• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.201-217
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• 2016

We accessed the climate change effects on the distributions of warm-evergreen broad-leaved trees (shorten to warm-evergreens below) in the Korean Peninsula (KP). For this, we first selected nine warm-evergreens with the northern distribution limits at mid-coastal areas of KP and climate variables, coldest month mean temperature and coldest quarter precipitation, known to be important for warm-evergreens growth and survival. Next, species distribution models (SDMs) were constructed with generalized additive model (GAM) algorithm for each warm-evergreen. SDMs projected the potential geographical distributions of warm evergreens under current and future climate conditions in associations with land uses. The nine species were categorized into three groups (mid-coastal, southwest-coastal, and southeast-inland) based on their current spatial patterns. The effects of climate change and land uses on the distributions depend on the current spatial patterns. As considering land uses, the potential current habitats of all warm-evergreens decrease over 60%, showing the highest reduction rate for the Kyungsang-inland group. SDMs forecasted the expansion of potential habitats for all warm-evergreens under climate changes projected for 2050 and 2070. However, the expansion patterns were different among three groups. The spatial patterns of projected coldest quarter precipitation in 2050 and 2070 could account for such differences.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2024

Macromia daimoji Okumura, 1949 was designated as an endangered species and also categorized as Class II Endangered wildlife on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in Korea. The spatial distribution of this species ranged within a region delimited by northern latitude from Sacheon-si(35.1°) to Yeoncheon-gun(38.0°) and eastern longitude from Yeoncheon-gun(126.8°) to Yangsan-si(128.9°). They generally prefer microhabitats such as slowly flowing littoral zones of streams, alluvial stream islands and temporarily formed puddles in the sand-based lowland streams. The objectives of this study were to analyze the similarity of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in M. daimoji habitats, to predict the current potential distribution patterns as well as the changes of distribution ranges under global climate change circumstances. Data was collected both from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and by field surveys from April 2009 to September 2022. We adopted MaxEnt model to predict the current and future potential distribution for M. daimoji using downloaded 19 variables from the WorldClim database. The differences of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in the mainstream of Nakdonggang were smaller than those in its tributaries and the other streams, based on the surrounding environments and stream sizes. MaxEnt model presented that potential distribution displayed high inhabiting probability in Nakdonggang and its tributaries. Applying to the future scenarios by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), SSP1 scenario was predicted to expand in a wide area and SSP5 scenario in a narrow area, comparing with current potential distribution. M. daimoji is not only directly threatened by physical disturbances (e.g. river development activities) but also vulnerable to rapidly changing climate circumstances. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the habitat environments and establish conservation strategies for preserving population of M. daimoji.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.484-491
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• 2015

The productivity of Manila clam(Ruditapes philippinarum) aquaculture farm is closely related to suitable site selection, so it is essential to assess the habitat suitable for aquaculture species in order to manage yield. This study evaluated the habitat suitable index(HSI) with 9 sites for tidal flat farm, Gochang(Hajun) on May 2014. The suitability index was selected Growth(hydrodynamics, chlorophyll a), Survival(sediment-sand, silt-clay) and Water Environment(dissolved oxygen, salinity). Both Weight and No weight were tried for objective judgment as HSI scoring method. As a result, it shows lower tidal flat(HSI; No weight: 0.60~0.76, Weight: 0.47~0.70) is higher than upper(HSI; No weight: 0.25~0.27, Weight: 0.09~0.10), hydrodynamics and sediment particle size are the most effective. This research can consider the potential suitable site for Manila clam through scientific approach, and provide the basis for optimal management practices in tidal flat farm.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.150-161
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• 2005

Soraksan National Park and Odaesan National Park, that are 20.7 km apart, should play an important role as habitats and corridors for wildlife because they are located in the center of Baekdudaegan. However, landscape features such as small area, fragmentation, and geographic isolation seem to impede the proper ecological functions of these two national parks. Using GIS technique, we examined the pattern of fragmentation in these two national parks and adjacent regions (Sokcho-si, Goseong-gun, Inje-gun, Yangyang-gun, and Hongcheon-gun) encompassing a total of $4573.5km^2$ in area. We then selected the patches suitable for an endangered carnivorous species, leopard cat, based on habitat conditions, and identified the network and stepping stone among patches to enable leopard cats to migrate. Diverse roads and artificial facilities in the study area generated a total of 24,701 patches: 39 patches among these were selected as potential habitats upon considering the habitat condition such as vegetation types and minimum area for leopard cat. Three patches nearby Gyebangsan and Bangtaesan were identified as a potential network center to relieve the effects of fragmentation and isolation of the two national parks. Our results also showed that patches containing Jombongsan and Bangtaesan would act as a source patch from there leopard cats can disperse to both national parks. It is an urgent task to identify the pattern of fragmentation and the connectivity between patches in national parks and adjacent areas for wildlife conservation because almost all national parks confront land- scape problems similar to the two national parks examined in this study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.2
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• pp.165-178
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• 2021

