• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2014

To cope with the potential risks associated with invasive alien species, the Korean Government implemented the Biodiversity Act in 2014. Among the alien species not yet introduced into that country, 24 have been designated as alert species. These include mammals, birds, fish, mollusks, insects, and plants that may invade and cause serious harm to the ecosystem. Approval from the Ministry of Environment is required to import or carry any of them. Although these measures are more advanced than those from the previous legal framework, several terms still need to be improved. First, the category of alert species should cover not only those not yet introduced but also those that are being raised or cultivated at aquariums, botanical gardens, and zoos. Second, for applicants who intend to import or carry alert species, the government must provide them with detailed standards for the ecological risk assessment of alert species as well as guidelines for their safe use in Korea to prevent their unregulated release from confinement facilities into natural environments. Third, tools and protocols should be developed for early detection and rapid responses to those escapes.

• Journal of Korea Technology Innovation Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.506-529
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• 2013

Nagoya protocol, alias ABS adopted in UN Convention on Biodiversity in 2010, has prompted governments in many countries to prepare strategic plans with regards to both the conservation of domestic bio-resources and the use of those with foreign origin. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of policy responses of Korean governments to ABS (Access and Benefit Sharing) and to make suggestions for a more integrative and efficient governance system for related ministries and institutions. Our analysis indicates that while most ministries have designated laws specifying various measures for the conservation of domestic bio-resources such as protected biological species or natural areas, just a couple of them have instituted measures governing the use of those resources and the benefit-sharing arising from it. We conclude that policy responses of Korean government are more focused on the conservation of bio-resources leaving the use of them ill-addressed. The study, thus, suggests that measures of 'bio-resource user country' be instituted in addition to those of 'bio-resource supplier country'. For instance, with regards to the use of bio-resources the roles and remits of related ministries had better be clarified and coordinated. The uncertainty over the explicit indication of 'place of origin' of bio-resources as a requirement of patent grant need to be cleared as well.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.315-336
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• 2016

This study aims at analysing the process of introduction and the development of the agri-environment policy of the UK and identifying the implication for the Korean government. The UK introduced the AES policy in order to reduce the negative impact of the farming practice on biodiversity and habitats. The initial process was only possible for the enormous research results on the relationship between the farming and environment. Since the UK launched the ESA scheme in 1987, it has extended the designated areas for four stages. Based on the success of the ESA scheme, it started CSS and other schemes. However, these had a modest success and were integrated into the CSS scheme, which from then on became the main measures of the AES in the UK. The whole process of the UK case tells us that the most important work for the start of the AES in Korea would be the necessity and feasibility of the environment protection measures in Korea which could be identified from academic and scientific research on the impact of agricultural practice on the rural environment in Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.198-204
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• 2018

Background: The effective use of habitats is essential for the successful adaptation of a species to the local environment. Although habitats exhibit a hierarchical structure, including macro-, meso-, and microhabitats, the relationships among habitats of differing hierarchy have not been well studied. In this study, we studied the quantitative measures of microhabitat use of Gekko japonicus from three field populations in Japan: one at Tsushima Island, one at Nishi Park, Fukuoka, and one at Ohori Park, Fukuoka. We investigated whether land cover type, a higher hierarchical habitat component, was associated with quantitative microhabitat use, a lower hierarchical component, in these populations. Results: The substrate temperature where we located geckos (SubT) and the distance from the ground to the gecko (Height) were significantly different among the three populations. In particular, SubT on Tsushima Island was lower than it was in the other two populations. Irradiance at gecko location and Height were significantly different among the land cover types. In particular, Height in evergreen needleleaf forest was significantly lower than that in deciduous broadleaf forest. Furthermore, significant interactions between population and land cover type were observed for the SubT and Height variables. Conclusions: The quantitative measures of microhabitat use of G. japonicus varied with population and land cover type, which exhibited significant interaction effects on microhabitat use variables. These results suggest that higher hierarchical habitat components can affect the quantitative measures of lower hierarchical microhabitat use in nocturnal geckos.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.70-83
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• 1998

With the launch of a new millenium of the 21st century ahead, one of tasks that need to be considered in urban ecological aspect is the understanding of impact of continuing urbanization on urban ecosystem, habitats, and various species of animals and plants. In addition, alternatives and measures to mitigate these impacts including environment restoration should be pursued. In this article, the following points will be reviewed; 1) the definition and significance of an eco-city and "ecological network", 2) the necessity of an eco-network as one of factors composing an eco-city, in the aspects of urban planning and urban ecology, 3) ways to build an urban ecological network and example of foreign countries, 4) as an example of a city in Korea, the present state and impending tasks of the ecological network of Seoul city, and 5) a brief conclusion and suggestion. By providing a basic tool called "an ecological network" for urban space planning, it attempts to contribute in promoting networking of cities (netropolis) and urban biodiversity. It is believed that how to create an ecological network in an artificially developed urban area is a pending issue we are faced with. Herein lies the necessity of natural environment restoration and creation based on the so-called the Third Ecology. Regarding the efforts to return the Nature to urban citizens, there is a need to view the development of a desirable urban ecological network as the starting point and finishing point of the effort. In this way, it is believed that the objectives of urban sustainability through netropolis development would also be achieved.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.41-53
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• 2022

