• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.90-102
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• 2018

Background: We sought to understand the relationship between the seed bank and vegetation in abandoned rice paddies in South Korea, in order to guide management of these sites. We investigated the floristic composition and species richness of the soil seed bank and ground vegetation in former paddies along three seral gradients (wet meadow, young forest, and mature forest) in Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve. Results: Seed bank samples contained 59 species, of which the dominant families were Cyperaceae, Gramineae, and Polygonaceae. Species richness and seedling density (59 taxa and 19,121 germinants from all samples) were high. Carex spp. (11, 921 germinants) were the dominant taxa. The species composition in the seed bank changed gradually as the land transitioned from wet meadow to mature forest. Sørensen's index of similarity between above- and below-ground vegetation was 29.3% for wet meadow, 10.8% for young forest, and 2.1% for mature forest. Germinant density also declined, with 10, 256 germinants for wet meadow, 6445 germinants for young forest, and 2420 germinants for mature forest. Conclusions: Changes in aboveground environment and life history traits such as amphicarpic plants, likely affect the composition of soil seed bank species. Abandoned paddy fields may be good sites for restoration of wetland forest and conservation of wetland habitat. Some intervention may be required to promote the recovery of a natural species assemblage.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.2
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• pp.186-196
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• 2010

Fertilization increases the crop productivity and produces high quality seedlings for plantation. We quantitatively measured both physical performances and nutrient responses of Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Fraxinus mandshurica, Pinus koraiensis, and Abies holophylla seedlings, which are commercially planted species in Korea, to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilization. We analyzed the growth performances by using Dickson's quality index (QI) and the nutrient status by using vector diagnosis. Nitrogen or phosphorus treatment increased height and root collar diameter growth of F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica, however, did not increase those of P. koraiensis and A. holophylla. The order of QI was N > P > K > control for F. rhynchophylla, P ${\geq}$ N > Control ${\geq}$ P for F. mandshurica, P > Control ${\geq}$ K > N for P. koraiensis and A. holophylla. In F. rhynchophylla, fertilization diluted N concentration in tissues by 5-25% because growth responses were higher than fertilization uptake. P. koraiensis and A. holophylla showed N excess showing "toxic accumulation". F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica showed P deficiency with P fertilization, however, P. koraiensis and A. holophylla showed "luxury accumulation". Vector diagnosis indicated that more fertilization was applicable for F. rhynchophylla and F. mandshurica, and high fertilization rates were inefficient for P. koraiensis and A. holophylla. Both QI and vector diagnosis can be applied to verify seedling quality in the light of growth responses and nutrient status in fertilization trials.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.133-143
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• 2015

Freshwater macrophytes improve the structural heterogeneity of microhabitats in water, often providing an important habitat for zooplankton. Some studies have focused on the overall influence of macrophytes on zooplankton, but the effects of macrophyte in relation to different habitat characteristics of zooplankton (e.g., epiphytic and pelagic) have not been intensively studied. We hypothesized that different habitat structures (i.e., macrophyte habitat) would strongly affect zooplankton distribution. We investigated zooplankton density and diversity, macrophyte characteristics (dry weight and species number), and environmental parameters in 40 shallow wetlands in South Korea. Patterns in the data were analyzed using a self-organizing map (SOM), which extracts information through competitive and adaptive properties. A total of 20 variables (11 environmental parameters and 9 zooplankton groups) were patterned onto the SOM. Based on a U-matrix, 3 clusters were identified from the model. Zooplankton assemblages were positively related to macrophyte characteristics (i.e., dry weight and species number). In particular, epiphytic species (i.e., epiphytic rotifers and cladocerans) exhibited a clear relationship with macrophyte characteristics, while large biomass and greater numbers of macrophyte species supported high zooplankton assemblages. Consequently, habitat heterogeneity in the macrophyte bed was recognized as an important factor to determine zooplankton distribution, particularly in epiphytic species. The results indicate that macrophytes are critical for heterogeneity in lentic freshwater ecosystems, and the inclusion of diverse plant species in wetland construction or restoration schemes is expected to generate ecologically healthy food webs.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2015

In this study, an optimal improvement method of stream channel structure is presented for the enhancement of fish habitat suitability by genetic algorithm. The correlation between fish habitat suitability and physical disturbance in stream is analyzed according to the changes of hydraulic characteristics by channel structure rehabilitation. Zacco koreanus which is an indicator fish of the soundness of aquatic ecosystem was selected as a restoration target species by investigating the community characteristics of fish fauna and river environments in Wonju stream. The habitat suitability is investigated by PHABSIM with the habitat suitability index of Zacco koreanus. Hydraulic analysis by HEC-RAS and physical disturbance evaluation in stream are carried out. The optimal channel width modified for the enhancement of fish habitat suitability is provided. The correlation analysis between habitat suitability and physical disturbance with the change of hydraulic characteristics by channel modification showed that the proper channel modification enhanced fish habitat suitability and mitigated physical disturbance in the stream. The improvement of physical disturbance score by the channel structure rehabilitation for the enhancement of fish habitat suitability was confirmed in this study.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2013

