• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.381-396
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• 2017

Understanding species distribution plays an important role in conservation as well as evolutionary biology. In this study, we applied a species distribution model to predict hotspot areas and habitat characteristics for endangered herpetofauna species in South Korea: the Korean Crevice Salamander (Karsenia koreana), Suweon-tree frog (Hyla suweonensis), Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), Narrow-mouthed toad (Kaloula borealis), Korean ratsnake (Elaphe schrenckii), Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus), Reeve's turtle (Mauremys reevesii) and Soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). The Kori salamander (Hynobius yangi) and Black-headed snake (Sibynophis chinensis) were excluded from the analysis due to insufficient sample size. The results showed that the altitude was the most important environmental variable for their distribution, and the altitude at which these species were distributed correlated with the climate of that region. The predicted distribution area derived from the species distribution modelling adequately reflected the observation site used in this study as well as those reported in preceding studies. The average AUC value of the eigh species was relatively high ($0.845{\pm}0.08$), while the average omission rate value was relatively low ($0.087{\pm}0.01$). Therefore, the species overlaying model created for the endangered species is considered successful. When merging the distribution models, it was shown that five species shared their habitats in the coastal areas of Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheongnam-do, which are the western regions of the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, we suggest that protection should be a high priority in these area, and our overall results may serve as essential and fundamental data for the conservation of endangered amphibian and reptiles in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.433-449
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• 2006

Temporal and spatial variations of precipitation in South Korea are investigated using 60 observation data of the recent 30-years from 1976 to 2005. The area averaged annual precipitation amount is about 1310 mm and shows a strong spatial variation, maximum at the southern and Kyoungki province (>1300 mm) and minimum at the Kyungpook province(<1100 mm). The precipitation days show a strong spatial variation with maximum at the Sobaik mountain region(>100 days) and minimum at the Kyungpook province (<90 days). The interannual variations (IAV) of precipitation amount and days are more significant at the southern and eastern part of Sobaik and Taebaik mountain, and along the Sobaik mountain, respectively. So, the difference of annual precipitation amount reaches to about 800mm between wet and dry years at the southern part of Korean peninsula. Whereas, the IAV of precipitation intensity is strong at the southern and middle part of South Korea with a minimum between two maxima. Also, seasonal variations are closely linked with the geographic environments (elevation, distance from ocean, location relative to the Taebaik mountain). Therefore, maximum and minimum of seasonal variations of precipitation are occurred at the northern inland region (ratio of summer to the annual precipitation (RSAP) is greater than 60%), eastern and southern coastal regions (RSAP is less than 53%),respectively. And the RSAP is slightly increased from 50% to 55% comparing the Ho and Kang (1988). The consistent and strong positive relation between the heavy rainfalls, the ratio of heavy rainfalls to annual precipitation and the annual precipitation indicates that heavy rainfall is more frequent and strong at the maximum annual precipitation region.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.708-722
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• 2016

Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) models for nutrient budgets were used to estimate the seasonal capacity of the Youngsan Estuary and Youngam-Geumho Estuary to sink and/or supply nutrients such as dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and nitrogen (DIN) to provide an understanding of the behavior of the coupled biogeochemical cycles of phosphorus and nitrogen in the estuaries (Youngsan Estuary, Youngam-Geumho Estuary) near Mokpo Harbor. During non-stratified periods (May, September, and November, 2008), simple three-box models were applied in each sub-region of the system, while a two-layer box model was applied during on-site observation of stratification development (July, 2008). The resulting mass-balance calculation indicated that even after large discharges from artificial lakes (in May and July), DIP influxes due to a mixing exchange ($V_{X-3}$, or $V_{deep}$) were more than terrigenous loads, indicating the backward transportation of nutrients from a marine source. The model results also indicated that for nutrient loads (DIP and DIN fluxes) in September, an extreme congestion of nutrients occurred around the mouths (sub-region III of the model) of the estuaries, possibly due to an imbalance in physical circulations between the estuaries and offshore locations. In November, the Youngam-Geumho Estuary, into which freshwater was discharged from artificial lakes (Youngam and Geumho Lake), showed nutrient enrichment in the water column, but the Youngsan Estuary showed nutrient depletion. In conclusion, to efficiently control water quality in the estuaries near Mokpo Harbor, integrated environmental management programs should be implemented. I.e., the reduction of nutrient loads from land basins as well as the deposit of nutrient loads into adjacent coastal lines.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.69-93
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• 2014

