• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.18-41
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• 2004

Sonjook island is located Samsan-myeon, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do. All of field information was collected from January 2001 to November 2002. The vascular plants recorded as total 584 taxa, 5 forms, 60 varieties, 519 species, 365 geneta, 113 families. Sonjook islands shows the typical vegetations including the lower area of temperate region of Korean peninsula and evergreen broad-leaved forests, Pinus thunbergii forest. The Korean endemic plants were recorded as 13 taxa (5 variety, 8 species, 10 genera, 10 families), 4 taxa as rare and endangered plants (Psilotum nudum (L.) Griseb., Milletia japoniea A. Gray, Arisaema negishii Makino, Sarcanthus scolopendrifolius Makino). The naturalized plants were 23 taxa (20 genera, 9 families, 8.2％ among the total naturalized plants in Korea. This area is ecologically important place that Korea endemic plant, rare and endangered plants ranges much than area. On the one hand, threat from degraded by environmental pollution that share of naturalized plant rises gradually augment. Strong conservation policy and development control should be considered.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.305-320
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• 2005

Recently 64 species in Korea have been ranked as rare and endangered taxa by the Ministry of Environment using two categories, I and II. The original threat categories produced by the Ministry of Environment were developed to provide a standard for specifying animals and plants in danger of extinction and has been influential sources of information used in species conservation in Korea. However, the criteria by Ministry of Environment were applied to the whole taxa only by regional boundaries, especially in South Korea, rather than international context, and it also lacked an explicit framework that was necessary to ensure repeatability among taxa because of the absence of quantitative criteria to measure the likelihood of extinction. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has developed quantitative criteria for assessing the conservation status of species. The threatened species categories, the 2000 IUCN Red List, proposed by SSC (Species Survival Commission) of IUCN have become widely recognized internationally. Details of threatened Korean plants, identified by applying the IUCN threat categories and definitions, were listed and analyzed. The number of species identified as threatened was only 34 out of 64 taxa (48.4%), while the rest of taxa were rejected from the original lists. Many of the species (51.6%, 33 taxa) excluded from the original list proposed by Ministry of Environment do not qualify as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable because these taxa were widely distributed either in Japan or in China/far eastern Russia and there is no evidence of substantial decline in these countries. An evaluation of taxa in Korea has been carried out only based on subjective views and qualitative data, rather than quantitative scientific data, such as rates of decline, distribution range size, population size, and risk of extinction. Therefore, the national lists undermine the credibility of threatened species lists and invite misuse, which have been raised by other cases, qualitative estimate of risk, political influence, uneven taxonomic or geographical coverage. The increasing emphasis on international responsibilities means that global scale is becoming more significant. The current listings by Environment of Ministry of Korea should be challenged, and the government should seek to facilitate the resolution of disagreements. Especially the list should be flexible enough to handle uncertainty and also incorporates detailed, quantitative data. It is suggested that the highest priorities for the Red List should be given to endemic species in Korea first. After setting up the list of endemic species to Korea, quantitative data on population size and structure, distributional range, rated of decline, and habitat fragmentation should be collected as one of long term projects for the Red list categories. Transparency and accountability are the most important key factors. Also, species assessors are named and data sources referenced are required for the future objective evaluations on Korean plant taxa.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2022

The Chinese crested tern (Thalasseus bersteini) is one of the most globally endangered species, listed as "Critically Endangered (CE)" on the IUCN Red List, with only approximately 30-49 individuals surviving in the wild. Chinese crested terns were discovered to breed in South Korea for the first time in 2016 while conducting a census on uninhabited islands. The Ministry of Environment has declared the breeding habitat of the Chinese crested terns as "Specified Island" to protect this CE species. However, brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) inhabiting the breeding grounds of the Chinese crested terns and Black-tailed gulls may potentially pose a threat to the breeding of these avian species. Therefore, we conducted a study on the feeding behavior of brown rats involving stable isotope analysis to determine their food sources. Fecal analysis showed that brown rats mainly fed on plants, whereas they scarcely fed on animals, such as insects. In addition, the stable isotope analysis showed that the δ¹³C values of brown rats, insects, and Indian goosegrasses were approximately -16 to -11‰, whereas the δ¹³C value of Chinese crested terns that obtained their food from the marine ecosystem was approximately -22 to -18‰. Hence, we conclude that the source of carbon for brown rats on this island is the terrestrial ecosystem. We ruled out the possibility of any direct prey-predator interaction between the brown rat and the Chinese crested tern or Black-tailed gull.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.282-289
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• 2023

