• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2024

The ecosystem provides a diverse array of environmental conditions for organisms, and only those that are capable of successfully adapting to these conditions within their habitats can endure, thrive, and proliferate. Further, the environmental conditions within these habitats can significantly affect the bioavailability of chemicals that are introduced therein, thus resulting in varied adverse impacts on the organisms. The present study aims to evaluate the sensitivity of Yuukianura szeptyckii - a species adapted to riparian - to heavy metals following ISO guideline 11276, with the objective of assessing its potential as an indicator species for ecotoxicological evaluations in riparian habitats. The findings revealed that cadmium and copper both had significant toxic effects depending on their concentrations. For cadmium, the LC₅₀ was 280 mg kg^-1, EC₅₀ was 66 mg kg^-1, and NOEC and LOEC were 25 and 50 mg kg^-1, respectively. For copper, the LC₅₀ was 911 mg kg^-1, EC₅₀ was 151 mg kg^-1, and LOEC was 50 mg kg^-1. Comparative analysis with previous results for the international standard species Folsomia candida and the domestic standard species Allonychiurus kimi indicated that Y. szeptyckii exhibited even greater sensitivity to toxicity values. The adverse effects on survival and reproduction were closely associated with the influx concentration of heavy metals in their bodies. Altogether, the results suggest that Y. szeptyckii is a sensitive species for ecotoxicological assessments in riparian habitats, thus making it suitable as an indicator species, particularly in riparian ecosystems that are characterized by relatively high humidity conditions.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.132-141
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a forest therapy program on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mood states of fire fighters. A total of 293 participants completed two psychological questionnaires before and after the program was conducted: the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Data were analyzed with paired t-test and ANCOVA using SPSS 24.0. The PTSD results showed a significant decrease from 11.38 ± 12.58 points before the program to 6.91 ± 10.50 points after the program. Results of the POMS questionnaire revealed an increase in positive factors and a decrease in negative factors, with a significant overall decrease in POMS results from 8.58 ± 18.47 points before the program to -0.63 ± 15.83 points after the program. As a result of analyzing the differences in stress reduction effects according to the amount of sleep participants had, PTSD showed improvement at 6-8 hours of sleep. These results are expected to be utilized as a basis for stress management and relief in fire fighters.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.92-104
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• 2015

In order to analyze the impacts of climate change, a time and space integrated model was developed in this study using system dynamics and GIS. The model built was used to carry out a simulation on the inundation impact on A-gu of Busan Metropolitan city resulting from the sea level rise scenario of IPCC and storm surge, which is the worst case. Through this, the flooded area and population until 2100 were predicted. Also, the result and significance of each alternative was reviewed improving the model by establishing alternative scenarios of protection, accommodation and retreat as plans of reaction to sea level rise. The combination of system dynamics and GIS has advantages of how the diverse variables change until the target year can be traced and, accordingly, not only the results but also the processes of spatial change can be examined by calculating the value of change process at each time step. The synergy of this model presumed to be a foothold for solving problems which are becoming difficult to predict due to increase in uncertainty and complexity such as the support for decision making for urban resilience to natural disasters.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.103-114
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• 2019

Despite recent projects to create urban forests to reduce the levels of particulate matter, objective evaluation criteria for selecting suitable sites for the projects have not been provided. The purposes of this study are to identify assessment items for the evaluation of available spaces for urban forests for the reduction of particulate matter and to analyze the relative importance of the items using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). We identified a total of 19 items in five categories through a literature review and a panel discussion. A total of 29 responses were collected from surveys given to experts, and an AHP analysis was conducted on the results. As a result, 'locational characteristics' (0.355) received the highest weighted value among the five categories, followed by 'planting type of existing green space' (0.184), 'weather conditions' (0.183), 'physical characteristics' (0.15), and 'human social environment' (0.128). In addition, among all the assessment items, 'proximity of source apportionment of particulate matter' (0.143) had higher weighted value while 'plantation of existing green space' (0.024) had the lowest weighted value. This study will present objective criteria and directions in the selecting of available spaces to create urban forests for the reduction of particulate matter.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.238-250
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• 2020

This study investigated the long-term measures to minimize flood damage in the event of flooding in urban areas. The relationship between urban spatial factors and the impact of flood damage was analyzed, focusing on non-structural measures. The urban spatial factors were categorized into three parts: open space, disaster prevention facilities, and urbanization sectors. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate how urban spatial factors influence flood damage. As a result of the analysis, the crucial factors, such as the reduced green areas and parks included in the open space sectors, resulted in an increased flood damage potential. The posterior factors, such as the population density and GRDP included in the urbanization sector concurrently led to an increase in the flood damage potential. Therefore, to better adapt to climate change, it is necessary to establish urban spatial plans strategically, such as green areas and parks. Meanwhile, the population density and GRDP are also the main factors causing flood damage. Therefore, when used appropriately in terms of resilience, it will serve as adaptations and recovery.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.311-317
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate the environmental properties of paddy soils depending on farming methods and seasonal variation. The paddy soils in 11 plots of conventional paddy and 24 plots of organic paddy were sampled and analyzed in four season of March, May, August, and October. The obtained data of soil properties were used for statistical analysis. Analysis of variance showed that only $NH_4-N$ and $P_2O_5$ were significantly different depending on farming methods. However, the differences of all soil properties depending on seasonal variation were strongly significant. Principal component analysis also presented that nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in soils were more significantly influenced by seasonal variation than farming method. Electric conductivity in soil was decreased from March to October. Amounts of soil organic matter in August and October were higher than that in March and May. T-N was decreased from March to October. $NH_4-N$ and $NO_3-N$ in the soil of both conventional and organic paddy were higher in May than other seasons. T-P concentration was found to be highest in August, but $P_2O_5$ concentration was lowest in August. It can be concluded that seasonal variation should be considered for analysis and comparison of soil environmental properties.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.1-1
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• 2016

