• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.107-117
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• 2013

Problems in regard of ecological stability of urban ecosystem ensue from climate change and urbanization. Particularly, urban ecological conditions are deteriorating both quantitatively and qualitatively to a great extent. The present study aims to assess the current condition of selected sites (i. e. urban green zones and parks) in terms of preset assessment components; to find out problems and relevant solutions to improve the quality and quantity of parks and green zones; and ultimately to suggest some measures applicable to coping with climate change as well as to securing the ecological attributes of urban green zones and parks. According to the findings of this study, from quantitative perspectives, ecological attributes and responsiveness to climate change are high on account of the large natural-soil area(80%). By contrast, from qualitative perspectives including the planting structure (1 layer: 47%), the percentage of bush area(17%), the connectivity with surrounding green zones (independent types: 44%), the wind paths considered (5.6%), the tree species with high carbon absorption rates (20%), water cycles (17%), energy (8%) and carbon storage capacities(61%), ecological attributes and responsiveness to climate change were found very low. These findings suggest that the ecological values of urban parks and green zones should be improved in the future by conserving their original forms, securing natural-soil grounds and employing multi-layered planting structures and water bodies, and that responsiveness to climate change should be enhanced by planting tree species with high carbon storage capacities and obtaining detention ponds. In sum, robust efforts should be exerted in the initial planning stages, and sustained, to apply the methodology of green-zone development along with securing ecological attributes and responsiveness to climate change.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.505-513
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• 2018

The red imported fire ant is considered one of the most notorious invasive species because of its adverse impact on both humans and ecosystems. Public concern regarding red imported fire ants has been increasing, as they have been found seven times in South Korea. Even if red imported fire ants are not yet colonized in South Korea, a proper quarantine plan is necessary to prevent their widespread distribution. As a basis for quarantine planning, we modeled the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under current climate conditions using six different species distribution models (SDMs) and then selected the random forest (RF) model for modeling the potential distribution under climate change. We acquired occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and bioclimatic data from WorldClim. We modeled at the global scale to project the potential distribution under the current climate and then applied models at the local scale to project the potential distribution of the red imported fire ant under climate change. Modeled results successfully represent the current distribution of red imported fire ants. The potential distribution area for red imported fire ants increased to include major harbors and airports in South Korea under the climate change scenario (RCP 8.5). Thus, we are able to provide a potential distribution of red imported fire ant that is necessary to establish a proper quarantine plan for their management to minimize adverse impacts of climate change.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to present the direction and implications of urban development in relation to climate risk factors and environment for practical implementation of urban development in response to climate change. The research method was carried out through a qualitative data survey and analysis. As a result of the study, the direction of urban development according to the climate risk factors emphasized the importance of preparing conditions for urban development by establishing a damage prevention system for natural disasters and analyzing the risk of natural disasters by conducting analysis of the impact and vulnerability of climate change in urban planning. The direction of urban development on the environmental side suggested the need for the promotion of public transport oriented development (TOD) in the form of urban planning to realize sustainable and practical urban development. Future research directions will need to be supplemented with more quantitative and empirical findings.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.256-265
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• 2011

This study was aiming at assessing the vulnerability of forest distribution by the A2 and B1 climate change scenarios of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The vulnerability of forest distribution was assessed using its sensitivity and adaptation to climate change with the help of the simulations of Korean-specific forest distribution model, so-called the Thermal Analogy Group (TAG), and the Plant Functional Type (PFT) defined in the HyTAG (Hydrological and Thermal Analogy Groups) model. As a result, the vulnerable area occupied 30.78% and 2.81% of Korea in A2 and B1 scenario, respectively. When it comes to the administrative districts, Pusan in A2 and Daegu in B1 appeared the most vulnerable area. This study would be employed into preparation of adaptative measures for forest in future in terms of using climate change scenarios reflecting different future development conditions.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

Background: Climate change significantly influences the geographical distribution of plant species worldwide. Selecting indicator species allows for better-informed and more effective ecosystem management in response to climate change. The Korean Peninsula is the northernmost distribution zone of warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved (WTEB) species in Northeast Asia. Considering the ecological value of these species, we evaluated the current distribution range and future suitable habitat for 13 WTEB tree species designated as climate-sensitive biological indicator species. Results: Up-to-date and accurate WTEB species distribution maps were constructed using herbarium specimens and citizen science data from the Korea Biodiversity Observation Network. Current northern limits for several species have shifted to higher latitudes compared to previous records. For example, the northern latitude limit for Stauntonia hexaphylla is higher (37° 02' N, Deokjeokdo archipelago) than that reported previously (36° 13' N). The minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6) is the major factor influencing species distribution. Under future climate change scenarios, suitable habitats are predicted to expand toward higher latitudes inland and along the western coastal areas. Conclusions: Our results support the suitability of WTEB trees as significant biological indicators of species' responses to warming. The findings also suggest the need for consistent monitoring of species distribution shifts. This study provides an important baseline dataset for future monitoring and management of indicator species' responses to changing climate conditions in South Korea.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.314-314
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• 2023

