• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of the natural river conservation work and to find remedies for them, targeting Jangsu-cheon with high frequency of use by citizens among the rivers in Incheon Metroplitan City, Korea; for this, this study conducted investigations and analyses of Jangsu-cheon completed in December, 2008. As a result of investigating 3 spots for the water system of Jangsu-cheon over a total of 3 years (2009, 2010, 2014), it was found that benthic macro-invertebrates of a total of 3 phyla, 5 classes, 11 orders, 26 families, 56 species, and 980 specimens were distributed there. When they were analyzed by year, 18 families and 30 species in 2009, right after the natural river conservation work, and 22 families and 37 species in 2010, 2 years after the work, were found, with 7 species increasing in number; after that, as a result of the investigation in 2014, 22 families and 38 species were found, which tells the river has entered the stabilization stage since the recovery in 2010.Therefore, this study could identify: the water environment of the river was improved due to the natural river conservation work for Jangsu-cheon; in addition, Jangsu-cheon showed good ecological environment due to the continuous maintenance of the good wetlands in Incheon Grand Park in the upper area of the river; and the natural river conservation work of Jangsu-cheon created positive effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2023

Saemangeum Lake is the largest artificial lake in Korea. The continuous deterioration of lake water quality necessitates the introduction of novel water quality management strategies. Therefore, this study aims to identify the spatiotemporal water quality characteristics of Saemangeum Lake using data from the National Water Quality Measurement Network and provide basic information for water quality management. In the water quality parameters of Saemangeum Lake, water temperature and total phosphorous content were correlated, and salt, total nitrogen content, pH, and chemical oxygen demand were significantly correlated. Other parameters showed a low correlation. The spatial principal component analysis of Saemangeum Lake showed the characteristics of its four zones. The mid-to-downstream section of the river affected by freshwater inflow showed a high nutrient salt concentration, and the deep-water section of the drainage gate and the lake affected by seawater showed a high salt concentration. Two types of water qualities were observed in the intermediate water area where river water and outer sea water were mixed: waters with relatively low salt and high chemical oxygen demand, and waters with relatively low salt and high pH concentration. In the principal component analysis by time, the water quality was divided into four groups based on the observation month. Group I occurred during May and June in late spring and early summer, Group II was in early spring (March-April) and late autumn (November-December), Group III was in winter (January-February), and Group IV was in summer (July-October) during high temperatures. The water quality characteristics of Saemangeum Lake were found to be affected by the inflow of the upper Mangyeong and Dongjin rivers, and the seawater through the Garuk and Shinshi gates installed in the Saemangeum Embankment. In order to achieve the target water quality of Saemangeum Lake, it is necessary to establish water quality management measures for Saemangeum Lake along with pollution source management measures in the upper basin.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.133-141
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• 1990

For the purpose of evaluating nutrient loadings into rivers and lakes from agricultural land, especially from paddy fields and also nutrient degradation in drainage channels, the Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen(TKN) and the Total Phosphorus(TP) were investigated in 29.5 ha. paddy fields in Hwa-Sung, Kyong-Ki, Korea, during the period from May 8, 1989 to Sep. 27, 1989. The results of the study can be su㎜arized as follows : 1. Annual inputs into paddy fields were 180 N-kg/ha 46 P-kg/ha. by fertilization, and 15.0 TKN-kg/ha. 10.0 TP-kg/ha. by irrigation, 8.0 TKN-kg/ha. 0.34 TP-kg/ha. by rainfall respectively. The amount of nutrient involved in surface runoff from paddies was 39.0 TKN-kg/ha. 9.2 TP-kg/ha. and in seepage 7.5 TKN-kg/ha. 2.1 TP-kg/ha. respectively 2. In WS1 stream(reach length equals 950m), nutrients decreased 0.31 TKN-mg/L/km, 0.01 TP-mg/L/km and in WS2 stream (reach length equals 750m) which are more meandering and undulating than WS1, the nutrients decreased 0.84 TKN-mg/L/km, 0.11 TP-mg/L/km. From these results, it was concluded that low stream velocity due to meandering and undulation promotes more degradation of nutrient concentrations. 3. For the purpose of decreasing nutrient loads from paddy fields, the amount of fertilizer used needs to be controlled, irrigation weirs need to be constructed in the drainage channels to delay the transportation of nutrients by decelerating the stream velocity and plants such as plantain-lily need to be cultivated in the channel to consume nutrients and therefore enlarge chances of self-purification.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2000

