• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.103-111
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• 2016

Seasonal dynamics of kelp forest-forming algae, Ecklonia cava population formed following the large-scale disturbance by Typhoon 'Bolaven' in August 2012 were investigated in Jeju Island, Korea. Morphological characteristics, recruits density, mortality rate, total density and biomass were monitored bimonthly from June 2013 to June 2015. Total and longest blade lengths, and individual weight of E. cava showed distinct seasonal trends. Stipe length increased from winter to spring, but did not show increase or reduced from summer to autumn. This indicates that morphological characteristics of E. cava are mainly affected by the change of blades. The optimal temperature for E. cava growth was about $15-18^{\circ}C$ during winter to spring while the growths were inhibited at the water temperature above $20^{\circ}C$ during summer. E. cava exhibited very low recruitment during spring-summer. However, high recruitment was observed on April 2015 when canopy cover was very low due to low density. This indicates that recruitment of E. cava was controlled not by seasonal effects but by physical factors such as canopy and space. The mortality rate of juvenile plants was highest due to their unstable settlement. By June 2015, 34 months after the disturbances, E. cava was almost recovered to the pre-disturbance population size structure. These results suggest that recovery of kelp forest following the large-scale disturbance requires a considerable period of time (more than three years). This study should provide valuable ecological information on management, restoration and protection of kelp species.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.273-280
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• 2001

We investigated the flora and vegetation structure of exotic plants along stream geomorphology and disturbance factors in the riparian zone of Seunggi stream, Incheon. Total 53 exotic plant species were found in the riparian corridors of Seunggi stream. The percentage of exotics ranged from 25% to 33% of total species richness, and its mean value was 24% in the whole riparian area. The percentage of exotics reflected the vulnerability of riparian zones to plant invasions by disturbances, and it could be used as an indicator of riparian system dysfunction. The distinct distribution patterns of exotic plants did not found in the lateral topographic features of the stream. Invasion and proliferation of the exotic plants were somewhat remarkable at terraces and bank slopes of the stream. Among various disturbance factors, plowing and trampling were important on the invasion of exotic plant species of Seunggi stream.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.255-261
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• 2003

To analyze ecological characteristics of the Ulmus pumila community, an on-the-spot survey was conducted in August, 1998 in the Dong River, Gangwon-do, South Korea. The Ulmus pumila community is partially distributed in Dong River's midstream and upper stream. Topographical characteristics of this community are significant in the point bar or sandbank of the river. The community is classified into two types, disturbed and non-disturbed types, by the effect of flooding. The Ulmus pumila community (bush forests of Siberian elms) is a representative community which forms riparian forests, but its distribution is rare in South Korea. Only in Dong River is the Ulmus pumila distributed enough to form a community, and none is known that is lager than this community in South Korea. The non-disturbance type progresses more homogeneously than the disturbance type because it is formed on riverside banks where it is affected less by flooding. We concluded that the Ulmus pumila community in this study area has characteristics of riparian forests. In South Korea, Ulmus pumila community can be regarded as important element of vegetation landscape constituting riparian forests. Specifically, these riparian forests are evaluated as high in conservation value due to their being formed spontaneously. Moreover, Dong River is regarded as the southern limit of Ulmus pumila, which has a northern origin. The species or community needs continuous interests and conservation countermeasures because there are limitations in its spread of distribution by natural or artificial efforts.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2016

Declines in amphibian populations are occurring worldwide, and have been attributed to many factors, including anthropogenic environmental changes. One of the ramifications of such declines is abnormalities in many amphibian species. A strong association has been detected between human activities and abnormalities in amphibian populations, but studies on this association are largely focused on lentic species. In this study, it was analyzed whether the degree of local human activity was associated with the rate of abnormalities in Bombina orientalis which inhabited lotic environments. We found that the proportions of abnormalities in wild populations of B. orientalis increased, when i) the closest human land use was located within 100 m from the frogs' habitat, and ii) the proportion of human land use within a 300-m radius was high. Our findings suggest that human activity has a negative impact on the fitness of nearby amphibian populations, and that wild populations very close to human-induced disturbance are affected.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.277-290
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• 2008

In the past two decades Mikania micrantha Kunth, a climbing plant species originating from tropical America, has spread across Taiwan. It can now be found frequently in the lowlands and lower mountain areas up to 1,000 m a.s.l. in the centre and south of the island. Mikania micrantha is considered a problematic invasive alien plant species which is said to cause economical as well as environmental damage. This study investigated the ecological site characteristics of M. micrantha in Taiwan. 112 vegetation surveys were carried out in habitats where the alien plant was present. A comparison between sites with a high and a low abundance was carried out in order to assess which factors especially influence the extensive spread of the plant. Furthermore, the influence of disturbances was examined. Results showed that Mikania micrantha grows very dense in habitats which are characterized by good light conditions combined with vertical structures, such as trees. Results revealed that this invader occurs most frequently in agricultural fallows and wastelands, but it could hardly be found in the intensively managed plantations in the investigation area. Results provide great evidence that the plant is strongly influenced by disturbances, but only if impacts occur rarely.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.83-98
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• 2018

