• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.9
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• pp.1563-1572
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• 2014

The autecology of the Zostera marina and Z. japonica was studied in populations growing in the same locality (Sagumi Bay, southwestern coast of Korea). Environmental factors and plant characteristics were examined monthly from August 2008 to September 2011. Along intertidal zone, Z. japonica (0.1-0.5 m above mean lower low water, MLLW) occurred above Z. marina (0.5-2.5 m MLLW). Tidal exposure at low tide during day was the highest in the spring and the lowest in the summer. Underwater Irradiance showed seasonal fluctuation that was the highest in spring and summer caused by tidal pattern. Strong seasonal patterns in water temperature appeared to control the seasonal variations in morphology, biomass and leaf growth. The seasonal pattern of Z. japonica resembled that of the Z. marina in morphological characteristics, above-and below-ground biomass, whereas it differed in shoot density and leaf elongation. Despite some similarities in seasonal growth patterns, the patterns of Z. japonica were lagged by 2 month of Z. marina. Seasonal variation in the above biomass of Z. marina was caused by changes in density and plant size, whereas that of Z. japonica was mainly caused by changes in shoot density. Zostera marina was more sensitive to high temperatures than Z. japonica, and the increasing water temperature during the summer became the factor that inhibits the growth of the Z. marina. Zostera Japonica, there is no clear change according to the amount of the light. It is because its habitat locates above that of Zostera marina so that the amount of the light that is necessary to growth is enough and in this condition, any preventing factor does not seem to work at all. Although underwater light getting into Zostera marina's habitat is very low level and there is no any hindrance to the survival of them, it prevents them from their productivity a bit.

• ALGAE
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2005

Uptake kinetics of Cd and Zn by leaves and rhizome of the seagrass Zostera marina were examined in controlled laboratory radiotracer experiments. Subsequently, acute toxicity of Cd, Cu and TBT on photosynthetic quantum yield (ΔF/Fm’ of Z. marina were determined, and the differential sensitivities of rapid light curve (RLC) to those harmful substances were also compared. All measurements on photosynthetic activity were determined by chlorophyll a fluorescence method using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM). Metal uptake by Z. marina was saturated with increasing exposure time in leaves and rhizomes. Uptake of Zn by Z. marina was faster than that of Cd. Metal uptake rates in Z. marina decreased with the increase of dissolved metal concentrations and also with the increase of biomass. The adverse effect of TBT on effective quantum yield was stronger than other pollutants. Average acute toxicity on the RLC of the seagrass exposed to TBT and two heavy metals (Cd and Cu) was going to decrease as follows: TBT > Cd > Cu. Our preliminary results in this study suggested that Z. marina potentially can be used as a biomonitor of harmful substances contamination in coastal waters.

• ALGAE
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.379-388
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• 2005

Seagrass bed is an important component in coastal and estuarine ecosystems, providing food and shelter to a wide variety of fauna. Recently, seagrass coverage has declined significantly due to anthropogenic influences such as reclamation, dredging, and eutrophication and consequently, necessity of seagrass habitat restoration is rising. Transplantation experiments with Zostera marina using TERFS, staple method, and shell method have been conducted at Dadae Bay, Kosung Bay and Jindong Bay on the south coast of Korea to select an optimal transplanting method for restoration of Z. marina habitat. Three experimental sites located at the vicinity of natural Z. marina beds with an average water depth of about 4m. Z. marina plants, which were collected from donor bed in Koje Bay were also transplanted at 7 different time from October 2003 to July 2004 to find appropriate transplanting time. Density of Z. marina was monitored monthly at both transplanted areas and natural beds. Transplantation using the staple method showed the highest survival rate of transplant. Shell method was also an effective transplanting method at muddy areas in Kosung Bay and Jindong Bay, but not suitable at sandy areas in Dadae Bay. These results suggest that sediment composition of transplanting areas should be considered for the selection of the optimal transplanting method. Z. marina transplanted during fall usually showed the highest survival rate, while most Z. marina plants transplanted in summer died due to high lethal temperature during this period.

• ALGAE
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2010

Marked declines in seagrass meadows are increasingly being reported from coasts around Korea and many regions of the world. The transplantation of seagrasses has been attempted to mitigate and control their degradation from a range of anthropogenic factors. In this study, Zostera marina shoots, which were collected from a donor bed in Koje Bay, were transplanted in Jindong Bay in December 2004. In 2008, a comparative investigation of shoot morphology, growth, and reproduction strategy of Z. marina was carried out between the donor and transplant sites to assess their adaptation success. Shoot height, individual shoot weight, and leaf productivity at the transplant site were significantly greater than those at the donor site. However, below-/aboveground tissue ratio was significantly lower at the transplant site compared to the donor site. Z. marina survival was maintained through vegetative reproduction, while peak season for lateral shoot recruitment was late winter for both donor and transplant site populations. However, vegetative reproduction mainly occurred during late winter and spring at the transplant site, whereas lateral shoots were evident across all seasons except late spring in the donor site. More pronounced seasonal variations were found at the transplant site compared to the donor site. These results indicate that Z. marina populations at the two sites possess distinct phenotypic variations induced by different environmental conditions, and Z. marina transplants have adapted well to the new transplant environment.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.339-348
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• 2012

To survey the seagrass distribution in Jeju and Chuja Islands, we directly observed seagrass beds using SCUBA in July, 2011. Distributional area, species composition, morphology, density, and biomass of seagrasses and environmental characteristics were examined in investigation sites. In particular, three protected seagrass species (Zostera marina, Z. caulescens and Z. caespitosa) were found in the investigation areas. While the three species were found in Chuja Island, only Z. marina was distributed in Jeju Island. Z. marina was distributed only north-eastern coast of Jeju Island, and the total coverage was $238,572m^2$. Total seagrass coverage of Chuja Island was $23,584m^2$. In detail, Z. caulescens Z. caespitosa and Z. marina were 21,216, 1,870 and $498m^2$, respectively. Of these, Z. marina was found from the intertidal to subtidal zones of 5m MSL (mean sea level) depth. Z. caespitosa and Z. caulescens were found in subtidal zones of 3~4 m and 4~6m MSL depth, respectively.

