• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.305-314
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• 2008

As forest land takes up 65% of the Korean peninsula, there have been continuing conflicts between the development and conservation of forest land. As the income level has changed over time, the usage of forest land in society has changed. There has been increasing demands for forest land for urban development and recreational use. On the other hand, a large proportion of the land is required to be preserved for the forest and the natural ecosystem in it. The existing management system for the forest land has been designed focusing on the management of the trees on the land, and not the land itself. Due to this limitation, the current management system of forest land has failed to protect the forest land from being developed indiscreetly, making it difficult to conserve and develop the forest land in an efficient way. A major question in forest land management is how to integrate economic use activities with the supporting ecosystems to maximize performance of the ecological-economic system. In order to promote sustainable use of forest resources, and to achieve efficient forest land management, it is prerequisite to evaluation on forest resources of natural ecosystems. Quantitative measures are needed that signify how necessary the services and products of forested ecosystems are to human endeavors. In this study, the natural wealth provided by forest land was quantified based on emergy synthesis. Emergy is a universal measure of real wealth of the work of nature and society made on a common basis. Thus, Calculations of emergy provide a basis for making choices about environment and economy following the general public policy to maximize real wealth. The goals of forest land management to achieve balance between the ecology and economy of its integrated system and to foster equity among the diverse outcomes of the forest land were assessed with emergy. Emergy was demonstrated to holistically integrated and quantify the interconnections of a coupled nature-human system allowing the goals of ecological balance and outcome equity to be measured quantitatively. Doing so will provide a better understanding of the basis of forest land wealth and the consequences of management decisions.

• Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2017

Rock properties and the effects of chemicals that were used for conservation were studied for effective conservation treatment of Seated Buddha rock carving, which is composed of grayish white tuff, at Golguram Hermitage, Gyeongju. The rocks contain 3-5% montmorillonite, a swelling mineral and reacting with water, the d spacing of swelling minerals was increased (1.54-2.69%). On the one hand, the physical properties of the rock samples, such as surface hardness, water absorption rate, and porosity improved after the application of ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener. On the other, the interlayer of swelling minerals decreased and greater the of swelling mineral content, the greater is the extent of swelling (4.23-12.12%). When the ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener was applied after pretreatment with a swelling inhibitor, the physical properties were similar to those of the stone strengthener alone. There was no interlayer spacing change of swelling minerals due to swelling inhibition treatment; however, when the stone strengthener was applied after the swelling inhibitor, interlayer changes were similar to those when only the stone strengthener was treated (4.10-11.85%). Though the peak intensity of swelling minerals in X-ray diffraction pattern decreased, the effect of the swelling inhibitor was almost negligible. Therefore, it is not appropriate to use ethyl silicate-based stone strengthener for Golgulam rock containing swelling minerals and supplementing them with a swelling inhibition system is not effective. Because weathering rapidly progresses when swelling minerals contact moisture, for now, measures to prevent water contact, such as expansion of the canopy, are needed in the lower and side parts of the carving.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.234-244
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• 2018

The roadkill that animals die after bumping by vehicles on the roads is acting as a factor to decrease the size of various animal populations. It has also been known to be the biggest artificial causations of Vertebrata deaths not only in urban areas but also protected areas such as national parks. Nevertheless, in the national park areas which are major protected national areas for conservation of national biodiversity and ecological diversity, snake roadkills occur frequently. Up to date, related studies are rare. Therefore, in this study, we described snake roadkill patterns on the roads in six national parks between 2006 and 2015. We identified total 736 snake roadkills compromising 10 different species. Five species, Rhabdophis lateralis, Elaphe dione, Gloydius ussuriensis, Lycodon rufozonatus, Gloydius brevicaudus occupied more than 91.7% of total roadkill cases. Active forager snakes were killed by roadkills more than ambush foragers, and the snake roadkill frequency was the highest in September, a migration period and in August when the young individuals dispersed at between 100 and 799 m altitude areas. Roads where roadkills were frequent lie between forest and hydrosphere or between forest and crop field road sides. Our results could be used to identify the trend of snake roadkills on the roads in national parks, and to establish effective roadkill mitigation measures and policies.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2009

