• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.145-159
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• 2020

Wetlands are vulnerable to biological invasion by alien species, because they function as sinks that accumulate excess water, sediments, nutrients, and other contaminants from the surrounding watersheds by disturbance. In this study, to understand the status and characteristics of the alien plants based on the type of wetlands, we classified 24 ecologically outstanding wetlands and analyzed the status of alien flora. A total of 130 alien plants were found in the wetlands, accounting for 11% of the total plant species. Among them, the Asteraceae species was the most diverse, with 40 species. Erigeron annuus and Oenothera ordorata had the highest frequency of occurrence. The species richness of alien plants in the riverine and lacustrine wetlands (average: 30 species) was higher than that in the mountainous palustrine wetlands (average: 10 species). The same results were found in the naturalization index, urbanization index, and ratio of annuals and biennials, which indicate the degree of artificial interference. In the cluster analysis, the riverine and lacustrine wetlands were combined, and only the mountainous palustrine wetlands were separated. The number of alien plants is remarkably low in the mountainous palustrine wetlands, and it is considered to be the influence of Erigeron strigosus, Symphytum officinale, and Bilderdykia convolvulus, not found in the other types of wetlands. In particular, invasive alien plants such as Aster pilosus, Ambrosia trifida, Sicyos angulatus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia var. elatior were found intensively in the riverine wetlands. Therefore, it is considered that a methodical management is urgently required considering the dispersal of alien plants in the riverine and lacustrine wetlands with high artificial interference.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-69
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• 2013

The phytosocialogical study on the coastal sand dune vegetation of the East Coast was carried out. 180 phytosociological relev$\acute{e}$s of 62 sites in the East Coast were used in this study. In addition, already published syntaxa and the phytosociological hierarchy in Korea and Japan were used and comparative analyses of syntaxonomy, synecology, syngeography, and syndynamics were performed in the study. In this study, the flora was investigated 30 families, 66 genera, 77 taxa and 3 vegetation types were identified : the coastal drift-line annual communities (Calystegio soldanellae-Salsoletum komarovii), the dune glasslands communities (Elymo-Caricetum kobomugi, Carex kobomugi typical community, Elymus mollis community, Calystegia soldanella community, Zoysia macrostachya community, Cynodon dactylon community, Carex pumila community), and the dune shrubs communities (Linario-Viticetum rotundifoliae, Vitex rotundifolia community, Rosa rugosa community). The aspect of transition in the coastal sand dune vegetation of the East Coast were identified as follows : (1) reduced constancy degree and cover degree of Glehnia littoralis in each community; (2) lack of Ischaemum anthephoroides in Linario-Viticetum rotundifoliae (3) simplified species composition in Vitex rotundifolia community. Unstable habitat condition by external interference seemed to has caused the reduction of 2 taxa, Glehnia littoralis and Ischaemum anthephoroides, that usually grow in the second dune. In addition, we found changes in the distribution of the dune shrub communities influenced by rising temperature of the East Coast as results of the global warming. The results on the distribution of the dune shrub communities in this study demonstrated that the limit of the Rosa rugosa community made $0^{\circ}$ 44'N to the North and the vegetative limit of the Vitex rotundifolia community made $0^{\circ}$ 28'N to the North, respectively compared with the previously phytosociological studies. This study investigated the coastal sand dune vegetation, syntaxonomy, habitat condition and human disturbunce of the East Coast, and this will provide important information as basic data for the coastal ecosystem.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2014

This study was conducted in order to utilize the basic data for weed control by surveying the occurrence of weed species and the degree of damages caused by those weeds occurred in cultivated Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen fields. Survey was carried out three times, from June to September in 2013. The weed flora was composed of a total of 98 weeds, 33 family, of which 58 species were annual, 21 species were biennial, and 19 were perennial plants. Thirty-one exotic species were included as well. Dominance was the highest with Digitaria ciliaris followed by Acalypha australis, Echinochloa crus-galli, Portulaca oleracea, Bidens frondosa etc. in order. In the PCA plot analysis, weeds occurred in C. lacryma-jobi var. mayuen fields were divided into three groups, Panicum dichotomitlorum community, Echinochloa crus-galli-Sigesbeckia pubescens community and Acalypha australis community. Yield of C. lacryma-jobi var. mayuen was reduced 60% in no weeding plots comparing to that in weed management plots.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2014

