• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.220-256
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• 2022

The most important thing for conserving plant diversity in an area is to make an overall inventory of the plant species inhabiting the area. In particular, limestone areas are known for their high plant diversity and distribution of specific plants. Despite that, only a few have been designated as protected areas. This study investigated the vascular plants distributed in Goyangsan Mtn. and Munraesan Mtn., located in limestone areas of the central part of the Korean Peninsula. A field survey was conducted eight times from April to October 2021. As a result, we identified a total of 654 taxa comprising 113 families, 357 genera, 592 species, 15 subspecies, 44 varieties, and 3 formulas. They included four endangered wild plant species: Astilboides tabularis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Cypripedium macranthos, and Epilobium hirsutum. Endemic plants in Korea were identified as 32 taxa. Floristic target plants were identified as 168 taxa, specifically 5 taxa of grade V, 41 taxa of grade IV, and 36 taxa of grade III. The red data plants included 2 taxa as "Endangered (EN)", 7 taxa as "Vulnerable (VU)", and 7 taxa as "Near threatened (NT)". A total of 41 taxa of naturalized plants were identified, and 4 of them were invasive alien plants. The surveyed vicinity of Goyangsan Mtn. and Munraesan Mtn. showed high plant diversity and contained core habitats for distribution of an endangered wild plant, Astilboides tabularis,in the limestone area. Moreover, both mountains contained a small population of Cotoneaster integerrimus. These findings confirm that the area has conservation values. Therefore, we propose to identify areas with high plant diversity and designate them as special protected areas.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.593-602
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• 2006

Species composition, spatial distribution of major species, diameter and height classes distribution, and species diversity were .analyzed in the Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora, hereafter referred as pine) forest in the permanent quadrats, which were designed for Long Term Ecological Research (LTER). Collected data were compared with those from the other areas including urban center (Mt. Inwang and Hongneung) and boundary areas (Mts. Acha, Bukhan, Bulam, Cheonggye, Daemo, and Surak), and natural areas (Mts. Seolak, Songni, and Wolak) to clarify the ecological characteristics of pine forest on Mt. Nam. Species composition of pine forest on Mt. Nam showed a similarity with those of urban center but did a little and big differences with those on urban boundary and natural areas, respectively. Such differences that pine forest on Mt. Nam showed, were usually due to Styrax japonicus, Sorbus alnifolia, Oplismenus undulatifolius, Ailanthus altissima, Ageratina altissima and so on, which showed higher coverage there. Predicted from diameter and height classes distribution of tree species, pine forest on Mt. Nam showed a possibility to be replaced by a S. japonica. Considered that this replacer species is not only a sub-tree but also shade intolerant, such successional trend could be interpreted as a sort of retrogressive succession. Those on urban boundary and natural areas showed a difference by displaying probabilities to be maintained as themselves as an edaphic climax or succeeded to oak forests. Species diversity of pine forest on Mt. Nam was lower than those in urban boundary and natural areas due to excessive dominance of several species, which led to different species composition from the other areas. Plants, which produced the differences, were species that flourishes in the polluted industrial area (S. japonica and S. alnifolia), favors the disturbed site (O. undulatifolius), and exotic species (A. altissima and Eupatorium rugosum). Those results reflects that pine forest of Mt. Nam was exposed on severe environmental pollution and excessive human interferences.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.378-384
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• 2019

Red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, is one of the most famous species to disturb native ecosystems in the world. In South Korea, the species was imported as pet, and now it is found whole of the country. Recent, natural breeding and spreading of the turtle has been reported. In this paper, we investigated the environmental factors to affect the reproduction of T. s. elegans. We surveyed the distribution of the turtle in Jeju island, South Korea, between 2012 to 2017. We compared the land covers and climate of habitats from breeding sites and non-breeding sites. The species was found from 38 sites in Jeju island; 21 of breeding sites and 17 of non-breeding sites. The number of total and only adult turtles was significantly higher in breeding sites than non-breeding sites (P<0.05). In breeding site, the reproduction rate from the farmland was significantly higher than others(P<0.05). However, the rate of land covers was not significant in non-breeding site (P>0.05). The difference on the climate between breeding and non-breeding was not significant(P>0.05). Moreover, none of climate factors affected to reproduction of T. s. elegans(P>0.05). Our study showed that the land covers surrounding the habitats are more important than climate for reproduction of T. s. elegans in Jeju island. This result indicates investigating the habitat and surrounding is necessary for the control of reproduction and spreading of the introduced species.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2001

