• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.160-170
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to perform clustering of the habitat types and to identify the characteristics of species in the habitat types using mammal data (70,562) of the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey conducted from 2006 to 2012. The 15 habitat types recorded in the field-paper of the 3rd National ecosystem survey were reclassified, which was followed by the statistical analysis of mammal habitat types. In the habitat types cluster analysis, non-hierarchical cluster analysis (k-means cluster analysis), hierarchical cluster analysis, and non-metric multidimensional scaling method were applied to 14 habitat types recorded more than 30 times. A total of 7 Orders, 16 Families, and 39 Species of mammals were identified in the 3rd National Ecosystem Survey collected nationwide. When 11 clusters were classified by habitat types, the simple structure index was the highest (ssi = 0.07). As a result of the similarities and hierarchies between habitat types suggested by the hierarchical clustering analysis, the residential areas were the most different habitat types for mammals; the next following type was a cluster together with rivers and coasts. The results of the non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis demonstrated that both Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus restrictively appeared in a residential area, which is the most discriminating habitat type. Lutra lutra restrictively appeared in coastal and river areas. In summary, according to our results, the mammalian habitat can be divided into the following four types: (1) the forest type (using forest as the main habitat and migration route); (2) the river type (using water as the main habitat); (3) the residence habitat (living near residential area); and (4) the lowland type (consuming grain or seeds as the main feeding resource).

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.235-246
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• 2023

Objective: It is difficult to predict the treatment response of tissue after stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) because radiation necrosis (RN) and tumor recurrence can coexist. Our study aimed to predict tumor recurrence, including the recurrence site, after SRS of brain metastasis by performing a longitudinal tumor habitat analysis. Materials and Methods: Two consecutive multiparametric MRI examinations were performed for 83 adults (mean age, 59.0 years; range, 27-82 years; 44 male and 39 female) with 103 SRS-treated brain metastases. Tumor habitats based on contrast-enhanced T1- and T2-weighted images (structural habitats) and those based on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) images (physiological habitats) were defined using k-means voxel-wise clustering. The reference standard was based on the pathology or Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncologycriteria for brain metastases (RANO-BM). The association between parameters of single-time or longitudinal tumor habitat and the time to recurrence and the site of recurrence were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and Dice similarity coefficient, respectively. Results: The mean interval between the two MRI examinations was 99 days. The longitudinal analysis showed that an increase in the hypovascular cellular habitat (low ADC and low CBV) was associated with the risk of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-4.91; P = 0.001). During the single-time analysis, a solid low-enhancing habitat (low T2 and low contrast-enhanced T1 signal) was associated with the risk of recurrence (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.01-2.35; P = 0.045). A hypovascular cellular habitat was indicative of the future recurrence site (Dice similarity coefficient = 0.423). Conclusion: After SRS of brain metastases, an increased hypovascular cellular habitat observed using a longitudinal MRI analysis was associated with the risk of recurrence (i.e., treatment resistance) and was indicative of recurrence site. A tumor habitat analysis may help guide future treatments for patients with brain metastases.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.120-128
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to analyze the genotype of black-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) using seven microsatellite loci to quantify its genetic diversity and population structure throughout the spatial scale of basins of Han, Geum, Yeongsan, and Nakdong Rivers in South Korea. Genetic diversities in these four areas were compared using diversity index and inbreeding coefficient obtained from the number and frequency of alleles as well as heterozygosity. Additionally, the population structure was confirmed with population differentiation, Nei's genetic distance, multivariate analysis, and Bayesian clustering analysis. Interestingly, a negative genetic diversity pattern was observed in the Han River basin, indicating possible recent habitat disturbances or population declines. In contrast, a positive genetic diversity pattern was found for the population in the Nakdong River basin that had remained the most stable. Results of population structure suggested that populations of black-spotted pond frogs distributed in these four river basins were genetically independent. In particular, the population of the Nakdong River basin had the greatest genetic distance, indicating that it might have originated from an independent population. These results support the use of genetics in addition to designations strictly based on geographic stream areas to define the spatial scale of populations for management and conservation practices.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.71.1-71.12
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• 2021

