• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.158-169
• /
• 2012

Sabah has experienced a rapid decline in the extent of forest cover. The precise impact of habitat loss on the conservation status of the plants of Sabah is uncertain. In this study we use the niche modelling algorithm MAXENT to construct preliminary, revised and final ecological niche models for Dipterocarpus lamellatus and Dipterocarpus ochraceus and combined these models with data on current land-use to derive conservation assessments for each species. Preliminary models were based on herbarium data alone. Ground surveys were conducted to evaluate the performance of these preliminary models, and a revised niche model was generated from the combined herbarium and ground survey data. The final model was obtained by constraining the predictions of the revised models by filters. The range overlap between the preliminary and revised models was 0.47 for D. lamellatus and 0.39 for D. ochraceus, suggesting poor agreement between them. There was substantial variation in estimates of habitat loss for D. ochraceus, among the preliminary, revised and constrained models, and this has the potential to lead to incorrect threat assessments. From these estimates of habitat loss, the historic distribution and estimates of population size we determine that both species should be classified as Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List guidelines. Our results suggest that ground-truthing of ecological niche models is essential, especially if the models are being used for conservation decision making.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 1994

Leaf diffusive resistance (LDR), stomatal density, length of guard cell and hair density of leaves of 6 oak species were determined under withdrawal of water, and their strategies of drought stress were analyzed by principal component analysis. LDR of Quercus acutissima, Q. aliena and Q. serrata increased earlier than those of the other species at high leaf water potential $({\Psi}_{leaf})$ or low water saturation deficit (WSD), which was an avoidance mechanism reducing damage by water stress. Q. variabilis with low stomatal density, small stomatal size and high hair density had avoidance mechanisms increasing LDR at high $({\Psi}_{leaf})$ However, Q. mongolica and Q. dentata increased LDR at low $({\Psi}_{leaf})$ as xeric species do. Results from principal component analysis on the 15 variables related to strategies of drought stress indicated that the 6 oak species were divided into 2 groups: (1) Q. acutissima, Q. aliena and Q. serrata as mesic habitat species and (2) Q. variabilis, Q. mongolica and Q. dentata as xeric habitat species. Among three xeric species Q. acutissima differed from the other two species in the drought strategies such as high hair density, low stornatal density, high leaf area ratio, stomatal closing at low $({\Psi}_{leaf})$ and small cell wall elasticity. The results could reasonably explain their drought strategies in natural habitat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.37-59
• /
• 2017

The Korean peninsula belongs to the temperate forest biome dominated by many deciduous oaks. We quantitatively and qualitatively studied vertical and horizontal distributions and habitat characteristics on the major oak species such as Quercus mongolica, Q. serrata, Q. variabilis, Q. dentata, Q. aliena and Q. acutissima. A total of 5,278 samples were analyzed with a species coverage and 6 principal environmental variables extracted from public database of nationwide natural environment survey. Correlation analysis was accomplished by the CANOCO using Canonical Correspondence Analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficient using PASW Statistics. The hierarchical distribution tendency of six oaks was finalized using the Goodman-Kruskal lambda coefficient of non-metric multidimensional scaling by SYN-TAX 2000. The utmost factor on the distributional segregation of oak species was the elevation, i.e. temperature. Q. serrata and Q. mongolica show clearly a diametrical distribution patterns with zonal distribution. Q. variabilis was determined as a thermophilic and xerophilous species that is a component of not only natural pseudo-climax forest but also secondary forest. The highest frequency of the dominant forest was found Q. mongolica. Whereas, Q. serrata showed the highest frequency of individual tree but the relatively lower frequency of dominant forest, which is resulted from the original habitat loss. By the benefit of the traditional Soopjeong-E, Q. acutissima dominant forests were remained rather largely. Individuals of Q. dentata occurred horizontally nationwide, but its dominant forest was the poorest. Dominant forest of Q. aliena, which is a natural vegetation, was the most rare due to a limited potential habitat.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2013

