, the Asteraceae species was the most diverse, with 40 species. Erigeron annuus and Oenothera ordorata had the highest frequency of occurrence. The species richness of alien plants in the riverine and lacustrine wetlands (average: 30 species) was higher than that in the mountainous palustrine wetlands (average: 10 species). The same results were found in the naturalization index, urbanization index, and ratio of annuals and biennials, which indicate the degree of artificial interference. In the cluster analysis, the riverine and lacustrine wetlands were combined, and only the mountainous palustrine wetlands were separated. The number of alien plants is remarkably low in the mountainous palustrine wetlands, and it is considered to be the influence of Erigeron strigosus, Symphytum officinale, and Bilderdykia convolvulus, not found in the other types of wetlands. In particular, invasive alien plants such as Aster pilosus, Ambrosia trifida, Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior were found intensively in the riverine wetlands. Therefore, it is considered that a methodical management is urgently required considering the dispersal of alien plants in the riverine and lacustrine wetlands with high artificial interference.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.392-403
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• 2020

This study analyzed the distribution characteristics of invasive alien plants on the islands of the Korean Peninsula. Ten species, Rumex acetosella, Sicyos angulatus, Solanum carolinense, Ambrosia artemisiaefolia var. elatior, Ambrosia trifida, Aster pilosus, Eupatorium rugosum, Hypochaeris radicata, Lactuca scariola, and Paspalum distichum were present on 68 islands. These ecosystem-disturbing invasive alien plants appeared extensively on the islands of Gyeonggi province and Jeollanam province. The proportion of the plants on the inhabited islands (41 places, 2.15 species on average) was higher than that on the uninhabited islands (27 places, 1.07 species on average). This means that the distribution of invasive alien plants was closely related to human activity. The distribution of Ambrosia artemisiaefolia var. elatior(32 islands) and Rumex acetosella (31 islands) was the widest, and there were distinct distribution differences according to species. In the island area, the physical environment is poor compared to the mainland, and the native space is limited. Therefore, when invasive alien species enter and settle on the island, the native island plants can be damaged more than those on the mainland. In this regard, the discussion of the distribution of invasive alien plants in the island region can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in the region.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.237-254
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• 2021

Background: Some of the introduced alien species introduced settle, multiply, and spread to become invasive alien species (IAS) that threaten biodiversity. To prevent this, Korea and other countries legally designate and manage alien species that pose a risk to the environment. Moreover, 2160 alien species have been introduced in South Korea, of which 1826 animals and 334 plants are designated. The inflow of IAS can have negative effects such as ecosystem disturbance, habitat destruction, economic damage, and health damage to humans. To prevent damage caused by the inflow of IAS in advance, species that could potentially pose a risk to the environment if introduced in South Korea were designated as alert alien species (AAS). Results: The designation criteria were in accordance with the "Act on the Conservation and Use of Biological Diversity" and the "Regulations on the Ecological Risk Assessment of AAS and IAS" by the National Institute of Ecology. The analysis result of risk and damage cases indicated that mammals affect predation, competition, human economic activity, virus infection, and parasite infection. Birds have been demonstrated to affect predation, competition, human economic activity, and health. It was indicated that plants intrude on the ecosystem by competing with native species with their high-population density and capacity to multiply and cause allergic inducement. Interestingly, 300 species, including 25 mammals, 7 birds, 84 fishes, 28 amphibians, 22 reptiles, 1 insect, 32 spiders, 1 mollusk, 1 arthropod, and 99 plants, are included in the list of AAS. Conclusions: AAS designation plays a role in preventing the reduction of biodiversity by IAS in South Korea and preserving native species. Moreover, it is determined to provide considerable economic benefits by preventing socio-economic losses and ecological damage.

• Hwankyungkyoyuk
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.25-35
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on the achievement of knowledge by animation-based learning program(ALP) in environmental education. The topic covered by ALP was "meaning and kinds of alien animals and plants". Four classes were selected and divided into two groups. The one was control group, and the other was treatment. 121 female the eighth graders(60 control and 61 ALP students) were piloted. Whereas control students learned using Powerpoint presentation-based materials, ALP students learned using web-based flash animations and animated database with images and movie clips. The score of knowledge achievement of ALP students was compared to control group students using ANCOVA, and then the score of ALP students was significantly higher than that of control group students(p<0.05). The ALP using animations and animated database was effective on the understanding of the alien animals and plants.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.274-283
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• 2015

The reservoir shores seem to be vulnerable to biological invasion. The purpose of this research was to find out the floristic composition of alien plants and their relationship between environmental factors on reservoir shorelines in Korea. We investigated flora of alien plants and environmental factors of geomorphology, hydrology, water quality and soil on the shoreline of a total of 35 reservoirs with different water level managements. There were 56 species of alien plants, which was 15% of the total plant species identified in the study of reservoirs. A total of 57% of these alien species were the species which were introduced shortly after opening the port from 1876 to 1921 in Korea. More than 80% of the alien plants on the reservoir shores originated from America and Europe. The current distribution of Ambrosia trifida and Paspalum distichum were restricted in the central part and the southern region of the Korean Peninsula, respectively. The water level fluctuation, flood frequency at the median water level, water pollution index, coverage of rock exposure and mean degree of shoreline slope were determined as important environmental factors that have an effect on the characteristics of shoreline alien flora. Our results suggest that the reservoir shore was in danger of being invaded by alien plants due to the water level management and other human disturbances. For effective conservation of the reservoir ecosystem, periodic monitoring systems are required for the early detection of alien species on the reservoir shore.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.156-168
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• 2017

