• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.70-75
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• 2021

The present study aimed to clarify flora living at the area of Restoration Center for Endangered Species in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk Province. In May, August, and September 2019 and in May and July 2020, all of vascular plants were recorded, and endangered, Korea endemic, and exotic plant species were further identified. The study site contained a total of 418 floral taxa (98 families, 261 genera, 384 species, 4 subspecies, 27 variations, and 3 formations), in which Magnoliophyta accounted for larger proportion (95.2%) than Pteridophyta (3.6%) and Pinophyta (1.2%). In addition, 1 endangered (Cypripedium macranthos Sw.) and 5 Korea endemic species (Aconitum pseudolaeve Nakai, Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis [Nakai] C.H. Kim & B.-Y. Sun, Lonicera subsessilis Rehder, Paulownia coreana Uyeki, and Weigela subsessilis [Nakai] L.H. Bailey) were detected. The number of exotic species was 33, consisting of 4 invasive-exotic, 4 potentially invasive-exotic, and 25 non-invasive species. Compared to a previous assessment before the establishment of the center (in 2014), there were increases in total floral taxa (from 361 to 418), endangered species (from 0 to 1), and exotic species (from 26 to 33). These results possibly reflect temporal changes in floral community, which should be confirmed through subsequent long term monitoring.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2022

With the wider availability of sensor technology through easily affordable sensor devices, several Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems are deployed to monitor vital civil infrastructure. The continuous monitoring provides valuable information about the health of the structure that can help provide a decision support system for retrofits and other structural modifications. However, when the sensors are exposed to harsh environmental conditions, the data measured by the SHM systems tend to be affected by multiple anomalies caused by faulty or broken sensors. Given a deluge of high-dimensional data collected continuously over time, research into using machine learning methods to detect anomalies are a topic of great interest to the SHM community. This paper contributes to this effort by proposing a relatively new time series representation named "Shapelet Transform" in combination with a Random Forest classifier to autonomously identify anomalies in SHM data. The shapelet transform is a unique time series representation based solely on the shape of the time series data. Considering the individual characteristics unique to every anomaly, the application of this transform yields a new shape-based feature representation that can be combined with any standard machine learning algorithm to detect anomalous data with no manual intervention. For the present study, the anomaly detection framework consists of three steps: identifying unique shapes from anomalous data, using these shapes to transform the SHM data into a local-shape space and training machine learning algorithms on this transformed data to identify anomalies. The efficacy of this method is demonstrated by the identification of anomalies in acceleration data from an SHM system installed on a long-span bridge in China. The results show that multiple data anomalies in SHM data can be automatically detected with high accuracy using the proposed method.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.53-65
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• 2022

Most of the reservoirs managed by the city and county are small and it is difficult to respond to climate change because the drainage area is small and the inflow increases rapidly when a heavy rain occurs. In this study, the current status of reservoirs managed by city and county in Gyeonggi-do was reviewed and flood vulnerability due to climate change was analyzed. In order to analyze the impact of climate change, CMIP6-based future climate scenario provided by IPCC was used, and future rainfall data was established through downscaling of climate scenario (SSP8-8.5). The flood vulnerability of reservoirs due to climate change was evaluated using the concept provided by the IPCC. The future annual precipitation at six weather stations appeared a gradual increase and the fluctuation range of the annual precipitation was also found to increase. As a result of calculating the flood vulnerability index, it was analyzed that the flood vulnerability was the largest in the 2055s period and the lowest in the 2025s period. In the past period (2000s), the number of D and E grade reservoirs was 58, but it was found to increase to 107 in the 2055s period. In 2085s, there were 17 E grade reservoirs, which was more than in the past. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures against the increasing risk of flooding in the future.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.376-386
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• 2022

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are classified as a combination of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms. The Rome IV criteria can elucidate several factors in the pathogenesis of FGIDs. The frequency of FGIDs can differ between clinical and nonclinical settings and between geographic regions. To determine the global prevalence of FGIDs in neonates and toddlers according to the Rome IV criteria. We included cohort and descriptive observational studies reporting the prevalence of FGIDs according to the Rome IV criteria in children aged 0-48 months. We searched the Medline, Embase, Lilacs, and CENTRAL databases from May 2016 to the present day. Furthermore, unpublished literature was searched to supplement this information. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement was used to evaluate the risk of bias. A meta-analysis of the proportions was performed using MetaProp in R. The results are reported in forest plots. We identified and analyzed 15 studies comprising 48,325 participants. Six studies were conducted in Europe, three in Latin America, two in North America, and four in Asia. Most participants were 12-48 months old (61.0%) and were recruited from the community. The global prevalence of FGIDs was 22.0% (95% confidence interval, 15-31%). The most common disorder was functional constipation (9.0%), followed by infant regurgitation syndrome (8.0%). Its prevalence was higher in the Americas (28.0%). FGIDs, as defined by the Rome IV criteria, are present in 22% of children, and the most common primary disorder is functional constipation. A higher prevalence of FGIDs has been reported in America.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.28-42
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• 2023

