• Journal of KIBIM
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.72-79
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• 2018

Rapid developments around the world have resulted in urban expansion, habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, and pollution problems, which are the main reasons for the decline in biological diversity. The United Nations warns that many animals and plants will die out in the near future if this continues. This study was performed to propose a map of eco-corridor suitability analysis of Korean water deer(Hydropotes Inermis) to enhance biodiversity in Chuncheon city. Eight factors affecting habitat suitability were elevation, aspect, slope, forest type, distance to the road, distance to the stream, land use and green connectivity. Previous study analysis on the mobility behaviour of the Korean water deer(Hydropotes Inermis) produced a habitat suitability map by determining the threshold and assigning a value between 0 and 1 depending on the habitat suitability using the fuzzy function. A method of analysis was proposed for a number of eco-corridor through comparative analysis of the data from the produced habitat suitability map and the road-kill point. The previous studies were focused on Backdudaegan region and national parks except for urban cities. The potential habitat map of Korean water deer could be helpful as a way to prevent habitat disconnection and increase species diversity in urban areas.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2009

A habitat model was developed to delineate potential habitat of the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in a mountainous region of Kangwon Province, Korea. Between 1997 and 2005, 224 leopard cat presence sites were recorded in the province in the Nationwide Survey on Natural Environments. Fifty percent of the sites were used to develop a habitat model, and the remaining sites were used to test the model. Fourteen environmental variables related to topographic features, water resources, vegetation and human disturbance were quantified for 112 of the leopard cat presence sites and an equal number of randomly selected sites. Statistical analyses (e.g., t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis) showed that elevation, ridges, plains, % water cover, distance to water source, vegetated area, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, and distance to paved road differed significantly (P < 0.01) between presence and random sites. Stepwise logistic regression was used to develop a habitat model. Landform type (e.g., ridges vs. plains) is the major topographic factor affecting leopard cat presence. The species also appears to prefer deciduous forests and areas far from paved roads. The habitat map derived from the model correctly classified 93.75% of data from an independent sample of leopard cat presence sites, and the map at a regional scale showed that the cat's habitats are highly fragmented. Protection and restoration of connectivity of critical habitats should be implemented to preserve the leopard cat in mountainous regions of Korea.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2016

River restoration has recently been performed not only for the improvement of the artificial parts in the past but also for the restoration of abandoned river reaches which were blocked and isolated. For the restoration of abandoned river reaches, it is important to recover the hydraulic and ecological connectivity in the isolated space by longitudinal structures like levees. But because the assessment tools to determine whether the river restoration is performed properly are so rare at present, we aim to provide a tool for assessing ecological connectivity in a target river in this study. In the first step, one-dimensional numerical model for rainfall-runoff and channel routing was developed and then applied to the watershed of the Cheongmi Stream. In this step, a numerical model was developed to assess the restoration of connectivity. The model consists of two parts: one part is to convert the results of one-dimensional channel routing into two-dimensional spatial distribution. The other is to calculate the habitat suitability index according to time steps by using two-dimensional hydraulic features. The model was applied to a restoration area of the Cheongmi Stream. The advantage of this study is that two-dimensional hydraulic analysis can be easily obtained from one-dimensional hydraulic analysis without a complex and time-consuming two-dimensional analysis. HHS (Hydraulic Habitat Suitablility) by sections of target reaches and target species can be easily obtained using the results of this study.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.249-260
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• 2022