Background: As wildlife habitats are being destroyed and growth environments are changing, the survival of animals and plants is under threat. Epilobium hirsutum L., a species that inhabits wetlands, has held legally protected status since 2012. However, no specific measures are currently in place to protect its habitat, leading to a decline in remaining populations as a result of land use change and human activities. Results: The growth environment (including location, climate, land use, soil, and vegetation) of the five habitat sites (Samcheok, Taebaek1, Taebaek2, Cheongsong, Ulleung) of E. hirsutum L. was investigated and analyzed. These habitats were predominantly situated in flat areas with gentle south-facing slopes, at an average altitude of 452.7 m (8-726 m) above sea level in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The average annual temperature ranged 11.5℃ (9.2℃-12.9℃), whereas the average annual precipitation ranged 1,304.5 mm (1,062.7-1,590.7 mm). The surrounding land use status was mainly characterized by mountainous areas, and human interference, such as agricultural land and roads, was commonly found in proximity to these natural habitats. Soil physicochemical analysis revealed that the soil was predominantly sandy loam with a slightly high sand content. The average pH measured 7.64, indicating an alkaline environment, and electrical conductivity (EC) averaged 0.33 dS/m. Organic matter (OM) content averaged 66.44 g/kg, available phosphoric acid (P₂O₅) content averaged 115.73 mg/kg, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) averaged 23.43 cmolc/kg. The exchangeable cations ranged 0.09-0.43 cmol⁺/kg for potassium (K), 10.23-16.21 cmol⁺/kg for calcium (Ca), 0.67-4.94 cmol⁺/kg for magnesium (Mg), and 0.05-0.74 cmol⁺/kg for sodium (Na). The vegetation type was categorized as E. hirsutum community with high numbers of E. hirsutum L., Persicaria thunbergii (Siebold & Zucc.) H. Gross, Phragmites japonica Steud., Humulus japonicus (Siebold & Zucc.), and Bidens frondosa L.. An ecological flora analysis, including the proportion of lianas, naturalized plants, and annual herbaceous plants, revealed that the native habitat of E. hirsutum L. was ecologically unstable. Conclusions: Analysis of the habitat of E. hirsutum L., a class II endangered wildlife species, provided essential data for local conservation and restoration efforts.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.157-164
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• 2017

Roadside native vegetation provides important habitat for plants and animals, and provides visual amenity and beauty for drivers and rural areas. In particular, native wildflowers create and maintain attractive landscaping and scenic vistas while help protect and restore the natural environment. However, it is lacking in government policies and guidelines about using native wildflowers for roadside vegetation and alien invasive plants are a major threat to our environment. The purpose of this study is to review the regulations and programs for roadside vegetation, especially native wildflowers in USA in order to learn lessons about developing wildflower policies in Korea. A summary of results follows: (1) the goals of roadside vegetation have been shifted from beautification for pleasant driving experience to sustainable and economical maintenance. (2) Various funds and laws by federal and local government are essential for native wildflower planting and roadside enhancement. (3) Ongoing projects on seed collection and seed banking of native plants are conducted by wildflower research centers to conserve and propagate endangered plants. (4) Recognizing that wildflower viewing holds tremendous potential, increasing local governments try to grow wildflower tourism for economic benefits. In conclusion, we should establish a long-range plan and regulations on roadside wildflowers planting in order to create safe and sustainable transportation corridors in Korea. In addition, more research on wildflower habitat and propagation should be warranted and landscape architects should play a definitive role in providing pleasant driving experiences and promoting wildflower tourism.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.262-269
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• 2022

