• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.503-515
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• 2023

The disconnection and fragmentation of ecological spaces that occur during the development process pose a significant threat to biodiversity. Urban center areas with high development pressure are particularly susceptible to low connectivity due to a scarcity of ecological space. This issue tends to be more pronounced in larger cities.To address this challenge, continuous efforts are needed to assess and improve the current state of ecological space connectivity at the level of individual projects and urban management. However, there is a lack of discussion regarding the analysis and improvement of ecological connectivity in metropolitan cities In line with this objective, this study evaluated the connectivity of ecological spaces in the city centers of Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Ulsan. The evaluation revealed that city centers exhibited lower connectivity of ecological spaces compared to their peripheries or the overall city. In addition, in the ecological network analysis that reflected regional characteristics, such as the species distribution model conducted on Daejeon, 510 optimal paths connecting forests of more than 1ha were derived. This study is significant as an example of deriving an ecological network based on regional characteristics, including quantitative figures necessary for establishing goals to improve urban ecological connectivity and biodiversity. It is anticipated that the results can be utilized to propose directions for enhancing ecological connectivity in environmental impact assessments or urban management and to establish an evaluation framework.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.84-98
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• 2022

Estuary is important in terms of biodiversity because it has the characteristics of transition waters, created by the mixing of fresh- and seawater. The estuarine water circulation provides a variety of habitats with different environments by inducing gradients in the chemical and physical environment, such as water quality and river bed structure, which are ultimately the main factors influencing biological community composition. If the water circulation is interrupted, the loss of brackish areas and the interception of migration of biological communities will lead to changes in the spatial distribution of biodiversity. In this study, among the sites covered by the Estuary Aquatic Ecosystem Health Assessment, we selected study sites where changes in biodiversity can be assessed by spatial gradient from the upper reaches of the river to the lower estuarine area. The α-, γ- and β-diversity of diatom, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish communities were calculated, and they were divided into open and closed estuary data and compared to determine the trends in biodiversity variation due to estuarine circulation. As results, all communities showed higher γ-diversity at open estuary sites. The benthic macroinvertebrate community showed a clear difference between open and closed estuaries in β-diversity, consequently the estuarine transects were considered as a factor that decreases spatial heterogeneity of their diversity among sites. The biodiversity trends analyzed in this study will be used to identify estuaries with low γ- and β-diversity by community, providing a useful resource for further mornitoring and management to maintain estuarine health.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.385-403
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• 2017

This study showed the national ecosystem classification for the spatial standards of ecosystems-based approaches to the risk assessments and adaptation plan. The characteristics of climate change risk assessment, implement national adaptation plans, and ecosystem/habitat classification status was evaluated. Focusing on the land cover classification widely utilized as spatial data for the assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the UK and other countries in Europe, the applicability of the national land cover classification for climate change risk assessments was reviewed. Considering the ecosystem classification for climate change risk assessment and establishing adaptation measures, it is difficult to apply rough classification method to the land cover system because of lack of information on habitat trend by categorization. The results indicated that forest ecosystems and agro-ecosystem occupied 62.3% and 25.0% of land cover, respectively, of the entire country. Although the area is small compared with the land area, wetland ecosystem (2.9%), marine ecosystem (0.4%), coastal ecosystem (0.6%), and urban ecosystem (6.1%) can be included in the risk assessments. Therefore, it is necessary to subdivide below the medium classification for the forest and agricultural land, as well as Inland wetland, which has a higher proportion of habitat preference of taxa than land area, marine/coastal habitat, and transition areas such as urban and natural ecosystem.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 2014