Seed dispersal supports community structure, maintains genetic connectivity across fragmented landscapes, and influences vegetation assemblages. In the Philippines, only two seed dispersal studies have compared different dispersal agents. We examined the seed dispersal patterns of water, wind, birds, and bats in the Caliraya Watershed, Philippines. We aimed to determine the floral species that were dispersed and how the forest characteristics influenced seed dispersal. By running seed rain traps and drift litter collection from March to June 2022, we analyzed 14,090 seeds in a privately owned study site within the watershed. Water did not exclusively disperse any species and acted as a secondary disperser. Seed density (seeds/trap) was significantly higher for bird-dispersed (n=166) and bat-dispersed (n=145) seeds than for wind-dispersed (n=79) seeds (One-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]: F_2,87=16.21, P<0.0001). Species number (species/trap) was significantly higher for bird-dispersed (n=3.7) and bat-dispersed (n=3.9) seeds than for wind-dispersed (n=0.2) seeds (One-way ANOVA: F_2,87 =16.67, P<0.0001). Birds dispersed more species because they are more diverse and access a wider variety of fruits, unlike bats. Birds and bats target different fruits and provide separate seed dispersal services. Generalized linear model analyses revealed that the number and basal area of fleshy fruit trees most strongly influenced the bird seed dispersal patterns. Therefore, we recommend a three-way approach to restoration efforts in the Caliraya Watershed: (1) ensure the presence of fleshy fruit trees in restoration zones, (2) assist the establishment of mid-successional and wind-dispersed trees, and (3) intensify the conservation efforts for both flora and faunal diversity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Due to climate change and aging of reservoirs, damage to embankment slopes is increasing. However, the safety diagnosis of the reservoir slope is mainly conducted by visual observation, and the time and economic cost are formidable to apply soil mechanical tests and slope stability analysis. Accordingly, this study presented a predicting method for the compaction and strength characteristics of the reservoir embankment soil using a portable static cone penetration test. The predicted items consisted of dry density, cohesion, and internal friction angle, which are the main factors of slope stability analysis. Portable static cone penetration tests were performed at 19 reservoir sites, and prediction equations were constructed from the correlation between penetration resistance data and test results of soil samples. The predicted dry density and strength parameters showed a correlation with test results between R² 0.40 and 0.93, and it was found to replace the test results well when used as input data for slope stability analysis (R² 0.8134 or more, RMSE 0.0320 or less). In addition, the prediction equations for the minimum safety factor of the slope were presented using the penetration resistance and gradient. As a result of comparing the predicted safety factor with the analysis results, R² 0.5125, RMSE 0.0382 in coarse-grained soil, R² 0.4182 and RMSE 0.0628 in fine-grained soil. The results of this study can be used as a way to improve the existing slope safety diagnosis method, and are expected to be used to predict the characteristics of various soils and inspect slopes.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.6 no.1_2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2001

Oribatid mite communities in the process of litter decomposition were analyzed In Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests of Namsan and Kwangreung, which were supposed to be under different environmental selective pressures. Oribatid mites were collected bimonthly from the litter bags (mesh size 0.4 mm, 1.7 mm) which was set up in the forest floor of study sites. This study had been carried out from Jan., 1997 to Sept., 1998. Species abundance of Kwangreung (mesh size 1.7 mm) was significantly higher than that of Namsan (mesh size 1.7 mm), but total no. of species did not exceed 30 species in all study sites. Concerning body length, medium sized oribatid mites (0.3-0.7mm) were more abundant than small ( < 0.3 mm) and large ( > 0.7 mm) sized mites. In Kwangreung, species whose body lengths were 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm were major group. However, a little larger species than Kwangreung's major group were dominant in Namsan. Sorenson similarity index and cluster analysis suggested that there were qualitative and quantitative differences in species composition in Namsan and Kwangreung. More species were collected in May through September than the other sampling times, but the pattern was rather different between first year and second year. Newly immigrant species were high in May in the first year and many of them regained on next year. Diversity indices suggested that species diversity of Kwangreung was higher than that of Namsan. Nearly 70% of total individual abundance was occupied by several dominant species in Namsan and Kwangreung . In the litter bags of mesh size 1.7 mm, the most dominant species was Trichogalumna nipponica in Namsan and Kwangreung, but in the litter bags of mesh size 0.4 mm in Kwangreung it was Ramusella sengbuschi which is smaller than T. nipponica. And important species related to litter decomposition were selected as follows; T. nipponica, Epidamaeus coreanus, Scheloribates latipes, Ceratozetes japonicus, Ramusella sengbuschi, Eohypochthonius crassisetiger, and Cultroribula lata.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 1999

