• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.68-79
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• 2003

Although seagrasses are relatively abundant, few studies have been conducted on seagrass physiology and ecology in Korea. Zostera marina is the most abundant seagrass species, widely distributed throughout all coastal areas of the Korean peninsula. To examine seasonal dynamics and spatial variations of eelgrass, Zostera marina distributed on the coast of Korea, morphological characteristics, biomass, tissue nutrient constituents, leaf productivity and environmental factors were monitored monthly from the eelgrass beds in Kabae Bay and Kosung Bay on the south coast of the Korean peninsula from June 2001 to June 2002. Eelgrass density, biomass, morphological characteristics, leaf productivities, and tissue nutrient constituents exhibited clear seasonal variations, and these seasonal trends reflected seasonal changes in water temperature. Eelgrass shoot density and biomass at Kabae Bay site showed more obvious seasonal trends than Kosung Bay. No strong seasonality in Kosung Bay site appeared to be caused by high water temperature ($>30{\circ}C$) during summer months at this site. Despite differences in nutrient availabilities between two study sites, eelgrass biomass and leaf productivities were not significantly different between study sites, and this lack of spatial variations implies that the ambient nutrient availabilities at the present study sites are in excess of seagrass nutrient demand. Eelgrass tissue N content and sediment pore water DIN concentrations exhibited reverse relationship at the present study. This reverse relationship suggests in situ nutrient concentrations are not good indicator of nutrient availabilities, and regeneration and turnover rates of sediment nutrients are also important factors to determine nutrient availabilities at the site.

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.39-47
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• 2004

Production dynamics of eelgrass, Zostera marina was examined in Jindong Bay on the south of the Korea peninsula. Eelgrass leaf productivities and environmental factors such as underwater photon flux density, water temperature, and nutrient availabilities in the water column and sediments were monitored from March 2002 to December 2003. While water temperature exhibited a distinct seasonal trend, underwater irradiance and nutrient availabilities exhibited high degree of fluctuation, and did not show a seasonal trend throughout the experimental periods. Eelgrass leaf elongation and production rates showed significant seasonal variations. Leaf productivity was highest in May (30.0 mg dry wt sht$^{-1}$ d$^{-1}$ or 3.7g dry wt m$^{-2}$d$^{-1}$) and lowest in November (3.2 mg dry wt sht$^{-1}$ d$^{-1}$ or 0.12 g dry wt m $^{-2}$ d$^{-1}$). Eelgrass leaf productivities did not show a strong correlation with underwater irradiance or environmental nutrient availabilities. The production rates, however, were positively correlated with water temperature during spring periods, and were correlated negatively at high water temperature exceeded 20℃ during summer months. While relative growth rates were highest in spring and lowest in high water temperature periods, plastochrone interval was longest during summer and shortest during spring. These results imply that seasonal growth dynamics of eelgrass, Z. marina was mainly controlled by water temperature.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.373-386
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• 2017

The study was conducted to investigate seasonal nutrient dynamics in rice-cultivated soils collected from farmhouses of three large-scale environment-friendly agricultural districts (LEAD), Jangheung, Suncheon, and Okcheon in which environmental-friendly agriculture has been exemplarily practiced in Korea. Among three districts, Crop- livestock cycling organic farming system had been introduced only in Jangheung. pH and EC of farmhouse soils of three LEADs were ranged between 5.5 - 6.7 and $0.4-1.0dS\;m^{-1}$ from March to September, respectively. T-N was observed to be high on the farmhouse soil in Suncheon and K was observed to be lowest on farmhouse soil in Okcheon. Concentration of $NH_4-N$ in soil was observed to be highest on June, in particular on the farmhouse in Jangheung, but rapidly decreased due to the loss of fertilizer applied in Spring. Yield and harvest index were the highest on the farmhouse in Okcheon in which total annual gross production $ha^{-1}$ was nearly three time higher than those of other two farmhouses. Farmhouse soil of Okcheon was maintained the highest seasonal nutrient balance due to the high input of fertilizer. It was estimated that K balance in the farmhouse soil in Suncheon dropped to $-60kg\;ha^{-1}$ on September, and it might have some effect on the less rice productivity due to K deficiency. Farmhouse soil in Jangheung was maintained low seasonal balance of T-N and P but showed the highest N use efficiency in the rice grain. Based on above-mentioned results, we think Jangheung farmhouse can be recommended as a model farmhouse of LEADs.

