• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2007

Korean rivers and their surrounding environments have been used excessively for rice production in the past and more recently for construction of urban areas to accomodate the rapidly increasing population. Affected Korean rivers experience dramatic fluctuations in their water levels and have faster currents compared with those in other countries. In order to restore more natural conditions in rivers experiencing such conditions, we employed a partial restoration method, which is designed to achieve physical and biological stability simultaneously. Concrete blocks were introduced to increase the river's physical stability during floods, and terra cottem, a soil enhancer, was used to reduce water loss due to intense heat. These interventions increased the river's ability to hold water and thereby promoted plant growth. This restoration method increased vegetation coverage and species diversity in treated areas, and changed the species composition in treated areas to more closely approximate that of the control site. These results suggest that this method is effective in restoring damaged habitats to more natural conditions.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.373-382
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• 1998

This paper describes the ecological structure and function of riparian zone, and their historical changes with land-use. The riparian zone consists of valley floor landform and riparian vegetation. The functions discussed are attenuation of sunlight energy, input of leaves and needles, contribution of woody debris to streams, and retention of flowing material out of transport. These primary functions directly or indirectly influence water and sediment qualities of streams, bars and floodplains, and thereby aquatic biota. Temporal changes in a hydrological system and riparian ecosystem were examined with reference to land-use conversin in order to understand the linkages between these two systems in Toikanbetsu River. The influences of channelization and land-use on discharge of suspended sediment and wetland vegetation was also investigated in Kushiro Marsh. These two examples suggested that the ecological functions of riparian zone have been degraded as flood control and reclamation works have expanded in the past twenty years The author proposes river restoration planning by preserving or creating landscape elements based on the concepts of sustaining physical and ecological linkages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.19-26
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• 2013

This study was carried out to provide preliminary data for increasing biodiversity in agricultural ecosystem and investigate availability of using Tubificidae spp. for environment-friendly agriculture through the survey of growth of Tubificidae spp. in flooded paddy fields during winter. We estimated the number of Tubificidae spp. in rice paddy where had been flooded during the previous winter in Ganghwa-gun, Suwon-si, and Hwaseong-si (Bongdam-eup and Paltan-myeon) between March and April from 2010 to 2012. During growing period of rice, the number of Tubificidae spp. was compared between flooded and non-flooded paddy field in Ganghwa-gun. As results, mean density of Tubificidae spp. in winter flooded paddy field was 7,235.5 $ind./m^2$ in Ganghwa-gun, 14,347.5 $ind./m^2$ in Suwon-si, 59,989.9 $ind./m^2$ in Bongdam-eup, and 2,610.6 $ind./m^2$ in Paltan-myeon. Mean density of Tubificidae spp. was the highest in flooded paddy fields of Bongdam-eup that was kept wet until rice harvest time and had shallow water. While mean density was the lowest in Paltan-myeon where had deep water and later flooded paddy field than others. In Ganghwa-gun, during growing period of rice, mean density of Tubificidae spp. in flooded paddy fields (171,109.0 $ind./m^2$) and flooded fallow paddy fields (321,084.2 $ind./m^2$) was much higher than non-flooded paddy fields (1,006.6 $ind./m^2$). Flooded paddy field during winter can help increase the number of Tubificidae spp. which can control weeds and enhance biodiversity in paddy fields for environment-friendly agriculture. Early flooding and shallow water of paddy fields could be a good agriculture practice to encourage the growth of Tubificidae spp..

