• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.131-133
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• 2023

Polyphylla laticollis manchurica Semenov, 1900, is a critically endangered species in the Republic of Korea and is strictly protected as a Class I endangered species. Although this beetle species faces a threat of extinction, its ecological understanding is limited. Previous studies conducted on this species in the Republic of Korea have focused only on its taxonomy and mitochondrial genome sequences. Herein, we report an observation of the mating of adults of P. l. manchurica in June 2021, during an ongoing study on Korean beetles. This incidence was reported around light sources from newly constructed townhouses near Geumgang River. Larval habitats were observed along the river between April 2022 and March 2023. Particularly, two larvae were found inside the plant debris, and three were found under the roots of reeds. This study provides key information on the mating ecology of P. l. manchurica that can assist conservation efforts of this critically endangered species.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.114-119
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• 2021

To restore the Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), a Korean endangered frog, 600 captive-reared individuals were reintroduced between August and September 2019 into an aquatic garden in the National Institute of Ecology where P. chosenicus had previously inhabited. After reintroduction, six post-release monitoring sessions were conducted from August 2019 to May 2020. Monitoring was performed using three methods (counting calls, observation, and capture) from sunset to midnight near release sites, eliminating potential threat factors. Snout-vent lengths and body weights of recaptured individuals were measured before they were released immediately. We noted that both snout-vent lengths and body weights of recaptured individuals were slightly higher than those before. The average recapture rate was 4.66%. Reintroduced frogs were recaptured at the last monitoring session conducted in May 2020, indicating that these reintroduced frogs hibernated during the winter successfully. We found that these reintroduced frogs successfully settled after release. This result will be useful for establishing management strategies for endangered frogs in Korea. Particularly, post-release monitoring could be an essential approach in the restoration program of a target species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2018

The distribution aspect and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Cottus hangiongensis were investigated from 2011 to 2017 in Korea for this study. The distribution reports of C. hangiongensis were divided into 1954~1985, 1981~2003, 2004~2012, and 2011~2017. The number of habited streams decreased gradually to 30, 24, 10, and 19 streams, respectively. In this study (2011~2017), C. hangiongensis was newly found in two streams (Ayajincheon and Chuksancheon), but 15 streams that appeared in the past are not in this study. The main habitat of C. hangiongensis was the downstream riffle of clean water with fast velocity and cobble-boulder bottoms. Given this evidence as noted for more than a 30% reduction in population after 2003, due to construction wear, river work and the qualitative decline of the habitat, C. hangiongensis is now considered to be Vulnerable (VU A2ac) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2021

Distribution aspects and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Rhynchocypris semotilus were investigated in Goseong-gun, Gangwon-do, Korea, June 2020. Among the 12 sampling sites investigated during the study period, samples of R. semotilus were collected 268 individuals at 6 sites. The streams inhabited of R. semotilus were Songhyeoncheon (3 stations), Gojindong (2 stations) and Osodong (1 station). The main habitats of R. semotilus were uppermost and upper stream (Aa type) with 3~15 m water flow width, 0.3~1.3 m depth and high ratio boulder and cobble bottoms. The estimated age of the R. semotilus (June) based on their total length distribution indicated that 0-, 1-, 2-, 3- and more than 4-year-old were 6~27 mm, 38~59 mm, 60~75 mm, 78~93 mm and 96~125 mm, respectively, and their has matured reproductive organs over two years old. R. semotilus investigation results of the threat of extinction showed no tendency to decrease in population size, but estimated to be less than 1,000 mature individuals, with a small range of extend of occurrence (39.668 km²), area of occupancy (16 km²), and number of disconnected locations (3 locations). Therefore, R. semotilus is now considered vulnerable (VU D2) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.48-57
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• 2024