This study examined the status of the vegetation around Gangcheonsan provincial park located in Sunchang-gun in Jeollabuk-do and Damyang-gun in Jeollanam-do from June 4 to October 12, 2011. Gangcheonsan vegetation was arranged 9 plant communities in accordance with data of 28 releves. Major forest vegetation included Quercus variabilis communityand Quercus variabilis-Quercus serrata community, Pinus densiflora community, and Pinus densiflora-Quercus variabilis community (evergreen coniferous forest in all), and Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis community (plantation). Wetland vegetation included Salix gracilistyla community (riverbank forests), Phragmites japonica community, and Polygonia thunbergii community. Gangcheonsan Provincial Park has beautiful scenery that is in harmony with fantastically-shaped rocks, waterfalls, and valleys and conserves a specific plant community habitat distributed through the forest wetlands including its valleys. It is necessary to conduct long-term monitoring with its focus on Pinus densiflora community, Lycoris koreana community, and Lycoris squamigera community in the provincial park to grasp the characteristics of ecological inhabit changes in major communities and provide active methods for conservation, restoration, and publicity.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.328-338
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• 2019

This paper presents the numerical simulations of future river bed changes using CCHE2D, a two-dimensional numerical model, for river confluences at the confluences of the Nakdong River and Gamcheon as well as Geum River and Mihocheon. The numerical simulations of future river bed changes were conducted for three years using hydrological data from August 30, 2012, to August 29, 2015 after the Four Major River Restoration Project. The simulation results demonstrated that river bed changes occurred actively near the confluence where sediment deposition was concentrated, resulting in the possibility of point bar formation. Through the numerical simulations, the characteristics of future river bed change was evaluated by investigating the characteristics of bed changes, average bed elevation changes, and the difference between deposition and erosion in the target section. The two-dimensional numerical model is expected to be used in the future to prepare effective stabilization plans for the tributary confluence.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

This study was conducted to provide a database for biotope conservation and restoration of the Jeonju region in North Cheolla Province. To accomplish this task, investigations were made on the characteristics of the distribution pattern of naturalized plants in the region. From May to June 2008, the flora and lists of naturalized plants were investigated and, based on these data the ratio of naturalization was calculated. The results of this investigation areas follows: a total of 113 families and 54 species were found in the flora. The naturalized plants among them amounted to 19 families and 54 species. The ratio of naturalization was most high in the biotope type of rural dried stream(36.4%). The biotype that showed the lowest ratio of naturalization was coniferous natural forest type, which had no naturalized plants in it. The average naturalization ration of the Jeonju region turned out to be 18.9%, which is similar to that of other mid-size cities in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2004

The concept of Baekdudaegan(Korean traditional and major mountain system) was conceived toward the close of Silla Kingdom and in the beginning of the Goryeo dynasty. The concept was brought up through the Goryeo dynasty and was completed in the Joseon dynasty. We have to recognize the next two facts to restore the Baekdudaegan concept these days. Firstly, Baekdudaegan is not the highest watershed line but a domain. Secondly, Baekdudaegan is not a set of ridges but a corporate body of a water system and a mountain system. When it comes to fix the management area of Baekdudaegan, it is necessary to make criteria on the basis of traditional ideas and to include natural characteristics considering physical environment. The management area of Baekdudaegan include the third order of stream with the conservation area including the first order of stream. The most important thing in the management strategy is to prevent the damage of configuration of the ground. Baekdudaegan is a symbol of Korea spirit. Therefore, to manage Baekdudaegan wisely is one of ways to lay down the stepping stone of our country's reunification.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.374-390
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• 2006

The analysis of correlation between the 9 element (used as the classification standard of stream typology out of the 25 elements pertinent to the survey of hydromorphological structure) and both emerged benthic macroinvertebrate as well as vegetation indicated that the substrate diversity, curvature, and degree of development of the transverse bar had a high correlation with the species composition. Only COD concentration was found to have the statistically significant correlation with the distribution of benthos among the 12 aquatic and chemical elements. Specifically, the analysis of the biotic and abiotic factors in this study indicated that there was a statistically significant correlation between the sand river and cobble river in the positive(+) and negative(-) aspects, suggesting that there is a distinctive difference between the two types of rivers in terms of hydromorphologlcal structure and ecological characteristics. Therefore, the findings of this study imply that the consideration of a biotop is prerequisite for the evaluation of stream status regarding stream restoration or the ecological topology of streams.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.415-431
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• 2007

The native vascular plants, growing at the nature sabbatical application area, were classified & recorded as a total of 407 taxa, 83 families, 235 genera, 338 species, 3 subspecies, 54 varieties and 12 forms. The endangered wild plants were recorded as 2 taxa (Paeonia obovata and Lilium cernuum) and the Korean endemic plants were observed to exist in the formation of 21 taxa, 13 families, 19 genera, 15 species, 4 varieties and 2 forms including Cephalotaxus koreana, Pseudostellaria coreana, Aconitum pseudo-laeve, Clematis trichotoma, Geranium koreanum for. hirsutum, Thalictrum uchiyamai. The floristic special plants consist of 55 taxa, 35 families, 50 genera, 51 species, 4 varieties(Crypsinus hastatus, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Paeonia obovata, Lilium cernuum and Gastrodia elata etc.). The naturalized plants comprise 10 taxa, 4 families, 10 genera, 9 species and 1 variety. The ratio of Urbanization and Naturalized Index was 3.51% and 2.46%, respectively. Life form spectra were displayed as H-R5-D4-e type.