• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.690-706
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• 2019

Paddy fields play an important role in the biodiversity conservation of agroecosystems as man-made wetlands. This study focused on the floristic composition and characteristics of paddy fields in South Korea. The flora surveys were conducted in 33 areas in nine provinces at two times (June and August) in 2016. The results showed that the vascular plants of the paddy fields in South Korea included 389 taxa, composed of 51 families, 219 genera, 350 species, four subspecies, 30 varieties, and five forms. Among the 51 families, Gramineae was the most diverse in species (76 taxa), followed by Compositae (61 taxa), Leguminosae (32 taxa), Cyperaceae (27 taxa), Polygonaceae (15 taxa), and Scrophulariaceae (12 taxa). Based on the occurrence frequency of each species, Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel. (100%), and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. (100%) were the highest, followed by Acalypha australis L. (97.0%), Bidens frondosa L. (97.0%), Alopecurus aequalis Sobol. (97.0%), Rorippa palustris (Leyss.) Besser (93.9%), Ludwigia prostrata Roxb. (93.9%), Lemna perpusilla Torr. (93.9%), Mazus pumilus (Burm. f.) Steenis(90.9%), Rorippa palustris(Leyss.) Besser(87.9%), Eclipta prostrata(L.) L.(87.9%), Commelina communis L.(87.9%), Artemisia princeps Pamp.(84.8%), Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers.(84.8%), Cyperus microiria Steud.(84.8%), and Aneilema keisak(Hassk.) Hand.-Mazz. (81.8%). The biological type of paddy fields in South Korea was determined to be Th-R₅-D₄-t type. Rare plants were found in six taxa: Aristolochina contorta Bunge, Penthorum chinense Pursh, Sagittaria sagittifolia subsp. leucopetala (Miq.) Hartog, Ottelia alismoides (L.) Pers., Pseudoraphis ukishiba Ohwi, and Acorus calamus L. Eighty taxa contained naturalized plants composed of 15 families, 54 genera, 76 species, three varieties, and one form. The urbanization and naturalization indices were 24.8% and 20.6%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.371-387
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• 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the flora of Mt. Unbongsan in the basalt areas of Korea. From the results of eight field surveys undertaken from March to October 2017, we identified 404 total taxa, representing 364 species, seven subspecies, and 33 varieties, which were placed in 256 genera and 91 families. The plant formation of Mt. Unbongsan is a deciduous broad-leaved and conifer mixed forest, which is common in the middle part of the Korean peninsula. Most of the mountain is covered by a young secondary forest, which is mainly composed of Quercus monglica and Pinus densiflora. Out of these 404 taxa, 193 were the first records for the region, six were endemic to Korea, three were listed on the Korean Red List of threatened species, 34 were floristic target species, and 40 were invasive alien species. The naturalized index(NI) percentage was 9.9%. Mt. Unbongsan has plant diversity, which was associated with the geomorphological landscapes. We considered that the composition and distribution of the species were affected by different environmental factors according to the presence of granite, taluses, block streams, drying ridges, valleys, puddles, wetlands, and streams.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2007

