• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.2 s.62
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• pp.160-165
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prey composition and utilization of the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, in the ecosystem conservation region of the Seomjin River. The study was conducted for a 12-month period from March 2003 to February 2004 by spraints analysis and an investigation using artificial holts. We found seasonal variation in the number of spraints and composition of prey items. Fish were the main prey items throughout the period (82%), and other prey items included birds (14%), amphibians (2%) and arthropods (1%). In addition to prey identification, we investigated habitat utilization by otters through spraints distribution. The traces of otters were discovered in five of the six total artificial holts. However, the utilization of the artificial holts in the study area seemed to be limited as evidenced by the low frequency of traces in the holts.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.413-418
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• 2012

In this study, both habitat use analysis by rumen contents of Eurasian river otter (Lutra lutra) were carried out to investigate the preference of habitat environment and diet using their fecal samples. As the target sites, two streams (the Naechon-cheon and the Koonup-cheon) were selected in the upstream of the Hongcheon river, Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province. A total of 478 track samples (e.g., feces, scent and footprint) were found during the survey periods (May to November, 2009 and November, 2010). The dominant points, where the tracks of river otters were observed, were areas with the low depth(0.5-1m) and the slow flow velocity (5m/sec). Also, both rocks and rock-beds were preferred but artificial facilities were avoided. This ecological study of river otters using habitat use analysis and diet analysis by rumen contents will be useful fundamental information to conserve the river otter populations, and to protect their habitats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.53-56
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• 2009

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.19-32
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• 2015

In Korea, significant riparian areas have been developed due to river maintenance projects. Introduction of new riparian facilities can negatively affect wildlife in the riparian areas. This study focuses on selecting core conservation areas for Eurasian Otter(Lutra lutra) to support decision making process for development of riparian areas. For the study, first of all, field data of study site were collected by field surveys. Secondly, stream naturalness was assessed to understand physical environments of the study sites. Thirdly, habitat suitability was assessed using occurrence data of Eurasian Otter and environmental data. Lastly, core areas for conservation was selected by comparing and synthesizing stream naturalness map and habitat suitability map. The selected core areas showed several characteristics. The number of artificial facilities is low in the core areas. Rocks which are preferred by Eurasian Otter to eat and excrete are plentiful in the core areas. Also, the ratio of adjacent farmland is high. Based on the analyses, it is expected that this study can contribute to decision making process for environmental spatial plans to better conserve habitats of Eurasian Otter.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.spc
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

In order to determine whether vegetation would be one of the factors for the selection of otter home range, vegetation structure and other potential factors were studied in Hwacheon, Korea. Thirteen sites, otter's activity found and not found, were investigated in North Han River and connected tributary streams of Hwacheon-gun. Three types of vegetation were classified by cluster analysis, which is short grass, tall grass and shrub type. Vegetation zone of each channel is composed of either one type, or mosaic of tall grass and shrub type. Short grass type is common in Lake Paro and upper North Han-river where water level is highly variable throughout a year. Therefore, annual species such as Persicaria nodosa, Fimbristylis dichotomam and Chenopodium ficifolium are the most dominant. Shrub type is common at the downstream sites of Jichon stream and along mainstream of North Han River down Lake Paro. A shrub species, Salix koreensis, is the most common. Tall grass type is dominant occupying the most vegetation zone of the tributary channels. Phragmites japonica is absolutely dominant. Due to its dense cover, a few plant species are co-existed. Otter activity was found in all three vegetation types and no marked activity was found at some sites of tall grass type. There is no difference in species composition and physiognomy between tall grass sites with and without otter activity, while it shows significant difference in fish availability between two groups. Overall we found that home range of otters in the region is along the mainstream and downstream of tributary streams with high fish availability in all vegetation types and in various human activity levels.

• 한국공간정보시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.05a
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• pp.175-179
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• 2005

본 연구는 2002년 10월부터 2003년 9월까지 경상북도 봉화군 운곡천을 대상으로 수달의 배설물 및 배설지 등의 흔적조사를 통해 얻은 GPS좌표를 중심으로 하여 수치지도 및 현장조사에서 얻은 정보를 Arc/view를 이용해 수달의 최적 서식지분석에 이용하였다. 분석결과 수달의 서식지 이용에는 먹이자원인 어류의 종다양도와 풍부도가 깊은 연관을 맺고 있으며 식생 등의 서식환경이 밀접한 연관을 맺고 있음을 확인하였다 또한, 밀집된 주거지 등 인간의 간섭은 수달의 서식지 이용에 교란요인으로 작용한다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구는 수달의 보전 및 관리를 위한 적합 서식지를 선정하기 위해 GIS기법의 활용에 대한 적용 가능성을 평가하였다.