• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.335-340
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• 2010

The paper describes the objectives of Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (YSLME) project, focusing on procedural and practical aspects. YSLME is a highly productive sea yet possibly one of the most impacted large marine ecosystems, in terms of anthropogenic stressors, due the enormous coastal population. The aim of the YSLME project is the reduction of ecosystem stress through identification of the environmental problems in the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) that are then addressed in the Strategic Action Programme (SAP). One of the major problems found to be affecting biological diversity is habitat modification through wetland reclamation, conversion and degradation. Since the early 1900's more than 40% of intertidal wetlands have been reclaimed in Korea, and 60% of Chinese coastal wetlands have been converted or reclaimed. Damaging fishing practices, pollution and coastal eutrophication have further degraded the coastal environment reducing the biological diversity. To combat this loss, the YSLME project has mounted a public awareness campaign to raise environmental consciousness targeted at all different levels of society, from politicians at parliamentary workshops, local government officer training events, scientific conferences and involvement of scientists in the project research and reporting, to university and high school students in our visiting internship programmes and environmental camps. We have also built networks through the Yellow Sea Partnership and by liaising and working with other environmental organizations and NGOs. NGO's are recognised as important partners in the environmental conservation as they already have extensive local networks that can be lacking in international organisations. Effective links have been built with many of these NGOs through the small grants programme. Working with WWF's YSESP project and other academic and research institutions we have conducted our own biodiversity assessments that have contributed to the science-based development of the SAP for the YSLME. Our regional targets for biodiversity outlined in the SAP include: Improvements in the densities, distributions and genetic diversity of current populations of all living organisms including endangered and endemic species; Maintenance of habitats according to standards and regulations of 2007; and a reduction in the risk of introduced species. Endorsement of the SAP and its successful implementation, during the proposed second phase of the YSLEM project, will ensure that biological diversity is here to benefit future generations.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.26 no.4 s.73
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• pp.229-237
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• 1987

In order to study the biological control of soil-borne disease of sesame, antagonistic isolates of Trichoderma , Bacillus sand streptomyces to Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani were isolated from the rhizosphere soils of sesame plants and some other habitats. Out of the isolates of microorganisms collected a strain of Trichoderma viride was selected as a biological control agent for the study and its effect on the control of damping-off and the seedling growth of sesame was investigated. The results obtained are as follows: 26 percents of Bacillus spp. isolated from the rhizosphere soil of sesame plants showed antagonism to two pathogenic fungi. Important species were B. Subtilis and B. polymyxa. Streptomyces species isolated from the rhizosphere soils of sesame lysed the cell wall of hyphae and conidia of F. oxysporum and reduced conspicuously the formation of macroconidia and chlamydospores of the fungus. 84 percents of Trichoderma spp. isolated from the rhizosphere soil of sesame plants were antagonistic to F. oxysporum and 60 percents of the isolates were antagonistic to both F. oxysporum and R. solani. Trichoderma viride TV-192 selected from antagonistic isolates of Trichoderma spp. was highly antagonistic to F. oxysporum and soil treatment with the isolate reduced notably damping-off of sesame. T. viride TV-192 showed better growth in crushed rice straw, barley straw and sawdust media than F. oxysporum. Sawdust was selective for the growth of T. viride. Supplementation of wheat bran and mixtures of wheat bran and sawdust inoculated with T. viride TV-192 in the soil reduced remarkably damping-off of sesame by F. oxysporum but high density of the fungus TV-192 caused the inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth of sesame. Inhibitory effects of Trichoderma species on seed germination and seedling growth of sesame were different according to the isolates of the fungus. Normal sesame seedlings on the bed treated with the fungus showed better growth than not treated seedlings.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.355-365
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• 2014

It has been unclear whether the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella can overwinter in Korean field conditions. This study determined overwintering conditions of P. xylostella by conducting field exposure tests based on its cold tolerance and monitoring overwintering populations by direct examination of overwintering larval habitats and capturing adults with sex pheromone traps. In addition, the overwintering populations were analyzed using polymorphic genetic markers to trace their sources. When all immature stages of P. xylostella were exposed to $-5^{\circ}C$, which was the temperature much above their supercooling points, they significantly suffered with direct cold injuries, where larval stage was most tolerant to the cold injury. However, the exposure to $5^{\circ}C$ for a long period (4 weeks) did not give any significant cold injury to nonfeeding stages, while this treatment gave lethality to larval stage without diet. When all developmental stages of P. xylostella were exposed to open field conditions during winter, they exhibited significant decreases of survival rates. However, some protected and indoor conditions reduced the cold injuries and the diet provision significantly increased larval survival rates. Adult monitoring with sex pheromone during winter period indicated that the first captures were observed at similar periods at different locations (${\approx}260$ Km apart). The overwintering adults were captured until early April. Genetic variation of these overwintering populations was analyzed with polymorphic molecular markers, indicating significant genetic divergences among the overwintering populations. This study indicates that P. xylostella can overwinter in southern Korean fields or some protected greenhouses with host plants.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.212-219
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• 2004

