• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.131-167
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• 2019

Securing reference information (inventory) is essential for proper conservation and management of protected areas. Moreover, the investigation results should be available for comparison and evaluation. For this study, we established seven investigational lattices and carried out the field examinations to obtain comparable data in the Donggang river basin ecological and scenery conservation area, We conducted a total of 16 field surveys and identified a total of 830 taxa that is composed of 127 families, 408 genera, 716 species, 10 subspecies, 88 varieties, and 16 forms. We identified a total of 487 taxa in the 6th investigational lattice and 457 taxa in the 4th. We observed 6 species (grade II) designated by the Ministry of Environment as the endangered plants, one "species to monitor" designated by the Ministry of Environment, and 23 taxa designated as endemic species. Regarding the floristic characteristics plants, 15 taxa of grade V, 27 taxa of grade IV, 38 taxa of grade III, 31 taxa of grade II, and 19 taxa of grade I were identified. The 6th investigational lattice showed the largest number of taxa at 70. A total of 58 taxa were identified as the naturalized plant, and the 6th investigational lattice showed the most at 35 taxa. The Donggang river basin ecological and scenery conservation area was assessed to be an extremely important area to conserve and maintain plants species diversity not only in the regional scale but also national scale.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.20-30
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to identify the ecological characteristics of Namhan Mountain Fortress Walls vascular plants through investigation and analysis of Namhan Mountain Fortress Walls and to provide basic data when establishing a plan for conservation and management of Namhansanseong Fortress Wall vascular plants. The result of this survey revealed 249 taxa composed of 77 families, 169 genera, 222 species, 5 subspecies, 19 varieties and 3 forms. In terms of life form of Namhan Mountain Fortress Walls, the appearance rate of Hemicryptophytes(H) was high. Rare plants was 1 taxa and Korea endemic plants was 5 taxa. The total number of floristic regional indicator plants was 15 taxa, gradeI 9 taxa, gradeII 2 taxa, gradeIII 3 taxa, gradeIV 1 taxa. Among them, Polygala tatarinowii Regel is considered to the most important(gradeIV), and it is first description because in Gyeonggi-do, as no additional forms have been confirmed other than this site. Plants identified as rock vegetation were found in 21 taxa. Invasive alien plants were identified 20 taxa. Plants distributed on the walls of Namhan Mountain Fortress, such as Aconitum longecassidatum Nakai, Clematis heracleifolia DC. var. tubulosa (Turcz.) Kuntze, Hylotelephium spectabile (Boreau) H.Ohba and Polygala tatarinowii Regel etc, are feared to decrease the number of species and individuals due to the loss of walls, the spread of invasive alien plant and human interference, so conservation and management measures are needed.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.259-272
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• 2022

Background: The Korean Peninsula exhibits a characteristic graded floral distribution, with northern (Manchurian flora) and southern (China-Japan-Korea flora) lineage species coexisting according to climatic and topographical characteristics. However, this distribution has been altered by climate change. To identify ecosystem changes caused by climate change and develop appropriate measures, the current ecological status of the entire Korean Peninsula should first be determined; however, analysis of the current floral distribution in North Korea has been hampered for political reasons. To overcome these limitations, this study constructed a database of floral distributions in both South and North Korea by integrating spatial information from the previously established National Ecological Survey in South Korea and geocoding data from the literature on biological distributions published in North Korea. It was then applied to analyze the current status and distribution characteristics of Manchurian and China-Japan-Korea plant species on the Korean Peninsula. Results: In total, 45,877 cases were included in the Manchurian and China-Japan-Korea floral distribution database. China-Japan-Korea species were densely distributed on Jeju-do and along the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The distribution density decreased as the latitude increased, and the distributions reached higher-latitude regions in the coastal areas compared with the inland regions. Manchurian species were distributed throughout North Korea, while they were densely distributed in the refugia formed in the high-elevation mountain regions and the Baekdudaegan in South Korea. In the current distribution of biomes classified according to the Whittaker method, subtropical and endemic species were densely distributed in temperate seasonal forest and woodland/shrubland biomes, whereas boreal species were densely distributed in the boreal forest biome Korean Peninsula, with a characteristic gradation of certain species distributed in the temperate seasonal forest biome. Factor analysis showed that temperature and latitude were the main factors influencing the distribution of flora on the Korean Peninsula. Conclusions: The findings reported herein on the current floral distribution trends across the entire Korean Peninsula will prove valuable got mitigating the ecological disturbances caused by ongoing climate change. Additionally, the gathered flora data will serve as a basis for various follow-up studies on climate change.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.59-68
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• 2009

