• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.389-403
• /
• 2011

Studies on effects of human action on the destruction of ecosystems and changes in biodiversity are being processed actively from the view point of landscape ecology. This study investigated present distribution status of the naturalization plant by disturbance of natural ecosystem which could be seen on 35 rural villages in Korea. The study made a landuse map on the study area then quantified the landscape ecologic characteristic using landscape index based on this landuse map. Correlation between landscape index on the study area and distribution characteristic of naturalization plant was analyzed. The landscape index was calculated by FRAGSTATS, a spatial analysis program, and naturalization index and urbanization index were used in the distribution characteristic of naturalization plant. As a result, naturalization index and patch density, naturalization index and edge density, naturalization index and area-weighted mean shape index were shown as having positive correlation, and naturalization and core area percentage of landscape, naturalization index and mean core area were displayed as having negative correlation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.325-336
• /
• 2017

The ecosystem in the Gwangju Stream has taken a wide range of disturbance such as the discharging water of sewage treatment plant, the lake water and the river water from different water system over the past decade. This study was figured out some significant influence factors by analyzing the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in the urban stream. Abiotic components included 15 water quality variables which were measured in five sampling sites along the stream from October 2014 to July 2015, whereas the benthic macroinvertebrates found in those sites were used to estimate various biotic indices representing the ecological status of the community. The results of correlation analyses indicated that abiotic factors by human activities affected on the inhabitation of benthic macroinvertebrates more than biotic factors. The results of cluster analyses and ANOVA tests also showed that biotic and abiotic characteristics were clearly different in season. The main influence factors of cluster analysis by sites were $NH_3-N$, EPT(I) and DO. It was considered that more various statistical analyses would be necessary to find some different relationships and influence factors between biotic and abiotic variables in the urban stream.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.83-116
• /
• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora and vegetation of Yokjido Island in Tongyeong-si, Korea. Vascular plants collected six times (from March of 2015 to January of 2016) were identified as 547 taxa in total, including 113 families, 354 genera, 487 species, four subspecies, 50 varieties, four forms and two hybrids. The first records from this region contained 314 taxa. In the flora of this area, endemic Korean species numbered eight taxa, and the red list of vascular plants according to the IUCN valuation basis numbered six taxa. In addition, 86 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants specially designated by the Ministry of Environment are included. Among the species investigated in this survey, 99 taxa were identified as specific species bio-geographically as compared floras of other terrestrial regions; 97 taxa of plants in southern areas and two taxa of limited distribution plants on the Korean Peninsula. In all, 74 naturalized plants were recorded in the investigated area. Samples of the forest vegetation of Yokjido Island were mainly classified as Pinus thunbergii community and the Alus firma community. Vertical structures of the communities were stable, and a DBH-class analysis showed that the dominant tree species would be maintained. If disturbance factors such as thinning could be halted, the composition of woody species and herbaceous species would change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.231-245
• /
• 2005

The flora of the studied area in the Jeonju stream was listed as 267taxa; 66families, 184genera, 236species, 28varieties and 3forms. Based on the list of an ecosystem disturbance plants by the Ministry of Environment, 3taxa were recorded in the studied areas: Paspalum digtichum(Gramineae), Solanum carolinense(Solanaceae), Ambrosia artemirizyolia var. elatior(Compositae). Based on the list of Korean endemic plant, 4taxa were recorded: Lilium amahile(Li1iaceae) , Prunus yedoens is(Rosaceae), Forsythia koreana(01 eaceae) , Paulownia coreana (Scrophulariaceae). Naturalized plant species was listed as 68taxa; 18families, 49genera, 66species, 2varieties, and Naturalization Index was 25.Spercent of 1/4 the vascular plants, Urbanization Index was 25. Ipercent analysis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.261-264
• /
• 2019

Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. is known to be an alien invasive species and is listed as an ecosystem disturbance species in Korea. There is also an eastern North American species Ageratina altissima (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. similarly dispersed in Korea. This article aims to clarify the taxonomic confusion regarding the species. The two names refer to the same species originally described as Ageratum altissimum by Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum. Ageratum altissimum was transferred to the genus Eupatorium and later to Ageratina. Eupatorium rugosum is the replacement name in Eupatorium because of E. altissimum L., an existing name based on the different type. When the species was transferred to Ageratina, A. altissima was published based on its basionym, as the epithet "altissima" was available in the genus. It seems that taxonomic confusion regarding the species in Korea is due to the recognition of the names as different taxa. Ageratina altissima is the correct name for the species based on morphological and molecular data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.117-129
• /
• 2010

