• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.102-110
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• 2010

This study was performed to find out the inhibitory effect of Rhus Verniciflua extract on lipid peroxidation and inflammatory cytokines during endurance exercise training for 8 weeks in rats. For this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; sedentary (SED), exercise training (TRA), RVS extract ingestion (RVE), and RVS extract ingestion and exercise training (RVE-TRA). TRA and RVE-TRA were trained on treadmill with increasing speed gradually and administered 10 mL/kg/d of Rhus Verniciflua extract orally to RVE and RVE-TRA. In order to analyze antioxidant function, blood SOD (superoxide dismutase), GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase), and MDA (malondialdehyde) were examined. And, analysis of inflammatory cytokines were examined using IL-6 (interleukin-6), TNF-${\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), CRP (C-reactive protein), and NO (nitric oxide). SOD in TRA was significantly higher than SED and RVE (p<0.05), and RVE-TRA was highest among the groups (p<0.05). The MDA content of TRA, RVE and RVE-TRA were significantly lower than SED. GSH-Px activity of SED was significantly lower than other groups (p<0.05). IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ content of RVE and RVE-TRA were significantly lower than SED and TRA (p<0.05). CRP concentration of SED was the lowest among groups (p<0.05). Finally, NO concentration of SED and TRA were higher than RVE and RVE-TRA (p<0.05). These results suggested that it is efficient for rats to reduce lipid peroxidation and induce anti-inflammatory by taking RVS extract during exercise training. Afterwards, if studies on the properties of RVS extract can be made with various ways, use of Rhus Verniciflua trees might be made widely which are growing naturally in mountains in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2012

We investigated the effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned coal mines on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the upper reaches of the Nakdong River from May to October in 2009. Qualitative and quantitative sampling (Surber sampler: $50{\times}50$ cm; mesh size, 0.2 mm) was conducted at 7 study sites and 3 control sites in the study area. We thus sampled 117 species belonging to 53 families, 15 orders, 6 classes, and 5 phyla; the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera group (EPT-group) represented the majority of the benthic macroinvertebrate community (71 species; 64.5%). In the quantitative sampling, a total of 11,575 individuals belonging to 58 species of benthic maroinvertebrates were sampled from the study sites (Sites 1-7), whereas 2,844 individuals belonging to 79 species were sampled from the control sites (Sites A-C). Tolerant species such as oligochaetes, $Epeorus$ $pellucidus$, $Baetis$ $fuscatus$, Hydropsychidae species, and Chironomidae species were predominant in the study sites. The community indices for the study sites, such as MacNaughton's dominance index (DI) (mean${\pm}$SD, $0.52{\pm}0.21$; range, 0.33-0.85) and the Shannon diversity index ($H^{\prime}$) ($2.06{\pm}0.60$; 1.06-2.57), were different from those for the control sites (DI: $0.29{\pm}0.07$, 0.22-0.35; $H^{\prime}$: $3.13{\pm}0.14$; 3.03-3.30). In the study sites, shredders and scrapers were scarce, whereas gathering-collectors (mainly Chironomidae species) were relatively abundant, as were clingers and burrowers. The detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and similarity analyses showed that benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the study sites were clearly separated from those of the control sites, with the greatest dissimilarity being noted at the uppermost study site (Site 1), which is located close to an abandoned coal mine. The Korean saprobic index (KSI) and the ecological score using benthic macroinvertebrates (ESB) showed that the uppermost study site (Site 1) was ${\alpha}$-mesosaprobic or heavily polluted, whereas other study sites were in a fair or relatively good condition.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.551-560
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• 2013