Many of the world's large ecosystems are severely stressed due to population growth, water quality and quantity problems, vulnerability to flood and drought, and the loss of native species and cultural resources. Consequences of climate change further increase uncertainties about the future. These major societal challenges must be addressed through innovations in governance, policy, and ways of implementing management strategies. Science and engineering play a critical role in helping define possible alternative futures that could be achieved and the possible consequences to economic development, quality of life, and sustainability of ecosystem services. Science has advanced rapidly during the past decade with the emergence of science communities coalescing around 'Grand Challenges' and the maturation of how these communities function has resulted in large interdisciplinary research networks. An example is the River Experiment Center of KICT that engages researchers from throughout Korea and the world. This trend has been complemented by major advances in sensor technologies and data synthesis to accelerate knowledge discovery. These factors combine to allow scientific debate to occur in a more open and transparent manner. The availability of information and improved communication of scientific and engineering issues is raising the level of dialogue at the science-policy interface. However, severe challenges persist since scientific discovery does not occur on the same timeframe as management actions, policy decisions or at the pace sometimes expected by elected officials. Common challenges include the need to make decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty, ensuring research results are actionable and preventing science being used by special interests to delay or obsfucate decisions. These challenges are explored in the context of examples from the United States, including the California Bay-Delta system. California transfers water from the wetter northern part of the state to the drier southern part of the state through the Central Valley Project since 1940 and this was supplemented by the State Water Project in 1973. The scale of these activities is remarkable: approximately two thirds of the population of Californians rely on water from the Delta, these waters also irrigate up to 45% of the fruits & vegetables produced in the US, and about 80% of California's commercial fishery species live in or migrate through the Bay-Delta. This Delta region is a global hotspot for biodiversity that provides habitat for over 700 species, but is also a hotspot for the loss of biodiversity with more than 25 species currently listed by the Endangered Species Act. Understanding the decline of the fragile ecosystem of the Bay-Delta system and the potential consequences to economic growth if water transfers are reduced for the environment, the California State Legislature passed landmark legislation in 2009 (CA Water Code SS 85054) that established "Coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem". The legislation also stated that "The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place." The challenges of integrating policy, management and scientific research will be described through this and other international examples.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2005

In this study, surface treatment of the elastomeric matrix was investigated to develop a substituting material for steel dynamic damper of automobile. The key technology is to get ultra high density elastomeric compound in order to substitute steel dynamic damper. The optimum matrix material(chloroprene rubber) and filler(metal powder) were selected for this. The several properties of elastomeric compound were examined. According to the results, the $t_{s2}$ of filled elastomeric compound was decreased with increasing the filler loading whereas the $t_{90}$ was increased. Also, tensile strength and rebound resilience were decreased with filler loading. To solve the problem of high filler loading, the photo grafting technique was employed on elastomeric matrix. The degree of grafting was determined by FTIR-ATR. Also, the filler surface was modified by chemical etching and the surface morphology was examine by SEM. After chemical treatment of filler, the particle size analyzer was used to examined the particle size, size distribution, and morphology of the modified filler.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2019

Wetlands that provide diverse ecosystem services, such as habitat provision and hydrological control of flora and fauna, constitute ecosystems through interaction between wetlands existing in a wetlandscape. Therefore, to evaluate the wetland functions such as resilience, it is necessary to analyze the ecological connectivity that is formed between wetlands which also show hydrologically dynamic behaviors. In this study, by defining wetlands as ecological nodes, we generated ecological networks through the connection of wetlands according to the dispersal model of wetland species. The characteristics of these networks were then analyzed using various network metrics. In the case of the dispersal based on a threshold distance, while a high local clustering is observed compared to the exponential dispersal kernel and heavy-tailed dispersal model, it showed a low efficiency in the movement between wetlands. On the other hand, in the case of the stochastic dispersion model, a low local clustering with high efficiency in the movement was observed. Our results confirmed that the ecological network characteristics are completely different depending on which dispersal model is chosen, and one should be careful on selecting the appropriate model for identifying network properties which highly affect the interpretation of network structure and function.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2023

Alien species are known to threaten regional biodiversity globally, which has increased global interest regarding introduction of alien species. The Ministry of Environment of Korea designated species that have not yet been introduced into the country with potential threat as alert alien species to prevent damage to the ecosystem. In this study, potential habitats of Esox lucius and Maccullochella peelii, which are predatory and designated as alert alien fish, were predicted on a national basis. Habitat suitability was evaluated using EHSM (Ecological Habitat Suitability Model), and water temperature data were input to calculate Physiological Habitat Suitability (PHS). The prediction results have shown that PHS of the two fishes were mainly controlled by heat or cold stress, which resulted in biased habitat distribution. E. lucius was predicted to prefer the basins at high latitudes (Han and Geum River), while M. peelii preferred metropolitan areas. Through these differences, it was expected that the invasion pattern of each alien fish can be different due to thermal preference. Further studies are required to enhance the model's predictive power, and future predictions under climate change scenarios are required to aid establishing sustainable management plans.