• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.607-613
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• 2022

Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb., a newly identified invasive alien species, was found in Gangcheon-ri, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It is native to North America and has been reported to be an invasive alien plant in Japan, Australia, and Ukraine. Vulpia octoflora is a weed that grows mainly in dry sandy or rocky soil and is frequently found along the roadside in open areas or in artificially disturbed sites. This species is similar to the recently confirmed alert alien species, V. bromoides (L.) Gray, but is readily distinguishable due to more florets per spikelet and a short awn of the lemma. A detailed species description, the geographical distribution, illustrations, photographs, and an identification key for all species of Vulpia that occur in Korea are provided.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2019

Invasive alien plants were identified and recorded in Ulsan city based on field surveys and related literatures. These plants consisted of 147 taxa in total, belonging to 30 families, 93 genera, 144 species, 2 subspecies and 1 variant. The family of Asteraceae was predominant with 42 taxa, followed by Gramineae with 27 taxa and Leguminosae with 15 taxa. According to the result of life-form based distribution analysis revealed that 62 taxa (42.2%) were annual plants, 48 taxa (33.6%) were perennial plants, 34 taxa (23.1%) were biennial plants, and 3 taxa (2%) were woody perennials. Compare to other administrative districts in Korea, prevalence of invasive alien plants in a certain city of Ulsan showed the seventh highest species number followed after Jeju, Gyeonggi, Jeonnam, Incheon, Seoul and Gangwon. On the basis of the results from the country origin analysis, two dominating taxa were introduced from Europe and America, 55 taxa and 51 taxa respectively. The spreading grade of alien plants was elucidated in order of 1 grade (PS) 67 grade (21.1%)>2 grade (MS) 31 taxa (21.1%)>5 grade (WS) 18 taxa (11.6%)>3 grade (CS) 17 taxa (11.6%)>4 grade (SS) 14 taxa (9.5%). Ulsan city is one of a pivotal conduit for the introduction of invasive alien plants. Thereby, reliable management plans are required to monitor these species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.89-119
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• 2020

Species invasions have rapidly increased due to the substantial growth of global trade in the recent past. As the awareness of the negative effects on natural ecosystems derived from alien species has grown, many countries and lawmakers have enacted rules and policies on the conservation of indigenous plants. Unfortunately, in Korea, research on species invasion is seriously lacking despite the growing number of alien species. In the current study, we report alien plants that have intentionally and/or unintentionally been introduced in Korea and also presented a checklist of invasive plants found both in the literature and in field surveys. We reviewed all documented records of alien plants, i.e., scientific papers, illustrated books, and annual reports. We also categorized alien plants by origin, time of introduction, naturalization, and the rate of their spread. The results revealed that there are 619 alien plant taxa (96 families, 353 genera, 595 species, 6 subspecies, 11 varieties, 1 forma, and 6 hybrids) occurring in Korea. Among these, 30 taxa are archaeophytes (Arc.), 214 are potentially invasive plants (PIPs), and 375 are invasive alien plants (IAPs). In addition, IAP taxa consist of grades 5 (widespread, WS) to 1 (potential spread, PS) of alien plants according to the rate of spread in Korea. Our results suggested that the number of alien plants is likely to keep growing; thus, the distribution should be regularly monitored and the list of alien plants must be updated.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.408-416
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• 2017

This research aimed to identify the diversity and the distribution of invasive alien plant species in the metropolitan city of Busan, South Korea. According to our results, we discovered 10 species of invasive alien plants distributed in Busan, demonstrating that this urban area has a high domestic plant diversity. A cluster analysis identified that the dominant communities of Aster pilosus, Lactuca serriola, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Rumex acetosella and Solanum carolinense were highly similar in species composition. Different species of invasive alien plants tended to occur together in dominant communities, indicating their preference for shared habitats. The most extensively distributed species in Busan were Lactuca serriola (16 districts), followed by Ambrosia artemisiifolia (11 districts), Aster pilosus (11 districts) and Rumex acetosella (10 districts). The administrative districts with the most diverse invasive alien plants were Gangseo-gu (8 species) and Buk-gu (8 species), which are both areas with high human interference and diverse habitats. Additional environmental information was collected for these species' habitats in Busan. The results of this research can be used to assess the current status of invasive alien plants in Busan and can provide basic data useful for effectively controlling and preventing the spread of invasive plants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.155-170
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• 2016

This study established the definition of invasive disturbance species for a sustainable management and biodiversity, and derived the influence factors caused by the species. To define the species, the paper reviewed similar words such as alien species and invasive species, using standard definitions. Also reviewed the results of recent research on the factors of the species. The paper defined the invasive disturbance species as an species whose establishment and spread threaten ecosystems, habitats or species with economic or environmental harm including native and non-native. Through the reviews, The factors were classified as geographic (altitude, slope, and soil, etc.), climate (temperature, precipitation, climate change, etc.) and, anthropogenic (land use, population, road, and human activity, etc.), and species & vegetation structure (species property, local-species richness, and canopy, etc.). Especially, human activity such as urbanization and highways may be associated with both higher disturbance and higher propagule pressure. In the further study, it is required development of mitigation strategies and vegetation structure model against invasive disturbance species in urban forest based on this study.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.752-757
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• 2019