The aim of this research was to develop a climate change vulnerability index at the district level (Si, Gun, Gu) with respect to the health care sector in Korea. The climate change vulnerability index was esimated based on the four major causes of climate-related illnesses : vector, flood, heat waves, and air pollution/allergies. The vulnerability assessment framework consists of six layers, all of which are based on the IPCC vulnerability concepts (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity) and the pathway of direct and indirect impacts of climate change modulators on health. We collected proxy variables based on the conceptual framework of climate change vulnerability. Data were standardized using the min-max normalization method. We applied the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) weight and aggregated the variables using the non-compensatory multi-criteria approach. To verify the index, sensitivity analysis was conducted by using another aggregation method (geometric transformation method, which was applied to the index of multiple deprivation in the UK) and weight, calculated by the Budget Allocation method. The results showed that it would be possible to identify the vulnerable areas by applying the developed climate change vulnerability assessment index. The climate change vulnerability index could then be used as a valuable tool in setting climate change adaptation policies in the health care sector.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.39 no.1 s.176
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• pp.63-74
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• 2006

In order to identify the Pb pollution and its sources in continental shelf and slope areas, Pb concentration and Pb isotope ratios ($^{207}Pb/^{206}Pb\;and\;^{208}Pb/^{206}Pb$) were determined far 6 box corer sediments collected from the southern East/japan Sea. Pb concentration, and $^{207}Pb/^{206}Pb\;and\;^{208}Pb/^{206}Pb$ ratios were constant at around $25\pm5 ppm$ and 0.842 and 2.092 from 1700 to 1930 year, respectively and increased steadily up to $40\pm5 ppm$ and 0.867 and 2.123 at the beginning of 1990s', respectively. The increase of concentration and isotope ratios in the labile fraction (leached by 2M HC1+0.5M $HNO_3$) explains their increase in bulk sediments, while Pb concentration and isotope ratios in the residual fraction were nearly constant during 300yrs. Temporal variation of Pb isotope ratios was explained by simple two end-members mixing of geo-genic and anthropogenic sources because isotope ratios and the inverse of Pb concentration showed the good linear relationships. Using Pb isotope ratios, we can constrain two Pb sources in the study area. The one is atmospheric particulates, compared with mean values of isotope ratios in atmospheric particulates collected at Jeju and Oki ;stands, based on the history of Pb emmission in Korea and China, and judged by oceanographic processes capable of homogenizing many sources. The other is local sources related to iron mills, refineries of Pb ore and of petroleum located at the coast of the study area. Isotope ratios of anthropogenic Pb can be estimated using two end-members mixing equation and were $0.879\pm0.005\;and\;2.144\pm0.008$ before 1950s' while they increased up to $0.900\pm0.008\;and\;2.162\pm0.011$ after 1980s', respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.18-29
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• 2016

The effects of water temperature, salinity, water column nutrient contents, and phytoplankton primary productivity on pigment composition and concentration, as well as primary productivity of Pyropia yezoensis Ueda purple lavers were studied at the primary cultivation areas in the Manho (Jindo-Haenam) region on the southwestern coast of Korea in March 2014. The water temperature was $9.1{\sim}9.6^{\circ}C$, salinity was 32.5~33.1, and transparency was 0.7~1.5 m. The shallow euphotic depth resulted from the high turbidity. Water column dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), and silicate concentrations were $3.59{\sim}5.73{\mu}M$, $0.16{\sim}0.41{\mu}M$, and $12.41{\sim}13.94{\mu}M$, respectively. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration was $0.51{\sim}1.25{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$. Nanoplankton ($0.7{\sim}20{\mu}m$ size class) accounted for 58% of the total Chl a concentration. Fucoxanthin was the dominant photosynthetic pigment at all sites. Microplankton ($20{\sim}200{\mu}m$ size class) accounted for 64% of the total fucoxanthin concentration. The primary productivity of phytoplankton was $57.72{\pm}4.67(51.05{\sim}66.71)mg\;C\;m^{-2}d^{-1}$. The nanoplankton ($0.7{\sim}20{\mu}m$ size class) accounted for 77% of the total phytoplankton primary productivity. The calculated phytoplankton primary productivity was $11,337kg\;C\;d^{-1}$. The primary productivity of Pyropia blades was $1,926{\pm}192(1,102{\sim}2,597)mg\;C\:m^{-2}d^{-1}$, i.e., calculated as $39,295kg\;C\;d^{-1}$. The total primary productivity of phytoplankton and Pyropia blades was $50,632kg\;C\;d^{-1}$. The primary productivity of Pyropia blades was 3.5 times greater than that of phytoplankton in the Manho region on the southwestern coast of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.323-334
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• 2007

