• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.400-410
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• 2015

Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) is a valuable woody plant resource, but this rare plant is only distributed in restricted regions in Korea. In this study, we surveyed the geographic distribution regions, variation of sex ratio and the dynamics of natural populations of J. chinensis. in order to establish conservation strategies for the sustainable conservation of this important resource tree. The 17 natural populations of J. chinensis are restrictively distributed in the shore cliffs of (1) Ulleungdo island, (2) Gyeongju-si to Gangneung-si of the eastern coast, the riverside cliff along (3) Donggang-river of Jungsun-gun and Pyeongchang-gun and (4) branch of Nakdonggang-river in Uiseong-gun. The populations in Ulleungdo island showed continuous population distribution of over 200 individuals, but populations in other regions had discontinuous population distribution of under 200. The population of J. chinensis surveyed in Korea was estimated in ca. 3,200 individuals. The sex ratio (male/female) among populations of J. chinensis was diverse with variation from 0.46~1.67 range, but showed no significance. The sex ratio of the total individuals by species level was 0.74, and the percentage of female tree was significantly higher than the male. The results of dynamics analysis within population among regions showed that seedlings and saplings of J. chinensis in three regions surveyed were continuously regenerating. The distribution of DBH class showed a stable population structure of inverse J shape graph, but fragmentation and decrease in populations because of invading broad-leaved shrubs and trees from the surroundings were concerned. Further studies, and in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for the sustainable conservation on natural populations of this rare resources woody plant, J. chinensis in Korea are recommended.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.111-119
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• 2018

Background: Juniperus chinensis L. populations are distributed locally on several areas including coastal cliffs which are difficult to access in the central eastern Korea. Wild populations inhabit relatively barren environments such as rocky areas and cliffs, which are very sensitive to even minor environmental disturbances including artificial interventions and natural disturbances, and thus demonstrate great fluctuations in the population size and density. This study aims to analyze the genetic diversity, differentiation, and genetic structure of each population in order to provide useful data required to establish a substantial conservation strategy of J. chinensis. Results: The genetic diversity of J. chinensis at the population level (P = 78.7%, h = 0.282, S.I. = 0.420) was somewhat higher compared with those measured in the same genus, Juniperus. The genetic differentiation degree among nine populations established naturally in central eastern Korea was 11.50% and that among sub-populations within the same area was 5.52%. On the other hand, genetic variation of individuals within the populations was 82.93%. But frequency of the main allele was different among loci. In particular, fixation of allele frequency and occurrence of rare allele in the highly isolated population suggest a likelihood that genetic drift would occur in populations of this plant. As the result of analysis on the genetic structure of nine populations, nearby populations and isolated populations tended to form separate clusters from each other as the hypothetical number of clusters (K) increase. Conclusions: This result implies that if the population size of J. chinensis is reduced due to environmental change and artificial and/or natural disturbances in the future, it could affect negatively on the genetic diversity of the plant species. In order to maintain and conserve genetic diversity of J. chinensis, ecological network, which can help genetic exchange among the local populations, should be prepared, and conservation strategies in situ as well as ex situ are also required with continuous monitoring.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to provide basic guidelines for conservation and management of endangered plants in the national parks of Korea. Iris dichotoma Pall. (Iridaceae), which is a popular garden plant, is considered a second-class endangered species by Korean government and it is listed as a EN (Endangered) species in Red Data Book of Korea. We analyzed ecological conditions of I. dichotoma habitats based on vegetation properties and soil characteristics. This species which is known to inhabit in grassland adjacent to the ocean of lowlands slope and its population was located at an elevation of 8 m to 11 m. In the study sites, the mean of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and soil pH were 6.16%, 0.234% and 5.39 respectively. Additionally, the genetic variation and structure of three populations were assessed using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. The genetic diversity of I. dichotoma (P = 59.46%, H = 0.206, S = 0.310) at the species level was relatively high. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed 82.1% of the total genetic diversity was occurred in within populations and 17.9% variation among populations. Lastly, we developed predicted distribution model based on climate and topographic factors by applying SDMs (Species Distribution Models). Consequently, current status of I. dichotoma habitats is limited with natural factors such as the increase of the coverage rate of the herbs due to ecological succession. Therefore, it is essential to establish in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for protecting natural habitats and to require exploring potential and alternative habitats for reintroduction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 2003

