• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.163-172
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• 2007

In this study, fish fauna and stream characteristics were surveyed during October-November 2003 in 31 small streams, which are small sub-tributaries of Geum River. The small streams were classified into 4 types of steep mountainous (SM), mountainous-flatland (MF), flat land (FL), and agricultural watercourse (AW) streams, and their types were categorized by features of stream width, water depth, bottom substrate, riparian vegetation, and landuse patterns. The fishes collected during this survey were identified 4 families and 8 species. Dominant family was Cyprinidae, and the most dominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus with 73% (419 individuals) of the total. Only one species of R. oxycephalus was observed in the all five steep mountainous streams, which was surrounded by 100% forest area and had no point-and non-point pollution sources. The observed frequency of R. oxycephalus (as a relative proportion of species) showed a significant positive correlation (r=0.754, p<0.001, n=31) with the substrate composition of bedrock and boulder, indicating that the species prefer the bedrock and boulder rather than the sand or small pebble. Evidently, all five steep mountainous streams were judged as excellent condition (1st rank) according to the criteria of biological water quality, the Ministry of Environment, Korea. This result was accord with a general tendency of the species in most upper stream of the Koreas streams. One family and one species were found at the steep mountainous types and 4 families 6 species were at the mountainous-flatland. Four families 8 species were found at the flat land, which showed most diverse habitat, and 2 families 2 species were collected agricultural watercourse. These study results of 1st-order streams suggest that R. oxycephalus was considered as one of 1st rank ecological indicator species, and that the dominant area should be protected from various pollutions and disturbances.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.530-542
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• 2020

This study surveyed the central mountain area of Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) from March to October 2018 to reveal the appearance patterns of freshwater fish. We collected 7,744 individuals of 43 species in 12 families with skimming nets and cast nets in 12 stations during the survey. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (30.3%), and the subdominant species was Z. platypus (18.5%), followed by Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (10.0%), R. steindachneri (6.7%), Microphysogobio yaluensis (5.9%), Acheilognathus signifer (4.5%), Pungtungia herzi (4.2%), and Orthrias nudus (2.6%). Among the collected species, four were legally protected. They included Hemibarbus mylodon, which was a natural monument, and Lethenteron reissneri, A. signifer, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, which were class II endangered wildlife designated by the Ministry of Environment. Twenty Korean endemic species (46.5%) and one exotic species, Micropterus salmoides, were also collected. Additionally, three climate-change sensitive species, R. kumgangensis, Ladislavia taczanowskii, and Cottus koreanus, and three landlocked species, L. reissneri, C. koreanus, and Rhinogobius brunneus appeared. The dominant species in each station were Z. koreanus (15 stations), Z. platypus (four stations), R. oxycephalus (four stations), and C. koreanus (one station). The species dominance index decreased from upstream to downstream (mainstream of Gimhwanamdae Stream), while the species diversity index and the species richness index increased. The community structure of the rivers was divided into the uppermost stream, upper stream, Han River, and Imjin River. Compared to antecedent surveys, this study collected the highest number of species. Two new species (Sarcocheilichthys variegatus wakiyae and Micropterus salmoides) were caught, while six species (Siniperca scherzeri, Leiocassis ussuriensis, Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, Rhodeus ocellatus, Abbottina springeri, Aphyocypris chinensis) did not appear. Gimhwanamdaecheon Stream has high biological value with the inhabitation of many species, including species under legal protection and high diversity and richness index scores. This paper also discussed a protection plan for this area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.537-548
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the species composition and the aquatic environment of Jojong Stream and Sudong Stream, which were the original habitats of Zacco koreanus population and restored population re-introduced in Bongseonsa Stream. It also compared and analyzed the states of the growth and reproductive ability of Z. koreanus habiting in each of the three streams. The investigation was conducted in June 2016 which was known as the spawning season of Z. koreanus. The results of the physical aquatic environments showed the slight differences in altitude, width and depth of water among three streams, but the bottom structure was found to be quite different in the composition of the boulder, cobble, and pebble among the streams. The result of the physicochemical aquatic environment analysis showed that there were no significant differences in water temperature, pH, DO, BOD, and EC among the three stream. In the fish fauna investigation, 530 individuals of 11 species of 3 families were collected in Bongseonsa Stream, 293 individuals of 12 species of 4 families were collected in Jojong Stream, and 361 individuals of 11 species of 4 families were collected in Sudong Stream. All three streams were dominated by Z. koreanus and Z. platypus. Six Korean endemic species appeared in each of the three streams, showing the high occurrence rate of indigenous species of 50.0% or more. The aggregation index analysis revealed that the mean dominance index ranged from 0.63 (${\pm}0.05$, BS) to 0.72(${\pm}0.01$, JJ), mean diversity index from 1.55 (${\pm}0.06$, JJ) to 1.78 (${\pm}0.11$, BS), mean evenness index from 0.71 (${\pm}0.03$, JJ) to 0.76 (${\pm}0.02$, BS), and mean richness index from 1.61 (${\pm}0.33$, JJ) to 1.73 (${\pm}0.24$, SD). The result indicated that the observed differences between the stream community indices were statistically nonsignificant. The similarity analysis showed that 75.4% similarity was divided into two groups of A and B and that the fish fauna on each analyzed point was similar. The quantitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI) analysis showed that the average value of QHEI was 151.0 (${\pm}46.0$), which means that it was a suboptimal habitat environment. The result of length-weight analysis of Z. koreanus populations showed that the regression coefficient b of the restoration population and the original habitat population were at 3.0 or higher while the condition factor had a positive slope. Moreover, it was found that the slopes of the regression coefficient b and condition factor of the original habitat population were larger than the restored population. The analysis of the length frequency distribution of the Z. koreanus population revealed that all three streams maintained the stable life cycle although it was found that the growth rate of the original habitat population was faster than the restored population in the one-year-old class. The result of the gonadosomatic index (GSI) analysis showed that the GSI median value of the Z. koreanus population in the restored habitat Bongseonsa Stream was higher than the population in the original habitat Jojong Stream and Sudong Stream for both of males and females.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.335-352
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• 2014