To minimize the danger of soil erosion and settle habitats earlier, afforestation, which vegetates bare slopes, is selected as an environmental recovering technology. Large portions of these areas often are suffered by a bad germination and growth inhibition of sprayed seeds. Afforested materials collected in the normal and damaged sites were not any big difference in chemical characteristics and biological response to ryegrass. But background soil of the damaged site has very low pH (3.6) and high contents of iron and aluminum compared with them of the normal sites. Both germination and root growth of ryegrass were inhibited severely in the water extracts of damaged soils, but not in the water extracts of normal sites. Groundwater collected nearby the damaged sites was very strong acidic (pH 33) and exhibited a high value of electrical conductivity and high contents of iron and aluminum. In the ground water, germinated ryegrass was scarcely grown. In Al standard solution, the root growth of ryegrass was inhibited over 50% in 0.5 mM in pH 3.5-4.5 and in 1.4 mM in pH 5.5, which seems to be related to $Al^{3+}$ activity in solution. In the ferric Fe ($Fe^{3+}$) standard solution, ryegrass growth was inhibited over 50% in the concentration of 14-19 mM in root and 23-25 mM in shoot. This strong tolerance of ryegrass to $Fe^{3+}$ might be concerned with the very low activity of $Fe^{3+}$ at pH 3.5-5.5. In contrast, ryegrass responded very sensitively to ferrous Fe ion ($Fe^{2+}$), especially in root growth: $Fe^{2+}$ concentrations corresponding to 50% growth reduction were 0.3-0.4 mM at pH 3.5-5.5 in roots. This high growth inhibition should be related to the high ion activity of $Fe^{2+}$ irrespective of different pH conditions. In conclusion, low pH and high contents of $Fe^{2+}$ and aluminum seem to be caused by pyrite and be closely related to the growth inhibition of ryegrass seeded in afforested area.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.344-360
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• 2017

Zoysiagrasses are important turf plants used for school playgrounds, parks, golf courses, and sports fields. The two most popular zoysiagrass species are Zoysia japonica and Zoysia sinica. These are widely distributed across different growing zones and are morphologically distinguishable from each other; however, it is phenotypically difficult to differentiate those that grow along the coastal line from those in beach area habitats. A combination of morphological and molecular approaches is desirable to efficiently identify these two plant cultivars. In this study, we used a rapid identification system based on DNA barcoding of the nrDNA-internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. The nrDNA-ITS regions of ITS1, 5.8S nrDNA, and ITS2 from Z. japonica, Z. sinica, Agrostis stolonifera, and Poa pratensis were DNA barcoded to classify these grasses according to their molecular identities. The nrDNA-ITS sequences of these species were found at 686 bp, 687 bp, 683 bp, and 681 bp, respectively. The size of ITS1 ranged from 248 to 249 bp, while ITS2 ranged from 270 to 274 bp. The 5.8S coding region ranged from 163 - 164bp. Between Z. japonica and Z. sinica, nineteen (2.8%) nucleotide sites were variable, and the G+C content of the ITS region ranged from 55.4 to 63.3%. Substitutions and insert/deletion (indel) sites in the nrDNA-ITS sequence of Z. japonica and Z. sinica were converted to cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers, and applied to the Zoysia grasses sampled to verify the presence of these markers. Among the 62 control and collected grass samples, we classified three groups: 36 Z. japonica, 22 Z. sinica, and 4 Z. japonica/Z. sinica hybrids. Morphological classification revealed only two groups; Z. japonica and Z. sinica. Our results suggest that used of the nrDNA-ITS barcode region and CAPS markers can be used to distinguish between Z. japonica and Z. sinica at the species level.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2018