Erosional basins formed in middle and upper reaches of Korean great rivers have been main life space of local small and middle cities, but previous studies on erosional basins are widely apart from residents' life and are in shortage with the endeavor to elucidate the man and environment relationship. This paper analyzes the factors and the modes of land-use changes of hills in the erosional basin. In this paper four erosional basins with different geological conditions are selected to elucidate the effect of geological factor(Geochang: granite, Chogye: metamorphic rock, Angye: gravelly sedimentary rock, Maseong: limestone). And the distribution of land use on the transverse and longitudinal cross-section map of the hill is described. The landscape of erosional basin is consisted of surrounding mountains, hills, dissected valleys, and incoming river's floodplain. Dissected valleys and incoming river's floodplain were reclaimed early as paddy field and hills have been used as woodland up to recently. Residents have a new appreciation of hills as a productive hill out of a traditional holy space[mountain] by influence of capitalistic thought that 'natural environment is a sort of productive resource'. Population increase is the another pressure of hill reclamation. The modes of landscape changes due to natural conditions are as follow: (1) In Geochang basin with dense tectolineament spacing, the gentle part of hill is used as field, orchard and agricultural-industrial complex site and the steep part is as woodland. (2) Hills in Angye basin with sparse tectolineament spacing are relatively flat because of maintaining a part of original denudational surface, and are used as orchids, field, paddy fields and agricultural-industrial complex site. The dissection valleys between hills are gentle concave and are used as paddy fields. (3) Hills in Maseong basin are wide and flat, and are used as fields, orchards, and agricultural-industrial complex site. (4) Because hills in Chogye basin, a closed type, are weared by affluents and are narrow and short. Hills are used as woodland and wide dissected valleys are reclaimed as paddy fields.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2021

Countries around the world, including the Republic of Korea, are participating in efforts to preserve biodiversity. Concerning species, in particular, studies that aim to find potential habitats and establish conservation plans by conducting habitat suitability analysis for specific species are actively ongoing. However, few studies on mid- to long-term changes in suitable habitat areas are based on accumulated information. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the time-series changes in the habitat suitable area and examine the otters' changing pattern (Lutra lutra) designated as Level 1 endangered wildlife in Gangwon-do. The time-series change analysis used the data on otter species' presence points from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th national natural environment surveys conducted for about 20 years. Moreover, it utilized the land cover map consistent with the survey period to create environmental variables to reflect each survey period's habitat environment. The suitable habitat area analysis used the MaxEnt model that can run based only on the species presence information, and it has been proven to be reliable by previous studies. The study derived the habitat suitability map for otters in each survey period, and it showed a tendency that habitats were distributed around rivers. Comparing the response curves of the environmental variables derived from the modeling identified the characteristics of the habitat favored by otters. The examination of habitats' change by survey period showed that the habitats based on the 2nd National Natural Environment Survey had the widest distribution. The habitats of the 3rd and 4th surveys showed a tendency of decrease in area. Moreover, the study aggregated the analysis results of the three survey periods and analyzed and categorized the habitat's changing pattern. The type of change proposed different conservation plans, such as field surveys, monitoring, protected area establishment, and restoration plan. This study is significant because it produced a comprehensive analysis map that showed the time-series changes of the location and area of the otter habitat and proposed a conservation plan that is necessary according to the type of habitat change by region. We believe that the method proposed in this study and its results can be used as reference data for establishing a habitat conservation and management plan in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.92-102
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• 2020

