• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2010

This paper deals with the classification and distribution of geomorphic surfaces and analysis on effects of geomorphic processes on the landforms in the inaccessable DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) to Wonsan Bay of East Sea coast of Chugaryeong Rift Valley, Central Korea. DEM (Digital Elevation Model) and Landsat images are used for the above anlaysis. The geomorphic surfaces are classified by TPI (Topographical Position Index) for the analysis of the convexity and concavity calculated using topographical elements such as elevation, steepness, and relief. In the Chugayreong Valley, 10 geomorphic surfaces are classified as steep valley, shallow valley, upland drainage, U-shaped valley, plain, open slope, upper slope, local ridge, midslope ridge, and high ridge. Zonal Statistics presents average characteristics of geomorphological processes of surfaces by the relationships between bedrock and relief, surface and relief, and between surface and NDVI. So, these analysis can help to understand geomorphological process such as dissection of lava plateau and watershed divide evolution.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.83-99
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• 2021

Burn severity analysis using satellite imagery has high capabilities for research and management in inaccessible areas. We extracted the forest fire area of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) in the western Imjin Estuary which is restricted to access due to the confrontation between South and North Korea. Then we analyzed the forest fire severity and recoverability using atmospheric corrected Surface Reflectance Level-2 data collected from Landsat-8 OLI (Operational Land Imagery) / TIRS (Thermal Infrared Sensor). Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR), differenced NBR (dNBR), and Relative dNBR (RdNBR) were analyzed based on changes in the spectral pattern of satellite images to estimate burn severity area and intensity. Also, we evaluated the recoverability after a forest fire using a land cover map which is constructed from the NBR, dNBR, and RdNBR analyzed results. The results of dNBR and RdNBR analysis for the six years (during May 30, 2014 - May 30, 2020) showed that the intensity of monthly burn severity was affected by seasonal changes after the outbreak and the intensity of annual burn severity gradually decreased after the fire events. The regrowth of vegetation was detected in most of the affected areas for three years (until May 2020) after the forest fire reoccurred in May 2017. The monthly recoverability (from April 2014 to December 2015) of forests and grass fields was increased and decreased per month depending on the vegetation growth rate of each season. In the case of annual recoverability, the growth of forest and grass field was reset caused by the recurrence of a forest fire in 2017, then gradually recovered with grass fields from 2017 to 2020. We confirmed that remote sensing was effectively applied to research of the burn severity and recoverability in the DMZ. This study would also provide implications for the management and construction statistics database of the forest fire in the DMZ.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.952-959
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• 2012

This study examined habitat fragmentation that has occurred in Paju and Yeoncheon, the two border municipalities between North and South Korea in Gyeonggi-do (province) during the last 17 years using various landscape metrics. We 1) classified grass and agricultural habitats and forest habitats from two Landsat TM images collected in 1990 and 2007, and 2) compared the percentage of class area, patch density, mean patch area, and mean perimeter area ratio for the two habitat types between the two time points. Both types of habitats has been severely fragmented due to urban development in the last 17 years. The increased patch density and decreased mean habitat area are attributed to the construction of roads and railroads that separate a large habitat to many small pieces. The increased mean perimeter area ratio also indicates that the habitat fragmentation extended areas that are affected by the edge effect and so less suitable for interior species. A habitat conservation plan is urgently needed to minimize habitat fragmentation from developments that are expected to soon occur in the north and south Korean border.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.247-256
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• 2012

