• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2017

Nine strains of high concentrations of salt-tolerant bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of the halophyte plant Suaeda japonica grown in Gochang Buan tidal flat. The isolated bacteria were classified as genera Vibrio (strains JRS-1, -2, -3, -4, and -5, and JRL-1 and -4) and Bacillus (strains JRL-2 and -3) based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The optical growth condition for salt concentration was examined on the selected, representative strains. Strain JRS-1 with the closest relative of Vibrio neocaledonicus showed the highest growth rate at the total salt concentration of 6% among the incubation conditions of 3-8% salt concentrations. Strain JRL-2 with the closest relative of Bacillus thuringiensis showed the tendency that growth rate increased with increasing salt concentrations and the maximum growth rate at 7% of the total salt concentration. The isolated bacteria showed salt-resistances to higher salt concentrations than their habitat soils with 3%. In addition, we identified evidences of potentially plant interaction-relevant enzymatic activities, from utilization of some substrates rich in plants, such as triglyceride, ${\rho}$-nitrophenyl-${\alpha}$,$\text\tiny{D}$-glucoside, and ${\rho}$-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$,$\text\tiny{D}$-glucoside.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.80-92
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• 2015

Some of alien plants, which were introduced from foreign countries, have caused problems in Korea. Invasion of these alien plants in the ecosystem threatens the habitat of endemic species, reducing biodiversity, and causing a disturbance in the ecological system. In urbanized areas of campus universities, a diverse range of organisms were found and a comparison between the sites, near roads or housing sites were made because the campuses provided a large biotope. Although the campus had been exposed to interferences like gardening, it was also a place for most organisms to live in an active floating population due to free access. This research investigated the flora of alien plants that appeared in Beakseok University, Sangmyung University, Hoseo University and Dankook University, and relationship between the distribution of alien plants and the campus and green areas and distance from the highway. The total number of plant species and naturalized species found in the four universities was 189 and 43 species. Those of Dankook University were 136 and 35 species, Hoseo 108 and 25 species, Sangmyung 103 and 31 species, and Baekseok 97 and 26 species, respectively. The abundance of natural plants for each respective university tended to be higher as it became closer to the highway. Also, the closer the walking distance to the university, the greater the tendency for the degree of similarity to be higher. As a result, we may conclude that the distribution of alien plants and anthropogenic activities may be closely related.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2019

Biological factors (e.g. microorganism activity) in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) play essential roles for degradation and/or removal of organic matters. In this study, to understand the microbial functional roles in WWTP, we tried to isolate and characterize a bacterial strain from activated sludge sample. Strain S16 was isolated from the activated sludge of a municipal WWTP in Daejeon metropolitan city, the Republic of Korea. The cells were a Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, facultative anaerobe, and rod-shaped. Strain S16 grew at a temperature of $15{\sim}40^{\circ}C$ (optimum, $30^{\circ}C$), with 0~9.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0~2.0%), and at pH 5.5~9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0~7.5). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S16 was most closely related to the unique species Miniimonas arenae NBRC $106267^T$ (99.79%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) of the genus Miniimonas. The cell wall contained alanine, glutamic acid, serine, and ornithine. Although the isolation source of the type strain NBRC $106267^T$ which considered as a marine microorganism is sea sand, that of strain S16 is terrestrial environment. It might raise an ecological question for habitat transition. Therefore, comparative genome analysis will be valuable investigation for shedding light on their potential metabolic traits and genomic streamlining.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.60-88
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the vertical distribution and vascular plants in the Gakho mountain. Form the results of three field surveys from May 2022 to September 2022, a total of 478 total taxa, representing 426 species, 11 subspecies, 35 varieties, four forms, and two hybrids were identified, which were categorized in 282 genera and 94 families. We identified the elevational distribution ranges of 398 taxa of vascular plants. Among them, 19 taxa were endemic to Korea, one taxon was identified as a rare plant. The floristic target plants amounted to 72 taxa, specifically two taxa of grade V, two taxa of grade IV, 16 taxa of grade III, 27 taxa of grade II, and 25 taxa of grade I. Further, 71 taxa were identified as northern lineage plants. A total of 19 taxa of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 4.0%, an Urbanization Index of 6.6%, and three plants that disturbed the ecosystem. The result of analyzing the pattern of species richness showed a reversed hump shape with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between adjacent elevation sections that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Warmth index in the Gakho mountain ranged from 57.2℃·month to 84.2℃·month. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants and valuable information on elevational distribution ranges of current plant species in the Gakho mountain, which could serve as a baseline for comparison of the shifts in elevation under future climate change.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.174-181
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• 2024

