• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 1986

Nowadays, air pollution by increasing consumption of fossil fuels resulting from rapidly growing population and industrialization has caused the adverse effects on terrestrial ecosystems and become one of the most serious problems causing environmental discriptions. Air pollution such as $SO_2, HF, NO_X,$ fly ash, ozone and PAN might influence plant growth, reproduction, nutrient cycling, photosynthesis and predisposition to entomological and pathological stresses on plants. Furthermore, accumulation of those toxic substances in forests might cause subtle or serious changes in the structure and function of forest ecosystems. Since 1970s, a number of large industrial complexes had been constructed as a part of industrialization plan in Korea. Accordingly, the forest exosystems around them has been under chronic influences of air pollution and effects of air pollution on plants became a matter of concern. In Yocheon Industrial Complex which consisted of lots of petrochemical plants and a phosphatic fertilizer manufacturing plant, forests has been exposed to chronic air pollution, mainly HF and $SO_2$ gas, Various reports were available to investigate the potential effects of air pollution on crops and forest trees in Yocheon. Kim and Kim surveyed vegetation by naked eye method and reported 71 families, 150 genera and 158 species were growing within a 2 km from air pollution sources in 1981. Needle injuries on Pinus spp. in the polluted area water reported by Kim, et al. and Kim, et al. Kim, et al. investigated the primary production of Pinus thunbergii forests in the polluted area and verified that growth inhibition of Pinus thunbergii was attributable to air pollution. Thus, previous reports suggested that forest ecosystems around Yocheon Industrial Complex were influenced adversely by air pollution. The objective of this study was to investigate the subtle ecological changes in forest community exposed to chronic air pollution in Yocheon.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2024

The study investigated species diversity, relative abundance, and decline of flying insects and plants within a fragmented forest in the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria. It is known that habitat fragmentation can reduce biodiversity. Thus, it is important to perform comprehensive assessments to understand implications of the habitat fragmentation for flora and fauna. Species richness and abundance of flying insects and plants across fragmented forest patches were quantified using field surveys and taxonomic identification. This study revealed shifts in species diversity, with fragmented areas exhibiting reduced biodiversity compared to contiguous forest ecosystems. Flying insects crucial for ecosystem functioning and pollination services demonstrated decreased species richness and relative abundance within fragmented habitats. This decline was attributed to habitat loss, altered microclimates, and limited movement pathways known to hinder insect dispersal. Similarly, plant species richness and abundance showed decline in fragmented forest due to disrupted mutualistic interactions with pollinators, altered nutrient cycling, and increased competition among plant species. This study underscores the importance of maintaining intact forest habitats to sustain healthy ecosystems and preserve biodiversity. Effective conservation strategies should focus on habitat connectivity, reforestation efforts, and protection of essential ecological corridors to mitigate effects of fragmentation. In conclusion, this investigation provides empirical evidence for effects of habitat fragmentation on flying insects and plants in a forest ecosystem in FUTA Akure, Nigeria. Findings emphasize an urgency of adopting conservation measures to safeguard these invaluable components of biodiversity and ecosystem stability in the face of ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.25 no.3 s.107
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• pp.189-195
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• 2002

In order to elucidate the budget and cycling of Nitrogen and Sulfur, essential elements and principal constituents of acid rain, their input through precipitation, and their output by streamflow were quantified in coniferous and deciduous forested watersheds, using combination of nutrient concentration and hydrological analysis, in Kwangnung Experimental Forest from July 1991 to December 1993. Amount of annual mean precipitation was $12,916\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, annual mean runoff $5,094\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$(39%), $7,467\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$(59%) in coniferous and deciduous forest watersheds, respectively. Amounts of annual input of $N({NO_3}^-+{NH_4}^+)$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ through preciptation were 12.5, $81.72\;kg{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, repectively. Annual output via runoff of $N({NO_3}^-+{NH_4}^+)$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ were 0.06, $39.23\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ in the coniferous forest watershed ecosystem, and 0.15, $55.46\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ in the deciduous one, respectively. On the basis of annual nutrient input and output, the annual budget of $N({NO_3}^-+{NH_4}^+)$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ were +12.46, $+42.49\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ in the coniferous forest watershed, and +11.35, $+26.26\;ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ in the deciduous one. Thus $N({NO_3}^-+{NH_4}^+)$ and ${SO_4}^{2-}$ were accumulated in both forested watershed ecosystems.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2010