We evaluated the landscape ecological value of selected minefields and wetland patches as a habitat of the forest bird community. The avian fauna of three minefields of 8.5ha, 17.4ha, and 40.6ha were evaluated by comparing that of three control sites of mountain area. Average number of forest bird species, number of individuals, species diversity index, species richness, and species evenness were analyzed according to the size of patch and environmental characteristics such as the presence of wetland and connectivity. Community similarity was evaluated between test and control plots. Avian fauna can be summarized as follows. First, 63 species were recorded, and the sum of maximum counts was 828 individuals. Species diversity index was 3.8, and the species richness was 9.2. Species evenness was 93.3. Second, small, isolated forest patch had a low average number of species and individuals as expected. But, small forest patches with streams had higher bird density than patches without water surface. Third, forest patches with marsh wetland were evaluated as lower habitat quality than forest patches with stream wetland in terms of the number of bird species per unit area, number of individuals per unit area, species diversity index, species richness index, and species evenness. Finally, Community similarity of the small forest patches with streams was similar with large connected forest. As a result, lowland forest patch was shown the good quality for the forest bird community in spite of small extents, and community structure was similar with mountain forest bird community. Thus, riparian forest restoration could improve the biodiversity of the forest bird community.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-372
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of vascular plants in Mt. Daedeukbong. The study is significant because surveying the flora of old-growth forest in Mt. Daedeukbong is a way of understanding what kind of plant species exist in DMZ as the geographical characteristics of Mt. Daedeukbong adjacent to Korean DMZ have the role of a buffer zone connecting the DMZ and its southern region. We collected the vascular plants 7 times from May 2015 to May 2017 and found a total of 393 taxa consisting of 84 families, 245 genera, 341 species, 4 subspecies, 43 varieties and 5 forms. The observed rare plant species as designated by Korea Forest Service were 8 taxa, and the endemic species were 6 taxa. 44 taxa were listed as specific plant species based on phytogeographical in the investigated area. 23 taxa were recorded as naturalized plants, and the naturalized rate and urban index were 5.3% and 8.7%, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.26-26
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• 2019

DMZ 일원은 정전협정으로 비무장지대(DMZ: Demilitarized Zone)가 설정된 이래 민간인의 출입이 엄격히 금지된 채로 외부의 간섭에서 벗어난 독보적 공간으로 보전되어 오고 있다. 하지만 일부 지역은 자연재해 및 군사적 목적으로 훼손되어 생태적으로 교란된 지역이 발생하여 생태적 건강성이 저하되고 있다. 무엇보다 군사분계선 남쪽 2km에 설치된 남방한계선은 군사적 목적에 따라 시계확보를 위해 불모지작전을 수행하여 생태적 교란 및 토양침식에 의해 생태계가 열악한 실정이다. DMZ 내 생태교란지 식물복원 연구는 DMZ내 생태교란지를 하나의 특수한 생태계로 간주하여, 향후 DMZ내 생태교란지에 특화된 식생복원 체계를 마련하는데 그 목적이 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 DMZ 155마일(248km)에 대해서 위성영상분석을 수행하여 생태교란지 유형화분류 연구를 수행하여 7개 유형(저지대초지, 서부저지대산지, 저습지 및 수공간 지역 등)으로 분류하였다. 또한 DMZ 생태교란지에 적합한 식물종 선정을 위하여 DMZ 전역을 대상으로 식물상 조사를 실시하여, 분포가 확인된 종을 대상으로 도입 가능종의 검토, 종자 수집 및 채종원 조성을 실시하였다. 추후 DMZ 생태교란지 식물복원에 적합한 공법연구를 수행하고자 한다. 시계확보를 위해 수행되는 불모지 작전에 적합한 종의 선정, 선정된 종을 대상으로 유사환경 조성에 따른 공법 적용, 적용된 공법에 따른 관리 방안 연구를 함께 수행하고자 한다. 본 연구를 통해 DMZ 일원에 특화된 공법개발이 이루어진다면 불모지 작전 및 관리 최소화가 이루어지고, 무엇보다 우리나라 종자 및 야생화 산업의 활성화와 현재 파편화 되어 있는 생태축이 하나의 축으로 연결 될 것이라고 기대해 본다.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.224-235
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• 2023

South Korea is the only divided nation globally, marked by a military demarcation line establishing demilitarized and civilian control zones, ensuring national security. Consequently, these areas exhibit relatively minimal ecological disruption compared to other regions. However, the threat to safety persists due to the presence of unexploded ordnances and landmines, imposing significant constraints on ecological research. To address this, we conducted a comparative study utilizing eDNA analysis as a supplementary and alternative approach within three points of the "Road of Peace" - Inje, Yanggu, and Hwacheon courses, located within the civilian control zone. Direct surveys and indirect eDNA sampling were carried out in May, July, and September of 2022. Genetic material obtained from the samples underwent amplification, library preparation, MiSeq sequencing, and subsequent ASV generation for indirect analysis. These results were then compared with the findings of direct surveys. Our findings revealed the detection of eDNA for both observed species at the Yanggu-1 point, and for two out of four species at Yanggu-2. Hwacheon-1 displayed the detection of eDNA for one out of one observed species, whereas Hwacheon-2 yielded seven out of twelve, Hwacheon-3 showed four out of six, and all one observed species at Hwacheon-4 exhibited eDNA detection. Consequently, approximately 69% of the fish species identified through direct surveys were confirmed by indirect eDNA analysis. It is necessary to verify if certain fish species, such as the continental trout and catfish, have genetic information registered in the NCBI database. Additionally, it is believed that further marker development research utilizing different genetic sequences is essential. Given the limitations imposed by the hazardous nature of the surveyed civilian control zone, eDNA analysis proves to be a suitable supplement for fish research in the area.

