• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.469-489
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• 2023

Six field surveys were conducted at 29 locations from April 2020 to April 2022 to identify the freshwater flora of the Taean Peninsula. Based on the collected specimens, the vascular plants of the Taean Peninsula were summarized as 391 taxa: 94 families, 248 genera, 362 species, 5 subspecies, and 24 varieties. Freshwater plants in the Taean Peninsula consisted of 104 taxa, 45 taxa for aquatic plants, and 59 taxa for wetland plants. When classified by life history, annuals accounted for 33 taxa, winter annuals 5 taxa, biennial 6 taxa, and perennials accounted for most of the 60 taxa. Among the 391 identified taxa, 2 taxa of Endangered plants, 3 taxa of Korean endemic plants, 5 taxa of IUCN red list plants, 49 taxa of Korean floristic target plants, 38 taxa of biological resources subject to the approval of outbound transfer, 55 taxa alien plants and 7 taxa of ecosystem disturbing plant. The results of this study are intended to be used as basic data on the freshwater environment and distribution of aquatic plants in the Taean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to provide the baseline data for conservation and management of Korean forest ecosystem by surveying and analyzing the vascular plants distributed from Gitdaebaegibong to Cheonghwasan in Baekdudaegan Mountains. The results are as follows. The numbers of vascular plants in the whole survey section were summarized as 771 taxa including 103 families, 379 genera, 623 species, 4 subspecies, 121 varieties and 23 forms. There were 377 taxa in A-section, 395 taxa in B-section, 278 taxa in C-section, 325 taxa in D-section, 534 taxa in E-section, and 406 taxa in F-section. The rare plants were 32 taxa including Megaleranthis saniculifolia, Rodgersia podophylla, Iris ensata var. spontanea, and Gastrodia elata. In IUCN Red List categories, there were 1 taxon of CR, EN, and DD each, 11 taxa of the VU, and 18 taxa of the LC. The Korean endemic plants were 26 taxa including Asarum versicolor, Clematis fusca var. coreana, Vicia chosenensis, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Carex okamotoi, and Luzula sudetica var. nipponica. The specific plants by floristic region were 143 taxa including 3 taxa of grade V, 12 taxa of grade IV, 41 taxa of grade III, 42 taxa of grade II, and 45 taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were 41 taxa including Rumex crispus, Ailanthus altissima, Erechtites hieracifolia, Erigeron annuus, and Poa pratensis. The invasive alien plants were 4 taxa including Rumex acetocella, Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Aster pilosus. The plants adaptable to climate change were 43 taxa including 14 taxa of endemic plants, 2 taxa of southern plants, and 27 taxa of northern plants.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.347-372
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for management of the ecosystem of Baekdudaegan Mountains by surveying and analysing the vascular plants distributed from Hyangrobong area to Guryongryeong area. The numbers of vascular plants in the whole survey areas were summarized as 633 taxa including 95 families, 321 genera, 549 species, 4 subspecies, 70 varieties, and 10 forms. There were 285 taxa in Hyangrobong area, 256 taxa in Masanbong area, 318 taxa in Mt. Seoraksan area, 281 taxa in Mt. Jeombongsan area, 173 taxa in Bukamryeong and Ohsaekcheon valley area, 197 taxa in Soenadeuri area, 203 taxa in Yeongarigol area, and 168 taxa in Guryongryeong area. The endangered species were 2 taxa including Leontice microrrhyncha and Smilacina bicolor. The rare plants were 39 taxa including Pinus pumila, Halenia corniculata, Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii, and so forth. In IUCN Red List categories, there were 2 taxa of CR, 7 taxa of EN, 10 taxa of VU, 18 taxa of LC, and 2 taxa of DD. The Korean endemic plants were 23 taxa including Salix koriyanagi, Anemone koraiensis, Lespedeza maritima, Cirsium setidens, Saussurea seoulensis, Carex okamotoi, and so forth. The plants adaptable to climate change were 48 taxa including 17 taxa of endemic plants, 1 taxon of southern plant, and 30 taxa of northern plants. The naturalized plants were 32 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum, Cerastium glomeratum, Papaverrhoeas, Bidensfrondosa, Lolium perenne, and so forth. The invasive alien plants were 3 taxa including Rumex acetocella, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and Ambrosia trifida.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.51-93
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• 2017

