• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.42-53
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• 2017

One of the negative ecological effects following road construction is roadkill; animals die on the roads after being struck by vehicles. Roadkills have been a major concern in South Korea due to the large mountain areas in the country and have been mentioned as a causal factor for the decline in wildlife. Although snake roadkills frequently occur, as with mammals, birds, and amphibians, there are not many related studies done on snake roadkills. In this study, we determined snake roadkill patterns in the northeast part of South Korea including most of the Gangwon-do areas and parts of Gyeonggi-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, and Gyeongsangbuk-do by analyzing the snake roadkills found between May 2007 and Aug 2012. We identified a total of 155 roadkilled snakes from 10 different species. Red-sided water snake (Rhabdophis tigrinus), Red-tongue viper snake (Gloydius ussuriensis), Cat snake (Elaphe dione), Red-banded snake (Dinodon rufozonatus), and Viper snake (Gloydius brevicaudus) accounted for more than 90% of the total cases. It was found that more active forager snakes were killed than sit-and-wait foragers, more male snakes were killed than female snakes, and more adult snakes were killed than subadult snakes. The snake roadkill frequency was the highest in September between the altitudes of 200 and 400 m, and on roads between either a mountain and a body of water or between a mountain and a crop field. Our results are expected to enhance the understanding of snake roadkills in general and to determine the areas, specific sites and species for planning projects for snake roadkill reduction in the northeast of South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 1996

This study was conducted to investigate the avifauna and to suggest the management discipline for the protection of bird community in Odaesan National Park. Field survey was carried over 2 main trails by line transect method from mid June to early December in 1996. The 1st section included the area from Woljongas to Sangwonsa 7km distance. The 2nd section survey started from Sangwonsa via Bukdaesa and the summit of Odaesan to Sangwonsa 9.8 km distance. The study results were as follows ; The observed birds belonged to 9 orders 22families 52species, they also had Black Woodpecker(Dryocopus martius)designated as natural monument No. 242, Chinese Sparrow Hawk(Accipiter soloensis) and Kestrel(Falco tinnunculus) as natural munumet No. 323, Scops Owl(Out scops)and Korean Wood Owl(Strix aluco) as No. 324. These birds also were classified into 25 species for residents, 16 species for summer visitors, 8 species for passage migrants, 3 species for winter visitors, respectionely. The 2nd section showed a high species richness and individuals in every season, however, had a difference in species composition with 1st section. Nesting guild of breeding bird community used highly in order of bush, hole, and canopy as a nest resources. It is suggested that high bush-nesting guild had a deep relationship with bush layer located in the ecotone of 1st section and that located in the high elevated zone in 2nd section. Hole-nesting guild such as Black Woodpecker(Dryocopus martius), Gray-headed Woodpecker(Picus canus) and Great Spotted Woodpecker(Dendrocopos major) were surveyed only in 2nd section, so it could be attribute to the small fragmentation and the growing of high diameter at breast height(D.B.H) tree in 2nd section. It is urgent that the management of camping ground and people for the conservation of brook in 1nd section, trail protection for the prevention from trail enlargement in 2nd section for the bird protection. Artificial food in snowy winter will provide the good breeding condition with the residents and migrants. And, the endeavor to lessen the habitat fragmentation will be beneficial to the birds who have a large home range such as Black Woodpecker(Dryocopus martius) and Korean Wood Owl(Strix aluco). For the control of Domestic Dove(Columba livia) populations, it could be recommended that the elimination of their nesting resources by net.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.512-527
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• 2012

