• Title/Summary/Keyword: aquatic ecosystem

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Ecosystem Health Assessments of Changwon Stream as a Preliminary Diagnosis for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

  • Han, Jung-Ho;Bae, Dae-Yeul;An, Kwang-Guk
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.527-536
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    • 2007
  • In this study, we applied 10-metric health assessment model, based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) during 2006 in the Changwon Stream, which is located in the Changwon city, Gyeongnam province, S. Korea, and then compared with water quality data. The Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) in the Changwon Stream varied from 18 to 38 in the watershed depending on the sampling location and averaged 30.3 (n=6) during the study. Analysis of tolerance guilds showed that the proportion of sensitive species was 13%, but tolerant and intermediate species were 34% and 53%, respectively. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) averaged 43.3 (range: 65-104, n=6) indicating non-supporting condition, based on the criteria of U.S. EPA (1993). Values of QHEI showed a typical longitudinal decreases from the headwater reach to the downstream location, except for Site 1 with a low QHEI value by artificial habitat by concrete construction. Minimum QHEI was found in Site 4 where fish diversity was minimal. Conductivity increased continuously along the gradients and especially showed abrupt increases in the downstream sites along with turbidity. Stream ecosystem health of IBI matched to the values of QHEI except for S6. Low IBI values in the sites 4 and 5 was considered to be a result of combined effects of chemical pollutions and habitat degradations. Our results support the hypotheses of Plafkin et ai. (1989) that physical habitat quality directly influences the trophic structure and species richness, and is closely associated with IBI values.

Analysis of Relative Importance of Socio·Economic Factors in Establishing Diagnosis Systems for Impaired Stream Ecosystem (국내 수생태계 훼손 원인 진단체계 구축을 위한 사회·경제적 특성의 상대적 중요도 분석)

  • An, Kyung-Jin;Kim, Su-Yeon;Lee, Sang-Woo
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.13-26
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    • 2018
  • The restoration of the impaired stream ecosystem is an important part of river policies in Ministry of Environment (MoE). However, the diagnosing the impairment sources of stream ecosystem has been omitted on the current river projects and policies. This phenomena lead the remaining impairment sources keep influencing on negative effects on streams. Hence, it is critical to construct a diagnosis system of impairment sources in order to increase the efficiency of various river restoration projects and policies. Moreover, it is also important to understand the relative impact of socio-economic factors of the impairment of stream ecosystems so as to build a domestic diagnosis system in place. Therefore, the study aims to analyse the relative effects of socio-economic factors which are the source of the stream ecosystem impairments through implementing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). In order to achieve the goal, a list of socio-economic factors influencing the stream health has been derived. On the basis of the derived causes list, AHP questionnaire were carried out to the experts of aquatic ecology. The study results could be implemented to analysing the relative influence of socio-economic impairment causes in domestic stream environments. In addition, more case study investigation is needed to cross-check if the derived impairment causes and weights are applied in the field as well as to develop more reliable indicators.

Study on the Appropriate Spatial unit to Measure Biodiversity Using National Ecosystem Survey Data (전국자연환경조사 자료를 이용한 생물다양성 정량화의 적정공간단위 연구)

  • Lee, Kyung-Il;Hwang, Jin-Hoo;Jang, Rae-Ik;Ryu, Ji-Eun;Jeon, Seong-Woo
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.29-37
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    • 2018
  • Biodiversity refers to the diversity of organisms originating from all sources, including terrestrial ecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, and complex ecosystems and it is considered to be the standard of the area to be preserved and protected. So The Importance of environmental assessment for biodiversity conservation is increasing and International efforts to quantify biodiversity and to develop indices have been made, but there are insufficient researches on the use of biomass databases and their quantification in Korea. In this study, the biodiversity map was constructed using the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey Mammal Data with three spatial units(Administrative Area, 1:5,000 index map, hexagonal lattice). and the difference of map constructed by spatial unit was suggested to help research on quantification and evaluation of biodiversity in the future. As a result of the study, biodiversity index for the same area varied according to the spatial unit and overall average and standard deviation were different too. Therefore it is necessary to utilize appropriate spatial unit considering the suitability and purpose of quantification rather than using specific unit. It also showed the necessity of establishing a standard for biodiversity index as a result of comparative analysis with ecosystem and nature map. Based on this research, comprehensive efforts should be made for the sustainable development of the country through further research and institutional improvement for quantification and evaluation of biodiversity, set standards.

