• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.673-684
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• 2011

Shinan-gun in Jeollanam-do has 1,004 islands which is the biggest number in the whole country. As most of the islands in Korea are secluded from the mainland or other islands, biological surveys are very important for the biogeographical perspective. Especially, the species diversity of insecta on an island plays an important role in the food stability of top predators, including birds. This study provides baseline academic resources for the preservation and management of uninhabited islands by providing information about the status of insects on the uninhabited islands in Docho-myeon, Jeollanam-do, Korea. As far as the appearance aspects of the insects in 28 uninhabited islands were 921 individuals, 122 species, 60 families or 12 orders. Ga Island showed the highest appearance as 32 species, 22 families or 9 orders. Appearance of specific insects was investigated unknown species: 1 species, southern characteristic species: 3 species, coastal dune species: 1 species, climate-sensitive indicator species: 1 species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.256-260
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• 2018

Cannibalism is a widely observed phenomenon in the animal kingdom. However, it is rarely found among birds outside nests in the wild because it occurs irregularly and it is almost impossible to monitor animal behavior constantly. On 17 January 2017, this behavior was directly observed from a group of vultures feeding on a conspecific in a paddy field near Lake Geumho in Haenam-gun ($34^{\circ}35^{\prime}58.25^{{\prime}{\prime}}N$, $126^{\circ}26^{\prime}57.64^{{\prime}{\prime}}E$). It was observed and recorded with the binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens in a car approximately 20 m (or 60 m) away from the site. The observer approached the feeding site after the last vulture had finished feeding and flown away and found remains of a vulture, including body feathers, skull, sterna keel, and both legs. It was the first report of cannibalism in Cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus in its overwintering grounds. The remaining skeleton was very fleshy, and the surrounding grass was wet with the blood of vulture. No other traces of a mammal or bird that could have been the vultures' prey were found. This report provides a detailed account of the events related to this rare observation and the causes that might have led to it.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.6 no.1_2
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• pp.11-16
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the species composition and its abundance in the heap of compost, wild-grass, and sewer. 1,525 individuals were collected from 11th July, 2000 to 3rd August, 2000 at the 108 sites. They encompassed 3 families, 4 genera and 6-8 species. Species composition and its percentile abundance were as follows: Eisenia fetida 86.2%, Aporectodea trapezoides 0.5%, Amynthas hilgendorfi 1.1%, Amyntha agrestis 2.8%, A. koreanus group 6.3%, Drawida sp. 17%, Others 1.4fo in the compost heap, Eisenia fetida 9.8%, Aporectodea trapezoides 9.1%, Amynthas hilgendorfi 12.1%, Amyntha agrestis 25.1%, A. koreanus group 27.8%, Drawida sp 2.8%, Others 13.2% in the wild-grass and Eisenia fetida 24.2%, Aporectodea trapezoides 5.4%, Amynthas hilgendorfi 10.2%, Amyntha agrestis 5.4%, A. koreanus group 26.3%, Drawida sp 1.6%, Others 22.6% in the sewer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.8
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• pp.976-982
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• 2016

Seaweed has high growth rate, low land usage, high CO₂ absorption and no competition for food resources. Therefore, the use of lignin-free seaweed as a raw material is arising as a third generation biomass for bioethanol production. Various pretreatment techniques have been introduced to enhance the overall hydrolysis yield, and can be categorized into physical, chemical, biological, enzymatic or a combination. Thermal acid hydrolysis pretreatment is one of the most popular methods to attain high sugar yields from seaweed biomass for economic reasons. At thermal acid hydrolysis conditions, the 3,6-anhydro-galactose (AHG) from biomass could be converted to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which might inhibit the cell growth and decrease ethanol production. AHG is prone to decomposition into HMF, due to its acid-labile character, and subsequently into weak acids such as levulinic acid and formic acid. These inhibitors can retard yeast growth and reduce ethanol productivity during fermentation. Thus, the carbohydrates in seaweed require effective treatment methods to obtain a high concentration of monosaccharides and a low concentration of inhibitor HMF for ethanol fermentation. The efficiency of bioethanol production from the seaweed biomass hydrolysate is assessed by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). To improve the efficiency of the ethanol fermentation of mixed monosaccharides, the adaptation of yeast to high concentration of sugar could make simultaneous utilization of mixed monosaccharides for the production of ethanol from seaweed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.973-980
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• 2014

This study was conducted to explore new nutraceutical resources from the plant kingdom possessing biological activities. To fulfill this purpose, the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of Decaisnea insignis ethanol extract (DIEE) were evaluated. First, DIEE possessed potent scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), similar to ascorbic acid used as a positive control. Moreover, DIEE inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DIEE induced the expression of an anti-oxidative enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and its upstream transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in a dose-dependent manner. The modulation of the HO-1 and Nrf2 expressions might be regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and their upstream signaling pathways. On the other hand, DIEE suppressed LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) formation without cytotoxicity. The inhibition of the NO formation was the result of the downregulation of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by DIEE. The suppression of NO and iNOS by DIEE might be modulated by their upstream transcription factors, nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$), and activator protein 1 (AP-1) pathways. Taken together, these results provide important new insights that D. insignis possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, it might be utilized as a promising material in the field of nutraceuticals.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2002

