• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.186-190
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• 2020

Halophytes are physiologically adapted to withstand the high salinity of water and saline soil. This study was conducted to elucidate the distribution of halophytes and hydrophytes in the Jungseonpo River (Sacheon-ci, Gyeongsangnam-do), Gwingok River (Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do), and Gwangyangseo River (Gwangyang-ci, Jeollanam-do) in Korea. A total of six species of halophytes and ten species of hydrophytes were collected in the Jungseonpo River. Halophytes in the Gwingok River and Gwangyangseo River numbered five species and 11 species, respectively. Hydrophytes in the Gwingok River and the Gwangyangseo River numbered 13 species in five families and 16 species in eight families, respectively. Of these, Phacelurus latifolius, endemic to the west and south coast of Korea, is an endangered species in the context of investigating the ecology and conservation of halophyte species. Many individual halophyte species have been diminished due to reduced habitable area caused by sand dune destruction. The rivers in the three areas on the south coast were also different in terms of distribution of salt plants due to regional differences, and they were all different from the well-developed west coast. Seven species, including Rosa wichuraiana, have been added to South coasts compared to past records.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

The climate of Minamiakikawa forest in Japan is similar to that of Mt. Jiri in South Korea. There is a large development plan for Minamiakikawa forest, and a change in the species composition is expected. This study was initiated to compare forest transition caused by artificial perturbations in Korea and Japan. Long-term field observations on species composition are reported. We found 98 families, 231 genera, 315 species, 29 varieties, and 8 races, making a total of 352 classification groups of higher plants in the Minamiakikawa forest area. Among them, 11 families, 12 species and 2 varieties are rare or endangered. The study area is dominated by Cryptomerica japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa. The time and restoration effects on secondary and latent forestation consider the development of the Quercus mongolica community, the Quercus serrata community, and deciduous-broadleaved tree ascension. This indicates that the forest has been restored to Abies firma, Pinus densiflora or Cryptomeria japonica and Fagus japonica, which is considered latent natural forestation of the area in a natural transfer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2017

Prangos fedtschenkoi (Regel et Schmalh.) Korovin (Apiaceae) is an endemic species for mountainous Middle Asia, which is both a rare and useful plant. Organic extractions from this species are being used in pharmaceutics and cosmetology. In recent years, P. fedtschenkoi distribution area has considerably decreased, presumably, resulting from human activities such as agriculture, construction works, overgrazing and collection from wild for pharmaceutic purposes. Six populations were found in Uzbekistan and their genetic divergence and differentiation were studied with 10 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, selected out of 101. Totally 166 amplified ISSR fragments (loci) were revealed, of which 164 were polymorphic. Relatively moderate level of polymorphism was found at population level with polymorphic bands ranging from 27.71% to 47.59%. Mean P = 39.05%, $N_a=1.40$, $N_e=1.25$, S.I. = 0.21, and $H_e=0.14$ were revealed for all loci across six populations. AMOVA showed higher variation among populations (62%) than within them (38%). The Bayesian model determined 5 clusters, or genetic groups. The posteriori distribution of the Theta II estimator detected full model identifying high inbreeding, intensified by low gene flow (Nm = 0.3954). Mantel test confined population 6 as distinct cluster corresponding to geographic remoteness (R = 0.5137, $p{\leq}0.005$). Results were used as the bases for developing conserve measures to restore populations.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.395-403
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the habitat positional environment and vegetation properties of Mankyua chejuense. The habitats were classified into two types depending on the depth of the habitat, the ratio of rock exposure, the dominant species and the surrounding vegetation, which affected the vegetation of the habitats. The habitats with a high ratio of rock exposure showed a distinctive geographical boundary to the adjacent region and most of them were composed of trees that grow in humid environment. On the contrary, in the soil-rich habitats, the depth was shallow, soil layer was well developed, and the trees were introduced from the adjacent areas. However, the dominant species in the herbaceous layer were aquatic plants, which indicated that the habitats had the properties of wetland. Therefore, it was found that thes habitats of Mankyua chejuense have the properties similar to those of marshland. For the preservation of Mankyua chejuense, it is very important to make the habitats maintain such properties of wetland.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 2020

National parks and other protected areas often do not adequately protect national biodiversity because they were originally created for socio-economic and/or aesthetic values. The Korean government has committed to expanding the extent of protected areas to fulfill its commitments to the Aichi Biodiversity Convention. To do so, it is necessary to quantify the current levels of biodiversity representation within existing protected areas and to identify additional conservation needs for vulnerable species and ecological systems. In this study, we assess the proportion of species ranges found in South Korea's protected areas, for the species documented in the 3^rd National Ecosystem Survey. We modeled the range distribution of 3,645 species in the following taxonomic groups; plants (1,545 species), mammals (35), birds (132), herptiles (35), and insects (1,898) using the MaxEnt species distribution model and calculated how much of each species' range is within protected areas. On average, 17.4% of plant species' ranges are represented in protected areas, while for mammals and insects an average 12.0% is currently conserved. Conservation representation for herptiles averages 9.3%, while it is 8.6% for birds. Although large proportions of species that have restricted distributions should be represented in protected areas, 17 plant species, two insects (Parnassius bremeri and Lasioglossum occidens), and one bird species (Phylloscopus inornatus) with ranges smaller than 1,000 ㎢ have less than 10% of their ranges within protected areas. Establishing specific conservation goals such as the protection of endangered species or vulnerable taxonomic groups will increase the efficiency of the biodiversity conservation strategies. In addition, lowland coastal areas are critical for biodiversity conservation because the protected areas in South Korea are mainly composed of high mountainous areas.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.13-34
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• 2023

