• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.195-206
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• 2021

In 2020, South Korea initiated research and development of a longitudinal connectivity evaluation between upstream and downstream based on stream ecosystem health. This study analyzed the migration of upstream and downstream migratory fish species, fish distribution characteristics, trophic guilds, tolerance guilds, and species composition changes from 2015 to 2020 at Songrim weir in Yeongok stream, where the cross-structure of an ice harbor-type fishway for fish movement was recently improved. A total of 5,136 fish, including 36 species, were collected and three major migratory fishes were identified, namely, Tribolodon hakonensis, Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis, and Oncorhynchus keta. According to the comparative analysis before (Pre-I) and after (Post-I) improvement of the fishway, the relative abundance of primary freshwater fish increased in the upstream section, while the number of migratory fishes decreased. The fish species that used the fishway in the Songrim weir were Tribolodon hakonensis (58.4%) and Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis(11.8%). According to the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test migratory fish showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the upstream and downstream, showing a biological improvement effect of the crossstructure. On the other hand, the annual change of migratory fish based on the MannKendall trend test did not significantly increase or decrease (p>0.05). Therefore, in the fish passage improvement project, it is necessary not only for physical, hydrological, and structural tests, but also for pre- and post-biological tests on the use and improvement effect of fishway.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.390-401
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• 2022

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and inhabiting status of endangered species in the Bukcheon (Stream) of Seoraksan National Park, Korea from April to September 2020. A total of 4,356 fish of 7 families and 22 species were collected from 17 survey stations during the survey period. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (relative abundance, 41.8%), and subdominant species was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis (relative abundance, 15.1%), followed by Pungtungia herzi (10.1%), Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa (5.0%), Coreoleuciscus splendidus (4.1%), Zacco platypus (3.8%), Microphysogobio longidorsalis (3.5%), and Hemibarbus mylodon (2.2%). Among the fish species collected, 14 species (63.6%) were identified as Korean endemic species. There was one natural monument species (Hemibarbus mylodon), and four species of class II endangered wildlife that were designated by the Ministry of Environment (Acheilognathus signifer, Pseudopungtungi tenuicorpa, Gobiobotia brevibarba, and Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis). Among the four species of class II endangered wildlife, B. lenok tsinlingensis inhabited in the upper stream, and A. signifer, P. tenuicorpa and G. brevibarba inhabited mainly in the middle-lower stream. Also, P. tenuicorpa, H. mylodon, and B. lenok tsinlingensis were inhabited in large numbers. Additionally, two cold-water fish species (R. kumgangensis and B. lenok tsinlingensis) and one landlocked species (B. lenok tsinlingensis) were collected. According to the results of cluster analysis, the dominance index decreased from upstream to downstream, but the diversity, evenness, and richness index increased; the cluster structure was divided into the uppermost, upstream, midstream, and downstream. The water quality of Bukcheon was evaluated as good overall since the river health (index of biological integrity) evaluated using fish was evaluated as very good (11 stations), good (2 stations), and normal (4 stations). However, river repair work was being carried out in some areas and some wastewater was flowing in from the midstream, therefore, supplementary measures to preserve fish habitats are required.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2003

Wangpicheon, which is located in Uljin-Gun, Korea, is threatened with various developments plan recently. To investigate the forest structure, actual vegetation and degree of green naturality(DGN) in Wangpicheon, survey was carried out within about 1km width from the stream. In the analysis of actual vegetation, the forest type around Wangpicheon is differentiated into 26 vegetation ones. In these, six Pinus densiflora - dominated vegetation types are appeared a great many of them. In DGN analysis, 70.8% of total area is covered by DGN 8 and 0.3% of total area is covered by DGN 9. According to the analysis of classification by TWINSPAN, the community was divided by three types of Pinus densiflora community and two types of Quercus spp. community i.e. Quercus mongolica and Q. vuliabitis community. The structure of communities were analyzed using importance percentage, and species and individuals, DBH distribution and similarity analysis were executed.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.175-189
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• 2020

Municipal solid waste disposal is considered as one of the most important risks for environmental contamination which necessitates the development of strategies to reduce destructive consequences on the ecosystem as related especially to heavy metal accumulation. This study investigates heavy metal (i.e., As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) accumulation in the Tonekabon region, NW of Iran that is related to city waste disposal and evaluates the environmental impact in the Caspian Sea coastal region. For this purpose, after performing field studies and collecting 50 soil specimens from 5 sites of the study area, geochemical tests (i.e., inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence) were conducted on the soil specimens collected from the 5 sites (named as Sites A1, A2, A3, A4 and A5) and the results were used to estimate the pollution indices (i.e., geo-accumulation index, normalized enrichment factor, contamination factor, and pollution load index). The obtained indices were utilized to assess the eco-toxicological risk level in the landfill site which indicated that the city has been severely contaminated by Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. These levels have been developed along the stream towards the nearshore areas indicating uptake of soil degradation. The heavy metal contamination was classified to range from unpolluted to highly polluted, which indicated serious heavy metal pollution in the study area as related to municipal solid waste disposal in Tonekabon.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.114-119
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• 2017