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2022

Background: We developed a habitat suitability index (HSI) model for Pedicularis hallaisanensis, a Grade II Endangered Species in South Korea. To determine the habitat variables, we conducted a literature review on P. hallaisanensis with a specific focus on the associated spatial factors, climate, topography, threats, and soil factors to derive five environmental factors that influence P. hallaisanensis habitats. The specific variables were defined based on the collected data and consultations with experts in the field, with the validity of each variable tested through field studies. Results: Mt. Seorak had a suitable habitat area of 2.48 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.62% of total area) and 0.01 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Bangtae had a suitable habitat area of 0.03 km² for sites with a score of 1 (0.02% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Mt. Gaya showed 0.13 km² of suitable habitat for sites with a score of 1 (0.17% of total area) and 0 km² for sites with a score of 0.9. Lastly, Mt. Halla showed 3.12 km² of suitable habitat related to sites with a score of 1 (2.04% of total area) and 4.08 km² of sites with a score of 0.9 (2.66% of total area). Mt. Halla accounts for 73.1% of the total core habitat area. Considering the climatic, soil, and forest conditions together with standardized collection sites, our results indicate that Mt. Halla should be viewed as a core habitat of P. hallaisanensis. Conclusions: The findings in this study provide useful data for the identification of core habitat areas and potential alternative habitats to prevent the extinction of the endangered species, P. hallaisanensis. Furthermore, the developed HSI model allows for the prediction of suitable habitats based on the ecological niche of a given species to identify its unique distribution and causal factors.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.229-241
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• 2023

Microphysogobio rapidus is designated as endangered species class I by Ministry of Environment, and its distribution and population have been gradually declining, and it is now limited to the Nam River and some tributary streams of the Nakdong River Watershed. For the restoration of this highly endangered species, it is important to identify the causes of the decline and establish appropriate restoration plans. However, due to lack of basic data and ecological research, most steps are stagnant. Therefore, in this study, we identified the differences in the physical, biological, and sociological habitats between current and past distributed sites through field surveys and literature reviews. As a result of the field survey, there were differences in conductivity between the current and past distributed sites, and fish communities were also showed differences. The literature data also showed that the physico-chemical values of the past distributed sites were generally unfavorable, which generated negative consequences on biological factors. In particular, the effects of urbanization were found to be a major factor affecting the habitat of M. rapidus. Habitat stabilization is crucial for the recovery of this endangered species. However, in the past distributed sites, disturbances such as stream development and weir construction have altered streams physico-chemically and result in changes of M. rapidus. Therefore, a comprehensive plan that considers both stream connectivity and water quality is needed to manage and restore the habitat of M. rapidus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to develop a list of plants that adapted to the aquatic environment in urban areas based on the list of plants surveyed through literature review and field surveys, and to classify the types of vegetation according to the five categories of plant distributions set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1988) in the aspect of the adaptability of plants to the aquatic environment. Results of the classification by category according to the adaptability to the aquatic environment for the plant species surveyed through literature review and field surveys showed that there are 45 species of OBL, 96 species of FACW, 66 species of FAC, and 94 species of FACU, totaling 650 species. In addition, a total of 50 species excluding exotic species, endangered species, and naturally introduced plants are proposed as appropriate plants for the urban aquatic environment that will be artificially constructed. The results of the study can be utilized as the basic information for maintaining diversity and stability of the ecosystem during the restoration of water ecology; they can serve as useful data for the development of an optimum vegetation model when planting in water spaces in the future and preparing proper planting plans for each space. In addition, it is believed that the information will be useful in wetland identification and evaluation by observing plant species that appear only in wetlands.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.221-230
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• 2004

Flora of the Dokdo Islet, where located south-east from Ulnung Island, off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, recorded as 59 taxa; 29 families, 50 genus, 48 species, 1 sub-species, 9 varieties and 1 form. Dong-do (East islet) of Dokdo Islet, naturalized plants such as Brassica campestris subsp. napus var. nipp-oleitera and Rumex crispus are widely ranged over the islet. The naturalizedplants affects the native species and their habitats of Artemisia japonica var. macrocephala, Echinochloa crus-galli, Sedum oryzifolium, Arabis stelleri var. japonica and Sedum kamtschaticum var takesimense in the islet. The trail in Seo-do (West islet) is heavily threatened by over-all weathering processes on the rock. The native woody species in the islet are Euonymous japonicus and Lonicera insularis, and the species such as Pinus thunbergii and Hibiscus syriacus are planted in the recent past under the IRP (Islet Restoration Program) by NGO. The Specific Plants, which is designated and categorized by the Ministry of Environment, Korea, such as Lilium lancifolium, Lysimachia mauritiana and Reynoutria sachalinensis are ranged. The ecosystem of Dokdo islet is seriously threatened by invadedplant species and building works for garrison and relevant facilities. The over-all long- and short-term strategies, based on interdisciplinary and integrated approaches for habitat restoration is needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.316-323
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• 2004

