• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.193-199
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• 2023

Background: The least weasel (Mustela nivalis) holds the distinction of being the world's smallest carnivorous animal, yet its presence in South Korea has remained poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates the habitat preferences and distribution of the least weasel in South Korea. Results: Our study compiled presence data from various sources, including citizen reports, national surveys, and expert observations. The results confirmed the nationwide presence of the least weasel in mainland South Korea, with notable concentration regions such as Gangwon province. Among the various habitats, forest edges and forests emerged as the predominant choice, with over half of the documented locations situated within these environments, particularly in broadleaf forests. Additionally, the data reveal a year-round presence of the least weasel, with recorded cases occurring at varying levels throughout the year. Conclusions: Our research advances the understanding of least weasels in South Korea. Despite the relatively modest dataset, our results provide as a valuable resource for future conservation initiatives, emphasizing the significance of forested landscapes. Additionally, it assists in identifying priority areas for protection and management efforts. To secure the future of the least weasel in South Korea and beyond, further research, including long-term monitoring and genetic studies, is imperative.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2010

This study was conducted from April, 2002 to March 2006, using three urban streams(Gap Stream, Yudeung Stream and Daejeon Stream) in Daejeon Metropolitan City. 12,027 individual birds summed by the peak count in 126 species, 34 families, and 13 orders were observed from three stream sites. Dominant species were of Anas poecilorhyncha, Anas crecca, Columba livia, Passer montanus, and Egretta garzetta(in that order). The groups of birds were classified into six types. The most frequent group were the arbor birds(54 species), while the smallest group was the diving ducks(7 species). As for the number of individuals, the shrub bird group had 721 individuals while the dabbling ducks observed had 4,974 individuals. Regarding the distribution of birds appeareing in each stream, 14,885 individual numbers in 114 species were observed at Gap Stream, 6,642 individuals in 90 species at Yudeung Stream and 4,202 individuals in 69 species at Daejeon Stream. Various indices of the birds were analyzed with respects to the similarities between streams. Gap Stream had similar characteristics to Yudeung Stream, and the latter was similar to Daejeon Stream. However, Gap Stream and Daejeon Stream showed different characteristics. The dominance index of each section was calculated using ten dominant bird species top-down. Subsequently, the birds and their preferred environment were analyzed. The results showed that shrub birds and arbor birds preferred the upper stream of every stream, while herons and dabbling ducks inhabited the midstream. Dabbling ducks and some diving ducks appeared downstream.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2020

This study compared RGB color images with canopy light interception (LI) and leaf area index (LAI) measurements for low cost and low labor. LAI and LI were measured from vertical gap fraction derived from top of digital image in soybean canopy cover (cv Daewonkong, Deapongkong and Pungsannamulkong). RGB color images, LAI, and LI were collected from V4.5 stage to R5stage. Image segmentation was based on excess green minus excess red index (ExG-ExR). There was a linear relationship between LAI measured with LI (r²=0.84). There was alinear relation ship between LI measured with canopy cover on image (CCI) (r²=0.94). There was a significant positive relationship(r²=0.74) between LAI and CCI at all grow ingseason. Therefore, it is expected that in the future, the RGB color image could be able to easily measure the LAI and the LI at low cost and low labor.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.82 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 1993

Experiments were performed to find out the effects of simulated acid rain(SAR) of pH 4.0 or pH 2.5 for 12 weeks on stomatal resistance, wettability and anatomical changes in Quercus acutissima and Ginkgo biloba seedlings. As a control, distilled water with a pH 6.5 was also sprayed. Stomatal resistance of Q. acutissima and of G. biloba remarkably increased after exposure to SAR. SAR increased the wettability of Q. acutissima leaves measured with water blue solution and of G. biloba leaves measured by leaf contact angle method. Anatomical changes in the leaves of Q. acutissima affected by SAR were the partial damage of epidermis and parenchymatous cells. Scanning electron microscopical observation showed that the number of trichomes in the leaves of Q. acutissima treated with SAR markedly decreased and the erosion of epicuticular wax was significant. No distinct damage was found in the G. biloba leaves at pH 4.0, while epidermis and vascular tissue were collapsed at pH 2.5. No significant alteration of surface structures in this tree species was observed.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2014

Rice-barley double cropping system is typical in southwestern part of South Korea. However, the information of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) exchange for barley growing season has still limited in comparison with rice. Using the eddy covariance (EC) technique, seasonal variation of $CO_2$ exchange was analyzed for the barley growing season at a rice-barley double cropping field in Gimje, Korea. The effects of environmental factors and biomass on the $CO_2$ flux also were investigated. Quality control and gap-filling of flux data were conducted before this analysis and investigation. The results indicated that $CO_2$ uptake increased rapidly at tillering stage and maximum net ecosystem exchange of $CO_2$ (NEE) occurred at the early of May, 2012 ($-11.2gCm^{-2}d^{-1}$), when the heading of barley occurred. NEE, gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Re) during the barley growing season were -348.0, 663.3, and $315.2gCm^{-2}$, respectively. In this study, an attempt has been made to measure NEE, GPP, and Re with the help of the EC system for the barley growing season for the first time in Korea, focusing on $CO_2$ exchange between the biosphere and the atmosphere.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.273-281
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• 2013