A recent topic of interest within ecology is ecosystem services that are importantly connected with biodiversity. Biodiversity is a fundamental component of ecological studies and has been the subject of many studies worldwide. However, studies on the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish were not undertaken in earnest until 2000, and the number of internationally available studies is therefore still limited. In this study, we used data from "The Survey and Evaluation of Aquatic Ecosystem Health (hereafter SEAEH)" within the framework of which whole water systems on the Korean peninsula are annually monitored to investigate and determine the current status of the diversity and distribution of freshwater fish, as well as to elucidate major factors impacting freshwater fish. A total of 130 species from 28 families were identified at around 953 sites in the SEAEH investigation of 2014. The species Zacco platypus (relative abundance: 28.2%) and Z. koreanus (19.3%) were identified as the most abundant species on the Korean peninsula, and besides these 20 endangered species, 51 endemic species and 4 exotic species were also collected. Highest (96 species) and lowest (72 species) diversity were identified in the Han River Watershed and the Yeongsan/Seomjin River Watershed, respectively. The mean endemic rate was 32.7%, which is higher than the previous rate determined in 1995. The exotic species Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus and Carassius cuvieri were found in the whole river system except north Yeongdong, whereas Oreochromis niloticus occurred only at three sites due to the cold water temperatures in winter. Totally, 28 species were found to be translocated to different water systems not connected with known original habitats, most translocations occurring in the Nakdong River and the Yeongdong region. Among the translocated species, Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis, and Erythroculter erythropterus were dominantly distributed in the mid- to lower reaches of Nakdong River where they may be harmful to the native fish assemblages due to their strong predation. The construction of weirs in connection with the "4 River Project" generated changes in fish assemblages before, during and after the project, resulting in altered habitat condition. Especially, a decrease in the number of endemic species and an increase in the abundance of lentic species were seen. Human-induced global warming will allow exotic species requiring high water temperatures to adapt to the environmental conditions of the Korean peninsula, which may enhance the diversity of native fishes and create changes in distribution. For the establishment of realistic and efficient management and protection strategies for Korean freshwater fish, SEAEH, which produces fundamental and quantitative data for Korean streams, is an important and necessary tool.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.726-734
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• 2019

To understand the relationship between water velocity in a fishway and fish morphology, the fineness ratio of fish, expressed as the standard length to the body depth, was measured. The fineness ratios of fish groups belonging to Cyprinidae, Acheilognathinae, Centropomidae, and Centrachidae were relatively low. The FRs of other groups, excluding eel-shaped types of fish, were over 4.5, indicating streamlined structures. The fineness ratios of Korean fish were classified into three different types: type I was Bitterling-Carp group that favored a slow-flowing pool habitat(FRs ranged from 2.1 to 3.3), type II was the Chub group representing streamlined types (FRs FRs ranged from 3.7 to 5.2), and type III was the Smelt-Barbel fish group that preferred riffle-run habitats with high velocity (FRs is over 5.2). Fish abundance analysis of fish using the fishway during the experimental periods showed a relatively high abundance of both type II and III compared to type I. The FRs of the fish passing through fishway(velocity 0.5-1.0 m s^-1) ranged from 4.5 to 5.0, indicating that the fish using the fishway were mainly the streamlined type. As one of the standard fishways in Korea, the flow rate of the ice harbor type ranged from 0.2 to 2.6 m s^-1. The FR values of the fish groups using the fishway ranged from 4.3 to 5.0. In contrast, the flow rate measured in an artificial channel type of fishway (same as a natural type of fishway) ranged from 0.1 to 1.9 m s^-1 and the FR values for the fish groups using a natural type of fishway ranged from 3.3 to 5.3. The low FR values in natural fish are considered to be due to differences in the flow rates between the two types of fishways.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.38-45
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• 2005

