• Water Engineering Research
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.131-147
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• 2005

Today, a trend that tries to return the artificial space of a river to a natural one is expanding. But in Korea, which lies in the monsoon climate zone, rivers endure flood damage every year. Moreover, climatic change from global warming causes severe variations in precipitation patterns. Until recently, river restoration practices in Korea have followed partial restoration. These restorative treatments transformed artificial structures of the stream to natural ones and introduced natural vegetation by imitating natural or semi-natural streams. Treatment transformed the riparian structure and increased the diversity of micro-topography and vegetation. Furthermore, restoration recovered species composition, increased species diversity, and inhibited the establishment of exotic species. In particular, the Suip stream, which was left to its natural process for approximately 50 years, recovered its natural features almost completely through passive restoration. An urban stream, the Yangjae, and a rural stream, the Dongmoon, were restored partially by applying ecological principles. On the contrary, technological treatment applied to recover flood damage induced species composition far from the natural vegetation and decreased species diversity. Additionally, this treatment increased exotic species. The same results were found also in benthic invertebrate and fish fauna. The above-mentioned results reflect the importance of ecological considerations in river management.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.888-897
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• 2014

A bacterial community analysis of the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae was performed using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. A predominance of genus Spiroplasma species in phylum Tenericutes was observed in the gut samples, but there was variation found in the community composition between T. molitor individuals. The gut bacteria community structure was not significantly affected by the presence of antibiotics or by the exposure of T. molitor larvae to a highly diverse soil bacteria community. A negative relationship was identified between bacterial diversity and ampicillin concentration; however, no negative relationship was identified with the addition of kanamycin. Ampicillin treatment resulted in a reduction in the bacterial community size, estimated using the 16S rRNA gene copy number. A detailed phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Spiroplasma-associated sequences originating from the T. molitor larvae were distinct from previously identified Spiroplasma type species, implying the presence of novel Spiroplasma species. Some Spiroplasma species are known to be insect pathogens; however, the T. molitor larvae did not experience any harmful effects arising from the presence of Spiroplasma species, indicating that Spiroplasma in the gut of T. molitor larvae do not act as a pathogen to the host. A comparison with the bacterial communities found in other insects (Apis and Solenopsis) showed that the Spiroplasma species found in this study were specific to T. molitor.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

This study performed the impact of ecological waterway on fish community in a reach of the Dal River, Korea. Fish monitoring revealed that 9 fish species are dominant, namely Zacco platypus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco koreanus, Pungtungia herzi, Acheilognathus yamatsutae, Rhinogobius brunneus, Tanakia signifer, Gobiobotia macrocephala, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus, and account for 95% of the total fish community. The River2D model was used for the computation of the flow and the HSI model for the habitat simulation. The restoration of the waterway performed through the small dam removal, the formation of the pool-riffle structure, and the change of the bed elevation and width. Simulation results indicated that the restoration of the ecological waterway effects significantly increased by about 16% for the WUA (Weighted Usable Area) of the total fish community in optimal ecological flow conditions ($Q=7.0m^3/s$). The restoration of the ecological waterway is more advantageous to fish community.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus problem is an ecological problem stemming from a sudden change in the relationship between parasites and hosts. Ecologists judge organisms that are established out of their original territory as exotic species. Unlike in their original habitat, these exotic species become very aggressive in their newly settled habitat. Coronavirus infection damage was bigger in Europe or the United States than that in the country of its origin, China, and its neighboring countries. Therefore, coronavirus infection damage resembles the damage due to the invasive species. Results: Exotic species are found in places with similar environmental conditions to those of their origin when introduced to other ecological regions. However, there are few ecological ill effects in their place of origin, while the damage is usually severe in the ecological regions in which it is introduced. According to historical records, exotic infectious diseases, such as European smallpox and measles, also showed a similar trend and caused great damage in newly established places. Therefore, it is expected that measures to manage exotic species could be used for the prevention of exotic infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Conclusions: Prevention comes first in the management of exotic species, and in order to come up with preventive measures, it is important to collect information on the characteristics of related organisms and their preferred environment. In this respect, ecosystem management measures such as exotic species management measures could be used as a reference to prevent and suppress the spread. To put these measures into practice, it is urgently required to establish an international integrated information network for collecting and exchanging information between regions and countries. Furthermore, a systematic ecosystem-management strategy in which natural and human environments could continue sustainable lives in their respective locations may serve as a countermeasure to prevent infectious diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.117-133
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• 2023

This study assessed the ecological health of border areas using the ecological health index and suggested Indicators for maintaining and promoting ecological values. We analyzed the change trends, pressures, and resilience of ecosystems and services in border areas, and identified their current status and sustainability. The main findings were: (1) ecological assets and ecosystem services in border areas could be compared through ecosystem health assessment; (2) it can be used to set priorities for management and conservation by identifying the relative importance and vulnerability of ecosystems and ecosystem services in each border area; and (3) the index presented in this study can be judged to have explanatory power for the characteristics of border areas and ecosystem health when compared to previous studies. Limitations of this study include the lack of literature and statistical data at the local government level and the resulting limited application of evaluation methods, which limited direct regional comparisons. To overcome the research limitations, further studies are needed, such as establishing ecological information in border areas, mapping and assessment of ecosystem services, and developing and applying assessments that reflect the opinions and participation of various stakeholders. This study was the first attempt to assess the health of ecosystems and ecosystem services in border areas and provided an important baseline for future changes in border areas. In the future, it will be helpful in national and local government policies and ecological assetecosystem management by supplementing insufficient information and presenting clear goals.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.177-188
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• 2013