Based on the results of continuous flux measurements at the Gimje paddy flux site in the southwestern coast of Korea, carbon dioxide and energy exchanges between customarily cultivated rice-barley double cropping paddy field and the atmosphere during the 2012 rice growing season (from $9^{th}$ Jun. 2012 through $20^{th}$ Oct. 2012) were analyzed. Carbon dioxide and energy (H, LE) fluxes were estimated by the eddy covariance method. Environmental parameters (net radiation, precipitation, etc.) and plant biomass (LAI, plant height, etc.) were measured along with fluxes. After the quality control and gap-filling, the observed fluxes were analyzed. The results have been showed that net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary production (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Re) during the rice cropping period were -277.1, 710.3, and 433.2 g C $m^{-2}$, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 2018

In terms of environmental friendly land use and objective environmental assessment, legislative assessment items of Environmental Conservation Value Assessment Map (ECVAM) consists of designated areas related to conservation and protection, and areas that are planned to be designated in the future. However, the gap with the reality due to omission of several protection areas and land use regulations, and assessment grades according to 3 division land use map of forest, agricultural land, and urbanized area, results in low application and utilization of ECVAM. Therefore in this study, the legislative assessment of the ECVAM was performed with new assessment items and its new ratings, to suggest an improvement in legislative assessment items of the ECVAM. As a result, legally protected areas of inhabited islands under absolute conservation, special wildlife protection districts, protected marine areas, environmental preservation sea areas, scenic spots, forest protection zone, traditional temple preservation zone, and 45 zone or district related to regulation of land use were additionally designated as new legislative assessment items. New grade ratings were given to each additional assessment items in consideration of the restrictions on acts. As a result of the legislative assessment based on the new assessment items and new grades, the 1st grade area increased by 3.47%, and the 2nd grade area increased by 19.35%. The 3rd grade area decreased by 8.54%, the 4th grade area increased by 2.95%, and 5th grade increased by 2.91%. In addition, the out-of-grade area decreased by 20.14%, considered to be a realistic assessment based on land use. With the improved legislative assessment, it is possible to provide a more accurate environmental assessment map. Increase usage of ECVAM is expected in providing regulations of land use and base data for integrated land management of land environmental planning.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.51-60
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• 2003

Rice, which occupies about 60% of the farmland in Korea, is a staple crop in Asia. It not only absorbs $CO_2$ from the atmosphere, but also emits carbon in a form of CH$_4$. It has a potential role in the global budget of greenhouse gases because of its relative contributions of carbon absorption and emission associated with changing hydrologic cycle. To better understand its current and future role, seasonal variations of energy and $CO_2$ exchange in this critical ecosystem need to be quantified. The purpose of this study was to measure, document and understand the exchange of energy and $CO_2$ in a typical rice paddy in Korea throughout the whole growing season. Since late April of 2002, we have conducted measurements of energy and $CO_2$ exchange in a rural rice paddy at Hari site, one of the Korea regional network of tower flux measurement (KoFlux). After the quality control and gap-filling, the observed fluxes were analyzed in the context of micrometeorology and biophysics. $CO_2$ and energy exchanges varied significantly with land cover changes (e.g., plant growth stages), in addition to changes in weather and climate conditions. This study, reporting first direct measurement of energy and $CO_2$ exchange over a rice paddy in Korea, would serve as a useful database as one of the reference sites in AsiaFlux and FLUXNET.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.337-347
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• 2016

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and methane ($CH_4$) were measured in a rice-barley double cropping and rice mono cropping paddy fields, which are located in the southwestern coast of Korea, over a one-year period. Net ecosystems $CO_2$ exchange (NEE) and ecosystem respiration (Re) were estimated by the eddy covariance (EC) method, and an automatic open/close chamber (AOCC) method was used to measure $CH_4$ fluxes. Environmental factors (solar radiation, air temperature, precipitation etc.) were also measured along with fluxes. After the quality control and gap-filling, the observed fluxes were analyzed. As a result, NEE was -603.0 and $-471.5g\;C\;m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$ in rice-barley double cropping and rice mono cropping paddy field, respectively. $CH_4$ emissions increased during the course of flooded days and were similar in two cropping paddy field. Accoding to rough results considering only fluxes of $CO_2$ and $CH_4$, it was estimated that the carbon absorbation in rice-barley double cropping paddy field was higher than that in rice mono cropping paddy field by $128.9g\;C\;m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.234-243
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• 2022

In Korea, hail damage occurs every year, and in the case of agriculture, it causes severe field crop and cultivation facility losses. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a hail information service system customized for Korea's primary production and crop-growing areas to minimize hail damage. However, the observation of hail is relatively more difficult than that of other meteorological variables, and the available data are also spatially and temporally variable. A hail information service system was developed to understand the temporal and spatial distribution of hail occurrence. As part of this, a hail observation database was established that integrated the observation data from Korea Meteorological Administration with the information from newspaper reports. Furthermore, a hail risk map was produced based on this database. The risk map presented the nationwide distribution and characteristics of hail showers from 1970 to 2018, and the northeastern region of South Korea was found to be relatively dangerous. Overall, hail occurred nationwide, especially in the northeast and some inland areas (Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Chungbuk province) and in winter, mainly on the north coast and some inland areas as graupel (small and soft hail). Analyzing the time of day, frequency, and hailstone size of hail shower occurrences by region revealed that the incidence of large hail stones (e.g., 10 cm at Damyang-gun) has increased in recent years and that showers occurred mainly in the afternoon when the updraft was well formed. By integrating multidisciplinary data, the temporal and spatial gap in hail data could be supplemented. The hail risk map produced in this study will be helpful for the selection of suitable crops and growth management strategies under the changing climate conditions.