• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.94-102
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• 2013

This study was carried out to determine the variation of the water level and crosssection area for investigating changes of stream foreland, and to determine the correlation between the average flow velocity and cross-section area so as to understand the hydrological characteristics of the stream. The slope of the cross-sectional area was changed in water levels of 0.6~1.0 m and 1.8~2.0 m. The first change occurred in the low-water level season, and the second change occurred in the high-water level seasons. It is assumed that the changes occurred due to the geological transfigure. The correlation between the cross-sectional area and the average flow velocity was 0.22~0.86 in the exponential equation and 0.20~0.87 in the linear equation. The low water level had a higher correlation than the high water level, and free weirs in the upper stream showed a very low correlation. Therefore, this study provides novel information for the management of water quality in the riverside, using correlation equations of the water level and flow velocity with the cross section area.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2013

From March 2012 to January 2013, this study was conducted as a part of the project for making a precise electronic ecological zoning map of vegetation on a highly reduced scale of 1 to 5,000 with a view to improving management efficiency of national parks and enlarging the availability of the data produced from the basic research monitoring the resources of national parks. For the research accuracy and rapidity, a vegetation map was specially created for the on-the-site-vegetation research. To make the map more meticulous, we categorized the vegetation database into five groups: broadleaved forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, rock vegetation and miscellaneous one. After comparing the results of the data built for the vegetation research and the actual research findings, it was made clear that vegetation of both categories was almost the same in case of broad-leaved forest with 72.20% and 78.45% respectively, and also equivalent in other groups like, for example, coniferous forest (16.70%, 13.41%), mixed forest (9.50%, 7.49%) and rock vegetation (0.60%, 0.15%). According to the precise vegetation map produced from the research, the deciduous broad-leaved forest was the most widely prevalent type in the correlated hierarchical classification of vegetation, occupying 65.78% of the overall vegetation. It was followed by mountain valley forest (15.17%), coniferous forest (10.90%), and plantation forest (7.00%) in order. It is particularly noteworthy that Mt. Deogyusan national park has retained a very stable and versatile forest vegetation in the outstanding state since approximately 20% of the mountain turns out to belong to the I grade vegetation conservation classification which contains climax forests, unique vegetation, subalpine vegetation, matured stands which are older than 50 years and etc.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.174-187
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• 2008

In an effort to identify structure and function of microbial loop in Paldang reservoir, we monitored environmental and biological factors at Kyungan stream (station K), Paldang dam (station P) and the confluence of North and South Han River (station M) from March to December, 2005. DOC concentration was higher in March to May and November than the others. Nutrient concentration in station K detected relatively higher than that of two stations. Both of phosphate and silicate gradually increased at all stations until September, after then decreased. The highest Chl-$\alpha$ concentration was observed at all stations in April, and November. The carbon biomass of bacteria and HNF were relatively higher in March, May and August than the others, whereas that of the ciliate showed no significant difference in monthly fluctuation. Nevertheless, the significant relationships revealed between ciliate (P<0.001) and HNF (P<0.05) and bacterial density. Tintinnopsis cratera, Didinium sp., Vorticella sp., Paramecium sp. and Strombidium sp. were dominant species in ciliate community. The dominant species of phytoplankton were Stephanodiscus hantzschii and Cyclotella meneghiniana at almost stations in Spring, Summer and Autumn. However, Aulacoseira granulata accounted for >95% of phytoplankton biomass at station P and M in Autumn. The carbon biomass of zooplankton was highest at station P and M in June, and relatively higher biomass observed at all stations in August, October and November. Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Bosmina longirostris were dominant in stations P and M of June and in all stations of October and November, respectively. The maximum growth (A. granulata: $0.17\;d^{-1}$, S. hantzschii: $0.14\;d^{-1}$) and grazing rate (A. granulata: 1.93 preys $d^{-1}$, S. hantzschii: 1.63 preys $d^{-1}$) of Bosmina longirostris revealed in algal preys as Aulacoseira granulata and Stephanodiscus hantzschii. In conclusion, these results suggest that bacteria and phytoplankton can play the most crucial source as prey within microbial food chain in Spring and Summer and grazing food chain in Autumn, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2008