A distribution survey was conducted from 2018 to 2020 to evaluate the distribution status, habitat characteristics, and extinction threat of the short ninespine stickleback Pungitius kaibarae (Gasterosteidae). Literature reports of P. kaibarae distribution have been sorted by each period, 1980~1996, 1997~2005, and 2007~2017, and the samples were collected in 32, 43, and 64 stations for each period. Among the 75 streams and 193 sampling sites investigated during the study period, 1,400 P. kaibarae individuals were collected from 26 streams at 39 sites. The main habitat of P. kaibarae was downstream or brackish water zones with a low altitude, slow water velocity, and many aquatic plants. The main reasons for the decline in population size were assumed to be drought and flood, river work for flood restoration and river maintenance, bridges construction, and predation by the exotic fish species Micropterus salmoides. Previous evidence reported a 42.6% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, a decline in habitat quality, and the spread and impact of the exotic fish species Micropterus salmoides. Therefore, P. kaibarae is now considered a Vulnerable (VU A2ace) species based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Therefore, P. kaibarae should be redesignated as an endangered species by the Ministry of Environment and systematically managed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.548-557
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• 2021

Cypripedium japonicum Thunb. is an endemic plant in East Asia, distributed only in Korea, China, and Japan. At the global level, the IUCN Red List evaluates it as "Endangered Species (EN)," and at the national level in Korea, it is evaluated as "Critically Endangered Species (CR)." In this study, we investigated the characteristics of the age structure and the sustainability of the population based on the data obtained by demographic monitoring conducted for seven years in the natural habitat. C. japonicum habitats were observed in 7 regions of Korea (Pochoen, Gapyeong, Hwacheon, Chuncheon, Yeongdong, Muju, Gwangyang), and 4,356 individuals in 15 subpopulations were identified. The population size and structure differed from region to region, and artificial management had a very important effect on the size and structural change of the population. Population viability analysis (PVA) based on changes in the number of individuals of C. japonicum showed a very diverse tendency by region. And the probability of population extinction in the next 100 years was 0.00% for Pocheon, 10.90% for Gwangyang, 24.05% for Chuncheon, and 79.50% for Hwacheon. Since the above monitored study sites were located within the conservation shelters, which restricted access by humans, unauthorized collection of C. japonicum, the biggest threat to the species, was not reflected in the individual viability. So, the risk of extinction in Korea is expected to be significantly higher than that estimated in this study. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect population information in several regions that may represent various threats to determine the extinction risk of the C. japonicum population objectively. In the future, we should expand the demographic monitoring of the C. japonicum population known in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