This study is carried out to make the environmentally affinitive porous planting block for revegetation and to make a effective program for greening plans. The summary is shown below. 1. In order to get stronger intensity and distribute proper porosity in the block for planting, the cements mixed with fine soil were used and the finer in soil grains gives the stronger in intensity of the cements. Use of the furnace slag cements instead of the portland cements showed relatively stronger in intensity of the block. The intensity of the block became stronger when the mixed ratio of the cements to soil is 5 : 1, but the pore space ratio was lower. The percolate pH of the portland cements after one month of treatment was 13.1 but the percolate pH of the furnace slag cements was shown lower. To mold proper porous planting blocks, the proper combination of additives such as the dehydrating agent, elastic agent and adhesives into the mixture of cements and soil gives better effectives. 2. After molding the porous planting blocks, it gave a better result when the grains of the filler made of peat moss, upland soil and compound fertilizer were smaller than 2 mm in size. Shaking of the filling materials also gave the better result, but it took more time and cost much more. Therefore, it was better when the filling materials were mixed with water first then flew down for stuffing. 3. It was necessary to cover with soil after seeding or planting on the porous planting blocks. The proper thickness of the soil to help root development and keep moisture is about 3~5 cm. 4. The plants for planting on the porous planting block were required stronger in the growth condition of their roots and their environmental adaptability. The average germination percentage and rate of Platycodon grandiflorum on the porous planting block were 88.8% and 85% accordingly and their rate is very uniform. The germination rates of Dianthus superbus var. longicalycinus and Taraxacum officinale were more than 50%. These grass species, Chelidonium majus var. asiaticum, Lysimachia mauritiana and Scabiosa mansenensis were the suggested biennial grasses in the planting area where exchanging of the seedling or nursery plants was not necessary because their germination rates were 59.3, 45.6 and 40.3% accordingly. Viola kapsanensis, Chrysanthemum sp., Taraxacum sp. and Iris ensata var. spontanea are the grass species that could be used by seeding for greening. However, the germination rate of Solidago virga-aurea var. asiatica, Aster scaber and Lythrum anceps were lower than 10%. The coverage ratio of Ixeris stolonifera is more than 80% after 60 days seeding and the root length of most of species are more than 10 cm except Iris ensata var. spontanea and Platycodon grandiflorum because their root developed thicker than other species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.28-44
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• 1998

This study was conducted to suggest the ecological restoration strategies for the disturbed landscapes by theoretical study. Especially, it is aimed to suggest three objectives for restoration by using native plants ; (1) prevention or reduction of wind and water erosion, (2) provision of food and cover for variety of animal species, (3) improvement of the visual or aesthetic quality of disturbed sites. The main results were summarized as follows. 1. Cooperation between restoration ecologists and restoration practitioners is needed to delineate a scientific approach to restoration ; (1) Being aware of published literature that describes similar work and/or establish general principles. (2) Preparedness to carry out proper experiments to test ideas. (3) Preparedness to monitor fundamental parameters in a restoration scheme. (4) Providing information about the behavior of species. (5) Publish results. 2. There are three models of succession in theories of plant succession. The tolerance and facilitation models were recommended to ecological restoration. The inhibition model applies in most secondary succession, but the actual species which are introduced first may inhibit the germination and growth of slower-growing species, or they may prevent the growth of other species whose propagules arrive later. 3. The objectives of erosion control, wildlife habitat provision, and visual quality improvement are not mutually exclusive. However, many revegetation practices in the past have emphasized one of these aspects at the expense of the others. 4. A native plant community can be the model of ecological restoration. By stylization/abstraction of native plant community, trying to learn the most essential characteristics of community types - environmental factors ; dominant, prevalent, and "visual essence" species composition - in order to use such information in restoration. 5. After developing mass/spaces plan, match plant communities to the mass/space plan. In utilizing community grouping, there needs aesthetic ability to understand design elements. 6. Several hydrophytes such as Pennisetum saccharifluous, Themeda triandra, Cirsium pendulum show relatively good germination rates. In case of mesophytes and xerophytes, Arundinella hina, Artemisia princeps, Oenothera odorata and legumes seem to have quick-germinating abilities at barren sites. Pinus thunbergii, Rhus chinensis, Evodia daniellii, Alnus firma and Albizzia julibrissin can be considered as "late succession" woody plants because they show low germinating rates and slow growing habitat. 7. The seeds used for restoration should be collected within a certain radius of where it will be planted. Consideration in genetic issues in the collection and use of germplasm can increase the odds for successful restoration efforts. 8. The useful model in the "drift" pattern occurs so abundantly in naturally evolving landscapes. As one species diminishes in density, a second or third species are increased. Thus, dynamic interactions between species are created. Careful using of "drift phenomenon" in planting was recommended. 9. Virtually no stand of vegetation today is immune from the introduction and/or spreading of exotic species. Therefore, the perpetuation of a restored sites requires conscious monitoring and management. Thus, management would be the most important process in ecological restoration. 10. In order to keep the sites "natural", alternative management strategies would be applied in management ; Atenative management strategies are decelerating successional process, accelerating successional processes or modifying species composition. As management tools, mechanical, chemical, biological or environmental factor manipulation, e.g., fire could be used.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.253-261
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• 2007