Objectives : Bupleuri Radix (Siho) is prescribed as the root of different Bupleurum species on the pharmarcopoeia in Korea and China. Moreover, other species and varieties of the genus Bupleurum have been also distributed on the herbal market as Bupleuri Radix. However, due to the morphological similarity and frequent occurrence of intermediate forms, the correct identification of this radix is very difficult. To develop a reliable method for correct identification and improving the quality standards of official Bupleuri Radix, we analyzed sequences of the ribosomal RNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (rDNA-ITS) region. Methods : PCR amplification of rDNA-ITS region was performed using ITS1 and ITS4 primer from 6 Bupleurum species and 1 variety, B. falcatum L. (Siho), an improved breed of B. falcatum L. (Samdo-Siho), B. chinense DC. (Buk-Siho), B. scorzonerifolium Willd. (Nam-Siho), B. longiadiatum Turcz. (Gae-Siho), B. euphorbiodes Nakai (Deungdae-Siho) and B. latissimum Nakai (Seom-Siho), and nucleotide sequence was determined after sub-cloning into the pGEM-Teasy vector. Authentic marker nucleotides were estimated by the analysis of ClastalW using entire rDNA-ITS sequence of three samples per species. Results : In comparative analysis of the rDNA-ITS sequences, we found specific nucleotides to distinguish Korean (B. falcatum L. and its variety) and Chinese official species (B. chinense DC. and B. scorzonerifolium Willd.) from others at positions 411 and 447, and positions 89, 101, 415 and 599, respectively. Futhermore, we also found nucleotide indels (insertion and/or deletion) and substitutions to identify each of different Bupleurum species, 2 positions for B. falcatum L. and its variety, 6 positions for B. chinense DC., 49 positions for B. scorzonerifolium Willd., 8 positions for B. euphorbioides Nakai, 7 positions for B. longiradiatum Nakai and 9 positions for B. latissimum Nakai. These sequence differences at corresponding positions are avaliable nucleotide markers to determine the botanical origins of Bupleuri Radix. Moreover, we confirmed the phylogenetic relationship of B. latissimum Nakai, a Korean endemic speices, among Bupleurum species based on the rDNA-ITS sequence. Conclusions : These marker nucleotides would be useful to identify the official herbal medicines by the providing of definitive information that can identify each plant species and distinguish it from unauthentic adulterant Bupleurum species.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2020

The striped fruit fly, Zeugodacus scutellata, is endemic in Korea, but it has been regarded as one of the serious quarantine pests throughout the world. Sterile insect release technique (SIT) has been used to eradicate quarantine fruit flies. This study developed a technique to generate sterile males and applied SIT to control Z. scutellata. First of all, the reproductive systems of Z. scutellata adults were examined with fluorescent microscope. Polytrophic ovaries comprises of around 100 follicles with developing oocytes. Each follicle contains an oocyte with several nurse cells and are surrounded with follicular epithelium. Oocyte development began at 10 days after adult emergence (DAE) and formed chorionated oocytes after 20 DAE. On the other hand, male testes were well developed just after adult emergence. The vas deferens was filled with motile sperms. To generate sterile males, different doses (0~1,000 Gy) doses of electron beam were irradiated to 3~5 days old pupae of Z. scutellata. When male pupae were irradiated with electron beam at 200 Gy, they developed and mated with females without any significant difference compared to untreated males. Although the untreated females mated with the 200 Gy-irradiated males laid eggs, no eggs did not hatch. The 200 Gy-irradiated males were then applied to untreated male and female flies in a density ratio of 1:9 (untreated males : treated males). The laid eggs suffered significant infertility. These results suggest that electron beam-irradiated pupae at 200 Gy resulted in male sterility and the resulting males would be applied to SIT.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.365-380
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• 2009

