• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.202-217
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• 2018

Urban land use changes by human activities affect spatial configuration of urban areas and their surrounding ecosystems. Although it is necessary to identify patterns of urban land use changes and to simulate future changes for sustainable urban management, simulation of land use changes is still challenging due to their uncertainty and complexity. Cellular automata model is widely used to simulate urban land use changes based on cell-based approaches. However, cell-based models can not reflect features of actual land use changes and tend to simulate fragmented patterns. To solve these problems, object-based cellular automata models are developed, which simulate land use changes by land patches. This study simulate future land use changes in Hanam city using an object-based cellular automata model. Figure of merit of the model is 24.1%, which assess accuracy of the simulation results. When a baseline scenario was applied, urban decreased by 16.4% while agriculture land increased by 9.0% and grass increased by 19.3% in a simulation result of 2038 years. In an urban development scenario, urban increased by 22.4% and agriculture land decreased by 26.1% while forest and grass did not have significant changes. In a natural conservation scenario, urban decreased by 29.5% and agriculture land decreased by 8.8% while each forest and grass increased by 6% and 42.8%. The model can be useful to simulate realistic urban land use change effectively, and then, applied as a decision support tool for spatial planning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

The Ministry of Environment of Korea has been releasing Asiatic black bears since 2004 at Jirisan National Park. It exceeded the target number of Asiatic black bears in 2018. As of July 2020, in addition to 67 traceable bears, many Asiatic black bears are dispersed outside Jirisan National Park. Jirisan National Park is a very dense place with more than 3 million visitors every year. In this study, the roads and trails through Jirisan National Park were considered to be the main dispersion factors of Asiatic black bears, and the fragmentation analysis was conducted. As of July 2017, the length of roads and trails in Jirisan National Park was 363.4km. Based on this, Jirisan National Park was fragmented into 163 patches. There is only one place that maintains a single area of more than 50㎢ that is suitable for large mammals to inhabit, and 141 places are less than 5㎢. There are 6 patches of 24 to 200㎢ area suitable for living of large mammals including Asiatic black bears, in Jirisan National Park. Compared to the announcement made by the Korea National Park Service in 2014, activities of Asiatic black bears were rare in areas below 5㎢ area and the frequency of activities was high in more than 20㎢ area. This shows that human activities in protected areas such as national parks can directly affect the activities of wild animals, including Asiatic black bears. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve the habitat of Asiatic black bears by reducing the pressure of visiting for Jirisan National Park. In addition, as a result of analyzing the fragmentation of the park's natural conservation zone 107.7km, 45% of the trail of Jirisan National Park, was opened, which is more fragmentation than other use zones. The park nature conservation zone accounts for about 32% of the total area of Jirisan National Park, but the average patch area is only 2.93㎢ and seven large shelters are located. Therefore the Asiatic black bears are negatively affected. This is the result of inconsistent national park use zone setting and actual park management. In overseas countries, research is active on the negative effects of human activity on ecosystems in protected areas. However, there is a lack of research of that in Korea. Thus, that research is required for protection area management in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2022

Busan, where the coastal ecosystem health is deteriorating due to high development pressure and intensity of use, needs ecosystem management that considers humans and the natural environment together for sustainable use and ecosystem preservation of the coastal areas. In this study, the InVEST model was applied to assess the habitat status of the coastal land and coastal sea to manage the ecosystem based on habitats. As a result of the assessment of the coastal land, the habitat quality of Gadeok-do, Igidae, and Sinseondae, Gijang-gun are high, and Seo-gu, Jung-gu, Dong-gu, and Suyeong-gu are low. In the case of the coastal sea, the habitat risk of the Nakdong river estuary is low, and some areas of Yeongdo-gu, Saha-gu, Gangseo-gu are high. Therefore, for the sustainable use and preservation of coastal ecosystems, it is necessary to prepare ecosystem-based management measures to improve damaged habitats and reduce threats. In addition, the impact on coastal seas should be fully considered when planning coastal land development. The results of the InVEST habitat quality model in coastal land show similar tendencies to the biotope and environmental conservation value assessment map. The results of the habitat risk assessment in the coastal sea are expected to be utilized to identify habitats in the coastal sea and management of threat factors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1-6
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• 2021

Mercury, once released, is not destroyed but accumulates and circulates in the natural environment, causing serious harm to ecosystems and human health. In the United States, sulfur-impregnated activated carbon is being considered for the removal of vapor mercury from the flue gas of coal-fired power plants, which accounts for about 32 % of the anthropogenic emissions of mercury. In this study, a high-efficiency porous mercury adsorption material was developed to reduce the mercury vapor in the exhaust gas of coal combustion facilities, and the mercury adsorption characteristics of the material were investigated. As a result of the investigation of the vapor mercury adsorption capacity at 30℃, the silica nanotube MCM-41 was only about 35 % compared to the activated carbon Darco FGD commercially used for mercury adsorption, but it increased to 133 % when impregnated with 1.5 % sulfur. In addition, the furnace fly ash recovered from the waste copper regeneration process showed an efficiency of 523 %. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity was investigated at temperatures of 30 ℃, 80 ℃, and 120 ℃, and the best adsorption performance was found to be 80 ℃. MCM-41 is a silica nanotube that can be reused many times due to its rigid structure and has additional advantages, including no possibility of fire due to the formation of hot spots, which is a concern when using activated carbon.

