• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.139-149
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• 2018

Background: Ethiopia is among the poorest countries where land degradation caused livelihood problem to its inhabitants. The livelihood of rural communities in Ethiopia is seriously threatened by land degradation. Land is the major natural resource that economic, social, infrastructure, and other human activities are undertaken on. Thus, land resources play an important role in shaping rural livelihoods, and lack of sustainable land management practices leads to land degradation. Thus, this study aimed to analyze interlink between land degradation and livelihood of rural communities in Chilga district, Northwest Ethiopia. It also addresses the factors which influence income diversification for livelihood of households in the study area. Result: The result depicts that the major causes of land degradation are both natural and anthropogenic. Land degradation and livelihood are negatively interlinked with each other. The livelihood of the majority of the population in the study area is dependent on subsistence agriculture both farming and animal husbandry with low diversification. The survey result showed that more than half (69%) of the sample households have farm size of less than 2 ha, nearly one third (31%) have 2.0-2.5 ha, and insignificant number of farmers have more than 2.5 ha. More than 80% of the respondents pointed out that land degradation has impacts both on crop yield and livestock production. Most of the explanatory variables such as gender, age, education level, farmland size, and family size have statistical significant influence (at P < .01 and P < .05 levels) for income diversification of households, while marital status on the other hand is not statistically significant though it has positive relation with income diversification in this study. Conclusions: Our results suggest awareness should be created in the community about the livelihood diversification mechanisms which enabled them to engage in different income-generating activities and comprehensive watershed management should be implemented.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.364-370
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• 2011

Water quality criteria for human health protection are derived based on the human health risk assessment. Water quality criteria in Korean freshwater bodies have been derived according to the equations developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The equations include the fish intake parameter, which is very important factor that significantly influences on the criteria derivation. So far, several fish intake values were used in human health risk assessment for water quality standards and effluent standards. However, these values are not consistent and they refer to various sources. Therefore, there is a need to suggest the most appropriate value of fish intake parameter to derive freshwater quality criteria in Korea. In this study, national and international fish intake values were widely collected and evaluated to select the adequate value of fish intake parameter that can be applied in Korea. The USEPA presented fish intake parameter as the 17.5 g/day for general adults and sport fishers and 142.4 g/day for subsistence fishers. In Korean reports, wide range values of 2 to 67.7 g/day were suggested as fish intake value. These values included finfish and shellfish intakes in common but had various habits. This study found that the 52.4 g/day suggested in Korean Exposure Factors Handbook published by the Ministry of Environment in 2007 seemed to be the suitable fish intake parameter to derive the freshwater quality criteria in Korea. The value is based on water corrected intakes of finfish and shellfish present in freshwater and coastal areas. We expect that this report can be useful to select suitable fish intake value in human health risk assessment for establishing freshwater quality standard in Korea.

• Forest Science and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.192-203
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• 2018

This study analyzed the distribution of forest income and other variable sources of rural household income and considered their importance for the reduction of income inequality and poverty. We employed Gini decomposition to measure the contribution of forest income and other sources of income to income equality and assess whether they were inequality-increasing or inequality-decreasing in the 14 villages. The forest income Gini correlation with total income was very high, $R_k=0.6960$, and the forest income share of total rural household income was 35% ($S_k=0.3570$). If the income earned from forest activities was removed, the Gini index would increase by 10.3%. Thus, if people could not access forest resources because of vast deforestation, perhaps from the limitations of government-managed forestry, unplanned clearing of forest land for agriculture or the granting of ELCs, there would be an increase in income inequality and poverty among rural households. The findings suggest that policy makers should look beyond agriculture for rural development, as forest resources provide meaningful subsistence income and perhaps contribute to both preventing and reducing poverty and inequality in rural communities. The study found that non-farm activities were inequality-increasing sources of income. The share of non-farm income to the total rural household income was $S_k=0.1290$ and the Gini index of non-farm income was very high, $G_k=0.8780$, compared with forest and farm income. This disagrees with other studies which have reported that non-farm income was inequality-decreasing for the rural poor.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.311-320
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• 2024

