• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2022

Background: We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for Pedicularis hallaisanensis, a Grade II Endangered Species in South Korea. To determine the habitat variables, we conducted a literature review on P. hallaisanensis with a specific focus on the associated spatial factors, climate, topography, threats, and soil factors to derive five environmental factors that influence P. hallaisanensis habitats. The specific variables were defined based on the collected data and consultations with experts in the field, with the validity of each variable tested through field studies. Results: Mt. Seorak had a suitable habitat area of 2.48 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.62% of total area) and 0.01 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Bangtae had a suitable habitat area of 0.03 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.02% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Gaya showed 0.13 km² of suitable habitat for sites with a score of 1 (0.17% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Lastly, Mt. Halla showed 3.12 km² of suitable habitat related to sites with a score of 1 (2.04% of total area) and 4.08 km² of sites with a score of 0.9 (2.66% of total area). Mt. Halla accounts for 73.1% of the total core habitat area. Considering the climatic, soil, and forest conditions together with standardized collection sites, our results indicate that Mt. Halla should be viewed as a core habitat of P. hallaisanensis. Conclusions: The findings in this study provide useful data for the identification of core habitat areas and potential alternative habitats to prevent the extinction of the endangered species, P. hallaisanensis. Furthermore, the developed HSI model allows for the prediction of suitable habitats based on the ecological niche of a given species to identify its unique distribution and causal factors.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.285-294
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• 2022

In order to accurately calculate greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural field, Korea has been developing national-specific emission factors through direct measurement of gas fluxes using the closed-chamber method. In the rice paddy, only national-specific emission factors for methane (CH₄) have been developed. It is thus necessary to develop those for nitrous oxide (N₂O) affected by the application of nitrogen fertilizer. However, since the concentration of N₂O emission from rice cultivation is very low, the QA/QC methods such as method detection and practical quantification limits are important. In this study, N₂O emission from a rice paddy was evaluated affected by the amount of nitrogen fertilizer, by taking into account both method detection and practical quantification limits for N₂O concentration. The N₂O emission from a rice paddy soils affected by the nitrogen fertilizer application was estimated in the following order. The method detection limit (MDL) of N₂O concentration was calculated at 95% confidence level based on the pooled standard deviation of concentration data sets using a standard gas with 98 nmol mol^-1 N₂O 10 times for 3 days. The practical quantification limit (PQL) of the N₂O concentration is estimated by multiplying 10 to the pooled standard deviation. For the N₂O flux data measured during the rice cultivation period in 2021, the MDL and PQL of N₂O concentration were 18 nmol mol^-1 and 87 nmol mol^-1, respectively. The measured values above the PQL were merely about 12% of the total data. The cumulative N₂O emission estimated based on the MDL and PQL was higher than the cumulative emission without nitrogen fertilizer application. This research would contribute to improving the reliability in quantification of the N₂O flux data for accurate estimates of greenhouse gas emissions and uncertainties.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2015

This research aims at identifying the goshawk's possible and replaceable breeding ground by using the MaxEnt prediction model which has so far been insufficiently used in Korea, and providing evidence to expand possible protection areas for the goshawk's breeding for the future. The field research identified 10 goshawk's nests, and 23 appearance points confirmed during the 3rd round of environmental research were used for analysis. 4 geomorphic, 3 environmental, 7 distance, and 9 weather factors were used as model variables. The final environmental variables were selected through non-parametric verification between appearance and non-appearance coordinates identified by random sampling. The final predictive model (MaxEnt) was structured using 10 factors related to breeding ground and 7 factors related to appearance area selected by statistics verification. According to the results of the study, the factor that affected breeding point structure model the most was temperature seasonality, followed by distance from mixforest, density-class on the forest map and relief energy. The factor that affected appearance point structure model the most was temperature seasonality, followed by distance from rivers and ponds, distance from agricultural land and gradient. The nature of the goshawk's breeding environment and habit to breed inside forests were reflected in this modeling that targets breeding points. The northern central area which is about $189.5 km^2$(2.55 %) is expected to be suitable breeding ground. Large cities such as Cheongju and Chungju are located in the southern part of Chungcheongbuk-do whereas the northern part of Chungcheongbuk-do has evenly distributed forests and farmlands, which helps goshawks have a scope of influence and food source to breed. Appearance point modeling predicted an area of $3,071 km^2$(41.38 %) showing a wider ranging habitat than that of the breeding point modeling due to some limitations such as limited moving observation and non-consideration of seasonal changes. When targeting the breeding points, a specific predictive area can be deduced but it is difficult to check the points of nests and it is impossible to reflect the goshawk's behavioral area. On the other hand, when targeting appearance points, a wider ranging area can be covered but it is less accurate compared to predictive breeding point since simple movements and constant use status are not reflected. However, with these results, the goshawk's habitat can be predicted with reasonable accuracy. In particular, it is necessary to apply precise predictive breeding area data based on habitat modeling results when enforcing an environmental evaluation or establishing a development plan.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.62-74
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• 2010