Extreme climate events can have a large impact on human life by hampering social, environmental, and economic development. Global circulation models (GCMs) are the widely used numerical models to understand the anticipated future climate change. However, different GCMs can project different future climates due to structural differences, varying initial boundary conditions and assumptions about the physical phenomena. The multi-model ensemble (MME) approach can improve the uncertainties associated with the different GCM outcomes. In this study, a comprehensive rating metric was used to select the best-performing GCMs out of 11 CMIP5 and 13 CMIP6 GCMs, according to their skills in terms of four temporal and five spatial performance indices, in replicating the 21 extreme climate indices during the baseline (1975-2017) in South Korea. The MME data were derived by averaging the simulations from all selected GCMs and three top-ranked GCMs. The random forest (RF) algorithm was also used to derive the MME data from the three top-ranked GCMs. The RF-derived MME data of the three top-ranked GCMs showed the highest performance in simulating the baseline extreme climate which was subsequently used to project the future extreme climate indices under both the representative concentration pathway (RCP) and the socioeconomic concentration pathway scenarios (SSP). The extreme cold and warming indices had declining and increasing trends, respectively, and most extreme precipitation indices had increasing trends over the period 2031-2100. Compared to all scenarios, RCP8.5 showed drastic changes in future extreme climate indices. The coasts in the east, south and west had stronger warming than the rest of the country, while mountain areas in the north experienced more extreme cold. While extreme cold climatology gradually declined from north to south, extreme warming climatology continuously grew from coastal to inland and northern mountainous regions. The results showed that the socially, environmentally and agriculturally important regions of South Korea were at increased risk of facing the detrimental impacts of extreme climatology.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.367-374
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• 2014

The monthly mean air temperature datasets of 61 stations in South Korea from 1973 to 2012 were collected to calculate trends in the warmth index (WI) and to analyze the potential enlargement of safety cultivation limit for sweet persimmon. The WI averaged over the last 40 years was 104.1 (℃·Month) at 61 stations, with the highest at Seogwipo station (WI=137.9) and the lowest at Daegwallyeong station (WI=60.9). It has increased by 1.8 (℃·Month) per 10 years over the last 40 years, with the highest in the year 1994 (WI=112.0) and the lowest in the year 1976 (WI=94.7). When the possible stations for sweet persimmon cultivation were classified by the basis on WI≥100, 38 out of the 61 weather stations were included in the safety cultivation zone for sweet persimmon for the last 40 years. On the other hand, the number of weather stations within the safety cultivation zones for sweet persimmon for the last 10 years (from 2003 to 2012) were 47 by adding additional 9 stations (Socho, Wonju, Chungju, Seosan, Uljin, Yangpyeong, Icheon, Cheonan, and Geochang stations). A further study of the climate conditions and soil characteristics is required for a better assessment of the safety cultivation zones for sweet persimmon.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2014

The crop growing conditions make accurate predictions of yield ahead of harvest time difficult. Such predictions are needed by the government to estimate, ahead of time, the amount of crop required to be imported to meet the expected domestic shortfall. Corn and soybean especially are widely cultivated throughout the world and a staple food in many regions of the world. On the other hand, the CASA (Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach) model is a process-based model to estimate the land plant NPP (Net Primary Productivity) based on the plant growing mechanism. In this paper, therefore, a methodology for the estimation of corn/soybean yield ahead of harvest time is developed specifically for the growing conditions particular to Iowa and Illinois. The method is based on CASA model using MODIS data, and uses Net Primary Productivity (NPP) to predict corn/soybean yield. As a result, NPP at DOY 217 (in Illinois) and DOY 241 (in Iowa) tend to have high correlation with corn/soybean yields. The corn/soybean yields of Iowa in 2013 was estimated to be 11.24/3.55 ton/ha and Illinois was estimated to be 10.09/3.06 ton/ha. Errors were 6.06/17.58% and -10.64/-7.07%, respectively, compared with the yield forecast of the USDA. Crop yield distributions in 2013 were presented to show spatial variability in the state. This leads to the conclusion that NPP changes in the crop field were well reflected crop yield in this study.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2012

Early growth, pigmentation, protein content, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity of red curly lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) grown under different lighting conditions were investigated. Fluorescent lamps (control), blue, red, and blue plus red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were used as light sources for 10 days. An equal proportion (1:1) of blue and red LEDs was used in the mixed radiation condition. Compared with the control, monochromic red or blue lighting increased fresh and dry weights of 'Ttuksum' and 'Jaju' lettuces. Anthocyanin synthesis was also significantly promoted by the mixed radiation of blue and red LEDs. The mixed radiation also increased the protein content and PAL enzyme activity of 'Ttuksum' leaves by about 200% compared to other treatments. Anthocyanin content was the highest in lettuces subjected to the mixture radiation of blue and red light treatment, while anthocyanin synthesis was inhibited by monochromic red light. The results of the present study indicate that growth and pigment synthesis in lettuces are significantly enhanced by exposure to mixed radiation from blue and red LEDs.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Railway
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.99-110
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• 2017

As a part of several Eurasian initiatives, the Korean government is trying to reconnect railways through North Korea to the Asian continent. If South Korea could build a network using railway, it would be a chance to develop a robust economic environment and to motivate economic growth. In the railway reconnection project between North and South Korea, the most important part of the railway roadbed sector is repair or improvement, and then construction of a new line through North Korea. There are not many big differences in the geological conditions; however, climate condition varies greatly during winter. The most significant condition in the safety of railway operation is frost-heaving. However, since South Korea has a relatively mild climate condition compared with North Korea, design and construction specifications under severe weather conditions in winter have not been prepared. This study proposes a plan for revising the railway design standard for underpass structures through an analysis of international standards, leading to site construction to prevent frost-heave.