• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.545-555
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• 2023

This study aimed to predict the distribution density and potential habitat of domestic cats (Felis catus) in order to identify core distribution areas. It also aimed to overlay protected areas to identify priority areas for cat management. Kernel density estimation was used to determine the distribution density, and areas with high density were classified in Greater Seoul, Chungnam, Daejeon, and Daegu. Elevation, distance from the used area and roughness were identified as important variables in predicting potential habitat using the MaxEnt model. In addition, the classification of suitable and unsuitable areas based on thresholds showed that the predicted presence of habitat was more extensive in Seoul, Sejong, Daejeon, Chungnam, and Daegu. Core distribution areas were selected by overlapping high-density areas with suitable areas. Priority management areas were identified by overlaying core distribution areas with designated wildlife sanctuaries. As a result, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam have the largest areas. In addition, buffer zones will be implemented to effectively manage the core distribution area and minimize the potential for additional introductions in areas of high management priority, such as protected areas. These results can be used as a basis for investigating the status of the cat's habitat and developing more effective management strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.64-72
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to compare a habitat suitability grid unit included within a radius of 100m and $1km^2,\;2km^2,\;4km^2$ watershed units in order to predict suitable habitats for Chungcheong province's endangered leopard species(Prionailurus bengalensis). Other developed countries have carried out habitat assessment and established management policies for species conservation using such methods as HEP(Habitat Evaluation Procedures), HSI(Habitat Suitability Index) and GAP(Gap Analysis Program), etc. In accordance with these studies, many evaluation methods for habitat conservation have been proposed in Korea, but these studies are lacking in consideration of analytic units and general application of analysis results. This study predicted leopard habitat using a logistic regression analysis according to analytic units by data from 56 location and 8 sources of environmental data, including elevation, slope, forest area, land cover, roads, water, broadleaf trees, and human habitation. Moreover, the habitat suitability assessment unit was confirmed by a model comparison process encompassing model explanation. verification, and application on a regional scale. Results showed that assessment methods that took into consideration areas in and around the location points were beneficial in predicting habitat and that the assessment unit was appropriate for a 30m grid unit including areas within a radius of 100m and a $1km^2$ watershed unit in Chungcheong Province. This study suggests a method for regional habitat conservation to complement existing conservation area selection methods, and the results are expected to be used in conservation area selection and ecosystem management policies for endangered species.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.314-321
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• 2011

The potential effects of increased water temperature on fish assemblages and their habitats were studied in the streams of the Han River watershed when the water temperature was supposed to increase by $1^{\circ}C$, $2^{\circ}C$, and $3^{\circ}C$ in each sampling site. The percent changes in suitable habitats for each species and in species number within a site were determined, based on the estimated maximum thermal tolerances of 51 fish species whose habitats were classified into four reaches: upstream, up-/midstream, midstream, and mid-/downstream. The maximum thermal tolerance ranged between $25.0^{\circ}C$ and $31.0^{\circ}C$ and significantly increased as the habitat reaches move from upstream to mid-/downstream. With the increases in water temperature, the average suitable habitats for all 51 species were decreased by 31% ($+1^{\circ}C$), 46% ($+2^{\circ}C$), and 60% ($+3^{\circ}C$). The increased water temperature, however, did not induce significant differences in the changes in suitable habitats among four reaches within each level of temperature increase. The relative frequencies of the sampling sites classified into six levels according to the percent change in the number of species in each site were significantly different among three levels of water temperature increase, with relatively greater changes in the sites where 0~20% and 61~100% of species were affected.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.51-64
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• 2015

Climate change will make significant impact on species distribution in forest. Pinus koraiensis which is commonly called as Korean Pine is normally distributed in frigid zones. Climate change which causes severe heat could affect distribution of Korean pine. Therefore, this study predicted the distribution of Korean Pine and the suitable habitat area with consideration on uncertainty by applying climate change scenarios on an ensemble model. First of all, a site index was considered when selecting present and absent points and a stratified method was used to select the points. Secondly, environmental and climate variables were chosen by literature review and then confirmed with experts. Those variables were used as input data of BIOMOD2. Thirdly, the present distribution model was made. The result was validated with ROC. Lastly, RCP scenarios were applied on the models to create the future distribution model. As a results, each individual model shows quite big differences in the results but generally most models and ensemble models estimated that the suitable habitat area would be decreased in midterm future(40s) as well as long term future(90s).