A species restoration plan requires a process where the first is to thoroughly study the target species, second is to provide them with an onsite reproduction and adaptation period, and finally, third is to release them to their natural habitat. This study focuses on the space planning for target species' successful onsite reproduction and adaptation. For the study, a site planning near Sobaeksan National Park was implemented with Red Fox's behavior and habitat characteristics in mind for its recovery, reproduction, and natural adaptation. During site selection and planning, the basic aim was to incorporate the existing site as much as possible thus reducing the impact on the environment from the recovery plan. In addition, for a stable recovery of the Red Fox population, the site was classified into three different areas : core area, buffer zone, and transition area. Then, the facilities that help Red Fox's reproduction and adaptation such as reproduction center, foraging site, adaptation training center were planned. Under the condition that the site will be off limit to the public, a limited number of paths for monitoring was provided. For the site's vegetation, the existing species were planted as much as possible with the addition of plants that the Red Fox consume. The facilities included as Red Fox's habitat were fox burrows for hiding and ecological ponds for drinking. From this study, the recovery of the endangered fox species is expected as well as the contribution to an effort to increase of awareness toward the biological resources in Korea through Nagoya protocol. Furthermore, it has the potential to change the public's attitude toward endangered species recovery projects through publicizing and providing experience to the national park visitors.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.62-69
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted in order to recommend forest-based wildlife protection areas in Chung-nam Province using several basic habitat conditions. The conditions used in this study were the forest patch size with the potential to keep wildlife animals safe, the distance from water sources, and the availability of food for wildlife. The fractal dimension index was also used to find the edge line dynamics, which can influence on habitat conditions for edge species. The natural conservation management indices including a forest map (indicating the level of forest age), a slope map, and an elevation map were used to find the forest patches with enough space for wildlife to live on. Water resources and their buffer areas were considered as factors to protect the space as an ecological corridor. Deciduous trees and trees mixed with deciduous trees and conifers were chosen to provide wildlife animals their food. In total, 525 forest patches were chosen and recommended for the wildlife protection area. Five of these forest patches were recommended as wildlife protection areas managed by the provincial government. The other 520 forest patches were recommended to protect local wildlife animals and be managed by each county or city. These forest patches were located around the Geum-buk and Geum-nam mountains, and the forest patches are important resources as habitats to keep wildlife in the area. An ecological network consists of these separate forest patches with the ecological integration. A fractal dimension index was used to divide forest patches into several categories in order to find how patches are shaped. The forest patches with longer edges or more irregular shapes have a much higher possibility of being inhabited by various types of edge species. Through comparison of the wildlife protection areas recommended in this study to the current wildlife protection areas, we recognized that the current wildlife protection areas need boundary adjustments in order for wildlife animals to survive by themselves with water sources and food.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.118-133
• /
• 2023

Background: Free-living amoebae (FLA) are widely distributed in freshwater, seawater, soil, and extreme environments, and play a critical role as feeders on diverse preys in the ecosystem. Also, some FLA can become opportunistic pathogens in animals including humans. The taxa Amoebozoa and Heterolobosea are important amoeboid groups associated with human pathogens. However, the identification and habitat of amoebae belonging to Amoebozoa and Heterolobosea remain poorly reported in the Republic of Korea. This study highlights the first record for identification and source of four amoebae including putative pathogens in the Republic of Korea. Results: In the present study, four previously reported FLA were isolated from freshwaters in Sangju Gonggeomji Reservoir (strain GO001), one of the largest reservoirs during the Joseon Dynasty period, and along the Nakdong River, the largest river in the Republic of Korea (strains NR5-2, NR12-1, and NR14-1) for the first time. Microscopic observations and 18S rDNA phylogenetic trees revealed the four isolated strains to be Acanthamoeba polyphaga (strains NR5-2 and NR12-1), Tetramitus waccamawensis (strain GO001), and Naegleria australiensis (strain NR14-1). Strains NR5-2 and NR12-1 might be the same species and belonged to the morphological Group 2 and the T4 genotype of Acanthamoeba. Strain GO001 formed a clade with T. waccamawensis in 18S rDNA phylogeny, and showed morphological characteristics similar to previously recorded strains, although the species' flagellate form was not observed. Strain NR14-1 had the typical morphology of Naegleria and formed a strongly supported clade with previously recorded strains of N. australiensis in phylogenetic analysis of 18S rDNA sequences. Conclusions: On the bases of morphological and molecular analyses, four strains of FLA were newly observed and classified in the Republic of Korea. Three strains belonging to the two species (A. polyphaga and N. australiensis) isolated from the Nakdong River have the potential to act as opportunistic pathogens that can cause fatal diseases (i.e. granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, Acanthamoeba Keratitis, and meningoencephalitis) in animals including humans. The Nakdong River in the Republic of Korea may provide a habitat for potentially pathogenic amoebae, but additional research is required to confirm the true pathogenicity of these FLA now known in the Republic of Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.513-513
• /
• 1995