• Maritime Security
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-83
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• 2022

For humankind, the ocean is a treasure trove of natural resources and an important area that provides major transportation routes. However, marine ecosystems are under threat amidst the global climate change crisis. This is partly due to various sources of pollution emitted from ships, shore facilities, and other sources. In response, the navies of advanced countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe have assessed such a climate change crisis as a new maritime security threat. These countries have made early efforts to prevent marine pollution from warships. These efforts have been legally embodied. This was legislation for technical and organizational structures to be practically applied in the field. Among these navies of developed countries, France has established parliamentary and intergovernmental plans to become a leader in environmental protection at the defense level, not only in the European region but throughout the world. Within this framework, the French Navy, through its internal instruction, has inclined its legal efforts to prevent marine pollution from warships. Therefore, this study examines the legislation for the prevention of marine pollution from warships within the French Navy and compares it with the marine environmental legislation applicable to the ROK Navy. It then deduces the implications for the ROK navy, which is advancing toward a Blue-Water navy.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.107-121
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• 2023

The assessment of perceived naturalness aims to elucidate the human perception and explain the interaction between natural environments and humans. The perception of ecological assets that exhibit distinct characteristics within a specific region can manifest in various representations. Based on the users' perceptions and interviews regarding ecological assets, this study assessed the perceived naturalness from a cultural services perspective. Specifically, the discussions on Ansan City's ecological assets and revolved around the inherent value of naturalness in dimensions, such as the necessity for conservation and the sustainable development of ecological assets, the perception of ecosystem benefits, the representativeness as a local asset, and usability. Subsequently, the Q method was employed to present 25 representative ecological assets to 25 users. As a result, user groups with different value systems for each question were identified, and hypothetical personas for cultural service enjoyment were distinguished. The most representative persona among the 25 users was identified as AWP (a type that values the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, prefers waterfront landscapes, and enjoys walking). Since perceived naturalness is conceptually similar to the "benefits perceived by users" in evaluating ecosystem services, it can provide more practical evaluation criteria for cultural services.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.282-289
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• 2023

Background: As wildlife habitats are being destroyed and growth environments are changing, the survival of animals and plants is under threat. Epilobium hirsutum L., a species that inhabits wetlands, has held legally protected status since 2012. However, no specific measures are currently in place to protect its habitat, leading to a decline in remaining populations as a result of land use change and human activities. Results: The growth environment (including location, climate, land use, soil, and vegetation) of the five habitat sites (Samcheok, Taebaek1, Taebaek2, Cheongsong, Ulleung) of E. hirsutum L. was investigated and analyzed. These habitats were predominantly situated in flat areas with gentle south-facing slopes, at an average altitude of 452.7 m (8-726 m) above sea level in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The average annual temperature ranged 11.5℃ (9.2℃-12.9℃), whereas the average annual precipitation ranged 1,304.5 mm (1,062.7-1,590.7 mm). The surrounding land use status was mainly characterized by mountainous areas, and human interference, such as agricultural land and roads, was commonly found in proximity to these natural habitats. Soil physicochemical analysis revealed that the soil was predominantly sandy loam with a slightly high sand content. The average pH measured 7.64, indicating an alkaline environment, and electrical conductivity (EC) averaged 0.33 dS/m. Organic matter (OM) content averaged 66.44 g/kg, available phosphoric acid (P₂O₅) content averaged 115.73 mg/kg, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) averaged 23.43 cmolc/kg. The exchangeable cations ranged 0.09-0.43 cmol⁺/kg for potassium (K), 10.23-16.21 cmol⁺/kg for calcium (Ca), 0.67-4.94 cmol⁺/kg for magnesium (Mg), and 0.05-0.74 cmol⁺/kg for sodium (Na). The vegetation type was categorized as E. hirsutum community with high numbers of E. hirsutum L., Persicaria thunbergii (Siebold & Zucc.) H. Gross, Phragmites japonica Steud., Humulus japonicus (Siebold & Zucc.), and Bidens frondosa L.. An ecological flora analysis, including the proportion of lianas, naturalized plants, and annual herbaceous plants, revealed that the native habitat of E. hirsutum L. was ecologically unstable. Conclusions: Analysis of the habitat of E. hirsutum L., a class II endangered wildlife species, provided essential data for local conservation and restoration efforts.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.116-138
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• 2024