Restoration ecology is undergoing rapid growth as academic field over the last 15 years. The specification of goals for restoration projects is frequently described as the most important component of a project. The endeavor for universal development of goals for ecological restoration continues to generate many discussion and controversy. I discuss the importance of restoration goals and diverse roots of restoration ecology, and show how the complex lineages within restoration ecology. I review the three major theme that currently are used to develop the restoration goals : restoration of species, restoration of whole ecosystem or landscapes, and the restoration of ecosystem services. Restoration ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology share goals to conserve biodiversity, but differ in focus of approach. I review the differences among three fields. Conservation biology has been more zoological, more descriptive, and theoretical, and more emphasized the population and genetic research. However, restoration ecology has been more plant ecological, more experimental, and emphasized the community and plant succession. Landscape ecology has emphasized the interaction of ecosystem and dispersal among populations. I suggest the integration of restoration ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology. For example, conservation biology will contribute to the preservation of original habitats by population study, restoration ecology will contribute to regenerate damaged ecosystem and ex situ preservation, and landscape ecology will contribute to restoration of population and landscape.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate effects of cryopreservation by vitrification on the seed germination rate and growth and physiological properties of seedlings of Maackia amurensis. Cryopreservation significantly decreased the germination rate of seeds of M. amurensis, but the reduction of germination rate was mitigated by the treatment of cryoprotectant (plant vitrification solution, PVS2) before plugging into liquid nitrogen and fast thawing rate after cryopreservation. Long-term PVS2 exposure decreased seed germination rate, whereas cryopreservation time didn't have influence on seed germination rate. In addition, growth and physiological properties of seedlings were not affected by PVS2 exposing time and cryopreservation time. Therefore cryopreservation could be widely used as a technique of long-term ex situ conservation without any damage and deterioration of cells or tissues of the forest seeds. However, in order to increase the effect of cryopreservation, we have to develope the lower toxic cryoprotectant and suitable techniques to the structural or chemical properties of a variety of seeds.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.374-378
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• 2010

Determining plant moisture characteristics is an essential study not only for cultivation, but also for ex-situ conservation. In this study, employing pressure-volume curve we examined moisture characteristics of Rhododendron micranthum, known as rare plant, with the aim of its ex-situ conservation. Several individuals growing in Mt. Worak, Youngwol-gun Yeonha-ri and Bongwa-gun Seokpo-ri were selected for this study, from which we collected leaves. The original bulk osmotic pressure at maximum turgor(${{\Psi}_o}^{sat}$)was -1.5 MPa in those of Mt. Worak and Seokpo-ri, which is somewhat lower than that of Yeonha-ri(-1.2 MPa). It appeared that the osmotic pressure at incipient plasmolysis(${{\Psi}_o}^{tlp}$) of leaves collected in both Mt. Worak and Seokpo-ri were -1.29 MPa, and -1.26 MPa, respectively, which are lower than that of Yeonha-ri(-1.02MPa). Maximum bulk modulus of elasticity($E_{max}$) was 14.0 MPa, 8.67 MPa in leaves collected from both Seokpo-ri and Mt. Worak, respectively, those value of which were approximately 3 times higher than that of Yeonha-ri(4.00 MPa). The values of $RWC_{tlp}$(Relative water content at incipient plasmolysis) of leaves collected in three areas, were roughly 83%, suggesting that Rhododendron micranthum has relatively high capability of containing water. Our finding on moisture characteristics of Rhododendron micranthum is similar to those of other Rhododendron spp. We suggest that individuals growing in both Worak and Seokpo-ri, are preferable to those in Yeonha-ri for ex-situ transplantation since those individuals are found to have better drought resistance.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.201-207
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• 2003