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.130-142
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• 2021

Background: Climate change is occurring rapidly around the world, and is predicted to have a large impact on biodiversity. Various studies have shown that climate change can alter the geographical distribution of wild bees. As climate change affects the species distribution and causes range shift, the degree of range shift and the quality of the habitats are becoming more important for securing the species diversity. In addition, those pollinator insects are contributing not only to shaping the natural ecosystem but also to increased crop production. The distributional and habitat quality changes of wild bees are of utmost importance in the climate change era. This study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on distributional and habitat quality changes of five wild bees in northwestern regions of Iran under two representative concentration pathway scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). We used species distribution models to predict the potential range shift of these species in the year 2070. Result: The effects of climate change on different species are different, and the increase in temperature mainly expands the distribution ranges of wild bees, except for one species that is estimated to have a reduced potential range. Therefore, the increase in temperature would force wild bees to shift to higher latitudes. There was also significant uncertainty in the use of different models and the number of environmental layers employed in the modeling of habitat suitability. Conclusion: The increase in temperature caused the expansion of species distribution and wider areas would be available to the studied species in the future. However, not all of this possible range may include high-quality habitats, and wild bees may limit their niche to suitable habitats. On the other hand, the movement of species to higher latitudes will cause a mismatch between farms and suitable areas for wild bees, and as a result, farmers will face a shortage of pollination from wild bees. We suggest that farmers in these areas be aware of the effects of climate change on agricultural production and consider the use of managed bees in the future.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.140-150
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• 2023

The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is an apex predator of the riparian ecosystem. It is a keystone and an indicator species; consequently, its presence suggests a sustainable water environment. Otter is a keystone species as a predator at the top of the food web in the aquatic environment and an indicator species representing the health of the aquatic environment. Although Eurasian otters disappeared from the Han River urban water system because of anthropogenic activities like habitat destruction, poaching, and environmental pollution in the 1980s, the species were sighted in the Cheonggye Stream, Jungrang Stream, and Seongnae Stream, which are urban sections of the Han River, in 2016 and 2021. Therefore, it is pertinent to assess the habitat potential in the area for conservation and management measures to ensure its permanent presence. However, existing studies on otter habitats focused on natural rivers and reservoirs, and there is a limit to applying them to habitats artificially confined habitats in narrow spaces such as tributaries in urban areas of the Han River. This study selected the Cheonggye Stream, an artificially restored urban stream, to evaluate its potential as a habitat for Eurasian otters in urban water environments using the habitat suitability index (HSI). The HSI was calculated with selected environment attributes, such as the cover, food, and threat, that best describe the L. lutra habitat. According to the results, the confluence area of Seongbuk Stream and Cheonggye Stream and the confluence area of Cheonggye Stream and Jungnang Stream were suitable otter habitats, requiring appropriate conservation efforts. The HSI model suggests a valuable method to assess the habitat quality of Eurasian otters in urban water environments. The study is crucial as it can help rehabilitate the species' populations by identifying and managing potential Eurasian otter habitats in highly urbanized areas of the Han River basin and its tributaries.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.383-399
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• 2018

In the present study, the community distribution, functional feeding groups, and habitat groups of the benthic macroinvertebrates from Gayasan National Park were investigated at eight different sites from 2015 to 2016. The correlation between habitat altitude and each group type was analyzed statistically. Biodiversity indices, including dominance, diversity, richness, and evenness indices, were calculated. The results showed a total of 4,216 individual benthic macroinvertebrates were collected, including 4 phyla, 6 classes, 16 orders, 40 families, and 100 species. Gammarus sobaegensis was dominant with 0.141% dominance, and the subdominant species was Epeorus nipponicus with 0.088% dominance. The EPT group(Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Tricoptera) accounted for 71.00% of the total species and 67.69% of the total individuals. The number of scraper species was highest, and the number of gathering collector individuals was highest among functional feeding groups. The individual number of scrapers(r=-0.358, p < 0.05) and gathering collectors(r=-0.343, p < 0.05) decreased with increasing altitude. The numbers of species and individuals of clingers and sprawlers were highest among the habitat groups. The individual number of clingers(r=-0.547, p < 0.01) and burrowers(r=-0.331, p < 0.05) significantly decreased with increasing altitude. The diversity and richness indices were higher in St. 3 than in the other sites. The dominance index was highest in St. 2, and the evenness index was highest in St. 7. We evaluated the biological water quality with several known methods, and concluded that ESB(Ecological score of benthic macrovertebrates community) and GPI(Group polution index) were more suitable than KSI(Korean saprobic index) and BMI (Benthic macrovertebrate index) to assess the biological water quality of Gayasan mountain stream water.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.37 no.11
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• pp.915-927
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• 2004

