• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-69
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• 2006

The flora of vascular plants and the vegetation on the tidal flat was investigated in Jebudo located at Hwaseong city of Gyeonggi-do province from 2004 to 2005. Jebudo has been considered to show difference from the flora which is peculiar to island as it became semi-land by free traffic to mainland with the installation of a road which had enabled entry into the Jebudo in 1991 due to sea-splitting phenomenon. The result of the vascular plants in Jebudo were consissted of 305 taxa; 264 species, 38 varieties and 3 forms of 202 genera of 74 families. As a result of examination by distinctive survey areas within Jebudo, a tidal flat(I) region where the halophyte was being spread has been researched as 7 taxa; 7 species of 6 genera of 5 families. The taxa in Godo-Island(II) was reseached as 50 taxa; 39 species, 11 varieties and 42 genera of 24 families. The taxa in Sand dune area(III) was reseached as 61 taxa; 52 species and 9 varieties of 53 genera of 25 families. The most plant species was reseached in Mt. Tapjae (IV) reaseach area among the reseach areaes 136 taxa; 118 species, 17 varieties and 1 form of 108 genera of 55 families. The taxa in Dangje Mt.(V) was reseached as 119 taxa; 105 species, 13 varieties and 1 form of 95 genera of 45 familes. The taxa in Dongmi Mt. (VI) was reseached as 100 taxa; 85 species and 15 varieties of 83 enera of 43 families. The taxa in Paddy field(VII) was reseached as 120 taxa; 106 species, 13 varieties and 1 form of 86 genera 31 families. Especially, a Crypsinus hastatus community which is a rare plant designated by Korea forest service and a preservation plant designated by the natural environment preservation law (1998) has been discovered at a cliff of Topjae mountain near the ferry located at the northeast side. According to the result of researching halophyte communities which make up the zonation according to the environmental gradient, the communities were being formed in the order of Limonium tetragonum community, Phragmites communis community, Carex scabrifolia community, Triglochin maritimum community and Carex scabrifolia community in accordance with the order of soil particle size with breakwater as their standard.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.4
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• pp.609-615
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• 2011

Forsythia saxatilis is a Korean endemic plant designated as rare and endangered by the Korea Forest Service (KFS). Growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis were investigated under two different light intensities in order to figure out an appropriate growth environment for conservation and restoration of the species in its natural habitat. Shoot length, leaf size and weight, photosynthetic pigment content and photosynthetic parameters were measured for F. saxatilis grown at two experimental plots under relative light intensities (RLI) of 20% and 60% of the full sun, respectively. Fresh leaf weight of plants grown under high relative light intensities (RLI-60) exceeded that of plants grown at 20% RLI. The ratio of fresh leaf weight to leaf size at RLI-60 was 1.47 times superior comparing to that recorded at RLI-20. The content of photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid were higher in plants grown at RLI-60, whereas the ratio of total chlorophyll to carotenoid content was higher in the leaves at RLI-20. Photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate at RLI-60 were, respectively, 2.5, 2.65 and 1.79 times higher comparing to those recorded at RLI-20. Water use efficiency, however, was higher at RLI-20. The chlorophyll/nitrogen ratio was 1.83 times higher at RLI-20 than at RLI-60. In contrast, the ratio of net photosynthesis to chlorophyll content at RLI-60 was 2.58 times higher than that of RLI-20. In conclusion, light intensity might be the major factor affecting growth and physiological characteristics of F. saxatilis grown under canopy of tall tree species.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.528-553
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• 2020

