• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.411-417
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• 2001

Due to international law the Antarctic is currently the best protected large ecosystem on earth, providing the opportunity for scientific research into processes of both regional and global importance. However, it is impossible to carry out research activities without minor disturbances to the environment. The Weddell Sea with its shelf inhabiting fauna can be considered to be representative for the entire Antarctic shelf with exceptions. It has generally escaped major anthropogenic impact but it is the only area in the high latitude Antarctic where long-term research fishing has been carried out. There are two main results combining aspects of nature conservation and benthos research. Firstly, the use of dredges has clearly decreased over the last two decades, whilst the use of non-invasive underwater photography and video has significantly increased. Secondly, during the same period icebergs destroyed an area of the seafloor and its fauna more than 2000-times greater than the area affected by research trawls. The increased use of imaging methods, Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and other modem instruments, as well as statistically based and coordinated sampling strategies can contribute to both a better understanding of ecosystem function and to an ongoing reduction in anthropogenic impact.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2016

In order to reconstruct a benthic foodweb structure and assess the role of benthic microalgaes as a diet source for benthos, we analyzed the carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of diverse benthos (bivalves, crustaceans, gastropods and fishes) and potential diets (particulate organic matter, sedimentary organic matter, benthic microalgae, seagrass, and macroalgaes) in the intertidal mudflat surrounding Yeongheung Island. The ${\delta}^{13}C$ values of the diets indicated wide ranges (- 26.5‰ to - 8.4‰) while benthos showed a small range of ${\delta}^{13}C$ values (-12.1‰ to - 17.8‰), although they were in the same range. Except for green algaes among the macroalgaes as well as sedimentary organic matter, ${\delta}^{15}N$ values of the diet candidates ($5.7{\pm}1.0$‰) were lighter in comparison to those of the benthos ($11.8{\pm}1.9$‰). Based on the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and ${\delta}^{15}N$ data, the benthos were classified into 3 groups, indicating a different diet and trophic position. But benthic microalgae is the most important diet source for all three benthos groups based on their stable isotope ratios, suggesting benthic microalgae should be a main diet to the intertidal ecosystem. Hence this study highlights that the biomass of benthic microalgae as biological resource should be evaluated for the management of the intertidal ecosystem of Yeongheung Island.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.16-24
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• 2007

An investigation on the polluted sediments in the Lake Sihwa and the benthos that inhabited on the sediments was conducted. Cost effective remediation alternatives were derived form the results of the investigation. The sediment samples taken from four sampling points out of thirteen showed relatively high heavy metal (particularly copper) concentrations which exceeded the Effects Range Low (ERL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA. The four sampling points were located in front of industrial complexes. Although the heavy metals appeared to have affected the growth of the benthos, the concentration of it did not exceed the criteria of dredging that were developed by Netherlands or the State of Washington, USA. However, contamination by organic matters and sulfur compounds was severe, which exceeded the criteria of dredging that were established in Japan. The sediments taken from the four sampling points which were contaminated with heavy metals showed higher organic matter content in general. The organic matters in the sediments depleted oxygen in summer, which appeared to be fatal to the benthos. A comprehensive analysis on the sediments, benthos, and other environmental impact from the contaminated sediments drew a conclusion that the benthonic environment of the Lake Sihwa needed a stepwise remediation, giving a particular emphasis on the clean up of the sediments upstram of the Lake which could cause odor problems to the nearby residential area.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.184-195
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• 2005

A preliminary quantitative model of the trophic structure in Gwangyang bay, Korea was obtained using ECOPATH and data from relevant studies to date in the region. The model integrates and analyzes biomass, food spectrum, trophic interactions and the key trophic pathways of the system. The bay model comprises 9 groups of benthic primary producer, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthos, bivalve, pelagic fish, demersal fish and piscivorous fish. The total system throughput was estimated at $2.4\;kgWW/m^2/yr$, including a consumption of $41\%$, exports of $9\%$, respiratory flows of $24\%$ and flows into detritus of $26\%$. All of which originate from primary producers measured at $52\%$ and detritus of $48\%$. The total biomass was seen to be high compared to the levels of Somme, Delaware, Chesapeake Bays and Seine Estuary. This seems to be possibly due to artificial bivalve aquaculture and overestimation of benthos and benthic primary producer groups. The deviation can be calibrated by neglecting aquaculture and decreasing the habitat area for the groups. The trophic network of the bay shows a low level of recycling and organization as indicated by Finn's cycling index $3.3\%$, Ascendancy $3.1\;kgC/m^2/yr$ bits, Capacity $5.1\;kgC/m^2/yr$ bits and Redundancy $2.2\;kgC/m^2/yr$ bits. A high relative ascendancy of $62\%$ and a low internal relative ascendancy of $18\%$ indicate the system is not fully organized and stable towards disturbances, depending upon external connections. Although the model should be continuously provided with field data and calibrated further in depth, this study is the first trophic model applied to the region. The model can be a useful tool to understand the ecosystem in a quantitative manner.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.99-120
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• 2023

