• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.591-602
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• 2018

Clithon retropictus has been designated as an endangered wildlife Class II due to its high value as a biological indicator species capable of judging environmental quality such as salinity, water flow, and ground conditions. However, basic research on its physiological and ecological characteristics is still lacking. As such, this study intended to examine the impact of environmental conditions such as salinity and soil particle size on the size and density of Clithon retropictus at the Yeoncho river estuary. The investigation of the salinity, which is a key variable that affects the distribution of organisms in the estuary, showed that Clithon retropictus could grow at a salinity ranging from 0#x2030; (freshwater) to 25‰ (brackish water). The coarse gravel (19-75mm) tended to increase nearer the upper stream (under the Yeoncho weir), while the proportion of particles smaller than sand (less than 19mm) increased toward the downstream. The population and the size of the individuals decreased rapidly in the downstream where water stagnated near the Yeoncho weir, and the salt water joined. The results indicated that Clithon retropictus had a high tolerance to salinity, but the adaptability was weaker toward the extremes since the population, and the size tended to decrease as the salinity increased. The correlation analysis revealed that both salinity and soil particle size affected the population and individual size. The correlation between the individual size and salinity was -0.242 (P <0.01), indicating that the size decreased with increasing salinity. The correlation between individual size and coarse gravel having a particle size of 19mm or more was 0.420 (P <0.01), indicating that the size increased with increasing the particle size.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.398-405
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• 2022

The research was based on long-term studies on the major physico-chemical and hydrological factors and zooplankton community dynamics in the Hwang River. We had 341 times survey and collected zooplankton samples in the Hwang River of mid-Nakdong River from 1995 to 2013. We identified 97 zooplankton species, including 77 rotifers, 16 cladocerans, and 4 copepods. The total zooplankton abundance and species diversity were shown distinctive temporal variation (ANOVA, p<0.001). Annual average of zooplankton population density was 58.4±3.2 ind L^-1 (n=341) and the lowest was 17.0±3.8 ind L^-1 (1996, n=20), while the highest was 151.5±32.3 ind L^-1 (2010, n=22). For zooplankton, small rotifer groups(e.g., Keratella sp., Brachionus sp., Trichotria sp.) dominated the study site for 19 years survey. Statistical analysis revealed that there were positive relationships with SiO₂ (p=0.002) and water level (p<0.001) for the high abundance of rotifer community. There were considerable variations both the total cladocerans population and the number of cladocerans' species concerning annual precipitation. Despite the appearance of various zooplankton in the Hwang River, the mean population density remained low. Due to the lateral structures in the Nakdong River, the downstream basin of the Hwang River is inevitably affected. The zooplankton community in our study site is considered to be mainly influenced by external factors that can stably increase and maintain the volume of the water body and internal factors that induce an increase in food sources through the inflow of nutrients into the water body.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.550-558
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution and the population dynamics of Hipparchia autonoe by using a line transect and Mark-Release-Recapture (MRR) at the Mt. Halla in Jeju Island. The results showed that H. autonoe was found from 1,500 m above the sea level. Total 1,493 H. autonoe with 978 males and 515 females were captured and released in the MRR study site. Among them, 518 individuals including 284 males and 234 females were recaptured. The average survival time was 2.31 days with 2.14 days for males and 3.47 days for females, indicating longer survival time in case of females than males. The daily population size of males estimated in the MRR study site was maintained about 1,000 individuals in July and gradually decreased less than 200 in August. The number of females showed peak at 335 individuals on July 24, and gradually decreased less than 120 in August. Thus, female population was 1/3 of males. The average travel distance of male and female H. autonoe were $116.8{\pm}191.9m$ and $118.4{\pm}161.5m$, respectively, indicating almost same between sexes. H. autonoe in the Mt. Halla formed single population group in the wide meadow around the Baekrokdam Lake. The highest population density of H. autonoe was occurred in the restored area from damages, where host plants such as the sheep's fescue or the food plant are abundant by artificial restoration efforts.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.657-663
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the difference in feeding habits of Red-Tongued Viper Snakes, according to available foods sources and areas. The effects of differences in food sources were found on Red-Tongued Viper Snake inhabited in the Jeju Island and its islet Gapado, from May 2006 to Nov. 2010. The food sources for the Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Jeju Island were found to be as follows: Chinese red-headed centipedes (Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans), Jeju Salamanders (Hynobius quelpaertensis), Japanese tree Frogs (Hyla japonica), Narrow-mouthed Toad (Kaloula borealis), Dybowski's Brown Frogs (Rana dybowskii), Black-spotted Pond Frogs (Rana nigromaculata), Smooth Skinks (Scincella vandenburghi), Asian Keelback Snakes (Amphiesma vibakari), Lesser White-toothed Shrews (Crosidura shantungensis), Hallasan Shrews (Sorex caecutiens hallamontanus), and Jeju Striped Field Mice (Apodemus chejuensis). This implies that Red-Tongued Viper Snakes mainly feed on amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Among these, amphibians occupied the highest portion at 55.2% followed by mammals at 20.7%, centipedes at 13.8%, and reptiles at 10.3%. On the contrary, Red-tongued viper snake population in Gapado only feed on Chinese red-headed centipedes and Smooth Skinks (S. vandenburghi). Since only a small amount of nutrient can be obtained from Chinese red-headed centipeds or Smooth Skinks, this feeding habit for Red-tongued viper snake would adversely effect on the growth or regeneration. The reason why Red-Tongued viper snake population in the Gapado mainly feed on Lizard and Centipedes in spite of relatively various available food sources, might be due to the low density of other food sources in the Gapado. Red-Tongued viper snake could be feeding on foods that are low in quality but are easily accessible, to minimize energy consumption on searching for other more nutritious foods. A snake tends to select the size of its food depending on the size of its own head. The positive correlation was found between the size of the heads of Red-Tongued viper snakes from the Jeju island and the diameter of their foods. The head size was larger in the males than females in viper snake population from the Jeju Island, which might effect on their selection of foods. However, no significant difference was found between the sizes of the head and the food in the Red-Tongued viper snake population from the Gapado. The findings of this study would provide meaningful data, which directly shows that even within the same viper species they choose different available food sources according to their inhabitance. This leads to their growth and adaptation to their environment which is beneficial for sustaining of its population.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.210-218
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• 2012