Dokdo was formed since when four million six hundred thousand to two million five hundred thousand. Dokdo, Ulreung Island and the mainland in Korea are not touch each other since the formation, therefore, Dokdo are very important island for discussion of plant evolution from plant geography point of view. Plants of Dokdo was enlisted as 60 taxa, 27 families, 52 genera, 50 species and 10 varieties. The naturalized plants of a wide sense is composed of 25 taxa, two tree species as Lonicera morrowii and Elaeagnus macrophylla, and 23 herbs. The naturalized plants were identified of 5 species as Sonchus oleraceus, Brassica juncea var. integrifolia, Rumex crispus, Chenopodium album, and Bromus unioloides. Total naturalized plants are 32 taxa, ratio of total naturalized plants per a existing species was 60 percentage. Accordingly Vegetational environment of Dokdo was interpreted very incomplete state as well as severe ecological disturb by invade species. Preparation of a regulating plan on naturalized plants and concern of a policy decision are requested in the conservational dimension for native species in Dongdo. For the conservation of native species in Dokdo, there are prepared that a regulating plan as block of the influx and eradication etc. and a policy decision of naturalized plants are prepared for view of the conservation for native species in Dokdo.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.91-103
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• 1994

The floristic characteristics and ecological conservation measures for the plant resources of the Tokyusan National Park. Chollapuk-do, Korea were discussed. The field works was done for three times in nine major areas from April to July, 1993. The total number of vascular plants in this area were summarized as 97 families, 297 genera, 469 species and 541 kinds. The nineteen kinds of artificially planted, twelve kinds of Korean endemics and sixteen kinds of Korean rare and endangered species in the area were revised and compiled in the list. The flora of the area were categorized into the Southern part of the Korean Region, where the species such as Quercus serrata. Fraxinus sieboldiana, Ilex macropoda, Lindera erythrocarpa, Lindera glauca, Rubus coreanus, Taxus cuspidata, Cephalotaxus koreana and Abies koreana were roled as major floristic components in the Korean Region and endemized in the southern part of Korea. The natural communities such as Adonis amurensis Community, Taxus cuspidata Community, Betula ermanii Community, Hemerocalis spp. Community, Rhododendron tschnoskii Community, Rhododendron schlippenbachii Community, Disporum ovale Community, Tricyrtis dilatata Community, and present natural distribution of Abies koreana, and swamp vegetation in Tumunsan areas, as well as upland grassland at the summit of Hyangchokpong were represented for their floristic values in the area. The fifteen kinds of medicinal plants such as Gastrodia elata, seven kinds of ornamental plants such as Adonis amurensis, and thirteen kinds of edible plants such as Ligularia fischeri are faced potentially in endangered from the outrageous collections by the local peoples. The Action Plan for the conservation management of the area which enables sustainable use by the local peoples must be established in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.24-35
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• 2020

This study aims to identify the relationship between termite-damaged cultural heritage sites and the 'Forest Tending Project' based on a comprehensive survey of the status of damage caused by termites and of the Forest Tending Project. It was observed that the Forest Tending Project started in 2004 as a five-year policy project covering over 59% of the nation's forests, which showed the maximum value in 2009 and then gradually decreased. Since then, increased damage to national cultural heritage sites by termites has been confirmed and counter measures have been expanded since 2012. Also, as a result of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage surveying the status of termite damage in national cultural heritage sites over these six years, it was identified that about 98% of investigated cultural heritage sites were damaged by termites, about 78% of them were adjacent to forests, and that all 46 national cultural heritage sites which had been included in the 2008 Forest Fire Prevention Cultural Heritage Afforestation Project were damaged by termites. Therefore, it is claimed that the number of termite-damaged cultural heritage sites has increased after an extensive Forest Tending Project was applied on a national scale, and it seems that all cultural heritage areas close to forests are particularly subject to termite-damage due to the number of tree stumps and lumber byproducts which can serve as habitats for the pests.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.809-821
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• 2016

The study area is local river of 671 (total length 3,741 km) in Gyeongnam prefecture, the results are as follows. Total number of river-crossing structures was investigated as 7,730, and it was found that structures were installed in 2.1 sites per 1 km (river length) on average. Diversion weirs for agriculture were 4006 (51.82%) and drop structures for channel bed maintenance were 3670 (47.48%), but the rest (riverbed road etc.) were 54 (0.70%). The number of high structures (height > 1.0 m) that affect many impact in upstream and downstream was investigated as 3,897 (51%), and the number of low structures (height < 0.5 m) that affect negligibly was 1109 (14%). Fish ladders have been installed on 640 (8%) structures in 153 (23%) rivers. In flood control and environment conservation, river-crossing structures brought about various impact that flood water level is raises and the eco-corridor is intercept. In order to improve these problems, we proposed a few engineering measures that can be realize with respect to river-crossing structures.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.505-515
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• 2021