We studied the optimal ranges of water and soil characteristics for wetland plants, particularly Scirpus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) and Typha latifolia (broadleaf cattail), which are dominant species with potential for restoration of Korean wetlands. We observed vegetation in S. tabernaemontani and T. latifolia communities from the mid to late June, 2005, and measured characteristics of water environments such as water depth (WD), temperature (WT), conductivity (WC), and concentration of several ions $(NO_3{^-}-N,\;Ca^{2+},\;Na^+,\;Mg^{2+},\;and\;K^+)$, and characteristics of soil environments such as soil texture, organic matter (loss on ignition, LOI), conductivity, and pH. The S. tabernaemontani community was accompanied by Zizania latifolia (Manchurian wildrice), Persicaria thunbergii (Korean persicary), Actinostemma lobatum (lobed actinostemma), and Beckmannia syzigachne (American slough grass), while the T. latifolia community was accompanied by P. thunbergii, T. angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail), and Glycine soja (wild soybean). We defined the optimal range for distribution (ORD) as the range that each plant was crowded. The optimal range of water characteristics for the S. tabernaemontani community was a $WD\;10{\sim}50cm,\;WT\;24.0{\sim}32.0^{\circ}C,\;WC\;100{\sim}500{\mu}S/cm,\;{NO_3}{^-}-N\;0{\sim}60ppb,\;K^+\;0.00{\sim}1.50ppm,\;Ca^{2+}\;7.50{\sim}17.50ppm,\; Na^+\;2.50{\sim}12.50ppm,\;and\;Mg^{2+}\;3.00{\sim}7.00ppm$. In addition, the optimal range of soil characteristics for the S. tabernaemontani community was a soil texture of loam, silty loam, and loamy sand, $LOI\;8.0{\sim}16.0%,\;pH\;5.25{\sim}6.25$, and conductivity $10{\sim}70{\mu}S/cm$. The optimal range of water characteristics for the T. latifolia community was a $WD\;10{\sim}30cm,\;WT\;22.5{\sim}27.5^{\circ}C,\;WC\;100{\sim}400{\mu}S/cm,\;{NO_3}{^-}-N\;0{\sim}60ppb,\;K^+\;0.00{\sim}1.50ppm,\;Ca^{2+}\;0.00{\sim}17.50ppm,\;Na^+\;0.00{\sim}12.50ppm,\;and\;Mg^{2+}\;0.00{\sim}5.00ppm$, and the optimal range of soil characteristics for the T. fatifolia community was a soil texture of loam, sandy loam, and silty loam, LOI $3.0{\sim}9.0%,\;pH\;5.25{\sim}7.25$, and conductivity $0{\sim}70{\mu}S/cm$.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.279-286
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• 2005

This study was conducted to analyze the changing pattern of the bird community after the construction of artificial wetland at Sihwah lake from may 2000 to January 2002. Total seventy seven bird species were recorded at Sihwa artificial wetland area during the survey. Number of the bird species and individuals were increased in second year than first survey year. Especially shorebirds and raptors were more increased than other groups. Long-term and continuous monitoring of bird community would be needed to clarify the reasons of increasing pattern of bird species and individuals in artificial wetlands of Sihwa lake. Until now, this area has been considered as suitable habitat for dabbling ducks than shore birds and has simple habitat environment consisting of open water surface and reed beds. Therefore, we suggest the follows for creation of diverse habitat types: 1) seasonal water-level manipulation 2) management of diverse aquatic plants and 3) creation of diverse land cover; sandy fields, gravelly fields, grasslands, etc.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2016

In this research, a pilot scale hybrid rain garden system was developed in order to investigate the efficiency in the different components of the hybrid rain garden system and at the same time evaluate the initial efficiency of the system in treating urban stormwater runoff prior to its actual use in the field. Experimental runs were conducted using synthetic runoff having target concentrations similar to that of the typical runoff characteristics found in different countries and in Korea. With the employment of the hybrid rain garden system, hydrologic improvement was observed as the system demonstrates an approximately 95% reduction in the influent runoff volume with 80% retained in the system, and 15% recharged to groundwater. The reduction was contributed by the retention capabilities of ST and infiltration capabilities in PB and IT. With the combined mechanisms such as filtration-infiltration, biological uptake from plants and soil and phytoremediation that are incorporated in PB and IT, the system effectively reduces the amount of pollutant concentration wherein the initial mean removal efficiency for TSS is 87%, while an approximate mean removal efficiency of 76%, 46% and 56% was observed in terms of organics, nutrients and heavy metal, respectively. With these findings, the research helps in the further improvement, innovation and optimization of rain garden systems and other facilities as well.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2015

As the seriousness of water pollution resulted from nitrogen is being magnified, research has been conducted to reduce nitrogen in sewage as well as wastewater. Particularly research on innovative nitrogen removal methods that are based on the reaction of nitritation and are economically feasible and eco-friendly has been receiving attention. However, research on the applicability and efficiency of the methods based on the reaction of nitritation has not been completely done yet. Accordingly, the current study has analyzed the characteristics of sewage flowing into municipal wastewater treatment plants, primary clarifier supernatant, recycled water, and livestock wastewater and also operated a laboratory-level reactor. The result shows that recycled water and livestock wastewater contain higher-concentration nitrogen than other kinds of sewage, so they increase nitrogen loading in the water treatment line. And the result of operating a reactor shows that because of ammonium nitrogen low concentration, sewage and primary clarifier supernatant do not induce the reaction of nitritation. Also, there exist differences in the conditions of retention time inducing the reaction of nitritation by the types of sewage, and this seems to be attributed to organic compound and ammonium nitrogen concentration. Among the kinds of sewage inducing the reaction of nitritation, anaerobic digester supernatant indicates the highest efficiency.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2000