This study aims to examine what factors citizens value in urban parks and green spaces in terms of usage and aesthetic value and to find ways to deal with the changing patterns of user satisfaction for these various green elements. To achieve this, the study developed a dynamic model employing a transactional approach to evaluate environmental quality for 1999 and 2007 in Anyang City as well as a conceptual model of parks and greens satisfaction. This study relied on an empirical study method including the 1999 and 2007 green conditional survey and citizen questionnaires totaling 573 in the year 1999 and 982 in the year 2007. As a result, first, the factor 'urban parks' is the most important factor and 'cityscape' is the second most important factor in parks and greens satisfaction(PGS). Second, PGS in turn causes environmental quality satisfaction(EQS), which is related to two items--'urban livability' and 'aesthetic quality'--in the model. This means that PGS is the intervening variable of urban livability. Third, the factor analysis resulted in six factors: cityscape, urban green, linear facilities, urban parks, riverside green, and urban forest. 'Riverside green' emerged as a factor in 2007 as a result of public participation in the 'Anyang River Revitalization Project'. Fourth, through a transactional view, the environmental changes result in either a change in or stability of public attitude. The levels of satisfaction were elevated but patterns of satisfied-unsatisfied items remained unchanged for most factors. The perception of riverside a greenway and linear surface facilities(pedestrian walkways, biking and jogging trails, etc.) have changed positively. PGS changed significantly in 2007, as a result of urban events and development, including parks, rivers and greenways which were built through the joint effort of the local government and civic participation.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2017

In order to estimate the non-point pollution loads from each watersheds among 209 watersheds, the calibration and validation of HSPF model were carried out based on 2012 in 2013 years. In the case of flow rate, R2 of calibration and validation were 0.71~0.93 and 0.71~0.79, which were relatively good values. With the respect to calibration of water quality, % differences between measured and simulated values were 0.4 ~ 9.7 of DO, BOD 0.5 ~ 30.2% and TN 1.9~28.6% except for Hwhangkang B site. In case of validation, DO was 0.2 ~ 13.7%, BOD 1.3~23% and TN 0.5~24.3% excluding Hwhangkang B. However, since the concentration of TP was very small compared with other items, the range of difference was large as 0.8~55.3%. level. As the result of calculating annual accumulative BOD loads for each watershed, it was found that RCH 123 (Uryeong, Gyeongsangnamdo), RCH 121 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnamdo) and RCH 92 (Daegu) were the high ranked. The unit watersheds including various landuse type susch as forest and agricultural sites in mainstream areas have a higher BOD nonpoint pollution load than those in dam regions. However, the results of the annual cumulative loading of the basins for nutrients did not appear to be consistent with the BOD annual cumulative loading ranks. Other factors that represent watershed characteristics such as landslope and soiltypes, including landuse pattern, have been found to be closely related to nonpoint pollutant loads.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.4 s.109
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• pp.431-435
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• 2004

A nitrate-contaminated groundwater was hydrogeochemically investigated to estimate the factors controlling groundwater quality in an alluvial fan area. Even though monthly groundwater levels increased with monthly rainfalls, the monthly $NO_3^--N$ concentrations in groundwater showed a small variation, mostly exceeding a maximum contaminant level of 10 mg $L^{-1}$ in environmental quality standards for groundwater during 2003. The 2003 annual groundwater recharge was 1,730 mm =20,056 mm-18,326 mm. Where 20,056 mm and 18,326 mm are annual sum of daily increase and decrease in ground water level. However, the annual sum of increase in ground water level (20,056 mm) was approximately 10 times higher than annual rainfall. Moreover, the annual sum of daily ground water level decrease (-18,326mm) showed that a large amount of groundwater was discharged with $NO_3^-$-contamination. Hydrogeochemically, a large amount of groundwater input and output through the alluvial fan area were observed after rainfall with a considerably high concentration of $NO_3^-$. Consequently, this alluvial fan area including forest area reflects on the evidence under the condition of 'nitrogen excess' or 'nitrogen saturation'. In addition, such a large amount of groundwater outflow can cause environmental damage in surface water, associated with $NO_3^-$- contamination. This study also expects that this hydrogeochemical data will be useful for water management.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2003

