• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.687-693
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• 2018

The active development of the global marine trade industries has been known to increase the inflows of marine invasive species and harmful organisms into the ecosystem, and the marine ecological disturbances. One of these invasive species, Ciona robusta, has now spread to the Korea Strait, the East Sea, and Jeju Island in connection with the climate change but not the Yellow Sea in Korea. Currently, the spread and distribution of C. robusta is increasingly damaging aquaculture and related facilities. Therefore, this study aims to identify the spread of C. robusta and potential habitats and to secure a data for the prevention of effective management measures due to climate change as well as damage the reduction in future through the prediction of spread. We used environmental variables in BioOracle. Also, the potential habitat and distribution of C. robusta was predicted using MaxEnt, a species distribution model. Two different RCP scenarios(4.5 and 8.5) were specified to predict the future distributions of C. robusta. The results showed that the biggest environmental factor affecting the distribution of C. robusta was the salinity as well as the highest distribution and potential habitats existent in the East Sea and around Jeju Island.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.29-45
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• 2022

For biodiversity conservation, the importance of beta-diversity which is changes in the composition of species according to environmental changes has become emphasized. However, given the systematic investigation of species distribution and the accumulation of large amounts of data in the Republic of Korea(ROK), research on the spatialization of beta-diversity using them is insufficient. Accordingly, this research investigated the applicability of the Generalized Dissimilarity Modeling(GDM) to ROK, which can predict and map the similarity of compositional turnover (beta-diversity) based on environmental variables. A brief overview of the statistical description on using GDM was presented, and a model was fitted using the flora distribution data(410,621points) from the National Ecosystem Survey and various environmental spatial data including climate, soil, topography, and land cover. Procedures and appropriated spatial units required to improve the explanatory power of the model were presented. As a result, it was found that geographical distance, temperature annual range, summer temperature, winter precipitation, and soil factors affect the dissimilarity of the vegetation community composition. In addition, as a result of predicting the similarity of vegetation composition across the nation, and classifying them into 20 and 100 zones, the similarity was high mainly in the central inland area, and tends to decrease toward the mountainous areas, southern coastal regions, and island including Jeju island, which means the composition of the vegetation community is unique and beta diversity is high. In addition, it was identified that the number of common species between zones decreased as the geographic distance between zones increased. It classified the spatial distribution of plant community composition in a quantitative and objective way, but additional research and verification are needed for practical application. It is expected that research on community-level biodiversity modeling in the ROK will be conducted more actively based on this study.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.99-99
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• 2022

Jeju island has a humid subtropical climate and this climate zone is expected to migrate northward toward the main land, Korea Peninsula, as temperature increases are accelerated. Vegetation type has been inevitably shifted along with the climatic change, having more subtropical species native in southeast Asia or even in Africa. With the forest composition shift, it becomes more important than ever to analyze the water balance of the forest wihth the ongoing as well as upcoming climate change. Here, we implemented the Ecosystem Demography Biosphere Model (ED2) by initializing the key variables using forest inventory data (diameter at breast height in 2012). Out of 10,000 parameter sets randomly generated from prior distribution distributions of each parameter (i.e., Monte-Carlo Method), we selected four behavioral parameter sets using remote-sensing data (LAI-MOD15A2H, GPP-MOD17A2H, and ET-MOD16A2, 8-days at 500-m during 2001-2005), and evaluated the performances using eddy-covariance carbon flux data (2012 Mar.-Sep. 30-min) and remote sensing data between 2006-2020. We simulated each of the four RCP scenarios (2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) from four climate forcings (GFDL-ESM2M, HadGEM2-ES, IPSL-CM5A-LR, and MIROC5 from ISIMIP2b). Based on those 64 simulation sets, we estimate the changes in water balance resulting from the forest composition shift, and also uncertainty in the estimates and the sensitivity of the estimates to the parameters, climate forcings, and RCP scenarios.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-78
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• 2019

The physical and chemical characteristics of more than 5 m sandy deposits behind the beach in Sinji-do Island are investigated and its burial ages are estimated using Optically Stimulated Luminescence. By the estimated burial ages of the sandy deposits, this section is divided into four sub-units: Unit I (6.2 ka), Unit II (23.2 ka), Unit III (115.9 ka), and Unit IV (115.9 to 127.5 ka). It can be proposed that the Unit I of a coarse sand deposited during the Holocene Climatic Optimum. Unit II, supposed to be the aeolian sediments, formed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). It can be supposed that the study area was not affected by the marine processes during the LGM, directly. Unit III is more consolidated deposits of coarse silt to fine sand and deposited during the Last Interglacial Period. Unit IV mainly consist of beach gravels with sandy matrix deposited during the Marine Isotope Stage 5e (MIS 5e), and thus indicates that the sea level of the southwest sea had risen 3 to 5 m above present sea level during the MIS 5e.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.318-325
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• 2024