Jangdo Island (area $1.54km^2$) located in the western end of Dadohae Haesang National Park has been recognized as an prominent ecoregion possessing high moor and national biodiversity hotspot. In terms of the Z$\ddot{u}$rich-Montpellier School's phytosociology, we investigate the diversity of plant communities on the island and reevaluate the Jangdo wetland designated as Ramsar site. Ten physiognomic types of the Jangdo's vegetation were classified into 22 syntaxa (3 associations, 15 communities and 4 subcommunities). Jangdo wetland was actually denominated as 'eutrophic wetland' by Pharagmitetea and Orizetea rather than 'high moor'. Nevertheless, existence value of the Jangdo wetland is evaluated very high as a stepping stone for migratory birds and even plant dispersions. A new site of the northernmost distribution of Arachniodo-Castanopsietum sieboldii, which is a kind of cold-resistant phytocoenosis among the Camellietea japonicae of the warm-temperate broad-leaved forests, was described. Hosta yingeri-Carpinus turczaninovii var. coreana community and Carex wahuensis var. robusta-Juniperus chinensis var. procumbens community were described specifically as an endemic and an edaphic vegetation type, respectively. The unique Jangdo's vegetation reflects regional environmental conditions such as much higher frequency of frost-free days and the highest number of annual average foggy days in Korea and a well-developed aquifer in the depressed basin formed by differential erosion. We identified that human interventions (pasture, logging, forest fire, cultivation, etc.) has been involved intensively on every vegetation types, even though a rugged and inaccessible topography of the island. Particularly the Jangdo wetland has been recently threatened by fundamental distortion on hydrological system. We request an immediate establishment of the conservation prescription manual.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.537-549
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to provide data for the basic research to found the effective conservation and management plan for the Hamyangsangrim designated as Natural Monument No. 154 and surround areas by analyzing the ecological characteristics such as landuse and actual vegetation, plant community structure, soil chemical property and also to identify the tendency of the ecosystem changes through comparison with past studies. According to analysis the results, the landuse and actual vegetation of survey site was classified as 8 types which were forest, artificial greenspace, plaza and open-space, bare ground and the pavement, water bodies, facilities, agricultural land and etc.. It was also categorized as 38 types according to detailed characteristic. 15 kinds of forest vegetation community types comprising silva were classified among them. The changes of actual vegetation showed little variation that the Quercus serrata-Carpinus tschonoskii forest was the most widely distributed in 2003(forest area ratio is 48.3%) and 2010(forest area ratio is 48.1%), whereas, the Quercus serrata forest declined a more dramatic from 11.6% to 23.2%. The Quercus serrata-Carpinus tschonoskii forest increased sharply(11.6% ${\rightarrow}$ 23.2%) and also the Quercus serrata-Zelkova serrata forest increased steadily(2.2% ${\rightarrow}$ 7.9%). The agricultural land around forest was transformed into artificial green zone. Moreover, water bodies, bare ground and the pavement of areas have increased. In addition, the urbanized area has decreased because the damaged areas inside forest have been restored to the woodlands. According to the result of typical 6 types vegetation communities change, the middle layer trees grew up to the canopy layer trees and was formed the canopy layer structure. The middle layer trees expanded their forces widely. Also new species appeared. And the shrub individuals also more dramatically increased due to the growth of shrubs. The force of Quercus serrata declined as well. However the force of Carpinus tschonoskii and Zelkova serrata expanded and increased in the forest. It must be the result of the ecological vegetation succession and environmentally soundly health recovery by influence of the projects of forest surrounding environment improvement and limitation of access to forest have managed and maintained since 2003. Those sorts of changes seems to be going to develop continuously. In the future Carpinus tschonoskii and Zelkova serrata will not be only codominant in the canopy layer but also Carpinus Tschonoskii, Zelkova serrata, Meliosma myriantha, Sapium japonicum. Styrax obassia and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum will be codominant in the middle layer. As a result, the forest's codominance species are going to be changed such like that.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.85-98
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• 2013

