• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.269-281
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• 2022

The prediction of changes regarding the distribution of vegetation and plant species according to climate changes is important for ecosystem management. In this study, we attempted to develop an assessment method to evaluate the possibility of the potential distribution of warm-temperate woody plant species of East Asia in Korea. To begin with, a list of warm-temperate woody plants distributed in China and Japan, but not in Korea, was prepared, and a database consisting their global distribution and bioclimatic variables was constructed. In addition, the warm-temperate vegetation zone in Korea was delineated using the coldness index and relevant bioclimatic data were collected. After the exclusion of multicollinearity among bioclimatic variables using correlation analysis, mean temperature of the coldest quarter, mean temperature diurnal range, and annual precipitation were selected as the major variables that influence the distribution of warm-temperate plants. A multivariate environment similarity surfaces (MESS) analysis was conducted to calculate the similarity scores between the distribution of these three bioclimatic variables in the global distribution sites of the East Asian warm-temperate woody plants and the Korean warm-temperate vegetation zone. Finally, using stepwise variable-selection regression, the mean temperature of the coldest quarter and annual precipitation were selected as the main bioclimatic variables that affect the MESS similarity index. The mean temperature of the coldest quarter accounted for 88% of the total variance. For a total of 319 East Asian warm-temperate woody plant species, the possibility of their potential distribution in Korea was evaluated by applying the constructed multivariate regression model that calculates the MESS similarity index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

This study constructed a high-resolution bioclimatic classification map of South Korea which classifies land into homogeneous zones by similar environment properties using advanced statistical techniques compared to existing ecological area classification studies. The climate data provided by WorldClim(1960-1990) were used to generate 27 bioclimatic variables affecting biological habitats, and key environmental variables were derived from Correlation Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. Clustering Analysis was performed using the ISODATA method to construct a 30'(~1km) resolution bioclimatic classification map. South Korea was divided into 21 regions and the results of classification were verified by correlation analysis with the Gross Primary Production(GPP), Actual Vegetation map made by the Ministry of Environment. Each zones' were described and named by its environmental characteristics and major vegetation distribution. This study could provide useful spatial frameworks to support ecosystem research, monitoring and policy decisions.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.94-98
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• 2016

Calamus andamanicus Kurz is one of the commercially important solitary rattans endemic to Andaman and Nicobar islands. The habitat suitability modeling program, MaxEnt, was used to predict the potential ecological niches of this species, based on bioclimatic variables. The study revealed high potential distribution of C. andamanicus across both Andaman and Nicobar islands. Of the 33 spatially unique points, 21 points were recorded from South and North Andamans and 12 from Great Nicobar Islands. The islands like Little Andaman, North Sentinel, Little Nicobar, Tllangchong, Teressa were also predicted positive even though this rattan is not recorded from these islands. Mean diurnal range, higher precipitation in the wettest month of the year, annual precipitation and precipitation in the driest month are the main predictors of this species distribution.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.163-171
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• 2021

Objective: Considering the importance of dairy farming and the negative effects of heat stress, more tolerant genotypes need to be identified. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of heat stress via temperature-humidity index (THI) and diurnal temperature variation (DTV) in the genetic evaluations for daily milk yield of Holstein dairy cattle, using random regression models. Methods: The data comprised 94,549 test-day records of 11,294 first parity Holstein cows from Brazil, collected from 1997 to 2013, and bioclimatic data (THI and DTV) from 18 weather stations. Least square linear regression models were used to determine the THI and DTV thresholds for milk yield losses caused by heat stress. In addition to the standard model (SM, without bioclimatic variables), THI and DTV were combined in various ways and tested for different days, totaling 41 models. Results: The THI and DTV thresholds for milk yield losses was THI = 74 (-0.106 kg/d/THI) and DTV = 13 (-0.045 kg/d/DTV). The model that included THI and DTV as fixed effects, considering the two-day average, presented better fit (-2logL, Akaike information criterion, and Bayesian information criterion). The estimated breeding values (EBVs) and the reliabilities of the EBVs improved when using this model. Conclusion: Sires are re-ranking when heat stress indicators are included in the model. Genetic evaluation using the mean of two days of THI and DTV as fixed effect, improved EBVs and EBVs reliability.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.365-374
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• 2023

Eight years (2014-2021) of climate data were collected from an automatic weather observation system installed at the foot of Mt. Geumo in Chilgok, Gyeongbuk. Using these data, we investigated local bio-climatological indices (warmth index, WI; coldness index, CI; and effective accumulated temperature, EAT) of the mountain region adjacent to the Keimyung Dongyeong forest. The study area's WI and CI were 109.3℃ and -11.3℃ per month, respectively, averaged across 8 years. These values are indicative of an evergreen broad-leaved forest in the warm temperate climate zone, suitable for cultivating sweet persimmons and figs. Additionally, EAT in Dongyeong was 2,113.7℃, averaged across 8 years, suitable for growing crops such as corn, soybean, and potato.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2023