In this study, we investigated and analysed the water quality, distribution of the vegetation and the wildlife to seven wetlands in Donghae city. As a result, most of the wetlands was found to be very poor water quality and some specific pollutants from entering the wetland. A total of 234 taxa on vegetation were identified including 207 species, 24 varieties, 3 formaes, 168 genera and 69 families. 2 species were recorded as designated rare plant of Korea Forest Service. The naturalized plants were 27 species. The urbanization rate of naturalization index was 8.4% and 11.6% respectively. The number of benthic macroinvertebrate taxa was 35 species, 26 families, 12 orders, 5 classes and 3 phylums. Rare species were recorded 3 species. Taxa for fishes were 5 family and 5 species. Endangered wildlife was found 1 species. Most wetlands in Donghae city were the relatively small in size, and some wetlands were separately located from forest and river ecosystems. It was limited inflow and outflow of species into a wetland from the outside. However, various vegetation were found at whole wetlands and some special species also inhabited. The wetlands performed the role as a habitat of wild life.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.288-299
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• 2011

Freshwater fish fauna and community structure were surveyed through 21 lakes in the Yeungnam area including Gyeongsangbukdo and Gyeongsangnamdo provinces, Korean Peninsula from April 2008 to October 2009. Among 21 lakes, 16 lakes belong to the Nakdong River and 5 are independent drainages. From the present study, 61 species (44 genera, 15 families) were collected including 32 cyprinid species (52.5%), 6 cobitid species (9.8%) and so on. The dominant and subdominant species in aspect of the number of individuals were Hypomesus nipponensis (26.6%) and Squalidus gracilis majimae (14.8%), respectively. On the other hand, in aspect of in biomass, dominant and subdominant species were Lepomis macrochirus (19.8%) and Cyprinus carpio (14.7%), respectively. Among 61 examined species, there were found 20 Korean endemic species and 2 Korean endangered species (Pseudobagrus brevicorpus and Pungitius kaibarae). P. brevicorpus was found in Yongyeonji and Yeongcheonho, and P. kaibarae in Yongyeonji. In addition, 5 exotic species were identified such as Cyprinus carpio nudus (leather carp), Carassius cuvieri, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides. Interestingly, a bluegill L. machrochirus appeared dominant or subdominant species in 5 of 21 examined lakes. Five species introduced from the other rivers in Korean Peninsula were additionally described. In the present study, it was first reported that Micropercops swinhonis inhabits in the Nakdong river basin. The fish species diversity, evenness and dominant indices were examined, and a dendrogram based on similarity indices of inhabiting species among the 21 examined lakes was constructed and discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.3
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• pp.483-493
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• 2011

Erosion control dams play a primary role in preventing or controlling natural disasters (landslide and debris flow etc.) and also conserve ecosystem in forested watersheds. This study examines structural characteristics of the dams such as the height of ecosystem control and the ecosystem permeability of the erosion control dams under standard drawings and the existing construction works. The objective of this study was to characterize the type classification of erosion control dams as ecosystem. Average permeability was highest on eco-piller dam (63.0%), followed in increasing order by wire rope (13.9%), silt dam (10.9%), multifunctional dam (7.2%), and gravity dam (0.4%). The height of ecosystem control was highest on gravity dam (3.2 m), followed in increasing order by multifunctional dam (1.7 m), wire rope dam (1.2 m), silt dam (0.6 m), and eco-piller dam (0.0 m). Criteria for defining the height of ecosystem control was indefinite. We grouped erosion control dams into three functional types (eco-connection, eco-semi connection, and eco-disconnection) by considering physical and structural characteristics such as the ecosystem permeability and the height of ecosystem control. The type of eco-connection (permeability > 20%) had connection areas from streambed to adjacent riparian areas, and these connection areas serve as ecosystem corridors for fauna and flora. Typical wildlife species includes mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. The type of eco-semi connection (5% < permeability < 20%) had < 2 m in the eco-barrier height from streambed, however, this type of dams partially serve as wildlife corridors and often provide fish ways. The type of eco-disconnection (permeability < 5%) had > 2 m in the eco-barrier height from streambed, thereby preventing wildlife movement.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.119-135
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• 2021