In order to monitor the vegetation restoration in the evergreen broad-leaved forest, eighteen experimental plots including control plots were established at Wando Arboretum in 1996. Several treatments such as density control, selective cutting and warm temperate species planting were done in the experimental plots. Seven years after the restoration experiments, the important percentage of Quercus acuta showed a tendency to a higher increase in the experiment plots than control plots in Q. Acutu. Also the important percentage of Q. Acuta in Q. acute Carpinus tschonoskii community increased in the tree layer. Pinus densiflora community was increased highly in important percentage of Q. Acuta, As a whole, vegetation structure in the experiment plot showed successional stage to Q. Acutu community. In addition, important percentage of evergreen broad-leaved trees and shrubs and number of warm temperate species and basal area were increased in the experiment plots while the introduced evergreen broad-leaved trees were declined.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.32-43
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• 2004

Targeting a rooftop biotope created in urban area, this study aims at verifying a creation technique reflecting an urban biosphere reserve concept as well as its function as the habitats of various wild animals. To this end, a set of processes of a biosphere reserve-based basic conception and master plan, sectoral plans, construction and monitoring were applied to the rooftop of 12-story UNESCO Building in Seoul. In particular, the rooftop habitats were divided into core area, buffer zone and transition area, and habitats and facilities suitable to the characteristics of each space were planned. By aligning a plantation planning map with environmental conditions such as topography and water, creation of diverse habitats was enabled. As a result, a set of various habitats including wetlands, wild grassland, shrubs, forest trees and vegetable fields was created at the site. Species living in these habitats included 148 plant species, 62 insect species, 2 amphibian species, 3 fishery species and 3 bird species. The rooftop eco-park of UNESCO Building, which was created one year ago, is assessed as an important space for conservation of biodiversity as well as a place where a biosphere reserve concept was well applied. Meanwhile, for this rooftop biotope to be a pioneer of urban biosphere reserve-based types, a number of principles & methodologies suggested in this study need to be applied, In a perspective of landscape ecology, maintenance efforts should be linked with green areas in neighboring areas, which are the sources of species, In addition, considering that the rooftop biotope is a restored ecosystem, theories and approaches from restoration ecology should be applied. On-going monitoring on environmental changes is also required as the site is located in the urban center, Ultimately, rooftop biotopes including the case study area should contribute in promoting the socio-economic, cultural, and spiritual sustainability as well as environmental sustainability of a city.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.142-163
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• 2009

Taebaek city is located in the mountainous plateau area therefore the major industry was coal industry. According to dramatically declining of the major industry, Taebaek city is need to alternative industry which associated with considering the geographical characteristics of natural tourism resources for increasing the local economy. On the basis of these reasons, this study can be suggested ecological planning and mitigation of deterioration technique about the these study site. That is the reserved area for mountainous experience theme park. As the results of environmental ecology assessment are following as; The natural ecosystem areas, multi-layer structure forest such as forest of Pinus densiflora, forest of Quercus mongolica and deciduous forest have a high value of nature, diversity and potential. In addition, wild bird habitats were important area as a inhabitation, breeding, feeding and hiding. Therefore, on these areas should be preserved. Also, it needs to conserve on there such as more than three types of wild bird inhabitate areas, the fringe of high biological diversity, the wetland that have got good vegetation condition and the function of amphibia, reptiles crossing. In addition, inhabitation, the waterway of wetland form that have got wide waterside width needs to conserve. In conclusion, on the basis of analysis results such as conditions of plan, environment, ecological assessments, survey informations are able to suggest the connectivity of the axis of forest and management plan. Moreover, in the part of forest restoration plan, we suggest the plan of transplant for a compensation of damaged forest by land use.