Objectives: This study analyzed raw data from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019-2021) to assess the impact of oral health problems and dental care usage patterns of women who have experienced pregnancy and childbirth. Methods: Out of the 2,389 participants with pregnancy and childbirth experience, 1,301 were included in the final analysis. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using to determine the influencing factors on EQ-5D. Results: Factors influencing EQ5D include general characteristics (age, family income (5 quintile), status of basic living subsistence, education level), oral health problems (chewing problems, complaints of chewing discomfort, speaking problems) (p<0.001). Conclusions: The oral health problems and dental care usage patterns of women who experience pregnancy and childbirth have a significant impact on their health-related quality of life. This study provides basic data for women's ongoing oral care.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.521-527
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• 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of mental health both domestically and internationally. Korea has a high suicide rate, and there is a strong social demand to understand the causes and take measures. In this study, we identified the factors that significantly affect the experience of depression, a leading indicator of mental health. Using data from the 2021 Community Health Survey and KOSIS, we analyzed data at the individual and community level, and found that stress levels, subjective health, and basic living status are key influences. Local health authorities should strengthen mental health for the population, including expanding health education and promotion activities to reduce stress and improve lifestyle, and developing targeted programs for specific groups, such as those living on basic subsistence. They should also work with the central government to strive for comprehensive health care and implement effective mental health policies in harmony with population and family authorities.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.387-394
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• 2013

We aim to unveil dietary history recorded in Neolithic human bone from Janghang site at Gadeok Island, Busan. Excavation of Janghang site at Gadeok Island from 2010 to 2011 is an outstanding discovery in Korean Neolithic archaeology. A large number of human bones (48 individuals) were found at Janghang site, which is the largest-scale Neolithic cemetery in Korea. We extracted human bone collagen from 10 individuals and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis were carried out using carbon and nitrogen analyzer connected to a continuous-flow isotope-ratio-monitoring mass-spectrometer. Although bone histological analysis shows poor preservation state, stable isotope results correspond well with bone collagen quality indicator, which implies that bone collagen reflects lifetime signature. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope result indicates highly marinebased diet(${\delta}^{13}$C=$-14.5{\pm}1.3$‰, ${\delta}^{15}$N=$-17.4{\pm}1.7$‰, n=10), however the possible input of terrestrial animal and wild plant cannot be excluded. Our isotopic findings provide an invaluable information on Neolithic subsistence economy in this coastal area. In addition, Janghang site shows specific features in burial methods and burial goods. Two different burial methods of arranging bodies are found with extended burial type and particularly high ratio of flexed burial type. There are also burial goods such as pottery. However, there are no significant isotopic differences according to burial methods and burial goods. Although this is a preliminary study on this site, our research will provide important clues in understanding isotopic dietary history of Korean Neolithic people.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.85-97
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• 2019

Background: Despite the increasing role of dry forests in climate change adaptation and mitigation, these versatile resources has got less attention in the national and regional planning, their potential to enhance the local and national economy has been overlooked, and their contribution to sustainable environmental management has not been recognized. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the socioeconomic contribution of dry forests and forest products to climate change adaptation in the Liben Woreda, Southern Oromia region of Ethiopia. Methods: For this study, an integrated qualitative and quantitative approach was used. A total of 74 households from villages in the Bulbul, Boba, and Melka-Guba kebeles were randomly selected for the household survey. Results: Results showed that 75% of the respondents in the area indicated that climate change has become their major sources of vulnerability, where drought has been manifested in the form of crops failure and massive death of livestock particularly cattle species. The main income strategies of the study households include livestock, crop, forests such as gum and resins, firewood and charcoal and non-farm activities such as in the form of petty trade, wage and aid. The average total household income was ETB 11,209.7. Out of this, dry forest income constituted 15% of the total income. In addition to using dry forests as rangeland for livestock, the communities collect wood for construction, fodder, traditional medicine, and forest food both for subsistence and for sale. On the other hand, dry forest products could be considered as less vulnerable, rather resilient livelihood strategies to climate- and environment-related risks compared to livestock and crop production such as in the face of drought periods. More than 48.6% of the households argued that the income generated from dry forests increased substantially due to increment in the level of engagement of family members in forest based income activities. On the other hand, 35.8% of the households responded that livestock production, particularly camels and goats, have been making the livelihood strategies of the respondents more resilient indicating the shift made from grazers browsers to livestock. In general trends show that, the trends of livelihood dependency on dry forest were highly increasing indicating the importance of dry forest income in responsse to frequent droughts. Conclusions: Dry forest income has been becoming crucial livelihood staretgy in response to frequent droughts in the study area and hence, it is important to improve the management of dry forests for livelihood enhancement, while also securing their long-term ecological functions.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.296-318
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• 2015

