• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• 제104권3호
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• pp.360-367
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• 2015

The present study investigated the habitats of Korean fir trees (Abies koreana E. H. Wilson) on Mt. Baekwun (Baekwun-san), determined the current distribution, quantified the contribution of biological and non-biological environmental factors affecting the distribution, derived actual and potential habitats, presented a plan for the establishment of protected areas, applied RCP 8.5 climate change scenario to analyze the effects of climate change on the future distribution of Korean fir trees, and predicted future potential habitats. According to the results of the study, 3,325 Korean fir trees (DBH >= 2.5 cm) inhabited Mt. Baekwun, and their distribution area was approximately 150 ha. Populations of Korean fir trees were confirmed to exist at an altitude of 900 m above sea level and were distributed up to 1,200 m. Based on potential distribution, areas appropriate for habitation by Korean fir trees were analyzed to be 450 ha, three times the current distribution area, with a focus on Sang Peak (Sang-bong), Eokbul Peak (Eokbul-bong), Ddari Peak (Ddari-bong), and Dosol Peak (Dosol-bong). The forest stands near Sang Peak, the main peak, were evaluated as those with the most appropriate potential for the habitation of Korean fir trees, and populations of the trees tended to prefer the northern slope rather than the southern slope. When climate change scenario RCP 8.5 was applied and future potential distribution was analyzed, the habitats were expected to decrease in area to 20 ha by 2050, with a focus on Sang Peak, and areas appropriate for habitation were predicted not to exist by 2080. Judging from such results, as global warming accelerates, the habitats of Korean fir trees are clearly expected to move from lowlands to highlands.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.501-511
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• 2016

Predicting potential spatial distribution of Monochamus alternatus, a major insect vector of the pine wilt disease, is essential to the spread of the pine wilt disease. The purpose of this study was to predict future domestic spatial distribution of M. alternatus by using the CLIMEX model considering the temperature condition of the vector's life history. To predict current distribution of M. alternatus, the administrative divisions data where the pine wilt spots caused by M. alternatus were found from 2006 to 2014 and the 10-year mean climate observed data in 68 meteorological stations from 2006 to 2015 were used. Eight parameter sets were chosen based on growth temperature range of M. alternatus reported in preceding researches. Error matrix method was utilized to select and simulate the parameter sets showing the highest correlation with the actual distribution. Regarding the future distribution of M. alternatus, two periods of 2050s(2046-2055) and 2090s(2091-2100) were predicted using the projected climate data of RCP 8.5 Scenario generated from Korea Meteorological Administration. Overall results of M. alternatus distribution simulation were fit in the actual distribution; however, overestimation in Seoul Metropolitan area and Chungnam Region were shown. Gradual expansion of M. alternatus would be expected to nationwide from western and southern coastal areas of Korea peninsula.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.55-69
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• 2013

The phytosocialogical study on the coastal sand dune vegetation of the East Coast was carried out. 180 phytosociological relev$\acute{e}$s of 62 sites in the East Coast were used in this study. In addition, already published syntaxa and the phytosociological hierarchy in Korea and Japan were used and comparative analyses of syntaxonomy, synecology, syngeography, and syndynamics were performed in the study. In this study, the flora was investigated 30 families, 66 genera, 77 taxa and 3 vegetation types were identified : the coastal drift-line annual communities (Calystegio soldanellae-Salsoletum komarovii), the dune glasslands communities (Elymo-Caricetum kobomugi, Carex kobomugi typical community, Elymus mollis community, Calystegia soldanella community, Zoysia macrostachya community, Cynodon dactylon community, Carex pumila community), and the dune shrubs communities (Linario-Viticetum rotundifoliae, Vitex rotundifolia community, Rosa rugosa community). The aspect of transition in the coastal sand dune vegetation of the East Coast were identified as follows : (1) reduced constancy degree and cover degree of Glehnia littoralis in each community; (2) lack of Ischaemum anthephoroides in Linario-Viticetum rotundifoliae (3) simplified species composition in Vitex rotundifolia community. Unstable habitat condition by external interference seemed to has caused the reduction of 2 taxa, Glehnia littoralis and Ischaemum anthephoroides, that usually grow in the second dune. In addition, we found changes in the distribution of the dune shrub communities influenced by rising temperature of the East Coast as results of the global warming. The results on the distribution of the dune shrub communities in this study demonstrated that the limit of the Rosa rugosa community made $0^{\circ}$ 44'N to the North and the vegetative limit of the Vitex rotundifolia community made $0^{\circ}$ 28'N to the North, respectively compared with the previously phytosociological studies. This study investigated the coastal sand dune vegetation, syntaxonomy, habitat condition and human disturbunce of the East Coast, and this will provide important information as basic data for the coastal ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.188-194
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• 2015