Flora of vascular plants in mountains located at Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun areas such as Chiak-san(1,288m), Taegi-san(1,261.4m), Obong-san(1,126.2m), Eungbong-san(1,094.9m), Eodab-san(789.4m), Deokgo-san(521.2m), Deokga-san(700.5m) and Seongji-bong(791m) was investigated from April, 2008 to May, 2009, and results from the previous researches in which voucher specimens had been presented from Balgyo-san(998.4m), Oeum-san(930.4m), Baekun-san(1,037.1m) and Chiak-san(1,288m) were included in the list of vascular plants from these areas. This investigations resulted in 804 taxa consisted of 680 species, 1 subspecies, 111 varieties, and 12 forms of 383 genera under 97 families, and totally in 973 taxa (21.14% of all vascular plants in Korea) of 818 species, 1 subspecies, 138 varieties and 16 forms of 418 genera under 105 families on addition of voucher specimens in the previous researches. Forests of the investigated areas were generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and deciduous trees. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were valley from Guryong-sa (temple) to Biro-bong (summit) via Seryeom-pokpo (fall) in Mt. Chiak-san, and Keunseong-gol (valley) and eastern slope from Taegibungyo-teo to Naksu-dae (fall) in Mt. Taegi-san. 10 families with abundantly collected species were Compositae, Graminae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae, Liliaceae, Saxifragaceae, Umbelliferae and Labiatae in order, and they occuied 49.12% of all collected taxa. Endemic plants found in these areas were 38 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Megaleranthis saniculifolia, and Pyrus ussuriensis var. diamantica, and rare and endangered ones were 24 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Viola websteri, Viola diamantica, and Patrina saniculaefolia. Specially designated plants by the Ministry of Environment were 88 taxa including 12 taxa of 5th degree such as Woodsia intermedia, Hanabusaya asiatica, Equisetum pratense, Iris koreana, Lilium cernum, Trillium tschonoskii, Magnolia kobus(cultivated), Gastrodia elata, Polypodium virginianum, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Megaleranthis saniculifolia and Viola websteri. 47 taxa of alien plants were found. As to 609 taxa (13.23% of all vascular plants in Korea) of useful plants, 334 taxa for the edible, 269 taxa for the medicinal, 127 taxa for the ornamental, 332 taxa for the forage, 3 taxa for the industrial raw material, 31 taxa for the timber and 13 taxa for the fiber were classified, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-70
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• 2009

Floral study on the vegetation of 8 mountains including Taehwa-san, Mugab-san, Haehyeob-san, Guksa-bong, Gwanggyo-san, Samseong-san, Suri-san, and 200m peak neighboring to Mulwang lake was carried out from April to October, 2007. They belong to the middle part of Gyeonggi Province, and located between Lat. $37^{\circ}$13' 31.19" ${\sim}37^{\circ}$33' 3.48", Long. $26^{\circ}$43' 04.1" ${\sim}127^{\circ}$26' 28.38". Vascular plants collected in these areas were total 447 taxa composed of 386 species, 5 subspecies, 46 varieties and 10 forms of 262 genera under 92 families. The area from which the most plentiful plants were found was Mt. Gwanggyo-san. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation are easy slopes nearby valleys in Mt. Gwanggyo-san, Mt. Suri-san and Mt. Haehyeob-san. Forests of the examined areas are generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and Quercus plants, but herbaceous plants covering soil are becoming nearly extinct by air and soil pollutions except some sites. Families with abundant species are Compositae, Rosaceae, Liliaceae and Graminae, etc. Endemic plants found in these areas are 8 taxa of Clematis brachyura, Euonymus trapococcus, Viola seoulensis, Ajuga spectabilis, Scutellaria insignis, Weigela subsessilis, Aster koraiensis, Aconitum chiisanense and rare and endangered plants are 7 taxa of Arisaema heterophyllum, Iris odaesanensis, Eranthis stellata., Aconitum chiisanense, Prunus yedoensis (cultivar), Viola albida, and Syringa wolfi. As to useful plants, 192 taxa for the edible, 132 taxa for the medicinal, 130 taxa for the ornamental and 11 taxa for the staining were classified respectively. Among 17 taxa of specially designated plants, 5th degree plants are 2 taxa of Iris odaesanensis and Prunus yedoensis (cultivar), 4th degree plants are 2 taxa of Symplocarpus renifolius and Syringa wolfi, 3rd degree plants are 13 taxa of Dryopteris gymnophylla, Juniperus chinensis, Betula chinensis, Betula davurica, Diarrhena fauriei, Aconitum longecassidatum, Eranthis stellata, Spiraea salicifolia, Acer palmatum, Vaccinium koreanum, Scutellaria insignis, Weigela florida and Adoxa moschatellina.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.2
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• pp.201-223
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• 2022

