• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2021

Hornbeams (Carpinus spp.), which are widely distributed in South Korea, are recognized as one of the most abundant species at climax stage in the temperate forests. Although the distribution and vegetation structure of the C. laxiflora community have been reported, little ecological information of C. tschonoskii is available. Little effort was made to examine the distribution shift of these species under the future climate conditions. This study was conducted to predict potential shifts in the distribution of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii in 2050s and 2090s under the two sets of climate change scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The MaxEnt model was used to predict the spatial distribution of two species using the occurrence data derived from the 6th National Forest Inventory data as well as climate and topography data. It was found that the main factors for the distribution of C. laxiflora were elevation, temperature seasonality, and mean annual precipitation. The distribution of C. tschonoskii, was influenced by temperature seasonality, mean annual precipitation, and mean diurnal rang. It was projected that the total habitat area of the C. laxiflora could increase by 1.05% and 1.11% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, respectively. It was also predicted that the distributional area of C. tschonoskii could expand under the future climate conditions. These results highlighted that the climate change would have considerable impact on the spatial distribution of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii. These also suggested that ecological information derived from climate change impact assessment study can be used to develop proper forest management practices in response to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.303-317
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• 2022

Climate change caused by increased greenhouse gas emissions can alter the natural ecosystem, including the pollination ecosystem and agricultural ecology, which are ecological interactions between potted insects and plants. Many studies have reported that populations of wild bees, including bees and wasps (BW), which are the key pollinators, have gradually declined due to climate change, leading to adverse impacts on overall biodiversity, ultimately with agribusinesses and the life cycle of flowering plants. Therefore, we could infer that the rising temperature in Korean Peninsula (South Korea) due to global warming has led to climate change and influenced the wild bee's ecosystem. In this study, we surveyed the distributional pattern of BW (Superfamily: Apoidea, Vespoidea, and Chrysidoidea) at 51 sites from 2017 (37 sites) to 2018 (14 sites) to examine the effects of climatic factors on the nationwide distribution of BW in South Korea. Previous literature has confirmed that their distribution according to forest climate zones is significantly correlated with mean and accumulative temperatures. Based on the result, we predicted the effects of future climate changes on the BW distribution that appeared throughout South Korea and the species that appeared in specific climate zones using Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The distributions of wild BW predicted by the SSP scenarios 2-4.5 and 5-8.5 according to the BIOMOD species distribution model revealed that common and endemic species will shift northward from the current habitat distribution by 2050 and 2100, respectively. Our study implies that climate change and its detrimental effect on the ecosystem is ongoing as the BW distribution in South Korea can change, causing the change in the ecosystem in the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, immediate efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions are warranted. We hope the findings of this study can inspire further research on the effects of climate change on pollination services and serve as the reference for making agricultural policy and BW conservation strategy

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.201-217
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• 2016

We accessed the climate change effects on the distributions of warm-evergreen broad-leaved trees (shorten to warm-evergreens below) in the Korean Peninsula (KP). For this, we first selected nine warm-evergreens with the northern distribution limits at mid-coastal areas of KP and climate variables, coldest month mean temperature and coldest quarter precipitation, known to be important for warm-evergreens growth and survival. Next, species distribution models (SDMs) were constructed with generalized additive model (GAM) algorithm for each warm-evergreen. SDMs projected the potential geographical distributions of warm evergreens under current and future climate conditions in associations with land uses. The nine species were categorized into three groups (mid-coastal, southwest-coastal, and southeast-inland) based on their current spatial patterns. The effects of climate change and land uses on the distributions depend on the current spatial patterns. As considering land uses, the potential current habitats of all warm-evergreens decrease over 60%, showing the highest reduction rate for the Kyungsang-inland group. SDMs forecasted the expansion of potential habitats for all warm-evergreens under climate changes projected for 2050 and 2070. However, the expansion patterns were different among three groups. The spatial patterns of projected coldest quarter precipitation in 2050 and 2070 could account for such differences.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.154-165
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• 2020