Upland fields are characterized by dry environments, a high degree of disturbance by farming practices such as double-cropping, and a high diversity of crops compared to other field types. This study focused on the floristic composition and characteristics of upland fields in South Korea. Flora surveys were conducted in 36 areas in nine provinces at two times (June and August) in 2015. The results showed that the vascular plants in the upland fields in South Korea included 532 taxa, containing 100 families, 322 genera, 483 species, nine subspecies, 37 varieties, one form, and two hybrids. Among the 100 families, Asteraceae was the most diverse in species (75 taxa), followed by Poaceae (68 taxa), Fabaceae (34 taxa), Polygonaceae (21 taxa), Rosaceae (19 taxa), and Liliaceae (17 taxa). Based on the occurrence frequency of each species, Acalypha australis L. (100%), and Artemisia indica Willd. (100%) were the highest, followed by Humulus scandens (Lour.) Merr., Rorippa palustris (L.) Besser, Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist, Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., Lactuca indica L., Commelina communis L., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, Echinochloa crus-galli(L.) P.Beauv., Cyperus microiria Steud., and Oxalis corniculata L. The biological type of upland fields in South Korea was determined to be Th-R₅-D₄-e type. Rare plants were found in 11 taxa: Taxus cuspidata Siebold & Zucc, Magnolia kobus DC, Clematis trichotoma Nakai, Aristolochina contorta Bunge, Buxus sinica (Rehder & E.H.Wilson) M.Cheng var. koreana (Nakai ex Rehder) Q.L.Wang, Melothria japonica (Thunb.) Maxim, Mitrasacme indica Wight, Lithospermum arvense L., Carpesium rosulatum Miq., Allium senescens L., and Pseudoraphis sordida (Thwaites) S.M.Phillips & S.L.Chen. Ninety-seven taxa contained naturalized plants composed of 24 families, 68 genera, 97 species, one variety, and one form. The urbanization and naturalization indices were 30.5% and 18.4%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.397-403
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• 2019

Background: Oplopanax elatus is widely distributed at high altitudes (about 1,100 m) in China, Russia and Korea. It is hard to propagate, breed, and difficult to grow. Hence, it has been designated as a rare and endangered medicinal plant. A study was conducted to establish a system for large scale seedling production of Oplopanax elatus in vitro and to find the ideal environment for its seedling growth. Methods and Results: In this study, the explants produced under in vitro conditions during our previous study were grouped into three categories (under 10 mm, 10 mm - 30 mm and above 30 mm) based on plant height and were transferred to the growth-chamber and greenhouse for two weeks in each setting for acclimatization. The plantlet category of above 30 mm showed good performance, and was further evaluated under three acclimatization methods as follows: three different growth media (commercial soil, commercial soil + perlite, commercial soil + sand), four shading levels (0%, 50%, 70%, 90%) and four altitude levels (157 m, 218 m, 601 m, 870 m) in Gangwon province of South Korea. As results, O. elatus seedlings showed better growth characteristics at 870 m of altitude, 70% shading level and in the commercial soil compared to other treatments. Conclusions: The regenerated seedlings of Oplopanax elatus obtained through plant tissue culture would be advantageous for use in large scale seedling production systems paired with a good acclimation method. For obtaining optimal results, it is recommended that seedling be acclimatized in a high altitude environment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.510-518
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• 2014

Conflicts between humans and wild boars (Sus scrofa) have increased because of causing crop damage and appearing in downtown. Management to reduce population size has mostly been implemented on pests, but knowledges about ecological values are very rare. Rubbing trees by wild boar was investigated to figure out characteristics and for management ecologically from July to October 2013 in a mixed forest, Geochang, Gyeongnam Province, Korea. Pinus rigida was most frequently founded, and rubbing trees, both conifers and deciduous, were mainly located in 200~600 m above sea level. DBH was no significant difference between rubbing and control trees. The use intensity of conifers was higher than that of deciduous. The coverage of foliage layers and the number of woody plants within a radius of 2.5 m of trees (rubbing and control) were also investigated and compared to determine ecological characteristics. There were 1,332 individuals founded from 25 families. In the coverage of foliage layers, the understory and midstory showed statistically significant, but not in the subover and overstory. The number of Shrubs and saplings are higher in rubbing trees than those of control, but no difference in stems. Total individuals, the number of species, species diversity index(H') within a radius 2.5 m is considerably higher in rubbing trees with high intensity than those of low intensity and control. Our results show that wild boar mainly selected and used conifers more frequently as rubbing trees. Wild boar also modified the physical environments around rubbing trees. Consequently, the positive effects such as species diversity is increase. Thus the conservation policies is required after the intensive population reduction every 3-4 years for forest ecological management rather than annual sustainable hunting.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.73-85
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• 1991