River channel dredging and riparian development have been influenced morphology and quantity of natural river habitat. We compared distribution of riverside land and alluvial island in the Nakdong River with field survey and remote sensing analysis after the 4 Large River Project in South Korea. We digitized geomorphological elements, includes main channel, riverside land, and alluvial island by using georeferenced aerial photos taken in pre-dredging (2008) and post-dredging (2012) periods. Field survey was followed in 2012 for a ground truth of digitized boundaries and identification of newly constructed wetland types such as pond, channel, branch, and riverine type. We found that during the dredging period, riverside land and alluvial island were lost by 20.2% and 72.7%, respectively. Modification rate of riverside land was higher in the section of river kilometer 50~90, 140~180, and 210~270. Alluvial island had higher change rate in the section of river kilometer 50~70, 190~210, and 270~310. Average change rate for the riverside land and alluvial island was $-1.02{\pm}0.14km^2{\cdot}10km^{-1}$ and $-0.05{\pm}0.05km^2{\cdot}10km^{-1}$, respectively. Channel shaped wetlands (72.5%) constituted large portion of newly constructed wetlands.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.401-414
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• 2017

Vegetation and landscape characteristics at the three highest summits of Republic of Korea, i.e. Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, are analyzed on the basis of species composition, physiognomy, vegetation distribution and structure of alpine plants, along with landform, geology, soil and habitat conditions. Dominant high mountain plants at three alpine and subalpine belts contain deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum (31.6%), and evergreen coniferous small tree, Pinus pumila (26.3%) at Seoraksan, deciduous broadleaved tree, Betula ermanii (35.3%), evergreen coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis (23.5%) at Jirisan, and evergreen coniferous tree, Abies koreana (22.6%), deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii (19.4%) at Hallasan, respectively. Presence of diverse landscapes at the peak of Seoraksan, such as shrubland, grassland, dry land along with rocky areas, and open land may be the result of hostile local climate and geology. High proportion of grassland and wetland at the top of Jirisan may related to gneiss-based gentle topography and well developed soil deposits, which are beneficial to keep the moisture content high. Occurrence of grassland, shrubland, dry land, conifer vegetation, and rocky area at the summit of Hallasan may due to higher elevation, unique local climate, as well as volcanic origin geology and soil substrates. Presences of diverse boreal plant species with various physiognomy at alpine and subalpine belts, and wide range of landscapes, including rocky, grassland, shrubland, wetland, and conifer woodland, provide decisive clues to understand the natural history of Korea, and can be employed as an relevant environmental indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.47-56
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• 2011

The research was conducted to find optimal habitats of warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees, and to investigate climate factors to determine their distribution using classification tree (CT) analysis. The warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees model (EG-model) constructed by CT analysis showed that Mean minimum temperature of the coldest month (TMC) is a major climate factor in determining distribution of warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees. The areas above the $-5.95^{\circ}C$ of TMC revealed the optimal habitats of the trees. The coldest month mean temperature (CMT) equitable to $-5.95^{\circ}C$ of TMC is $-1.7^{\circ}C$, which is lower than $-1^{\circ}C$ of CMT of warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees. Suitable habitats were defined for warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees in Korea. These habitats were classified into two areas according to the value of TMC. One area with more than$-5.95^{\circ}C$ of TMC was favorable to trees if the summer precipitation (PRS) is above 826.5mm; the other one with less than $-5.95^{\circ}C$ of TMC was favorable if PRS is above 1219mm. These favorable conditions of habitats were similar to those of warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees in Japan. We figured out from these results that distribution of warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees were expanded to inland areas of southern parts of Korean peninsula, and ares with the higher latitude. Finally, the northern limits of warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved trees might be adjusted accordingly.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.245-253
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• 2001

