• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-125
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• 2013

In this research, a habitat model for Chinemys reevesii is suggested based on the components and variables of the Habitat Suitability Index which was determined through a series of literature researches, site surveys, and behavioral analysis. After reviewing the general habitat requirements, the site surveys(9 reservoirs) from July to December 2010, and the behavioral analysis of five Chinemys reevesii, the relationship between the behavioral and habitat use pattern was evaluated. According to the site surveys and behavioral analysis, the ecological core area(FK 50%) was about 0.96ha on average, the influence area(FK 90%) 4.22ha, and the home range was about $37.75{\pm}17.26m$ on average. As for the habitat use pattern of Chinemys reevesii, it travels through canals, and is influenced by the surrounding land uses. Also when there is a lack of food, the home range increases, and during hibernation, Chinemys reevesii prefers to be in an area within 1~2m range of water shores of fine textured soil and aquatic plants. After analyzing the information, the HSI standard was set and its components were determined as food, sunbathing and cover, aquatic environment, and spatial relationships. And the variables and the ranges of the components was determined as aquatic plant cover(0~49.81%), sandy area($3{\sim}13m^2$) and water velocity(0~60cm/s) etc. Lastly, plans and sections of the habitat model is provided designed according to the information from the researches, and problems to consider during habitat restoration was suggested in order to help understand about Chinemys reevesii habitat.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2020

Background: Determining patterns of habitat use is key to understanding of animal ecology. Approximately 1% of bird species use brood parasitism for their breeding strategy, in which they exploit other species' (hosts) parental care by laying eggs in their nests. Brood parasitism may complicate the habitat requirement of brood parasites because they need habitats that support both their host and their own conditions for breeding. Brood parasitism, through changes in reproductive roles of sex or individual, may further diversify habitat use patterns among individuals. However, patterns of habitat use in avian brood parasites have rarely been characterized. In this study, we categorized the habitat preference of a population of brood parasitic lesser cuckoos (Cuculus poliocephalus) breeding on Jeju Island, Korea. By using compositional analyses together with radio-tracking and land cover data, we determined patterns of habitat use and their sexual and diurnal differences. Results: We found that the lesser cuckoo had a relatively large home range and its overall habitat composition (the second-order selection) was similar to those of the study area; open areas such as the field and grassland habitats accounted for 80% of the home range. Nonetheless, their habitat, comprised of 2.54 different habitats per hectare, could be characterized as a mosaic. We also found sexual differences in habitat composition and selection in the core-use area of home ranges (third-order selection). In particular, the forest habitat was preferentially utilized by females, while underutilized by males. However, there was no diurnal change in the pattern of habitat use. Both sexes preferred field habitats at the second-order selection. At the third-order selection, males preferred field habitats followed by grasslands and females preferred grasslands followed by forest habitats. Conclusions: We suggest that the field and grassland habitats represent the two most important areas for the lesser cuckoo on Jeju Island. Nevertheless, this study shows that habitat preference may differ between sexes, likely due to differences in sex roles, sex-based energy demands, and potential sexual conflict.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2024

This study used a GPS tracker to determine characteristics of wintering habitat use by black-tailed gulls on the west coast of Korea. Results of this study showed a southward movement in December and a northward movement in March. The wintering habitat was confirmed to include the southwest coastal island area (Group 1), the inland coastal area (Group 2), and China (Group 3). The wintering home range was the narrowest in October and the widest in December. Home range of Group 1 was increased from November, showing the maximum in December, decreased in February, and then tended to increase again in March. Group 2 showed the widest home range in November and a narrow range of home range from December. Home range of Group 3 showed a mixed pattern of group 1 and group 2. The flight rate was the lowest in January and the highest in March. Day and night flight rates showed significant differences by month. This study identified wintering characteristics of the West Coast population of black-tailed gulls on the West Coast, including their wintering areas, migration periods, and use patterns. These wintering characteristics of black-tailed gull in the west coast area are thought to be affected by environmental factors (such as food resources and fishing activities) and geographical characteristics of the West Coast where many islands are distributed.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.3-13
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• 2010

The Tsushima leopard cat, Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus, a small felid, inhabits only the Tsushima Islands in Japan. Previous studies of the Tsushima leopard cat revealed that natural factors; including sex, reproductive activity, season, and prey distribution and abundance affect leopard cat home range variation and habitat use. In this study, we focused on clarifying how anthropogenic factors influenced home range variation and habitat use of a male Tsushima leopard cat living near a suburban area in January, March, May and September 2005 using radio-tracking. The home range size (100% MCP) of this cat was $0.78\;{\pm}\;0.26\;km^2$ (mean ${\pm}$ SD, n = 4 tracking sessions) across the whole study period. However, the cat did not use all parts of its home range uniformly; rather it used some habitat types selectively. The cat avoided agriculture areas and residential areas in all of the tracking-sessions. On the other hand, the cat showed a weak preference for artificial structures and a strong preference for baiting sites in January and March, while it avoided them in May, and no baiting site was included in its home range in September. These results suggest that anthropogenic factors influenced the ranging patterns and habitat use of the leopard cat living near a suburban area. Artificial structures might provided good resting spaces for the cat in bad weather. When the density of its main prey was low in the winter, the cat tended to rely on artificial prey and had a small home range size.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.179-190
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• 2019