Korea has stepped up efforts to investigate and catalog its flora and fauna to conserve the biodiversity of the Korean Peninsula and secure biological resources since the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992 and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits (ABS) in 2010. Thus, after its establishment in 2007, the National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) of the Ministry of Environment of Korea initiated a project called the Korean Indigenous Species Investigation Project to investigate indigenous species on the Korean Peninsula. For 15 years since its beginning in 2006, this project has been carried out in five phases, Phase 1 from 2006-2008, Phase 2 from 2009-2011, Phase 3 from 2012-2014, Phase 4 from 2015-2017, and Phase 5 from 2018-2020. Before this project, in 2006, the number of indigenous species surveyed was 29,916. The figure was cumulatively aggregated at the end of each phase as 33,253 species for Phase 1 (2008), 38,011 species for Phase 2 (2011), 42,756 species for Phase 3 (2014), 49,027 species for Phase 4 (2017), and 54,428 species for Phase 5(2020). The number of indigenous species surveyed grew rapidly, showing an approximately 1.8-fold increase as the project progressed. These statistics showed an annual average of 2,320 newly recorded species during the project period. Among the recorded species, a total of 5,242 new species were reported in scientific publications, a great scientific achievement. During this project period, newly recorded species on the Korean Peninsula were identified using the recent taxonomic classifications as follows: 4,440 insect species (including 988 new species), 4,333 invertebrate species except for insects (including 1,492 new species), 98 vertebrate species (fish) (including nine new species), 309 plant species (including 176 vascular plant species, 133 bryophyte species, and 39 new species), 1,916 algae species (including 178 new species), 1,716 fungi and lichen species(including 309 new species), and 4,812 prokaryotic species (including 2,226 new species). The number of collected biological specimens in each phase was aggregated as follows: 247,226 for Phase 1 (2008), 207,827 for Phase 2 (2011), 287,133 for Phase 3 (2014), 244,920 for Phase 4(2017), and 144,333 for Phase 5(2020). A total of 1,131,439 specimens were obtained with an annual average of 75,429. More specifically, 281,054 insect specimens, 194,667 invertebrate specimens (except for insects), 40,100 fish specimens, 378,251 plant specimens, 140,490 algae specimens, 61,695 fungi specimens, and 35,182 prokaryotic specimens were collected. The cumulative number of researchers, which were nearly all professional taxonomists and graduate students majoring in taxonomy across the country, involved in this project was around 5,000, with an annual average of 395. The number of researchers/assistant researchers or mainly graduate students participating in Phase 1 was 597/268; 522/191 in Phase 2; 939/292 in Phase 3; 575/852 in Phase 4; and 601/1,097 in Phase 5. During this project period, 3,488 papers were published in major scientific journals. Of these, 2,320 papers were published in domestic journals and 1,168 papers were published in Science Citation Index(SCI) journals. During the project period, a total of 83.3 billion won (annual average of 5.5 billion won) or approximately US $75 million (annual average of US $5 million) was invested in investigating indigenous species and collecting specimens. This project was a large-scale research study led by the Korean government. It is considered to be a successful example of Korea's compressed development as it attracted almost all of the taxonomists in Korea and made remarkable achievements with a massive budget in a short time. The results from this project led to the National List of Species of Korea, where all species were organized by taxonomic classification. Information regarding the National List of Species of Korea is available to experts, students, and the general public (https://species.nibr.go.kr/index.do). The information, including descriptions, DNA sequences, habitats, distributions, ecological aspects, images, and multimedia, has been digitized, making contributions to scientific advancement in research fields such as phylogenetics and evolution. The species information also serves as a basis for projects aimed at species distribution and biological monitoring such as climate-sensitive biological indicator species. Moreover, the species information helps bio-industries search for useful biological resources. The most meaningful achievement of this project can be in providing support for nurturing young taxonomists like graduate students. This project has continued for the past 15 years and is still ongoing. Efforts to address issues, including species misidentification and invalid synonyms, still have to be made to enhance taxonomic research. Research needs to be conducted to investigate another 50,000 species out of the estimated 100,000 indigenous species on the Korean Peninsula.