The Bru-Van Kieu, one of ethnic minorities in Vietnam, have lived in the mountainous area along the border with Laos for centuries. Approximately by the end of the Second Indochina War, the Bru-Van Kieu were still a kinship-based and non-stratified societal group relying mainly on subsistence economy. Their traditional physical geography, nonetheless, has been transformed vigorously during the last few decades as a result of state-formation processes and changes in macro-economic policies. The paper aims to examine how ethnic minority adapt their livelihood to challenges instigated by macro political and economic processes. By examining livelihood adaptation of the Bru-Van Kieu, the study also identifies strategies that ethnic minorities use to negotiate with more powerful political and economic forces. The authors argue that the Bru-Van Kieu have deployed a strategy combining everyday resistance to maintain their limited social and cultural agencies and utilizing of these agencies in economic adaptation with other cross-ethnic non-state actors, enabling them to tap into new type of resources and opportunities.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.533-539
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• 2017

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope results recorded in human bone reflects palaeodiet, nutrition, subsistence and palaeoenvironment. We analyzed the remains of the Naju Yeongdong-ri people, who live at around $6^{th}$ century, excavated from stone chambers and stone-lined tombs. The following results of the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were obtained: ${\delta}^{13}C=-19.5{\pm}0.7$‰, ${\delta}^{15}N=9.6{\pm}0.7$‰, (n=9). The value for stable carbon isotopes indicates that the Naju Yeongdong-ri people had a largely $C_3$-based diet such as rice, barley, and beans. On the other hand, the value for stable nitrogen isotopes reflect the consumption of terrestrial animal protein. This study presents new information on the dietary patterns of the Naju Yeongdong-ri people, whose tombs were similar to the Baekje tomb style and their burial type was much like the one followed by the indigenous people of the Yeongsan river basin.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.313-326
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• 2010

This paper explores the changing aspects of the fishing village and fishermen since the beginning of the Saemangeum Reclamation Development Project in 1991. The Saemangeum Project was neither appropriate nor effective because it adopted an outdated development policy. It should have been obvious that as a result of the Project, tideland where various kinds of clams, crabs, oyster, and many other marine resources live would be lost. The fishermen in the affected area have suffered various hardships. The most acute problem at present is the disappearance of their subsistence activity that threatens their families' survival. Facing the crisis, they view fishing as their most valuable resource. Overlooking the Saemangeum Lake which is newly formed, they view the sea and tideland as their treasure boxes or bank deposits. From the beginning until now, the government did not pay attention to the concerns of the fishermen and their communities. It was an outcome of the typical top-down bureaucratic decision making. Until recently the government has persisted in its position that the primary goal of the reclamation project was to increase agricultural land. In July 23, 2009, the government suddenly announced the new Saemangeum development plan. The new plan focusing on the industrial city complex was quite different from the old plan. Regardless of the revised plan the lives of the villagers in the coastal areas have already been significantly altered. Most villagers no longer depend on fishery. Many have already left their homestead and moved away in order to search new jobs or find another coastal area where they can continue their fishing.