The egg bags of Korean salamander(Hynobius leechii) were collected from farmlands in Gyeongsangnam-do area. The assumed breeding time, numerical variation of embryos in each egg bag, mortality and the rates of abnormalities were investigated. The toxicity of benomyl, the metabolite carbendazim and BIC which were frequently spread in agricultural area and caused spontaneous embryonic malformation was investigated. The assumed breeding time between the end of February and the end of March has the difference about a month because of a habitat and it takes about 2 or 3 weeks from laying eggs to hatching. The length of each egg bag and the number of embryos were very varied in each area. It is due to geographical variation. Among egg bags in total study area, only 406 of egg bags(17.70% of total egg bags) developed all of embryos to normal larvae, and 78.49% of total embryos were normally developed. The patterns of spontaneous embryonic malformation were 26 species from A to Z and the abnormal patterns in individual were 8 species and above. the geographical differences about the abnormal pattern were identified and 11 habitats categorized 4 groups. The most frequent abnormality in Gyeongsangnam-do area is the dysplasia of external gill. The caudal dysplasia, abdominal blister and dysplasia of fin were also frequently observed. Individuals showing severe external defect were histologically studied and they showed retinal hypo-pigmentation, thyroid carcinoma, somatic muscular dysplasia, degeneration of cephalic neuron and various organ dysplasia. Benomyl and carbendazim were treated by 10pM$^{\sim}$10uM and BIC was treated by 1$^{\sim}$40ppm to know the effect of toxicity about toxic substance of salamander. After benomyl was treated, a survival rate was sharply dropped from 2 to 8 days. $LC_{100}$ identified in $1{\mu}M$, $LC_{50}$ identified between 100nM and $1{\mu}M$. $EC_{50}$ was assumed between 10nM and 100nM. The prevalent external malformation was abdomen swelled abnormally and histo-pathological effects were abdomen, neural tube and lens hernia. This suggests that benomyl is the toxicitic substance which inhibits the development of digestive system and nervous system. The result of treated carbendazim was similar to that of the treated benomyl. The survival rate is sharply dropped between 2 and 6 days. $LC_{100}$ was identified $1{\mu}M$ and $LC_{50}$ was identified between 10nM and 100nM. This shows that cabendazim has stronger lethal toxicity than benomyl. Ventral blister, eye dysplasia and cephalic dysplasia in the individual of external malformation mean that cabendazim affected nervous system much more than benomyl. Because the toxicity of BIC affected less in the beginning but affected more in the near hatching period, the period causing toxicity is somewhat different. $LC_{100}$ identified near 40ppm and $LC_{50}$ identified near 25ppm. The external defect shows mainly ventral blister and histo-pathological results show intestinal deformities. This result suggests the BIC inhibited strongly the development of digestive system. These abnormal developments may be caused by antimitotic action, inhibition of tubulin complex, destruction of microtubule, inhibitions of neurulation and closing of neural fold, and by the inhibition of movement of neural crest cells of benomyl. These abnormal developments may be caused by the rupture of epithelium, the loss of microtubule, the reduction of spindle size, the inhibition of spindle assembly formation, the destruction of spindle poles of carbendazim. These abnormal developments may be caused cytotoxicity by inhibition of the synthesis of a number of macromolecules and similar reaction the inhibition of benomyl.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.200-207
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• 2019

The movement distance and home range size of Pelophylax chosenicus were identified in the rice paddy and ecological park as alternative habitats from July to November 2017. A total of 39 frogs were tracked by radio tracking method. As a result, the average move distance in the population of rice paddy was 11.7 ± 1.9 m (n = 64) and the population of ecological park was 24.7 ± 4.3 m (n = 39). The move distance between the two populations was significantly different. The mean MCP of the population of rice paddy was 181.2 ± 110.8 m² (n = 11) and the population of ecological park was 416.1 ± 276.2 m² (n = 10), but there was no significant difference. The population area of rice paddy was 4,160 m² (Kernel density 95%) and the core area was 1,080 m² (Kernel density 50%). The population area (Kernel density 95%) of ecological park was 5,391 m² and the core area (Kernel density 50%) was 736 m². This study shows that it is appropriate to construct the area of alternative habitat for P. chosenicus at least 1.33 ha, and it is more advantageous for the ecological park to be constructed than the paddy field with high development pressure and human interference. If the rice paddies were to be abandoned for several years, or to be used traditional farming methods, such as refraining from using agricultural machinery and chemicals, they could be used as alternative habitat for P. chosenicus.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.13-25
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• 2016

This study aims to analyze the change process in order to set the improvement strategies for the zoo in the Seoul Children's Grand Park. The zoo can be reviewed through three significant time periods with noticeable changes. As a framework to analyze the major changes that happened in the zoo, this study looks at the changes in terms of the planning aspect as well as the animal welfare and program operation aspect. The findings are as follows: first, the era of general theme park turned out to have focused on exhibiting animals to meet visitor demands by expanding the zoo area of the zoo without enlarging stockyards for the animals. Second, the environmental park era created a zoo having entertaining and educational functions by arranging animal houses with the concept of zoological taxonomy and introducing animal behavioral enrichment, animal welfare programs and visitor participatory programs. The era of the zoo as an Urban Cultural Park improved old animal houses and facilities for the welfare of the animals and increased educational programs to preserve species and provide environmental education. The current status of the zoo turns out not to meet the conditions for creating an ecological zoo, which is the overall goal for contemporary zoos. The improvement strategies based on the analysis through three different eras are three-fold. First, the zoo needs to improve the boundary conditions of the animals to showcase animal wildness through landscape immersion. Second, the zoo should provide a shared environment for animals from the same habitats by changing the classification methods from the existing polyphyletic taxon to a classification that considers ecological habitat. Third, the zoo needs to develop various ecological education programs by supplementing specialists in professional education.