• Title/Summary/Keyword: ecological systems

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Requirements for Meeting Consumer Expectations to Expand the Market for Organic Products (유기식품 시장의 확대를 위한 소비자 기대 충족 요건)

  • Pearson, David;Jung, Man-Chul
    • Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.491-502
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    • 2012
  • The world's food production systems are becoming an area of great concern for both human and ecological health. Research has identified that one of the greatest threats to sustainability is conventional industrial agricultural systems and the high energy and material cost they require to function. The organic food movement is contributing as promising alternative to the current dominant model. Over the last 50 years it has developed into the most visible brand for a healthier and more environmentally sustainable food system. However, to achieve its full potential there are still a number of hurdles which must be overcome to make organic products a more viable and appealing option for consumers. This paper provides an overview of key research that has been conducted on why consumers are buying organic products, what they are buying and what is preventing them from purchasing more. It concludes that the key challenge is for the organic food movement to convince existing consumers of the superior 'value' of its products. In addition there are a number of methodological issues associated with analysing the market for organic products as well as issues of limited distribution, intermittent availability and high prices that are currently preventing increases in sales. Recognition and management of these barriers could contribute to more effective targeted research into consumer food purchasing motivations and subsequently the development of more sophisticated marketing strategies that assist in maintaining integrity with consumers and fending off challenges from conventional as well as other complementary food systems such as local food movement. And finally to achieve these market growth strategies the organic food movement will need to cope with its diverse constituency - ranging from global corporates through to local production and consumption - and provide attractive opportunities to individuals and business at all stages in supply chain whilst retaining credibility with government to ensure ongoing policy support.

Experiment on measures of heat collection for passive solar water wall systems that provide heat storage and natural lighting control (축열과 채광조절을 겸한 자연형 태양열 수벽시스템의 집열방식별 성능실험)

  • Oh, Young-hoon;Choi, Ji-eun;Lee, Chul-sung;Yoon, Jong-ho
    • KIEAE Journal
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.63-69
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This preliminary study investigated a potential of the water wall systems that provide heat storage and natural lighting control simultaneously. Method: In order for transparency of the water wall to be controlled, the study first proposed two measures: to adjust transparency of the water wall; to control transparency of water wall surface. The performance of two measures then was verified and compared by experiments. In addition, a trade-off between heat collect and heat storage resulting from using additive for adjusting transparency was investigated. Result: The experiment showed that the two measures are similar in performance. The investigation of trade-off relation showed the additive should have the same heat storage as the water to prevent decrease in thermal performance of the water wall. As an economical measure to control transparency of the water wall, this study suggested a measure of secondary heat transfer systems using shading device that first absorbs solar radiation and then transfers heat to the water wall. The experiment show that performance of the proposed measure is similar to controlling transparency of water wall surface. In conclusion, it is expected that the performance of the water wall can be economically maximized by using the proposed mean in terms of heating, cooling and lighting energy saving.

A Study on the Management of Name Identifier System for ISNI-based Data Integration (ISNI 기반 데이터 융합을 위한 저자식별체계 운용에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Seungmin;Kwak, Seung-Jin;Oh, Sanghee;Park, Jin Ho
    • Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.29-51
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    • 2019
  • Most fields of society have constructed and utilized various name identifier systems such and International Standard Name Identifier(ISNI), Open Researcher and Contributor ID(ORCID), and Interested Parties Information System(IPI) in order to uniquely identify individual authors and institutions and to associate them to data related to creative works. Although it might be inevitable to apply name identifier systems in the current data environment with rapid association and integration of data across fields, there are many problems to be addressed when utilizing those systems. In order to overcome these problems and construct better information ecological system by associating and linking data from various fields, this research analyzed advanced cases for data integration based on ISNI. Through the analysis, it suggested managemental refinements for efficiently utilizing ISNI in data integration and association.