One-year-old cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr.) clones, which were classified as sensitive or tolerant, were exposed to 150 n1/1 ozone (O$_3$) over 8 days for 8 hours each day under glass chamber conditions with natural sunlight. The leaves of the sensitive clone had black stipple and bifacial necrosis after $O_3$ treatment. Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance were measured before, during, and after the $O_3$ treatment. The photosynthetic rates due to $O_3$ treatment were decreased 51 percent and 34 percent on the sensitive and tolerant clone, respectively. The stomatal conductance of the sensitive clone was more than 40 percent higher than that of the tolerant clone regardless of the $O_3$ treatment. As light intensity increased, the $O_3$ effect on photosynthesis was clear. Compared to the previous growth chamber studies, our natural light exposure system was able to maintain a stable photosynthetic responses of the control treatment throughout the fumigation period. In addition, changes in assimilation versus intercellular $CO_2$ concentration (A/C curves) showed that $O_3$ decreased the slope and asymptote of the curves for the sensitive clone. This indicates that $O_3$ decreases the biochemical capacity of photosynthesis on the sensitive clone. Chlorophyll contents and fluorescence of the two clones were analyzed to examine the $O_3$ effects on photosystem 11, but $O_3$ did not impact these variables on either clone. Although the tolerant clone did not show any foliar injury, we could not find any ecophysiological defensive responses to $O_3$ treated. Stomatal conductance of the tolerant clone was originally much lower than that of the sensitive one. Thus, the mechanisms of the tolerant clone in this system are to narrowly open stomata and efficiently maintain photosynthesis with a more durable biochemical apparatus of photosynthesis under $O_3$ stress. The sensitive clone has higher photosynthetic capacity and more efficient light reaction activity than the tolerant one under charcoal filtered condition, but is not as resilient under stress.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.239-246
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• 2014

To cope with the potential risks associated with invasive alien species, the Korean Government implemented the Biodiversity Act in 2014. Among the alien species not yet introduced into that country, 24 have been designated as alert species. These include mammals, birds, fish, mollusks, insects, and plants that may invade and cause serious harm to the ecosystem. Approval from the Ministry of Environment is required to import or carry any of them. Although these measures are more advanced than those from the previous legal framework, several terms still need to be improved. First, the category of alert species should cover not only those not yet introduced but also those that are being raised or cultivated at aquariums, botanical gardens, and zoos. Second, for applicants who intend to import or carry alert species, the government must provide them with detailed standards for the ecological risk assessment of alert species as well as guidelines for their safe use in Korea to prevent their unregulated release from confinement facilities into natural environments. Third, tools and protocols should be developed for early detection and rapid responses to those escapes.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2015

We classified the forest type and figured out the ecological characteristics for each of the types in order to provide the basic informations for being induced ecologically efficient forest practice plan by vegetation units in the natural forest of Songnisan. We established the 250 sample points and collected the vegetation data of vertical distribution for each sample. A variety of multivariate statistical methods were applied to classify the forest types. The species diversity index were analyzed to estimate the stability and maturity for forest vegetation in each the type. The types were divided from two to ten clusters by cluster analysis. The appropriate number of clusters was estimated five clusters by indicator species analysis. It was verified through the multiple discriminant analysis that the estimated number of clusters had been suitable. Based on the species composition for each the type, this study site was classified into five forest types: 1) Quercus serrata and 2) mixed mesophytic forest in the valley area, 3) Q. mongolica forest in the main ridge, 4) Pinus densiflora forest in the sub-ridge extending from the main, and 5) Q. variabilis-P. densiflora forest between the sub-ridge and valley. The species diversity index of the pine forest that had been a simple species composition was the lowest while that of the mixed mesophytic forest of which the composition had been diverse was the highest. As the forest vegetation was more varied, the index showed a tendency to increase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1273-1279
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• 2016