Environmental factors and epilithic diatom communities in the lower streams near the harbor region of South Korean peninsula were examined during no monsoon period in May 2013. The sampling of water and epilithic diatoms was conducted at both streams, 19 regulated streams (RS) that there are one or several dams constructed in the river system, and 19 un-regulated streams (US) that there are no dams within the river. A cluster analysis based on the number of species and abundance of epilithic diatoms through the stations, divided into three groups such as groups I (mainly US), II (mixed with US and RS) and III (mainly RS), respectively. Group I showed that water quality is good and high diversity of diatom, while Group II and III was water quality is relatively poor, but not differed in biomass of diatom from Group I. In addition, Group II that had high conductivity, nitrogen and phosphorus, was the lowest in diatom diversity among them. Dominant species were Nitzschia palea (17%) and Navicula seminuloides (11%) in Group I, Nitzschia inconspicua (19%) and Navicula perminuta (9%) in Group II, and Nitzschia inconspicua (15%) and Nitzschia palea (14%) in Group III, respectively. These taxa were widely distributed in brackish water, and not closely related with specific water quality, like eutrophic water. However, the groups II and III belonged to RS, had not only little biomass, but bad water quality such as high concentrations of nutrient and chlorophyll-a. Therefore, to determine the effect of dam construction on the lower water ecosystem, the planktonic algae, which can occur algal bloom in the estuary, also was considered to be a parallel investigation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.398-405
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• 2012

PAHs(Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) in coastal area and estuary adjacent to urban area and industrial activities region are mainly introduced into marine environment via atmosphere and river. This study which is evaluated the distribution characteristics of PAHs discharge from rivers and sewage disposal water which flowing into Ulsan bay, and were carried out in Jun of dry season and in Auguest of wet season, 2008. The water samples from eight main rivers and Youngyeon WWTP(Wastewater Treatment Plant) flowed into Ulsan bay were taken for analysis of dissolved PAHs. The range and mean values of dissolved PAHs concentrations showed 10.30 to 87.88 ng/L, its mean 36.94 ng/L in dry season and 10.30 to 69.57 ng/L, its mean 24.37 ng/L in wet season. The distribution of dissolved PAHs showd the high concentrations in the Gungcheoncheon which is flowed from urban and industrial area. The ranges and means values of the loading fluxes were estimated with 0.04 to 8.27 g/day, its mean 2.05 g/day in dry season, and 0.03 to 4.77 g/day, its mean 1.61 g/day, in wet season. The loading flux showed the highest value in Taewha river due to the high flow rate and the urban activity. The composition patterns of dissolved PAHs compound showed most of the trend occupying low molecuar weight PAHs than high molecular weight PAHs. These results were due to physical and chemical characteristics of PAHs compound, and were similar to those of other studies. The concentrations of dissolved PAHs in this study are lower than those of other studies, and the level of PAHs pollution appeared to be not serious in reverine waters of Ulsan coast.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.750-763
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• 2018

This study conducted 10 sampling sites survey 4 times to determine the trophic structure and energy flow of marine ecosystems for Uljin marine ranching area, Korean East Sea from March to October 2013. Based on the ecological characteristics of biological species, one used the non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling method based on the similarity of species. A total of 19 classified species groups formed categories including, top predators, seabirds, large pelagic fishes, small pelagic fishes, rockfishes, pleuronectiformes, benthic fishes, semi-benthic fishes, cephalopods, benthic feeders, epifauna, bivalves, abalone, Cnidaria, zooplankton, benthic algae, microalgae, phytoplankton and detritus. The biomass, production/biomass, consumption/biomass, diet composition data of each species groups to input data used in Ecopath mode estimated the trophic structure and energy flow of marine ecosystems in the Uljin marine ranching area. One estimated each species groups on the trophic level from 1 to 5.687. The sum of all consumption was estimated at $229.7t/km^2/yr$ and the sum of all exports was as estimated $3,432.4t/km^2/yr$. Total system throughput was at $6,796.2t/km^2/yr$, and the sum of all production was estimated at $3,613.1t/km^2/yr$. Net system production according to these results was estimated at $3,490.3t/km^2/yr$ and total biomass (excluding detritus) was estimated at $167.3t/km^2/yr$ in the Uljin marine ranching area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2016