In this research, forest cover distribution change, forest volume and carbon stock in Yongin-city, Gyeonggi procince were estimated focused on the forest of Yongin-City using forest type map and HyTAG model in relation to climate change. Present forest volume of Yongin-city was estimated using the data from $5^{th}$ Forest Type Map and Korean National Forest Inventory (NFI). And for the future 100 years potential forest distribution by 10-year interval were estimated using HyTAG model. Forest volume was also calculated using algebraic differences form of the growth model. According to the $5^{th}$ Forest Type Map, present needleleaf forest occupied 37.8% and broadleaf forest 62.2% of forest area. And the forest cover distribution after 30 years would be changed to 0.13% of needleleaf forest and 99.97% of broadleaf forest. Finally, 60 years later, whole forest of Yongin-city would be covered by broad-leaf forest. Also the current forest carbon stocks was measured 1,773,862 tC(56.79 tC/ha) and future carbon stocks after 50 years was predicted to 4,432,351 tC(141.90 tC/ha) by HyTAG model. The carbon stocks after 100 years later was 6,884,063 tC (220.40 tC/ha). According to the HyTAG model prediction, Pinus koraiensis, Larix kaempferi, Pinus rigida, and Pinus densiflora are not suitable to the future climate of 10-year, 30-year, 30-year, and 50-year later respectively. All Quercus spp. was predicted to be suitable to the future climate.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.413-426
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• 2023

Species distribution model (SDM) is used to preserve biodiversity and climate change impact. To evaluate biodiversity, various studies are being conducted to utilize and apply SDM. However, there is insufficient research to provide useful information by identifying the current status and recent trends of SDM research and discussing implications for future research. This study analyzed the trends and flow of academic papers, in the use of SDM, published in academic journals in South Korea and provides basic information that can be used for related research in the future. The current state and trends of SDM research were presented using philological methods and text-mining. The papers on SDM have been published 148 times between 1998 and 2023 with 115 (77.7%) papers published since 2015. MaxEnt model was the most widely used, and plant was the main target species. Most of the publications were related to species distribution and evaluation, and climate change. In text mining, the term 'Climate change' emerged as the most frequent keyword and most studies seem to consider biodiversity changes caused by climate change as a topic. In the future, the use of SDM requires several considerations such as selecting the models that are most suitable for various conditions, ensemble models, development of quantitative input variables, and improving the collection system of field survey data. Promoting these methods could help SDM serve as valuable scientific tools for addressing national policy issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.144-155
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• 2020

This research developed an approach to identify ecologically important areas at local scales and explained how the results of this approach could contribute to extend the protected areas in the Republic of Korea (ROK). While most developed countries have considered various biotic and abiotic factors, ecological processes, migration routes, habitat connectivity, ecosystem services, and etc. to determine the protected areas, ROK has considered a few factors focusing on biodiversity, landscape, and the habitats of endangered organisms. However, for sustainable management of our nature, we need comprehensive understanding of various ecosystem factors and interactions among them at local scales in designating protected areas. Forthis, we developed a conceptual model based on the ecological engineering approach and then explained how the results of this approach could contribute to extend the protected areas. In particular, we considered future land-use and climate change in determining the priority areas for novel protected areas. Our research suggested an effective methodology 1) to include various ecosystem factors and 2) to consider future environmental changes as well as current environmental conditions in finding the ecologically important areas and prioritizing these areas. However, our approach has limitations on the real-world applications due to the lack of fundamental information and data on our ecosystems. To improve the effectiveness of our approach in the real-world applications, we need various long-term ecological research results, environmental and ecological monitoring data, and both current and future spatial environmental data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2016

In this study we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution and preferred habitat type of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) based on the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey. Kentish plovers were observed in 97 maps out of a total 842 maps (11.8%) between 2006 and 2012, mainly along the western and southern coasts of Korea. They were also observed in the eastern coast of Korea, inland rivers (Han, Geum, Nakdong, Seomjin, and Yongsan River), the western and eastern coast of Jeju island, and Daecheong Island in the Yellow Sea. The observations were mainly made during the spring breeding season and migration seasons in spring and autumn. The occurrence of kentish plovers was positively influenced by the area of water and wetland according to the middle classification level of land cover type analysis and the area of coastal wetlands in the detailed classification level of land cover types. Most (90%) of the kentish plovers recorded maps had coastal wetlands. Kentish plovers were known to be susceptible to change of habitat. As the occurrence of kentish plovers could be associated with the habitat-change of coastal wetlands and it is possible to estimate the number of individuals, it is recommended that kentish plovers be used as a bioindicator species for the ecological assessment of ecosystem in intertidal zones.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2010

To cope with various issues in the aspect of climate change adaptation of UNFCCC, Korea began preparing a Five-year National Climate Change Adaptation Plan in 2010 to be implemented from 2011~2015, for the purposes of securing a concrete system to adapt to climate change. Compared with the policies and measurement tools of developed countries, Korea's climate change adaptation capabilities suffers from a number of limitations including insufficiencies of basic information, human resources for research on climate change, and technology in risk and vulnerability assessment. At the same time, Korea maintains superior information technology systems, and comparatively strong climate change adaptation technologies. Recently, with the establishment of the Korea Adaptation Center for Climate Change as a specialized research organization in climate change adaptation, Korea has upgraded its ability to adapt to climate change and to provide support to other Asian countries which are vulnerable to climate change. In consideration of the close relation between climate change adaptation policy and technology development with the environmental industry, Korea's pursuit of cooperation and technical support for developing countries in the Asia region can be seen as the commencement of a long term investment for the nation's future. International cooperation on climate change adaptation between countries in the region can build a mutually complementary and integrated partnership in business, research, education, and other areas. Furthermore, Korea can also participate in the exploration of common issues as landmark projects that can attract global interest with developing countries.