The followings are the landscape preference aspects from the 816 landscapes(景, Kyung), which comprise the 78 modern Palkyungs, presented by the 78 local governments in Korea. First, the natural environment elements selected as Kyung(景), which are topographical landscapes, mostly consist of mountain elements such as mountains, terrace(臺), rocks and stones and water elements classified as rivers, oceans, and lakes. Natural elements also include old-growth and giant trees such as pines, ginkgos, Japanese cornels and fringe trees, tree-lined streets and forests, and plant elements such as azaleas, rhododendrons, lotuses, reeds, and silver grasses which provide seasonal landscapes. Second, more than half of Kyung, selected as human environment elements, are historical and cultural heritages such as graveyards, mountain fortresses, town fortresses, traditional villages, pavilion in villas, and temples. And it is followed by leisure tourism facilities such as traditional markets, exhibition halls, theme parks, beaches, and food streets, green-based structures such as trails, plazas, parks, and botanical gardens, and industrial heritages such as ranches, abandoned coal mines, stations, ports and bridges. Third, modern Palkyungs include objects not related to the views such as local representative facilities, regional products, and festivals. Fourth, although most of the modern Palkyungs consist of eight, some include 20, 38, or 100 in order to increase the number of objects of public relations. Fifth, a certain local government makes two modern Palkyungs with different subjects by introducing traditional Palkyung and modern Palkyung altogether. In this case, it presents several modern Palkyungs like by selecting Palkyungs in a limited area. Furthermore, one Palkyung includes numerous place names at a time in some cases. Sixth, Sosangjeonhyeong(瀟湘典型)-style modern Palkyung uses 'NakAn(落雁)' as the name of Kyung. Sosangyusahyeong(瀟湘類似型)-style modern Palkyung expresses 'Hyojong(曉鐘)' and landscape of glow of the setting sun, sunset, night view, dawn, sunrise and depicts cloud, sunset, moon, and snow. There are many Myeongsocheheomhyeong(名所體驗型)-style Palkyungs exhibiting the behavior of tourism and Myeongseunghyeong(名勝型)-style Palkyungs raising the awareness only by the names of the places. Seventh, modern Palkyung's naming styles are diverse, such as using only four letters instead of specifying Kyungmul(景物) or Kyungsaek(景色) in combination with Chinese characters or adding modifiers specializing in places.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.435-445
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• 2023

A delta is a depositional landform that is formed when sediment transported by a river is deposited in a relatively low-energy environment, such as a lake, sea, or a main channel. Among these, a delta formed at the confluence of rivers has a great importance in river management and research because it has a significant impact on the hydraulic and sedimentological characteristics of the river. Recently, the equilibrium state of the confluence area has been disrupted by large-scale dredging and construction of levees in the Nakdong River. However, due to the natural recovery of the river, the confluence area is returning to its pre-dredging natural state through ongoing sedimentation. The time-series data show that the confluence delta has been steadily growing since the dredging, but once it reaches a certain size, it repeats growth and retreat, and the overall size does not change significantly. In this study, we developed a model to explain the sedimentation-erosion processes in the confluence area based on the assumption that the confluence delta reaches a dynamic equilibrium. The model is based on two fundamental principles: sedimentation due to supply from the tributary and erosion due to the main channel. The erosion coefficient that represents the Nakdong River confluence areas, was obtained using data from the tributaries of the Nakdong River. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using the developed model to understand how the confluence delta responds to changes in the sediment and water discharges of the tributary and the main channel, respectively. We then used annual average discharge of the Nakdong River's tributaries to predict the dynamic equilibrium positions of the confluence deltas. Finally, we conducted a simulation experiment on the development of the Gamcheon-Nakdong River delta using recorded daily discharge. The results showed that even though it is a simple model, it accurately predicted the dynamic equilibrium positions of the confluence deltas in the Nakdong River, including the areas where the delta had not formed, and those where the delta had already formed and predicted the trend of the response of the Gamcheon-Nakdong River delta. However, the actual retreat in the Gamcheon-Nakdong River delta was not captured fully due to errors and limitations in the simplification process. The insights through this study provide basic information on the sediment supply of the Nakdong River through the confluence areas, which can be implemented as a basic model for river maintenance and management.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.285-296
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• 2014

