• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2018

In this study, the distribution of sedimentary environment and benthic macro-fauna in habitats and non-habitats of Zostera marina were investigated. The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data about the sedimentary environment and benthic macro-fauna in the habitats and non-habitats of Z. marina. Sand was dominant within habitat environments, whereas the non-habitats were predominantly composed of silt. As a result, the habitats of Z. marina have a different grain size and organic matter content compared to the non-habitats. These differences in the sedimentary environment were expected to influence the species composition of benthic animals. Benthic communities in the habitats of Z. marina showed a higher density and a greater number of species than in the non-habitats. As a result of an ecological index evaluation, the species diversity index (H') was $3.44{\pm}0.10$ for the habitat; the non-habitat was analyzed as $2.34{\pm}0.35$. It was also found that the stability of community in the habitats was higher than that in the non-habitats. The cluster analysis also clearly showed that habitats and non-habitats of Z. marina have distinct characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-51
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• 2021

The purpose of this research is to develop the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) for habitat environments of Aix galericulata (A. galericulata) and Dendrocopos major (D. major), which tend to inhabit urban environments. A. galericulata and D. major are the keystone species representing the ecosystem of wetlands and forests. Based on the analysis of their urban habitat environments, this study selects artificially adjustable levels of the environmental index in order to produce the HSI model, which can be used when either restoring or creating the urban habitats for these species. To develop the HSI, we conducted field surveys at Jungnangcheon Stream, Changgyeonggung, Jangneung, Bangbae Neighborhood Park, Gildong Ecological Park, and Seodalsan Mountain. These surveys were conducted between April and August 2020, and this period includes the breeding season of both A. galericulata and D. major. Based on our findings from the surveys, we conclude that there are six SI factors for A. galericulata. These include (1) the presence of alluvial islands, (2) waterfront vegetation cover rate, (3) type of aquatic plants for food, (4) size of forest patch, (5) type of trees in nearby forests, and (6) connectivity of waterfront and forest. We also conclude that there are five SI factors for D. major, which include (1) size of forest patch, (2) rate of broadleaf trees in forest patches, (3) type of nesting trees, (4) diameter at breast height (DBH) of nesting trees, and (5) density of dead trees. The result of this research can provide future studies with useful guidance when both (1) comparing the habitat suitability of the target species in different environments and (2) restoring or creating habitats for these species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2008

This study was conducted to provide basic information that can be used to restore habitats of Nannophya pygmaea. Nannophya pygmaea is an endangered species of wildlife fauna in Korea and its habitats are distributed very scarcely in Korea. Ten wetland sites throughout Korea, where N. pygmaea inhabited (2 sites in Incheon Muui-do, 1 site in Gokseong Singi-ri, 4 sites in Gokseong Wolbong-ri, and 3 sites in Mungyeong Yulsu-ri) were investigated from June 2006 to August 2007. Investigation was made on landscape properties, habitat sizes, vegetation types, water environments, and water sources. N. pygmaea was generally found in the abandoned paddy fields surrounded by mountains. The habitats ranged from $113.4m^2$ to $1,153.1m^2$ in area, and were mostly dominated by Juncus effusus and Persicaria thunbergii. The water level was $2.6\sim7.3cm$, and the water temperature ranged from $16^{\circ}C$ to $27.8^{\circ}C$. The elevation of the habitats ranged from 139 to 243 m above sea level, which was mostly lower than that of other high mountain wetland habitats. In conclusion, the habitats of N. pygmaea can be restored at wetlands, which have similar condition with field habitat such as abandoned paddy fields in the beginning stage of oligotrophy. Because N. pygmaea is sensitive to microtopography and other surrounding environments, the approach to restore the habitats for N. pygmaea should consider those microhabitat conditions shown in this study.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1087-1095
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• 2012

The investigation was made about distribution and ecological characteristics of host plant for Phellinus linteus at habitats in Gangwon-Do. The habitats of P. linteus are the place where the fog is much generated and there is lots of the moisture. The flora of the vascular plants in P. linteus habitats were consisted of 76 taxa; 62 species, 10 varieties and 4 formas of 62 genera of 40 families. The plants of infiltration type were found 70% around P. linteus habitats. This results shows that the natural environments of P. linteus habitat is very stable condition. The categories of vegetation were classified into two types. The host plant for P. linteus appeared 61.6% from Populus tomentiglandulosa. The first type showed up above the sea about 600m and west exposure region. The second type was investigated around the facing north region of the steep slope-land.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.436-444
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• 2023

Aspergillus species play a crucial role in terrestrial environments as degraders and are well known for producing various secondary metabolites. Recently, Aspergillus species have been discovered in marine environments, exhibiting adaptability to high salinity and producing diverse secondary metabolites with valuable properties. However, limited research has focused on their marine diversity, leading to inaccurate species identification. The current study addresses this gap by investigating diverse marine habitats in the Republic of Korea, including sediment, seawater, seaweed, and marine animals. From three coasts of the Korean Peninsula, 472 Aspergillus strains were isolated from the various marine habitats. A total of 41 species were accurately identified using multigenetic markers: internal transcribed spacer, calmodulin, and b-tubulin. The findings underscore the importance of accurate identification and provide a basis for elucidating the functional role of marine-derived Aspergillus species in marine ecosystems.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.30-32
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• 1998