We analyzed the ocean environmental data from water sample and automatic measurement instruments with the Incheon-Jeju passenger ship for 18 times during 4 years from 2001 to 2004. The objectives of this study are to monitor the spatial and temporal variations of ocean environmental parameters in coastal waters of the Yellow Sea using water sample analysis, and to compare and analyze the reliability of automatic measurement sensors for chlorophyll and turbidity using in situ measurements. The chlorophyll concentration showed the ranges between 0.1 to $6.0mg/m^3$. High concentrations occurred in the Gyeonggi Bay through all the cruises. The maximum value of chlorophyll concentration was $16.5mg/m^3$ in this area during September 2004. The absorption coefficients of dissolve organic matter at 400 nm showed below $0.5m^{-1}$ except those in August 2001 During 2002-2003, it did not distinctly change the seasonal variations with the ranges 0.1 to $0.4m^{-1}$. In the case of suspended sediment (SS) concentration, most of the area showed below $20g/m^3$ through all seasons except the Gyeonggi Bay and around Mokpo area. In general SS concentration of autumn and winter season was higher than that of summer. The central area of the Yellow Sea appeared to have lower value $10g/m^3$. The YSI fluorometer for chlorophyll concentration had a very low reliability and turbidity sensor had a $R^2$ value of 0.77 through the 4 times measurements comparing with water sampling method. For the automatic measurement using instruments for chlorphlyll and suspended sediment concentration, McVan and Choses sensor was greater than YSI multisensor. The SeaWiFS SS distribution map was well spatially matched with in situ measurement, however, there was a little difference in quantitative concentration.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2019

The USLE P factor is a factor that varies depending on how croplands are managed and cultivated. Previous studies tend to overestimate the amount of soil loss because the factor was estimated from the slope of the watershed rather than the estimate of each cultivated land. In addition, the accuracy of estimating the soil loss is decreasing due to the fact that the factor is calculated without considering various conditions of cultivated land defined by Wishmeier and Smith. In order to overcome these problems, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) has proposed to establish the topsoil notification and calculate the P factor according to the cultivation methods (e.g., tillage system, support practice). However, it is required to apply the conditions proposed in the United States to domestic circumstances as it is causing uncertainties. Thus, this study selected the watersheds where soil loss was serious (Haean, Jaun, Banbyeoncheon), measured the actual slopes and slope lengths, and examined the crop, tillage systems, and support practice for each cultivated land. The P factors were recalculated considering the actual conditions of cultivated land and compared to the factors proposed by the previous studies (MOE). As the result of the study, the P factors calculated based on the previous studies were 0.8 ~ 1.0 in three watersheds. On the other hand, it is confirmed that there is a significant difference between the factors notified by MOE and estimated by reflecting the topography and cultivation methods in this study. Therefore, it is considered that the research for developing the cultivation conditions to calculate the P factor suitable for the domestic environment should be continuously carried out.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.102-111
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• 2022