This study was conducted in order to utilize the basic data for weed control by surveying the occurrence of weed species and the degree of damages caused by those weeds occurred in cultivated Ligularia fischeri fields. Survey was carried out five times, on May, June, July, August and October in 2013. The weed flora was composed of a total of 104 weeds, 37 families, of which 55 species were annual, 25 species were biennial, and 24 were perennial plants. Twenty-six exotic species were included as well. Dominance was the highest with Chenopodium album followed by Stellaria aquatica, Echiochloa crus-galli, Conyza canadensis, and Artemisia princeps etc. in order. In the PCA plot analysis, weeds occurred in cultivated L. fischeri fields were divided into three groups, Persicaria thunbergii-Bidens frondosa community, Chenopodium album community and Capsella bursapastoris community. The degree of damages in cultivated L. fischeri fields was investigated by weighing roots of L. fischeri. We found that 56% decreased root weight in no weeding plots comparing to that in weed management plots. We infer from this result that decreased roots will affect to the growing of L. fischeri in following year.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.141-152
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• 2016

The demand to develop more safe and efficient methods for treating allergic patient is now continuously growing due to the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. Probiotics are endogenous microbial flora that gives health benefits within hosts. Probiotics are now considered as one of solutions to treat allergic patients since recent evidence shows that some of probiotics have immunomodulatory function. Also, the treatment of probiotics to patients is relatively safer than other anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we summarized on immunomodulatory function of some probiotics which show preventive or therapeutic effects on major allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, or food allergy. Based on previous literature, the treatment of probiotics can alleviate the symptoms of allergic diseases via balancing $Th_1/Th_2$ response or increasing the number of regulatory T ($T_{reg}$) cells.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.277-285
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• 1999

To develop a better restoration technique for altering urban planted forest to more natural forest, the changes of flora, vegetation structure and woody plant growth in the early stage after lumbering only Populus albaglandulosa of the tree layer were studied in Chungdam Park, Chungdam-dong, Kangnam-gu, Seoul for two years (from 1997 to 1998). The results were as follow. First, in the year after lumbering, the species changes occurred not in woody plants but in herbs, which increased by 44%. Three species including Viola verecunda disappeared, and 15 species including ruderals such as Metaplexis japonica and introduced species such as Erechtites hieracifolia appeared newly. Second, lumbering caused the coverages of Quercus aliena, Q. mongolica, Q. acutissima and Sorbus alnifolia in the subtree, or shrub layer, to be increased abruptly. The coverage of Lespedeza bicolor was affected by neighboring plants. Third, in the herb layer the coverage of Artemisia keiskeana was conspicuously increased but those of the others were not. Fourth, by ridding the upper layer canopy, Quercus' growth rates were increased highly. Rates of DBH growth of Q. aliena, Q. mongolica and Q. dentata were increased to 53.0%, 22.9% and 8% in the experimental area, and 23.1%, 8.3% and 6.1% in the control area, respectively, during two growing seasons (from May 11, 1997 to October 27, 1998). The ratios of twig biomasses of the previous year to the next year were 100:565 in Q. aliena, 100:197 in Q. mongolica and 100:644 in Q. dentata in the experimental area. There were also growth ratios of 100:117 in Q. aliena, 100:100 in Q. mongolica and 100:42 in Q. dentata in the control area, respectively. The growth rate increases of Q. aliena and Q. dentata were thus conspicuous in twig rather than in trunk, but that of Q. mongolica was vice versa.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2020