This study was conducted on rare plants distributed in Chungnam area from April, 2012 to November, 2017. The rare plant populations that are emerging are: Utricularia pilosa, Jeffersonia dubia, Iris ruthenica, Tipularia japonica, Calanthe discolor, Parasenecio pseudotaimingasa, Ranunculus kazusensis, Berchemia racemosa, Pogonia minor and Glehnia littoralis. According to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), plant resources in the rare species category were one important type (CR), three hazardous species (EN) and six vulnerable species (VU). As a result of analyzing characteristics of ecological environment and threats, five types of habitat types, two aquatic areas, two types of flatland and coastal sand dune distribution types were analyzed. The decreasing tendency of the rare plant populations in the surveyed area is judged to be artificial disturbance and habitat destruction rather than climate or environmental change. Considering the characteristics of habitat, conservation measures should be prepared for each population.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2024

This note summarizes the application of zooplankton indices for water quality management and estimation based on main research topics of articles focusing on wetland ecosystems, topics that are remained poorly investigated in S. Korea. The aquatic ecosystem-based consists of indices that respond to different target environmental factors, including environmental disturbance. Among the major indicator species and biota, we reviewed that management strategy for the wetland environment has to be focused more on small-sizes, in terms of zooplankton ecology and indices. The ecology of zooplankton communities in freshwater ecosystem has been the focus of an increasing number of studies since 2019, and considerable progress has been made in understanding the major mechanisms involved in regulating their abundance, diversity and spatio-temporal patterns. Even though studies on the freshwater ecosystem in Korea have a long history, a few of studies on zooplankton biota were conducted at wetlands. We suggested the candidate zooplankton indices proposed by the U.S. EPA and EU to suit Korean conditions. In the step of selecting metrics, the best available metrics are species-related variables, such as composition and abundance, as well as richness and diversity. Overall, in spite of several limitations, the development of a plankton-based multivariate assessment method in Korea wetlands is possible using mostly field research data. Later, it could be improved based on qualitative metrics on zooplankton, and with the emergence of further survey data. The present information can be used as basic information for researchers who are dealing with aquatic environments and its interaction with organisms.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.169-179
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• 2017

This study analyzed the aspect of bed change according to the stable channel design on the Wonju River to quantitatively evaluate habitat suitability (HS). According to the result of evaluating stable channel of object section in the Wonju River, 17 sections among total 20 sections were stable and 3 sections were unstable. Physical disturbance improvement evaluation (PDIE) was the range average showed good disturbance condition with a range average of 112.17 points. Habitat suitability index of Zacco Koreanus, the most dominant species of the Wonju River, was used for analysis of physical habitat for fish. According to the physical habitat analysis result, HS was 0.16 and weighted usable area (WUA) was $347.68m^2$. The methods of improving/introducing/removing structures and dredging stream channel were used for stable channel design of unstable channel, and analyzed PDIE according to the aspect of bed change and changes in habitat suitability. Stable channel design was possible in 19 sections in times of structures improvement/introduction/removal, and PDIE was 117.53 points, HS was 0.14 points, and WUA was $313.37m^2$. Stable channel design was possible in all 20 sections when dredging the stream channel. PDIE was 116.50 points, HS was 0.16, and WUA was $332.14m^2$. Therefore, this study obtained channel design measures that can improve physical soundness and stability of the Wonju River, and it was analyzed that it will have no impact on changes of physical disturbance and physical habitat. Furthermore, this study analyzed velocity and depth of each section and appearance frequency of riffle and pool to analyze correlation between physical disturbance and physical habitat. According to the analysis result, it was identified that the analysis of riffle and pool showed similar result as the evaluation result of physical habitat.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of hiking trails on forest landscape's fragmentation, based on which also to assess the landscape-ecology-based integrity by small drainage area by selecting Bukhansan National Park as a survey target. The results of effect analysis are as follow; size of forest patch decreased; the density of patch and edge increased; patch shape became complicated; the dimensions of core area noticeably decreased and proximity degree between patch increased after trail-building. In addotion, the assessment results of overall landscape ecology-based integrity by small drainage basin showed that the Bukhansan catchment area was highest making 3.7 point, while Gugi catchment area was rated the lowest making 1.6 point. Putting the above results together, it is necessary to prohibit the opening up of unnecessary trails and to make room for ecological restoration of damaged and disturbance area to their original state as nature goes for landscape-ecology-based conservation and management of forests.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.399-409
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• 2017

The rapid increase of naturalized plants causes disturbance of the ecosystem. The purpose of this study is to identify the reality of naturalized flora in Jeolla-do. A total of 830 sites were studied in 2016. These naturalized plants consisted of 189 taxa in total, belonging to 38 families, 116 genera, 181 species, 2 forms and 6 varieties. According to the results of the analysis based on place of origin, 75 taxa were from Europe, and 59 taxa were from North America. According to the analysis of the ecological characteristics, compositae had the highest diversity among 31 families, with 44 taxa, followed by Gramineae, with 24 taxa, and Leguminosae, with 10 taxa. Naju-si had the highest diversity among 36 counties, with 77 taxa. This study identified 37 (Jeollanam-do) and 30 taxa (Jeollabuk-do) not listed in the preceding literature in Jeolla-do. We found a lots of differences between flora's databases of previous studies resulting from the naturalized plant definition.