• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.187-203
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• 2024

PM_2.5, a type of fine particulate matter, poses serious health risks. Existing pollution management policies and research have generally focused on high-concentration areas. However, this approach has limitations as it does not adequately account for regional characteristics and varying levels of vulnerability, leading to an incomplete reflection of actual risks in specific areas. This study analyzed 229 administrative districts to develop a vulnerability index by comprehensively evaluating PM_2.5 exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Using data from 2019, the index was calculated through normalization and entropy weighting methods, and spatial patterns of PM_2.5 vulnerability were examined through LISA and K-means clustering analysis. The findings reveal that the distribution of PM_2.5-vulnerable areas shows distinct patterns within urban settings, which were classified into four distinct types, each characterized by different urban features. This suggests a need for region-specific dust reduction policies. This study contributes to a better understanding of the spatial patterns of PM_2.5 vulnerability and aims to support the development of more effective policy approaches.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.66-77
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• 2019

This study investigated the feasibility of wintering evergreen broad-leaf trees in the Incheon coastal area through a climate analysis. The coldest monthly mean air temperature ranged from $-2.9^{\circ}C{\sim}-1.6^{\circ}C$. The warmth index of the coastal area of Incheon ranged from $98.89^{\circ}C{\cdot}month-109.03^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$, while the minimum air temperature year ranged from $-13.9^{\circ}C{\sim}-3.6^{\circ}C$. This proved that the Incheon coastal area was not suitable for evergreen broad-leaf trees to grow as the warmth index ranges from $101.0^{\circ}C{\cdot}month{\sim}117.0^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$, and the temperature year-round is $-9.2^{\circ}C$ or higher. This suggests the coastal areas of Incheon is not suitable for the growth of evergreen broad-leaf trees, however some evergreen broad-leaf trees lived in some parts of the area. Wind speed reduction and temperature effect simulations were done using Landschaftsanalyse mit GIS program. As a result of the simulations of wind speed reduction and temperature effects affecting the evergreen broad-leaf trees, it was discovered that a coastal wind velocity of 8.6m/sec was alleviated to be 5m/sec~7m/sec when the wind reached the areas where evergreen broad-leaf trees were present. It was also discovered that species that grew in contact with buildings benefited from a temperature increase of $1.1^{\circ}C{\sim}3.4^{\circ}C$ due to the radiant heat released by the building. Simulation results show that the weather factors affecting the winter growth damages of evergreen broad-leaved trees were wind speed reduction and local warming due to buildings. The wind speed reduction by shielding and local warming effects by buildings have enabled the wintering of evergreen broad-leaved trees. Also, evergreen broad-leaved trees growing in the coastal area of Incheon could be judged to be gradually adapting to low temperatures in winter. This study reached the conclusion that the blockage of wind, and the proximity of buildings, are required for successfully wintering evergreen broad-leaf trees in the coastal area of Incheon.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.464-476
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• 2022

In recent years, macroalgal bloom occurs frequently in coastal oceans worldwide. It might be attributed to accelerating climate change. "Green tide" events caused by proliferation of green macroalgae (Ulva spp.) not only damage the local economy, but also harm coastal environments. These nuisance events have become common across several coastal regions of continents. In Korea, green tide incidences are readily seen throughout the year along the coastlines of Jeju Island, particularly the northeastern coast, since the 2000s. Ulva species are notorious to be difficult for morphology-based species identification due to their high degrees of phenotypic plasticity. In this study, to investigate temporal variation in Ulva community structure on Jeju Island between 2015 and 2020, chloroplast barcode tufA gene was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed for 152 specimens from 24 sites. We found that Ulva ohnoi and Ulva pertusa known to be originated from subtropical regions were the most predominant all year round, suggesting that these two species contributed the most to local green tides in this region. While U. pertusa was relatively stable in frequency during 2015 to 2020, U. ohnoi increased 16% in frequency in 2020 (36.84%), which might be associated with rising sea surface temperature from which U. ohnoi could benefit. Two species (Ulva flexuosa, Ulva procera) of origins of Europe should be continuously monitored. The findings of this study provide valuable information and molecular genetic data of genus Ulva occurring in southern coasts of Korea, which will help mitigate negative influences of green tide events on Korea coast.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2023