The community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in Upo wetland was identified, and the biological water quality was evaluated. In addition, through statistical analysis of current and literature data, ecological changes over time were evaluated for each wetland. Benthos were quantitatively collected in March, June, and September of 2020 and 2021, and 4 phyla, 5 classes, 16 orders, 42 families, 81 species and 3,406 individuals were identified. In the functional feeding group of Upo wetland, predators were dominant with 34 species (45.95%) and 1,504 individuals (41.84%). In the habitual dwelling group, sprawlers and swimmers showed the highest proportion in the number of species and individuals. Average biological indices in Mokpo and Upo were the highest and lowest, respectively, and it is considered that Mokpo maintains the healthy ecosystem for benthic macroinvertebrates. Community stability was high in Upo, and other wetlands are thought to be stabilizing. The ecological score of benthic macroinvertebrate community is considered to be more suitable index among three biological water quality evaluation indices for the environmental evaluation of Upo wetland. The evaluation results on changes in environmental quality showed that Upo has stable ecosystem without significant change, Mokpo and Sajipo have significant increases in some indices.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.2 s.103
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• pp.117-123
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• 2003

The results of field experiments with mesocosms on Lake Baikal, containing natural plankton assemblage, and laboratory experiments with microcosms containing Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris demonstrated decrease of the structural exergy of the communities after the addition of allochtonous compounds peptone, diesel oil, o-diphenol, $CdCl_2$ to mesocosmsassemblage, phenol, $CoCl_2$ and $CuSO_4$ to micro-cosms. Structural exergy changes were more expressed than changes of components biomasses and total biomass of the community. Comparison of exergy content for benthos in cleanand affected by the discharges of Baikalsk Pulp and Paper Combine also showed sufficient docrease of structural exergy in polluted area. It points to the possibility of the use of structural exergy as ecosystem health reflecting parameter.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.369-383
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• 2006

The Saemangeum project is one of the biggest reclamation efforts in Korea and may cause coastal ecosystem change due to altered environments and habitat loss. Since February 2002, benthic environment and community structure in the Saemangeum studied area were studied to assess the influence of the project on macrofaunal community. The result of seasonal study from February, 2002 to August 2005 is reported here. Overall, changes of species numbers and dominant species of benthic animals in the periods before (1988) and after $(2002{\sim}2005)$ the Saemangeum dike construction were not evident both inside and outside the dike. However, local environmental and community change were noted The partial completion of Saemangeum dike $(4^{th}\;dike)$ in June 2003 altered water circulation and sediment deposition patterns both inside and outside the dike. Fine sediment was accumulated inside and outside the $4^{th}$ dike while coarse sediment dominated near the main channel (Sinsi gate). Benthic community resl)ended to the altered sediment type in these areas. Species number and diversity in both site was low compared to other sites. The dominant species in these areas were composed of the benthos that had not commonly occurred in the Saemangeum subtidal area.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.303-315
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• 2012

This study developed a wetland inventory describing the characteristics and change of Nakdong estuary wetland ecosystem. The data which are used to develop the inventory are Landsat TM(April 1, 1986; June 23, 1987; June 18, 1997), Kompsat(Jan. 12, 2008) and LiDAR(March 1, 2009) images and published monitoring data of Busan metropolitan city. The developed inventory was utilized for the classification of wetland cover, the spatiotemporal analysis of wetland and landscape pattern, the distribution of benthos species etc. Furthermore, the developed 3 dimensional wetland map showed a better way to delineate wetland boundary and understand wetland dynamics. Considering these results, it's concluded that it is possible to use the similar techniques for the development of wetland inventory in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2022

In this study, the community structure of marine benthic invertebrates was examined to evaluate the differences between the west, south, and east coasts of Korea and to identify the indicator species representing each region. Acrylic attachment plate sets were installed in Jeongok, Mokpo, Tongyeong, Yangpo, and Gangreung, and the invertebrate fauna thus captured were identified. Monitoring was performed in each area from March 2017 to May 2018. Water depth, temperature, and salinity at each location were measured to determine the potential influence of abiotic factors on the community structure. As a result, the mean depth of plates installed and the water temperature were significantly different in each area. A total of 32 invertebrate species were identified in all localities, and the most significant difference in the species compositions was found between Mokpo and Gangreung. The community structure differed significantly with a change in the plate depth, and a larger number of indicator species appeared on shallower plates. Finally, we determined the community structure of benthic invertebrates in different geographical regions of the Korean ocean by characterizing the dominant invertebrate taxa and the indicator species at each site.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.50-61
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• 2010

This study was carried out to find out the way to build a comprehensive wetland ecosystem database using the technique of remote sensing and Geographic Information System. A Landsat TM image (taken in Oct. 30, 2002), Kompsat-2 images (Jan. 17, 2008 & Nov. 20, 2008), LiDAR(Mar. 1, 2009) were used for the primary source for the image analysis. Field surveys were conducted March to August of 2009 to help image analysis and examine the results. An actual wetland vegetation map was created based on the field survey. Satellite images were analyzed by unsupervised and supervised classification methods and finally categorized into such classes as Phragmites australis community, mixed community, sand beach, Scirpus planiculmis community and non-vegetation intertidal area. The map of wetland productivity was developed based on the productivity of Phragmites australis and the relationship to the proximity of adjacent water bodies. The developed 3 dimensional wetland map showed such several potential applications as flood inundation, birds flyway viewsheds and benthos distribution. Considering these results, we concluded that it is possible to use the remote sensing and GIS techniques for producing wetland ecosystem spatial database and these techniques are very effective for the development of the national wetland inventory in Korea.