The establishment of invasive alien species management is widely recognized as a pivotal issue in the preservation of biodiversity. Ranunculus sardous Crantz, a species native to Europe, has been widely introduced in many other areas of the world, including the coasts of the United States, Australia, China, India, and Japan. In Korea, the first population of this plant was found growing adjacent to a wetland in Hanon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Province, on 22 May 2018. Field observations confirmed the presences of at least two populations of this species in Jeju Province, Korea. This species is similar to Ranunculus sceleratus L., but can be readily distinguished by its presence of the trichomes in the whole plant, longer petioles of radical leaves, ovate-shaped leaf segments, globose to subglobose-shaped fruits and flat achenes with narrowly winged and papillae. The Invasive Alien Plant Risk Assessment (IAPRA), a system for recognizing and categorizing alien plants in Korea forests, was used to assess the invasiveness status of the species. Based on this system, R. sardous received a low score of 6, suggesting its potential invasion to natural forests. Although the current distribution of R. sardous is restricted to Jeju Province and thus far has had limited impact on local environments, local and regulatory authorities should pay close attention to this plant and take measures to prevent its further expansion.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2022

This study aims to confirm the possibility of using the invasive alien plants in Jeju as a functional biomaterial. To achieve this purpose, 70% ethanol extract and solvent fractions were prepared for five invasive alien plants (Hypochaeris radicata, Rumex acetosella, Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc., Solanum viarum, Lactuca scariolar) and their antioxidant, antibacterial anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity effects were investigated. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of ethanol extract from invasive alien plants was shown in the order of Rumex acetosella > Hypochaeris radicata > Humulus japonicus. Antimicrobial activity of ethanol extract against food poisoning bacteria (4 species) and oral cavity-induced microorganisms (6 species) was measured. As a result, the extract of Humulus japonicus showed high antibacterial effects against food poisoning bacteria (E. coli, V. parahaemolyticus) and oral microbes (L. casei, S. epidermidis, E. faecalis). In LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, the anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extract from invasive alien plants was investigated. As a result, the NO production inhibition activity was highest in the Rumex acetosella and the Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ethanol extract, and the NO production inhibition activity was concentration-dependent. In addition, the Rumex acetosella and the Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. ethanol extract showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on cytokine (IL-6) production. These extracts also showed inhibitory activity of COX-2, an inflammatory protein. This suggests that NO production inhibition activity by the extract of invasive alien plants is the result of inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression. Currently, organic solvent fractions of crude extract are manufactured and the investigation of active ingredients is continuing along with evaluation of biological activity such as anti-inflammatory. These results are expected to be a major data for the study on the separation and utilization of active ingredients with antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects using foreign plant crude extract and solvent fractions, and are highly likely to be applied to the development of functional food and cosmetics materials.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2024

The remarkable economic growth achieved in the modern era has revitalized various industries, including pet trade. More than 2,000 species of non-native species have been introduced to South Korea and approximately 7.7 tonnes of alien turtles are imported annually. Turtles belonging to the family Kinosternidae. They are mostly small and popular pets, although they are designated as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) species. In the present study, we present the first two species of musk turtles found in the wild in South Korea. On April 5, 2023 and July 8, 2023, an eastern musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) and a razorbacked musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) were captured in Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do and Jung-gu, Daejeon, respectively. The carapace length was 88.6 mm for S. odoratus and 105.68 mm for S. carinatus. They were identified based on their morphological characteristics and mtDNA cytochrome b gene. These turtles were found in waterfront areas with over 1.4 million annual visitors. Both sites were found to have threatened amphibians and reptiles. There is an urgent need to continue monitoring and conducting risk assessments for the protection of endemic species in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2021

Invasive alien species management is pivotal for biodiversity conservation. Commelina caroliniana Walter, from the family Commelinaceae, is an alien plant native to the Himalayas and India, but it has been widely introduced around the world, including in the United States, Brazil, Philippines, and Japan. In Korea, the first population was found growing adjacent to agricultural land and farm roads on Jejudo Island, and field observations confirmed the presence of at least nine populations there. It is similar morphologically to C. diffusa Burm. f. but can be distinguished by involucral bracts that are ciliate at the base, hairs on the peduncle and obsolete upper cincinnus, brown spots on its 4-lobed antherode, and seed surfaces that are smooth to slightly alveolate. It was determined to have an invasiveness low score of 8 according to the Korean 'Invasive Alien Plant Risk Assessment', suggesting that it may spread to natural habitats. Although the current distribution of C. caroliniana is restricted to Jeju-si, it has spread dramatically in many other areas of the world. At present, it has had a limited impact on the local environment, but local and regulatory authorities should pay close attention to this plant and take measures to prevent its expansion in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.44-58
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• 2022

Bunhwangsa Temple, Baekryulsa Temple and Sambulsa Temple are not famous cultural heritage area, but they are visited by many tourists and are located in Gyeongju National Park and Gyeongju Historic Areas, so environmental and cultural preservations are required. The purpose of this study is to manage the unique environment and landscape of cultural assets by analysing the invasive alien plant of traditional temple of Gyeongju. The whole flora were summarized as 188 taxa including 73 families, 136 genera, 154 species, 3 subspecies, 11 varieties, 4 forms, 5 hybrids and 12 cultivars., and the landscape plants were 163 taxa and 38 taxa of the invasive alien plants. The 13 taxa of invasive alien plants were planted in three temples. The ecosystem disturbance species were 3 taxa including Rumex acetosella, Lactuca seriola and Symphyotrichum pilosum. Invasive alien plants have artificial causes such as landscape planting, but there are also those that are introduced naturally from outside. The parking lot of the temple is expected to be a major propagation path for invasive alien plants due to the large amount of interference and disturbance. Based on the results of this study, the management plans are suggested as follows. First, it is necessary to use native species suitable for the natural environment and traditional landscape of Korea for landscape planting of traditional temples, and development of planting guidelines centered on cultural properties is required. Second, it is necessary to refrain from planting invasive alien plants because traditional temples are located in an important environment and historically. Third, for the preservation of the temple environment, it is necessary to promptly remove the ecosystem disturbance species. Fourth, in order to express the landscape characteristics of traditional temples, a unique planting plan should be established in consideration of the location environment and historicity.