Eastern coastal lagoons are a particular type of estuarine systems where seawater mixes with fresh water from their catchments. With the development of aquatic vegetation, this area shows high level of biodiversity. The purpose of this study is to produce a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of coastal lagoons through studies of the floristics and plant species compositions in 17 eastern coastal lagoons in Korea. Vascular plants were collected 109 times, from June of 2010 to November of 2014. The results showed that there were 720 taxa in total, including 118 families, 378 genera, 655 species, 13 subspecies, 46 varieties, and 6 hybrids. Korean endemic species numbered 11 taxa, and vascular plants listed in the red list according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) numbered 18 taxa. Indicator species of fourth (IV) and fifth (V) degree, as specified by floristic subregions, numbered 23 taxa. Among the species investigated in this survey, there were 4 taxa of plants of southern origin and 8 taxa of plants of northern originin the Korean peninsula. Several rare plants, Thermopsis lupinoides, Ligusticum hultenii, Mitrasacme alsinoides, Utricularia australis, Juncus fauriei, Carex vesicaria, and Puccinellia kurilensis, were distributed in eastern coastal lagoons. In all, 96 alien plants were recorded in the investigated area. The coastal lagoons on the eastern coast of Korea showed high plant diversity with many rare plants and phytogeographically important plants. Conservation strategies to ensure biodiversity and effective management of coastal lagoons are discussed in detail.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.548-557
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• 2021

Cypripedium japonicum Thunb. is an endemic plant in East Asia, distributed only in Korea, China, and Japan. At the global level, the IUCN Red List evaluates it as "Endangered Species (EN)," and at the national level in Korea, it is evaluated as "Critically Endangered Species (CR)." In this study, we investigated the characteristics of the age structure and the sustainability of the population based on the data obtained by demographic monitoring conducted for seven years in the natural habitat. C. japonicum habitats were observed in 7 regions of Korea (Pochoen, Gapyeong, Hwacheon, Chuncheon, Yeongdong, Muju, Gwangyang), and 4,356 individuals in 15 subpopulations were identified. The population size and structure differed from region to region, and artificial management had a very important effect on the size and structural change of the population. Population viability analysis (PVA) based on changes in the number of individuals of C. japonicum showed a very diverse tendency by region. And the probability of population extinction in the next 100 years was 0.00% for Pocheon, 10.90% for Gwangyang, 24.05% for Chuncheon, and 79.50% for Hwacheon. Since the above monitored study sites were located within the conservation shelters, which restricted access by humans, unauthorized collection of C. japonicum, the biggest threat to the species, was not reflected in the individual viability. So, the risk of extinction in Korea is expected to be significantly higher than that estimated in this study. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect population information in several regions that may represent various threats to determine the extinction risk of the C. japonicum population objectively. In the future, we should expand the demographic monitoring of the C. japonicum population known in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-378
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• 2019

We investigated the flora of vascular plants in Mt. Papyeong which is located in the northern part of Paju and the border of western DMZ through 13 surveys from April 2016 to August 2019. The vascular plants of Mt. Papyeong include 410 taxa; 361 species, 9 subspecies, 36 varieties, and 4 forms from 257 genera of 91 families. Among 410 taxa, we characterize endemic species, rare and endangered plants, floristic regional indicator plants, and climate change adapted plants in Korea. Specifically, there are 9 Korean endemic plants designated by Korea National Arboretum and 6 taxa by Korean Ministry of Environment. According to IUCN evaluation, there are 13 rare and endangered plants in Mt. Papyeong. On the other hand, 2 taxa were listed in a red list suggested by Korean Ministry of Environment. The floristic regional indicator plants include 46 taxa which are composed of 2 species of IV degree, 13 taxa of III degree, 11 taxa of II degree, and 20 taxa of I degree. Also, 27 naturalized plants were identified, and the percentage of Naturalized Index (NI) and Urbanization Index (UI) were 6.58%, and 8.43%, respectively. We hope that this investigation provide a valuable data for applying the further studies on the biodiversity and strategy of conservation of environment in the DMZ and Paju areas.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.291-307
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• 2016

Evaluation of the extinction risk of endangered plants at international, national as well as at regional levels is essential to the implementation of plans for direct conservation activities. Reports indicate that 34 endangered plants are distributed in the middle eastern area of Korea. For each endangered plant, we investigated the sites, area of extents, population size, and factors that affect population extinction. We assessed risk factors based on 10 evaluation criteria including the results from the investigation and the life traits each endangered plant has. As a result of evaluating the risk factors, these 34 endangered plants are classified into 3 groups: the first category comprises 12 endangered plants that require active and urgent conservation of habitats due to multiple risk factors; the second group has 16 endangered plants that should be able to persist with the removal of a few direct risk factors; the third category has 6 endangered plants that can persist with minimal management due to comparatively large distributed area and numerous individuals. It was found that most major risk factors in the population of endangered plants are caused by disruption of habitats and population extinction due to the increase of human habitation in the concerned areas, development and illegal harvesting. Futhermore, ecological collapse from decreasing habitats and malfunctioning mechanism of extinction and regeneration due to the changes of vegetational environment can be the other causes. From the area of the present investigations, we selected 5 regions according to the number of species and the frequency of appearance and importance of conservation measures. Also, we suggested a conservation strategy according to the regional characteristics. We suggest that the method for evaluating extinction risk of endangered plants includes distributional data and life traits of species. In addition, we underscore the necessity for understanding population dynamics and ecological niche of the each target species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2016