In order to understand the biological environmental characteristics with temporal variations of the physico-chemical factors in 2012 Yeosu Expo site of Korea, we investigated at one station, once per week, from April 2006 to December 2007. The surface water temperature ranged from 6.8 to $27.8^{\circ}C$ and the bottom water temperature ranged from 6.3 to 25.9 $25.9^{\circ}C$. The salinity varied from 12.8 to 33.0 psu in the surface water and from 25.2 to 33.6 psu in the bottom water. A strong halocline was observed between the surface and bottom layers in the summer when a rapid decrease of salinity coincided with heavy rainfall. The DIN concentration ranged from 1.36 to $82.7{\mu}M$ in the surface water and from 0.82 to $25.2{\mu}M$ in the bottom water. Phosphate concentration varied from 0.06 to $2.13{\mu}M$ in the surface water and from 0.07 to $1.38{\mu}M$ in the bottom water. Silicate was $1.68-52.0{\mu}M$ in the surface water and $1.37-30.7{\mu}M$ in the bottom water. The nutrient concentrations were generally high during heavy rainfalls and low water temperature periods, and considerably decreased in spring and autumn. The N/P ratio ranged from 4.43 to 325 in the surface water and from 3.8 to 321 in the bottom water. It increased rapidly during the heavy rainfall season and remained at a value of approximately 16 in other periods. The chlorophyll a concentration ranged from 0.46 to $65.0{\mu}g$ $L^{-1}$ in the surface water and from 0.71 to $15.0{\mu}g$ $L^{-1}$ in the bottom water. $Chl-{\alpha}$ concentration remained low in periods of low water temperature, however rapidly increased in periods of high water temperature. From the results of principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple regression analysis (MRA), we conclude that temporal variations of physico-chemical and biological factors were greatly affected by the influx of fresh water, and that nutrients were well controlled by their uptake and assimilation by phytoplankton. Also, during the low water temperature periods, environmental structure in this study site was affected by recycled nutrients through nutrient cycling and mineralization.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.248-254
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• 2009

Budgets of fresh water, salt, DIP and DIN in the Youngsan river estuary were estimated seasonally in order to clarify the characteristics of material cycling and flux of nutrients with a simple box model. Inflow volumes of freshwater into system was approximately $36.481{\times}10^6{\sim}663.634{\times}10^6m^3/month$ and existing water mass of freshwater in system calculated by salt budget was approximately $2.515{\times}10^6{\sim}5.812{\times}10^6m^3$. Mean residence time of freshwater was calculated to be about 0.26~2.03 day. water exchange $1,248{\times}10^6{\sim}9,489{\times}10^6m^3/month$ assumed with salinity between estuary and adjacent ocean. Inflow mass of DIN and DIN were approximately 76.63~1,149.91 ton/month and 2.91~61.22 ton/month, respectively. Residence times of DIP and DIN were calculated to be 0.45~1.10 day and 0.28~1.92 day, respectively. The ratio of water residence time versus DIP, DIN residence time was calculated that freshwater residence time was longer than DIP, DIN residence time except for summer season. Thus, We assume that circulation of Nutrients in the system will happen rapidly except for summer season. Specially DIP in Winter could assume to outer input source existence because of seawater inflow in system and high DIP concentration in open sea.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.378-385
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• 2016

This study aims to suggest the framework of functional assessment on lotic area based on HGM(Hydrogeomorphic) approach targeting Wetland Protected Areas which are in the type of river channel, and to set up the fundamental data as a reference wetland. A total of 10 factors in terms of hydrology, biogeochemistry, plant habitat and animal habitat was analyzed based on the original approach of HGM and each Functional Capacity Index(FCI) of those factors was calculated. As the result of the modified FCI analysis, Damyang riverine wetland which is with artificial river bank had high values in the variables of area ratio of actual vegetation in the foreland, the number of plant per area and the area ratio of Salix spp., and those values were highly reflected on the factors of Nutrient Cycling(947,668.00), Species Richness and Maintain Characteristic Plant Communites(6.39) and Maintain Spatial Structure of Habitat(11.00). The Hanbando wetland which is keeping the natural bank had higher values in the variables of structural scale and species diversity, and the those values were highly reflected on the factors of Energy Dissipation(17,805.16), Subsurface Storage of Water(0.54), Removal of Imported Elements and Compounds(103,052.73), Maintain Characteristic Detrital Biomass(2.31), Maintenance of Interspersion and Connectivity (6.50), Species Diversity of Benthic macro-invertebrates(1.60) and Species Diversity of Vertebrate & Species Number of Other Animals(2.52/ 151.50), compared to the Damyang Riverine Wetland.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.789-795
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• 2017