Although the problems of the algal blooms have been world-widely observed in freshwater, estuary, and marine throughout the year, it is not yet certain what are the basic causes of such blooms. Consequently, it is very difficult to predict when and where algal blooms occur. The constituents of the Asian dust are in a good agreement with the elements required for the algal growth, which suggests some possible relationship between the algal blooms and the Asian dust. There have been frequently algal blooms in drinking water from rivers or lakes. However, there is no any algal blooms in upwelling waters where the Asian dust cannot penetrate into the soil due to its relatively weak settling velocity (size of particles, $4.5{\pm}1.5{\mu}m$), which implies the possible close relationship of the Asian dust with algal blooms. The present initiative study is thus intended firstly in Korea to illustrate such a relationship by reviewing typical previous studies along with 12 years of weekly iron profiles (2001~2012) and two slant culture experiments with the dissolved Asian dust. The result showed bacterial suspected colonies in the slant culture experiment that are qualitatively in a good agreement with the recent Japanese studies. Since the diatoms require cheap energy (8%) compared to other phytoplankton (100%) to synthesize their cell walls by silicate, the present results can be used to predict algal blooms by diatoms if the concentrations of iron and silicate are available during spring and fall. It can be postulated that the algal blooms occur only if the environmental factors such as light, nutrients, calm water surface layer, temperature, and pH are simultaneously satisfied with the requirements of the micronutrients of mineral ions supplied by the Asian dust as enzymatic cofactors for the rapid bio-synthesis of the macromolecules during algal blooms. Simple eco-friendly methods to regulate the algal blooms are suggested for the initial stage of blooming with limited area: 1) to cover up the water surface with black curtain and inhibit photosynthesis during the day time, 2) to blow air (20.9%) or pure oxygen into the bottom of the water and inhibit rubisco for carbon uptake and nitrate reductase for nitrogen uptake activities in algal growth during the night, 3) to eliminate the resting spores or cysts by suction of bottom sediments as deep as 5 cm to prevent the next year germinations.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.327-341
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• 2021

The riparian eco-belt is an efficient technique that can reduce non-point pollution sources in the basin and improve ecological connectivity and health. In Korea, a legal system for the construction and management of riparian eco-belts is in operation. However, it is currently excluded that rivers and floodplains in dam reservoir that are advantageous for buffer functions such as control of non-point pollutants and ecological habitats. Accordingly, this study presented and analyzed a plan to select a site for an integrated riparian ecol-belt that comprehensively evaluates the water quality and ecosystem characteristics of each dam floodplain and riparian zone for the Daecheong Dam basin in Geum River watershed. First, the Daecheong Dam basin was divided into 138 sub-basin with GIS, and the riparian zone adjacent to the dam floodplain was analyzed. Sixteen evaluation factors related to the ecosystem and water quality impact that affect the selection of integrated riparian eco-belt were decided, and weights for the importance of each factor were set through AHP analysis. The priority of site suitability was derived by conducting an integrated evaluation by applying weights to sub-basin by floodplains and riparian zone factors. In order to determine whether the sites derived through GIS site analysis are sutiable for actual implementation, five sites were inspected according to three factors: land use, pollution sources, and ecological connectivity. As a result, it was confirmed that all sites were appropriate to apply integrated riparian ecol-belt. It is judged that the riparian eco-belt site analysis technique proposed through this study can be applied as a useful tool when establishing an integrated riparian zone management policy in the future. However, it might be necessary to experiment various evaluation factors and weights for each item according to the characteristics and issues of each dam. Additional research need to be conducted on elaborated conservation and restoration strategies considering the Green-Blue Network aspect, evaluation of ecosystem services, and interconnection between related laws and policy and its improvements.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is effective method with high detection sensitivity for evaluating fish biodiversity and detecting endangered fish from natural water samples. We compared the richness of operational taxonomic units(OTUs) and composition of freshwater fishes according to filters(cellulose nitrate filter vs. glass fiber filter), extraction kits(DNeasy2^® Blood & Tissue Kit vs. DNeasy2^® PowerWater Kit), primer sets (12S rDNA vs. 16S rDNA), and PCR methods (conventional PCR vs. touchdown PCR) to determine the optimal conditions for metabarcoding analysis of Korean freshwater fish. The glass fiber filter and DNeasy2^® Blood & Tissue Kit combination showed the highest number of freshwater fish OTUs in both 12S and 16S rDNA. Among the four types, the primer sets only showed statistically significant difference in the average number of OTUs in class Actinopterygii (non-parametric Wilcoxon signed ranks test, p=0.005). However, there was no difference in the average number of OTUs in freshwater fish. The species composition also showed significant difference according to primer sets (PERMANOVA, Pseudo-F=6.9489, p=0.006), but no differences were observed in the other three types. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) results revealed that species composition clustered together according to primer sets based on similarity of 65%; 16S rDNA primer set was mainly attributed to endangered species such as Microphysogobio koreensis and Pseudogobio brevicorpus. In contrast, the 12S rDNA primer set was mainly attributed to common species such as Zacco platypus and Coreoperca herzi. This study provides essential information on species diversity analysis using metabarcoding for environmental water samples obtained from rivers in Korea.