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a hemorrhagic fever occurring in wild boars (Sus scrofa) and domestic pigs. The epidemic situation of ASF in South Korean wild boars has increased the risk of ASF in domestic pig farms. Although basic reproduction number (R₀) can be applied for control policies, it is challenging to estimate the R₀ for ASF in wild boars due to surveillance bias, lack of wild boar population data, and the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass on disease dynamics. Objectives: This study was undertaken to estimate the R₀ of ASF in wild boars in South Korea, and subsequently analyze the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Methods: We detected the local transmission clusters using the spatiotemporal clustering algorithm, which was modified to incorporate the effect of ASF-positive wild boar carcass. With the assumption of exponential growth, R₀ was estimated for each cluster. The temporal change of the estimates and its association with the habitat suitability of wild boar were analyzed. Results: Totally, 22 local transmission clusters were detected, showing seasonal patterns occurring in winter and spring. Mean value of R₀ of each cluster was 1.54. The estimates showed a temporal increasing trend and positive association with habitat suitability of wild boar. Conclusions: The disease dynamics among wild boars seems to have worsened over time. Thus, in areas with a high elevation and suitable for wild boars, practical methods need to be contrived to ratify the control policies for wild boars.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2016

Major objectives of the study were to analyze chemical and biological influences of the river ecosystem on the artificial weir construction at three regions of Sejong-Weir (S_j-W), Gongju-Weir (G_j-W), and Baekje-Weir (B_j-W) during 2008-2012. After the weir construction, the discharge volume increased up to 2.9 times, and biological oxygen demand (BOD) and electrical conductivity (EC) significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Also, the decrease of total phosphorus (TP) was also evident after the weir construction, but still hyper-eutrophic conditions, based on criteria by , were maintained. Multi-metric model of Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) showed that IBI values averaged 21.0 (range: 20-22; fair condition) in the B_wc, and 14.3 (range: 12-18; poor condition) in the A_wc. The model values of IBI in S_j-W and G_j-W were significantly decreased after the weir construction. The model of Self-Organizing Map (SOM) showed that two groups (cluster I and cluster II) of B_wc and A_wc were divided in the analysis based on the clustering map trained by the SOM. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was similar to the results of the SOM analysis. Taken together, this research suggests that the weir construction on the river modified the discharge volume and the physical habitat structures along with distinct changes of some chemical water quality. These physical and chemical factors influenced the ecosystem health, measured as a model value of IBI.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2014

This study is aimed at classifying the syntaxa of Ceratopteris thalictroides dominant community on the Nakdong River, and to collect basic data for research of habitat. The communities were carried out by using the Z.-M. School's method and numerical classification technique. The result of syntaxa was classified three communities such as Persicaria japonica-Ceratopteris thalictroides community, Lindernia procumbens-Ceratropteris thalictroides community, and Limnophila indica-Ceratopteris thalictroides community. The ordination analysis displayed the vegetation types with respect to complex environmental gradients. After ordination and clustering analysis, the effective humidity, soil stability, trampling effects, anthropogenic effects and flooding frequency were identified as the important factors deciding the vegetation pattern. It was pointed out to establish a long-term ecological site for protecting such vulnerable vegetation against overexploitation and global climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: In recent year, there has been great concern regarding agricultural land uses and their importance for the conservation of biodiversity. Rice fields are managed unique wetland for wildlife, especially waterbirds. A comprehensive monitoring of the waterbird assemblage to understand patterning changes was attempted for rice ecosystem in South Korea. This rice ecosystem has been recognized as one of the most important for waterbirds conservation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biweekly monitoring was implemented for the 4 years from April 2009 to March 2010, from April 2011 to March 2014. 32 species of waterbirds were observed. Self-organizing map (SOM) and random forest were applied to the waterbirds dataset to identify the characteristics in waterbirds distribution. SOM and random forest analysis clearly classified into four clusters and extract ecological information from waterbird dataset. Waterbird assemblages represented strong seasonality and habitat use according to waterbird group such as shorebirds, herons and waterfowl. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that the combination of SOM and random forest analysis could be useful for ecosystem assessment and management. Furthermore, we strongly suggested that a strict management strategy for the rice fields to conserve the waterbirds. The strategy could be seasonally and species specific.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.87-98
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• 2015