The vascular plants of the 15 sites of Taeanhaean National Park were identified as 493 taxa; 117 families, 326 genera, 436 species, 49 varieties, 6 form, 2 hybrids. The National Park area includes coastal areas and islands, these islands reflects well the floristic characteristics of coastal area and transition area of the middle province and the southern province. The study revealed that Ficus erecta Thunb., Machilus thunbergii S. et Z., Neolitsea sericea (Bl.) Koidz. and Eurya japonica Thunb. etc. were the mainly distributed species in the southern area while Rosa rugosa Thunb., Carex kobomugi Ohwi and Elymus mollis Trin., etc. were mainly distributed species over the coastal dune area. Deciduous and evergreens broad-leaved trees like Acer palmatum Thunb. ex. Murray, Euonymus japonica Thunb. and Camellia japonica L., etc. were all together distributed in Taeanhaean National Park. There are no any Endangered species designated by The Ministry of Environment were not found. The floristic special plants were recorded to a total of 53 taxa; that is, class I species (41 taxa) were containing as Vitex rotundifolia L. Fil., Arisaema heterophyllum Bl. and Arisaema ringins (Thunb.) Schott, etc, class II species (1 taxon) were Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai, class III species (7 taxa) were containing; Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm., Salsola collina Pall. and Daphniphyllum macropodum Miq., etc, class IV species (1 taxon) were Angelica japonica A. Gray, class V species (1 taxon) were Utricularia vulgaris var. japonica (Makino) Tamura. The naturalized plants were identified a total of 52 taxa; 17 families, 44 genera, 51 species, 1 form; Solanum carolinense L., Phytolacca americana L. and Oenothera odorata Jacq., etc. Among them the ecosystem disturbance wild animals·plants was identified as Solanum carolinense L. Hypochoeris radicata L. and Solidago altissima L. The study suggests that these areas require management such as physical remove of this ecosystem disturbance field plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.341-368
• /
• 2023

Distribution of plant resources in Mt. Baekseok located at Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, were surveyed for a total 17 times from April 2021 to September 2022. The result of this survey revealed 628 taxa, consisting of 99 families, 346 genera, 552 species, 20 subspecies, 49 varieties, 6 forms, and one hybrid. Among them, 21 taxa were endemic plants to Korea, 12 taxa were red list plants by the Ministry of Environment and 560 taxa were red list plants by the Korea Forest Service. The floristic target species amounted to 164 taxa, specifically one taxon of grade V, 20 taxa of grade IV, 52 taxa of grade III, 53 taxa of grade II, and 38 taxa of grade I. In addition, 34 taxa were classified as plants adaptable to climate change. 42 taxa of alien plants and 3 taxa of ecosystem disturbance species were also found in this area. Useful plants listed consists of 246 taxa (39.2%) of edible plants, 215 taxa (34.2%) of pasture plants, 187 taxa (29.8%) of medicinal plants, 75 taxa (11.9%) of ornamental plants and 22 taxa (3.5%) of timber plants, respectively.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.117-128
• /
• 2019

Background: Cliffs are a major plant habitat around the coastal area, but in contrast to sand dunes and salt marshes, they have been little investigated in Korea. There are simple descriptions of cliff vegetation in studies on island vegetation, but there is no published paper, which addressed sea cliff vegetation synthetically. Furthermore, the coastal area where this study was carried out was designated as a conservation reserve. Even though, this area is exposed to intense recreational use such as trekking in these days. This study aims to clarify spatial distribution and structure of vegetation along the environmental gradient on coastal cliff and plateau in the Janggi peninsula (Homigot) located on southeastern Korea. Further, this study has also another objective to prepare a restoration plan to protect this conservation reserve from intense human disturbance. Results: Landscape elements were arranged in the order of sea cliff risen directly on the sea, seashore, coastal cliff, and plateau covered with relatively deep soil in a coastal area of the Janggi peninsula (Homigot), southeastern Korea. Vegetation was sampled at 59 plots arranged from the sea cliff through the seashore and coastal cliff to plateau. The sea cliff, seashore, and coastal cliff, which compose the coastal landscape, were dominated by the seashore spatulate aster (Aster spathulifolius Maxim.) community, dwarf sand sedge (Carex pumila Thunb.) community, and seashore spatulate aster (Aster spathulifolius Maxim.) community. On the plateau corresponding to the ridge of the coastal cliff, black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) community, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata Laxmann) community, east Asian hackberry (Celtis sinensis Pers.) community, sawleaf zelkova (Zelkova serrata Makino) community, and Korean oak (Quercus dentata Thunb.) community were established in the mentioned order along distance from the sea. Stand ordination showed a vegetation sequence from the seashore through the cliff to the plateau, consistent in its overall pattern among sites. This was dominated by topography. There is evidence for the importance also of salinity, drought and of soil depth. Conclusion: The lack of scientific interest in cliffs to date is in striking contrast to the commonness of cliffs around the whole national territory and to the attraction cliffs have had for humans throughout history. Cliffs provide a unique habitat, rarely investigated from an ecological viewpoint. Cliffs may represent an invaluable type of ecosystem, consisting of some of the least disturbed habitats on earth and contributing more to the biodiversity of a region than their surface coverage would indicate. Although this coastal area where this study was carried out was designated as a conservation reserve, this area is in danger of severe disturbance due to excessive recreational use. We recommended a restoration plan to protect this area from such a disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.379-406
• /
• 2019

