• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.438-479
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• 2021

Basic information such as flora and their distribution are the key factors to consider for preserving plant diversity on a regional level. The number of plant species identified through a survey is closely related to the survey area and the number of habitats distributed within the survey area. In this study, we surveyed the flora of Mt. Maryong-san (PH) and Mt. Daeso-san (YH) located in Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, six and nine times, respectively. We planned to include a variety of habitats in the survey routes. As a result, we identified a total of 594 taxa composing of 112 families, 349 genera, 548 species, 10 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 2 formulas in the Mt. Maryong-san (PH) area and a total of 434 taxa composing of 89 families, 270 genera, 400 species, 9 subspecies, and 25 varieties in the Mt. Daeso-san (YH) area. Of the plants observed in the 21 habitats, the plants distributed in the transition zone around the valley and the dry grassland accounted for the highest proportion. The traditional graveyards located on the coast also served as the major habitat for the distribution of some plant species. In the two graveyards, 19 taxa of endemic plant species were surveyed. Moreover, the identified floristic target species included 1 taxon for grade V, 11 taxa for grade IV, and 24 taxa for grade III. A total of 77 taxa of naturalized plants were identified, and four of them were invasive alien plants as designated by the Ministry of Environment. The differences in the plants distributed in the area of Mt. Maryong-san (PH) and Mt. Daeso-san (YH) were mainly due to the difference in the size of each habitat distributed within the survey area. Moreover, it was judged that the entire vicinity of Mt. Daeso-san (YH) was not connected to the surrounding mountains and was an isolated area surrounded by farmland and residential areas.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.224-255
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• 2022

This study was carried out to examine the changes in vascular flora in the first and second surveys targeting 32 outstanding forest wetlands in Jeonnam area including Gwangju metropolitan city, and based on this, establish a future monitoring system and effectively manage the excellent forest wetlands. The survey investigated the area seasonally every 4-5 years from 2015 to 2021. The change of flora of 32 excellent forest wetlands in Jeollanam-do increased from 103 families, 311 genera, 496 species, 16 subspecies, 38 varieties, 6 varieties, 556 taxa, to 111 families, 362 genera, 599 species, 16 subspecies, 51 varieties, 8 varieties, 674 taxa. Remarkable plants such as Red list and plants endemic to the Korean Peninsula increased also. However, Nepeta cataria and the like are exterminated locally, so an in situ and ex situ conservation strategy must be established. In the case of plants categorized according to wetland preference, the distribution ratio of such wetland plants slightly decreased and the distribution ratio of such terrestrial plants lightly increased for absolute wetland plants. It is necessary to prepare countermeasures for the terrestrialization of forest wetlands and to develop research techniques that can distinguish boundaries. In addition, the forest wetland should be systematically managed and supervised by designating it as a Forest Genetic Resources Reserve that can effectively conserve it.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.49-99
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• 2021

Gwangdeoksan Mountain (699.3 m) is the highest border mountain between the two cities of Chungcheongnamdo Province, Cheonan and Asan, Korea. In this study, we investigated the flora of Gwangdeoksan Mt. from April of 2015 to October of 2017. Through 20 independent field investigations, we identified and tallied a total of 428 species, 9 subspecies, 30 varieties, and a forma in 287 genera and 97 families. Of a total of 468 taxa, 128 taxa in 112 genera and 58 families were found to be Korean endemic species (7 taxa), floristic regional indicator species (45 taxa), rare or endangered species (3 taxa), species subject to the approval of outbound transfer (73 taxa), and alien or ecosystem disturbing species (32 taxa). The flora of Gwangdeoksan Mt. can be divided into four distinct floristic subregions, with higher diversity in the north-facing subregion. The complex flora of Gwangdeoksan Mt., emerging at the edge of two floristic regions of the Korean peninsula, may represent a significant conservation priority and a topic for future ecological and geographical studies.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.305-320
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• 2005

Recently 64 species in Korea have been ranked as rare and endangered taxa by the Ministry of Environment using two categories, I and II. The original threat categories produced by the Ministry of Environment were developed to provide a standard for specifying animals and plants in danger of extinction and has been influential sources of information used in species conservation in Korea. However, the criteria by Ministry of Environment were applied to the whole taxa only by regional boundaries, especially in South Korea, rather than international context, and it also lacked an explicit framework that was necessary to ensure repeatability among taxa because of the absence of quantitative criteria to measure the likelihood of extinction. The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has developed quantitative criteria for assessing the conservation status of species. The threatened species categories, the 2000 IUCN Red List, proposed by SSC (Species Survival Commission) of IUCN have become widely recognized internationally. Details of threatened Korean plants, identified by applying the IUCN threat categories and definitions, were listed and analyzed. The number of species identified as threatened was only 34 out of 64 taxa (48.4%), while the rest of taxa were rejected from the original lists. Many of the species (51.6%, 33 taxa) excluded from the original list proposed by Ministry of Environment do not qualify as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable because these taxa were widely distributed either in Japan or in China/far eastern Russia and there is no evidence of substantial decline in these countries. An evaluation of taxa in Korea has been carried out only based on subjective views and qualitative data, rather than quantitative scientific data, such as rates of decline, distribution range size, population size, and risk of extinction. Therefore, the national lists undermine the credibility of threatened species lists and invite misuse, which have been raised by other cases, qualitative estimate of risk, political influence, uneven taxonomic or geographical coverage. The increasing emphasis on international responsibilities means that global scale is becoming more significant. The current listings by Environment of Ministry of Korea should be challenged, and the government should seek to facilitate the resolution of disagreements. Especially the list should be flexible enough to handle uncertainty and also incorporates detailed, quantitative data. It is suggested that the highest priorities for the Red List should be given to endemic species in Korea first. After setting up the list of endemic species to Korea, quantitative data on population size and structure, distributional range, rated of decline, and habitat fragmentation should be collected as one of long term projects for the Red list categories. Transparency and accountability are the most important key factors. Also, species assessors are named and data sources referenced are required for the future objective evaluations on Korean plant taxa.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.323-332
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• 2003