Many ecologists try to understand plant communities and societies' changing processes by interacting with environmental factors. Plant communities formed in the sidings of streams, which are more dynamic than forest vegetation, are closely related to the disturbance regime of streams. U. pumila, which forms communities at the edges of streams, is distributed over the central and northern regions of the Korean Peninsula. In this study, we intended to explain the regeneration of U. pumila communities in the upstream region of the Namhangang River. Heights from the stream surface to the mid-high points of communities increased when the age class of U. pumila communities increased. On the other hand, the height of U. pumila tended to increase and decrease as the age class increased. The richness (S), evenness (J'), diversity (H'), and maximum diversity (H'max) also showed a tendency to increase and then decrease as the age class increased. On the other hand, the number of stems per individual and density (D) decreased as the age class increased. Seedlings of U. pumila failed to regenerate in the communities at the intermediate or higher stage of the age class. Regeneration of seedlings occurred in the spaces formed by the flooding, which occurred periodically in streams. After regeneration, U. pumila communities grew like a single organism. On the other hand, the plant species consisting of U. pumila communities exhibited a process in which the S and H' increased and then decreased as they developed. In other words, we determined that the changes in the species compositions were associated with changes in each species' environment and community. A space where seeds can regenerate seedlings should be provided for the regeneration of U. pumila communities. In the mid/upstream region of the Namhangang River, where the present study focused, newly formed communities were rare because the space required to regenerate U. pumila ceased to exist. Accordingly, we suggest securing an appropriate space for the regeneration of seedlings to maintain the U. pumila communities in the upstream region of the Namhangang River.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.939-961
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• 2016

For effective conservation of endangered wild plants, it is necessary to understand their interactions with environmental factors in each habitat together with life traits of target species. First, the characteristics of their distribution were investigated followed by their monitoring for 4 years focusing on the habitats in the lagoon. Also, their life traits were compared including production of hibernacles, fruits, and seeds by the soil fertilization and light intensities. Next, the information on the species was secured by germination experiment using the generated seeds from the cultivation experiment. The habitat of Glaux maritima var. obtusifolia Fernald in Korea was located in the rear edge of the worldwide distribution and its four habitats were isolated and distributed far away each other. Two of them were located in small salt-marsh and fine sand estuaries formed in the rocky area of the seashore, and the other two were inhabited with the sandy soil in the lagoon which was connected by river-mouth to the sea. Glaux maritima var. obtusifolia Fernald tends to be distributed in the sites where the establishment and growth of the competitor were inhibited by salinity, periodic flooding, and lower layer of the soil to extend a roots. It maintained its population by recruitments of hibernacles and seedling. The production of hibernacle was assumed to be affected by the particle consist of the sand together with organic matters in the soil. Seedling recruitment was observed only in the salt-marsh area located in the rear sites of sand ridge where was the shore of the lagoon. Glaux maritima var. obtusifolia Fernald was observed to have different threatening factors by each population. Its population in Pohang seemed the sedimentation of fine sand which affected the recruitment of hibernacles had been eroded due to the construction of the coastal road. The population in Ulsan appeared rapid expansion of competitor and reduction of its distribution area due to the interruption of eluted water supplied to the habitat. On the other hand, the habitat in the lagoon maintained the population relatively stable. Especially, the population in Songji-ho was determined to be the most stable one. To sustain the population of Glaux maritima var. obtusifolia Fernald distributed in the lagoon, it is suggested that the wide ranged scale of conservational activities is necessary to maintain the mechanisms including the entrance of seawater which belongs to the lagoon, and periodic flooding.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.256-266
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• 2016