This study was conducted to estimate the damage of Whole Crop Corn (WCC; Zea Mays L.) according to abnormal climate using machine learning as the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and present the damage through mapping. The collected WCC data was 3,232. The climate data was collected from the Korea Meteorological Administration's meteorological data open portal. The machine learning model used DeepCrossing. The damage was calculated using climate data from the automated synoptic observing system (ASOS, 95 sites) by machine learning. The calculation of damage was the difference between the dry matter yield (DMY)_normal and DMY_abnormal. The normal climate was set as the 40-year of climate data according to the year of WCC data (1978-2017). The level of abnormal climate by temperature and precipitation was set as RCP 4.5 standard. The DMY_normal ranged from 13,845-19,347 kg/ha. The damage of WCC which was differed depending on the region and level of abnormal climate where abnormal temperature and precipitation occurred. The damage of abnormal temperature in 2050 and 2100 ranged from -263 to 360 and -1,023 to 92 kg/ha, respectively. The damage of abnormal precipitation in 2050 and 2100 was ranged from -17 to 2 and -12 to 2 kg/ha, respectively. The maximum damage was 360 kg/ha that the abnormal temperature in 2050. As the average monthly temperature increases, the DMY of WCC tends to increase. The damage calculated through the RCP 4.5 standard was presented as a mapping using QGIS. Although this study applied the scenario in which greenhouse gas reduction was carried out, additional research needs to be conducted applying an RCP scenario in which greenhouse gas reduction is not performed.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2011

This study was conducted to gain preliminary data for restoration and management of constructed small-scale ponds in paddy fields through analysis of their physicochemical and biological properties. A field survey was performed at 13 small-scale ponds located in paddy fields from August 2009 to October 2010. Structural properties, water quality, soil characteristics and fish fauna were measured. Results showed that small-scale ponds without frames might lose their function over time because of crumbling walls. Therefore, it is necessary for these ponds to have frames for soil protection and sustainable maintenance. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentration were higher than the water quality standard for agricultural water in small-scale ponds. In particular, TN concentration was 8.03 mg $L^{-1}$ and over 8 times the water quality standard because of the presence of livestock such as cows and pigs in the study areas. Sand, organic matter and available phosphorus contents of soil in small-scale ponds was 53.4${\pm}$16.6%, 21.8${\pm}$9.74 g $kg^{-1}$ and 12.8${\pm}$7.59 mg $kg^{-1}$, respectively indicating that sand and available phosphorus contents were suitable for plants in small-scale ponds, but organic matter contents was somewhat low in newly constructed small-scale ponds, and would take some time to stabilize for plant growing. Fish fauna was not diverse with only 4 species at all sites surveyed. Collected fishes share a common feature that they all inhabit paddy fields or canals with shallow water depth. In this study, all ponds were not linked to the streams and canals around them. It appears that connection to adjacent streams was the major factor controlling fish fauna in small-scale ponds. The results of statistical analysis were classified into three groups. Factor 1 was 26.3%, which shows a structural properties such as area and depth of small-scale pond. As for factor 2, it appears on 20.1%, showing water quality like a TP, suspended solids (SS) and COD. Small-scale ponds were classified into three groups by factor scores. Group I consisted of 6 small-scale ponds, which were larger than the others. Group III had higher water quality than the others. We conclude that the most important points to be considered for restoration and management of small-scale ponds is connection with adjacent streams or ditches and depth and size of the small-scale pond.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.64-74
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• 2010