Tissue culture techniques arguably are an important approach for ex situ conservation of rare and endangered plant species. However, there is utmost importance on maintaining the genetic integrity of the introduced plants especially in tree species. To examine the genetic integrity of the micropropagated plants, we randomly screened few hardened plants of Syzygium travancoricum, a critically endangered tree taxon, using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Twenty-three random. primers were tried and twenty-five polymorphic loci were identified. The dendrogram based on the Unweighted Pair-Group Method Arithmetic Average and Nei's similarity index depicted about 97% homology between the mother plants and micropropagated plants. Further, an attempt was made to reintroduce the micropropagated plants in the wild. Over three hundred small trees could be successfully established.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.4-4
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• 2018

본 발표는 국가 멸종위기종의 보전을 위해 환경부에서 지정하는 서식지외보전기관의 그간 성과와 향후 운영방향에 대한 것이다. 서식지외보전기관은 서식지내에서 보전이 어려운 야생동 식물을 서식지외에서 체계적으로 증식 보전할 수 있도록 연구경험, 인력, 시설 등이 갖추어진 연구기관을 심사해 환경부에서 지정하고 지정대상기관이 운영하는 제도이다. 국립낙동강생물자원관은 최근 3년간 멸종위기식물 4종(섬개현삼, 분홍장구채, 대청부채, 큰바늘꽃)과 일반식물 1종(고란초)의 현장관리 및 증식연구 등을 통해 보전기반을 마련하여 현장평가를 거쳐 환경부로부터 2018년 1월 30일 지정서를 교부받았다. 이에 지금까지의 연구결과와 향후 연구방향에 대해 발표하여 관련분야 전문가의 고견을 받아 서식지외보전기관의 관리와 운영에 반영하고자 한다.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2008

Twenty-eight of 44 Indian Ceropegia species are endemic and their survival is threatened. As a step towards conservation, we implied in vitro methods for the sustainable propagule production in C. hirsuta, C. lawii, C. maccannii, C. oculata and C. sahyadrica. Effects of explant, growth regulators, sucrose and photoperiod were studied. High frequency microtuber production was achieved with the seedling-apical buds, grown on MS medium containing 4-6 mg $1^{-1}$ BAP, 3-8% (w/v) sucrose, under continuous illumination. Each microtuber, when subcultured proliferated to form a cluster of secondary microtubers. Every primary and secondary microtuber bore at least one shoot-bud and a root primordium. Each tuber (formed with any of the significantly effective treatments) weighed more than 500 mg, enough to plant directly in non-sterilized soils. Microtubers could be produced and proliferated round the year. Proliferation could be solely attributed to in vitro procedures as these plants bear solitary tubers in vivo. Microtubers could be sprouted in vitro to prepare ready to pot plantlets. As, this novel method succeeded for all five species, though they belong to different eco-physiological backgrounds, we recommend its implementation in the conservation programs for a broader range of Ceropegia species, supported by other integrated strategies.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.311-322
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• 2016

Since forest trees form the basis of forest ecosystem, their prolong subsistence is crucial for various flora and fauna. The foremost challenges to sustain the forest ecosystem comprise of the declining forest tree population accompanied with structural changes due to afforestation and exploitation of forest area, environment changes, pests, pollution, and introgressive hybridization. For ex situ conservation approach, in vitro techniques encompass basic role for conserving tree genetic resources, predominantly where natural propagules like recalcitrant seed might not be appropriate for long-term conservation. The practice includes restricted growth techniques, conventional micropropagation, production and storage of synthetic seeds, and cryopreservation. Even though these practices have been applied chiefly to herbaceous species, but recently, woody species were also focused upon. Key conceptions, challenges and techniques for forest tree seed conservation are discussed briefly in this review with special emphasis on some successful cryopreservation approaches for long-term storage.