The objectives of this study were to determine an optimal cultivation time for populations of yeast and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) co-cultured in fermented milk and effects of soybean meal fermented milk (SBMFM) supplementation on rumen degradability in beef cattle using nylon bag technique. The study on an optimal cultivation time for yeast and LAB growth in fermented milk was determined at 0, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-cultivation. After fermenting for 4 days, an optimal cultivation time of yeast and LAB in fermented milk was selected and used for making the SBMFM product to study nylon bag technique. Two ruminal fistulated beef cattle ($410{\pm}10kg$) were used to study on the effect of SBMFM supplementation (0%, 3%, and 5% of total concentrate substrate) on rumen degradability using in situ method at incubation times of 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h according to a Completely randomized design. The results revealed that the highest yeast and LAB population culture in fermented milk was found at 72 h-post cultivation. From in situ study, the soluble fractions at time zero (a), potential degradability (a+b) and effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM) linearly (p<0.01) increased with the increasing supplemental levels and the highest was in the 5% SBMFM supplemented group. However, there was no effect of SBMFM supplement on insoluble degradability fractions (b) and rate of degradation (c). In conclusion, the optimal fermented time for fermented milk with yeast and LAB was at 72 h-post cultivation and supplementation of SBMFM at 5% of total concentrate substrate could improve rumen degradability of beef cattle. However, further research on effect of SBMFM on rumen ecology and production performance in meat and milk should be conducted using in vivo both digestion and feeding trials.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2008

As a step toward developing conservation and restoration plans for an endangered species of the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana), we studied daily foraging behavior and ecology. We released two individuals, male and female, after enclosing study site with a fence and cutting out a part of two or three feathers of primaries. Research was conducted from 16 June to 11 July, 2007 for 25 days at Whawonri, Mewonmyung, Chungbuk province. We investigated diural and daily variation of foraging time budget, diet composition, and habitat selection of the feeding individuals. The storks quadratically invested for foraging time and resting time according to time of day, but no significant variation in the foraging time and resting time appeared daily over 25 days. As a result, the storks mainly used wetland as a foraging site in the center of the study area to that in the edge as well as to other types of habitat. The high usage for wetland in the center did not change over the 25 days while Rice field decreased and Wetland in the edge and Pathway increased. Female invested more time for foraging than male, but the foraging efficiency did not differ between them. We discussed the significance of foraging behavior and habitat selection for management plan.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.199-208
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• 2015

Objectives : In the present study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (EESB) on the progression of cell cycle in human renal cell carcinoma Caki-1 cells. Methods : The effects of EESB on cell growth and apoptosis induction were evaluated by trypan blue dye exclusion assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA and protein levels were determined by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results : It was found that EESB treatment on Caki-1 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and induced apoptotic cell death as detected by Annexin V-FITC staining. The flow cytometric analysis indicated that EESB resulted in G2/M arrest in cell cycle progression which was associated with the down-regulation of cyclin A expression. Our results also revealed that treatment with EESB increased the mRNA and proteins expression of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1), without any noticeable changes in cyclin B1, Cdk2 and Cdc2. In addition, the incubation of cells with EESB resulted in a significant increase in the binding of p21 and Cdk2 and Cdc2. These findings suggest that EESB-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis in Caki-1 cells is mediated through the p53-mediated upregulation of Cdk inhibitor p21. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that EESB may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent and further studies will be needed to identify the biological active compounds that confer the anti-cancer activity of S. baicalensis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2022

In modern society, interest in antioxidants is increasing as the stress caused by oxidants increases. However, the demand for synthetic antioxidants is decreasing because some studies have confirmed that they are harmful when consumed in large quantities; thus, studies on antioxidants derived from natural substances are actively being conducted to replace synthetic antioxidants. Blueberry, known as one of the world's top ten long-lived foods, is a plant of the Vaccinium (Ericaceae) family, and various pharmacological activities of blueberry including antioxidant activity have been studied. Vaccinium oldhamii (VO) is a deciduous broad-leaved shrub in the same genus as blueberries, and in this paper, we summarize the studies on the efficacy analysis of VO extracts and purified products. The content of phenolic compounds in VO fruits was proportional to antioxidant and anti-influenza activity such as the inhibition of NO production, and the total content of polyphenols and anthocyanin was higher than that in blueberries. VO fruit extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity and anti-cancer activity against human acute leukemia; in contrast, VO branch extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity, activity to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption due to inflammatory response, and anti-cancer activity against several human cancer cell lines. Compared to blueberries, VO showed higher phenolic compound content, antioxidant activity, and various physiological activities. In addition, VO is considered to have sufficient value as an alternative crop to blueberries, such as it can be grown natively in Korea, with simple mass cultivation and no need to pay royalties for commercialization.