Growth environments of Cypripedium macranthum Sw. habitats distributed in mountains and highland plains of northern part of Kyunggi-do and Kangwon-do in Korea, were studied in order to obtain basic data. Mean temperature in habitats of Cypripedium macranthum was $14^{\circ}C$ and minimum value was recorded $-7^{\circ}C$ in January, and maximum value was $28^{\circ}C$ in August. Mean soil temperature of the orchid sites was $11^{\circ}C$ and minimum value was $-4^{\circ}C$ in January. The light intensity from March to May was 48,000~51,400 lux and the lowest value was 11,500 lux in July. Light intensity in shade habitat sites from July to August was dropped to 470~865 lux, and the SPAD value was 34.3 in July, which was the highest of the year. The range of soil acidity was pH 5.6~5.8 and soil moisture was 16.4%~36.2%. The highest soil moisture was 36.2% on June. The Cypripedium habitats were correlated with temperature (especially high temperature), light intensit, and soil moisture. However, critical factor seems to be soil moisture in distribution of Cypripedium macranthum in Korea.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2013

Cicuta virosa is an endangered species in Korea, which is a southern marginal area. To conserve and restore habitats of this plant, we investigated water and soil environmental characteristics and vegetation at four habitats during the growing season. The C. virosa habitats differed in community structure, water and substrate properties, and water regime. Although the total distribution ranges of the water and soil environments for C. virosa were wide and overlapped with the optimal environmental range of distribution of accompanying species, the optimal water level range for C. virosa was defined as $7{\pm}3.5$ cm. Water level was adjusted by substrate structure such as a mound of P. japonica and a floating mat comprised of accompanying species. A floating mat was an aid to maintain an optimal and stable water level in deep or fluctuating water and to prevent strong competition with prolific macrophytes. The GS sampling site, which had floating mats, could be a good model for C. virosa conservation in a warm temperate region, whereas the PC sampling sites, which experienced a water shortage in spring, provided a clue about the decline in C. virosa population size.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.297-309
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the differences in sedimentary environments and benthic polychaete communities between farming grounds and natural habitats (non-farming ground) in Gamak Bay. Sampling stations of natural habitats were evenly distributed in the entire bay. And mussel farm, oyster farm and ark-shell farm were selected as farming grounds. Dominant sedimentary facies was mud in most sampling stations of farming grounds and natural habitats. However organic contents were higher in the farming grounds than natural habitats of the bay. The species number and mean density of polychaetous community in the natural habitats were greater than those from the farming grounds. Lumbrineris longifolia, known as potential organic enrichment indicator species, was first dominant species both in farming grounds and natural habitats of the bay. However, the next dominant species consisted of different species between two benthic habitats. As a result of community analysis using cluster analysis and nMDS, the natural habitats were divided into several station groups, but most of stations in farming grounds were clustered into one group. Pearson' correlation analysis and PCA showed high relationships between sedimentary environmental factors and benthic polychaetous community in natural habitats, but low or no relationships in farming grounds. That means benthic polychaetous community established in farming ground was under unusual condition such as high input of organic matter. Thus it is necessary to improve the benthic environmental quality of the farming grounds as well as the north-western inner part in Gamak Bay through long-term monitoring efforts.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2023

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is an apex predator of the riparian ecosystem. It is a keystone and an indicator species; consequently, its presence suggests a sustainable water environment. Otter is a keystone species as a predator at the top of the food web in the aquatic environment and an indicator species representing the health of the aquatic environment. Although Eurasian otters disappeared from the Han River urban water system because of anthropogenic activities like habitat destruction, poaching, and environmental pollution in the 1980s, the species were sighted in the Cheonggye Stream, Jungrang Stream, and Seongnae Stream, which are urban sections of the Han River, in 2016 and 2021. Therefore, it is pertinent to assess the habitat potential in the area for conservation and management measures to ensure its permanent presence. However, existing studies on otter habitats focused on natural rivers and reservoirs, and there is a limit to applying them to habitats artificially confined habitats in narrow spaces such as tributaries in urban areas of the Han River. This study selected the Cheonggye Stream, an artificially restored urban stream, to evaluate its potential as a habitat for Eurasian otters in urban water environments using the habitat suitability index (HSI). The HSI was calculated with selected environment attributes, such as the cover, food, and threat, that best describe the L. lutra habitat. According to the results, the confluence area of Seongbuk Stream and Cheonggye Stream and the confluence area of Cheonggye Stream and Jungnang Stream were suitable otter habitats, requiring appropriate conservation efforts. The HSI model suggests a valuable method to assess the habitat quality of Eurasian otters in urban water environments. The study is crucial as it can help rehabilitate the species' populations by identifying and managing potential Eurasian otter habitats in highly urbanized areas of the Han River basin and its tributaries.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.25-56
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• 2006

We reviewed and compared nationwide surveys conducted in advanced countries (i.e., Japan, Germany, USA, and UK) with those in Korea, including the third Nationwide Survey of Natural Environments, which began in 2006 and will proceed until 2010. Based on this comparative analysis, we suggest alternatives to the nationwide survey of natural environments that are suited to Korea. Given the focus on species abundances and distributions in previous nationwide surveys in Korea, surveys of habitats, ecosystems, and ecoregions are required to more effectively protect biological resources in Korea. Furthermore, their spatial distributions should be mapped using periodical satellite images and aerial photographs. In particular, satellite images can be used to survey species, habitats, and ecosystems. Natural resources monitoring and management specialists are needed to collect various data and improve survey results. The participation of community volunteers is also important to develop an awareness in local residents of natural environment conservation. Independent survey institute (i.e., a 'National Ecosystem Institute') should be established to develop a database and survey scheme for species, habitats, and ecosystems throughout Korea. Moreover, the survey institute could develop natural environmental policy through the data analysis to meet the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The establishment of a survey institute will allow the completion of a natural environment survey that considers various factors, including physical habitat conditions. This will allow us to detect subtle changes in species abundance and spatial distributions and provide accurate and timely information on natural environments.