• ALGAE
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.215-224
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• 2012

Growth dynamics of the seagrass, Zostera marina were examined at the two stations (Myungju and Dagu) in Jindong Bay on the southern coast of Korea. Eelgrass leaf productivities, underwater irradiance, water temperature, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in water column and sediments, and tissue carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content were monitored monthly from March 2002 to January 2004. Underwater irradiance fluctuated highly without a clear seasonal trend, whereas water temperature showed a distinct seasonal trend at both study stations. Water column DIN concentrations were usually less than $5{\mu}M$ at both study sites. Sediment pore water $NH_4{^+}$ and $NO_3{^-}+NO_2{^-}$ concentrations were higher at the Myungju site than at the Dagu site. Eelgrass leaf productivity at both study sites exhibited a distinct seasonality, increasing during spring and decreasing during summer. Seasonal variation of eelgrass productivity was not consistent with seasonal patterns of underwater irradiance, or water temperature. Eelgrass tissue C and N content at both study sites also showed significant seasonal variations. Relationships between tissue C and N content and leaf productivities exhibited usually negative correlations at both study sites. These negative correlations implied that the growth of Z. marina at the study sites was probably limited by C and N supplies during the high growth periods.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2013

Decomposition of plant material is an important component in the study of forest ecosystem because of its critical role in nutrient cycling. Different tree species has different nutrient release patterns, which are related to leaf litter quantitative traits and seasonal environmental factors. The quantitative traits of leaf litter are important predictors of decomposition and decomposition rates increase with greater nutrient availability in the forest ecosystems. At the ecosystem level, litter quantitative traits are most often related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the litter, for example, leaf toughness and leaf mass per unit area, and lignin content tannin and total phenolics. Thus, the analysis of litter quantitative traits and decomposition are highly important for the understanding of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. By studying the role of litter quantitative traits on decomposition and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems will provide a valuable insight to how quantitative traits influence ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Such knowledge will contribute to future forest management and conservation practices.

• ALGAE
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.241-250
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• 2008

Since seagrasses in the coastal and estuarine ecosystems achieve high levels of production, they require high inorganic carbon and nutrient incorporation. Thus, seagrasses may play a significant role in carbon and nutrient cycling in the coastal and estuarine ecosystems. To examine growth dynamics of Zostera marina L. environmental factors such as underwater irradiance, water temperature, and salinity, and biological parameters such as shoot density, biomass, shoot morphology, and leaf productivity were measured in two bay systems (Jindong Bay and Gamak Bay) on the southern coast of Korea. While underwater irradiance did not show distinct seasonal trend, water temperature at both sites exhibited clear seasonal trend throughout the experimental period. Shoot density increased dramatically during winter due to the increased seedlings through germination of seeds in Jindong Bay and due to the increased lateral shoots in Gamak Bay. Eelgrass biomass increased during winter and decreased during summer. Maximum biomass in Jindong Bay and Gamak Bay was 250.2 and 232.3 g dry weight m–a2, respectively. Carbon incorporation into the eelgrass leaf tissues was estimated from productivity and leaf tissues carbon content. The calculated annual carbon incorporations at the Jindong Bay and Gamak Bay sites were 163 and 295 g C m–`2 y–`1, respectively. This high carbon incorporation into seagrass tissues suggests that seagrass habitats play an important role as a carbon absorber in the coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.548-561
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• 2019

The surfgrass Phyllospadix japonicus is a dominant seagrass species playing critical ecological roles on the eastern coast of Korea. However, few studies have been conducted on the ecological characteristics of this species, generally due to the turbulent water conditions in its habitat. In this study, to examine the growth dynamics of P. japonicus, we investigated monthly changes in morphological characteristics, density, biomass, and leaf productivity as well as changes in the underwater irradiance, water temperature, and water column nutrient concentrations of its habitat from August 2017 to July 2018. Underwater irradiance and water temperature showed clear seasonal changes increasing in spring and summer and decreasing in fall and winter. Nutrient availability fluctuated substantially, but did not display any distinct seasonal trend. Morphological characteristics, shoot density, biomass, and leaf productivities of P. japonicus exhibited significant seasonal variations, increasing in spring and decreasing in fall months. Spadix of P. japonicus occurred from March to August, with the maximum spadix percentage(15.8%) occurred in May 2018. The average leaf productivity of P. japonicus per shoot and area were 2.1 mg sht^-1 d^-1 and 7.5 g m^-2 d^-1, respectively. The optimum water temperature for the growth of P. japonicus in this study was between 13-14℃. The productivity of P. japonicus was not correlated with underwater irradiance, water temperature and nutrient concentrations. These results suggest that the study site provide sufficient amount of underwater irradiance, suitable water temperature range and nutrients for the growth of P. japonicus.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.457-465
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• 2008