Linear development such as road and railway construction is considered to be an important factor in the dipersion agent of alien species. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of road project implementation on the introduction of alien plants. We selected the roadworks that have been completed or completed by more than 70% of the projects in the Han River basin environment agency. The alien plant data were divided into five phases: pre-construction (P0) and construction (P25, P50, P75, P100) according to the annual process rate. As the construction progresses, the naturalization rate, the urbanization index and the tendency of the number of exotic plants increase. Especially, alien plants were introduced rapidly at the beginning of the construction period, and the introduced species continued to appear until the construction was completed. Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the introduction of ailen plants by concentrating management of embankment process and the vegetation restoration process at the beginning of roadworks.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2022

This study aims to confirm the possibility of using the invasive alien plants in Jeju as a functional biomaterial. To achieve this purpose, 70% ethanol extract and solvent fractions were prepared for five invasive alien plants (Hypochaeris radicata, Rumex acetosella, Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc., Solanum viarum, Lactuca scariolar) and their antioxidant, antibacterial anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects were investigated. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract from invasive alien plants was shown in the order of Rumex acetosella > Hypochaeris radicata > Humulus japonicus. Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract against food poisoning bacteria (4 species) and oral cavity-induced microorganisms (6 species) was measured. As a result, the extract of Humulus japonicus showed high antibacterial effects against food poisoning bacteria (E. coli, V. parahaemolyticus) and oral microbes (L. casei, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis). In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract from invasive alien plants was investigated. As a result, the NO production inhibition activity was highest in the Rumex acetosella and the Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ethanol extract, and the NO production inhibition activity was concentration-dependent. In addition, the Rumex acetosella and the Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ethanol extract showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on cytokine (IL-6) production. These extracts also showed inhibitory activity of COX-2, an inflammatory protein. This suggests that NO production inhibition activity by the extract of invasive alien plants is the result of inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression. Currently, organic solvent fractions of crude extract are manufactured and the investigation of active ingredients is continuing along with evaluation of biological activity such as anti-inflammatory. These results are expected to be a major data for the study on the separation and utilization of active ingredients with antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects using foreign plant crude extract and solvent fractions, and are highly likely to be applied to the development of functional food and cosmetics materials.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.191-199
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• 2019

Road development is considered an important factor in invasion and dispersion of ailen plants by damaging the natural ecosystems and connecting the detached landscapes into long tubular structures. In this study, vegetation survey was carried out according to the topographical characteristics of cut slope, fill slope, and flat land at the construction site in order to understand the effect of road developemt on the change of the floristic composition of ailen plants. Road developement projects caused a lot of changes in annual and biennial alien plants because of continuous disturbances. Changes in species composition of alien plants decreased in the cut slope. On the other hand, the ailen palnts of the fill slope increased. The increase or decrease alien plants on flat land were identified depending on where it occurred, and no major trend was found. The cause of these change was driven by unintentionally introduced alien plants. In particular, the cut slope with a high occurence of unintentional ailen plants should not be used as a source of high-risk alien plants such as ecosystem disturbances. Since the transplanted species were intentionally planted by the landscape plan, it was possible to identify colonies from early stages and spread to the nearby flat land. Therefore, in order to minimize the impact of road slope vegetation on the surrounding ecosystem during and after road construction, it is suggested to plant high viability plants in the landscape design during the environmental impact assessment consultation.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.305-317
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• 2023

This study suggested a citizen science based model to enhance the efficacy of the managing invasive alien plants and examined whose applicability in 3 Wetland Protected Areas (Jangrok of Gwangju metropolitan city, Madongho of Goseong in South Gyeongsang Province, and Ungok of Gochang in North Jeolla Province). The process consists of (a) collecting citizen scientist including local residents of 3 protected areas and piling up information on the 4 species of invasive alien plants (Sicyos angulatus L., Solanum carolinense L., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Solidago altissima L) in a information platform Ecological Information Bank (EcoBank) from September 18th to October 31th, (b) constructing distribution map containing the location and density (3 phases: individual-population-community) of target plants, (c) providing distribution map to Environment Agency and local government who is principal agent of managing invasive alien plants in 3 protected areas, and from whom (d) surveying applications of the distribution map and opinion for future supplement. As a result, citizen science based monitoring should be continued to complement the nationwide information for the field management of invasive alien plants with the expansion of target species (total 17 plants species that Ministry of Environment in South Korea designated) and period of monitoring in a year to increase the usability of surveyed information from citizen science. In the long run, effectiveness of the management of invasive alien species applied by citizen science should be reviewed including efficacy of field management process from citizen's participating in elimination project of invasive alien plants and time series distribution followed by the management of the species.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.384-392
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• 2023

Stomatal pore is an important physiological trait that is closely linked to photosynthesis and transpiration as carbon dioxide and water vapor move through it between the atmosphere and plants. The present study investigated stomatal traits, such as stomatal density, index and size, of herbaceous native and alien plant species living in a riparian park on the Nakdong River to understand how those traits vary and to know if successful settlement of alien plants is attributed to those traits. There was no difference in stomatal density, index and size between native and alien plants with kidney-shaped stomata, suggesting that an empty ecological niche is not an essential prerequisite for the successful settlement of alien plants. Stomatal density showed a negative correlation with leaf thickness and leaf dry weight content (LMDC), but there was no correlation with Specific leaf area (SLA). All plants with kidney-shaped stomata had amphistomatous leaves, and the density and size of dumbell-shaped stomata were lower than those of kidney-shaped stomata.