• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.81-91
• /
• 2020

As part of method for ecologically utilizing abandoned paddy, potential of the abandoned paddy as a target site for ex-situ conservation of 9 endangered species of different life form was confirmed by considering the nature of rice paddy. In order to create Dum-bung, a component of traditional Korean rice paddy, a part of the abandoned paddy was modified to change the water environment. The seeds, asexual reproductive and sexually reproductive individuals of each endangerd species were transplanted into the abandoned paddy to observe the survival rate and phenological response for 1 year, and then monitored for 2 years. As a result, Hydrophyte 4 taxa (Euryale ferox, Saururus chinensis, Dysophylla yatabeana, Menyanthes trifoliata), Geophyte taxa 1 (Epilobium hirsutum), and Hemicryptophyte taxa 1 (Cicuta virosa) could be introduced into the abandoned paddy. In particular, Euryale ferox, Dysophylla yatabeana, and Menyanthes trifoliata should be introduced into Dum-bung, and Saururus chinensis, Epilobium hirsutum, and Cicuta virosa should be introduced into paddy wetland. Growth of Euryale ferox and Brasenia schreberi was inhibited by herbaceous species, and the growth of Epilobium hirsutum was inhibited by herbivores. Therefore, in order to help efficient settlement of endangered plants introduced in abandoned paddy, it is necessary to remove herbs that inhibit growth and to manage herbivores. In addition, it is necessary to prevent the collapse of paddy bank by planting on the paddy field trees or herbaceous forming vegetation mat. When using abandoned paddy ecologically, it is effective to diversify the moisture environment by creating a Dum-bung to increase biodiversity.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.10 no.7
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to analyse the state of the energy industry and to determine the efficiency of its functioning on the basis of energy conservation principle and application of innovative technologies aimed at improving the ecological modernisation of agricultural sectors of Kazakhstan. The research methodology is based on an integrated approach of financial and economic evaluation of the effectiveness of the investment project, based on calculation of elasticity, total costs and profitability, as well as on comparative, graphical and system analysis. The current stage is characterised by widely spread restructuring processes of electric power industry in many countries through introduction of new technical installations of energy facilities and increased government regulation in order to enhance the competitive advantage of electricity market. Electric power industry features a considerable value of creating areas. For example, by providing scientific and technical progress, it crucially affects not only the development but also the territorial organisation of productive forces, first of all the industry. In modern life, more than 90% of electricity and heat is obtained by Kazakhstan's economy by consuming non-renewable energy resources: different types of coal, oil shale, oil, natural gas and peat. Therefore, it is significant to ensure energy security, as the country faces a rapid fall back to mono-gas structure of fuel and energy balance. However, energy resources in Kazakhstan are spread very unevenly. Its main supplies are concentrated in northern and central parts of the republic, and the majority of consumers of electrical power live in the southern and western areas of the country. However, energy plays an important role in the economy of industrial production and to a large extent determines the level of competitive advantage, which is a promising condition for implementation of energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies. In these circumstances, issues of modernisation and reforms of this sector in Kazakhstan gain more and more importance, which can be seen in the example of economically sustainable solutions of a large local monopoly company, significant savings in capital investment and efficiency of implementation of an investment project. A major disadvantage of development of electricity distribution companies is the prevalence of very high moral and physical amortisation of equipment, reaching almost 70-80%, which significantly increases the operating costs. For example, while an investment of 12 billion tenge was planned in 2009 in this branch, in 2012 it is planned to invest more than 17 billion. Obviously, despite the absolute increase, the rate of investment is still quite low, as the total demand in this area is at least more than 250 billion tenge. In addition, industrial infrastructure, including the objects of Kazakhstan electric power industry, have a tangible adverse impact on the environment. Thus, since there is a large number of various power projects that are sources of electromagnetic radiation, the environment is deteriorated. Hence, there is a need to optimise the efficiency of the organisation and management of production activities of energy companies, to create and implement new technologies, to ensure safe production and provide solutions to various environmental aspects. These are key strategic factors to ensure success of the modern energy sector of Kazakhstan. The contribution of authors in developing the scope of this subject is explained by the fact that there was not enough research in the energy sector, especially in the view of ecological modernisation. This work differs from similar works in Kazakhstan in the way that the proposed method of investment project calculation takes into account the time factor, which compares the current and future value of profit from the implementation of innovative equipment that helps to bring it to actual practise. The feasibility of writing this article lies in the need of forming a public policy in the industrial sector, including optimising the structure of energy disbursing rate, which complies with the terms of future modernised development of the domestic energy sector.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.331-342
• /
• 2020