This study presents a new tool and protocol to assess the impact of 'Marine Invasive and Harmful Species' (MIHS) on marine environments and socio-economic aspects. It addresses shortcomings in the Marine Ecosystems Conservation and Management Act in South Korea by proposing an impact assessment framework divided into marine environmental and socio-economic groups. Six distinct evaluation categories are included in each group, and a semi-quantitative five-step scale is utilized to provide a flexible approach, addressing a variety of issues from ecological disturbances to effects on health and property. The assessment tool is applied through a systematic five-stage process based on the Delphi method. This approach posters collaboration among a diverse sets of experts and stakeholders, enabling a comprehensive evaluation that incorporates various perspectives. The study also examines strategies to effectively manage uncertainties and improve the consistency of the outcomes. The application of this assessment protocol is expected to be crucial in quantifying the ecological damage caused by MIHS and in identifying management and prevention priorities. The ultimate aim of this evaluation process is to aid decision-makers in developing strategies to preserve the marine ecosystem and mitigate socio-economic impacts.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.135-154
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• 2023

Urban wetlands provide various ecosystem services and are subject to restoration and creation projects due to their increased value in the context of climate change. However, the vegetation structure of wetlands is sensitive to environmental changes, including artificial disturbances, and requires continuous maintenance. In this study, we conducted a vegetation survey of three wetlands created as part of a project to restore urban degraded natural ecosystems and monitored the quantitative changes in wetland vegetation structure using an unmanned aerial vehicle. The vegetation survey revealed 73 species in Incheon Yeonhui wetland, and the change in vegetation composition based on wetland occurrence frequency was 11.5% on average compared to the 2018 vegetation survey results. The vegetation survey identified 44 species in Busan Igidae wetland, and the proportion of species classified as obligate upland plants was the highest at 48.8% among all plants, while the proportion of naturalized plants accounted for 15.9% of all plants. The open water surface area decreased from 10% in May 2019 to 6.7% in May 2020. Iksan Sorasan wetland was surveyed and 44 species were confirmed, and it was found that the proportion of facultative wetland plant decreased compared to the 2018 vegetation survey results, and the open water surface area increased from 0.4% in May 2019 to 4.1% in May 2020. The results of this study showed that wetlands with low artificial management intensity exhibited a tendency for stabilization of vegetation structure, with a decrease in the proportion of plants with high wetland occurrence frequency and a relatively small number of new species. Wetlands with high artificial management intensity required specific management, as they had a large change in vegetation structure and a partially high possibility of new invasion. We reaffirmed the importance of continuous monitoring of vegetation communities and infrastructure for wetlands considering the function and use of urban wetlands, and restoration stages. These research results suggest the need to establish a sustainable wetland maintenance system through the establishment of long-term maintenance goals and monitoring methods that consider the environmental conditions and vegetation composition of wetlands.

• Journal of Korean Society of Disaster and Security
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.59-75
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• 2020

This study is a case study that applied 'UNDRR's Urban Disaster Resilience Scorecard', an evaluation tool necessary for Incheon Metropolitan City to be certified as an international safe city. I would like to present an example that the results derived from this scorecard contributed to the Incheon Metropolitan City Disaster Reduction Plan. Of course, the Disaster Resilience Scorecard can't provide a way to improve the resilience of every disaster facing the city. However, it is to find the weakness of the resilience that the city faces, and to propose a solution to reduce the city's disaster risk. This is to help practitioners to recognize the disaster risks that Incheon Metropolitan City faces. In addition, the solution recommended by UNDRR was suggested to provide resilience in areas vulnerable to disasters. It was confirmed that this process can contribute to improving the disaster resilience of Incheon Metropolitan City. UNDRR has been spreading 'Climate Change, Disaster-resistant City Creation Campaign', aka MCR (Making Cities Resilient) Campaign, to cities all over the world since 2010 to reduce global cities' disasters. By applying the disaster relief guidelines adopted by UNDRR, governments, local governments, and neighboring cities are encouraged to collaborate. As a result of this study, Incheon Metropolitan city's UN Urban Resilience Scorecard was evaluated as a strong resilience field by obtaining scores of 4 or more (4.3~5.0) in 5 of 10 essentials; 1. Prepare organization for disaster resilience and prepare for implementation, 4. Strong resilience Urban development and design pursuit, 5. Preservation of natural cushions to enhance the protection provided by natural ecosystems, 9. Ensure effective disaster preparedness and response, 10. Rapid restoration and better reconstruction. On the other hand, in the other five fields, scores of less than 4 (3.20~3.85) were obtained and evaluated as weak resilience field; 2. Analyze, understand and utilize current and future risk scenarios, 3. Strengthen financial capacity for resilience, 6. Strengthen institutional capacity for resilience, 7. Understanding and strengthening social competence for resilience, 8. Strengthen resilience of infrastructure. In addition, through this study, the risk factors faced by Incheon Metropolitan City could be identified by priority, resilience improvement measures to minimize disaster risks, urban safety-based urban development plans, available disaster reduction resources, and integrated disasters. Measures were prepared.