A floristic study on the vascular plants from Juwangsan National Park was conducted 13 times in total, from March to October 2017. Based on the voucher specimens and pictures, it was revealed that the vascular plants in this region comprised 758 taxa: 112 families, 399 genera, 672 species, 4 subspecies, 72 varieties, and 10 forma. Among these plants, 221 taxa were recorded for the first time from this region. The taxa in category II of endangered plants designated by the Korean Ministry of Environment were two taxa, including Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. and Epilobium hirsutum L. The rare plants numbered 5 taxa designated by National Institute of Biological Resources were also found. 20 taxa of Korean endemic plants including Corydalis alata B.U.Oh & W.R.Lee, Iris odaesanensis Y.N.Lee, and Scrophularia cephalantha Nakai were investigated in this region. 40 taxa of floristic regional indicator plants in the 3rd to the 5th degrees were identified. Naturalized plants of 55 taxa were recorded, and 3 taxa of ecosystem disturbance plants, which were Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Aster pilosus Willd., and Lactuca scariola L., also found.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.210-218
• /
• 2018

Background: Soil respiration (Rs) is a major factor of the absorption and accumulation of carbon through photosynthesis in the ecosystem carbon cycle. This directly affects the amount of net ecosystem productivity, which affects the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem. Understanding the characteristics of Rs is indispensable to scientifically understand the carbon cycle of ecosystems. It is very important to study Rs characteristics through analysis of environmental factors closely related to Rs. Rs is affected by various environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, litter supply, organic matter content, dominant plant species, and soil disturbance. This study was conducted to analyze the effects of micro-topographical differences on Rs in forest vegetation by measuring the Rs on the ridge and southern slope sites of the broadly established Quercus mongolica forest in the central Korean area. Method: Rs, Ts, and soil moisture data were collected at the southern slope and ridge of the Q. mongolica forest in the Mt. Jeombong area in order to investigate the effects of topographical differences on Rs. Rs was collected by the closed chamber method, and data collection was performed from May 2011 to October 2013, except Winter seasons from November to April or May. For collecting the raw data of Rs in the field, acrylic collars were placed at the ridge and southern slope of the forest. The accumulated surface litter and the soil organic matter content (SOMC) were measured to a 5 cm depth. Based on these data, the Rs characteristics of the slope and ridge were analyzed. Results: Rs showed a distinct seasonal variation pattern in both the ridge and southern slope sites. In addition, Rs showed a distinct seasonal variation with high and low Ts changes. The average Rs measurements for the two sites, except for the Winter periods that were not measured, were $550.1\;mg\;CO_2m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at the ridge site and $289.4\;mg\;CO_2m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at the southern slope, a difference of 52.6%. There was no significant difference in the Rs difference between slopes except for the first half of 2013, and both sites showed a tendency to increase exponentially as Ts increased. In addition, although the correlation is low, the difference in Rs between sites tended to increase as Ts increased. SMC showed a large fluctuation at the southern slope site relative to the ridge site, as while it was very low in 2013, it was high in 2011 and 2012. The accumulated litter of the soil surface and the SOMC at the depth range of 0~5 cm were $874g\;m^{-2}$ and 23.3% at the ridge site, and $396g\;m^{-2}$ and 19.9% at the southern slope site. Conclusions: In this study, Rs was measured for the ridge and southern slope sites, which have two different results where the surface litter layer is disturbed by strong winds. The southern slope site shows that the litter layer formed in autumn due to strong winds almost disappeared, and while in the ridge site, it became thick due to the transfer of litter from the southern slope site. The mean Rs was about two times higher in the ridge site compared to that in the southern slope site. The Rs difference seems to be due to the difference in the amount of litter accumulated on the soil surface. As a result, the litter layer supplied to the soil surface is disturbed due to the micro-topographical difference, as the slope and the change of the community structure due to the plant season cause heterogeneity of the litter layer development, which in turn affects SMC and Rs. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce and understand these micro-topographical features and mechanisms when quantifying and analyzing the Rs of an ecosystem.