• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.630-639
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• 2003

This study aims to analysis the distribution and change of cropland and forest, the Onseong, Saebyeol, and Eundeok counties on the lower reach of Duman(Tumen) river, northeast Korea, using 1992 year Landsat TM data, 2000 year Landsat ETM data, and digital terrain elevation data(DTED). Land cover and land use of the study areas are classified into cropland, forest, village, and water body, using the supervised classification method including 1:50,000 DTED analysis, image band composition, and principal component analysis(PCA). Results of quantitative analysis present that each growth rate of cropland of Onseong and Eundeok are 22.8% and 14.7% corresponding to decreasing rates of forest, 8% and 13.6% during 8 years from 1992 to 2000. In Onseong, Saebyeol, and Eundeok, each values of mean elevations and slope gradients increased to 192m, 95m, and 91m from 157m, 85m, and 78m, and to 6.6$^{\circ}$, 3.0$^{\circ}$, and 4.4$^{\circ}$ from 5.2$^{\circ}$, 2.5$^{\circ}$, and 3.0$^{\circ}$. Especially, in case of newly developed cropland, the values of mean elevation and mean gradient have 225m, 122m, and 127m, and 9.4$^{\circ}$, 5.1$^{\circ}$, and 8.0$^{\circ}$, in above three regions. These new croplands were developing along to deeper valleys and toward lower hill and mountain slope up to knickpoint zone of gradient change. Deforested lands for cropland have formed irregular pattern of patch-type, and become sources for the sheet erosion, rilling and gulleying in mountain slope and sedimentation in local river channel. Though there were no field checking, analysis using landsat images and GIS mapping can help understand actual environmental problems relating to cropland development of mountain slope in North Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2008

Three land-use limitations including water hazard, soil erosion and fallow potential were evaluated to define an unfair area. Landscape indices in the unfair areas, defined by evaluations before and after landscape enhancement, were computed by Fragstats v3.3 and compared in order to propose a landscape enhancement plan. The results are as follows: First, as a result of the land evaluation, 388.56ha was analyzed for the 1st class(S1), 623.25ha for the 2nd class(S2), 138.08ha(S3s: 82.47ha, S3e: 51.88ha) for the 3rd class(S3), 230.44ha(N1w: 194.91ha, N1e: 23.09ha, N1es: 13.94ha) for the 4th class(N1), and 67.91ha(N2w: 60. 89ha, N2es: 7.02ha) for the 5th class(N2). The classes under the 3rd class(including the 3rd class) were determined as an unfair area, and proposed landscape enhancement for them. Second, it was proposed that unfair areas with potential water hazards(N1 w, N2w) be restored as a wetland and buffer zone. At this point, the farmers owning these fields could be compensated using the direct payment for landscape conservation(DPLC). Areas witha relatively lower slope(S3e) or a steep slope(N1e) containing soil erodibility potential were proposed to be restored as a sod-culture-applied field and substitute vegetation or potentially natural vegetation, respectively. The unfair areas having fallow potential(S3s, N1es, N2es) were proposed to apply special use crops for the S3s fields, native plants for the N1es fields, and intended fallow for the N2es fields. Third, after landscape enhancement, theforest had higher values in the indices of NP, PLAND, LSI, IJI, and TCA, while paddy and upland had lower values in most indices except NP and LSI. The forest patches increased and were more plentiful with their restoration and had much greater possibility to join with nearby patches. With continued restoration, forest patches will have a large core area and small number of patches due to the conglomeration of patches, which positively influences the species of diversity in the forest patches.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.89 no.3
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• pp.310-322
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• 2000