The study is based on an urban park design that is designed in consideration of the characteristics of Uijeongbu City, applied with adequate functions for the environment and showcasing the unique scenery in relation to the relocation of the US Air Force Camp Falling Water. The bases of the design are: the reasonable convergence of the square and park in consideration of the site characteristics; the application of an urban context as the park is located near a station; and the realization of an eco-friendly space. This study is based on foundation research regarding a review of urban square patterns, particular items in planning in relation to modern urban parks and the adaptability of the park in the future. Regarding space usage, the design is applied with notable ideas that allow the space to make its own characteristics through voluntary user activity in conjunction with the environment that will allow the park to cope with changes in the future, as opposed to a space that users experience through pre-determined programs. Below are the focal points of the design. First, the park is designed as an empty space which may accommodate the urban structural context of and usage patterns for being a field of the city ecology that changes and develops, beyond a passively-created square pattern. Such open spaces have a continuity which allows it to adapt to the development of the city. In addition, the design facilitates spontaneous processes through changes in usage pattern and time. Second, the design includes the message that the park and the city, natural things and artificial things, must communicate and network with each other. Hence the park shall not be an isolated green island within the city, but is an open space accommodating the demands for open area from nearby commercial, public and residential facilities; the park shall include a field that can accommodate a variety of programs. Third, the park is designed to encourage the effect of direct and indirect practical education by reflecting a physical plan as well as interesting experience design methods to lower carbon emissions and to create and maintain an eco-friendly space, the basis of a zero-emissions city.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.353-362
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to suggest a structure plan for improving the utilization of inactive storage in the dam for overcoming the drought. Inactive storage in the dam is composed of the emergency storage and dead storage. The emergency storage can be used for the case of emergency such as drought. But, in general, the dead storage for sedimentation is not used even for the emergency. Therefore, this study considers the part of dead storage that the sedimentation is not progressed yet can be used during the severe drought period and is called "drought storage in a dam". The accurate Sediment Level(SL) analysis for the computation of the drought storage should be performed and so the present and future SL in the dam reservoir is estimated using SED-2D linked with RMA-2 model of SMS. After the consideration of additionally available storage capacity based on the estimated SL, the drought storage is finally determined. Present data based on historical data, future predicted future climate factors by Representative Concentrarion Pathways(RCP) 8.5 scenario. Then, using the TANK model, dam inflows were determined, and future period such as SL and drought storage were suggested. As the results, we have found that the available drought storage will be reduced in the future when we compare the present drought storage with the future one. This is due to a increase variability of climate change. Therefore, we should take the necessary study for the increase of available drought storage in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.212-223
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• 2022

For the remediation and restoration of contaminated sediment at the West Sea-Byeong dumping site, dredged materials was dumped in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The physicochemical properties and benthic fauna in surface sediments of the capping area (5 stations) and natural recovery area (2 stations) were analyzed annually from 2014 to 2020 to evaluate the capping effect of the dredged materials. The natural recovery area had a finer sediment with a mean particle size of 5.91-7.64 Φ, while the sediment in the capping area consisted of coarse-grained particles with a mean particle size of 1.47-3.01 Φ owing to the capping effect of dredged materials. Considering that the contents of organic matters (COD, TOC, and TN) and heavy metals in the capping area are approximately 50 % lower (p<0.05) than that in the natural recovery area, it is judged that there is a capping effect of dredged materials. As a result of analyzing macrobenthic assemblages, the number of species and ecological indices of the capping area were significantly lower than that of the natural recovery area (p<0.05). The number of species and ecological indices at the capping area were increased for the first four years after the capping in 2013 and 2014 and then tended to decrease thereafter. It is presumed that opportunistic species, which have rapid growth and short lifetime, appeared dominantly during the initial phase of capping, and the additory capping in 2016 and 2017 caused re-disturbance in the habitat environment. In the natural recovery and capping areas, Azti's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) was evaluated as a fine healthy status because it maintained the level of 2^nd grades (Good), whereas Benthic Pollution Index (BPI) remained at the 1^st and 2^nd grade. Therefore, capping of dredged materials for remediation of contaminated sediment in the dumping site has the effect of reducing the pollution level. However, in terms of the benthic ecosystem, it is recommended that the recovery trend should be monitored long-term. Additionally, it is necessary to introduce an adaptive management strategy when expanding the project to remediate the contaminated sediment at the dumping area in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.224-238
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• 2022

North Korea has actively participated in the international community related to environmental agreements. It has proposed various environmental policies internally since the Kim Jong-un regime. In particular, it emphasizes activities related to climate change response, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the conservation of ecosystems including forests and wetlands. In this study, a new security cooperation plan was proposed with an understanding of the climate crisis and environmental regime as a starting point. To this end, trends and recent activities for climate-environment cooperation in the international community and on the Korean Peninsula were analyzed. In addition, North Korea's conditions for cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, technology demand, and the projected future environment of the Korean Peninsula were dealt with. Ultimately, through advice of experts, we were able to discover cooperation agendas by sector and propose short-term and long-term environmental cooperation strategies for the Korean Peninsula based on them. In this study, conditions and directions for cooperation in fields of climate technology, biological resources, air/weather, water environment, biodiversity, renewable energy, bioenergy, and so on were considered comprehensively. Among 21 cooperation agendas discovered in this study, energy showed the largest number of areas. Renewable energy, forest resources, and environmental and meteorological information stood out as agendas that could be cooperated in the short term. As representative initiatives, joint promotion of 'renewable energy' that could contribute to North Korea's energy demand and carbon neutrality and 'forest cooperation' that could be recognized as a source of disaster reduction and greenhouse gas sinks were suggested.