This research was a preliminary case study to determine the levels of total mercury in the tissues of sentinel species (Zacco platypus) and ecological health in relation to habitat characteristics and chemical conditions. We collected fishes in Gap Stream during June$\sim$October 2007 and analyzed the total mercury from five types of tissues such as liver, kidney, gill, vertebrae and muscle of Zaceo platypus using Direct Mercury Analyzer (DMA-80, US EPA Method 7473). Mean concentrations of total [Hg], based on all tissues, was 67.2 and $20.7\;{\mu}g\;kg^{-1}$, in the upstream and downstream site, respectively, indicating 3 times greater level in the upstream. In other words, the levels were higher in the pristine upstream than the downstream influenced by the wastewater disposal plant. Chemical water quality, based on BOD, COD and nutrients (TN, TP) showed that severe degradation occurred in the downstreams than the upstreams. Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) using fish multi-metric model averaged 32, indicating a "good$\sim$fair" condition and varied from 42 (excellent$\sim$good) at S2 to 22 (fair$\sim$poor) at S5 depending on the sites sampled. Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) in the all sites averaged 142, which was judged as "good" habitat health, but showed a high variation (181 in Site 2 vs. 67 in Site 5). Overall data suggest that health conditions, based on IBI and QHEI, was better in the upstream sites but the mercury bioaccumulation levels in the fish tissues were opposite. We believe that measurements of various parameters are required for a diagnosis of integrative ecosystem health.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.206-215
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• 2008

Temporal and spatial distributions of salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and turbidity were investigated at seven sites in the upper regions of brackish Lake Sihwa with a limited water exchange, from March to October 2005. During the study period, salinity and temperature varied $0.1{\sim}29.9\;psu$ and $4.7{\sim}28.1^{\circ}C$, respectively, depending on seasons and sites sampled. A distinct halocline profile showing the maximum density gradient (difference over $20\;psu\;m^{-1}$ between surface and bottom layers) was observed during the rainy season, due to the decrease of salinity in surface layers by freshwater inflow. This result implies that rainfall event is the important factor forming the halocline. On the other hand, the depth and location of haloeline varied with the amount of seawater through the sluice gates and the operation systems (inflow or outflow). High DO (over 300% saturation) was observed at surface layer above the halocline in April when red tide occurred, whereas low DO (below 20% saturation) was at the bottom layer below the halocline in the rainy season. Turbidity ranged $1.5{\sim}80.3\;NTU$ showing the maximum turbidity at the layers above or upper the halocline. As a result, the distributions of DO and turbidity in the upper regions of brackish Lake Sihwa were largely affected by the variation of salinity. Also, when the halocline was formed, the water quality between upper and lower water layers may be expected completely different. This study suggests that the physicochemical characteristics of water in the brackish regions are closely associated with the causes of eutrophication such as red tide and DO deficit.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.216-227
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• 2008

To understand eutrophication in the upper regions of brackish Lake Sihwa with a limited water exchange, temporal and spatial distributions of pollutants in water and sediment were investigated from March to October in 2005 and 2006. Also, pollution levels of water and sediment were estimated by trophic state index (TSI) and sediment quality guideline (SQG). Total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), organic matter (COD), and chlorophyll $\alpha$ (Chl-$\alpha$) concentrations in the surface waters were largely varied temporally and spatially, and the variations were highest in the middle areas where strong halocline was formed. Chl-$\alpha$ concentrations in the middle area were very high in April (>$900\;{\mu}g\;L^{-1}$) when algal blooms (red tides) occurred. The relationships between TN and Chl-$\alpha$ (r=0.31), and TP and Chl-$\alpha$ (r=0.65) indicated that the algal growth was primarily affected by phosphorus rather than nitrogen. The distribution of COD was similar to that of Chl-$\alpha$, indicating that the autochthonous organic matters may be a more important carbon source, especially in the middle areas. The brackish water regions were classified as eutrophic or hypertrophic based on their TSI values ($69{\sim}76$). In addition, the content of nutrients (especially TP) in surface sediments were classified as severe polluted state, except the upper areas. Major causes of the eutrophication observed were probably due to high nutrients loading from watersheds, the phosphorus release from anaerobic sediment, and long retention time by the limited water exchange through the sluice gates.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.144-154
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to describe quantitatively trophic structures and to analyze energy flows in the Lake Namyang using the Ecopath with ecosim (Walter et al., 1997). The sampling and analyses were carried out at 6 sampling sites of the Lake Namyang during May and November in 2007. A total of 10 groups were considered in this study (detritus, macrophytes, phytoplankton, zooplankton, zoobenthos, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius cuvieri, Carassius auratus, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco and other fishes) to assess the trophic relationship, energy flows and interactions between them. As a result, it was concluded that Lake Namyang was consisted of primary producers (Detritus, Macrophytes, Phytoplankton), primary consumers (Zooplankton, Zoobenthos, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius cuvieri, Carassius auratus, Other fishes) and secondary consumer (Pseudobagrus fulvidraco). The total system throughput was estimated at $14.1\;kg\;m^{-1}\;year^{-1}$ including a consumption of 39%, exports of 21%, respiratory flows of 12% and flows into detritus of 28%. MTI analyses indicate that Pseudobagrus fulvidraco have positive impact on Cyprinus carpio, Carassius cuvieri and Carassius auratus. On the other hand, other fishes have negative impact on Cyprinus carpio, Carassius cuvieri and Carassius auratus. All the functional groups except detritus had a negative impact on themselves and this may show within-group competition for the same resources.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.29-45
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• 2017