This study examines the community characteristics of fish species collected by fyke net from the eastern coastal waters of Yeosu, Korea, during the period from 2020 to 2021. A total of 4,539 fish were sampled and classified into 43 species, 28 families, and 7 orders. The dominant species included Mugil cephalus (14.4%), Konosirus punctatus (10.9%), Lateolabrax japonicus (8.3%), Acanthopagrus schlegelii (7.9%), and Pennahia argentata (7.2%). The diversity index was highest in October (H'=2.888) and lowest in February (H'=2.075). Furthermore, the dominance index was highest in March (DI=0.524) and lowest in December (DI=0.178). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that fish communities could be divided into three groups based on Bray-Curtis similarity. Group 1, consisting mainly of species collected from June to October, formed one cluster. Group 2, including winter spawning species such as Pseudopleuronectes yokohamae, Clupea pallasii, and Hexagrammos otakii, sampled from November to February, formed another cluster. Group 3, which included species such as Larimichthys polyactis, Amblychaeturichthys hexanema, and Sebastes inermis, formed a cluster collected from March to May. The eastern coast of Yeosu is considered a suitable habitat for fisheries resources, including highly economically valuable species, and it is also assumed to be an important spawning and nursery ground for many fish species.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.222-234
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• 2019

Fish community characteristics and habitat aspects of endangered species, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa and Acheilognathus signifer were investigated in the Hwayangcheon Stream of Songnisan National Park, a tributary of the Hangang River, Korea from April to October 2018. During this period, there were 29 species of 8 families collected from 11 survey stations using kick nets, cast nets long bag set nets. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco koreanus (38.81%) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (16.64%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Z. platypus (14.28%), Pungtungia herzi (6.92%), Hemibarbus longirostris (4.52%), Pseudogobio esocinus (3.51%), A. signifer (2.31%) and P. tenuicorpa (1.90%). Among the fish collected, 18 species (62.1%) were Korean endemic species. Endangered species were A. signifer, P. tenuicorpa and Gobiobotia brevibarba. From upstream to downstream, the dominance index has gradually decreased, but number of species and individuals, diversity and evenness has gradually increased. Also, river health (index of biological integrity) is assessed as good (St. 1~8) and very good (St. 9~11). Fish communities were divided into four sections by the similarity index based on species and their numbers, i.e., upper section (St. 1~2, 4~5), upper-middle section (St. 3, 6), middle section (St. 7~9) and lower section (St. 10~11). Endangered species, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa inhabited in mostly lower section (St. 10~11) with rock and boulder bottoms, and age groups in April estimated from total length indicated that the 44~61 mm group is 1 year old, the 66~81 mm group is 2 years old, the 88~99 mm group is 3 years old, and the 104~107 mm group is more than 4 years old. Also, endangered species, A. signifer inhabited in middle-lower section (St. 7~11) with boulder and cobble bottoms and slow velocity, which the place inhabited by water plants. Meanwhile, their age structure in April estimated from total length indicated that the 30~43 mm group is 1 year old, the 48~58 mm group is 2 years old, the 62~77 mm group is 3 years old, and the 84~100 mm group is more than 4 years old. The sex ratio of female (47) to male (42) was 1 : 0.89.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.327-343
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to perform community analysis and biological assessment of water quality using benthic macroinvertebrate from Wangpi-cheon watershed which is defined as conservation areas of ecosystem and landscape by ministry of environment in Korea. Field survey of the study area was carried out 2 times from June to September in 2012. As a result of the field survey, total 155 species of benthic macroinvertebrates in 74 families, 15 orders, 7 classes and 5 phyla were collected. The findings of community analysis using the classified species and individuals showed relatively low DI(Dominant Index) value of 0.22 and very high value of average H'(Diversity index) as 4.24. And the analyzed results of SI(Similarity Index) according to habitat types using functional feeding groups showed higher values of 94.51% and 93.19% respectively to tributary and main stream after the designation of conservation areas of ecosystem and landscape. These results infer that various species and lots of individual are widely distributed at Wangpi-cheon watershed and stream ecosystem of the study area is healthy and well maintained after the designation of conservation areas. And also, the calculated EPT value was 62.9% as high enough to explain the cleanness of Wangpi-cheon watershed. We evaluated environmental condition and biological water quality by using ESB(Ecological Score of Benthic macroinvertebrate community) and KSI(Korean Saprobic Index). The average evaluated ESB shows very high value of 208.2, therefore Wangpi-cheon watershed is designated as 'First priority protection waters' area and the value of KSI is 0.32 which meets the saprobic water quality standard as 'First class'.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.241-254
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• 2020

