• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.157-162
• /
• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes related to pig IMF and estimate the heritability of intramuscular fat content (IMF). Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) on 704 inbred Berkshires was performed for IMF. To consider the inbreeding among samples, associations of the SNPs with IMF were tested as random effects in a mixed linear model using the genetic relationship matrix by GEMMA. Significant genes were compared with reported pig IMF quantitative trait loci (QTL) regions and functional classification of the identified genes were also performed. Heritability of IMF was estimated by GCTA tool. Results: Total 365 SNPs were found to be significant from a cutoff of p-value <0.01 and the 365 significant SNPs were annotated across 120 genes. Twenty five genes were on pig IMF QTL regions. Bone morphogenetic protein-binding endothelial cell precursor-derived regulator, forkhead box protein O1, ectodysplasin A receptor, ring finger protein 149, cluster of differentiation, tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 1, SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9 (SOX9), MYC proto-oncogene, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor were related to mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, which regulates the differentiation to adipocytes. These genes and the genes mapped on QTLs could be the candidate genes affecting IMF. Heritability of IMF was estimated as 0.52, which was relatively high, suggesting that a considerable portion of the total variance of IMF is explained by the SNP information. Conclusion: Our results can contribute to breeding pigs with better IMF and therefore, producing pork with better sensory qualities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.124-137
• /
• 2010

This study was started with the objective of restoring abandoned embanked farms, which are recently increasing, to mud flat by putting in least amount of energy in the aspect of environmental restoration. For the direction and establishment of the proposal for the restoration of mud flat using embanked farms, a case of Maipo Wetland in Hongkong was analyzed, and a proposal was prepared considering the condition of mud flat in Gochang. The restoration of mud flat in Gochang is intended to create various wetland ecological spaces as well as to provide opportunities for experience, education, recreation, and tourism. Effort was made to development an environment closest to the local ecological environment considering the shape and topographical condition of existing abandoned farms. For construction of the habitat, a target species was chosen and the plan for selection, planting, and management of species of trees suitable for the target species was established. In addition, the water level will be controlled by water gates to conform to the resting, spawning, breeding, and migration period considering the behavioral pattern of waders, the target species. The research on the restoration of mud flat in Korea is in incipient stage and this study provided an opportunity to review the possibility of restoration of abandoned embanked farms to mud flat. For the success of mud flat restoration from a long-term perspective, development of acclimating design infrastructure, technology improvement for mud flat restoration, and basis of partnership for the maintenance should be prepared in a systematical way.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.390-397
• /
• 2022

Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) is the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council. CAFF conducts Monitoring, Assessment, Policy, and expert group activities to preserve Arctic biodiversity and ensure the sustainability of biological resources and communicates the results to governments and indigenous peoples. The main tasks of CAFF consist of monitoring (Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program), assessment (Arctic Biodiversity Assessment) and strategic projects(Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative, AMBI). Korea has been directly participating in the AMBI since 2015 after acquiring observer status of the Arctic Council in 2013. The AMBI aims to preserve habitats on migration routes used by breeding birds in the Arctic and prevent illegal hunting. Thus, observer countries on migratory routes are directly participating in the project. When selecting priorities for participation in Arctic cooperation projects by 2030, Korea should consider continuing participation in AMBI and participating in the "CAFF Youth Program" in connection with the Arctic Academy program operated by Korea's public institutes.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.146-154
• /
• 2016