The objectives of this study were to classify the types of vegetation in Pinus densiflora for. erecta stands. The study sites were located at Sokwang-Ri, Mt. Chungok(1,276m), Uljin, Mt. Kumma(1,017m) and Mt. Eungbong(1,267m). Two hundred thirty releves were classified and explained by phytosociological analysis(the method of ZM schools), and the results were summarized as follows. Pinus densiflora for. erecta stands were classified into Vaccinium koreanum community, Rhododendron micranthum community, Quercus dentata community, Acer pseudosieboldianum community, and Typical community. Quercus dentata community was divided into Festuca ovina group, Robinia pseudoacacia group, and Typical group, and Acer pseudosieboldianum community was divided into Hydrangea serrata for. acuminata group, Disporum smilacinum group, Magnolia sieboldii group, Carpinus laxiflora group, and Typical group, and Typical community was divided into Melampyrum roseum group and Typical group. And some groups were divided into 7 subgroups. Therefore, Pinus densiflora for. erecta stands had total of 16 vegetation units, out of those units, Vaccinium koreanum community distributed all over the studied areas. While Rhododendron micranthum community distributed mainly at Sokwang-Ri and Mt. Chungok. Therefore it was considered to be useful indicator in determining the range of afforestation and natural distribution of Pius densiflora for. erecta stands. The classified vegetation units were investigated by using of coincidence method. The results indicated that Quercus dentata community distributed mainly below 100 meters at the sea level, while other communities distributed above 350 meters at the sea level. According to the correlations between vegetation units and topography, Vaccinium koreanum and Rhododendron micranthum communities distributed mainly above middle slope areas, Quercus dentata community distributed mainly from lower slope to upper slope areas, Acer pseudosieboldianum community distributed mainly between valley and lower slope areas, and Typical community distributed mainly above upper slope areas. According to the correlations between vegetation units and 5 study areas, Quercus dentata community was distributed in the region of Uljin, and other communities were evenly distributed over other studied areas. According to the correlations between the units and aspects, all communities occurred all aspects, but most of the communities tended to be more distributed at south slopes than at north slopes, which meant that the relic stands of Pinus densiflora for. erecta were remained largely as patch phase status at south slopes.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.429-438
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• 2023

The forest in the lower Tumen River serves as an important ecosystem spanning the territories of North Korea, Russia, and China, and it provides habitat and movement corridors for diverse mammals, including the endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris) and Amur leopard (Panthera pardus). This study focuses on the Mijiang area, situated as a potential ecological corridor connecting North Korea and China in the lower Tumen River, playing a crucial role in conserving and restoring the biodiversity of the Korean Peninsula. This study aimed to identify mammal species and estimate their relative abundance, occupancy, and distribution based on the 48 camera traps installed in the Mijiang area from May 2019 to May 2021. The results confirmed the presence of 18 mammal species in the Mijiang area, including large carnivores like tigers and leopards. Among the dominant mammals, four species of ungulates showed high occupancy and detection rates, particularly the Roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and Wild boar (Sus scrofa). The roe deer was distributed across all areas with a predicted high occupancy rate of 0.97, influenced by altitude, urban residential areas, and patch density. Wild boars showed a predicted occupancy rate of 0.73 and were distributed throughout the entire area, with factors such as wetland ratio, grazing intensity, and spatial heterogeneity in aspects of the landscape influencing their occupancy and detection rates. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) exhibited a predicted occupancy rate of 0.48, confined to specific areas, influenced by slope, habitat fragmentation diversity affecting detection rates, and the ratio of open forests impacting occupancy. Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) displayed a very low occupancy rate of 0.06 along the Tumen River Basin, with higher occupancy in lower altitude areas and increased detection in locations with high spatial heterogeneity in aspects. This study confirmed that the Mijiang area serves as a habitat supporting diverse mammals in the lower Tumen River while also playing a crucial role in facilitating animal movement and habitat connectivity. Additionally, the occupancy prediction model developed in this study is expected to contribute to predicting mammal distribution within the disrupted Tumen River basin due to human interference and identifying and protecting potential ecological corridors in this transboundary region.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.817-825
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to research about salt marsh flora and vegetation in the Dongjin-river estuary area where has a project for Sea Man Geum Reclaimed Land so that we can foster foundation on restoration of an ecological habitat, development of applicable plant and establishment of a conservation policy after deceloping the reclaimed land for salt marsh vegetation which has great value ecologically. In conclusion, we was distributed that there are 7 families 21 genera, 25 species, 2 varieties of vascular plant at the Dongjin-river estuary area which have 27 taxa in total and are $0.64\%$ among 4,191 of korean vascular plant. There are also 2 family, 2 genus, 2 species of a naturalized plant which are $1.1\%$ of indicator of a naturalized plant salt marsh vegetation of the downstream are very much affected by the time of inundation, tidal water so that a low degree of salt marsh has frequent flooding by sea water and has a pure group of Suaeda japonica. A Phragmites communis, Carex scabrifolia are distributed mainly around a waterway of salt marsh and Zoysia sinica, Atriplex subcordata, Phragmites communis are living in stock as forming into patch around medium salt marsh. Suaeda asparagoides, Phacelurus latifolius are living around a little high ground and a Phragmites communis is a behind vegetation of Phacelurus latifolius and a part of the Phragmites communis are living along with waterway in a salt marsh as a community. By the 2-M method twelve plant communities were recognized ; Suaeda japonica. Carex scabrifolia, Zoysia sinica, Artemisia scoparia, Phacelurus latifolius, Phragmites communis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda japonica-Atriplex gmelini, Phragmites communis-Suaeda japonica, Suaeda japonica-Salicornia herbacea, Salicornia herbacea-Suaeda aspar-agoides and Scirpus planiculmis community. The actual vegetation map was constructed on the grounds of the communities classified and other data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.576-587
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• 2012