• Journal of the Earthquake Engineering Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.19-24
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• 2003

We analysed seismic phases recorded by the 10 December 2002 Cheolwon, Korea, earthquake of $M_{L}$ 3.6 and obtained source parameters such as hypocenter, origin time, earthquake magnitude. Velocity and acceleration records used in this study are from the KMA and KIGAM seismic networks. Due to the location of the epicenter in the north of the DMZ(Demilitarized Zone), direct Pg phases were recorded only at five stations in the area south of DMZ. Identification of refracted Pn phase as the first arrival is difficult in most stations. Therefore, the hypocenter determined by existing routine methods could be affected by a large error. In order to avoid the possibility of the problem, we employed a method of seismic phase analysis developed by Kim et al.. The direct, refracted, and reflected P and S phases were successfully identified using the method together with the travel time curve data. In order to improve the accuracy in determination of the hypocenter and origin time, we included PmP and SmS phases in the analysis in addition to the phases such as Pg, Pn, Sg and Sn. The epicenter, depth, and origin time of the Cheolwon earthquake determined based on data of 11 stations within 200km from the epicenter are $38.81^{\circ}$N, $127.22^{\circ}$E, 12.0km, and 7:42:51.4(local time), respectively. The average value of the local magnitude based on the Richter's definition from all the stations is 3.6 in $M_{L}$. This magnitude is smaller by 0.2 and 0.5 compared with magnitudes determined by KMA and KIGAM, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.189-204
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• 2018

This study has developed a forest fire occurrence probability model for inaccessible areas such as North Korea and Demilitarized Zone and we have developed a real-time forest fire danger rating system that can be used in fire-related works. There are limitations on the research that it is impossible to conduct site investigation for data acquisition and verification for forest fire weather index model and system development. To solve this problem, we estimated the fire spots in the areas where access is impossible by using MODIS satellite data with scientific basis. Using the past meteorological reanalysis data(5㎞ resolution) produced by the Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA) on the extracted fires, the meteorological characteristics of the fires were extracted and made database. The meteorological factors extracted from the forest fire ignition points in the inaccessible areas are statistically correlated with the forest fire occurrence and the weather factors and the logistic regression model that can estimate the forest fires occurrence(fires 1 and non-fores 0). And used to calculate the forest fire weather index(FWI). The results of the statistical analysis show that the logistic models(p<0.01) strongly depends on maximum temperature, minimum relative humidity, effective humidity and average wind speed. The logistic regression model constructed in this study showed a relatively high accuracy of 66%. These findings may be beneficial to the policy makers in Republic of Korea(ROK) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK) for the prevention of forest fires.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.554-574
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• 2018

Mt. Bonghwa reaches a height of 800 m (2,870 ft) and stands on the flank of Mt. Daeam-san, which has an elevation of 1,304 m (4,278 ft). It is important to survey the flora of Bonghwa-san in that it is a way to make out what kind of plant species exist in DMZ due to the geographical characteristics of Bonghwa-san adjacent to Korean DMZ. Therefore this study was conducted to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants and their value of Bonghwa-san. The vascular plants that were collected 10 times from May 2015 to April 2017 consisted of a total of 525 taxa; 93 families, 309genera, 458 species, 4 subspecies, 58 varieties and 5 forms. The observed rare plant species as designated by Korea Forest Service were 12 taxa including Echinosophora koreensis, Epimedium koreanum, Anemone koraiensis etc. Endemic species were 16 taxa containing Cirsium setidens, Heloniopsis koreana, Salvia chanryoenica etc. 31 taxa were recorded as naturalized plants and their naturalized rate and urban index were noted as 5.8% and 7.25%. Among the surveyed 525 taxa, edible, medicinal, pasturing, ornamental, timber, dye, fiber and industrial plants included 213 taxa, 172 taxa, 196 taxa, 50 taxa, 23 taxa, 10 taxa, 6 taxa and 3 taxa, respectively.