In this study, understanding the habitats on spot-billed duck that wintering-breed in the korea, which using the GPS-Mobile based Telemtry (WT-200), I tried to take advantage as the basic data of the protection and management of the habitats of the waterbirds of Korea. Study area is Gyeonggi-do Bokhacheon, Chonmichon, Chungcheongnam-do Gokugyochon, Chungcheongbuk-do Byeongcheoncheon, Jeollabuk-do Mangyunggang, which Five rivers and Jeju Island reservoir, I have attached the tracking of the location(WT -200) to the twenty-five spot-billed ducks. among twenty five ducks, twelve ducks moved to overseas countries, the arrival site was China, North Korea, Russia. Moving average distance was 683km, the largest distance was 1,238km. The average northbound starting date was April 26. The average daily movement distance of thirteen ducks remaining in the domestic country is $1.0{\pm}0.89km$, maximum travel distance was 23.8km. The average daily movement distance of wintering prior to average going north dating is a 0.9km, is the largest 14.6km, the breeding season is an average 1.3km, maximum was 14.4km. Spot-billed duck used the rivers in domestic country most frequently, following was rice field, a filed, reservoir. It used the river most frequently during the wintering period, in the breeding season it used paddy paddies most frequently. While wintering, during the day and night's utilization rate was the highest in the river, but utilization rate was incleased on filed, paddy filed at night. During breeding season, daytime and night's utilization rate was the highest but, utilization rate was increased on river and utilization rate was decreased on river. In accordance with time change, spot-billed duck showed different tendency in paddy fields, and they utilized the filed adjacent to rivers mostly.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.117-127
• /
• 2022

The survey of bird community characteristics was carried out four times on 2016 and 2017, respectively May and October to figure out effects of the manmade small ecosystem, Anseong. Twenty five species and 94 individuals were observed in the study area. The dominant species were Passer montanus 19.1%, Pica pica 12.8%, Cyanopica cyana 8.51%, Sinosuthora webbiana and Carduelis sinica ussuriensis respectively 7.45%, the diversity of the species was 2.787. With migration, the highest number and percentage to the lowest was residents 72.0%, summer visitors 20.0% and winter visitors 8.00%. Among 22 species which bred (check or possibility) in the manmade small ecology, Anseong, canopy (C) was 54.5%, hole (H) was 31.8%, bush (B) was 9.09% and ground (G) was 4.55% in their nesting guilds. In foraging guilds in breeding season was canopy (C) was 69.6%, bush (C) was 21.7%, water (W) and ground (G) was respectively 4.35%, and in non-breeding season, canopy was 64.0%, bush 24.0%, ground was 8.00% and water 4.00%. In the study site, the manmade habitats for birds were nest box and wetland (rain garden). In 7 nest box, Parus major was uesd 1 nest box as their breeding on 2016 and 2017, and Passer montanus was used 1 nest box on 2017. We assumed that sustainable rainwater supply may be important to attract many birds in rain garden, the manmade habitat for birds.Unfortunately, however, no birds used rain garden (wetland) as their habitats due to water shortage.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.375-383
• /
• 2009

The aims of this study were wintering individuals, usage of foraging sites, potential food availability, daily activity and disturbance factors of White-naped Cranes Grus vipio on the wintering site, Han-river estuary, Goyang and Gimpo city, Korea. We want to provide basic data to conserve the cranes. Maxium population was identified 162 individuals at the middle of February in the river side and mud flat of this study area. Spring migration for breeding was started at the first week of March and finished for two weeks later. White-naped Cranes were used four feeding sites in winter; agricultural area in Hongdopyong, Yihwa-dong, Pyong-dong and Songpo-dong. Expected carrying capacity (ECC) was 334 days (121~909 days). White-naped Cranes departed from roosting site to feeding site at every morning for foraging. If they were disturbed by some factors at feeding sites, they moved to mud flat in the Han river to forage and take a rest. Daily activity was consisted of six category; feeding, alert, locomotion, preening, comfort, social and other behaviors. Feeding was the highest portion among behaviors in the wintering area. Feeding, alert, locomotion and preening in daily activities significantly differed among feeding sites. We watched total 348 times of disturbances in the wintering sites. Artificial disturbances were vehicles, humans, bicycles and motorcycles. Natural disturbances were noises, animals and others. Disturbances in all wintering sites were highest in Yihwa-dong (134 times) and followed by Hongdopyong (109 times), Songpo-dong (64 times) and then Pyong-dong (44 times). And artificial disturbances (228 times) were more than natural disturbances (120 times). Especially, vehicle was one of the most checked factor in the wintering area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.359-367
• /
• 2012