Termites (Isoptera) are classified into approximately 3,106 species. In Korea, only one species has been identified, which is Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto. The termite, a social insect, is known to play an important role in nutrient cycling of the ecosystem, although some species of termites are well-known pests attacking wooden structures or any plant materials. However, there is a lack of research about termites in Korea, including aspects such the taxonomy, physiology, and ecology of termites. This study was carried out to provide valuable basic data on the ecological role of termites in an ecosystem in Korea for the future studies. For the experiments, soil and termite samples were randomly collected from Mt. Hwajang located in Jikdong-ri, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Korea between October 5 and 30, 2015. Analysis results showed that there were no significant differences in soil chemical properties between the soil samples just after air-drying and one year elapsed without any treatment. The treated soil with termites showed significantly higher than the soil without termite treatment. Chemical properties of total nitrogen, organic matter, available phosphate, pH, Calcium(Ca), Potassium(K) and Magnesium(Mg) in soil treated with termites were $1.11{\pm}0.3gkg^{-1}$, $43.3{\pm}12.4gkg^{-1}$, $27.4{\pm}2.9mgkg^{-1}$, $4.56{\pm}0.2$, $0.82{\pm}0.2cmol_ckg^{-1}$, $3.18{\pm}1.4cmol_ckg^{-1}$, $1.73{\pm}1.1cmol_ckg^{-1}$, respectively. The values of soil property of without termite treatment were $0.56{\pm}0.1gkg^{-1}$, $30.5{\pm}3.1gkg^{-1}$, $24.0{\pm}4.7 mgkg^{-1}$, $4.09{\pm}0.1$, $0.71{\pm}0.2cmol_ckg^{-1}$, $2.88{\pm}1.5cmol_ckg^{-1}$, $1.30{\pm}0.7cmol_ckg^{-1}$, respectively. These results suggest that inhabitation of termites could improve soil chemical properties in an ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.262-270
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Coal combustion bottom ash(BA) has high carbon and calcium content, and alkaline pH, which might improve nutrient cycling in soil related to microbial enzyme activities as it is used as soil amendment. However, it contains heavy metals such as copper(Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc(Zn), which could cause heavy metals accumulation in soil. Compost might play a role that stabilize BA. The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of combined application of BA and compost as soil amendment on heavy metals concentration, enzyme activities, chemical properties, and crop yield in upland soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: BA was applied at the rate of 0, 20, 40, and 80 Mg/ha under different rate of compost application (0 and 30 Mg/ha) in radish (Raphanus sativus var) field. Combined application of BA and compost more improved chemical properties such as pH, EC, OM, total nitrogen, available phosphate, and exchangeable cations of soil than single application of BA. Water soluble Mn and Zn concentration in soil significantly decreased with increasing application rate of BA. Decrease in those metals concentration was accelerated with combined application of BA and compost. Urease and dehydrogenase activities significantly increased with increasing application rate of BA. Phosphotase activities were not affected with single application of BA but increased with combined application of BA and compost. Radish yield was not affected by application rate of BA. CONCLUSION: From the above results, combined application of BA and compost could be used as soil amendment to improve chemical properties and enzyme activities of soil without increase in heavy metal concentration and decrease in crop yield in upland soil.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.644-651
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• 2013

The fermented manure derivative known as Preparation 500 is traditionally used as a field spray in biodynamic agriculture for maintaining and increasing soil fertility. This work aimed at characterizing the product from a microbiological standpoint and at assaying its bioactive properties. The approach involved molecular taxonomical characterization of the culturable microbial community; ARISA fingerprints of the total bacteria and fungal communities; chemical elemental macronutrient analysis via a combustion analyzer; activity assays for six key enzymes; bioassays for bacterial quorum sensing and chitolipooligosaccharide production; and plant hormone-like activity. The material was found to harbor a bacterial community of $2.38{\times}10^8$ CFU/g dw dominated by Gram-positives with minor instances of Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria. ARISA showed a coherence of bacterial assemblages in different preparation lots of the same year in spite of geographic origin. Enzymatic activities showed elevated values of ${\beta}$-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, chitinase, and esterase. The preparation had no quorum sensing-detectable signal, and no rhizobial nod gene-inducing properties, but displayed a strong auxin-like effect on plants. Enzymatic analyses indicated a bioactive potential in the fertility and nutrient cycling contexts. The IAA activity and microbial degradation products qualify for a possible activity as soil biostimulants. Quantitative details and possible modes of action are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2017

The soil microbiome plays important roles in material cycling and plant growth in forest ecosystem. Although a lot of researches on forest soil fungi in Korea have been performed, the studies on forest soil bacterial communities have been limited. In this study, we conducted next generation sequencing (NGS) targeting 16S rRNA gene to investigate the soil bacterial communities from natural red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest in Mt. Janggunbong, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk, Korea. Our results showed that the entire bacterial communities in the study sites include the phyla Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, which have been typically observed in forest soils. The composition ratio of Proteobacteria was the highest in the soil bacteria community. The results reflect that Proteobacteria is copiotroph, which generally favors relatively nutrient-rich conditions with abundant organic matter. Some rhizobia species such as Burkholderia, Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, which are known to contribute to soil nitrogen-fixation, exist in the study sites. As a result of correlation analysis between soil physicochemical characteristics and bacteria communities, the soil pH was significantly correlated with the soil bacteria compositions.