Owing to the lack of consistent research on endangered plant species in Korea, there are insufficient data to preservespecies and expand habitats. This study analyzed the preferred habitat and threats to the survival of Aconitum austrokoreense, found on Baekwun Mountain in Gurye-gun, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do Province, and classified as a level two endangered wild plant by the Ministry of Environment, by investigating major environmental factors such as climate, location, soil, and stand structure. By examining five selected sites inhabited by Aconitum austrokoreense on BaekwunMountain, this study found that the habitat had an altitude of 420 to 675 m above sea level and showed a northeast tendency, spreading over a range of inclination angles between 15° and 37°. The average number of plants across the five sites was 156. Site 4 (550 m) had the highest density of 372 plants, with an average height of 0.6 m. The average soil moisture and relative light intensity were 20.48% and 7.34%, respectively. Layer soil was presumed to be sandy loam, characterized by high sand content and good drainage. The habitat had average soil pH of 5.2, average organic matter of 16.46%, average nitrogen of 0.86%, average available phosphate of 11.86 mg/kg, average electrical conductivity of 0.44 dS/m, and average cation exchange capacity of 37.04 cmolc/kg. The total carbon in soil averaged 10.68%. From the analysis of the vegetation structure of sites inhabited by Aconitum austrokoreense, the dominant populations were Pinus koraiensis and Lindera erythrocarpa in Site 1, Magnolia obovata and Carpinus laxiflora in Site 2, Zelkova serrate and Quercus variabilis in Site 3, Staphylea bumalda and Lindera erythrocarpa in Site 4, and Morus bombycis,Styrax japonicus, and Carpinus laxiflora in Site 5. With most habitats located near trails and sap collection sites of Acer pictum, the species were exposed to artificial damage and interference threats.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2021

Hornbeams (Carpinus spp.), which are widely distributed in South Korea, are recognized as one of the most abundant species at climax stage in the temperate forests. Although the distribution and vegetation structure of the C. laxiflora community have been reported, little ecological information of C. tschonoskii is available. Little effort was made to examine the distribution shift of these species under the future climate conditions. This study was conducted to predict potential shifts in the distribution of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii in 2050s and 2090s under the two sets of climate change scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The MaxEnt model was used to predict the spatial distribution of two species using the occurrence data derived from the 6th National Forest Inventory data as well as climate and topography data. It was found that the main factors for the distribution of C. laxiflora were elevation, temperature seasonality, and mean annual precipitation. The distribution of C. tschonoskii, was influenced by temperature seasonality, mean annual precipitation, and mean diurnal rang. It was projected that the total habitat area of the C. laxiflora could increase by 1.05% and 1.11% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, respectively. It was also predicted that the distributional area of C. tschonoskii could expand under the future climate conditions. These results highlighted that the climate change would have considerable impact on the spatial distribution of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii. These also suggested that ecological information derived from climate change impact assessment study can be used to develop proper forest management practices in response to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.429-438
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• 2023