This study was carried out to provide information for the present status of soil pollution near abandoned old-zinc mining area through analysis of bound form and 0.1 N-HCl extractable concentrations of heavy metals in soils and plants. Feasibility of endemic plants for phytoremediation was evaluated by the investigation of vegetation in soils. Cd contents of the selected samples near old-zinc mining soils ranged from 0.2 to $42mg\;kg^{-1}$. Nonagricultural soils near the mining area contained great amounts of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu than the paddy and upland soils. Some Korean wild plants, Artemisia princeps, Artemisia montana, Erigeron canadensis, and Pueraria thunbergiana, were found to grow vigorously in the studied area. Among them, Artemisia princeps was selected as a possible phytoremediator for cleaning heavy metal contaminated soils. Artemisia princeps contained about 43 and $52mg\;kg^{-1}$ of Cd in their root and shoot as dry weight, respectively. Average contents of Cd in the rhizosphere soil, $15.68mg\;kg^{-1}$, was slightly higher than the soil-root interface soils, $14.1mg\;kg^{-1}$. Sequential extraction of Cd contaminated soils showed that average $2.4mg\;kg^{-1}$ (about 7%) of cadmium existed as exchangeable form and the average amounts increased as follows : adsorbed < organically bound < exchangeable << oxide carbonate << sulfide residual fractions. Amendment of organic by-product fertilizer in metal-contaminated soils promoted the growth of roots significantly as compared with the other treatments containing chemical fertilizer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.615-632
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• 2019

Field surveys were conducted from May 2016 to October and from April to October 2017 in Tributary Region of Middle Stream of the Nakdong River. The survey was carried out at 66 sites including Young-gang 11, Naeseong-cheon 21, Wi-cheon 16, and Gam-cheon 9, Byeongseong-cheon 9. As a result of investigation, 474 taxa in total ; 99 familly, 288 genera, 421 species, 4 subspecies, 39 varieties and 10 forma. Among them, 5 Korean endemic plants, 7 rare plants, 31 taxa were listed as Floristic Target Species in Korea. Naturalized plants was confirmed 73 taxa, their Urbanization Ratio 22.7%, and naturalization ratio 15.4% in the investigated area. The Life form(Dormancy form) review results as follows ; Therophytes 159 taxa, Hemicryptophytes 91 taxa, Hydrophanerophytes 68 taxa, Geophyte 52 taxa, Nanophanerophytes 35 taxa, Megaphanerophytes 32 taxa, Microphanerophytes 25 taxa, Chamaephytes 12 taxa, and Epiphyten 1 taxa.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.516-535
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• 2020

This study was conducted to provide information on local resource plants by identifying aquatic and Riparian flora. We investigated the aquatic and riparian floras in 3 streams(Byeongseong-cheon, Buk-cheon, Oeseo-cheon) from February to October 2019. 321 taxa (i.e. 300 species, 5 subspecies, 15 varieties 1 Cultivars from 203 genera of 78 families) of the vascular plants were found in the survey area. Byeongseong-cheon is 133 taxa, Buk-cheon is 233 taxa and Oeseo-cheon is 132 taxa. Among 321 taxa, we found 5 endemic species, 3 red list plants, and However, endangered plants were not found in 3 streams. Aquatic and Riparian plant 138 taxa(i.e. Aquatic plant 20 taxa, Riparian plant 118 taxa). Life forms is annual plant 43 taxa, biennial plant 24 taxa, perennial plant 71 taxa. Aquatic plant growth forms emergent hydrophyte 13 taxa, floating leaved hydrophyte 1 taxa, submerged hydrophyte 6 taxa. The number of floristic regional indicator plants was 15 (i.e. 1 species of IV degree, 3 taxa of III degree, 5 taxa of II degree, and 6 taxa of I degree). Approved foreign export plants 31 taxa. In addition, 52 naturalized plants were identified, and the percentage of Naturalized Index (NI) and Urbanization Index (UI) were 16.1%, and 16.2%, respectively. Vascular plant usability and reclassification result is Edible 213 species (66%), Medicinal 244 species (76%), Flavor 10 species (3%), Industrial 136 species (42%), Ornamental 137 species (36%), Restoration 117 species (36%), Compost 155 species (48%), Unknown 7 species (5%). We hope that our results provide reference data to set up strategy of resources plants, conservation of biodiversity in the 3 streams and Sangju-si areas.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.365-380
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• 2009

