• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.137-143
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• 2009

Pre-dispersal seed predation by a granivorous bird, the masked grosbeak (Eophona personata, Fringillidae), was investigated in two bird-dispersed trees, Celtis sinensis and Aphananthe aspera (Ulmaceae). The objectives of this study were to 1) measure direct damage of predation by grosbeaks on plant crops, 2) reveal the temporal pattern of predation within each tree species and its causal factors, and 3) test whether foraging grosbeaks hinder foraging of frugivorous birds, thereby indirectly impacting the reproduction of both tree species. A substantial amount of fruit and seed crop was consumed by grosbeaks (24.3% in Celtis; 55.5% in Aphananthe), and only 17.7% (Celtis) and 16.7% (Aphananthe) were removed by frugivorous birds. At the study site, the grosbeak population size fluctuated greatly during the fruiting seasons of both plant species. As for Celtis, predated seed density also fluctuated temporally, and the local population size of grosbeaks was responsible for predated seed density. In Aphananthe, predation was not fully explained by grosbeak populations or plant phenology, but its peak coincided with that of grosbeak population. These results suggest that predispersal seed predation by granivorous birds can have large negative impacts on the bird-dispersed plants. Changes in local population size of granivorous birds can influence predatation and can affect reproductive success of the bird-dispersed plants available to the birds.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2015

In this study, the dependence of local conspecific abundance on seed set and predation was examined, and determinates of population density of the temperate tree species Carpinus laxiflora (Betulaceae) in Inagi city, Tokyo, Japan were identified. During a good seed year (2013), seeds were sampled from 27 individuals and categorized as Sound, Empty, Predated, Immature, Decayed, or Broken. Empty seeds were identified as those that failed to fertilize and predation rates were defined as the proportion of seeds that were affected by predators. The proportion of the seed set that was fertilized was significantly positively correlated with local abundance of conspecific trees, while the proportion of seeds that escaped predation was significantly negatively correlated with local abundance of conspecific trees. Thereby, the production of Sound seeds was highest at sites with moderate local conspecific abundance. Although this phenomenon was only observed in a few cases, it clearly showed optimal reproductive success under conditions of moderate density of conspecific reproductive adults, suggesting a mechanism that controls the population density of this species.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 1997

All landscapes are mosaics of habitat patches of different types. Therefore, there are always edged between habitat patches in a landscape. Forest animal has an important role in vegetation development and maintenance by seed dispersal around forest. Movement of animals depends on the spatially heterogeneous structure and pattern of vegetation landscapes because each animal has special habitats in a landscape. Especially, forast edge with high permeability and prey density is one of the important habitats to the animals. Therefore, understanding the ecological characteristics of the forest edges as a corridor connecting mosaic vegetation patches is necessa교 새 establish the strategies for the nature conservation and sustainable vegetation management. Under this idea, we examined the animal influenced on pine seeds as one of the method of monitoring the animal activity in mosaic vegetation. Man-made mosaic vegetations including open, edge and inner forests were carefully selected in the rural landscape. We carried out predation test on pine seeds during one year. A result was that damages on seed was more significant at forest edge than inner and open forest. Pine seed on seedbeds was mainly attacked by squirrels and mice than birds. Pine seed was damaged by squirrels in different types of vegetation by seasons. Rate of seed predation at forest edge was, in special, higher than that of other sites. According to this results, it is suggested that the relationship between animal behavior and spatial vegetation structure relating to human impact such as the distance from settlement to vegetation appeares to be in the rural vegetation landscape.