Molecular and cultivation techniques were used to characterize the bacterial communities of biobead reactor biofilms in a sewage treatment plant to which an Aerated Up-Flow Biobead process was applied. With this biobead process, the monthly average values of various chemical parameters in the effluent were generally kept under the regulation limits of the effluent quality of the sewage treatment plant during the operation period. Most probable number (MPN) analysis revealed that the population of denitrifying bacteria was abundant in the biobead #1 reactor, denitrifying and nitrifying bacteria coexisted in the biobead #2 reactor, and nitrifying bacteria prevailed over denitrifying bacteria in the biobead #3 reactor. The results of the MPN test suggested that the biobead #2 reactor was a transition zone leading to acclimated nitrifying biofilms in the biobead #3 reactor. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences cloned from biofilms showed that the biobead #1 reactor, which received a high organic loading rate, had much diverse microorganisms, whereas the biobead #2 and #3 reactors were dominated by the members of Proteobacteria. DGGE analysis with the ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene supported the observation from the MPN test that the biofilms of September were fully developed and specialized for nitrification in the biobead reactor #3. All of the DNA sequences of the amoA DGGE bands were very similar to the sequence of the amoA gene of Nitrosomonas species, the presence of which is typical in the biological aerated filters. The results of this study showed that organic and inorganic nutrients were efficiently removed by both denitrifying microbial populations in the anaerobic tank and heterotrophic and nitrifying bacterial biofilms well-formed in the three functional biobead reactors in the Aerated Up-Flow Biobead process.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 1997

For the selection of plants contained pesticidal active conpounds, 31 families 59 species of native plants were collected and biological activites of their crude extracts against brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens), Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and allelopathy were examined. Among the screened plants, the crude extracts from the leaves of Ricinus communis and Sophora angustifolia showed 100% and 82% of mortality on brown planthopper at the concentration of 1% (w/v) respectively. Mixed crude extracts of Sophora angustifolia root and Melia azedarach seed exhibited 128${\sim}$155% of synergistic effects on the mortality of brown planthopper. In case of fungicidal activity, the crude extracts from the leaves of 8 plants including Chrysanthemum indicum were inhibitory of the growth of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae at 1%(w/v) soluction. Seed germination of radish (Raphanus sativas) and barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) was inhibited by 0.5%(w/v) leaf extracts of Pinus densiflora and Quercus acutissima. MeOH extracts of Pinus denislora leaves gave 100% inhibition in seed germintion of radish at 2%(w/v) soluction and showed a complete inhibition in seedling growth of barnyardgrass as well as radish at 5% solution.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.424-431
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Tributyltin chloride is among the most toxic compounds known for aquatic ecosystems. Microorganisms are responsible for removal of TBTCl. Nevertheless, only a limited number of marine bacteria were investigated for biodegradation of TBTCl in Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: The number of TBTCl resistant bacteria ranged from $2.5{\times}10^3$ to $3.8{\times}10^3$ cfu/mL in the seawater, and ranged from $3.2{\times}10^5$ to $9.1{\times}10^5$ cfu/g in the surface sediment, respectively. The morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of TBTCl resistant bacteria were investigated by API 20NE and other tests. The most abundant species of TBTCl resistant bacteria were Vibrio spp. (19.2%), Bacillus spp. (16.2%), Aeromonas spp. (15.2%), and Pseudomonas spp. (13.1%), etc. Eleven TBTCl resistant isolates also had a resistance to heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn). Among them, isolate T7 showing the strong TBTCl-resistance was selected. This isolate was identified as the genus Pantoea by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and designated as Pantoea sp. T7. In addition, this bacterium was cultivated up to the growth of 50.7% after 60 hrs at TBTCl concentration of $500{\mu}M$. TBTCl-degrading activity of Pantoea sp. T7 was measured by GC-FPD analysis. As a result of biological TBTCl-degradation at TBTCl concentration of $100{\mu}M$, TBTCl-removal efficiency of Pantoeasp. T7 was 62.7% after 40 hrs. CONCLUSION(S): These results suggest that Pantoea sp. T7 is potentially useful for the bioremediation of TBT contamination.