The coastal sand dunes have transitional characteristics of marine and inland ecosystems, and they have abundant biodiversity. This study investigated flora and vegetation and analyzed the landscape structure at seven beaches in Busan metropolitan city. As a result, the vascular species of the coastal sand dunes in Busan were identified as 178 taxa of 140 families. Vegetation landscape was damaged to the extent that no natural vegetation was found in 4 of 7 beaches (57%). The coastal dune vegetation was dominated by the Carex pumila community and Carex kobomugi community. The halophyte and invasive alien species were classified into 18 taxa (10% of all species) and 40 taxa (22% of all), respectively. The vegetation that made up the largest area was the Phragmites communis community of the salt marsh, and the species number of halophyte increased as the wetland area increased. This means that the maintenance and management of salt marshes is important to conserve the unique plant diversity of the region.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.154-162
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• 1981

An investigation of the soil microfungal population in the paddy fields of two locations around Seoul was made at four seasons. By the dilution plate method, a total number of propagules of the microfungi pergram of soil was recorded as $10^4$ at the upper layer (0.10cm depth) followed by the middle (10-20cm depth) and the lower layer(20-30 cm depth). The highest number of fungal propagules was $11.0\;{\times}\;10^4$ at the upper layer of the soil collected in autumn. The decreasing tendency of the number of fungal propagules was depend on the increasing depth in paddy fields. Seasonal fluctuation of the fungal population was shown from the highest density of fungal colonies on the plate in autumn season and the lowest one in winter, indicating that the autumn is best season for fungal growth. Generally, the number of the species of Talaromyces in the paddy soils was found to be very high, particularly in autumn, while comparatively low in winter. The highest number of the species of Talaromyces was $6.5\;{\times}\;10^4$ propagules per gram of soil in Yukkog-dong in autumn and the lowest was $0.5\;{\times}\;10^4$ in Shinwon-dong in winter. It is assumed that these fungi grow well also in the warm to the hot seasons.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2009

To understand contribution of thermophilic microorganisms in decomposition of litter deposits on shore of lakes, we surveyed a lakeshore litter deposit for bacteria growing at $60^{\circ}C$. Ten thermophilic isolates were selected for in-depth characterization, based on their high capacity to degrade high molecular weight organic compounds. Based on phylogenetic analysis on their 16S rRNA gene sequences, all isolates were identified as Geobacillus. The optimal growth temperature and pH of the strains ranged $55{\sim}60^{\circ}C$ and 6.0${\sim}$8.0, respectively. Salinity was inhibitory to the growth of the isolates, showing marked decrease of growth rates at 3% salinity. Based on activities of hydrolytic enzymes and profiles of carbohydrate utilization (determined by API 50 CHB kit), three G. stearothermophilus strains showed patterns clearly distinctive from other isolates. Two G. kaustophilus strains also demonstrated distinctiveness in their metabolic pattern and ecological parameters. However, ecological and metabolic profiles of the other five isolates were more variable and showed some degree of digression from their phylogenetic classification. Therefore, it could be concluded that endospore-forming thermophilic bacteria in lakeshore litter deposits contribute to degradation of organic materials with diverse ecological niches while having successions similar to microbial flora in compost. We propose that the thermophilic isolates and/or their thermo-tolerant enzymes can be applied to industrial processes as appropriate mixtures.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.268-271
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• 2015

About 2-year old northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) which is designated as natural monument (#323-1) in Republic of Korea was rescued by a local farmer and presented with a 2-weeks history of pain, swelling, stiffness and limping. On physical examination, plantar pododermatitis and digit IV weakness were observed. Radiographic findings also showed bone lyses with soft tissue swelling in the foot. A definite diagnosis was made as stage III bumble foot after multidisciplinary approach of the patient. Bacterial culture was performed, and concurrently antibiotic susceptibility testing is determined using wound site exudates specimen. Bacterial isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, known normal skin flora. Treatment was initiated with surgical incision and necrotized tissues removal. Lavage-drainage and ball bandage were applied with topical mupirocin ointment application. Doughnut shaped pad was attached on bottom of the ball bandage to reduce weight bearing. After three weeks of intensive care, the wound site completely healed but digit IV weakness remained permanently. The goshawk returned to nature after eight weeks after treatment.