Ecological Characteristics of the Endoparasitic Dinoflagellate, Amoebophrya sp. ex Heterocapsa triquetra Isolated from Jinhae Bay, Korea (진해만에서 분리한 기생성 와편모류 Amoebophrya sp. ex Heterocapsa triquetra의 생태특성)

  • Park , Jong-Gyu;Hur, Hyun-Jung;Coats, D.Wayne;Yih, Won-Ho
    • ALGAE
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.287-295
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    • 2007
  • Infection of free-living dinoflagellates by endoparasitic dinoflagellates of the genus Amoebophrya are thought to have significant impacts on host population dynamics and have long been proposed to be a potential biological agent for controlling harmful algal bloom (HAB). To understand the impact of Amoebophrya on particular host species, however, it is necessary to quantify aspects the parasites life cycle. Here we used cultures of Amoebophryahost systems from Jinhae Bay, Korea to determine, parasite generation time, and dinospore survival and infectivity. The proportion of host cells infected by Amoebophrya sp. changed sharply from 5% to 87% with increasing dinospore:host inoculation ratios. In the absence of H. triquetra, most free-living dinospores died within 72 hours and their ability to infect host cells decreased remarkably in a day. The relatively short free-living phase of Amoebophrya suggests that the spread of infections is most likely to occur during seasons of high host abundance, as that is when dinospores have the greatest chance of encountering host cells. Infection of host cells inoculated with dinospores during the day was higher than when inoculated during the night, suggesting that infection rates might be related to environmental light conditions and/or diurnal biological rhythm of host species. Total generation times of parasite strains from a thecate dinoflagellate Heterocapsa triquetra were nearly the same regardless of dinospore:host inoculation ratios, representing 54 ± 0.5 h in a 1:1 ratio and 55 ± 1.2 h in a 20:1 ratio. Dinospore production of Amoebophrya sp. infecting Heterocapsa triquetra was estimated to be 125 dinospores per a strain of Amoebophrya sp. There is a growing need to maintain a variety of host-parasite systems in culture and to examine their autecology under various environmental conditions. Such studies would be very helpful in understanding ecological role of these parasites, their overlooked importance in the flow of material and energy in marine ecosystem, and their practical use as biological control agents applied directly to areas affected by HAB.

Establishing Diagnosis Systems for Impaired Stream Ecosystem using Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment (수생태계 현황 조사 및 건강성 평가결과를 활용한 수생태계 훼손원인 진단체계 구축)

  • Lee, Jong-Won;Lee, Sang-Woo;Hwang, Soon-Jin;Jang, Min-Ho;Won, Doo-Hee;An, Kyung-Jin;Park, Hye-Jin;Lee, Junga
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.53 no.1
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    • pp.1-10
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    • 2020
  • The Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment has been carried out regarding the ecological health of the streams by the Ministry of Environment (MOE), South Korea. However, the sources of impairment of the stream ecosystem and the interactions between the sources, stressors, and the responses of impaired streams have not been taken into consideration. The purpose of this study is to propose the establishment of diagnosis systems for the impaired stream ecosystem because of the need to incorporate the same in the making of the policy to enable the recovery and improvement of the health of the impaired streams or river ecosystem. First, we define the concept of a diagnosis of the impaired stream or river ecosystem through a literature review. Second, through case studies [e.g., US CADDIS (Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System), AUS. Eco Evidence, EU WFD (Water Framework Directive)], we try to develop the diagnosis system for the making of policy. In this study, the diagnosis system that is proposed consists of eight steps including the basic data collection, detecting or suspecting impairment, defining the impaired stream reach, identifying the biological impaired cases and listing the candidate causes, illustrating the interactive conceptual diagrams between stressors and responses, investigating the stressors-responses in the field, verifying causes and identifying the probable causes of the impaired cases, and summarizing and proposing the restoration of the streams. The results of this study will support and enable efficient decision-making for sustainable stream restoration and management based on the diagnosis of the probable causes for the impaired complex and the diverse stream ecosystem.

Relationship between fish assemblages community and Streamline complexity (어류군집 특성과 하안형태복잡도와의 관계)