• ALGAE
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2007

Seagrass bed is an important component in coastal and estuarine ecosystems, providing food and habitats to a wide variety of marine organisms. Recently, seagrass coverage has declined significantly due to anthropogenic impacts such as cultural eutrophication and reclamation, and thus efforts are under way to prevent further losses and restore disturbed seagrass habitats worldwide. Seagrass transplantation techniques for habitat restoration include vegetative and seed-based methods. Seagrass seeds can be collected easily, and sowing seeds is an economically effective method for large-scale restoration. However, large numbers of seed can be lost by seed predation and physical disturbance in the planting areas. In the present study, Zostera marina seeds were coated with loess to reduce seed loss by predation and sweeping away by the water currents, and germination rates of coated seeds and seedling growth were examined to assess the feasibility of the seed-coating method for large-scale restoration. Germination rate of the coated seeds with loess was significantly higher than that of the uncoated seeds. Additionally, seedling growths were not significantly different between the coated and the uncoated seeds. These results suggest that coating of eelgrass seeds with loess enhances success of seed germintion with no harmful effects on seedling growth. Therefore, the seed coating method using loess may be an effective and applicable seedbased transplanting technique for large-scale restoration.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.355-361
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• 1999

Distribution of size class, population regeneration and changes in the population structure of Quercus mongolica were studied from 1994 to 1999 in Mt. Jumbong (128°27' E, 38° 04' N) of Mt. Sorak National Park and Biosphere Reserve in central Korea. Three 20m × 20m permanent quadrats were set up at the elevation of 900m. The vegetation of the study site was dominated by Quercus mongolica and Acer pseudosieboldianum, but little change was observed in the community structure from 1995 to 1999. Most mortality in the study site was observed in small trees of A. pseudosieboldianum and Tilia amurensis. Mean annual growth in dbh (diameter of breast height) of Q. mongolica for 4 years was only 0.09cm, and no ingrowth of saplings (dbh < 2.5cm) into tree class was observed during the study period. Among the 21 Q. mongolica trees studied in the permanent quadrats. all the smaller trees (dbh < 30cm) were established in 1920 ∼ 1950, while many bigger trees (with 40cm < dbh < 80cm) were established in 1750 ∼ 1800, indicating that its establishment was episodic. Distribution of dbh classes among Q. mongolica trees shows that smaller trees were poorly represented, and no saplings of Q. mongolica occurred in the permanent quadrats studied, indicating that currently Q. mongolica is not regenerating well in the study site. Total seed production of Q. mongolica in 1994 was estimated as 88 acorns per square meter in the study site. Rate of predation including caching of acorns was highest in 1994, then declined sharply thereafter. Most of the acorns which managed to survive in the first year were predated in the second year, and only 5% of the acorns produced in 1994 survived into the third year. No seeds produced in 1994 or seedlings germinated from them succeeded to survive to 5 years after seed production. However, seedling emergence rate and seedling survival were high in the early growing season in 1995. These results suggest that predation can be a significant factor in the regeneration of Q. mongolica. and that Q. mongolica is not regenerating well in Mt. Jumbong and needs large scale disturbances for its new recruitment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.5
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• pp.621-627
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• 2006

This study was conducted to understand the pattern and characteristics of seed rain in the broadleaved-Korean pine mixed forest. We established 287 $0.5m^2$ circular seed traps and collected and identified fallen seeds in the traps every two weeks in $150m{\times}150m$ sample plot of the permanent nine hectare of experimental plot in 2005. The overall average density of seed rain was $864.2/m^2$. The seeds of Betula costata Betula costata had the highest number of fallen seeds as $676.0/m^2$ (78.2%), followed by Abies nephrolepis as $57.5/m^2$, B. platyphylla as $37.9/m^2$, Tilia amurensis as $32.2/m^2$, Acer ukurunduense as $17.0/m^2$, A. tegmentosum $14.8/m^2$, and so on. Pinus koraiensis was recorded only $2.5/m^2$ of fallen seeds mainly owing of Korean pine had low rate of purity due to the animal and microbiological predation. Most of seed dispersal have started from the middle to late August and come to an end on the middle of November. The peak time of seed dispersal varied depending on the species. The rate of pure seed by dispersal time varied according to the species, thereupon the aspect of predation and the rate of blasted seed which had influence on the rate of purity also varied according to the species. The density of Korean pine seed rain in the forest gap was significantly different at $P{\leq}0.05$ from in the closed canopy. But the other species had no difference among canopy coverage.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1997.10b
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• pp.161.2-161
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• 1997