This mini review examines the habitat connectivity and effectiveness of Korean Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) region. We first reemphasize that the Korean region of the YSLME is a single ecosystem (ecoregion) given the biophysical distribution patterns. The MPAs within the YSLME contribute about 50% to the total MPAs in Korea, accounting for about 10% of the territorial sea waters of Korea and 20% of the waters of YSLME on the Korean side. By area, national parks account for nearly 45% of the MPAs, followed by the wetland protected areas at 25%, with other types of MPA comprising the remaining 30%. Large MPA (> 100 km²) is the dominant type of MPA, accounting for 90% of the total area. We find that MPAs in the region are connected physically and perhaps also genetically. However, the level of protection was found to be low, and a no-take zone is rarely implemented. In addition, interrupted freshwater discharge caused by river-mouth dams poses a major hindrance to the physical connectivity of the MPAs. Restoration of the river-mouth dams and strengthened regulation on MPAs, with further expansion of MPAs in line with the current development of post-2020 global biodiversity frameworks, should be priorities for better management of marine resources. The newly revised law incorporating the concept of "Marine Ecosystem Axis Management" would reinforce the processes, and their effectiveness together with overall management of MPAs in Korea should be evaluated by designing appropriate measurement tools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2011

This study was established to build and suggest the Ecological Performance Standards for replaced wetlands as the mitigation strategies for the construction projects. The request performance and assessment factors and standards were derived by bibliographic review and verified by the field survey for the reference wetlands. And the weights for each factor were derived by AHP(Analytical Hierarchy Process) method. The results are as follows : 1) Assessment factors were induced by in-depth research of many wetland assessment models and benchmarks evaluated ecological functions. This study proposed final 12 assessment factors through ecological specialist and experts interviews added with literature analysis. 2) 10 natural wetlands were selected as Reference Wetlands as the measure to propose assessment factors and assessment criteria. Those reference wetlands are well-conserved inland natural wetlands classified to the one having worthy to conserve (grade "high") according to RAM(Rapid Assessment Method). Reference wetlands chosen by the study are Parksilji, Jeongyangji, Mulkubi, Bawineupkubi, Jilnalneup, Jinchonneup, Doomoso, Haepyung wetland, Whangjeong wetland, and Whapo wetland. The research developed assessment criteria for the performance assessment factors based on several explorations of the reference wetlands. 3) "Requiring performance" of replaced wetlands is defined as "to carry out similar or same ecological functions provided by natural wetlands", in overall. The detailed requiring performances are as follows; ${\bullet}$ to play a role of wildlife habitats ${\bullet}$ to have biological diversity ${\bullet}$ to connect with other ecosystems ${\bullet}$ to provide water environment to perform good ecological functions 4) The assessment factors for required performance are categorized by wildlife habitat function, biological diversity, connectivity of adjacent ecosystem, and water environment. Wildlife habitat category is consisted of wildlife habitat creation, size of replacement wetland, and site suitability. Biological diversity category contains the number of plant species, the number of wildlife species, and number of protected species as the sub-factors. Connectivity of adjacent ecosystem is comprised of wildlife corridor, green network and distance from other ecosystem. Finally, water environment make up with water quality, depth of water body, and shape of waterfront. 5) Finally, every assessment factors were verified and weighted by the AHP methods and the final standards were proposed. The weights of factors of requiring performance suggested as habitat (0.280), connectivity (0.261), diversity (0.260), hydraulic environment (0.199). And those of detailed sub-factors are site suitability (0.118), protected species (0.096), distance to neighbor ecosystem (0.093), habitat creating (0.091), green corridor (0.090) etc.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.941-951
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• 2012

The changes of forest habitats and maeulsoops(village forests) in Jinan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea are examined using landscape indices and morphological pattern analysis, and their landscape-ecological implications on conserving biological diversity are presented. We used FRAGSTATS and GUIDOS software, as well as land cover maps(of 1989 and 2006) to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of habitat composition and configuration in surrounding landscapes of 34 representative maeulsoops and Jinan-gun. The results showed decreases in the amount of core habitats and corridors and habitat connectivity at a regional scale since 1989. In addition, multi-scale habitat analysis at a focal scale revealed that the structural and functional connectivity between forest habitats surrounding maeulsoops of the year 2006 was lower than that of the year 1989. In order to reduce forest fragmentation and to enhance the connectivity among habitats, it is necessary to provide the additional habitat corridors as well as preserving existing corridors and surrounding landscapes of maeulsoops. We also suggest that a combination of landscape indices and morphological spatial pattern analysis can provide an effective tool to assess the habitat functions and configuration in a rapidly changing landscape.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.275-286
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• 2019