The central theme of Habital heterogeneity is to provide animals with habital complexity or structural diversity and to allow resource partitioning among individuals. In turn, the leads to population stability because prey can escape more easily with more hiding places causing less population fluctuation. Species diversity is characterized due to more potential niches both horizontally and verticall. Empirically, in homogeneous habitats population was less abundant, reproduction and survival were lower, spacing behavior, competition and dispersal were higher than in heterogeneous habitats. The results imply that diversity and conservation of species can be maintained through providing heterogeneous habitats.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.429-436
• /
• 2011

Recent landscape changes from human activities, such as agricultural development and urbanisation frequently result in the loss of habitats, the reduction in habitat patch size and an increasing isolation of habitat patches. However, there is little information on woodland changes in agricultural landscapes. Therefore, the aim of this research was to assess spatial characteristics and changes of woodland in an agricultural landscape and how these may have had an impact on ecological process for 33 years. One of the agricultural landscape character units was analysed based on aerial photographs from 1976, 1983, 1994, 2002 and 2009 in Gwangju city. The results indicated that landscape ecological metrics clearly showed that they could be used to monitor changes of woodland ecological conditions during the past 33 years. The results imply that particularly human activities have been leading to the decrease of the mean size of woodland patches and finally result in woodland isolation. These changes may have a negative impact on woodland bird species in the study area. This woodland information can be used to identify the potential and specific needs for setting priorities for conservation planning.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.157-164
• /
• 2017

Roadside native vegetation provides important habitat for plants and animals, and provides visual amenity and beauty for drivers and rural areas. In particular, native wildflowers create and maintain attractive landscaping and scenic vistas while help protect and restore the natural environment. However, it is lacking in government policies and guidelines about using native wildflowers for roadside vegetation and alien invasive plants are a major threat to our environment. The purpose of this study is to review the regulations and programs for roadside vegetation, especially native wildflowers in USA in order to learn lessons about developing wildflower policies in Korea. A summary of results follows: (1) the goals of roadside vegetation have been shifted from beautification for pleasant driving experience to sustainable and economical maintenance. (2) Various funds and laws by federal and local government are essential for native wildflower planting and roadside enhancement. (3) Ongoing projects on seed collection and seed banking of native plants are conducted by wildflower research centers to conserve and propagate endangered plants. (4) Recognizing that wildflower viewing holds tremendous potential, increasing local governments try to grow wildflower tourism for economic benefits. In conclusion, we should establish a long-range plan and regulations on roadside wildflowers planting in order to create safe and sustainable transportation corridors in Korea. In addition, more research on wildflower habitat and propagation should be warranted and landscape architects should play a definitive role in providing pleasant driving experiences and promoting wildflower tourism.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
• /
• 2018.05a
• /
• pp.442-442
• /
• 2018

강의 하도와 연결되어 간헐적으로 침수되는 홍수터는 가장 생산적인 육역 서식처 중 하나이다. 하지만 도시 개발과 농업이용은 강의 하도와 홍수터와의 연결을 제한함으로써 그 기능이 상당부분 축소되었다. 이에 기존 홍수터 서식처를 특성화하고 미래 홍수터 복원을 계획하는 것은 하천관리 및 생태계 회복을 위해서도 매우 중요하다고 할 수 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 홍수 흐름의 규모, 시기, 기간, 빈도 등을 포함한 하천 유황 특성과 생태적 반응이 나타나는 홍수터 영역과 흐름 특성을 연계함으로써 서식처를 정량화 하고자 하였다. 이를 위한 홍수터 복원의 시나리오는 현재 지형(기존 홍수터), 제방후퇴, 제방후퇴/구하도 복원, 제방후퇴/배후습지 조성으로 설정하였다. 홍수터 서식처를 정량화하기 위한 방법으로는 일 유량의 수문통계학적 분석, 수리학적 모델링을 통한 범람 분석, 어류 물리서식처 모델링을 통한 가중가용면적 분석 등을 수행하였다. 그 결과 잠재복원영역(Potential Restored Area)에서 연중 기대되는 서식처 면적(Expected Annual Habitat Area)의 크기는 제방후퇴/배후습지 조성, 제방후퇴/구하도 복원, 제방후퇴, 기존 홍수터 순으로 나타났다. 본 연구에서 제안된 홍수터 복원에 따른 서식처 정량화 방안은 홍수터 복원 계획 설계 시 시나리오 별 서식처 복원효과를 예측 평가함으로써 보다 효과적인 방안을 마련할 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.