Background: Due to the rapidly changing climatic conditions, South Korea faces the grand challenge of exotic species. With the increasing human movement, the influx of alien species to novel regions is prevalent across the globe. The latest research suggests that it is easy to prevent the introduction and establishment of alien species rather than controlling their spread and eradication. Like other countries, the Korean Ministry of Environment released a list (in 2018) of 45 potential risky exotic fish species considered likely to be invasive candidate fish species if they ever succeed in entering the Korean aquatic ecosystems. Results: The investigation into the invasion suitability traits showed that potential risky fish species could utilize those features in becoming invasive once they arrive in the Korean aquatic ecosystems. If the novel species establish viable populations, they are likely to incur higher economic costs, damage the native aquatic fauna and flora, and jeopardize the already perilled species. Furthermore, they can damage the installed infrastructure, decline overall abundance and biodiversity, and disturb the ecosystem services. Here we reviewed the list of fish species concerning their family, native origin, preferred aquatic biomes, main food items, current status in Korea, and potential threats to humans and the ecosystems. Data shows that most species are either already designated as invasive in the neighboring counties, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, and China, or originate from these countries. Such species have a higher climate match with the Korean territories. Conclusions: Therefore, it is exceptionally essential to study their most critical features and take regulatory measures to restrict their entry. The incoming fish species must be screened before letting them in the country in the future. The regulatory authorities must highlight the threatening traits of such species and strictly monitor their entrance. Detailed research is required to explore the other species, especially targeting the neighboring countries fish biodiversity, having demonstrated invasive features and matching the Korean climate.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.363-376
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• 2023

As the risk of biodiversity reduction and extinction becomes serious due to climate change and indiscriminate development, the importance of conservation of the natural environment and ecosystem is increasing. In this situation, Ireviewed that overseas cases of the ecological outlook and evaluation system aimed at providing information on natural resources and ecosystem change. As a results, other countries showed that various research institutes have been carrying on field surveys by classification group, but it was different from us that the investigated data are collected and managed in an integrated manner and repeatedly provided within a short period of time. In addition, it was analyzed that it was highly utilized in policy and environmental impact assessment by providing evaluation-based prediction and outlook information along with basic survey data. Based on this, the limitations of information use in our wildlife surveys and environmental impacts assessments were analyzed, and the estabilishment of a ecology outlook and evaluation system and policy support measures were considered. In addition, based on the proposed outlook and evaluation system preparation plan, a policy direction that can be effectively used in domestic natural ecosystem policies was proposed.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2010

The European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive (WFD) (2000/60/EC) was transposed into Irish law by Statutory Instrument Nos. 722 of 2003, 413 of 2005 and 218 of 2009, which set out a new strategy and process to protect and enhance Ireland's water resources and water-dependent ecosystems. The Directive requires a novel, holistic, integrated, and iterative process to address Ireland's natural waters based on a series of six-year planning cycles. Key success factors in implementing the Directive include an in-depth and balanced treatment of the ecological, economic, institutional and cultural aspects of river basin management planning. Introducing this visionary discipline for the management of sustainable water resources requires a solemn commitment to a new mindset and an overarching monitoring and management regime which hitherto has never been attempted in Ireland. The WFD must be implemented in conjunction with a myriad of complimentary directives and associated legislation, addressing such key related topics as flood/drought management, biodiversity protection, land use planning, and water/wastewater and diffuse pollution engineering and regulation. The critical steps identified for river basin management planning under the WFD include: 1) characterization and classification of water bodies (i.e., how healthy are Irish waters?), 2) definition of significant water pressures (e.g., agriculture, forestry, septic tanks), 3) enhancement of measures for designated protected areas, 4) establishment of objectives for all surface and ground waters, and 5) integrating these critical steps into a comprehensive and coherent river basin management plan and associated programme of measures. A parallel WFD implementation programme critically depends on an effective environmental management system (EMS) approach with a plan-do-check-act cycle applied to each of the evolving six-year plans. The proactive involvement of stakeholders and the general public is a key element of this EMS approach.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.208-219
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• 2014

This work aims to establish the landscape ecological countermeasures to improve the sustainability of urban mountain forest and to enrich the biodiversity in twenty mountains of the Seoul Metropolitan City. Landscape ecological analysis was conducted based upon various criteria, such as area and elevation of mountains, flora, naturalized plants, vegetation, forest types, mountain trails, and public facilities. Various measures were suggested for the better maintenances of floristic diversity, introduced plants, vegetation and forest types of urban mountain forests. Sustainable recommendations for land use adminstration were developed for the preparations of a climate change-adapted urban mountain forests, as well as rational managements of ecosystem, walking trails, and public facilities within mountain forest. Rich and diverse natural vegetation as well as high floristic diversity were reported at mountains with higher elevations, larger area size, and rich landscape diversity. Mountains with low elevation, small size with easy public access, however, might require an urgent action to decrease the burdens by anthropogenic disturbances and urban development.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.726-732
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• 2004

In this manuscript, a review of the diversity of Chinese indigenous goat breeds according to data from body stature and appearance, chromosome group, blood proteins, DNA molecular markers (mitochondria DNA, random amplified polymorphic DNA, microsatellite DNA, major histocompatibility complex) has been introduced. All of these provide efficient tools for the diversity analysis of Chinese indigenous goat breeds and are very important for biodiversity conservation, restoration of declining goat breeds, the priority defining in Chinese indigenous goat breeds' protection and the selection of nature preservation zones. Many Chinese indigenous goat breeds with small population size in the isolated mountains or reservoir areas are verging the potential threat of extinction, effectively lost with the rapid destroying of ecological environment. On the other hand, as a result of the introduction of modern commercial goat breeds and shortage of effective conservation, some populations, such as Small-xiang goat and Tibetan goat decrease rapidly in number of sires. In the interests of the long-term future of the goat breeds in China, conservation of goat breeds' genetic resources should be considered urgently and some conservation measures should be adopted. In addition, the continuing development of molecular biology will further enhance conservation of diversity of Chinese indigenous goat breeds.