Recently, wetland and paddy wetland are being highlighted as the international environmental issues. However, research system which can assess paddy wetland is lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the value of paddy wetland by applying RAM to paddy wetland. In addition, we would like to use this study as the data to establish assessment method for paddy wetland. 16 sites were selected as research targets based on altitude and soil. As the results of wetland assessment, 16 research target sites had total score of 212~227 and the average of 2.17~2.50. It was similar to those of Lacustrine Wetlands, Palustrine Wetland and Riverine Wetland which were sites in previous studies. The value could be recognized as the wetland. However, there was no difference in assessment results based on altitude and soil. It was found that all conservation values were the same. The factor the most closely affecting conservation value was the area. However, there was limitation to apply existing wetland assessment system to paddy wetland. In order to assess paddy wetland, factors such as rice farming methods, topography, vegetation, growth environment and biodiversity should be added. It was thought to supplement wetland assessment system through various further studies.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2016

To generate information that contributes to climate change risk management, it is important to perform a precise assessment on the impact in diverse aspects. Considering this academic necessity, Japanese government launched continuous research project for the climate change impact assessment, and one of the representative project is Program for Risk Information on Climate Change (Sousei Program), Theme D; Precise Impact Assessment on Climate Change (FY2012 ~ FY2016). In this research program, quantitative impact assessments have been doing from a variety of perspectives including natural hazards, water resources, and ecosystems and biodiversity. Especially for the natural hazards aspect, a comprehensive impact assessment has been carried out with the worst-case scenario of typhoons, which cause the most serious weather-related damage in Japan, concerning the frequency and scale of the typhoons as well as accompanying disasters by heavy rainfall, strong winds, high tides, high waves, and landslides. In this presentation, a framework of comprehensive impact assessment with the worst-case scenario under the climate change condition is introduced based on a case study of Theme D in Sousei program There are approx. 25 typhoons annually and around 10 of those approach or make landfall in Japan. The number of typhoons may not change increase in the future, but it is known that a small alteration in the path of a typhoon can have an extremely large impact on the amount of rain and wind Japan receives, and as a result, cause immense damage. Specifically, it is important to assess the impact of a complex disaster including precipitation, strong winds, river overflows, and high tide inundation, simulating how different the damage of Isewan Typhoon (T5915) in 1959 would have been if the typhoon had taken a different path, or how powerful or how much damage it would cause if Isewan Typhoon occurs again in the future when the sea surface water temperature has risen due to climate changes (Pseudo global warming experiment). The research group also predict and assess how the frequency of "100-years return period" disasters and worst-case damage will change in the coming century. As a final goal in this research activity, the natural disaster impact assessment will extend not only Japan but also major rivers in Southeast Asia, with a special focus on floods and inundations.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Global warming has a major impact on the Earth's precipitation and temperature fluctuations, and significantly affects the habitats and biodiversity of many species. Although the number of alien plants newly introduced in South Korea has recently increased due to the increasing frequency of international exchanges and climate change, studies on how climate change affects the distribution of these alien plants are lacking. This study predicts changes in the distribution of suitable habitats according to RCPs climate change scenarios using the current distribution of the invasive alien plant Conyza sumatrensis and bioclimatic variables. C. sumatrensis has a limited distribution in the southern part of South Korea. Isothermality (bio03), the max temperature of the warmest month (bio05), and the mean temperature of the driest quarter (bio09) were found to influence the distribution of C. sumatrensis. In the future, the suitable habitat for C. sumatrensis is projected to increase under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate change scenarios. Changes in the distribution of alien plants can have a significant impact on the survival of native plants and cause ecosystem disturbance. Therefore, studies on changing distribution of invasive species according to climate change scenarios can provide useful information required to plan conservation strategies and restoration plans for various ecosystems.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.99-111
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• 2022