This study tried to analyze error range and resolution of drone images using a rotary wing by comparing them with field measurement results and to analyze stands patterns in actual vegetation map preparation by comparing drone images with aerial images provided by National Geographic Information Institute of Korea. A total of 11 ground control points (GCPs) were selected in the area, and coordinates of the points were identified. In the analysis of aerial images taken by a drone, error per pixel was analyzed to be 0.284 cm. Also, digital elevation model (DEM), digital surface model (DSM), and orthomosaic image were abstracted. When drone images were comparatively analyzed with coordinates of ground control points (GCPs), root mean square error (RMSE) was analyzed as 2.36, 1.37, and 5.15 m in the direction of X, Y, and Z. Because of this error, there were some differences in locations between images edited after field measurement and images edited without field measurement. Also, drone images taken in the stream and the forest and 51 and 25 cm resolution aerial images provided by the National Geographic Information Institute of Korea were compared to identify stands patterns. To have a standard to classify polygons according to each aerial image, image analysis software (eCognition) was used. As a result, it was analyzed that drone images made more precise polygons than 51 and 25 cm resolution images provided by the National Geographic Information Institute of Korea. Therefore, if we utilize drones appropriately according to characteristics of subject, we can have advantages in vegetation change survey and general monitoring survey as it can acquire detailed information and can take images continuously.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.5
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• pp.503-509
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• 2007

The major objective of this study was to analyze the difference of the chemical characteristics of acid deposition in Quercus forests in Korea and Japan. The pH values of rainfall at the experimental forest of Kangwon National University (KS site) were higher than those at the Foresta Hills in Japan (JP site), and all chemical contents of throughfall and stemflow were much higher than those of rainfall in Quercus forest stands at the KS and JP site. The pH values, $Ca^{2+}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $SO{_4}^{2-}$ concentration of throughfall and stemflow at the KS site showed seasonal variation. While at the JP site, the same pattern was shown in the pH values of throughfall and stemflow, however, did not show any difference among seasons. Also, the annual input of all nutrients in these two contrasting forests varied seasonally. These results can be used to predict the amounts of air pollutant that are washed off and leached by the rainfall and Yellow Sand (Asian dust), including NOx and SOx acid pollutants transported easterly from China in the spring. Therefore, it is necessary to quantify the inputs of dry and wet deposition throughout a full year to gain a more complete understanding of the effects of acid deposition on the nutrient cycles in these forest ecosystems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.43-56
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• 2014

In this study, ecological investigation was performed on Yong-neup, Daeam-san for 5 times. This area is considered DMZ zone located between Yanggu-gun and Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, where has been recognized highly valuable for ecological preservation. As a result, Sphagnum and hydrophobic vegetation were found in Little Yong-neup, revealing its characteristics of high moor, where as no Sphagnum were found in Baby Yong-neup. Thereby, the carnification has been investigated in both Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup. A main cause of damage was associated with the creation of stating rink and increases of visitors. The damages of vegetation in Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup have been intensified by road construction or uses of groundwater while relocating military troops to upper stream of Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup, further causing the damages of water circulation system and soil erosion. These artificial factors have caused the carnification of wetland protection areas including Little Yong-neup. The terrestrial vegetations, such as Plantago asiatica, Geranium Koreanum and Artemisia feddei have increased compared to current survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment. 5 endangered species, such as Lychnis wilfordii and Trientalis europaea and 5 other introduced species, such as Aster pilosus and Taraxacum officinale were found. 10 different species of mammal and 2 species of amphibian were investigated; and in addition to this, a original form of Sphagnum fens, the remaining wetland was found. Therefore, this study is to identify the causes of damages in Little Yong-neup and Baby Yong-neup through their ecological survey and accordingly proposing a direction for ecological restoration through the improvement of water circulation system, creation of habitats for plant and animal, restoration of vegetation through eco-friendly materials and indigeneity, relocation of the current military troops, securing of structural stability.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.431-443
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• 2012

Wind holes or air holes, from which cool air blows out during the summer, but mild air comes out during the winter, have provided the phytogeographically important refugia for cryophilous or cold-loving boreal flora during the Holocene period. At present, wind holes are serving as a faraway disjunctive habitat for Pleistocene relict glacial floristic elements, and present an invaluable information to reconstruct the natural history. Present work aims to collate the nationwide distribution and relevant DB on the potential wind holes of Korea based upon media and literature sources, along with geographical informations, such as place name, topographic map, environmental geographical information, flora, monitoring data of Korea National Arboretum, and field survey data. Geographical information on sixty nine wind hole sites have compiled and analyzed on the basis of flora and presence of fossilized periglacial landforms, such as talus, block field, and block stream, and sixteen sites have thereafter carefully selected and scrutinized through field surveys. To maintain a sustainability of wind hole ecosystem, including their original landform, micro-meteorological phenomena and plant community therein as a refugia or habitat for relict plant species of Pleistocene glacial period, appropriate restrictions and preservation measures are required.

• 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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1308-1318
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• 2014

The specific freshwater environment of reservoirs formed by streams has not been well studied. In this paper, the bacterioplankton community in such a reservoir, the Huangqian Reservoir in eastern China, was described using culture-independent molecular methods. We found that the most dominant bacterioplankton were affiliated with Cyanobacteria, followed by Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gammaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Both bacterial abundance and diversity increased along the direction of water flow, and the 16S rRNA gene copy number in the water outlet was nearly an order of magnitude higher than that in the water inlet. Pearson correlation analyses indicated that nitrate had a significantly negative correlation with the bacterial abundance (p < 0.05) and that ammonium was positively correlated with bacterial abundance (p < 0.05). Interestingly, owing to a remarkably negative correlation (p < 0.01), the ratio of nitrate and ammonium might serve as a good pre dictor of the relative abundance of bacterioplankton. According to redundancy analysis, nitrate and dissolved oxygen were the major factors influencing the bacterial communities. In addition, we attempted to determine the reasons why such a reservoir could maintain good ecological balance for a period of decades, and we found that the environmental factors and bacterial communities both played critical roles. This research will benefit our understanding of bacterial communities and their surrounding environments in freshwater ecosystems.