A total of 13,000 individuals of Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. artificially propagated in laboratories and greenhouses were restored in their natural habitat of Bogildo Island, Wandogun, in the southern part of Korea in June of 2013. The growing conditions of the individuals were monitored for two years. The parental individuals for the restoration were obtained from a wild population in southern Korea, from which seeds were produced via artificial crossings. These seeds were germinated and cultivated in growing media and two-year-old plants were then grown in greenhouse beds. The genetic diversity among the propagated individuals was confirmed by examining DNA sequences of five regions of the chloroplast genome and the nuclear ITS region. The diversity values were as high as the average values of natural populations. All propagated individuals were transplanted into two different sites on Bogildo by research teams with local residents and national park rangers. After restoration, we counted and measured the surviving individuals, vegetative propagated stems, and growth rates in June of both 2014 and 2015. There was no human interference, and 97% of the individuals survived. The number of propagules increased by 227% in two years. In contrast, the average length of the stems decreased during the period. In addition, different survival and propagation rates were recorded depending on the host plants and the restored sites. The shaded sides of rock cliffs and the bark of Quercus salicina showed the best propagation rates, followed by the bark of Camellia japonica. A few individuals of D. moniliforme successfully flowered, pollinated, and fruited after restoration. Overall, our monitoring data over two years indicate that the restored individuals were well adapted and vigorously propagated at the restored sites. In order to prevent human disturbance of the restored sites, a CCTV monitoring system powered by a solar panel was installed after the restoration. In addition, a human surveillance system is operated by national park rangers with local residents.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.461-471
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• 2016

This study was conducted to establish an in vitro propagation system for sea-milkwort (Glaux maritima L.), which is an endangered coastal plant species with high horticultural value. Two phenotypes, 'Red type (RT)' and 'Pistachio type (PT)' based on the colors of stem and flower, were obtained from a personal horticulturist in 2009 and used for this study as plant materials. The stock plants showed typical morphologies in flower, capsule, and seed appearances as previously reported. Low temperature treatment at $4^{\circ}C$ for four or more weeks after in vitro sowing maximized seed germination percentage, indicating that imbibition of seed and subsequent low temperature treatment are crucial for its germination. The in vitro seedlings had phenotypic variation, falling into 'RT' and 'PT' classes like the stock plants. Although slight differences depending on genotype and medium were recognized, the fourth or fifth nodes detached from the in vitro seedlings revealed the best multiplication efficacy when estimated on the basis of total number of nodes of newly developed axillary shoots. In addition, the nodes from 'RT' and 'PT' regenerated the most shoots on medium supplemented with $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA alone and $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ BA plus $0.5mg{\cdot}L^{-1}$ IAA, respectively. The node culture-derived plantlets were well acclimatized in a culture room ex vitro and completed the pseudo-annual life cycle coincident with that in the natural salt march habitat with the current cultivation method of applying fresh water-irrigation under an inland environment. This work represents the first report of in vitro propagation of sea-milkwort. Thus, our study will contribute to exo-habitat conservation and natural habitat restoration of this endangered species in addition to development of a horticultural product.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.76-88
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• 2011

The flora of vascular plants in the mountains located in the Uiryeong-gun area, in the South province of the Korean Peninsula, such as Jagul-san(897.1 m), 676 Highland(676 m), Byeokhwa-san(522 m), and the Bangeo-san(530.4 m), was investigated between April 2008 and August 2009. These investigations found 580 taxa consisting of 496 species, 1 subspecies, 77 varieties, and 6 forms, found within 319 genera under 103 families. The count totaled at 744 taxa(16.2% of all vascular plant taxa in Korea), which was made up of 648 species, 3 subspecies, 81 varieties, and 12 forms, found within of 362 genera under 109 families, when voucher specimens from the previous research studies were added. Forests of the investigated areas were generally composed of mixed Pinus densiflora and Quercus sp. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were the valley neighboring Baekun-sa(temple) (in the eastern slope of Mt. Jagul-san), the southwest slope of Mt. 676 Highland, the eastern slope of Mt. Byeokhwa-san, and the northern slope of Mt. Bangeo-san. 10 families were collected in abundance: Compositae, Graminae, Leguminosae, Liliaceae, Rosaceae, Cyperaceae, Labiatae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae, and Violaceae these families made up 50% of all collected taxa. 19 taxa were endemic to the area, including Salix hallaisanensis H.Lev, S. koriyanagi Kimura, Aconitum austrokoreense Koidz, A. pseudolaeve Nakai, Clematis trichotoma Nakai, Thalictrum uchiyamai Nakai, Stewartia pseudocamellia Maxim, Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., Lespedeza ${\times}$ robusta Nakai, Vicia chosenensis Ohwi, Euonymus trapococca Nakai, and Angelica cartilagino-marginata var. distans(Nakai) Kitag. Eight of the taxa were rare and endangered plants, as designated by the Korea Forest Service, including Jeffersonia dubia(Maxim.) Baker & S. Moore and Viola diamantiaca Nakai. 38 taxa of alien plants were found. Vegetation of the surveyed areas falls in the South province of the Korean Peninsula. Of all the taxa collected, 463 taxa(10.06% of all vascular plants in Korea) are considered useful plants, 231 taxa are edible, 193 taxa have medicinal uses, 65 taxa are used ornamentally, 234 taxa are important forage, 3 taxa are used as an industrial raw material, 17 taxa are used for timber, 18 taxa contain useful dyes, and 7 taxa are used for fiber.