The objective of this study was to identify the life form characteristics, naturalized degree and introduction period of naturalized plants on upland fields in South Korea. The survey sites were selected in 222 upland fields over 9 provinces where are relatively dry soil conditions and are disturbed continuously by farming practices. It seemed that these uplands maintain good condition for the invasion and settlement of alien plants. Field surveys were carried out twice from May to June and from August to September in 2013. The vascular plants of the upland fields were listed into 539 taxa which contain 103 families, 320 genera, 448 species, 2 subspecies, 74 varieties and 15 forms. Ninety nine taxa were naturalized plants composed of 23 families, 64 genera, 91 species and 8 varieties. The urbanization index and naturalized index is 30.65% and 18.37%, respectively. Among total 99 naturalized plants, Compositae (30 taxa) was the most dominant family, and followed by Gramineae (14 taxa). On the basis of dormancy form, 78 taxa were belong to Th (Therophyte). In radicoid form, $R_5$ plants (86 taxa) and $R_3$ plants (14 taxa) were dominantly distributed. In disseminule form, $D_4$ including 63 taxa and $D_2$ containing 26 taxa were dominant. On the basis of growth form, erect form (e) containing 26 taxa was dominant. In conclusion, life form spectrum was $Th-R_5-D_4-e$ type. According to life form analysis, naturalized degree and introduction period, alien plants with unique characteristics may have high ability to settle and spread nationwide after inflow into South Korea. It needs further to observe some plant species with or without ecological features such as widely disseminated seeds by wind or water, high seed productivity, long life-span seeds, high germination rate of seeds, or non-dormant germinable seed.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.19-36
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• 2013

Physiochemical characters of sea waters during summer flood- and winter dry-seasons and their spatial variations were investigated along the coastal area off the eastern South Sea, Korea. Using the hierarchical clustering method, in this study, we present comprehensive analyses of coastal waters masses and their seasonal variations. The results revealed that the coastal water of the study area was classified into six water masses (A to F). During summer season, the surface water was mainly occupied by the coastal pseudo-estuarine water (water mass B) with low salinity and high nutrients and the river-dominated coastal water (water mass C) with low nutrients, respectively. The bottom water was dominated by cold water (water mass D) with very low temperature, high salinity and high nutrients, compared to masses of surface water. Notably, the water mass B, with high concentrations of nutrients (silicate and nitrogen) and low salinity, which is strongly controlled by the water quality of river freshwater, seems to play an important role in controlling the water quality and further regulating physical processes on ecosystem in the eastern coastal area of South Sea. The water mass D (bottom cold water) coupled with a strong thermocline, which exists in near-bottom layer along the western margin of Korea Strait, has a low temperature, pH and DO, but abundant nutrients. This water mass disappears in winter owing to strong vertical mixing, and subsequently may act as a pool for nutrients during winter dry-season. On the other hand, vertically well-mixed water column during the winter season was typically occupied by the Tsushima (water mass E) and the coastal water (water mass F) with a development of coastal front formed in a transition zone between them. These winter water masses were characterized by low nutrient concentration and balance in N/P ratio, compared with summer season with high nutrient concentrations and strong N-limitation. Accordingly, the analysis of water masses will help one to better chemical and biological processes in coastal area. In most of the study area, characteristically, the growth of phytoplankton community is limited by nitrogen, which is clearly different with coastal environment of West Sea of Korea, with a relative lack of phosphorus. It showed the western and the southern coasts in Korea are substantially different from each other in environmental and ecological characteristics.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.2
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• pp.131-144
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• 1998