The Evaluation of Biodiversity Functions According to Land Use in Rural Areas (농촌지역 토지이용에 따른 생물다양성 기능 평가)

  • Son, Jin Kwan;Kong, Min Jae;Park, Min Jung;Lim, Ryu Gab;Kang, Tae Gyoung;Kim, Kwang Ho;Kim, Chang Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.49-58
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    • 2021
  • Rural and agricultural landscapes are important forms of land use in maintaining biodiversity. In addition humans are provided with various public functions from ecosystems and agricultural ecosystems. But the creation of a facility horticultural complex can be a space that can undermine the public interest function of the agricultural ecosystem. Therefore, this study aims to quantify the function of ecosystem services that land use changes affect biodiversity in Korea's rice paddy fields. The area subject to the study was selected as the largest agricultural complex in Korea due to rice paddy fields and land use changes, and field agriculture was also carried out simultaneously. The survey was conducted only in the fields of vegetation, insects, amphibians, and birds, four areas of biodiversity that are believed to have a high impact on changes in land use in agricultural landscapes. The valuation of ecosystem services in four areas of biodiversity derived from this study was evaluated as non-market value. As a result of quantitative evaluation, about 25 species of vegetation were reduced due to changes in land use. The diversity of about 40 species of aquatic insects that inhabit rice paddies among insects has disappeared due to the creation of a horticultural complex. Birds and amphibian reptiles were also found to have decreased diversity and populations. This research is expected to be used in various ways to develop policies to enhance ecosystem service functions.

Species-specific biomass drives macroalgal benthic primary production on temperate rocky reefs

  • Spector, Michael;Edwards, Matthew S.
    • ALGAE
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    • v.35 no.3
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    • pp.237-252
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    • 2020
  • Temperate rocky reefs dominated by the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, support diverse assemblages of benthic macroalgae that provide a suite of ecosystem services, including high rates of primary production in aquatic ecosystems. These forests and the benthic macroalgae that inhabit them are facing both short-term losses and long-term declines throughout much of their range in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Here, we quantified patterns of benthic macroalgal biomass and irradiance on rocky reefs that had intact kelp forests and nearby reefs where the benthic macroalgae had been lost due to deforestation at three sites along the California, USA and Baja California, MEX coasts during the springs and summers of 2017 and 2018. We then modeled how the loss of macroalgae from these reefs impacted net benthic productivity using species-specific, mass-dependent rates of photosynthesis and respiration that we measured in the laboratory. Our results show that the macroalgal assemblages at these sites were dominated by a few species of stipitate kelps and fleshy red algae whose relative abundances were spatially and temporally variable, and which exhibited variable rates of photosynthesis and respiration. Together, our model estimates that the dominant macroalgae on these reefs contribute 15 to 4,300 mg C m-2 d-1 to net benthic primary production, and that this is driven primarily by a few dominant taxa that have large biomasses and high rates of photosynthesis and / or respiration. Consequently, we propose that the loss of these macroalgae results in the loss of an important contribution to primary production and overall ecosystem function.

THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM OF RIVER HEALTH FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT

  • Carolyn G. Palmer;Jang, Suk-Hwan
    • Water Engineering Research
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    • v.3 no.4
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    • pp.259-267
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    • 2002
  • South Africa has developed a policy and law that calls and provides for the equitable and sustainable use of water resources. Sustainable resource use is dependent on effective resource protection. Rivers are the most important freshwater resources in the country, and there is a focus on developing and applying methods to quantify what rivers need in terms of flow and water quality. These quantified and descriptive objectives are then related to specified levels of ecological health in a classification system. This paper provides an overview of an integrated and systematic methodology, where, fer each river, and each river reach, the natural condition and the present ecological condition are described, and a level/class of ecosystem health is selected. The class will define long term management goals. This procedure requires each ecosystem component to be quantified, starting with the abiotic template. A modified flow regime is modelled for each ecosystem health class, and the resultant fluvial geomorphology and hydraulic habitats are described. Then the water chemistry is described, and the water quality changes that are likely to occur as a consequence of altered flows are predicted. Finally, the responses to the stress imposed on the biota (fish, invertebrates and vegetation) by modified flow and water quality are predicted. All of the predicted responses are translated into descriptive and/or quantitative management objectives. The paper concludes with the recognition of active method development, and the enormous challenge of applying the methods, implementing the law, and achieving river protection and sustainable resource-use.