Currently, species extinctions are increasing due to climate change and continued anthropogenic impact. We selected 300 species for conservation with emphasis on plants co-occurring in the Baekdudaegan area, which is a large ecological axis of Korea. We aimed to investigate the vegetation community and environmental characteristics of Zabelia tyaihyonii in the limestone habitat among the target plant species in the Baekdudaegan region to derive effective conservation strategies. In Danyang-gun, Yeongwol-gun, and Jecheon-si, we selected 36 investigation sites where Z. tyaihyonii was present. We investigated the vegetation, flora, soil and physical environment. We also found notable plants such as Thalictrum petaloideum, Sillaphyton podagraria, and Neillia uekii at the investigation sites. We classified forest vegetation community types into 4 vegetation units and 7 species group types. With canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of the vegetation community and habitat factors, we determined the overall explanatory power to be 75.2%, and we classified the environmental characteristics of the habitat of Z. tyaihyonii into a grouping of three. Among these, we detected a relationship between the environmental factors elevation, slope, organic matter, rock ratio, pH, potassium, and sodium. We identified numerous rare and endemic plants, including Thalictrum petaloideum, in the investigation site, and determined that these groups needed to be preserved at the habitat level. In the classification of the vegetation units analyzed based on the emerging plants and the CCA, we reaffirmed the uniqueness and specificity of the vegetation community in the habitat of Z. tyaihyonii. We anticipate that our results will be used as scientific evidence for the empirical conservation of the native habitats of Z. tyaihyonii.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of the western front (Paju-Yencheon Area) of the Civilian Control Zone. Vascular plants collected in these areas were a total of 558 taxa composing of 501 species, 3 subspecies, 48 varieties and 1 forma of 330 genera under 109 families This shows that 11% of the 4,880 vascular plant species that are known to exist in Korea is distributed in the western part of the DMZ. 1 taxa of endangered species designated by the Ministry of Environment was found: the Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim in the edge of the military operation road from Taepung observatory to Imjin river. For the floristically specific ones of the Korean floristic zones, 3 taxa of the $5^{th}$ grade, 3 taxa of the $4^{th}$ grade, 13 taxa of the $3^{rd}$ grade, 13 taxa of the $2^{nd}$ grade and 22 taxa of the $1^{st}$ grade were found. For the endemic species of Korea, 4 taxa including Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai were confirmed to be distributed mostly on the slope or the cutting area. Among the collected rare plants (11 taxa), there were 1 taxa of endangered species, 4 taxa of vulnerable species and 6 taxa of least concern species. Also, 51 taxa of naturalized plants were identified and 4 taxa of ecosystem disturbance organism designated by the Ministry of Environment were identified. The urbanization index and naturalization index for all species were estimated to be 15.89% and 9.14% respectively. Our survey is expected to be considered as primary data of biological diversity and ecological axis in the DMZ and the western part of the DMZ. According to the results of this study, it is thought to be necessary to establish policies for conservation and protection of the DMZ.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.469-477
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• 2018

Hanabusaya asiatica is an endemic species whose distribution is limited in the mid-eastern part of the Korean peninsula. Due to its narrow range and small population, it is necessary to protect its habitats by identifying it as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) adopted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In this paper, we estimated potential natural habitats for H. asiatica using maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) and identified candidate sites for KBA based on the model results. MaxEnt is a machine learning algorithm that can predict habitats for species of interest unbiasedly with presence-only data. This property is particularly useful for the study area where data collection via a field survey is unavailable. We trained MaxEnt using 38 locations of H. asiatica and 11 environmental variables that measured climate, topography, and vegetation status of the study area which encompassed all locations of the border region between South and North Korea. Results showed that the potential habitats where the occurrence probabilities of H. asiatica exceeded 0.5 were $778km^2$, and the KBA candidate area identified by taking into account existing protected areas was $1,321km^2$. Of 11 environmental variables, elevation, annual average precipitation, average precipitation in growing seasons, and the average temperature in the coldest month had impacts on habitat selection, indicating that H. asiatica prefers cool regions at a relatively high elevation. These results can be used not only for identifying KBAs but also for the reference to a protection plan for H. asiatica in preparation of Korean reunification and climate change.