• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.454-461
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• 2019

Background: Ikonnikov's whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes (cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b). Results: The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited. Conclusions: This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi. We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.274-286
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• 2016

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) accounts for about 72% of the total greenhouse gas emissions. It is also widely known as a major cause of global warming. According to the IPCC's fifth evaluation report, the growth rate of atmospheric $CO_2$ has increased by 35% for the last 100 years and global warming is occurring much more rapidly than expected since 1990s. As a result of climate change, global warming is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events around the world, which has changed forest vegetation zone and vegetation phenology. The Kyoto Protocol recognizes the importance of forests and refers to the conservation and enhancement of forests as sinks and reservoirs of greenhouse gases. In this regard, studies of tree responses to climate change are indispensable for predicting changes in the forest ecosystems in the future. Therefore, studies using long-term climate change research facilities, associated with long-term ecological research (LTER) in the fields, will make a considerable contribution to predict and approach the changes in the future.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.226-236
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• 2023

As climate change intensifies, the importance of studying plant phenology has increased, leading to a surge in research employing automated video recording devices like Phenocams. In this study, using the Phenocams operated by the National Institute of Ecology, we examined the trends in plant phenological changes across diverse ecosystem types in South Korea and analyzed their correlations with climate factors. The patterns of plant phenological changes varied by region and tree species. Pinus thunbergii and Pinus densiflora typically show an overall increase in their growth period, positively correlating with temperatures and precipitation during winter. However, uniquely, for Abies koreana on Hallasan Mt., a higher amount of precipitation in August leads to an earlier end of season (eos), and the correlation analysis with the recent phenomenon of dying A. Koreana seems necessary. beyond the analysis, solutions for handling missing data issues during the data collection process were proposed. Furthermore, to expand future research scope and encompass diverse ecosystem types, a suggestion to combine Phenocam research with satellite observations was presented.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.239-268
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• 2019

Since last several decades, iconic memory has been accepted theoretically valid for its role of the first storage mechanism in visual memory process. However, there have been relatively less interests in iconic memory among researchers than their interests in visual short- and long-term memory. Such little interests seem to arise from a lack of detailed understandings of theories and methodologies about iconic memory and visual persistence. This study aimed to achieve the understandings by reviewing theories and empirical studies of iconic memory and visual persistence. The study further discussed future direction of iconic memory research according to the essential aspects of phenomenological and ecological criticisms against the validity of iconic memory.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.125-129
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• 2000

Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park is one of the Long-term Ecological Research Site in Indonesia. In the late 1997, the fires have burnt and destroyed nearly 300 ha forest in this park. and G. Masigit was the largest burnt area (250 ha) of nine locations of hot spot recognized. Undergrowth vegetation got the most severe impacts. Almost undergrowth vegetation in various location were totally burnt. However, within three months following burning new seedlings such as Omalanthus populneus, Macaranga, Trema orientalis and Eupatorium appeared in the forest floor- The number of mycoflora recorded in burnt forest was interestingly increased in post forest fires site. Forest fires in G. Masigit had also affected the wild life population and diversity. For example, the number of bird species and the number of soil insects in burnt forest was significantly reduced. The forest fires had also great impact on soil. such as on soil organic contents, bulk density, colour, consistency, permeability and the activity of soil microorganisms.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 2018

Considering the high needs of recipient countries and the regional biases of Korean Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy, increases in the total amount of ODA and allocation to the forest sector are needed for Central Asia. In Tajikistan, illegal harvesting and grazing cause a gradual decrease in forest area. The Tajikistan government conserves forests by requesting international cooperation and establishing a policy for sustainable management of forest resources and prevention of further damages. To suggest suitable strategies and plans, the current statuses of forests and forestry were investigated, and ODA projects that can illustrate successful Korean experiences of forestation were conceived based on various geographical features and local conditions of Tajikistan in this study. Forest resource creation type projects (fuelwood and Tugai forest restoration) could result in energy independence and enhancement of ecosystem service such as a climate regulation and an increase in biodiversity. Community development type projects (introduction of ecotourism, agroforestry, and planting of fruit trees) can contribute to job creation and encourage participation of local residents, thus improving their incomes. In addition, establishment of a project foundation, including education, training, and a national forest inventory, would help those projects be sustainable in the long-term.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2012