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.226-232
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• 2017

Dhup (Canarium resiniferum) is an economically and aesthetically important rare native tree species of Bangladesh. In natural condition 78.5-98.7% seeds do not germinate due to inhibition by hard seed coat, seed predation and unfavorable environmental conditions. A study was conducted in the Seed Research Laboratory and nursery of Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Chittagong University, Bangladesh in 2013 to find out appropriate pre-sowing treatments for maximizing germination and initial seedling growth. Eleven pre-sowing treatments were provided in both the seeds sown in polybags and seeds sown in propagator house. Results revealed that, germination started at first (after 20 days of seed sown) in seeds immersed in water at room temperature for 24 hours and germination completed within 38 days. Significantly higher (p<0.05) germination percentage (33%), germination energy (16.7%), plant percent (33%) and germination value (0.4) was found with seeds immersed in water at room temperature for 24 hours. Seedling height measured at three, four and five months after the seed germination in case of seeds treated by immersion in water for 24 hours was also greater than others. Therefore, pre-sowing treatment by immersion in water at room temperature for 24 hours was more effective in germination and production of quality vigor seedlings of Dhup.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Tropical forests whether fragmented or undisturbed or be they equatorial or deciduous, remain the storehouse of biodiversity for hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species. This unique characteristic continues to attract a wide range of scientists and international organizations to study and attempt to understand tropical forest ecosystems. Gene flow is mediated by pollen, seed and seedling dispersal, and factors affecting this gene flow include phenology, spatial distribution, population structures, seed predation, sexual and mating systems as well as physical and biological barriers to gene flow. Two methods are used in measuring gene flow: direct method that relies on the actual observation of seed and pollen dispersal, whereas indirect methods involve the use of genetic markers such as allozymes and DNA techniques. Political strife, extreme natural and artificial disasters, the lack of a comprehensive forestry research vision, coupled with difficult socio-economic conditions in Africa have made the environment quite difficult for sustained research activities on the part of those undertaking or wishing to undertake such studies. Gene flow studies in this region are few and far between. This review elaborates on the mechanisms of gene flow mediation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2011

Boring caracteristics, boring rate, and predation, rates on the valves of the seed and adult clams of Meretrix petechialis by Glossaulax didyma didyma in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor rearing aquarium were investigated by various morphometric data. The investigations were carried out from June to September, 2007. The morphology of drilled holes on the valves of M. petechialis showed the crater type as seen in the spats of Ruditapes philippinarum and M. lusoria. The sizes of the outer diameters of holes were greater than the inner diameters of the holes on the valves of M. petechialis in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor aquarium at the laboratory. On the whole, the sizes of the holes on the valves of the seeds of M. petechialis was smaller than those bored holes on the adult valves. The location of the bored holes on the valves of the seeds varied widely with the the sizes of the individuals of M. petichialis, while most of holes on the valves of adult clams were located near the umbo position of the valves of the clams in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor aquarium at the laboratory. On the whole, the outer and inner diameters of the bored holes increased with increase of shell lengths of the clams in the shellfish aquafarm and the indoor rearing aquarium at the laboratory. The authors could confirm experimentally the boring snail, G. didyma didyma, drilled the seeds and adult clams of M. petechialis. In the experiments for 15 days (three times repeated) in the indoor rearing aquarium at the laboratory, the mortality of dead shells to total shells of M. petechialis by boring snail Glossaulax didyma didyma was totally average 41.5%, and percent of drilled shells to total dead shells of clams by the boring snail was average 47.1%. Of total shells, percent of drilled shells to total shells of clams by the boring snail was totally average 19.3%. Predation of G. didyma didyma were greater at night than the day time. Average 0.5 seed and adult individuals of M. petewchialis were consumed per G. didyma didyma, per day. Predation varied with shell lengths of M. petechialis and shell widths of G. didyma didyma.