The natural monument forests (no.374) located at Pyeongdae-ri in Jeju island are described and classified by using phytosociological methods and numerical analysis. The purpose of this paper is to identify the ecological character of Torreya nucifera forests between natural habitat and artificial habitat, as well as their spatial and phytogeographical distribution in the Korea. The comparison of forests between Pyeongdae-ri and other regions was analyzed by using a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) and hierarchical clustering. On the basis of the 12 phytosociological $relev{\acute{e}}s$, the vegetation of T. nucifera dominant forest in Jeju island was arranged in one syntaxon (Alangium platanifolium-Torreya nucifera community included typicum and one subcommunity) within Camellietea. The community of T. nucifera dominant forests were characterized floristically and ecologically. We discussed diagnostic species with references, and proposed a few important diagnostic species (Ilex crenata for. microphylla, Acer palmatum, Zingiber mioga, Mercurialis leiocarpa, Osmorhiza aristata, Mecodium wrightii etc.) to explain condition of the habitat and synecological character. The communities were described by concerning their edaphical and syndynamical niche; we discussed their total distribution in Korea. In most forests they are widespread in Korean peninsular and their distribution is primarily determined by artificial plantation and periodical management. The forests consisted of T. nucifera have developed from natural environment element and artificial management. As a result they have very unique characters with the floristic, structural characterization and distribution. Furthermore, we identified that they need to apposite management for sustainability.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.489-508
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• 2018

As climate changes, it is necessary to predict changes in the habitat environment in order to establish more aggressive adaptation strategies. The bioclimatic classification which clusters of areas with similar habitats can provide a useful ecosystem management framework. Therefore, in this study, biological habitat environment of Northeast Asia was identified through the establishment of the bioclimatic zones, and the impac of climate change on the biological habitat was analyzed. An ISODATA clustering was used to classify Northeast Asia (NEA)into 15 bioclimatic zones, and climate change impacts were predicted by projecting the future spatial distribution of bioclimatic zones based upon an ensemble of 17 GCMs across RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios for 2050s, and 2070s. Results demonstrated that significant changes in bioclimatic conditions can be expected throughout the NEA by 2050s and 2070s. The overall zones moved upward, and some zones were predicted to be greatly expanded or shrunk where we suggested as regions requiring intensive management. This analysis provides the basis for understanding potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem. Also, this could be used more effectively to support decision making on climate change adaptation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.521-529
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• 2008

This research conducted a survey on waterbirds visiting this area four times by season from February to October in 2007 to look into the habitat use of waterbirds, to do a value and grade testing of the tidal flat by dividing the foreshore on Muan Bay located in Jeollanam-do into four areas (Dongam, Guro, Bokryong and Wangsan tidal flats). The survey results revealed that there existed a total of 15,755 individuals of 54 species including 2 species of grebes, 7 species of herons, 7 species of dabbling ducks, 6 species of diving ducks, 20 species of waders, 3 species of gulls and 9 other species and this survey also observed 9,291 individuals of the wading birds as a dominant group on Muan Bay. In these classified groups, the gulls and waders were observed to mostly use Dongam tidal flat as their habitat, while the group using Guro tidal flat as their habitat was mostly grebes, dabbling and diving ducks. As a result of UPGMA clustering analysis in consideration of the species and number of individuals, there appear the close similarities between Dongam and Bokryong tidal flats and so do Guro and Wangsan tidal flats. Taking a look at the grading of tidal flats by setting up ecological indexes, such as diversity index, abundance index, and dominance index, etc. legally reserved species and maximum number of individuals as a standard, the rank for the value and importance degree of Bokryong tidal flat appeared higher than that of the other three tidal flats. Like this, the gradation of tidal flats according to waterbirds are judged to able to suggest objective data on the issue of proper judgment and designation of valuable tidal flat areas and its subsequent effective preservation and management.