Among protected areas, National Parks are rich in biodiversity, and the benefits of ecosystem services provided to human are higher than the others. Ecosystem service evaluation is being used to manage the value of national parks based on objective and scientific data. Ecosystem services are classified into four services: supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural. The purpose of this study is to evaluate habitat quality among supporting services. Habitat Quality Model of InVEST was used to analyze. The coefficients of sensitivity and habitat initial value were reset by reflecting prior studies and the actual conditions of protected areas. Habitat quality of 21 national parks except Hallasan National Park was analyzed and mapped. The value of habitat quality was evaluated to be between 0 and 1, and the closer it is to 1, the more natural it is. As a result of habitat quality analysis, Seoraksan and Taebaeksan National Parks (0.90), Jirisan and Odaesan National Parks (0.89), and Sobaeksan National Park (0.88) were found to be the highest in the order. As a result of comparing the area and habitat quality of 18 national parks except for coastal-marine national parks, the larger the area, the higher the overall habitat quality. Comparing the value of habitat quality of each zone, the value of habitat quality was high in the order of the park nature preservation zone, the park nature environmental zone, the park cultural heritage zone, and the park village zone. Considering both the analysis of habitat quality and the legal regulations for each zone of use, it is judged that the more artificial acts are restricted, the higher the habitat quality. This study is meaningful in analyzing habitat quality of 21 National Parks by readjusting the parameters according to the situation of protected areas in Korea. It is expected to be easy to intuitively understand through accurate data and mapping, and will be useful in making policy decisions regarding the development and preservation of protected areas in the future.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.34 no.s02
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• pp.45-65
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• 1989

The Korean peninsular having the complexity of the photography and variability of climate is located within passing area of a lots of typhoon occurring from the southern islands of Philippines. So, there are various patterns of wind and flooding damages in paddy field occuring by the strong wind and the heavy rain concentrated during the summer season of rice growing period in Korea. The wind damages to rice plants in Korea were mainly caused by saline wind, dry wind and strong wind when typhoon occurred. The saline wind damage having symptom of white head or dried leaves occurred by 1.1 to 17.2 mg of salt per dry weight stuck on the plant which was located at 2. 5km away from seashore of southern coastal area during the period(from 27th to 29th, August, 1986) of typhoon &Vera& accompanying 62-96％ of relative humidity, more than 6 m per second of wind velocity and 22.5 to 26.4$^{\circ}C$ of air temperature without rain. Most of the typhoons accompanying 4.0 to 8. 5m per second of wind and low humidity (lesp an 60％) with high temperature in the east coastal area and southen area of Korea. were changed to dry and hot wind by the foehn phenomenon. The dry wind damages with the symptom of the white head or the discolored brownish grain occurred at the rice heading stage. The strong wind caused the severe damages such as the broken leaves, cut-leaves and dried leaves before heading stage, lodging and shattering of grain at ripening stage mechanically during typhoon. To reduce the wind damages to rice plant, cultivation of resistant varieties to wind damages such as Sangpoongbyeo and Cheongcheongbyeo and the escape of heading stage during period of typhoon by accelerating of heading within 15th, August are effective. Though the flood disasters to rice plant such as earring away of field, burying of field, submerging and lodging damage are getting low by the construction of dam for multiple purpose and river bank, they are occasionally occurred by the regional heavy rain and water filled out in bank around the river. Paddy field were submerged for 2 to 4 days when typhoon and heavy rain occurred about the end of August. At this time, the rice plants that was in younger growing stage in the late transplanting field of southern area of Korea had the severe damages. Although panicles of rice plant which was in the meiotic growing stage and heading stage were died when flooded, they had 66％ of yield compensating ability by the upper tilling panicle produced from tiller with dead panicle in ordinary transplanting paddy field. It is effective for reduction of flooding damages to cultivate the resistant variety to flooding having the resistance to bacterial leaf blight, lodging and small brown planthopper simultaneously. Especially, Tongil type rice varieties are relatively resistant to flooding, compared to Japonica rice varieties. Tongil type rice varieties had high survivals, low elongation ability of leaf sheath and blade, high recovering ability by the high root activity and photosynthesis and high yield compensating ability by the upper tillering panicle when flooded. To minimize the flooding and wind damage to rice plants in future, following research have to be carried out; 1. Data analysis by telemetering and computerization of climate, actual conditions and growing diagnosis of crops damaged by disasters. 2. Development of tolerant varieties to poor natural conditions related to flooding and wind damages. 3. Improvement of the reasonable cropping system by introduction of other crops compensating the loss of the damaged rice. 4. Increament of utilization of rice plant which was damaged.