Understanding of the reasons why users in recreation settings select particular trails may provide useful information for effective recreation resources management. This study investigated the present use of the major trails in Mudeung-san Provincial Park and the major influential factors on trail selection. This study was conducted in Mudeung-san Provincial Park stretching over Hwasun-gun and Damyang-gun of Chonnam Province and Kwang-ju city during August in 1996. Data were collected through on-site survey and mail-back questionnaire. 519(44.2%) out of 1173 survey samples were used for analysis. Reasons for selecting a particular trail were classified into 8 major factors. In overall, the order of the importance degree of the factors was 1) aesthetics of landscape, 2) safety(from physical and crime), 3) conditions for health, 4) quietness, 5) familiarity, 6) on the way to the destination, 7) convenience/social, 8) others' intention. There were differences in the degree of importance of each factor depending on trails, users' characteristics(eg., gender, age, group size, visit experience, etc.) and users' behavioral patterns. Recreation motivations were classified into 5 major factors. The order of the importance degree of the factors was 1) contacting with nature, 2) self-training, 3) solitude, 4) social interaction, 5) appreciating cultural properties. Regardless of trails, 'contacting with nature' was the most important factor, and the degree of importance in the other 4 motivational factors showed only a little differences in order according to the trails. There were correlations between major factors for trail selection and recreation motivations. The results of this study may provide foundational information for establishing effective management strategies through better understanding of the present use of trails and influential factors on trail selection. It can be used for reducing the present social and ecological problems caused by use concentration on certain trails and providing users with better quality of diverse recreational experiences. This study discussed the findings, and suggested some management strategies based on these information.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.88-100
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• 2014

The purpose of the study is to analyze the regional effectiveness of wall-plantings by applying a biotope area ratio when wall-plantings are constructed in high density areas. For this, this study required a sample of the wall-planting's regional plan. Therefore, types of wall-planting were determined and applied to a sample site. Four types of wall-plantings were developed by formative features and functional features. Type "A" had simple and functional features, Type "B" had both mixed and functional features, Type "C" had both simple and landscape features and Type "D" had mixed and landscape features. Jung-gu District in Seoul was chosen as the sample site. Total investigations were performed three times for three months from June to August, 2011. Total green-able walls were located in 498 places with a total length of 8,449m and gross vertical area of $23,754.90m^2$. The classification results of total green-able walls by the four types were Type "A" at $1,936.65m^2$, Type "B" at $5,875.30m^2$, Type "C" at $12,487.85m^2$ and Type "D" at $3,455.10m^2$. This study analyzed how all facade areas of the green-able walls impacted the biotope area ratio at the site. First, the biotope area ratio regarding all the zones in Jung-gu District was defined as the gross biotope area ratio while the biotope area ratio regarding all of the artificial zones was defined as the net biotope area ratio. In the case of the gross biotope area ratio, 17.97% is current ration with a projected increase to 0.10% after wall-planting. In the case of the net biotope area ratio, 4.73% is the current ration with a projected increase to 0.11% after wall-planting. This 0.11% is about 2.28% of 4.73%. This study looks at all wall-plantings that have been constructed throughout a high density area to observe their impact on the improvement of ecological function therein. With consideration of the landscape value of the facade, the regional effectiveness of wall-planting is expected to increase even more.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2020

Unlike in the past, the world is facing water shortages due to climate change and difficulties in simultaneously managing the risks of flooding. The Four Major Rivers project was carried out with the aim of realizing a powerful nation of water by managing water resources and fostering the water industry, and the construction period was relatively short compared to the unprecedented scale. Therefore, the prediction and analysis of how the river environment changes after the Four Major Rivers Project is insufficient. Currently, part of the construction section of the Four Major Rivers Project is caused by repeated erosion and sedimentation due to the effects of sandification caused by large dredging and flood-time reservoirs, and the head erosion of the tributaries occurs. In order to solve these problems, the riverbed maintenance work was installed, but it resulted in erosion of both sides of the river and the development of new approaches and techniques to keep the river bed stable, such as erosion and excessive sedimentation, is required. The water agent plays a role of securing a certain depth of water for the main stream by concentrating the flow so much in the center and preventing levee erosion by controlling the flow direction and flow velocity. In addition, Groyne products provide various ecological environments by forming a natural form of riverbeds by inducing local erosion and deposition in addition to the protection functions of the river bank and embankment. Therefore, after reviewing the method of determining the shape of the Groyne structure currently in use by utilizing the mobile limit flow rate and marginal reflux force, a new Critical Movement Velocity(${\bar{U}}_d$) and a new resistance coefficient formula considering the mathematical factors applicable to the actual domestic stream were developed and the measures applicable to Groyne installation were proposed.