Vegetation is the basis for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. In the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is the most direct and efficient policy measure to prevent degradation of nature, vegetation-related assessment has limitations as it is not based on quantitative and scientific methods. In addition, it focuses on the presence of protected species; hence, it does not take into account the role of vegetation as a habitat on a wide-area scale. As a way to overcome these limitations, this study aims to contribute to the quantification and advancement of future EIA on vegetation. Through the review of previous studies, core areas, connectivity, and vegetation condition were derived as the items to be dealt within the macroscopic aspect of vegetation impact assessment. Each item was spatially constructed using land cover maps and satellite imageries, and time series change analysis was performed. As a result, it was found that vegetation has been continuously deteriorating due to development in all aspects, and in particular, development adversely affects not only the inside of the project site but also the surrounding area. Although this study suggested the direction for improvement of the EIA in the vegetation sector based on data analysis, a more specific methodology needs to be established in order to apply it to the actual EIA process. By actively utilizing various environmental spatial data, the impact of the development on the natural ecosystem can be minimized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.167-177
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• 2015

This study was conducted to establish an inventory and propose conservation strategies for 'village wetlands' in Asan city, Korea, using GIS. As results, the village wetlands are defined as such places as 'palustrine' wetland, village embankment, agricultural reservoir or small reservoirs located in or near the village and related to everyday life or farming. Firstly 807 provisional village wetlands(draft) were identified in Asan by using Arc-GIS 10.1, then 196 wetlands(final) were defined finally as village wetlands and listed the inventory of Asan Village Wetlands after being validated through office works and field survey. The office works analyzed minimum area(greater than $625m^2$), satellite images, the Korea Land Information System, land use map and land coverage map. To evaluate the function and conservation values, the 37 wetlands were selected for detailed surveying and function assessment based on the following criteria : 1) doubled code both wetland and reservoir at digital map, 2) located less than 100m from village and 3) ecologically connected to such ecological resources as seaside mudflats, mountains and green area and ecological passages for small size wildlifes. As the result of the wetland function assessments by the RAM method, 7 wetlands were found to have 'high' wetland function (conservation) 18 wetlands were 'medium' (enhancement) and 12 wetlands were 'low' (restoration or enhancement). Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services through ecological management of wetlands in Asan and connecting with the Ecological Natural Degree were proposed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.105-119
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• 2011

In order to develop the indicators which evaluate the management effectiveness for the protected forest areas in Korea, candidate indicators were listed based on literature and experts interviews, then questionnaire survey on the experts were conducted. 5 elements of context, planning, input, process, output and outcome and 32 indicators were selected. Context element includes 6 indicators of 1) documentation and assessment of values; 2) documentation and assessment of threats, 3) influence of government policy, 4) related regulations, 5) community cooperation and 6) the structure of management organization. 6 indicators of Planning element were 1) the management objective, 2) protected area design, 3) protected area size and number, 4) representation, 5) standards and categories and 6) management planning. Input element of 3 indicators were 1) management staff, 2) funding, 3) establishment and application of information. Process element were consisted of 1) governance, 2) management guidelines, 3) human resource management, 4) law enforcement, 5) eco-management, 6) disaster management, 7) education program and 8) research and monitoring. The element of outputs and outcomes were 1) accomplishment of plan, 2) accomplishment of program, 3) private land management, 4) threats change, 5) biodiversity change, 6) ecosystem health and vitality, 7) impact on community, 8) international management level and 9) visitors' satisfaction and variation in civil compliant. It is recommended to have further research on evaluation methods development by applying those above developed indicators for the protected forest areas to ensure the practicality of the indicators.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.643-655
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• 2011

This study addresses the periphytons along the Bukhan river stream and examines the biological indices that represents the river and estimate water quality assessment. Bukhan river in 4 major watershed streams (Bukchon-Hangeychon, Narinchon, Inbukchon, and Soyang river) was selected in 9 points. Land use pattern along the streams showed marked differenced in agriculture areas and forest areas. Lower Soyang streams showed blue-green algae and green algae also appeared in evenly pattern. Thus, the pollution source, biomass and distribution are somewhat correlated, and BOD, SS, biodiversity, and evenness showed a similar pattern. This situation can lead to conclusion of oligotrophic lake with good condition. Therefore, current biological index and is not so desirable for stream degree standard water quality and nutrient level.