In this study, a fish survey was conducted to investigate the habitat status of black shinner (Pseudopungtungia nigra) designated as endangered species level from the lower part of Yongdam Dam to the upper part of Daecheong Dam. Biodiversity analysis was performed on the basis of the number of fish emerged, and biological health and physical habitat environment were quantitatively analyzed using collected P. nigra. According to the survey, the habitat range of P. nigra was found from Banguri-myeon, Buri-myeon, Geumsan-gun, downstream of Yongdam Dam. The biodiversity analysis results of all species appeared to be low in overall dominance index and relatively high in species diversity and uniformity index. In addition, P. nigra collected in this study was confirmed to have normal growth and nutritional status by the full-length-weighted relativities and condition factor. The physical habitat environment of P. nigra was 0.3 - 0.6 m in depth, 0.3 - 0.7 m/s in flow rate, and bed materials showed high frequency of occurrence in the range of cobbles (64.0 - 256.0 mm) to boulders (>256.0 mm). These results are expected to be used as data for habitat restoration and management in the future as basic data on the spatial range and preferred physical habitat environment of P. nigra in Geumgang.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.115-126
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• 2023

Understanding the carrying capacity of a habitat is crucial for effectively managing populations of wild boars (Sus scrofa), which are designated as harmful wild animal species in national parks. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size supported by a park's environmental conditions. This study aimed to estimate the appropriate wild boar population size by integrating population characteristics and habitat suitability for wild boars in the Bukhansan National Park using the HexSim program. Population characteristics included age, survival, reproduction, and movement. Habitat suitability, which reflects prospecting and resource acquisition, was determined using the Maximum Entropy model. This study found that the optimal population size for wild boar ranged from 217 to 254 individuals. The population size varied depending on the amount of resources available within the home range, indicating fewer individuals in a larger home range. The estimated wild boar population size was 217 individuals for the minimum amount of resources (50% minimum convex polygon [MCP] home range), 225 individuals for the average amount of resources (95% MCP home range), and 254 individuals for the maximum amount of resources (100% MCP home range). The results of one-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in wild boar population size based on the amount of resources within the home range. These findings provide a basis for the development and implementation of effective management strategies for wild boar populations.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.199-203
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• 2022

The spring home range and habitat use of the spot-billed duck in Korea were studied using GPS-mobile phone-based telemetry (WT-300). The study areas were Anseong-si, Seosan-si, Nonsan-si, and Sejong-si. Analysis was performed using minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel density estimation (KDE) spot-billed ducks had an average home range of 70.28 km² (standard deviation [SD]=84.50, n=6), and a core habitat (50%) 2.66 km² (SD=2.60, n=6), according to MCP and KDE, respectively. Wetlands (41.5%) and rice fields (35.7%) were highly used as habitats. The rice field use rate was high during the day, and the wetland utilization rate was high at night. Rice fields and wetlands were the primary habitats in spring.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2021

We investigated habitat use and home range of a rescued and released white-naped crane using GPS tracking technology in Cheorwon, South Korea, from October 2016 to March 2017. Four types of roosting sites were identified: frozen reservoirs, paddy fields, rivers, and wetlands. Upon arrival, the white-naped crane preferred wetlands in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). In late wintering season, it showed a tendency to change main roosting sites in the following order: rice paddies, rivers, and frozen reservoirs. Among 14 sleeping places, Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) with various type of available habitats was more preferred than the DMZ. Places outside of CCZ were rarely used due to anthropogenic disturbances during the night. The tracked white-naped crane widely chose daytime feeding sites while moving around all over rice paddies in the CCZ. Mean diurnal movement distance was 10.5 km with a maximum of 24.8 km. Its home range measured with Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) was 172.30 km² with MCP, 159.60 km² with KDE 95%, 132.48 km² with KDE 90%, and 42.45 km² with KDE 50%. All estimated values of home ranges were higher in the early and later winter than those in the middle period.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.221-234
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• 2023

This study was conducted to develop a habitat assessment system for the endangered wildlife II Kirengeshoma koreana Nakai through in-depth interviews with experts based on field surveys and environmental characteristics through spatial data analysis and literature research. Evaluation factors were selected based on the survey results of 31 variables for 23 K. koreana habitats. Afterwards, the importance and evaluation range for each assessment factor were selected. The selection of survey variables, assessment factors, importance of each factor and assessment range was conducted through in-depth interviews with experts at each stage. As a result, the assessment factors and importance were 16% for precipitation of the wettest month, 10% for vegetation zone, 12% for vegetation type, 10% for crown canopy vitality, 14% for tree layer coverage, 13% for drainage grade, 12% for soil depth, and 13% for distance to stream including dry stream. This study provides basic ecological information and a habitat assessment system for K. koreana habitats. Therefore, it can be used as primary data for preparing an endangered wildlife conservation policy, preparing a habitat improvement plan, and selecting an alternative habitat.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.397-408
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to identify the home range and habitat using pattern of the native species, Mauremys reevesii, and the exotic species, Trachemys scripta elegans, and to analyze the mutual competition relationship of the two species. This study was conducted at the Goldfish square pond, which is located in the upper part of the valley of Cheonggye mountain from August 2, 2010 to January 30, 2011. We used the three artificially proliferating M. reevesii and three T. scripta elegans which were inhabited in the ponds and reservoirs for monitoring study after attaching the transmitter to each of them. We measured the home range and the habitat utilization radius of three individuals of each species and the environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and soil and water temperature around the Goldfish square pond. As our results, it was analyzed that the M. reevesii and T. scripta elegans have a redundant ecological positions in various aspects such as limited sunbathing places, food resource utilization, hibernation place, etc. We also found that the relatively small M. reevesii was being pushed out of the competition by the relatively big. Further investigation of food competition and habitat utilization should be necessary for these two species for the natural habitats, their home range, food competition, and habitat utilization. The result of this study will be the basic data M. reevesii's restoration project.