This study was carried out to examine the heavy metal concentrations in soils under roadside trees and tree ring layers, and to investigate the relationship between heavy metal concentrations and tree ring growth of roadside trees in Seoul. Soil samples at $0{\sim}20\;cm$ depth and tree line were collected from Platanus occidentalis and Ginkgo biloba at nine streets, and pH and heavy Metal concentrations were analyzed. Soil pH ranged from 6.62 to 8.01 and soil heavy metal concentrations under roadside trees were higher (Zn 109.03, Pb 26.49 and Cu 44.98 mg/kg) compared with those of the referred forest soils. Soils at Cheonggye2ga street showed the highest heavy metal concentrations, and seemed to be related to heavy traffic and dense hardware stores. Tree ring width significantly decreased from 1979 through 2000 for both species. There were positive correlations between Cr, Pb and Cu concentrations in soils and tree ring layers for P. occidentalis and Ni for G. biloba. However, there were negative correlations between Cr concentration in tree ring layers and tree ring width for P. occidentalis, and Ni and Cu for G. biloba. Also there were no significant correlations between climatic factors in Seoul and tree ring width.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.191-197
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• 2009

In order to characterize the ecological traits of Q. mongolica, we treated the seedlings of this species with three environmental factors, light, moisture and nutrient gradients from March to October 2007, and measured morphological and ecological 17 characters. Lastly calculated ecological niche breadth and niche overlap between Q. mongolica-Q. acutissima and Q. mongolica-Q. variabilis, and analysed them with a special reference to ecological distribution pattern and their competition relationship in Korea. The ecological niche breadth of Q. mongolica showed the lowest in nutrient treatment, but the highest in soil moisture treatment. The ecological niche value under light was intermediate. On comparison of the ecological niche breadth of three oak species, Q. mongolica showed the highest in light environment, which might be a reason for the dominant distribution in the forest plant community, Korea. The ecological niche overlap of Q. mongolica-Q. acutissima and Q. mongolica-Q. varabilis was the widest in moisture treatment, but the narrowest in nutrient treatment and the intermediate in light one. These results means that these three oak species be most competitive in moisture environment than light or nutrient one, and that there are least differentiated among oak species for soil moisture condition. Cluster and PCA ordination showed that Q. mongolica and Q. acutissima were more closely arranged than Q. mongolica and Q. variabilis. From these results, it can be explained that Q. mongolica have more similar ecological niche with Q. acutissima than with Q. variabilis, consequently competition between Q. mongolica and Q. acutissima is intensive than Q. mongolica and Q. variabilis for environment condition, especially in soil moisture.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2014

Various ecosystem carry out fundamental function of material circulation and energy flow through interrelationship with many environmental factors. Therefore, it is crucial to scientifically understand the value of nature to deduce correlation between environmental factor and change of ecosystem function. In this study, we determined the accumulated ecosystem carbon and characteristics of soil respiration on grassland vegetation in Namahangang basin in Namhangang Basin. It was found that the rate of soil respiration was highly correlated with the soil temperature in all communities. The measured soil respiration rates were $1,539mgCO_2\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$, $1,200mgCO_2\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$, $1,215mgCO_2\;m^{-2}h^{-1}$ in Miscanthus sacchariflorus, Phragmites japonica, Salix koreensis communities, respectively. Also, carbon quantities accumulated in litter and soil layers were $40.6tCha^{-1}$ (1.9+38.7), $46.9tCha^{-1}$ (43.0+3.9), $31.2tCha^{-1}$ (28.9+2.3) in M. sacchariflorus, P. japonica, S. koreensis communities, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.218-224
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• 2021

This study was conducted to determine the mass-loss rates and the changes in carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio of dead woods, which were of following species: Dryobalanops aromatic, D. rappa, and Cratoxylum arborescens. These were dominant tree species in mixed Dipterocarp forests (MDF) and peat swamp forests (PSF) in Brunei Darussalam. In May, 2019, 48 dead wood samples (15 cm×4.8 cm×5 cm) were placed in MDF and PSF sites, and all the samples were collected after 16 months. The effects of species on mass loss were statistically significant (p<0.05); however, no difference was observed in the mass loss obtained from the two forest types (p>0.05). The initial density (g·cm^-3) of the dead woods D. aromatic, D. rappa, and C. arborescens, was 0.64±0.02, 0.60±0.00, and 0.44±0.01, respectively. Also the annual mass loss rate (%) was estimated to be 6.37, 8.17, and 18.53 for D. aromatic, D. rappa, and C. arborescens, respectively. The proportion of dead woods in decay class III was only 25% of C. arborescens samples, which were attacked by wood-feeding invertebrates, such as termites. The C/N ratio decreased significantly in D. aromatic and D. rappa, but the decreasing trend of C/N ratio was not statistically significant in C. arborescens. The results indicate that physical traits of dead woods, such as density, could be one of the main factors causing the decomposition of dead woods initially, as invertebrates such as termites are one of the key decomposers of dead wood in tropical rainforests. In the samples of C. arborescens, which was attacked by invertebrates, nitrogen immobilization occurred to lesser extent as compared to that observed in D. aromatic and D. rappa.