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the instream flow of the South Han River Basin to ensure an adequate supply of suitable quality of water for preservation and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems. Proposed methods is Physical Habitant Simulation System of Instream Flow Incremental Methodology. Accurate estimation on a water depth and a velocity distribution was acquired by applying a two dimensional hydrodynamic model for a simulation of a hydraulic parameter necessary for the habitat evaluation to be used in a physical habitat simulation system. The Habitat Suitability Criteria with the application of univariate curve on zacco platypus as a representative fish was able to be established by conducting a field investigation. The establishment of a hydrological materialistic balance between upper and lower streams was confirmed by conducting a simulation simultaneously together with a mainstream section, which was excluded from the considered sections for the inhabitation evaluation of fish.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.214-222
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth conditions and vegetation of Peucedanum japonicum habitat in uninhabited islands of Incheon Korea. The emergence area of Peucedanum japonicum was 4.9 m distance in coastline, and altitude and slope was 7.4m and 47.5%. Soil pH, organic matter and $P_2O_5$ of habitat were 7.1, 8.3% and 29.0 mg/kg, and contents of K, Ca, Mg and Na were 0.66, 4.9, 3.4 and $1.13cmol^+/kg$, respectively. Growth plants with Peucedanum japonicum were total 55 taxa, and Gakeuldo in uninhabited islands was the most as 25 taxa. In growth plants with Peucedanum japonicum, plants of over 25% frequence per plot were Miscanthus sinensis, Dendranthema boreale, Lilium lancifolium, Hemerocallis middendorffii, Elymus dahuricus, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii, Asparagus schoberioides, Gypsophila oldhamiana, Cocculus trilobus, Silene aprica var. oldhamiana, Artemisia capillaris, Crepidiastrum denticulatum and Sedum oryzifolium. The vegetation of Peucedanum japonicum habitat was classified into Aster spathulifolius community, Miscanthus sinensis community, Dendranthema boreale community, Setaria viridis var. pachystachys community, Cirsium japonicum var. maackii community and Hemerocallis middendorffii community. According to general condition of habitat, suitable growing areas was determined to slightly acidic from mild alkaline soils.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.227-239
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• 2018

Background: Predicting the potential habitat of plants in arid regions, especially for medicinal ones, is very important. Although Pergularia tomentosa is a key species for medicinal purposes, it appears in very low density in the arid rangelands of Iran, needing an urgent ecological attention. In this study, we modeled and predicted the potential habitat of P. tomentosa using maximum entropy, and the effects of environmental factors (geology, geomorphology, altitude, and soil properties) on some characteristics of the species were determined. Results: The results showed that P. tomentosa was absent in igneous formation while it appeared in conglomerate formation. In addition, among geomorphological units, the best quantitative characteristics of P. tomentosa was belonged to the conglomerate formation-small hill area (plant aerial parts = 57.63 and root length = 30.68 cm) with the highest electrical conductivity, silt, and $CaCO_3$ content. Conversely, the species was not found in the mountainous area with igneous formation. Moreover, plant density, length of roots, and aerial parts of the species were negatively correlated with soil sand, while positive correlation was observed with $CaCO_3$, EC, potassium, and silt content. The maximum entropy was found to be a reliable method (ROC = 0.91) for predicting suitable habitats for P. tomentosa. Conclusion: These results suggest that in evaluating the plant's habitat suitability in arid regions, contrary to the importance of the topography, some environmental variables such as geomorphology and geology can play the main role in rangeland plants' habitat suitability.