The suppression of neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells can be considered a key target for improving the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Asparagus cochinchinensis has traditionally been used as a medicine to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory diseases, and brain diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of an aqueous extract from A. cochinchinensis root (AEAC), particularly its anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 microglial cells. BV-2 cells were treated with four different concentrations of AEAC. No significant toxicity was detected in BV-2 cells treated with AEAC. Nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels were 21% lower in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. Lower proinflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) levels were also detected in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group, albeit at varying rates. Moreover, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group compared to the Vehicle+LPS group, enhancement of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group, while cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase caused by LPS treatment was less severe in the AEAC+LPS group. The increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by LPS treatment was also lower in the AEAC-pretreated group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. This is the first study to show that AEAC exerts anti-neuroinflammatory activity against LPS stimulation by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, the cell cycle, and ROS production.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2015

The sustainability of Cypripedium japonicum, a rare plant designated by the Korea Forest Service, is threatened due to artificial factors such as habitat loss and climate change etc. and internal factors such as changes in biological properties of the habitat etc. but conservation research has not been performed in South Korea. The objective of this study is to establish the species conservation strategies by analyzing the characteristics of their habitats, including: 1) Population characteristics, and 2) habitat analysis of the vegetation and abiotic environments. From April to September, 2014, population characteristics [density (stems $m^{-2}$), flowering rate (%), and leaf area ($cm^2$)] in Cypripedium japonicum habitats such as Chuncheon (CC), Hwacheon (HC), Muju (MJ), and Gwangyang (GY) and vegetation characteristics (plant sociological research and ordination analysis), and abiotic environments [temperature ($^{\circ}C$), relative humidity (%), transmitted light ($mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and canopy openness (%)] were measured. Cypripedium japonicum was mainly distributed at elevation 450 to 990 m and 5 to $30^{\circ}$ slope. Slope direction was shown as 0 to $110^{\circ}$. Habitats temperature (mean $18.94^{\circ}C$) was well matched to seasonal changes. Differences among sites showed greater level according to latitude difference. It showed the highest in habitat, GY located in the South. On the other hand, relative humidity (77.38%) didn't show much difference among sites. The average degree of canopy openness was 18.17%. It showed the highest at HC (22.1%) and the lowest at MJ (16.1%). The average degree of transmitted light was $9.1mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. It showed the highest at CC ($10.6mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and the lowest at GY ($6.87mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$). Chlorophyll content showed average 26.12 SPAD. It showed the highest at MJ (30.64 SPAD value) and the lowest at HC (23.69 SPAD value). Leaf area was average $253.35cm^2$. It showed the highest at CC ($281.51cm^2$) and the lowest at HC ($238.23cm^2$).