In this study, we evaluated the slope stability of the Pohang Daljeon-ri columnar joint (Natural Monuments # 415) and calculated the maximum energy, jumping height and moving distance of rockfalls using a simulation. Based on the results, we established the range of rockfall risk. The slopes of the Pohang Daljeon-ri columnar joint have dip directions of 93.79°, 131.99°, 165.54° and 259.84° from left (SW) to right (NE). Furthermore, they have a fan-like shape. The Pohang Daljeon-ri columnar joints are divided into four sections depending on the dip direction. The measurement results of the discontinuous face show that zone 1 is 125, zone 2 is 261, zone 3 is 262, zone 4 is 43. The results of slope stability analyses for each section using a stereographic projection method correspond to the range of planar and toppling failure. Although it is difficult to diagnose the type of failure, risk evaluation of currently falling rocks requires further focus. The maximum movement distance of a rockfall in the simulation was approximately 66 m and the rockfall risk range was the entire area under slope. In addition, it is difficult to forecast where a rock will fall as it rolls in various directions due to topographic factors. Thus, the installation of measures to prevent falling is suggested to secure the stability based on the results of the rockfall simulations and its probabilistic analysis.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.186-197
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• 2022

The Daejanggakgibi Stele of Silleuksa Temple in Yeoju is a stone stele from the Goryeo Dynasty that is inscribed with various stories about the construction of Daejanggak, a place where Buddhist scriptures were kept. This stele has been maintained for a long time in a state in which discoloration of the body has occurred, and the inscription has been partially damaged due to dozens of cracks. Using non-destructive analysis methods for stone artifacts, material investigation, portable X-ray fluorescence analysis, and ultrasonic velocity analysis for the stele were performed. It was confirmed that the stele body was composed of light gray crystalline limestone, and the base stone, support stone, and cover stone were medium-grained biotite granite. Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis confirmed that iron(Fe) was an original coloring element of the stele surface. From the distribution pattern of the coloration, it can be inferred that iron-containing materials flew down from between the stele body and the cover stone. Thereafter, living organisms or organic contaminants attached to it so that yellow and black contaminants were formed. Ultrasonic diagnosis revealed that the physical property of both the front and back surfaces ranged from fresh rocks(FR) to completely weathered rocks(CW), and the average weathering index was grade 3(intermediate). However, the point where cracks developed intensively was judged to be the completely weathered stage(CW), and some cracks located in the upper and lower parts of the stele bear potentially very high risk. It is necessary to monitor the movement of these cracks and establish reinforcement measures for conservation in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2022

This study was conducted to identify the vegetation structure of the Abies nephrolepis forests by analyzing species composition in Mt. Doota and Mt. Cheongok in the Gangwon region with the phytosociological method. In order to perform a field investigation, 18 survey areas with an area of about 400 m2 were set up for the stands where A. nephrolepis grow wild. Communities were classified through TWINSPAN and visualized using DCA (Detrended Correspondence Analysis). Species diversity analysis, importance value analysis, and DBH class analysis were employed to identify the characteristics of each community. As a result, the A. nephrolepis forests in Mt. Doota and Mt. Cheongok have been classified into 4 communities; GroupI, II, III and IV. GroupIis Quercus mongolica-A. nephrolepis competitive forest dominated by Q. mongolica and A. nephrolepis in the order. Group II is A. nephrolepis-Betula ermanii competitive forest dominated by A. nephrolepis, Sorbus commixta, and B. ermanii in the order. Group III is dominated by A. nephrolepis, but is expected to have competition between A. nephrolepis and Q. mongolica in the future due to the mass occurrence of Q. mongolica saplings. A. nephrolepis, S. commixta, and Q. mongolica are the dominant species in Group IV, and A. nephrolepis is the major dominant species in all layers. The species diversity of the A. nephrolepis forests in Mt. Doota and Mt. Cheongok is lower than other A. nephrolepis forests in Mt. Seorak, Maruguem, and Mt. Odae. It is necessary to establish conservation measures and to continuously monitor the A. nephrolepis forests in Mt. Doota and Mt. Cheongokis due to the harsh environment and the competition that may occur between A. nephrolepis and deciduous trees such as Q. mongolica in the future.