The vascular plants in Jeju composed of 21 families 62 genera, 190 species, 7 varieties with 197 taxa in Pteridophyta, 3 families 5 genera, 7 species, 3 forma with 10 taxa in gymnosperm (Coniferophyta) and 143 families 703 genera, 1,622 species, 114 varieties and 47 forma with 1,783 taxa in Endospermae. The total number of taxa was 1,990 consisting 167 families, 770 genera, 1,818 species, 121 varieties and 50 forma. Three families, 4 genera 4 species and 1 variety in Pteridophyta and 1 family, 1 genus I species, 1 forma of Coniferophyta were endemic to Jeju. Five families, 8 genera and 8 species in the Monocotyledonae of Endospermae and 23 families, 32 genera, 21 species, 16 varieties and 7 forma and 44 taxa in Cholipetalae, and 9 families, 24 genera, 12 species, 13 varieties and 7 forma, total 32 taxa in Sympetalae were endemic to Jeju. Total 90 taxa with 41 families, 69 genera, 46 species, 29 varieties and 15 forma were drawn up as endemic plants in Jeju. As the numbers show on, Jeju has more biodiversity especially plant diversity than any other places in Korea. It was an important region in regard to geographical position. The rarity on plants from Jeju has been assessed based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria at both regional and global levels. There was one species in each extinct (EX) and extinct in the Wild (EW). The EX and EW species were Rhododendron saisiuense Nakai (Ericaceae) and Asplenium antiquum Makino (Aspleniaceae), respectively. Three taxa, Rhododendron dauricum L. (Ericaceae), Lycopodium sieboldii Miq., and Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Serm (Lycopodiaceae) were species that is extinct in the region (RE). Sixty-one taxa were critically endangered (CR), 13 were endangered (EN), and 83 were vulnerable (VU) at regional level. The taxa listed on a Red List corresponds 26.9% of total taxa in Jeju. At global level, there were 19 taxa in CR, 4 in EN, and 1 in VU (Vulnerable) as the category of threat. The rest taxa (133 taxa) were classified as Least Concern (LC). According to the results of the assessment, conservation measures must be taken for total of 157 species that were categorized in threaten including one of EX, one of EW and three extinct in the region immediately. Of 157 species, 61 were CR, 13 are EN and 83 were VU.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.158-169
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• 2012

Sabah has experienced a rapid decline in the extent of forest cover. The precise impact of habitat loss on the conservation status of the plants of Sabah is uncertain. In this study we use the niche modelling algorithm MAXENT to construct preliminary, revised and final ecological niche models for Dipterocarpus lamellatus and Dipterocarpus ochraceus and combined these models with data on current land-use to derive conservation assessments for each species. Preliminary models were based on herbarium data alone. Ground surveys were conducted to evaluate the performance of these preliminary models, and a revised niche model was generated from the combined herbarium and ground survey data. The final model was obtained by constraining the predictions of the revised models by filters. The range overlap between the preliminary and revised models was 0.47 for D. lamellatus and 0.39 for D. ochraceus, suggesting poor agreement between them. There was substantial variation in estimates of habitat loss for D. ochraceus, among the preliminary, revised and constrained models, and this has the potential to lead to incorrect threat assessments. From these estimates of habitat loss, the historic distribution and estimates of population size we determine that both species should be classified as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List guidelines. Our results suggest that ground-truthing of ecological niche models is essential, especially if the models are being used for conservation decision making.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.291-295
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• 1982

The biosphere of the earth is not only about to overpass the limit to meet the food demand of the world but also the stability of its food production has been also jeopardized by the disasters and pests, especially by the unpredictable weather disasters. In addition the agricultural and industrial pollution against biosphere aggravates the unstability of agricultural production and constitutes a threat in securing the food of the world. In Korea the yield level of crops has been greatly enhanced by the improved agrotechnologies and varietal improvement, but the yield variability due to unfavorable weather events and pests remained unchanged with the change in time. Among weather-related disasters the drought and flood damages has occurred most frequently and impacted most greatly on the agricultural production and its stability. During last decade (1970-l980) the rice production experienced the average annual loss of 0.544 million metric ton which was composed of 0.21 million M/T by climatic disaster, 0.21 million M/T by disease and 0.12 million M/T by insects, and the annual loss of upland crop production from climatic disasters amounted to 0.06 million metric tons. Especially in 1980, the global climatic disasters due to cold or hot temperature endangered the agricultural production all over the world and also the rice production of Korea recorded the unprecedented yield reduction of about 30 percent due to cool summer weather. Nowadays, the unusual weather conditions are prevaling throughout the world, and agro-meteologists predict that the unpredictable cool summer and drought will often attack the rice and other crops in 1980's. To meet the coming weather unstability and to secure the stable crop production, multilateral efforts should be rendered. Therefore, the Korea Society of Crop Science, which commemorates the 20th anniversary of its founding, prepared the symposium on Meteological Stress in Crop Production and its Countermeasures to discuss the decrease in agricultural production due to weather-related disasters and to devise the multilateral counter-measures against the unfavorable weather events.