To investigate the effects of hydromechanical and textural characteristics of sediment deposits on the cultivation of Manila clam, Ruditapes philippinarum surface and sub-surface core sediments were collected seasonally in Gomso tidal flat. Grain size distribution were analyzed to investigate the annual variation of sediment texture. In winter unimodal distribution of grain size with the peak at $5\phi$ is dominant However, during the summer sediment texture become a little bit coarser and grain size distribution shows the peaks at $4\~5 \phi$. Optimum sediment texture for the cultivation of manila clam, R. philippinarum was found to be sandy silt in which mean Brain size was between 4 and $5 \phi$ with the sand content less than $50\%$ and clay content of $5\~10\%$. Mechanical and hydrological characteristics of sediment deposits were also studied in the laboratory and the results were applied to the numerical simulation for the behavior of surface sediment subjected to the cyclic loading from sea-water level change. Results of numerical simulation illustrate that the permeability of sediment had to be maintained in the range of $10^{-11}\sim10^{-12}m^2$ to ensure the proper sedimentological environment for the cultivation of manila clam, R. philippinarum. The deposits of virtually impermeable mud layer, with the threshold thickness of 4 cm, would be very hazardous to clam habitat.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제31권6호
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• pp.549-556
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of spatial distribution of Korean fir (Abies koreana E. H. Wilson) in Mt. Hallasan for the past 10 years. We examined the distribution and crown density between 2006 and 2015 and analyzed the elevation, direction, and regional characteristics. The total area of Korean fir was 626.0ha in 2015, which declined by 112.3ha accounting for 15.2% for the past 10 years compared to 738.3ha in 2006. For the past 10 years, the area of moderately dense Korean fir with the crown density of 41% to 70% decreased by 72.6ha while the area of dense Korean fir with the crown density of 71% or more deceased by 21.3ha. The area with an elevation between 1,510m and 1,600m showed the largest change, accounting for 32.6% of the total declining area. Regarding the distribution by the direction, the area in the southeastern direction decreased by 23.4ha while the area in the southeast and northeast centered on the eastern direction decreased by 62.3ha, which accounted for 55.5% of the total area. Regarding the change of the distribution of Korean fir forest area by the region, the decrease of the area from the Jindallaebat to the top of the mountain was the largest at 84.6ha, or 71.8% of the total decreased area. The Yeongshil Trail area decreased by 25.3ha or 21.5% of the total while the Keundurewat area decreased by 8.0ha or 6.8%. On the contrary, the Bangaeoreum area increased by 5.6ha. The results indicate the large decrease of area of Korean fir forest centered on a particular location of Mt. Hallasan. Considering the changes according to the elevation, direction, and regional characteristics, it can be attributed to increasing frequency of abnormal climates such as typhoons and droughts.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2011

Any significant inflow of fresh water due to flood or snow melting can rapidly reduce salinity at the bay. In such a case, the habitat environment in the sea near river mouth can be partly destroyed. Therefore, research to understand the salinity distribution quantitatively at the bay for the utilization of natural environment and for the inhabitant conservation must be very important. In this study, the investigation on the relationship between satellite image and turbidity is carried out first, and then the salinity distribution at the bay using the relationship between turbidity and salinity is derived. The main results are as follows. First the reappearance ability of RGB bands respectively of the satellite image is investigated, and then it was confirmed that the combination of band2 and band3 expressed best the movement characteristics of turbid water at the bay is chopped up into 4 small areas. Second the turbidity of river mouth is estimated using the travel time from the upward monitoring station to the river mouth. Finally the satellite image is converted into the salinity distribution by the correlation of salinity and turbidity. It is confirmed that the salinity distributions obtained from above three investigation methods are quite reasonable and clear.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• 제25권6호
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• pp.819-827
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• 2011

Climate change is recognised as the best serious environmental problem in recent time, and high alpine or high latitudinal organisms especially endangered by its change. Leontice microrhyncha is recorded one of the endangered species by the Ministry of Environment Korea. We surveyed ten L. microrhyncha populations distributed at Taebaek Mountains, high mountain area in Kangwon province. L. microrhyncha is distributed 940m~1350m high altitude which equivalent of Warmth Index $53^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$ to $75^{\circ}C{\cdot}month$, the range of conspicuous cool temperate forest zone. The plant species distributed at slope of $5^{\circ}{\sim}23^{\circ}$ on northeast slopes. The vegetation structure at tree layer of L. microrhyncha distribution area is dominated by Quercus mongolica, Betula costata, Cornus controversa, Acer mono in tree layer, and by Staphylea bumalda, Deutzia glabrata, Stephanandra incisa in shrub layer. The species diversity of herb layer of each L. microrhyncha population showed from 0.21 to 0.98, and the importance value of L. microrhyncha in each population was the highest at blooming time of L. microrhyncha. These results will provide the basic information for the development of conservation strategies for this endangered species.