• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.636-644
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the callings of nocturnal birds using bioacoustic recording technology to identify species and to analyze the ecological characteristics of each species. Three sites - Seoraksan National Park, National Institute of Ecology, and Mudeungsan National Park - were investigated. The investigation period was from the middle of April 2018 to early March 2019 for Seoraksan national park, from late February of 2018 to the middle of February 2019 for the National Institute of Ecology, and from the middle of February 2018 to the end of August 2018 for Mudeungsan National Park. The main research results are as follows. Firstly, nocturnal bird species identified by the survey included Caprimulgus indicus, Otus sunia, Zoothera aurea, Bubo bubo, and Strix uralensis, 5 species in total. Secondly, the breeding call period of each species was from early May to early August for C. indicus, from early April to the end of September for O. sunia, from early March to early October for Z. aurea, from late September to early February for B. bubo, and from mid-January to early March for S. uralensis. Thirdly, the mating call rhythm was between 16:00 and 10:00 on the following day for all the observed species in the three regions, and the peak time zone was from 20:00 to 06:00 on the following day. Fourthly, there was no correlation between the cumulative call frequency and the precipitation for each species. Fifthly, the mean temperature during the period when the specific calls of nocturnal birds were detected was -4.00 ℃ for S. uralensis, 2.58 ℃ for B. bubo, 13.66 ℃ for Z. aurea, 19.50 ℃ for O. sunia, and 20.77 ℃ for C. indicus. The ANOVA results showed that there was a significant difference in mean temperature for the calling by species and that the mean temperature was S. uralensis, B. bubo, Z. aurea, and O. sunia-C. indicus, in the ascending order, for 4 groups in total. The period of the specific mating calls confirmed by the study is a period in which the frequency of calls was the highest among the periods when the specific calls were detected. Since it is associated with the known mating period of each species, the period of the high frequency of calls confirmed by the bioacoustic monitoring can be regarded as the mating season. This study is meaningful in that it is the early research that has used the bioacoustic recording technology to identify species and ecological characteristics of species of nocturnal birds in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.327-336
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• 2023

This study aimed to propose an effective method for surveying wild birds by comparing the results of bioacoustic detection with those obtained through a field survey. The study sites were located at Dongbaek-dongsan and a 1100-altitude wetland in Jeju-do, South Korea. The bioacoustic detection was conducted over the course of 12 months in 2020. For the bioacoustic detection, a Song-meter SM4 device was installed at each study site, recording bird songs in 1-min per hour, .wav, and 44,100 Hz format. The findings of the field survey were taken from the 「Long-term trends of Bird Community at Dongbaekdongsan and 1100-Highland Wetland of Jeju Island, South Korea.」 by Banjade et al. (2019). The results of this study are as follows. First, the avifauna identified using bioacoustic detection comprised 29 families and 46 species in Dongbaek-dongsan, and 16 families and 25 species in the 1100-altitude wetland. Second, based on the song frequency, the dominant species in Dongbaek-dongsan were Hypsipetes amaurotis (Brown-eared Bulbul, 33.62%), Horornis diphone (Japanese Bush Warbler, 12.13%), and Zosterops japonicus (Warbling White-eye, 9.77%). In the 1100-altitude wetland the dominant species were Corvus macrorhynchos (Large-billed Crow, 27.34%), H. diphone (19.43%), and H. amaurotis (16.56%). Third, in the field survey conducted at Dongbaek-dongsan, the number of detected bird species was 39 in 2009, 51 in 2012, 35 in 2015, and 45 in 2018, while the bioacoustic detection identified 46 species. In the field survey conducted in the 1100-altitude wetland, the number of detected bird species was 37 in 2009, 42 in 2012, 34 in 2015, and 38 in 2018, while the bioacoustics detection identified 25 species. Overall, 43.6% of the 78 species detected in the field survey in Dongbaek-dongsan (34 species) were identified using bioacoustic detection, and 38.3% of the 47 species detected in the field survey in the 1100-altitude wetland (18 species) were identified using bioacoustic detection. Fourth, the bioacoustic detection identified 9 families and 12 species of birds in Dongbaek-dongsan, and 3 families and 7 species of birds in the 1100-altitude wetland. No results from field survey were available for these species. The identified birds were predominantly nocturnal, including Otus sunia (Oriental Scops Owl) and Ninox japonica (Northern Boobook), passage migrants, including Larvivora cyane (Siberian Blue Robin), L. sibilans (Rufous-tailed Robin), and winter visitors with a relatively small number of visiting individuals, such as Bombycilla garrulus (Bohemian Waxwing) and Loxia curvirostra (Red Crossbill). Fifth, the birds detected in the field survey but not through bioacoustic detection included 18 families and 48 species in Dongbaek-dongsan and 14 families and 27 species in the 1100-altitude wetland; the most representative families were Ardeidae, Accipitridae, and Muscicapidae. This study is significant as it provides essential data supporting the possibility of an effective survey combining bioacoustic detection with field studies, given the increasing use of bioacoustic devices in ornithological studies in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2009

To understand the status of the migrating Oriental Honey Buzzard(Pernis ptilorhynchus) in Korea, we carried out a preliminary study on the number and local movements of the Honey Buzzard from September 2005 to October 2007 at Hongdo Island, Jeonnam Province, Korea. A total of 702 Honey Buzzards in 2005, 404 individuals in 2006, and 659 individuals in 2007 were recorded during the fall migration season, but during the spring migration season only two and eight birds were observed in 2006 and 2007 respectively. The migrating Honey Buzzard showed peak numbers from 20 September to 5 October at the study site. According to observation of arrival time of538 Honey Buzzard in October 2007, a total of 2l6 birds(40.l %) were passing over Hongdo Island between 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, rising skyward on columns of warm air. This suggests the use of thermal currents and avoidance of nocturnal movement for crossing water. They preferred moderate winds(<5 m/s in speed) from northwest, but the migrating number apparently decreased in case of strong winds (${\geqq}5 m/s$). This suggests that wind speed and direction are important environmental factors for migration of the Oriental Honey Buzzard. At present, it is unclear which breeding population(from north-eastern China or Japan) passes over Hongdo Island. Moreover, it is difficult to prove migration route and to understand migratory behaviors of the Oriental Honey Buzzard in Korea. To prove the breeding sites and routes of the migrants over the study site, we need more detailed and further studies such as satellite tracking researches.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2005