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.396-406
• /
• 2011

To analyze between water quality and community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates, we selected four reservoirs (Lake Sayeon, Lake Daeam, Seonam reservoir and Lake Hoeya) in Ulsan-si and studied them from February 2010 to October 2010. The annual mean BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) in the four lakes was $14.2mg\;L^{-1}$, and Seonam reservoir had the highest deviation in BOD. The maximum BOD for every lake was in February and their minimum in May, except for Lake Hoeya whose minimum was in July. The means of various nutrients were as follows: TN $0.051mg\;L^{-1}$, TP $0.100mg\;L^{-1}$, $NH_3-N\;0.606mg\;L^{-1}$, and $NO_3-N\;0.014mg\;L^{-1}$. The maximum TN was measured in June and the maximum and minimum TP were measured in March and in May respectively in the four lakes. Benthic macroinvertebrates were surveyed in April and October 2010. The number of benthic macroinvertebrates species was in the range of 16~36 and the average number of individuals were 58~208 inds. $m^{-2}$. Seonam reservoir, which has the highest mean TN ($0.082mg\;L^{-1}$) and $NO_3-N$($0.023mg\;L^{-1}$), had the largest number of species (36 species, 208 inds. $m^{-2}$). Pearson's correlation between the number of macro invertebrates species and TN was 0.962 (P<0.05), and between the species and $NO_3-N$ was 0.999 (P<0.05). These results show that the number of benthic macroinvertebrates species of the four lakes in Ulsan-si is significantly correlated with TN and $NO_3-N$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.332-342
• /
• 2013

We collected zooplankton from May to October, 2011, with the aim of understanding the zooplankton community distribution and food web interaction between the open water and littoral (aquatic plants) zones in two small reservoirs with different land covers (Sobudang, Myeongdong). Small-sized reservoirs are more abundant in South Korea, and a total of 51 and 65 species of zooplankton were identified at the two small reservoir (Sobudang and Myeongdong), where zooplankton densities were more abundant in the littoral zone than in the open water zone. Cladocerans and copepods densities were also higher in the littoral zone, in contrast, rotifers showed higher densities in the open water zone (t-test, P/0.05). Epiphytic zooplankton dominated at the littoral zone (Lecane, Monostyla, Alona and Chydorus) because aquatic plants provided refuge spaces for attachment. Some rotifers (e.g. Brachionus, Keratella and Polyarthra) were more abundant in the open water zone because of their small size, which might help them to go unnoticed by predators. In two-way ANOVA, rotifers related to two reservoirs or habitat space (littoral zone and open water zone), but cladocerans and copepods showed a statistically significant relationship on only two reservoirs. The results of stable isotope analysis showed that zooplankton in the littoral zone tended to depend on organic matter attached to aquatic plants as a food source, which indicates the avoidance of competition of zooplankton with other macro-invertebrates (e.g. Damselfly larva, Cybister brevis and Neocardina denticulate). As a result, zooplankton community distribution is determined by not only habitat space (aquatic plant zone and open water zone) but also by food source (phytoplankton).

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.381-402
• /
• 2017

In order to investigate distribution of vascular plants along elevational gradient in the Nodong valley of Gyebangsan, vascular plants of eight sections with 100-meter-high were surveyed from the Auto-camping site (800 m) to the top of a mountain (1,577 m). There were a total of 382 taxa: 89 families, 234 genera, 339 species, 7 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 2 forms. As a result of analyzing the pattern of species richness, it showed a reversed hump-shaped with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. As a result of analyzing habitat affinity types, the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. But, the ruderal species decreased with increasing elevation, and then increased at the top of a mountain. As for the proportion of life forms, the annual herbs gradually decreased with increasing elevation, but it did not appear between 1,300 m and 1,500 m and then increased at the top of a mountain. The trees gradually increased with elevation and decreased from 1,300~1,400 m. The vascular plants divided into four groups by using DCA. The arrangement of each stands was arranged in order from right to left on the I axis according to the elevation. The distribution of vascular plants is determined by their own optimal ranges of vegetation. Also, rise in temperature due to climate change affects the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. Furthermore, plans for conservation and management based on these data should be prepared according to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.1 s.110
• /
• pp.54-62
• /
• 2005