In order to prevent local extinction of organisms and to preserve biodiversity, it is important to ensure connectivity between habitats. Even if the habitat is exposed to various disturbance factors, it is possible to avoid or respond to disturbances if they are linked to other habitats. Habitat connectivity can be assessed from a variety of perspectives, but the importance of functional connectivity based on species movement has been emphasized in recent years due to the development of computational capabilities and related software. Among them, Circuitscape, which is a connectivity evaluation tool, has an advantage it can provide detailed reference data for the city planning because it maps ecological flows on individual grid based on circuit theory. Therefore, in this study, the functional connectivity of Suwon was evaluated by applying Circuitscape and then, the ecological corridor to be conserved and supplemented was suggested based on it. The results of this study are expected to effectively complement the methodology related ecological corridor/axis, which was previously provided only in the form of a diagram, and to be effective in management of development project and urban planning.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.131-142
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• 2017

The function of urban parks as wildlife habitats is becoming increasingly important. The urban park serves as a key area for preserving urban biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to estimate the bird species diversity in 30 parks in Cheonan city and quantitatively analyze the influence of vegetation, park structure and landscape connectivity index. As the results, a total of 27 birds species and 1,509 individuals were found at the sites and the largest number of birds were found in the Cheongsa park with 17 species. The optimal regression model was selected as the explanatory variables for the logged park area (LPA), the tree cover ratio (Co_T) and the patch betweenness centrality (PB). LPA and Co_T mean the internal characteristics of the park, and PB was the external environmental variable meaning landscape connectivity. LPA was the most important factor (73.3%) as bird habitat, and the PB could be interpreted as a factor that should be considered as important (26.7%). It will be possible to consider these environmental variables in the park and green area construction and management.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.412-420
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• 2011

This study was conducted to quantitatively analyze the temporal change of green space network at multi-scales from 1975 to 2006 with the application of graph theory in Seoul, Korea. Remarkable change of connectivity was detected in green space networks at the scale ranging from 1,000 ~ 1,600 m during 30 years. Green spaces and their networks have been restoring after 1990 since forest areas had been fragmented in 1975. In 2006, we identified the important core habitat areas that can sustain diverse wildlife species and stepping stones composed of small patches that can link these core habitat areas. Green spaces showed high correlation with the relative importance value of green space connectivity. So, this study could graphically represent green space networks of Seoul City. Green spaces of core areas distributed at the northern and southern boundary, and those of stepping stones possessing the high value of betweenness centrality consisted at the middle, eastern and western boundary. These results indicate that green space network can be graphically and quantitatively explained by degree centrality, betweenness centrality and relative importance value of connectivity with the application of graph theory.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.307-315
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• 2022

In terms of habitat conservation, it is essential to develop a habitat assessment system that can evaluate not only the suitability of the current habitat, but also the health and stability of the habitat. This study aimed to develop a methodology of habitat quality assessment for endangered species by analyzing various existing habitat assessment methods. The habitat quality assessment consisted of selecting targeted species, planning of assessment, selecting targeted sites, assessing performance, calculating grade, and expert verification. Target sites were selected separately from core and potential habitats using a species distribution model or habitat suitability index. Habitat assessment factors were classified into ecological characteristic, landscape characteristic, and species-habitat characteristic. Ecological characteristic consisted of thirteen factors related to health of tree, vegetation, and soil. Landscape characteristic consisted of five factors related to fragment and connectivity of habitat. Species-habitat characteristic consisted of factors for evaluating habitat suitability depending on target species. Since meanings are different depending on characteristics, habitat quality assessment of this study could be used by classifying results for each characteristic according to various assessment purposes, such as designation of alternative habitats, assessment of restoration project, and protected area valuation for endangered species. Forest habitat quality assessment is expected to play an important role in conservation acts of endangered species in the future through continuous supplementation of this system in regard to quantitative assessment criteria and weighting for each factor with an influence.