Bacterial communities residing on islands have a significant impact on the functioning and establishment of a unique isolated ecosystem. Notwithstanding, systematic research on the indigenous microbial resources of domestic islands has been lacking. In order to understand the biodiversity and potential bioresources, we conducted sampling in 2023 from coastal waters from various islands off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, including Baengnyeongdo, Daebudo, Deokjeokdo, Jangbongdo, Yeonpyeongdo Islands, along with Somaemuldo Island along the south coast. The coastal seawater samples were used to unearth microbial resources through the standard dilution plating. In total, approximately 1,600 bacterial strains were isolated from the samples as single colonies and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. Eighteen strains, exhibiting ≥98.7% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to bacterial species with validly published names but not previously reported in Korea, were categorized as unrecorded bacterial species in Korea. These unrecorded bacterial strains displayed phylogenetic diversity, representing three phyla, four classes, 9 orders, 13 families, and 18 genera. The unrecorded species were assigned to the classes Alphaproteobacteria (Aliiroseovarius, Kiloniella, Maritalea, Palleronia, and Roseobacter), Gammaproteobacteria (Aliamphritea, Aliivibrio, Enterovibrio, Francisella, Leucothrix, Pseudoalteromonas, Psychrobium, Shewanella, and Vibrio), Flavobacteriia (Aquimarina, Pseudofulvibacter, and Tenacibaculum), and Verrucomicrobiae (Roseibacillus). This study presents comprehensive descriptions of the taxonomic attributes of these unrecorded species, covering morphology, biochemistry, and phylogenetic position.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.247-255
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• 2024

Background: To effectively understand and evaluate plant diversity in a specific area and make meaningful comparisons between regions, standardized methods that measure diversity irrespective of survey plot size are crucial. This study proposes a model equation for comparing plant species diversity using the modified Whittaker plots. Plant species diversity was measured in two Gotjawal areas on Jeju Island, where the coexistence of northern and southern limit species significantly impacts diversity. By analyzing the relationship between plant species diversity and environmental factors, the study clarified the characteristics of plant and habitat diversity in the Gotjawal ecosystem. Results: The species richness of vascular plants, herbaceous plants, and woody plants increased with area and was higher in Jeoji Gotjawal than in Seonheul Gotjawal. Similarly, the species turnover rate (slope value) was higher in Jeoji Gotjawal (4.37) than in Seonheul Gotjawal (3.85). This indicates that the species richness in Jeoji Gotjawal increases more with the expansion of the survey area (1-1,000 m²), reflecting a faster species turnover rate. Additionally, in Gotjawal areas, species richness increased with greater leaf litter depth, elevation, slope, and rock ratio. These results indicate that differences in plant species diversity were attributed to soil environmental factors. Conclusions: The plant species diversity of Gotjawal, surveyed using standardized methods, was lower than that of forested areas in the central region of South Korea where the same method was applied. Most previous studies on species diversity likely compared diversity without considering a consistent survey area. Therefore, when comparing plant species diversity domestically and globally, it emphasizes the need for the use of standardized survey methods.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2001