  • Kim, Jin-Ah;Lee, Sang-Woo;Hwang, Gil-Son;Kim, Chulgoo
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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    • v.15 no.2
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    • pp.19-29
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    • 2012
  • Numerous studies suggested that fish assemblage structure reflects the status of stream ecosystems. The status of streams integrity, including various trophic levels, water quality and habitat degradation, can be assessed by fish assemblages. In this study, we investigated the relationships between fish assemblages and streamline geometry of streams. Previous studies suggested that geomorphologic parameter can be a critical factor of permeability between adjacent two systems. From a landscape ecological perspective, edges may partially control the flow rate of energy between two adjacent systems. Thus, the Streamline geometry can be a geomorphologic parameter that exhibits the integrity of stream. We selected the Nakdong river for study areas, which is one of major rivers and the longest (525 km) River in South Korea. We used the revised IBI representing overall ecological characteristics of Korean fish assemblages and eight sub-assessment criteria of IBI, collected from 82 sampling sites in the Nakdong River. For calculating the Streamline geometry, we measured fractal dimension index that generally used in biology, ecology and landscape ecology. We used the digital land-use/land-cover map and generated a 1-km buffer for each sampling site and refined the shape of the Streamlines. Pearson correlation analyses were performed between Streamline geometry and IBI and sub-assessment criteria of IBI. The results show that IBI and eight sub-assessments of fish are significantly correlated with geometry of Streamline. The fractal dimension of Streamline geometry were related with IBI (r = 0.48) and six sub-assessments of IBI, including total number of native fish and native species, the number of riffle benthic species, sensitive species, tolerant species and native insectivore. Especially, the number of tolerant species(r = -0.52) and native insectivore(r = 0.52) show strong correlation with geometry of Streamline. These results indicate that lower Streamline geometry can result in poor fish assemblages, while higher geometry of Streamline can enhance fish assemblages by potentially supplying insects and better habitat conditions. We expect the results of our study to be useful for stream restoration and management. However, we see the necessity of study investigating the mechanisms how Streamline geometry affect fish assemblages.

Quorum-Sensing Mechanisms in Bacterial Communities and Their Potential Applications (세균의 의사 소통(Quorum-Sensing) 기구와 그 잠재적 응용성)

  • Yoon, Sung-Sik
    • Food Science of Animal Resources
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.402-409
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    • 2006
  • Although microorganisms are, in fact, the most diverse and abundant type of organism on Earth, the ecological functions of microbial populations remains poorly understood. A variety of bacteria including marine Vibrios encounter numerous ecological challenges, such as UV light, predation, competition, and seasonal variations in seawater including pH, salinity, nutrient levels, temperature and so forth. In order to survive and proliferate under variable conditions, they have to develop elaborate means of communication to meet the challenges to which they are exposed. In bacteria, a range of biological functions have recently been found to be regulated by a population density-dependent cell-cell signaling mechanism known as quorum-sensing (QS). In other words, bacterial cells sense population density by monitoring the presence of self-produced extracellular autoinducers (AI). N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL)-dependent quorum-sensing was first discovered in two luminescent marine bacteria, Vibrio fischeri and Vibrio harveyi. The LuxI/R system of V. fischeriis the paradigm of Gram-negative quorum-sensing systems. At high population density, the accumulated signalstrigger the expression of target genes and thereby initiate a new set of biological activities. Several QS systems have been identified so far. Among them, an AHL-dependent QS system has been found to control biofilm formation in several bacterial species, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aeromonas hydrophila, Burkholderia cepacia, and Serratia liquefaciens. Bacterial biofilm is a structured community of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix that adheres to an inert or living surface. Extracellular signal molecules have been implicated in biofilm formation. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain NT1(traR, tra::lacZ749) and Chromobacterium violaceum strain CV026 are used as biosensors to detect AHL signals. Quorum sensing in lactic acid bacteria involves peptides that are directly sensed by membrane-located histidine kinases, after which the signal is transmitted to an intracellular regulator. In the nisin autoregulation process in Lactococcus lactis, the NisK protein acts as the sensor for nisin, and NisR protein as the response regulator activatingthe transcription of target genes. For control over growth and survival in bacterial communities, various strategies need to be developed by which receptors of the signal molecules are interfered with or the synthesis and release of the molecules is controlled. However, much is still unknown about the metabolic processes involved in such signal transduction and whether or not various foods and food ingredients may affect communication between spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. In five to ten years, we will be able to discover new signal molecules, some of which may have applications in food preservation to inhibit the growth of pathogens on foods.

A Study on Daejeon Metropolitan City Job Creation Strategy by ICT-based Industry - Factors for creating jobs in overseas clusters by organizational ecology approach - (대전시 ICT산업 일자리 창출 전략에 관한 연구 - 해외클러스터 일자리 창출 요인의 조직생태학적 접근 -)