Rhododendron mucronulatum for. albiflorum, native species is a shrub that has white flowers on May to June, and rare species endangered by people's rash digging or cutting. But its physiological ecological characteristics and propagation method are not being known at all. Therefore, this study was executed to utilize this species as the planting material for landscaping by analysing its habitat environment and growth form, and also experimenting its seed and vegetative propagation, and it field culture and utilization. The results are as follows; 1. The elevation, gradient and direction of this species were 295-1,350m, 10-36$^{\circ}$, northwest respectively. It was found that the species is shade-liking plant that grows under forest cover of average 51.33%. 2. The soil pH and water content of its habitat were 5.4, 25.41% respectively. The organic matter content was 6.29% that was higher than 3.2%, the average organic matter content of forest soil in Korea. 3. Representative plant community within which this species was living was Quercus mongolica community, and its main neighboring species were Lindea obtusiloba, Fraxinus sieboldiana, Rhus trichocarpa, Rhododendron Schlippenbachii, Rododendron mucronulatum. 4. The leaf length and width of this species were 39.18mm, 12.60mm respectively. This result showed that generally its leaf size was larger than that of R. micranthum, R. yedoense var. poukhanense and R. mucronulatum var. ciliatum and smaller than that of R. mucronulatum and R. schlippenbachii. 5. The whole size of its pollen was, as 59${\times}$61$\mu\textrm{m}$, the largest of plants of Rhododendron family including R. mucronulatum and R. mucronulatum var. ciliatum. 6. The result of seed germination experiment at intervals of 5$^{\circ}C$ from 15$^{\circ}C$ to 30$^{\circ}C$ presented the highest germination rate of 94.7% at 20$^{\circ}C$ numerically, but high percent germination at all temperature levels without significant difference. And the seed of this plant proved to be sun-liking seed at requiring dormancy in germination. 7. Through seed germination experiment by treatment of growth regulators such as GA. Thiourea and Kinetin under dark condition, it was found that the effect of GA treatment on germination increase and acceleration was the highest. 8. In greenwood cutting, rooted rate by treatment of various concentration of IBA and NAA on clay and vermiculite bed was not wholly high, but 100ppm plots of both IBA and NAA of clay bed showed relatively good rooted rate. 9. As result of field culture experiment for finding out optimum growth temperature and light intensity, growth conditions such as height, number of leaves, fresh weight and chlorophyll contents were the best at night/day temperature of 20/25$^{\circ}C$ and under 1/2sun. Also, the photosynthetic rate was the highest at 25$^{\circ}C$. Accordingly, it was found that optimum temperature and light intensity for growth of this plant are 25$^{\circ}C$ (day temperature), 50% of natural light respectively.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.770-774
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• 2020

Background: Fermentation has been shown to improve the biological properties of plants and herbs. Specifically, fermentation causes decomposition and/or biotransformation of active metabolites into high-value products. Polyacetylenes are a class of polyketides with a pleiotropic profile of bioactivity. Methods: Column chromatography was used to isolate compounds, and extensive NMR experiments were used to determine their structures. The transformation of polyacetylene in red ginseng (RG) and the production of cazaldehyde B induced by the extract of RG were identified by TLC and HPLC analyses. Results: A new metabolite was isolated from RG fermented by Chaetomium globosum, and this new metabolite can be obtained by the biotransformation of polyacetylene in RG. Panaxytriol was found to exhibit the highest antifungal activity against C. globosum compared with other major ingredients in RG. The fungus C. globosum cultured in RG extract can metabolize panaxytriol to Metabolite A to survive, with no antifungal activity against itself. Metabolites A and B showed obvious inhibition against NO production, with ratios of 42.75 ± 1.60 and 63.95 ± 1.45% at 50 µM, respectively. A higher inhibitory rate on NO production was observed for Metabolite B than for a positive drug. Conclusion: Metabolite A is a rare example of natural polyacetylene biotransformation by microbial fermentation. This biotransformation only occurred in fermented RG. The extract of RG also stimulated the production of a new natural product, cazaldehyde B, from C. globosum. The lactone in Metabolite A can decrease the cytotoxicity, which was deemed to be the intrinsic activity of polyacetylene in ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.287-296
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• 2017