Distribution status and extinction threat evaluation of an endangered species, Cobitis choii, were investigated from 2015 to 2019. In 2015 and 2018, we investigated past appearance sites of C. choii. In 2015, 163 individuals from nine sites were collected by surveying 19 stations. In 2018, 19 individuals from five sites were collected by surveying 22 sites. In 2019, 156 individuals from 12 sites were collected as a result of a survey of 79 sites of past appearance and potential appearance of C. choii. Appearance regions were Mihocheon (Baekgokcheon (2 sites), Chopyeongcheon (1 sites)), Gapcheon (3 sites), Yugucheon (2 sites), Jicheon (4 sites), and Geumgang mainstream (2 sites). Among these appearing regions, Baekgokcheon, Yugucheon, and Mihocheon mainstreams showed a sharp decline in population. Baekgokcheon was estimated to have a habitat change due to a project to raise the bank of Baekgok Reservoir. Yugucheon was estimated to have a habitat disturbance due to flood-induced collapse and reconstruction of weir. Mihocheon mainstream was estimated to have water pollution and habitat disturbance. On the other hand, Chopyeongcheon and Geumgang mainstream were newly habitat identified and Gapcheon was noted to show an increase in the number of individuals. After performing extinction threat evaluation, C. choii was evaluated as Endangered (EN A2ac) due to its rapid population decline (more than 50%) in its habitats of Baekgokcheon, Yugucheon, and Mihocheon based on criteria A, while it was evaluated as Vulnerable (VU B1ab (iii,v) +B2ab +B2ab (iii,v)) due to its narrow extent of occurrence (EOO, 1,735 km²) and area of occupancy (AOO, 36 km²) in 6 locations with a continuous population decline based on criteria B. Therefore, the final threat of extinction grade was evaluated as Endangered (EN A2ac). In Baekgokcheon, Yugucheon, and Mihocheon mainstream where the population has declined rapidly recently, conservation measures are urgently required to increase its population.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.7-19
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• 2012

After having announced legislation for threatened or endangered species on the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants in 2005, the Korea Ministry of Environment proposed (in June 2011) amending the list, thereby delisting or reclassifying endangered species using new quantitative criteria for two levels (I and II), as well as status reviews. The new legislation included 40 species remained in their original endangered status, but 19 species were delisted, 5 species were proposed as candidates for delisting, 29 species were given a new endangered listing, and 3 species were proposed for an endangered listing in Korea. We assessed the threatened status of 98 plants using the IUCN Red List Criteria (version 3.1) at the global level, and compared the Ministry's revised criteria with the IUCN Red List Criteria and ESA criteria used in the USA. Most species proposed by the Ministry do not qualify as threatened and one of the major difficulties found in applying IUCN Red List Criteria at the global scale was a lack of knowledge on the status of species at broader geographic scales and the perceived difficulty this causes. Under the current classification process, many endangered species, such as Abeliophyllum distichum, Leontice microrhyncha, Echinosophora koreensis, Leontopodium coreanum, Iris odaesanensis, and Corylopsis coreana at global level were excluded here. Knowledge gaps and uncertainties mean that the number of taxa at high risk of extinction may be substantially greater than is currently understood. Due to a lack of information on its taxonomic status, currently there is controversy over the Red List status of Physocarpus insularis. Also, Caragana koreana, which was an invalidly published name, should be excluded here. Although the Korea Ministry of Environment insisted this procedure was conducted by applying the modified IUCN threat categories and definitions, this evaluation has been carried out based only on subjective views and misapplication of the IUCN Red List Criteria. The current listings by the Korea Ministry of Environment should be challenged. We suggest that broad species concepts on endemic species are applied and also criteria that adequately address the proper quantitative knowledge should be used. It is suggested that the highest priorities for the Red List should be given to endemic species at least in the Korean peninsula first at global scale.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2018

The distribution aspect and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Rhodeus pseudosericeus were investigated from 2012 to 2017 in Korea for the subject of this study. The number of appearance sites in the past literature of available and identified R. pseudosericeus was 26. During the study period, the samples of R. pseudosericeus were collected in 44 sites (Hangang River 35 sites, Sapgyocheon Stream 4 sites, Daecheoncheon Stream 5 sites) among the noted 214 sampling stations investigated. Among these, the newly appearance streams were Ilricheon Stream, Samsancheon Stream, Bangyecheon Stream and Hanpocheon Stream in the Hangang River. In addition, the habitats and populations in the upper Seomgang River (Hoengseong Dam), lower Heukcheon Stream, Muhancheon Stream and Daecheoncheon Stream decreased due to dam construction, river work, water pollution, and the spread of the exotic species Micropterus salmoides. The main habitat of R. pseudosericeus was the middle-upper stream of clean water with slow water velocity, sand-pebble bottoms and lots of aquatic plants. Given this evidence as noted for the 30.2% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, due to the qualitative decline of habitat, the overfishing risk of ornamental fish and the spread of M. salmoides, in this case R. pseudosericeus is considered to be Vulnerable (VU A2cde) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.74-83
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• 2021