The physico-chemical characteristics of core sediment, community dynamics of Salix species during the sedimentation were investigated in 1990~1997 for the purpose of inquiry to reveal the effects of terrestrialization on the environment and plant community in a natural wetland. The study site, Paksil-nup wetland was a valley blocked lake located near Hwang-River, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The values of conductivity, organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable K, and exchangeable Ca were higher, and pH was lower in the upper layer of the core sediment. Soil properties such as available phosphorus, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Na increased, and organic matter, total nitrogen, exchangeable K decreased during the sedimentation. Salix nipponica was the dominant species, and Salix glandulosa was subdominant among 10 Salix species. Sahx species were supposed to be the pioneer plants in shrub and tree layers during the succession in Paksil-nup wetland. Age class of SaliX species community from the epilittoral zone to the infralittoral zone were low, and age of Saljx species distributed from 2 years to 11 years. DBH, height, mean number of branches, number of herb species, and light intensity were increased, whereas density was decreased from a lower age to a higher age community. Salix nipponica was superior than Sahx purpurea var. japonica and other Salix species during the interspecific competition among Salix species.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.657-664
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• 2011

The plant community of water`s edge was investigated using the methodology of the Z-M school of phytosociology, from March to October, 2008, 2011. The results were obtained as follow ; hygrophyte hydrophye of 2008 year of this area consist of 38 taxa : 1 varieties, 37 species, 31 genera, 21 families and 14 orders, hygrophyte hydrophye of 2011 year of this area consist of hygrophyte 15 species, 13 species were reduced by approximately 13.33%. And emerged hydrophyres did not show a change. 9 species, 4 species of Floating-Leaved hydrophyres 55.56%, Submerged hydrophyres of the 4 species, 1 species, 75%, Free-Floating hydrophyres remarkable I the 3 species was reduced to 33.33%, respectively. Plants Community of the water's edge was classified into 16 communities as follows; (Leersia japonica community, Spirodela polyrhiza community, Miscanthus sacchariflorus community, Hydrocharis dubia community, Zizania latifolia community, Paspalum distichum var. indutum community, Leersia japonica-Hydrocharis dubia community, Salix glandulosa community, Trapa japonica community, Humulus japonicus community, Nelumbo nucifera community, Carex dimorpholepis community, Salix koreensis community, Trapa japonica-Spirodela polyrhiza community, Persicaria thunbergii). Higher in 2011 than in 2008, the ratio was reduced to Leersia japonica community. Between July-August by a sudden change in the rate of water storage changes in vegetation are thought to have appeared.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.535-541
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• 2013

The urbanization affects significantly on a natural water circulation system by increasing the imperviousness rate. It is also negatively affecting on urban temperature, environmental pollution, water quality, and aqua-ecosystems. The Korea MOE (Ministry of Environment) adapted a new environmental policy in order to reduce the impact of urbanization, which is the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) program. The GSI can be achieved by protecting conservable green spaces, enlarging more green spaces, and constructing more permeable pavements. The GSI is including many different techniques such as bioretention, rain garden, infiltration trench and so on. Also It is the infrastructures using natural mechanisms of soils, microorganisms, plants and animals on a water circulation system and pollutant reduction. In this research, a multi functional GSI technology with infiltration-filtration mechanisms has been developed and performed lab-scale tests to evaluate the performances about infiltration rate restoration and pollutant reduction. The most of pollutants including metals, organics and particulates were reduced about 50~90% due to water infiltration and storage functions. The clogging was found when the TSS loading rate was reached on $8.3{\sim}9.0kg/m^2$, which value is higher than the values in literatures. It means the new technology can show high performances with low maintenances.