This study was carried out to analyze the vegetation properties, soil characteristics and ordination of Bletilla striata population in South Korea. The $Bletilla$ $striata$ population was classified into $Juniperus$ $rigida$ dominant population, $Rhododendron$ $yedoense$ var. $poukhanense$ dominant population, $Rhus$ $javanica$ dominant population, $Bletilla$ $striata$ typical population. $Bletilla$ $striata$ were mainly distributed along the coast of south-western regions of the Korean penninsula and it's population was located at an elevation of 4m to 40m. In the study sites, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphate, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, cation exchange capacity and soil pH were 2.38-6.70%, 0.09-0.27%, 1.81-6.85mg/kg, 1.08-1.72$cmol^+/kg$, 3.56-7.71$cmol^+/kg$, 1.52-3.21$cmol^+/kg$, 5.28-16.95$cmol^+/kg$ and 4.60-6.01 respectively. $Rhododendron$ $yedoense$ var. $poukhanense$ dominant population was found in the steep sloped area that has high percentage of organic matter, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity and pH than other populations. $Rhus$ $javanica$ dominant population was found in the gentle sloped area that has less percentage of organic matter, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity and pH. $Juniperus$ $rigida$ dominant population and $Bletilla$ $striata$ typical population were found in the medium sloped area that has medium percentage of organic matter, total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity and pH. Current status of $Bletilla$ $striata$ habitats is very vulnerable with local development constantly threatening the species' survival. Thus, concrete conservation plans to protect natural habitats should be set up as soon as possible.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.422-439
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• 2019