Urban stream is an important place supporting urban ecosystem. This study was carried out to clarify the role of Jungrangchun for wintering waterbirds in Seoul. We monitored the fluctuation of waterbirds population using our census data (1997/98 winter) and pervious census data (the Ministry of Environment and National Institute of Environmental Research $1999{\sim}2004$). Wintering behaviours of common teals (Anas crecca) were also observed to understand the habitat use of waterbirds in this area. As a result of this, Jungrangchun was an important place to support $3,004\sim8,237$ wintering birds, mainly dabbling ducks and diving ducks. The population of diving ducks showed high annual fluctuation whilst the population of dabbling ducks regularly used this area every year The maximum number of waterbirds foraged and rested in late January and late February. In daily use, the number of waterbirds increased on afternoon and rapidly increased after sunset. It is assumed that waterbirds used this area not only as a nocturnal feeding site but also daytime feeding site. Thus, this result suggest that Jungrangchun is important for not only the daily use but also the nocturnal use of wintering waterbirds. The number of diving ducks was increased with low temperature and high wind speed. Therefore, this area was also a shelter of diving ducks on chilly and windy day.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.50-54
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the status of carcasses of wild birds among natural monuments in Korea. In Korea, from 2016 to 2020, a total of 38 species and 5,036 individual carcasses of natural monuments were found. The year 2020 saw the highest numbers of species death with 34 and in 2019 the highest number was recorded with 1,095 individuals. In autumn, the largest number of species and the smallest number of individuals were confirmed dead. On the contrary, the smallest number of species and the highest number of individuals were confirmed dead in summer. The largest number of species died in November, and the largest number of individuals died in June. Kestrels accounted for about 20% of the total carcasses, making up the largest number, followed by eagle owls, brown hawk-owls, scops owls, goshawk, eagles and sparrow hawks. In spring and summer, domestic breeding species accounted for most of the carcasses and in winter, the proportion of overwintering individuals such as wooper swans and eagles increased. Reports of lost natural monuments are done by human and the status of the carcasses alone cannot inform the population characteristics of natural monuments when they stay in Korea. However, it is expected that the identified domestic population of strigiformes which has not been investigated in detail because they are nocturnal, and data on the status of carcasses of natural monuments in Korea will provide basic data for the protection of natural monuments.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2015

This study examined the habitat status of wild birds at closed-trails and the control group of opened-trails in the national park of the Baekdudaegan mountains. After evaluating each area based on this, it's aimed at being utilized as basic data for future national park management and opening of trails. Upon field investigations and analyzing existing literary materials, it was found that there were a total of 76 bird species living around the trails. Among them, it was confirmed that 60 species can breeding and 10 species are protected by law. Upon assessing the scores of each area according to the evaluation standards of this study, Area I had 7 scores, area II had 13 scores, area III had 5 scores, and area IV had 16 scores, showing that the control group open-trail area IV between Jeongryeongchi and Seongsamjae had the highest score, and that area III of Wolyeongdae~Chotdaebong~Daeyasan~Miljae~Wolyeongdae had the lowest score. Evaluation of closed-trail according to wild bird species (Avifauna) was attempted in this study, but there were more bird species living in open-trails, while also having higher evaluation scores. Therefore, if opening trail is needed in the future due to excessive desires of visitors or inevitable social demands, it is judged that various environmental factors including mammals highly affected by people should be evaluated to open up the sector with the lowest score. Also, it is judged that through methods such as reservation systems, the number of visitors should be controlled or night-time hikes should be prohibited so that nocturnal wildlife can freely use the trails.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2020

This study characterized the spatial and seasonal patterns of light pollution in the Deogyusan National Park and examined the potential effects of light pollution on ecosystems in the park using light intensities derived from VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) DNB (Day and Night Band) nightlight images collected in January and August 2018. Results showed that the Muju Deogyusan resort had the greatest light intensity than other sources of light pollution in the park, and light intensity of the resort was much higher in January than in August, suggesting that artificial lights in ski slopes and facilities were the major source of light pollution in the park. An analysis of an urban-natural light pollution gradient along a neighboring urban area through the inside of the park indicated that light radiated from a light pollution source permeated for up to 1km into the adjacent area and contaminated the edge area of the park. Of the legally protected species whose distributions were reported in literature, four mammals (Martes flavigula, Mustela nivalis, Prionailurus bengalensis, Pteromys volans aluco), two birds (Falco subbuteo, Falco tinnunculus), and nine amphibians and reptiles (Onychodactylus koreanus, Hynobius leechii, Karsenia koreana, Rana dybowskii, Rana huanrenensis, Elaphe dione, Rhabdophis tigrinus, Gloydius ussuriensis, Gloydius saxatilis) inhabited light-polluted areas. Of those species inhabiting light-polluted areas, nocturnal species, such as Prionailurus bengalensis and Pteromys volans aluco, in particular, were vulnerable to light pollution. These results implied that protecting ecosystems from light pollution in national parks requires managing nighttime light in the parks and surrounding areas and making a plan to manage nighttime light pollution by taking into account ecological characteristics of wild animals in the parks.