  • Hong, Eun-Young;Yang, Seung-Ho;Sung, Eul-Hyun
    • Management & Information Systems Review
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    • v.39 no.3
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    • pp.53-82
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    • 2020
  • Daejeon Metropolitan City has the best innovation capability infrastructure (ICT) required for the 4th industry. Nevertheless, there are scattered factors that hinder the industrial ecosystem. In this study, the factor of job creation was approached from the viewpoint of organizational ecology in consideration of regional characteristics during the 4th Industrial Revolution.That is, the case of job creation through overseas ICT-based clusters (or cities) was examined. Then, the factors of organizational ecology, 'niche', 'variation', 'selection', and 'retention' were derived. Through this process, we explored the environment surrounding Daejeon Metropolitan City and benchmarked lessons from existing overseas cluster cases. As a result, we discover the 'niche' of ICT-based job creation and suggest strategies for the 'variation' process to survive in the ecosystem and how to be 'retention' in the ecosystem. n conclusion, the strategy of the organizational ecological approach to establish itself as a metropolitan city as the strength of Daejeon city and the 'innovation hub' that is evident, such as '4th Industrial Revolution City', 'Innovation City Designation', and 'Secure Excellent Capability of SW' Insist on need. Through this study, we hope that there will be a theoretical contribution to the prior research lacking from original research such as the scarcity of ICT-based job creation research in response to the era of the fourth industrial revolution, recognition of the importance of the region in job creation, and presentation of an organizational ecological approach of sustainable clusters.

Modeling for the fate of Organic Chemicals in a Multi-media Environment Using MUSEM (다매체 환경 모델 MUSEM을 이용한 유해화학물질의 환경거동예측 모델링)

  • Roh, Kyong-Joon;Kim, Dong-Myung
    • Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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    • v.10 no.4
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    • pp.201-210
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    • 2007
  • Pollution by chemical substances such as POPs, EDCs and PBTs in the ecosystem has become more complex and varied, increasing the possibility of irreversible damage to human health or the ecosystem. It is necessary to have a exposure assessment in a multi-media environment for various chemical substances is required for efficient management. This study applied MUSEM(Multi-media Simplebox-systems Environmental Model), a multimedia environmental model that can simultaneously evaluate the possibility of exposure of hundreds of chemical substances in order to efficiently manage chemical substances that can have negative impact on human health or ecological environment through environmental contamination. MUSEM executed the modeling for Japan by setting all 47 prefectures of japan as the regional area for 62 chemical substances and the rest of the territory of japan, excluding regional area, as the continental area and made the estimation of concentration among environment media in each administrative area and made the sensitivity analysis on Tokyo area. The results of simulation for chemical distribution showed that most of the target chemicals located in water region. The result of sensitivity analysis for octanol-water partition rate showed that the concentration change of soil in urban/industrial area and sediment in freshwater was high. In the case of sensitivity analysis for degradation rate showed that the concentration change of freshwater, soil in urban/industrial area, and sediment in freshwater was high.

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Pseudanabaena Species Diversity and Off-flavor Material (2-MIB) Production by Cyanobacteria in Korea (우리나라 Pseudanabaena 속 남조류 종다양성 및 남조류 기원 이취미 물질(2-MIB)의 발생)

  • Kim, Keonhee;Park, Chaehongk;Shim, Yeonbo;Kim, Nan-young;Lee, Soogone;Jang, Jaeyoung;Lee, Karam;Hwang, Soon-Jin
    • Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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    • v.37 no.5
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    • pp.381-397
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    • 2021
  • Off-flavor materials (geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB)) produced by microorganisms, such as, cyanobacteria and actinomycetes, cause freshwater use problems worldwide. Due to unpleasant taste and odor, these microorganisms have raised issues especially in drinking water resources. Recently, there has been increasing concern about 2-MIB and causal cyanobacteria, namely, Pseudanabaena, in Korea. However, material production and ecological dynamics remain largely unexplored. This study reviewed the distribution of Pseudanabaena, its species diversity, and the research trend of molecular ecology related to 2-MIB production in Korea. Based on published literature, we found that seven species of Pseudanabaena which include P. mucicola, P. limnetica, P. redekei, P. catenata, P. galeata, P. yagii, and P. cinerea appeared to occur in a variety of Korean water systems. All of these Pseudanabaena species were found in the North-Han River system (Lakes Soyang, Chuncheon, Uiam, and Paldang). Some of these species were also detected in other watersheds, but the precise species diversity was not identified. Species belonging to the Pseudanabaena genus are hard to classify through general microscopic alpha taxonomy, due to their very small cell size and similar morphological characters. Moreover, the potential of 2-MIB production cannot be detected by microscopic observation. Combining molecular ecological techniques, such as, environmental genomic materials (eDNA, eRNA) analyses to conventional methods could be useful to better understand the off-flavor material production and dynamics, thereby providing more efficient management strategies of freshwater systems.