The rear edge population is considered to have low genetic diversity and high risk of extinction according to a highly isolated distribution. However, the rear edge population is observed to have persisted for an extended period despite the low genetic diversity. As such, it is necessary to understand the ecological process involved in the persistence of the population. Viola mirabilis L. in Korea is considered the rear edge population from the perspective of the worldwide distribution. We surveyed the distribution range of V. mirabilis, which shows the isolated distribution in the central area of Korea, to find out the factors of its persistence. Next, we investigated and accessed the vegetational pattern of habitats, soil environment, phenology, self-compatibility, population structure, and extinction risk factors observed in the distribution area. V. mirabilis was distributed in the understory of the deciduous forest, planted forest of the deciduous conifer and deciduous broad-leaved trees, shrubland, and grassland in the limestone area. We also observed the re-establishment of seedlings in the population, and most of them showed a stable population structure. For chasmogamous flowers, the visit by pollinators has a significantly positive relationship with the production of fruits. However, we found that the production of the cleistogamous flowers was more numerous in all studied populations and that only the cleistogamous flowers were produced despite a more substantial plant size in some populations. The plant size was more related to the production of the cleistogamous flowers than that of the chasmogamous flowers. Accordingly, the cleistogamous flowers significantly contributed to seedling recruitment in the population. We found that the production of the chasmogamous flowers and the cleistogamous flowers did not have a correlation with the factors of the soil analysis except for phosphoric acid. V. mirabilis showed the self-incompatibility characteristics most likely due to the production capability of the cleistogamous flowers. Potential extinction risk factors observed in the distribution area was included the development of limestone mine, the expansion of agricultural fields, and the construction of houses. Although V. mirabilis showed an isolated distribution in the limestone area in the Korean peninsula, it showed a diverse distribution in a wide habitat environment ranging from the grassland to the understory of the trees with relatively low canopy closure rate. Moreover, we concluded that the persistence of the population was possible if we can maintain the current state of multiple populations and stable population structure.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1986

The decomposition of litters of Pinus densiflora and the growth of microbial populations in a calcareous region, Youngwal were compared with those in a noncalcareous region, Sinlim. The decay rate of litter in Pinus densiflora in Youngwal was 0.128 and that in Sinlim was 0.096. The differences in the populations of soil bacteria and total microorganisms between the two regions were signficant at the 5% level, but that of fungi and actinomycetes was not at that level. The differences in the content of calcium and pH value of soil between the two regions were significant at the 1% level. The excessive content of calcium became to increase pH value, in turn the high pH decreased the content of available phosphorus in soil. The vertical distribution of the content of available phsophorus was consistent with that of the populations of fungi and actinomycetes in Youngwal.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 1990

The vertical distribution and seasonal fluctuation of soil microarthropods in the forests with different flora were investigated in this study. soil micrarthropods were concentrated as much as 71.8% in the first layer subsoil (0-5cm), 22.3% in the second layer subsoil (5-10cm), and 5.9% in the third layer subsoil (10-15cm) in the decreasing order. The population density in the first layer decreased slightly in winter while that of the second layer increased. However, the density in the first layer bounced back in the following spring. Seasonal fluctuations of population density were revealed "Two peak-Two valley type", that is, the densities were high in fall and spring, and low in winter and summer.nd summer.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 1989

This study was carried out to investigate the population density and biomass of soil microarthropods in the forests with different flora. soil microarthropods of 29,475 individuals were identified into 6 different classes, and 18 different orders. Acarina were the most numerous with abundance of 74.8% followed by 17.9% of Collembola, comprising 92.7% of arthropod fauna. Similar dominance of the two groups was found also in biomass although the level reaching no more than 63.9%. The A/C ratio in the broad-leaved forests are higher than that in the coniferous forests.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.349-354
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• 1999

The spatial distributions of allelic frequencies and ecological traits by randomization were studied in the natural population of two species (Pinus rigida and Pyrola japonica). Both species showed significant positive spatial autocorrelation as measured by Moran's I. In P. rigida, the genetic similarity was shown in individuals within up to a scale of 18 m distance and this is partly due to combination of pollen and seed dispersal by wind or men. In P. japonica, significant spatial autocorrelation was consisted of a scale of 8 m intervals. These population structure in the distribution of allelic frequencies is related to mating systems such as outcrossing and vegetative spread. The results also indicate that positive species associations between P. rigida and P. japonica can occur when both species select the same habitat or require the same environmental conditions.