The purpose of the study was to evaluate spatial and temporal dynamics of nutrients (TN, TP), organic pollution (BOD, COD), and ionic dynamics (electrical conductivity, EC) in the North Han-River, South Han-River, and merged downriver using the dataset of $1998{\sim}2007$, obtained from the MEK (Ministry of Environment, Korea). Accord. ing to interannual nutrient analysis, TN varied slightly in the North Han-River and South Han-River, but decreased in the merged downriver along with BOD. Longitudinal analysis in the water quality showed that BOD, COD, and nutrients had linear decreasing trend along the main axis of headwater-to-downriver. Concentrations of TP and TN in the North Han-River averaged $26.97{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$, $1.696mg\;L^{-1}$, respectively, which were minimum in the three watersheds, followed by South Han-River and then the merged downriver in order. Ratios of TN:TP in the watersheds were >40 in all the sites, indicating that nitrogen may be enough for periphyton or phytoplankton growth and phosphorus may be limited partially. After the North Han-River water is merged with South Han-River, the concentrations of BOD, COD, TN, and TP were similar to the values of $S6{\sim}S7$, respectively or a little bit higher, but increased abruptly in Site M4 (Fig. 3). Thus, mean values of all the water quality parameters in the reach of $M4{\sim}M7$ sites were greater than any other sites. Seasonal data analysis indicated that BOD and EC in the downstream ($S3{\sim}S7$) was greater in the premonsoon than two seasons of the monsoon and postmonsoon, and no significant differences in BOD between the three seasons were found in the upstream ($S1{\sim}S2$). Empirical models of COD in the merged downriver was predicted ($R^2=0.87$, p>0.01, slope = 0.84, intercept = -1.28) well by EC. These results suggest that EC to be measured easily in the field may be used for estimations of nutrients and organic matter pollutions in the merged downriver and these linear models are cost-effective for the monitoring of the parameters.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the nutrient distribution and controlling factors in small stream estuaries. The seasonal variations of nutrient concentration (nitrate, ammonium and phosphate) were observed from 2010 to 2012 in the three streams located in Dang-hang (closed estuary: Go-seong, open estuary: Gu-man and Ma-am). The nutrient concentrations in Go-seong were significantly higher than other estuaries, because Go-seong is relatively large and has large nutrient load from the watershed. The dyke located at the estuary, also, caused the high nutrient concentration by reducing the dilution and increasing residence time. In all three streams, nitrate concentration was high at upstream and decreased toward the downstream, because high load of nutrient input were located at upstream. Dilution and biogeochemical removal toward the downstream also caused the trends. Especially, denitrification, a typical nitrogen removing process showed clear tendency of gradual decreasing from upstream to downstream. However, Ammonium and phosphate concentrations were high at upstream and decreased toward the downstream only when the nutrient loads from the rivers were high. Nutrient concentrations were low in summer and high in winter. Freshwater discharge in summer caused a decrease of the residence time and increase of the transport of nutrients to downstream and reduced the nutrient concentrations in the estuary. Nutrient removal by the biological production during high temperature periods also affected the low nutrient concentrations. Small stream estuaries showed distinct nutrient dynamics. It is necessary to understand these characteristics in order to properly manage the small stream estuary.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 1992

Litterfall, decomposition, and dynamics of n and p in decomposing litter were investigated for 2 years in red pine ( pinus densiflora) and chinese thuja( thuja orientalis)stands in the limestone area. Average litterfall in red pine and chinese thuja stands were 4, 535kgDM ha-1 yr-1 and 5, 010 kgDM ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Seasonal litterfall in red pine and chinese thuja stands showed peaks in November. concentrations of N and P in the needle litter were lowest in the winter when the greast litterfall occurred, and highest in the summer when the least litterfall occurred. However, those in chinese thuja scale leaf litter showed litter seasonal variation.amount of N and P returned to the forest floor through litterfall were 29.02kgN ha-1 yr-1 , 2.81 kg P ha-1 yr-1 for red pine stand, and 31.06 kg N ha-1 yr-1 , 2.86kgP ha-1 yr-1 for chinese thuja stand, respectively. After 21 mounts elapsed, needle and chinese thuja scale leaf litterbags lost 34.8% and 32.5% of the initial weight, respectively. N concentrations in the docomposing needle and chines thuja scale leaf litter decreased by 19% and 30%, respectively, after 1 month elapsed, and then gradually increased to exceed the initial concentration after 9 months elapsed and then gradually increased to exceed the initial concentration after 9 months elapsed in both of them, P in needle and chines thuja scale leaf litter decreased by 54% and 57% of the initial concentration, respectively, after 1 month elapsed. unlike N, P concentration in the decomposing litter did not exceed that of initial ones. Neyt immobilization period of N and P in decomposing litter did not occur over the study period.