Most of Korean farms have been developed in the semi-closed bay, and its position is very vulnerable to the coastal contamination due to the long term and the high density. So, mariculture management is very essential for the sustainable aquaculture. Some of the specific ways would be the assessment of the optimal stocking density for mariculture management zone and this has to consider both the suitable site selection and the assessment of ecological carrying capacity. Habitat suitability index(0.0 totally unsuitable habitat, 1.0 optimum habitat) and ecological indicator(Filtration pressure indicator) was used to assess the stocking density for oyster farms in Geoje-Hansan Bay. Geoje Bay showed the higher habitat suitability index value 0.75 than Hansan Bay 0.53, indicating that Geoje Bay is more suitable for oyster farming. Ecological indicator showed different stocking density according to the coastal characteristics in Geoje-Hansan Bay. Consequently, it is desirable that the stocking density in Geoje Bay should reduce average 40% and Hansan Bay, average 60% than present, in order to meet the ecological carrying capacity. The assessment of the stocking density could solve various problems such as the coastal contamination, environmental aggravation and the productivity decrease and this study could be a scientific basis to establish the policies for mariculture management.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.15.1-15.14
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• 2020

Background: Large rivers are ecological treasures with high human value, but most have experienced decades of degradation from industrial and municipal sewage, row-crop agricultural practices, and hydrologic alteration. We reviewed published analyses of long-term fish diversity publications from three intensively managed large river ecosystems to demonstrate the conservation potential of large river ecosystems. Results: We show how the incorporation of recent advances in river concepts will allow a better understanding of river ecosystem functioning and conservation. Lastly, we focus on the Wabash River ecosystem based on high conservation value and provide a list of actions to maintain and support the ecosystem. In the Wabash River, there were originally 66 species of freshwater mussels, but now only 30 species with reproducing populations remain. Although there were multiple stressors over the last century, the largest change in Wabash River fish biodiversity was associated with rapid increases in municipal nutrient loading and invasive bigheaded carps. Conclusions: Like similarly neglected large river systems worldwide, the Wabash River has a surprising amount of ecological resilience and recovery. For instance, of the 151 native fish species found in the 1800s, only three species have experienced local extinctions, making the modern assemblage more intact than many comparable rivers in the Mississippi River basin. However, not all the changes are positive or support the idea of recovery. Primary production underpins the productivity of these ecosystems, and the Wabash River phytoplankton assemblages shifted from high-quality green algae in the 1970s to lower less nutritional blue-green algae as nutrient and invasive species have recently increased. Our recommendations for the Wabash River and other altered rivers include the restoration of natural hydrology for the mainstem and tributaries, nutrient reductions, mechanisms to restore historical hydrologic patterns, additional sediment controls, and improved local hydraulics.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.421-426
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• 2019

Background: Wolbachia are among the most prevalent endosymbiotic bacteria and induce reproductive anomalies in various invertebrate taxa. The bacterium has huge impacts on host reproductive biology, immunity, evolution, and molecular machinery. However, broad-scale surveys of Wolbachia infections at the order scale, including the order Coleoptera, are limited. In this study, we investigated the Wolbachia infection frequency in 201 Coleopteran insects collected in Korea. Results: A total of 26 species (12.8%) belonging to 11 families harbored Wolbachia. The phylogenetic trees of based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences and partial Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene sequences were largely incongruent to that of their hosts. This result confirms that Wolbachia evolved independently from their hosts, Conclusion: Phylogenetic trees suggest that complex horizontal gene transfer and recombination events occurred within and between divergent Wolbachia subgroups.

• Water Engineering Research
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2002

South Africa has developed a policy and law that calls and provides for the equitable and sustainable use of water resources. Sustainable resource use is dependent on effective resource protection. Rivers are the most important freshwater resources in the country, and there is a focus on developing and applying methods to quantify what rivers need in terms of flow and water quality. These quantified and descriptive objectives are then related to specified levels of ecological health in a classification system. This paper provides an overview of an integrated and systematic methodology, where, fer each river, and each river reach, the natural condition and the present ecological condition are described, and a level/class of ecosystem health is selected. The class will define long term management goals. This procedure requires each ecosystem component to be quantified, starting with the abiotic template. A modified flow regime is modelled for each ecosystem health class, and the resultant fluvial geomorphology and hydraulic habitats are described. Then the water chemistry is described, and the water quality changes that are likely to occur as a consequence of altered flows are predicted. Finally, the responses to the stress imposed on the biota (fish, invertebrates and vegetation) by modified flow and water quality are predicted. All of the predicted responses are translated into descriptive and/or quantitative management objectives. The paper concludes with the recognition of active method development, and the enormous challenge of applying the methods, implementing the law, and achieving river protection and sustainable resource-use.