This study explored spatiotemporal variability of water quality in correspondence with hydro-meteorological factors in the four stations of Euiam Reservoir located in the upstream region of the North-Han River from May 2012 to December 2015. Seasonal effect was apparent in the variation of water temperature, DO, electric conductivity and TSS during the study period. Stratification in the water column was observed in the near dam site every year and vanished between August and October. Increase of nitrogen nutrients was observed when inflowing discharge was low, while phosphorus increase was distinct both during the early season with increase of inflowing discharge and the period of severe draught persistent. Duration persisting high concentration of Chl-a (>$25mg\;m^{-3}$: the eutrophic status criterion, OECD, 1982) was 1~2 months of the whole year in 2014~2015, while it was almost 4 months in 2013. Water quality of Euiam Reservoir appeared to be affected basically by geomorphology and source of pollutants, such as longitudinally linked instream islands and Aggregate Island, inflowing urban stream, and wastewater treatment plant discharge. While inflowing discharge from the dams upstream and outflow pattern causing water level change seem to largely govern the variability of water quality in this particular system. In the process of spatiotemporal water quality change, factors related to climate (e.g. flood, typhoon, abruptly high rainfall, scorching heat of summer), hydrology (amount of flow and water level) might be attributed to water pulse, dilution, backflow, uptake, and sedimentation. This study showed that change of water quality in Euiam Reservoir was very dynamic and suggested that its effect could be delivered to downstream (Cheongpyeong and Paldang Reservoirs) through year-round discharge for hydropower generation.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.57-69
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• 2017

Overwintering and succession of phytoplankton community with physicochemical and biological characteristics were investigated in pilot culture system. Water and phytoplankton samples were collected twice a week from February 23 to June 28, 2016. A total of 17 overwintering taxa including cyanophyceae, chlorophyceae, bacillariophyceae were identified in the experimental group in winter (February), and these overwintering species showed a marked succession pattern along with environment changes. In the process of phytoplankton succession, a total of 56 species in 28 genera were identified in two (experimental, control) pilot culture system. In the experimental group, 52 phytoplankton species in 24 genera were identified, and the number of taxa was highest in chlorophyceae (35 species), followed by Bacillariophyceae (9 species), Cyanophyceae (5 species) and others (3 species). In the control group, 25 phytoplankton species in 14 genera were classified and these taxa consisted of 17 chlorophyceae, 3 cyanophyceae, 2 Bacillariophyceae and 3 others. The standing crops ranged from 40 to $325,450cells\;mL^{-1}$ in the experimental group, and from 900 to $37,100cells\;mL^{-1}$ in the control group, respectively. The dominant species were represented by Monoraphidium minutum, Microcystis aeruginosa, Rhodomonas lacustris, Ankyra judai and Chlorella vulgaris in the experimental group; and M. minutum and Coenochloris cf. pyrenoidosa in the control group. In conclusion, overwintering and succession of predominant phytoplankton species developed due to interactions of internal environmental factors(physicochemical and biological factors) in the pilot culture system.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.96-115
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• 2017

Understanding effects of thermal pollution and acidification has long been a concern of aquatic ecologists, but it remains largely unknown in Korea. This study was performed to elucidate the effects of thermal wastewater effluent (TWE) and acid rain on water quality and attached algae in a small mountain stream, the Buso Stream, a tributary located in the Hantan River basin. A total of five study sites were selected in the upstream area including the inflowing point of hot-spring wastewater (HSW), one upstream site (BSU), and three sites below thermal effluent merged into the stream (1 m, 10 m and 300 m for BSD1, BSD2, and BSD3, respectively). Field surveys and laboratory analyses were carried out every month from December 2015 to September 2016. Water temperature ranged $1.7{\sim}28.8^{\circ}C$ with a mean of $15.0^{\circ}C$ among all sites. Due to the effect of thermal effluent, water temperature at HSW site was sustained at high level during the study period from $17.5^{\circ}C$ (January) to $28.8^{\circ}C$ (September) with a mean of $24.2{\pm}3.7^{\circ}C$, which was significantly higher than other sites. Thermal wastewater effluent also brought in high concentration of nutrients(N, P). The effect of TWE was particularly apparent during dry season and low temperature period (December~March). Temperature effect of TWE did not last toward downstream, while nutrient effect seemed to maintain in longer distance. pH ranged 5.1~8.4 with a mean of 6.9 among all sites during the study period. The pH decrease was attributed to seasonal acid rain and snow fall, and their effects was identified by acidophilic diatoms dominated mainly by Eunotia pectinalis and Tabellaria flocculosa during March and August. These findings indicated that water quality and periphyton assemblages in the upstream region of Buso Stream were affected by thermal pollution, eutrophication, and acidification, and their confounding effects were seasonally variable.