The Tibetan Plateau is home to the only alpine crane species, the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Conservation efforts are severely hampered by a lack of knowledge on the spatial distribution and breeding habitats of this species. The ecological niche modeling framework used to predict the spatial distribution of this species, based on the maximum entropy and occurrence record data, allowed us to generate a species-specific spatial distribution map in Ladakh, Trans-Himalaya, India. The model was created by assimilating species occurrence data from 486 geographical sites with 24 topographic and bioclimatic variables. Fourteen variables helped forecast the distribution of black-necked cranes by 96.2%. The area under the curve score for the model training data was high (0.98), indicating the accuracy and predictive performance of the model. Of the total study area, the areas with high and moderate habitat suitability for black-necked cranes were anticipated to be 8,156 km² and 6,759 km², respectively. The area with high habitat suitability within the protected areas was 5,335 km². The spatial distribution predicted using our model showed that the majority of speculated conservation areas bordered the existing protected areas of the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. Hence, we believe, that by increasing the current study area, we can account for these gaps in conservation areas, more effectively.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2020

Predictions of suitable habitat areas can provide important information pertaining to the risk assessment and management of alien plants at early stage of their establishment. Here, we predict the invasion potential of Muhlenbergia capillaris (pink muhly) in South Korea using five bioclimatic variables. We adopt four models (generalized linear model, generalized additive model, random forest (RF), and artificial neural network) for projection based on 630 presence and 600 pseudo-absence data points. The RF model yielded the highest performance. The presence probability of M. capillaris was highest within an annual temperature range of 12 to 24℃ and with precipitation from 800 to 1,300 mm. The occurrence of M. capillaris was positively associated with the precipitation of the driest quarter. The projection map showed that suitable areas for M. capillaris are mainly concentrated in the southern coastal regions of South Korea, where temperatures and precipitation are higher than in other regions, especially in the winter season. We can conclude that M. capillaris is not considered to be invasive based on a habitat suitability map. However, there is a possibility that rising temperatures and increasing precipitation levels in winter can accelerate the expansion of this plant on the Korean Peninsula.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.42-55
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• 2017

Since the phases and patterns of the climate adaptability of vegetation can greatly differ from region to region, an intensive pixel scale approach is required. In this study, Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression on satellite image-based vegetation index is conducted for to assess the effect of climate factors on vegetation productivity and to predict future productivity of forests vegetation in South Korea. The results indicate that the mean temperature of wettest quarter (Bio8), mean temperature of driest quarter (Bio9), and precipitation of driest month (Bio14) showed higher influence on vegetation productivity. The predicted 2050 EVI in future climate change scenario have declined on average, especially in high elevation zone. The results of this study can be used in productivity monitoring of climate-sensitive vegetation and estimation of changes in forest carbon storage under climate change.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.103-118
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• 2018

Ecosystems in subalpine regions are recognized as areas vulnerable to climatic changes because rainfall and the possibility of flora migration are very low due to the characteristics of topography in the regions. In this context, habitat niche was formulated for representative species of arbors in subalpine regions in order to understand the effects of climatic changes on alpine arbor ecosystems. The current potential habitats were modeled as future change areas according to the climatic change scenarios. Based on the growth conditions and environmental characteristics of the habitats, the study was conducted to identify direct and indirect causes affecting the habitat reduction of Abies nephrolepis. Diverse model algorithms for explanation of the relationship between the emergence of biological species and habitat environments were reviewed to construct the environmental data suitable for the six models(GLM, GAM, RF, MaxEnt, ANN, and SVM). Weights determined through TSS were applied to the six models for ensemble in an attempt to minimize the uncertainty of the models. Based on the current climate determined by averaging the climates over the past 30years(1981~2010) and the HadGEM-RA model was applied to fabricate bioclimatic variables for scenarios RCP 4.5 and 8.5 on the near and far future. The results of models of the alpine region tree species studied were put together and evaluated and the results indicated that a total of eight national parks such as Mt. Seorak, Odaesan, and Hallasan would be mainly affected by climatic changes. Changes in the Baekdudaegan reserves were analyzed and in the results, A. nephrolepis was predicted to be affected the most in the RCP8.5. The results of analysis as such are expected to be finally utilizable in the survey of biological species in the Korean peninsula, restoration and conservation strategies considering climatic changes as the analysis identified the degrees of impacts of climatic changes on subalpine region trees in Korean peninsula with very high conservation values.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.189-200
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• 2016

The species distribution model would be a useful tool for understanding how invasive alien species spread over the country and what environmental variables contribute to their distributions. This study is focused on the potential distribution of two invasive alien species, the common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and knotgrass (Paspalum distichum) in the Korean Peninsula. The maximum entropy (Maxent) model was used for the prediction of their distribution by inferring their climatic environmental requirements from localities where they are currently known to occur. We obtained their presence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and the Korean plant species databases and bioclimatic data from the WorldClim dataset. As a results of the modelling, the potential distribution predicted by global occurrence data was more accurate than that by native occurrence data. The variables determining the common ragweed distribution were precipitation of the driest month and annual mean temperature. Both annual and the coldest quarter mean temperatures were critical factors in determining the knotgrass distribution. The Maxent model could be a useful tool for the prediction of alien species invasion and the management of their expansion.