In order to propose effective conservation management plan, this study verified ecological characteristics, humanities and Social characteristics. The research site is private property which is owned belonging to the Kim's of Gimhae that have long history. The study site is more than a thousand years old and was created for protecting from typhoon. There held the religious ritual what is called Dongsinje until 1960s. There have been protected and managed by the villagers. As the results of analysis, the area of windbreak are $12,392.69m^2$. The windbreak is dominated old years deciduous broad-leaved tree such as Zelkova serrata, Celtis sinensis, Aphananthe aspera. Around there were farmlands(52.1%), urbanized area(26.3%), forest area(16.6%). The vegetation communities of windbreak were classified by considering the dominant species and current status of forest. The forest types are following as; A. aspera community(I) which is using less pressure, Platycarya strobilacea-Carpinus coreana-Z. serrata community(II). Z. serrata community(III) which is using high pressure, Z. serrata-A. aspera community(IV), Z. serrata community(V) which is damaged under canopy trees. The windbreak was in good condition whereas, there were concerns the some wrong status was being undermined such as the wrong forest restoration projects in the past, the trails that is penetrating inside the forest, building up education facilities. Therefore, in order to restore the value of windbreak what is so called Suwol forest, we should improve the problems of forest ecosystem such as wrong management, forest fragmentation by facilities and decline in forest by lack of growing the next generation trees. In addition, we should remove excessive resting facilities and lead to passive use of forest. to improve the way of wrong management, moreover, we should close off he trails that is penetrating inside the forest for improving fragmentation. We should restore vegetation restoration and fostering the next generation trees for forest ecosystem. In order to restore unique of histo-cultural and ecological forest landscape, the next generation trees should be grown up that is the dominant species in Suwol forest. Moreover, as a results of comparing the between good vegetation communities and damaged vegetation communities, it is necessary to complementary planting for demeged vegetation communities, therefore there needs to 10.8 under canopy trees, 79.7 shrubs.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to furnish basic information for forest community ecology and to accumulate vegetational datum related to hierarchy of forest community for the efficient management of forest vegetation in Mt. Mani. Samples were collected and analyzed by 32 releves from August to October in 2010 using phytosociological analysis methodology of Z-M school and importance value analysis. The results were summarized that the forest vegetation was classified into 5 units in total. Importance value at vegetation unit 1 indicated Pinus densiflora 54.31 (18.10%), Quercus mongolica 39.21 (13.07%), Carpinus coreana 37.29 (12.43%), at vegetation unit 2 Quercus mongolica 89.43 (22.23%), Rhododendron mucronulatum 57.75 (14.43%), Carpinus coreana 47.19(11.80%), at vegetation unit 3 Styrax japonica 53.97 (13.50%), Acer mono 33.60 (8.40%), Carpinus coreana 26.48 (6.62%), Quercus serrata 22.51 (5.64%), at vegetation unit 4 Carpinus coreana 47.70 (11.92%), Quercus acutissima 38.40 (9.60%) and at vegetation unit 5 Evodia daniellii 80.59 (20.14%), Robinia pseudoacacia 35.00 (8.74%), Pueraria thunbergiana 28.63 (7.15%), Quercus dentata 28.20 (7.05%) in the order, respectively.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.295-303
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• 2018

Inland wetlands in the Republic of Korea provide key breeding and wintering habitats, while coastal wetlands provide nutrient-rich habitats for stopover sites for East Asia/Australasia Flyway(EAAF) migrants. However, since the 1960's, Korea has reclaimed these coastal wetlands gradually for agriculture and urban expansion. The habitat loss has rippled across global populations of migrant shorebirds in EAAF. To protect a similar loss, the United States, specifically Missouri, developed the moist-soil management technique. Wetland impoundments are constructed from levees with water-flow control gates with specific soils, topography, available water sources, and target goals. The impoundments are subjected to a combination of carefully timed and regulated flooding and drawdown regimes with occasional soil disturbance. This serves a dual purpose of removing undesirable vegetation, while maximizing habitat and forage for wildlife. Flooding and drawdown schedules must be dynamic with constantly shifting climate conditions. Korea's latitude ($N33^{\circ}25^{\prime}{\sim}N38^{\circ}37^{\prime}$) is comparable to Missouri ($N36^{\circ}69^{\prime}{\sim}N40^{\circ}41^{\prime}$); as such, moist-soil management could prove to be an effective wetland restoration technique for Korea. In order to meet specific conservation goals (i.e. shorebird staging site restoration), it is necessary to test the proposed methodology on a site that can meet the required specifications for moist-soil management. Moist-soil management has the potential to not only create key habitat for endangered wildlife, but also provide valuable ecosystem services, including water filtration.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.266-279
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• 2019