Three introduced fish species, Japanese white crucian carp (Carassius cuvieri Temminck and Schlegel, 1846), bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacepède, 1802) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, 1819), are dominant fishes in Korean freshwater ecosystem. In this study, we analyzed habitat environment conditions of these three species and their impacts to fish communities in streams across South Korea. Fish community data were obtained from the database of the Stream/River Ecosystem Survey and Health Assessment program maintained by the Ministry of Environment and the National Institute of Environmental Research, Korea. Our results showed that species richness and Shannon diversity of fish were higher at the presence sites of introduced fish than at the absence sites. However, when the abundance of these introduced fish species was increased, the species richness and abundance of fish were decreased. An association analysis showed that the introduced fish species had a low similarity in their appearance with some indigenous fishes such as Siniperca scherzeri and Channa argus and some endemic fishes of Korea such as Zacco koreanus, Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae, and Acheilognathus yamatsutae. In addition, the introduced fish species had a low appearance similarity with a large number of fishes in their association networks. Finally, our results presented that these introduced fish species influenced the negative impacts to the stream fish communities, and they were potential risk factors for fish community in Korean freshwater ecosystem. Therefore, it is necessary that continuous monitoring and establishment of management strategy for introduced fish species to preserve fish resource and biodiversity in the Korean streams.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.381-391
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of artificial disturbances occurring during water conveyance frequency on benthic macro-invertebrate by comparing and analyzing data before and after the construction of Boryeong dam in Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do. We conducted the survey eight times in four points from April 2016 to September 2017. A total of 13,447 individuals from 125 species, 70 families, 19 orders, 7 classes, and 4 phyla were collected. The result of the community analysis showed that the dominant index was 0.55 (${\pm}0.07$) to 0.47 (${\pm}0.08$), diversity index was 2.06 (${\pm}0.26$) to 2.23 (${\pm}0.28$), evenness index was 0.69 (${\pm}0.05$) to 0.70 (${\pm}0.04$), and richness index was 3.43 (${\pm}0.72$) to 4.03 (${\pm}0.91$). After conveyance, the dominance decreased while the diversity, evenness, and richness increased. The result of the functional group analysis showed the portion of scrapers, filtering-collectors increased while that of shredders, gathering-collectors decreased in the functional feeding group and that the proportion of climbers and clingers increased while that of burrowers and sprawlers decreased in the habitat orientation group. The result of analysis of community stability showed that St. 1 and St. 2 decreased resistance and resilience after conveyance and new species appeared in the III characteristics group while St. 3 and St. 4 did not show much difference. The result of multidimensional scaling analysis showed that the variation of similarity was the highest at St. 1 after conveyance, and the variation of similarity at St. 4 was the lowest.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.68-80
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• 2021

This study aimed to provide basic data such as the structure of the Carpinus turczaninowii community and characteristics of the habitat environment for ex situ conservation by analyzing the plant community structure of Carpinus turczaninowii, an island plant resource. For the community structure analysis, this study established 29 plots, sized 100㎡ each, in Seokmo, Yeongjong, Yeongheung, and Daebu islands. TWINSPAN was used for the classification of communities. The classification identified six communities. Group I was the C. turczaninowii-Quercus serrata community, group II was the C. turczaninowii-Pinus densiflora community, group III was the C. turczaninowii-Quercus mongolica community, group IV was the C. turczaninowii-Sorbus alnifolia community, group V was the C. turczaninowii typical community, and group VI was the C. turczaninowii-Quercus variabilis community. The species diversity was 0.90008~1.12868, the dominance was 0.17536~0.25665, and the similarity index was 17.1429~38.2979%. The result of correlation analysis of 7 environmental factors for 6 communities by RDA ordination showed a positive correlation between the crown density and litter layer and a negative correlation between the bare rock, soil hardness, and altitude on the 1st axis. On the 2nd axis, the bare rock and crown density showed a positive correlation, and the slope showed a negative correlation. In the C. turczaninowii-Quercus serrata community (I), the crown density and the litter layer were the environmental factors affecting the vegetation distribution. In the C. turczaninowii-Pinus densiflora (II) and C. turczaninowii-Quercus mongolica (III) communities, the slope was the factor affecting vegetation distribution. In the C. turczaninowii-Sorbus alnifolia (IV), C. turczaninowii typical (V), and C. turczaninowii-Quercus variabilis (VI) communities, the bare rock, altitude, and soil hardness were the factors affecting vegetation distribution.