This study aims to compare and analyze the environment of natural parks and Ulleung island using the plant taxa classified by five degrees based on their distributional ranges. The scores differentially given based on the importance of each degree; taxa belonging to the fifth degree are given to 20 scores each, fourth 10, third 5, second 3.3, and first 2.5, respectively. The total assessed scores were ranked as Mt. Halla, Seorak, Jiri, Deokyu, Is. Ulleung, Mt. Sobaek, Odae, Palgong, Chink, Taebaek, Songni, Juwang, Gaya, Duryun, Gaeryong, Bukhan, Naebyeon, Worak, Naejang, Cheongryang, Naeyeon, Myeongii, Jokye, Mudeung, Wolchul, Geumo, Juheul, Biseul, Hwangmae, Jangan, Seonun, Moak, Seonam, Chilgap, and Gibaek, in order, respectively. It is suggested that the natural environments assessing more than 1,000 of total scores such as Mt. Halla and Mt. Deokyu are regarded as the most excellent ones, and those between 700 to 1,000 of total scores such as Is. Ulleung and Mt. Odae are regarded as relatively excellent ones. Natural parks scored between 500 to 700 such as Mt. Palgong and Mt. Gaya are regarded as good ones and parks scored between 300 to 500 such as Mt. Duryun and Mt. Mudeung are regarded as normal ones. The area assessed less than 300 of total scores such as Mt. Wolchul and Mt. Gibaek are regarded as the most inferior ones. The total scores of the national parks are generally higher than those of the provincial and county parks. In addition, Ulleung island has a total of 882.9 scores. Therefore, according to the IUCN the Ulleung island should be included in the criterion of the preservative model of natural ecosystem, suggested by Ministry of Environment. At the same time, Ulleung island should be included to the superior model of natural scenery resources by its uniqueness of topography, geography and natural environments. Ulleung island is assessed as having relatively excellent natural environments as compared with other national parks, suggesting that the island should be designated as a new national park.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the geographical distribution and habitat for Rana catesbeiana and Trachemys scripta elegans in order to obtain the current basic data on biota needed for establishing a database on non-indigenous species(NIS) in Jeju-do and to develop management plans applicable to Jeju, starting from March 2005 until May 2006. As a result of an inspection, it was found that the habitat for R. catesbeiana in Jeju includes Hankyeong-myeon, Daejeong-eup, and Ahndeok-myeon. These areas are all located on the western side of Jeju-do, and considered to have favorable conditions for R. catesbeiana to inhabit. Thus, it is unlikely that the population of R. catesbeiana will possibly decrease; what's worse, there exists even a risk that it could not only expand to other regions but also do damage to the population of native insecta, fishes, amphibians and reptiles, so this terrible species ought to be exterminated. More than 92 individuals of T. scripta elegans species were found to inhabit in 15 ponds around Jeju Island. T. scripta elegans. as the topmost predator, could destruct the pond ecosystem, and also cause a problem of water pollution due to its excrement. Counter-measures against T. scripta elegans could include publicity activities encouraging self-control of the release of captive T. scripta elegans, extermination plans using its ecological habits, and sign-posting publicizing its hazard to healthy ecosystem at the areas with high population density of T. scripta elegans or at its habitats with high foot traffic, together with the continuous management of NIS(none-indigenous species).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.1
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• pp.106-112
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• 1998

This study was conducted to figure out the relationships among soil chemical properties and bacterial biomass related to denitrification and sulfur-reducing and the activity of dehydrogenase, and ultimately to consider the usefulness of dehydrogenase activity as a tool for evaluating the dynamics of forest soil ecosystem. Four sites were selected for the collection of soil samples within two regions(Onsan industrial estate as a polluted region and Mt. Mani at Kanghwa island as a clean area) with two forest types (coniferous and deciduous stands). The soils of Mt. Mani showed higher amount of organic matter, total nitrogen and available phosphorus than those collected from Onsan industrial estate, which indicated that the soils were more beneficial for microbial growth than those of Onsan. The dehydrogenase activity was more sensitive than the denitrifying bacteria or sulfur-reducing bacteria since the activity was significantly different between the regions and season while the two bacterial biomass were not significantly different between the two regions. In addition, the dehydrogenase activity showed relatively high correlation coefficients with organic matter(r=0.53, p=0.004), total nitrogen(r=0.41, p=0.008) and C/Ava. P-ratio(r=-0.52, p=0.001), which was thought to be closely related with microbial activity. Thus, the dehydrogenase activity was thought to be a useful index of soil ecosystem dynamics with considering that the technique need to be applied with the same soil texture for the comparison of the activity as other researchers indicated.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.207-217
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• 2021

Using the data from the national survey of fish, we determined the population size and the distribution of Micropterus salmoides, which is a translocated species into the aquatic ecosystem of Korea. . The spatial concentration of this species was determined by performing an optimized hot spot analysis. After determining potential invasiveness and risk assessment, we measured the disturbance of biodiversity in the aquatic ecosystem. The result of distribution analysis indicates that the population of M. salmoides was concentrated in the major basins of Han river, Geum river, Nakdong river, and Yeongsan-Seomjin river, including the Jeju island. In particular, Nakdong river basin showed the highest appearance rate. On the contrary, Yeongsan-Seomjin river basin showed the lowest appearance rate. The Nakdong river and the Nakdong river basin were the areas with the high spatial concentration of M. salmoides. On the other hand, only Han river basin and Geum river basin had the lowest spatial concentration. The fish invasiveness screening kit(FISK) was used to assess M. salmoides, which inhabited a broad region of aquatic ecosystem: the assessment score was 31.0, indicating its 'highly invasive' nature. Our study aims to encourage research that improves the biodiversity and the conservation of M. salmoides in a priority area.