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A study on the improvement of Ecosystem Service Function for the Protected Horticulture Complex in Agricultural Landscape (시설원예단지의 생태계서비스 기능 증진을 위한 개선방안 연구)

  • SON, Jinkwan;KONG, Minjae;KANG, Donghyeon;LEE, Siyoung
    • Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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    • v.21 no.4
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    • pp.45-53
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    • 2015
  • Agriculture, rural landscapes are accompanied by a variety of environmental issues. Therefore, it is necessary to study on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Horticulture complex is low groundwater recharge function, it can be evaluated as a facility that biodiversity is impaired. The ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes were obtained 19 kinds of functions. Experts survey Groundwater recharge function (4.13) teeth chapter higher, Water storage (4.05), Amphibian & Reptile habitat (3.96), Aquatic insect habitat (3.92), Flood control (3.87), Water purification (3.86), Avian habitat (3.76 ), Creating landscape (3.74), Vegetation diversity (3.71), Experience, Education (3.69), Biological control (3.48), Fishery habitat (3.42), Climate regulation (3.30), Mammal habitat (3.30), Air quality regulation (3.25 ), Mainenance of genetic diversity (3.25), were analyzed in order Rest area (3.14). Improving capabilities in the Detention Pond, Wetland, Green space, Corridor, Non-Chemical, Program development, Green spaces, Rainwater storage facilities, Water cycle system, Surface water storage facilities, Infiltration trench, Water purification facilities, Permeable pavement. Environmentally friendly, and to contribute to sustainable agricultural development through ecological planning.

Potential Health Risks from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Marine Ecosystem

  • Lee, Youn Ju;Jang, Jae-Seok;Yang, Jae-Ho
    • Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.10-17
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    • 2016
  • A wide-spread contamination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, PCBs, PBDEs in the aquatic ecosystem has generated a great concern over the potential risk for these substances to impact marine biotas and food web. Since a major exposure route of these substances to the humans is through the consumption of food including fish and marine byproducts, the consumption of contaminated products has been a great public health concern. Exposure to POPs has been associated with a wide spectrum of adverse effects including reproductive, developmental, immunologic, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic effects. This review covers the background information of key POPs substances and the recent development of toxicity studies including the mode of action. Because neurotoxic effects of some POPs have been observed in humans at low concentrations, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), a representative chemical of POPs, is focused to discuss the possible mode(s) of action for the neurotoxic effects. This review provides the updates of toxicity studies on POPs and paves ways to discuss a possible implication of contaminated marine biota over the human health among the marine biotechnology researchers.

Determination of self-purification constants and regulation of pollutants loaded in the ecosystems (生態系에 있어서 自淨係數의 測定과 汚染負荷量의 調節 原理)

  • Chang, Nam-Kee;Kim, Jae-Young
    • The Korean Journal of Ecology
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    • v.15 no.3
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    • pp.287-296
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    • 1992
  • To determinate self-purification constants of pollutants loaded in the ecosystems, the self- purification process was formulated, and a measurement method of the self-purification constants was derived. $C=C_0e^{-st}$ When $C_0$ is the initial pollutant amounts loaded in a ecosystem, and C is the rest pollutant amounts after the time, t, the equation of the self-purification, s, is $s=\frac{P}{C}$ When in aquatic ecosystem, $C_0$ is the initial polluant amounts loaded in water body, and Cis the rest pollutation amounts after the time, t, the self-purification constant, s, is $s=(\frac{\ln C_0-\ln C}{t}$ Self-purification constants of pine and oak forests at kwangneung in kyonggido were 0.07 and 10 respectively, of BOD in gokneung stream in kyonggido was 0.51, and of glucose and phosphate in pools on the stone in mt.jiri were 0.49 and 15.19 respectively.

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Phytopythium and Pythium Species (Oomycota) Isolated from Freshwater Environments of Korea

  • Nam, Bora;Choi, Young-Joon
    • Mycobiology
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.261-272
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    • 2019
  • Oomycetes are widely distributed in various environments, including desert and polar regions. Depending upon different habits and hosts, they have evolved with both saprophytic and pathogenic nutritional modes. Freshwater ecosystem is one of the most important habitats for members of oomycetes. Most studies on oomycete diversity, however, have been biased mostly towards terrestrial phytopathogenic species, rather than aquatic species, although their roles as saprophytes and parasites are essential for freshwater ecosystems. In this study, we isolated oomycete strains from soil sediment, algae, and decaying plant debris in freshwater streams of Korea. The strains were identified based on cultural and morphological characteristics, as well as molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS rDNA, cox1, and cox2 mtDNA sequences. As a result, we discovered eight oomycete species previously unknown in Korea, namely Phytopythium chamaehyphon, Phytopythium litorale, Phytopythium vexans, Pythium diclinum, Pythium heterothallicum, Pythium inflatum, Pythium intermedium, and Pythium oopapillum. Diversity and ecology of freshwater oomycetes in Korea are poorly understood. This study could contribute to understand their distribution and ecological function in freshwater ecosystem.