In order to check host plant diversity and to confirm the potential risk to be invaded, we documented host plant flora and plant part of C. pentagona, an invasive parasitic plant in field survey and induced parasitic infection by them in the laboratory experiment. Parasitic interaction(12% of total tree species) was found in twig and leaf of tree such as Quercus mongolica and Abies holophylla that was not developed into ligninfication. There were most host plant species belong to Compositae, but the species parasitic rate of family was higher in Cyperaceae, Polygonaceae and Leguminoceae. Through the inducible infection experiment with C. pentagona, all species except one species show parasitic interaction between host plan and C. pentagona. These result means that the limiting stage for invading area is dispersion process for invading other area in Korea. Infection plant part by C. pentagona was dominantly both shoot and leaf, rather than only leaf or only shoot. We found newly 12 families and 45 host plant species including 33 herbacious one and 12 woody one. Crop plant such as Setaria italica and 6 endangerd one such as Scrophularia takesimensis, especially the later rare endemic plant was to death by parasitic infection of C. pentagona. These results indicate that C. pentagona is potential risk to both wild and cultivated plant in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.110-123
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• 2016

In order to obtain scientific information for the conservation of Utricularia japonica Makino, rare plant species, we investigated life history, phenology, growth and distribution in the east coastal region of Korea. Seven habitats of U. japonica were confirmed in this study. Turion of U. japonica rests overwinter at the bottom and ripens at the water surface and then usually germinate and sprout when the water warms in spring. A single shoot grown from turion divided into several shoots. Shoot decomposition started in October and formed a new turion at the end of the decomposed shoot. Flowering period was from early July to late October. Percentage of flowering ramets was significantly low as 6.3%. U. japonica showed the fastest growth rate from April to July, the maximum growth in August and the highest biomass in October. U. japonica tended to be concentrated in larger ramets in the water depth of 50 cm~150 cm in Cheonjin lake. The main factors affecting the growth of U. japonica were water temperature and turbidity. The establishment and growth of U. japonica in Cheonjin lake were determined by responses to water temperature with seasonal change and to light conditions caused by the different plants. These conditions affect the temporal and spatial distribution of U. japonica and population change. The findings of this study would be helpful to provide the basic information needed for the conservation and restoration of U. japonica.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2015

Currently, taxol is mainly extracted from the bark of yews; however, this method can not meet its increasing demand on the market because yews grow very slowly and are a rare and endangered species belonging to first-level conservation plants. Recently, increasing efforts have been made to develop alternative means of taxol production; microbe fermentation would be a very promising method to increase the production scale of taxol. To determine the activities of the taxol extracted from endophytic fungus N. sylviforme HDFS4-26 in inhibiting the growth and causing the apoptosis of cancer cells, on comparison with the taxol extracted from the bark of yew, we used cellular morphology, cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay, staining (HO33258/PI and Giemsa), DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry (FCM) analyses to determine the apoptosis status of breast cancer MCF-7 cells, cervical cancer HeLa cells and ovarian cancer HO8910 cells. Our results showed that the fungal taxol inhibited the growth of MCF-7, HeLa and HO8910 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. IC50 values of fungal taxol for HeLa, MCF-7 and HO8910 cells were $0.1-1.0{\mu}g/ml$, $0.001-0.01{\mu}g/ml$ and $0.01-0.1{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The fungal taxol induced these tumor cells to undergo apoptosis with typical apoptotic characteristics, including morphological changes for chromatin condensation, chromatin crescent formation, nucleus fragmentation, apoptotic body formation and G2/M cell cycle arrest. The fungal taxol at the $0.01-1.0{\mu}g/ml$ had significant effects of inducing apoptosis between 24-48 h, which was the same as that of taxol extracted from yews. This study offers important information and a new resource for the production of an important anticancer drug by endofungus fermentation.