Distribution status, habitat characteristics, and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis were investigated in 2015 and 2019. Historical distribution reports of B. l. tsinlingensis were divided into before 1990, 1997~2006, 2000~2011, and 2010~2019. Among the 150 sampling sites investigated during the study period, number of individuals of B. l. tsinlingensis were collected 542 individuals from 67 sites. The streams inhabited of B. l. tsinlingensis were Naerincheon (11 stations), Odaecheon (11 stations), Bukcheon (10 stations), Bangtaecheon (8 stations), Songjeongricheon (4 stations), Suipcheon (3 stations), Inbukcheon (3 stations), Hyeondongcheon (3 stations) etc. The main habitat of B. l. tsinlingensis was upstream of the river with a high altitude of more than 400 m, 4~20 m water flow width, 1~2 m water depth, and high ratio (70~80%) boulder bottoms. The main reasons for the decline in population size were assumed as river works, construction of reservoirs and bridges, discharge of contaminated water into the river, the inflow of summer vacationers, and weir. Compared to our results there exists evidence that states a 20.7% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, in a small appearance range (7,732 km²) and occupancy area (268 km²), number of disconnected locations (15 locations), and a decline in habitat quality. Therefore, B. l. tsinlingensis is now considered as Near Threatened (NT) based on the results (Near meets VU A2acd, B1b(i,ii,iii)+B2b(i,ii,iii)) of IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.143-155
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• 2016

Present work aims to establish the countermeasure for the better maintenance and preservation of insular floristic diversity at the South Sea of Jeollanamdo Province, ROK, where unique ecosystems are under threat due to climate change, anthropogenic disturbance and habitat destruction. Numerous flora reports from 15 inhabited islands and 60 uninhabited islands as well as field survey data are collated for the compilation of floristic data base and island biogeographical analysis. Out of the 1,940 vascular plant species from 180 families occurring in studies areas, 30.1 percentage or 584 plant species are physiognomically belonging to arboreal plants. Average number of species at individual island is numbered about 222 species, but it varies from about 591 species at the inhabited islands to 129 species at the uninhabited islands. Only 0.15 percentage of species with high proportion above 0.9 in its relative occurrence rate occurs at 68 islands and it includes three species, such as Pinus thunbergii, Eurya japonica and Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum. However, about 68 percentage of plant species occurring in study area is confined their distribution to less than seven islands. Presence of high proportion of notable plants in small islands, i.e., 10 critically endangered species compared with 5.5 species in average, 9 endangered species (average 4.2 spp.) at Sonjookdo, and 7 critically endangered species, 8 endangered species at Sokomundo may due to existence of diverse geological and topographical environmental diversity as well as lower human population density and remoteness from the mainland. Since island is small in size and geographically isolated, minor environmental and ecological burdens can cause the critical damages to the diversity of flora and vegetation, urgent island biogeographical research is needed for the scientific conservation and management of island biodiversity.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2012

The Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) is a representative wetland species distributed across East Asia. The species has been declined to face the threat of species extinctions with estimation of at about 3000 individuals. In order to re-introduce the endangered storks in the field, we developed a baseline model using the program VORTEX, performed sensitivity test, and finally suggested an ideal model based on results of the sensitivity test. The baseline model predicted 12.5% extinction probability with mean time to first extinction of 82.0 year. Sensitivity test revealed that two demographic variables (first-year mortality and percent of adult female breeding) had the greatest impacts on population persistence. Thus, corrected model improved the population persistence, where the extinction probability decreased to 1.0% in 100 years by changing values of two variables within a range of applicable to the population. Our models for stork re-introduction suggest this population will be stable by improving first-year mortality and adult female fecundity.