Authors report the changes of the community structure and secondary succession after fire in Mt. Samma (333 m). Approximately six ha of the red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest and its floor vegetation were burned and cutted down. The vegetation and soil properties were investigated in the burned and unburned sites from April to October, 1998. The dominant species based on SDR₃ in the burned site were Lespedeza cyrtobotrya (96.87), Quercus serrata (77.90), Cyperus amuricus (46.22) and Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens (38.33), whereas the dominant species in the unburned site were Pinus densiflora (100.00) and Q. variabilis (66.10) at the tree layer, Q. serrata (100.00) and Zanthoxylum schinifolium (29.64) at the shrub layer., and Q. serrata (76.30) and M. sinensis var. purpurascens (72.84) at the herb layer. The biological spectra based on SDR₃ were Th-D₁-R/sub 5/-e for the burned and H (M)-D₁-R/sub 5/-e type for the unburned site, respectively. The index of similarity (CCs) between the burned and unburned sites was 0.41. The degree of succession (DS) were 609 for the burned and 1168 for the unburned site, respectively. The species diversity (H) and evenness indices (e) of the burned site were lower than those of the unburned site, but the dominance indices (C) was higher in the burned site. In the analysis of soil properties, pH, the content of NO₃/sup -/-N, available phosphrous, and exchangeable cations (K/sup +/, Ca/sup 2+/, Na/sup +/, Mg/sup 2+/) in the burned site were higher than those in the unburned site, whereas the contents of organic matter, total carbon, total nitrogen and NH₄/sup +/-N were lower in the burned site. The results show that dominant species in the burned site change from Miscanthus-Lespedeza→Lespedeza→Quercus and finally to Quercus forest, and the changes of soil properties also affect the early vegetational succession after fire.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2014

Understanding and quantifying of carbon storage in ecosystem is very important factor for predicting change of global carbon cycle under the global climate change. We estimated total ecosystem carbon in Gyeryongsan National Park with naturally well preserved ecosystem in Korea. Vegetation of Gyeryongsan National Park was classified with mainly four communities with Quercus mongolica (1,743.5 ha, 38.0%), Quercus variabilis (1,174.0 ha, 25.6%), Quercus serrata (971.9 ha, 21.2%), Pinus densiflora (695.2 ha, 15.2%). Biomass and soil carbons were calculated from biomass allometric equations based on the DBH and carbon contents of soil and litter collected in quadrat in each community. The tree biomass carbon was in Quercus variabilis ($130.1tCha^{-1}$), Pinus densiflora ($111.1tCha^{-1}$), Quercus mongolica ($76.2tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($39.0tCha^{-1}$). Soil carbon storage was in Quercus mongolica ($159.7tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($121.0tCha^{-1}$), Pinus densiflora ($110.5tCha^{-1}$), Quercus variabilis ($90.8tCha^{-1}$). Ecosystem carbon storage was Pinus densiflora ($239.9tCha^{-1}$), Quercus mongolica ($235.9tCha^{-1}$), Quercus variabilis ($226.0tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($165.9tCha^{-1}$), total amount was $867.7tCha^{-1}$. The area of each vegetation carbon storage was Quercus mongolica ($411,200tCha^{-1}$), Quercus variabilis ($265,300tCha^{-1}$), Pinus densiflora ($166,800tCha^{-1}$), Quercus serrata ($161,200tCha^{-1}$) and the total ecosystem carbon amount estimated $1,045,400tCha^{-1}$ at Gyeryongsan National Park. Theses results indicate that different in naturally well preserved ecosystem.