We investigated the characteristics of fish communities and habitat status of endangered species Rhodeus pseudosericeus in Heuk Stream, a tributary of the Han River, from April to October 2018. During this period, we collected 47 species of 14 families from 10 survey stations using kick nets, cast nets, and long bag set nets. The dominant and subdominant species were Zacco platypus (37.6%) and Z. koreanus (13.8%), respectively. The next most abundant species were Squalidus gracilis majimae (11.1%), Pungtungia herzi (7.7%), Rhodeus pseudosericeus (5.0%), Microphysogobio yaluensis (4.3%), and Hemibarbus longirostris (3.0%). Among the fish collected, 19 species (40.4%) were Korean endemic species. Endangered species were R. pseudosericeus and Acheilognathus signifer while exotic species were Micropterus salmoides and Oncorhynchus mykiss, and land-locked species were Plecoglossus altivelis and Rhinogobius brunneus. The community analysis showed that the dominance and evenness indexes were mostly low and that the diversity and richness indexes were high. Moreover, the river health (index of biological integrity) was mostly excllent (1 site is good, 9 sites are very good). R. pseudosericeus inhabited widely from St. 3 to St. 9 in Heuk Stream, and its population size was large. Age groups for R. pseudosericeus estimated by the frequency distribution of total length in spawning season (April) indicated the 32~45 mm group as 1-year old, the 46~59 mm group as 2-years old, 60~69 mm group as 3-years old, and the 70~89 mm group as 4-years or older. Total length range of male and female was similar, and the sex ratio of female (426) to male (394) was 1 : 0.95. A. signifer, which had been released in Heuk Stream, inhabited from St. 4 to St. 5, but its population size was small. Lastly, this paper discusses a conservation plan for fish in Heuk Stream.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.303-320
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• 2019

Plants interact with various biotic and abiotic environmental factors. It requires much information to understand the traits of a plant species. A shortage of information would restrict the assessment, especially in the evaluation of what kind of factors influence a plant species to face extinction. Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim. is one of the northern plants of which Korea is the southern distribution edge. The Korean Ministry of Environment had designated it to be the endangered species until December 2015. Although it is comparatively widespread, and a large population has recently been reported, it is assessed to be vulnerable due to the low population genetic diversity. This study evaluated the current distribution of Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim. We investigated the vegetational environment, population structures, phenology, soil environment, and self-incompatibility based on the results. Lastly, we evaluated the current threats observed in the habitats. The habitats tended to be located in the areas where the masses at the edge of the stream accumulated except for those that were located on slopes of some mountainous areas. Most of them showed a stable population structure and had re-established or recruited seedlings. Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim. had the difference in time when the shoots appeared above the ground depending on the depth of the rhizome located in the underground. In particular, the seedlings and juveniles had their rhizome located shallow in the soil. Visits by pollinator insects and success in pollination were crucial factors for bearing of fruits by Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim. The threats observed in the habitat of Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim. included the expansion of cultivated land, construction of new buildings, and construction of river banks and roads. Despite such observed risk factors, it is not likely that there would be rapid population reduction or extinction because of its widespread distribution with the total population of more than 2.7 million individuals and the new populations established by the re-colonization.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.422-439
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• 2019

The rear edge population is considered to have low genetic diversity and high risk of extinction according to a highly isolated distribution. However, the rear edge population is observed to have persisted for an extended period despite the low genetic diversity. As such, it is necessary to understand the ecological process involved in the persistence of the population. Viola mirabilis L. in Korea is considered the rear edge population from the perspective of the worldwide distribution. We surveyed the distribution range of V. mirabilis, which shows the isolated distribution in the central area of Korea, to find out the factors of its persistence. Next, we investigated and accessed the vegetational pattern of habitats, soil environment, phenology, self-compatibility, population structure, and extinction risk factors observed in the distribution area. V. mirabilis was distributed in the understory of the deciduous forest, planted forest of the deciduous conifer and deciduous broad-leaved trees, shrubland, and grassland in the limestone area. We also observed the re-establishment of seedlings in the population, and most of them showed a stable population structure. For chasmogamous flowers, the visit by pollinators has a significantly positive relationship with the production of fruits. However, we found that the production of the cleistogamous flowers was more numerous in all studied populations and that only the cleistogamous flowers were produced despite a more substantial plant size in some populations. The plant size was more related to the production of the cleistogamous flowers than that of the chasmogamous flowers. Accordingly, the cleistogamous flowers significantly contributed to seedling recruitment in the population. We found that the production of the chasmogamous flowers and the cleistogamous flowers did not have a correlation with the factors of the soil analysis except for phosphoric acid. V. mirabilis showed the self-incompatibility characteristics most likely due to the production capability of the cleistogamous flowers. Potential extinction risk factors observed in the distribution area was included the development of limestone mine, the expansion of agricultural fields, and the construction of houses. Although V. mirabilis showed an isolated distribution in the limestone area in the Korean peninsula, it showed a diverse distribution in a wide habitat environment ranging from the grassland to the understory of the trees with relatively low canopy closure rate. Moreover, we concluded that the persistence of the population was possible if we can maintain the current state of multiple populations and stable population structure.