As being actual physiognomical vegetation on Daegwang sand dune in Imjado, the widest area is occupied by Pinus thunbergii community planted as windbreak forest whereas those communities such as Robinia pseudoacacia community, Elymus mollis community, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii - Elymus mollis community, Carex kobomugi community, Ischaemum antephoroides community, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii community, Phragmites communis community, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii - Calamagrostis epigeios community occupy as band shape or patch. According to the result of the data collected and analyzed based on phytosociological method regarding 74 plots of survey area, the species composition of Daegwang sand dune vegetation is classified total 10 vegetation units comprises 7 communities and 5 groups. The 7 communities are classified into Pinus thunbergii community, Robinia pseudoacacia community, Rosa rugosa var. rugosa community, Ischaemum antephoroides community, Carex kobomugi community, Calamagrostis epigeios community, and the sub-units of Pinus thunbergii communities are classified into 3 groups of Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum group, Elymus mollis group, Pinus thunbergii topical group and the sub-units of Calamagrostis epigeios communities are classified into 2 groups of Phragmites communis group, Calamagrostis epigeios tipical group. The zonation of vegetation from coastal line indicated with the order of Elymus mollis - Carex kobomugi, Carex pumila, Lathyrus japonicus - Calystegia soldanella - Vitex rotundifolia, Lathyrus japonicus, Ischaemum antephoroides - Rosa rugosa var. rugosa. According to the analysis result of longitudinal section, it was found to be those types with wide width herbaceous vegetation of foredune, smooth slope of foredune, lots of dune ridges with no structure were less vulnerable to erosion of sand dune and advantageous to its recovery.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.227-233
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• 2023

The purpose of this paper was to describe a statistical analysis for the spatial distribution of geographical distances of Erythronium japonicum at Mt. Geumjeong in Korea. The spatial pattern of E. japonicum was analyzed according to the nearest neighbor rule, population aggregation under different plot sizes by dispersion indices, and spatial autocorrelation. Most natural plots of E. japonicum were uniformly distributed in the forest community. Disturbed plots were aggregately distributed within 5 m × 5 m of one another. Neighboring patches of E. japonicum were predominantly 7.5~10 m apart on average. If the natural populations of E. japonicum were disturbed by human activities, then the aggregation occurred in a shorter distance than the 7.5~10 m distance scale. The Morisita index (IM) is related to the patchiness index (PAI) that showed the 2.5 m × 5 m plot had an overly steep slope at the west and south areas when the area was smaller than 5 m × 5 m. When the patch size was one 2.5 m × 5 m quadrat at the west distributed area of Mt. Geumjeong, the cluster was determined by both species characteristics and environmental factors. The comparison of Moran's I values to a logistic regression indicated that individuals in E. japonicum populations at Mt. Geumjeong could be explained by isolation by distance.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.289-298
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate salt marsh flora and vegetation in the mouth of Mankyeong river estuary area where has a project for Sea Man Geum Reclaimed Land so that we can foster a foundation on restoration of an ecological habitat, development of applicable plants and establishment of a conservation policy after developing the reclaimed land for salt marsh vegetation which has great ecological value. As a result of this research, there are 10 families 25 genera 29 species and 3 varieties of vascular plants in the Mankyong-river estuary area. These are 0.76% among 4,191 of Korean vascular plants. There are also 5 families 6 genera 6 species and 1 varietiy of the naturalized plants which are 7 taxa in total and 3.85% of indicators of naturalized plants. Firstly, a district of low tide marsh has below 5% of vegetation coverage of Suaeda japonica and the vegetation cover was increasing rapidly while moving to a place of high tide marsh which is in the direction to a bank. In general, a range of from low tide marsh to high tide marsh is distributed with sequence of Suaeda japonica$\rightarrow$Suaeda maritima$\rightarrow$Suaeda japonica$\rightarrow$Aster tripolium$\rightarrow$Artemisia scoparia$\rightarrow$Carex scabrifolia$\rightarrow$Zoysia sinica$\rightarrow$Phragmites australis$\rightarrow$Phacelurus latifolius. Suaeda japonica has the highest dominance among the species composition and Aster tripolium, Phragmites australis, Artemisia scoparia, Carex scabrifolia and Phacelurus latifolius are distributed as zonation or patch. By the Z-M method eleven plant communities were recognized; Suaeda japonica, Suaeda japonica-Suaeda maritima, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda japonica-Aster tripolium, Aster tripolium, Phragmites australis, Carex scabrifolia, Phacelurus latifolius, Artemisia scoparia-Aster tripolium, Paspalum distichum var. indutum and Aster tripolium-Artemisia scoparia community. The actual vegetation map was constructed of the grounds of the communities classified and other data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.166-177
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• 2010