• ALGAE
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2008

The epiphytic diatom flora living on leaf tissues of Zostera marina, Z. japonica and Z. caespitosa at three study sites (Dadae, Gabae, and Jangmok) located in Geoje Island has been examined from July 2001 to March 2002 bimonthly. Total 81 species in 26 genera of diatoms have been observed on leaf tissues of the 3 Zostera species throughout the present study. Cocconeis spp. were predominant on Z. japonica, whereas Navicula spp. and Nitzschia spp. were predominant on Z. marina and Z. caespitosa. The community structure of the diatom assemblages varied according to the seagrass species. Species compositions of epiphytic diatoms appear to be closely related to morphology and lifespan of seagrasses.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.280-285
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• 2012

We investigated germination rate of Zostera marina and Phyllospadix japonicus, which are the most two abundant seagrass species of Korea, in related to light, salinity and temperature. Light had no significant effect on Z. marina germination, but it promoted P. japonicus germination. The highest germination of Z. marina appeared in 0 psu, and that of P. japonicus appeared in 15 psu. The optimum water temperatures for germination of Z. marina and P. japonicus were $5^{\circ}C$ and $15^{\circ}C$, respectively. These differences of optimum germination requirements of Z. marina and P. japonicus were probably caused by the difference of the habitat environment of the two seagrass species. Since few data exist concerning germination of Korean seagrasses, this study provides valuable information for the conservation of seagrass habitats in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.501-507
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• 2000

Distribution and habitat characteristics of Zostera (Zosteraceae) in the eastern coast of Korea were examined along with plant monohology, sediment composition and physicochemical factors of seawater from June 1998 to July 2000, The results showed that three species, Zostera marina, Z. asiatica and Z, caespitosa were found in specific habitats. The depth of habitat for Z. asiatica was deeper ($8.5{\~}15.0 m$) than that of Z. marina ($1.3{\~}5.6 m$) and Z. caespitosa ($3.2{\~}5.2 m$). Z. marina beds were observed at brackish-water, port and inner bay with the sediment type of sand or muddy sand. Habitats of Z. asiatica were restricted to the open bay with the sediment type of sand, Zostera have been described with regard to different growth forms of vegetation, flowering shoot and life history. Vegetation and flowering shoot length varied significantly with habitats; values ranged $66.8{\~}110.0 cm$ and $128.0{\~}217,8 cm$, respectively. Morphology of Z. marina varied with water depth and different substrates. Morphological characteristics of Z. asiatica showed a new phenotype at the deeper water depth. Vegetation and flowering shoots of Z. caespitosa were not significantly different between study sites (values ranged from 64.9 cm to 70.3 cm). Nutrient concentrations of seawater were higher at southern part than at middle part of the eastern coast of Korea. Distribution of Zostera in the eastern coast of Korea was dependent upon differences in water depth and habitat environments, by which affected the morphological differences were affected.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2005

This study described the phonology and reproductive potential of four species of Korean seagrasses, Zostera caespitosa, Z. caulescem, Z. Japonica and Z. marina. Z. caespitosa and Z. caulescens sampled from a mixed stand at the subtidal area of Yulpo Bay, Geojedo of the South Sea of Korea in November 2002 and August 2003. Z japonica and Z. marina occurred at the depth between the middle intertidal and shallow subtidal (<1m below mean sea level) of Seungbongdo (in Yellow Sea) samples collected in February and October 2003. The sexual reproductive phase of the four Zostera species was apparently different in timing of flowering, reproductive period, fruiting and seed maturing. Z. caespitosa flowered from February to early May $(10-16^{\circ}C)$, and its seed production completed in early May. The reproductive shoots of Z. caulescens began to appear in January $(9^{\circ}C)$, and its flowering followed from February to June $(10-19^{\circ}C)$. The flowers of Z. japonica were observed from July to September $(18-22^{\circ}C)$, and its seeds matured from August to September. The most commonly I marina flowered from April to August $(7-21^{\circ}C)$ and developed into seeds in July. Z. caulescens, the largest plant, had the highest number of seeds per shoot and longest spadix length. Z. marina, which was intermediate In size, recorded the highest reproductive potential. The study indicates that the reproductive phase and potential of the four species of seagrass from Korea are highly related to water temperature, and the populations of these species show a perennial lifespan with a low sexual reproductive input.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.107-116
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• 2018

In this study, the distribution of sedimentary environment and benthic macro-fauna in habitats and non-habitats of Zostera marina were investigated. The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data about the sedimentary environment and benthic macro-fauna in the habitats and non-habitats of Z. marina. Sand was dominant within habitat environments, whereas the non-habitats were predominantly composed of silt. As a result, the habitats of Z. marina have a different grain size and organic matter content compared to the non-habitats. These differences in the sedimentary environment were expected to influence the species composition of benthic animals. Benthic communities in the habitats of Z. marina showed a higher density and a greater number of species than in the non-habitats. As a result of an ecological index evaluation, the species diversity index (H') was $3.44{\pm}0.10$ for the habitat; the non-habitat was analyzed as $2.34{\pm}0.35$. It was also found that the stability of community in the habitats was higher than that in the non-habitats. The cluster analysis also clearly showed that habitats and non-habitats of Z. marina have distinct characteristics.