The present study was to determine how seasonal rainfall intensity influences nutrient dynamics, ionic contents, oxygen demands, and suspended solids in a lotic ecosystem. Largest seasonal variabilities in most parameters occurred during the two months of July to August and these were closely associated with large spate of rainfall. Dissolved oxygen (DO) had an inverse function of water temperature (r = = = - 0.986, p<0.001). Minimum pH values of<6.5 were observed in the late August when rainfall peaked in the study site, indicating an ionic dilution of stream water by precipitation. Electrical conductivity (EC) was greater during summer than any other seasons, so the overall conductivity values had direct correlation (r = 0.527, p<0.01) with precipitation. Ionic dilution, however, was evident 4 ${\sim}$ 5 days later in short or 1 ${\sim}$ 2 weeks in long after the intense rain, indicating a time-lag phenomenon of conductivity. Daily COD values varied from 0.8 mg $L^{-1}$ to 7.9 mg $L^{-1}$ and their seasonal pattern was similar (r = 0.548, p<0.001) to that of BOD. Total nitrogen (TN) varied little compared to total phosphorus (TP) and was minimum in the base flow of March. In contrast, major input of TP occurred during the period of summer monsoon and this pattern was similar to suspended solids, implying that TP is closely associated (r = 0.890, p<0.01) with suspended inorganic solids. Mass ratios of TN : TP were determined by TP (r= -0.509, p<0.01) rather than TN (r= -0.209, p<0.01). The N : P ratios indicated that phosphorus was a potential primary limiting nutrient for the stream productivity. Overall data suggest that rainfall intensity was considered as a primary key component regulating water chemistry in the stream and maximum variation in water quality was attributed to the largest runoff spate during the summer monsoon.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.spc
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2008

Nutrient Enrichment Bioassays (NEBs) were conducted in the laboratory during June $22{\sim}28$, 2006 in order to determine primary limiting factor on the phytoplankton growth. For the NEBs, the water was sampled using a 10L polyethylene-lined container and dispensed into 2.5L container in the laboratory. The algal growths response in the control (C) and three treatments of phosphorus (P), 2-fold phosphorus (2P), and nitrate nitrogen $(NO_3-N)$ were monitored during 7 days. In the cubitainers which were spiked as P (T1) and 2P (T2) Chl-${\alpha}$ concentrations were decreased during the test period and the final concentrations was low than initial values. However, Chl-${\alpha}$ in the cubitainers which were spiked as $NO_3$(T3) and $P+NO_3$(T4) showed significant increases compared to the initial values, indicating that in the short-term experiments, nitrogen seemed to be a primary limiting nutrient during the periods of NEBs experiment. Long-term ambient nutrient data of TP and TN, and TN:TP mass ratios, however, showed a potential phosphorus limitation on phytoplankton growth and previous other researchers showed a variations of limiting nutrients by nitrogen or phosphorus depending on the seasons sampled and locations. In this study nitrogen as primary limiting nutrient in the NEBs seem to be an seasonal effect rather than the consistent nitrogen limitation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.spc
• /
• pp.86-92
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to determine removal effect on phytoplankton (chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ as whole algae) and cyanobacteria by a fish Pseudorasbora parva and macroinvertebrate Palaemon paucidens in September 2006. Three treatments with 25 (T1), 50 (T2) and 100 (T3) individuals along with control (C1, no input fish), and two treatments with 25 (T4) and 50 (T5) individuals along with control (C1) were made for fish and macroinvertebrate, respectively. The initial concentrations of chlorophyll-${\alpha}$ $(Chl_i)$ in each 10L test tank were set up for the levels of $95{\sim}100{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$ and the daily values were monitored in the test tank during 7 days. In the lab tests, P. parva did not show Chl-${alpha}$ removal effect; the removal rate of Chl-${alpha}$ for P. parva was -58% in T1, -56% in T2, and 61% in T3 during the test period. In contrast, P. paucidens. in the treatments of T4 and T5 removed the phytoplankton effectively and the removal effect were appeared to be 33% and 22%, respectively. Also, P. paucidens showed high feeding efficiency in the removal of cyanobacteria. The levels of cyanobacteria were greatly lowed from 6,048 to 927 cells $mL^{-1}$ in T4 and from 6,539 to 1,053 cells $mL^{-1}$ in T5, resulting in 85% and 84% in the removal effect, respectively. Our results for biomanipulation tests suggest that P. paucidens may be used as a potential candidate organism for algae control in spite of the preliminary results by laboratory tests.