The forest in the lower Tumen River serves as an important ecosystem spanning the territories of North Korea, Russia, and China, and it provides habitat and movement corridors for diverse mammals, including the endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris) and Amur leopard (Panthera pardus). This study focuses on the Mijiang area, situated as a potential ecological corridor connecting North Korea and China in the lower Tumen River, playing a crucial role in conserving and restoring the biodiversity of the Korean Peninsula. This study aimed to identify mammal species and estimate their relative abundance, occupancy, and distribution based on the 48 camera traps installed in the Mijiang area from May 2019 to May 2021. The results confirmed the presence of 18 mammal species in the Mijiang area, including large carnivores like tigers and leopards. Among the dominant mammals, four species of ungulates showed high occupancy and detection rates, particularly the Roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa). The roe deer was distributed across all areas with a predicted high occupancy rate of 0.97, influenced by altitude, urban residential areas, and patch density. Wild boars showed a predicted occupancy rate of 0.73 and were distributed throughout the entire area, with factors such as wetland ratio, grazing intensity, and spatial heterogeneity in aspects of the landscape influencing their occupancy and detection rates. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) exhibited a predicted occupancy rate of 0.48, confined to specific areas, influenced by slope, habitat fragmentation diversity affecting detection rates, and the ratio of open forests impacting occupancy. Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) displayed a very low occupancy rate of 0.06 along the Tumen River Basin, with higher occupancy in lower altitude areas and increased detection in locations with high spatial heterogeneity in aspects. This study confirmed that the Mijiang area serves as a habitat supporting diverse mammals in the lower Tumen River while also playing a crucial role in facilitating animal movement and habitat connectivity. Additionally, the occupancy prediction model developed in this study is expected to contribute to predicting mammal distribution within the disrupted Tumen River basin due to human interference and identifying and protecting potential ecological corridors in this transboundary region.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.601-613
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to provide an protected wildlife species and potential habitats in Seoul through the overall present status of the species which live in Seoul. This study was performed in Seoul, the entire area of which is 605.52 $km^2$. We analyzed a total of 57 studies, including academic papers and research reports, for the natural ecology in Seoul. As for the results from the study, it was found that a total 1,907 species from 5 taxa were inhabiting and growing within the area. Among the total, plants of 1,656 species accounted for 86.7%, 197 species of wild birds made up 10.3%, 29 species of amphibians and reptiles consisted of 1.5%, and 27 species of mammalia totaled 1.4%. A total of 440 species except foreign species and species legally preserved by the Ministry of Environment, common species and uncertain species were selected as primary candidates. By taxon, it shows 212 species of plants, 180 species of wild birds, 24 species of mammalia, and 24 species of amphibians and reptiles. For extensive research subjects and research data limited in certain insect family, analysis by literature for discovered insects was excluded. The selection criteria for the second candidate species was based on extinction crisis, rarity, historicity and locality, academic value, habitat specificity, etc. The second candidate species from the primary species were selected through taxon experts' evaluations. As for the results of the selection of the second candidates, a total 77 species were selected through the experts' evaluations. Each species by taxon was 25 species for plants, 21 species for wild birds, 5 for mammalia, 10 for amphibians and reptiles and 16 species for insects. A site investigation for the second candidates was conducted to select the final candidate species. For the target areas, the habitats of the second candidates given by the literature and 46 potential areas in Seoul, which show good natural resistance, were finally selected. From the result of the site investigation, it was found that 14 species of plants, 19 species of wild birds, 2 species of mammalia, 4 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 16 species of insects were actually inhabiting Seoul; thus, the final 55 protected species were selected.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.92-101
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• 2024

Current distribution of Korean Cottus pollux was investigated by conducting field surveys and environmental DNA analysis in September to November 2022 and March to May 2023. As a result of the field survey, the presence of C. pollux was confirmed in the uppermost stream of Hyeongsangang River, as well as in Deokdongcheon, Jeolgolcheon, and Hoamcheon Streams. The main habitat of C. pollux was the riffle area in the upper reaches of streams with clean water and boulder-cobble bottoms. As a result of environmental DNA analysis, the samples determined to be positive included all streams in which the presence of C. pollux was confirmed in the field survey. In addition, Namcheon and Singwangcheon Streams were determined to be positive, indicating potential as its habitats. Since C. pollux has a narrow distribution area and a small population size, continuous monitoring and conservation measures are required to immediately respond to damage caused by typhoons and river works, which are the main causes of habitat disturbance, in order to maintain a stable population.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.418-428
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• 2023

This study was conducted to clarify the daily activity patterns overlap between hikers and mammals from 2015 to 2019 in the Baekdudaegan protected area. To investigate relationship behaviors between hikers and mammals, we set the camera traps on the ridge of the Baekdudaegan protected area. Daily activity patterns of yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula) and Siberian chipmunk (Eutamias sibiricus) were highly overlapped with hiker total study periods. Moreover, daily activity patterns of Siberian roe deer (Caperohus pygargus) and water deer (Hydropotes inermis) were highly overlapped with hikers only in spring. In winter, daily activity patterns of wild boar (Sus scrofa) were overlapped with hikers. However, leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and Eurasian badger (Meles leucurus) did not significantly overlap with hikers during the study periods. The daily activity patterns of 8 mammals differed by species-specific behavior and temporal characteristics. Overlap of daily activity patterns between mammals and hikers were differed in each season. Differences in daily activity pattern overlap between mammals and humans may lead to differences in human impact on mammal populations. Information on the interaction between hikers and mammals on species-specific and temporal-specific behavior could be basic ecological data for management and conservation of mammal populations and their habitats.