This study is to identify potential factors to impact on appearance of wildbirds which live in the core forest around urban area in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. As a result of analysis of, studies on biotope showed most of urbanization biotope was biotope of residential areas with high green coverage and biotope of residential and business areas with low green coverage while most of biotope of green and openspace was core green biotope. The research area was divided into several blocks based on biotope types in the urbanization areas excluding green and openspace. As a result of research on wildbirds, total 51 species 3,419 individuals appeared in spring and total 35 species 4,213 individuals appeared in winter. 24 wild bird species were selected as subjects of this study among 31 species seen in urbanization areas, since urban birds, rapacious birds, waterside birds were excluded from the study for the proper consideration. Then this study looked at how many species and individuals of the subjects were observed at each research block in urbanization areas during spring and winter separately. Landuse structure and green structure in each block were examined to see whether these structures affect the number of wild birds observed in urbanization areas of Gangdong-gu. Furthermore, the distance between these blocks and green was assessed. While studying the potential links between the landuse structure and the number of wild birds observed in urbanization areas of Gangdong-gu, block area, green coverage, and building-to-land ratio were believed to affect the number of types and species of wild birds in the research area. In terms of correlation analysis of whether green structure affected the number of wild birds observed in urbanization areas of Gangdong-gu, crown volume of layers, the average green patch area, the average height of canopy layer were found to have an impact not only on the number of types but also species of wild birds in the research area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2020

There are few landscape ecological analyses of Khingan fir (Abies nephrolepis) and other habitats of the sub-alpine zone in South Korea. In this study, we tried to quantitatively interpret and assess the habitat characteristics by analyzing 15 landscape indices according to the differences in tree layer coverage, in the Khingan fir habitat growing naturally in the sub-alpine zone of Seoraksan National Park. It was difficult to identify the tendency of landscape ecology to increase and decrease the tree layer coverage in the study site, which was the entire Khingan fir habitat in Seoraksan National Park. However, the Khingan fir habitat was found to be generally low in coverage, and population density as the tree layer coverage of less than 50 percent accounts for 85 percent of the total habitat. Moreover, the Khingan fir habitat in the 10 to 50 percent range was fragmented into a total of 286 patches, making it relatively less connected to the habitat. The total edge length and edge density, which could determine the edge effect of the main part according to the physical form, were the highest in the habitat of 26 to 50 percent coverage, indicating a relatively high impact from outside than habitats of other coverages. The shape with the tree layer coverage of between 10 and 50 percent was more complex even with patches of the same size, and it is believed that these characteristics make it more susceptible to habitat fragmentation and external confounding. We expect that the results of this study can be useful for time series analysis of spatial expansion or reduction of the Khingan fir habitat in Seoraksan National Park and provide the reference data for the morphological change and movement of patches and the connectivity and break-off between forests.