Flora of vascular plants in mountains located at Wonju-si and Hoengseong-gun areas such as Chiak-san(1,288m), Taegi-san(1,261.4m), Obong-san(1,126.2m), Eungbong-san(1,094.9m), Eodab-san(789.4m), Deokgo-san(521.2m), Deokga-san(700.5m) and Seongji-bong(791m) was investigated from April, 2008 to May, 2009, and results from the previous researches in which voucher specimens had been presented from Balgyo-san(998.4m), Oeum-san(930.4m), Baekun-san(1,037.1m) and Chiak-san(1,288m) were included in the list of vascular plants from these areas. This investigations resulted in 804 taxa consisted of 680 species, 1 subspecies, 111 varieties, and 12 forms of 383 genera under 97 families, and totally in 973 taxa (21.14% of all vascular plants in Korea) of 818 species, 1 subspecies, 138 varieties and 16 forms of 418 genera under 105 families on addition of voucher specimens in the previous researches. Forests of the investigated areas were generally mixed of Pinus densiflora and deciduous trees. The areas with comparatively excellent vegetation were valley from Guryong-sa (temple) to Biro-bong (summit) via Seryeom-pokpo (fall) in Mt. Chiak-san, and Keunseong-gol (valley) and eastern slope from Taegibungyo-teo to Naksu-dae (fall) in Mt. Taegi-san. 10 families with abundantly collected species were Compositae, Graminae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Leguminosae, Cyperaceae, Liliaceae, Saxifragaceae, Umbelliferae and Labiatae in order, and they occuied 49.12% of all collected taxa. Endemic plants found in these areas were 38 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Megaleranthis saniculifolia, and Pyrus ussuriensis var. diamantica, and rare and endangered ones were 24 taxa including Hanabusaya asiatica, Viola websteri, Viola diamantica, and Patrina saniculaefolia. Specially designated plants by the Ministry of Environment were 88 taxa including 12 taxa of 5th degree such as Woodsia intermedia, Hanabusaya asiatica, Equisetum pratense, Iris koreana, Lilium cernum, Trillium tschonoskii, Magnolia kobus(cultivated), Gastrodia elata, Polypodium virginianum, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Megaleranthis saniculifolia and Viola websteri. 47 taxa of alien plants were found. As to 609 taxa (13.23% of all vascular plants in Korea) of useful plants, 334 taxa for the edible, 269 taxa for the medicinal, 127 taxa for the ornamental, 332 taxa for the forage, 3 taxa for the industrial raw material, 31 taxa for the timber and 13 taxa for the fiber were classified, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.213-220
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• 2015

To elucidate the origin and patterns of establishment of insular plants on Ulleungdo Island, maternally inherited chloroplast DNA, which is useful for tracing seed movements, was used. Fagus multinervis, an endemic species that dominated broadleaf deciduous forests on Ulleungdo Island, is an excellent model for such a study. To understand the diversity and spatial distribution of the chloroplast haplotypes of F. multinervis, nucleotide sequences of the psbA-trnH region were determined from 144 individuals sampled throughout the island. Results of a phylogenetic analysis of the region with close relatives of F. multinervis suggest that F. multinervis is sister to a clade of F. japonica and F. engleriana. No haplotype variation was found within F. multinervis. This remarkably low cpDNA haplotype diversity is in contrast to the findings of previous allozyme studies of F. multinervis populations that showed high genetic diversity on Ulleungdo Island. Repeated colonization during the early stage of establishment via birds that migrated from a source area where the F. multinervis cpDNA haplotype was geographically structured may have resulted in the observed pattern of haplotype diversity. Alternatively, long-distance dispersal of seeds of the progenitor of F. multinervis via birds or typhoons to Ulleungdo may have been a single event, whereas the immigration of pollen from the mainland likely occurred frequently. Comparative phylogeographic studies of other species endemic to Ulleungdo Island and their close relatives on the neighboring mainland are necessary for a more complete understanding of the evolution of the island's native species.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.19-28
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• 2009

Echinosophora koreensis (Nakai) Nakai (Leguminosae) is one of the threatened plant growing in secondary forest with sparse pine forest. The aim of this research is to investigate current status in a habitat of E. koreensis population, and obtain knowledge for conservation of the population. The flora of vascular plants and vegetation were investigated in the habitat E. koreensis in Mt. Bibong, Gangweon Province. Investigation were carried out in August 2003 and May 2008 at the three different habitats. As a result, a total 40 species 7 varieties of 28 family were recorded in whole area. The vegetation of investigated area was typical northern-temperate Pinus forest, humidity of soil was low and located at a slope area. These investigated area is very important for conservation of rare plant, E. koreensis. Therefore, sustainable conservation strategy such as designation of conservation area should be prepared urgently by the results of long-term monitoring studies.