The gold-spotted pond frog(Pelophylax chosenicus) classified as an Anura in Amphibia is sharply decreasing due to various changes of habitats environment, and designated as IUCN Red List Threatened species(VU; Vulnerable) internationally and domestic endangered species Class-II; therefore, it's in urgent need of the research on habitats restoration of the gold-spotted pond frog in order to prevent its extinction. This study was carried out to verify the effect after restoration by introducing the inhabitation elements deducted by the literature research and a field survey on the habitats for the gold-spotted pond frog in danger of regional extinction in the urban area of Ansan city, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Accordingly, the capacity for bio-species was increased by expanding the area of habitats into $11,845m^2$, and securing the place for hibernation and corridors and discharge within the habitats, etc. As a result of the monitoring the number of individuals increased by 9.5 times as the reproductive success rate of the gold-spotted pond frog got higher, and by virtue of improvement in the habitats, biodiversity increased to 183 species(4 species of amphibians and reptiles, 4 species of mammals, 17 species of birds, 53 species of insects(terrestrial/Benthic), 4 species of fish, and 102 species of plants). It might be possible to verify the restoration effect of the habitats through continuous monitoring, and suggest the restoration model on the habitats for continuously survivable the gold-spotted pond frog in the urban area by deducting the matters to be improved.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.27-27
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• 2019

본 연구는 한국 특산식물이고, IUCN Red List의 EN(위기종) 등급에 속하는 개느삼(Echinosophora koreensis)을 대상으로 자생지 분포, 식생구조 등의 생태적 특성과 현지 내외 보전 방안을 제시하기 위해 수행되었다. 개느삼의 자생지 분포 조사 결과 강원도 양구군 13곳, 인제군 3곳, 춘천시 2곳, 홍천군 1곳 총 19곳에 분포하는 것을 확인하였다. 개느삼 자생지의 해발고도는 169-711m에 분포하는 것으로 나타났고, 평균 해발고도는 375m 인 것으로 조사되었다. 개느삼 자생지의 면적 조사 결과, $8,000-734,000m^2$인 것으로 분석되었고, 평균 $202,789m^2$으로 조사되었다. 개느삼 자생지의 입지환경 분석을 수행한 결과, 자생지 내 우점종은 교목층에서 소나무가 대부분 우점하였고, 아교목층에서는 신갈나무가 우점하는 것으로 분석되었다. 관목층은 생강나무가 우점하였고, 초본층은 모든 조사구에서 개느삼이 우점하는 것으로 분석되었다. 개느삼 자생지의 식생군집분석 결과, 신갈나무, 소나무, 굴참나무 우점 군집 3개 군집으로 분류되었다. 개느삼 자생지를 대상으로 관속식물상을 조사한 결과, 총 82과 204속 289종 4아종 43변종 5품종 341분류군으로 확인되었다. 개느삼의 출현지점을 이용하여 자생지 분포역 예측 model 중 하나인 MaxEnt 분석을 통하여 잠재 분포지 분석을 수행한 결과, AUC값은 0.9762로 분석되었다. 분포예측 자생지는 강원도 양구군, 인제군, 춘천시, 화천군 지역에 집중되어 분포하는 것으로 나타났다.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.165-171
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• 2022

The Chinese crested tern (Thalasseus bersteini) is one of the most globally endangered species, listed as "Critically Endangered (CE)" on the IUCN Red List, with only approximately 30-49 individuals surviving in the wild. Chinese crested terns were discovered to breed in South Korea for the first time in 2016 while conducting a census on uninhabited islands. The Ministry of Environment has declared the breeding habitat of the Chinese crested terns as "Specified Island" to protect this CE species. However, brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) inhabiting the breeding grounds of the Chinese crested terns and Black-tailed gulls may potentially pose a threat to the breeding of these avian species. Therefore, we conducted a study on the feeding behavior of brown rats involving stable isotope analysis to determine their food sources. Fecal analysis showed that brown rats mainly fed on plants, whereas they scarcely fed on animals, such as insects. In addition, the stable isotope analysis showed that the δ¹³C values of brown rats, insects, and Indian goosegrasses were approximately -16 to -11‰, whereas the δ¹³C value of Chinese crested terns that obtained their food from the marine ecosystem was approximately -22 to -18‰. Hence, we conclude that the source of carbon for brown rats on this island is the terrestrial ecosystem. We ruled out the possibility of any direct prey-predator interaction between the brown rat and the Chinese crested tern or Black-tailed gull.