BACKGROUND: As natural wetlands are decreased by increment of human demand, the importance of rice fields as an alternative habitat for waterbirds is well documented. However, the relationship between waterbirds use and management practice of rice fields has not been fully understood. The present study attempted to understand the changes in temporal abundance of waterbirds and their preference for habitat types in rice fields all year round. METHODS AND RESULTS: Waterbirds census were conducted in rice fields around Asan bay in Korea during April 2009-March 2010 and April 2011-March 2012. In the bird counts, the locations of the observed birds on a 1/2,500 map were recorded along with the local habitat type (paddy, ditch, levee, road). Thirty five species of waterbirds recorded in the rice fields during the survey period and three major groups (shorebirds, herons, and waterfowls) were characterized according to season and micro-habitat use. Shorebirds visited a flooded paddy for feeding during their spring migration season (April-May), and herons used the rice field as feeding sites during their breeding periods (April-October). Most waterfowls were observed in a dry paddy to feed a fallen rice seed and stubs during the winter season (September-March). Waterbird groups selectively used micro-habitats in rice field. Shorebirds and waterfowls mainly preferred at rice paddies, while herons were attracted to most habitat types. CONCLUSION(S): Rice fields supported various waterbirds all year round and waterbird communities using the rice fields were dramatically changed according to seasonal change of rice field condition.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.155-164
• /
• 2016

In this study we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution and preferred habitat type of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) based on the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey. Kentish plovers were observed in 97 maps out of a total 842 maps (11.8%) between 2006 and 2012, mainly along the western and southern coasts of Korea. They were also observed in the eastern coast of Korea, inland rivers (Han, Geum, Nakdong, Seomjin, and Yongsan River), the western and eastern coast of Jeju island, and Daecheong Island in the Yellow Sea. The observations were mainly made during the spring breeding season and migration seasons in spring and autumn. The occurrence of kentish plovers was positively influenced by the area of water and wetland according to the middle classification level of land cover type analysis and the area of coastal wetlands in the detailed classification level of land cover types. Most (90%) of the kentish plovers recorded maps had coastal wetlands. Kentish plovers were known to be susceptible to change of habitat. As the occurrence of kentish plovers could be associated with the habitat-change of coastal wetlands and it is possible to estimate the number of individuals, it is recommended that kentish plovers be used as a bioindicator species for the ecological assessment of ecosystem in intertidal zones.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.267-275
• /
• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of bird community and to suggest a proper way how to manage and protect bird community in Mt. Paldal, Suwon City. The survey was carried out by line transect method from March 1992 to February 1993, and from October 1998 to August 1999. Twenty-seven birds were recorded, and these birds were also classified into 14 species for residents, 8 species fur summer visitors, 4 species for winter visitors and 1 species fur passage migrant in 1992. Twenty-one birds were recorded, and these birds were also belonged to 16 species fur residents, 2 species fur summer visitors, 2 species for winter visitors and 1 species for passage migrant in 1999. In 1992, seasonal change of number of species and individuals showed a typical pattern of temperate deciduous forests, however, seasonal pattern in 1999 was somewhat differed from that of temperate deciduous forest. According to data of migration habits of bird community in same months, percentage of residents were higher in 1999 and that of summer visitors were higher in 1992. In guild analysis of breeding bird community, bush-nesting and foraging guild that utilize the bush layer as nest and food resources showed the decreasing number of species and individuals, also summer visitors did the same decreasing trends from 1983. Therefore, it should be suggest that protection of bush layer for inhabitation of bush-nesting and foraging guild and summer visitors, and it will be considered that construction of green net-work among urban forests such as Mt. Kwanggyo, Mt. Chilbo, Mt. Paldal, Mt. Sukgi and Mt Yeogi in Suwon City.

• Korean Journal of Ornithology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2018

The Grey-capped greenfinch (Chloris sinica) is a polytypic species that exhibits complicated geographical variation in morphology. This study provides an intraspecific phylogeographic variability of C. sinica populations in Korea with their morphometric data. The observed morphometric variations were that Ulleung island population was morphologically distinct in bill length and depths as compared to the mainland populations. Phylogenetic relationships among mitochondrial COX1 regions provided evidence for genetic differentiation between Ulleung and mainland populations. However, their genetic distances and nucleotide diversities were very low, highlighting their recent divergence. The needs for additional research is heightened to substantiate if the genetic clines in different localities may arise in C. sinica subspecies, each of which could have different breeding and wintering habitats, distribution patterns, and migration pathways.