Coastal regions are experiencing habitat changes due to coastal development and global warming. To estimate the future distribution of coastal plants on the Korean Peninsula due to climate change, the potential distribution of ten species of coastal plants was analyzed using the MaxEnt program. The study covered the eastern, western, and southern coastal areas of the Korean Peninsula. We used the distributional data of coastal plants of the East Asian region and the 19 climate variables of WorldClim 2.0. The future potential distribution was estimated using future climate variables projected from three general circulation models (CCSM4, MIROC-ESM, and MPI-ESM-LR), four representative concentration pathways (2.5, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5), and two time periods (2050 and 2070). The annual mean temperature influenced the estimation of the potential distribution the most. Under predicted future distribution scenarios, Lathyrus japonicus, Glehnia littoralis, Calystegia soldanella, Vitex rotundifolia, Scutellaria strigillosa, Linaria japonica, and Ixeris repens are expected to show contracted distributions, whereas the distribution of Cnidium japonicum is expected to expand. Two species, Salsola komarovii and Carex kobomugi, are predicted to show similar distributions in the future compared to those in the present. The average potential distribution in the future suggests that the effects of climate change will be greater in the west and the south coastal regions than in the east coastal region. These results will be useful baseline data to establish a conservation strategy for coastal plants.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.529-536
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• 2015

This study was performed to provide important basic data for the preservation and management of Scopura laminata, a species endemic to Korea, by elucidating the spatial characteristics of its present, potential, and future distribution areas. Currently, this species is found in the Odaesan National Park area of South Korea and has been known to be restricted in its habitat due to its poor mobility, as even fully grown insects do not have wings. Utilizing the MaxEnt model, 20 collection points around Odaesan National Park were assessed to analyze and predict spatial distribution characteristics. The precision of the MaxEnt model was excellent, with an AUC value of 0.833. Variables affecting the potential distribution area of S. laminata by more than 10% included the range of annual temperature, seasonality of precipitation, and precipitation of the driest quarter, in order of greatest to least impact. Compared to the current potential distribution area, no significant difference in the overall habitable area was predicted for the 2050s or 2070s. It was, however, demonstrated that the potential habitable area would be reduced in the 2050s by up to 270.3 km from the current area of 403.9 km; further, no potential habitable area was anticipated by the 2070s according to our predictive model. Taken together, it is anticipated that this endemic species could be significantly affected by climate changes, and hence effective countermeasures are strongly warranted for the preservation of habitats and species management.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.35-50
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• 2015

The purposes of this study are to apply species distribution modeling in urban management planning for habitat conservation in non-urban area and to provide a detailed classification method for management zone. To achieve these objectives, Species Distribution Model was used to generate species richness and then to compare with the results from land suitability assessment. 59 species distribution models were developed by Maxent. This study used 15 model variables (5 topographical variables, 4 vegetation variables, and 6 distance variables) for Maxent models. Then species richness was created by sum of predicted species distributions. Land suitability assessment was conducted with criteria from type I of "Guidelines for land suitability assessment". After acquiring evaluation values from species richness and land suitability assessment, the results from these two models were compared according to the five grades of classification. The areas with the identical grade in Species richness and land suitability assessment are categorized and then compared each other. The comparison results are Grade1 10.92%, Grade2 37.10%, Grade3 34.56%, Grade4 20.89% and Grade5 1.73%. Grade1 and Grade5 showed the lowest agreement rate. Namely, development or conservation grade showed high disagreement between two assessment system. Therefore, the areas located between urban, agriculture, forest, and reserve have a tendency to change easily by development plans. Even though management areas are not the core area of reserve, it is important to provide a venue for species habitat and eco-corridor to protect and improve biodiversity in terms of landscape ecology. Consequently, adoption of species richness in three levels of management area classification such as conservation, production, planning should be considered in urban management plan.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.78-86
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• 2013

Qualitative and quantitative algal survey was conducted from March 2010 to December 2010 on a man-made artificial beach in the Hwawon Resort Complex in order to understand seasonal changes of algal flora. The seasonal change of algal vegetation was compared with intact natural habitat near from the experimental sites. Total 15 algal species were found at the artificial beach; 8 Chlorophyta, 3 Phaeophyta and 4 Rhodophyta. And 38 algal species were found at the natural habitat; 7 Chlorophyta, 9 Phaeophyta and 22 Rhodophyta. Dominant algal species at the artificial beach were Ulva compressa, U. intestinalis, U. prolifera, U. pertusa in winter and Urospora penicilliformis, U. intestinalis, U. compress in summer. In natural habitat, dominant algal species were U. pertusa, U. compressa in winter and Sargassum thunbergii, Ishige okamurae in summer. (R+C)/P explaining spatial distribution of seaweeds was 3.7~4.0 (warm-temperature) in the artificial beach and 2.6~3.4 (polar-temperate) in the natural habitat, respectively. The flora of artificial beach could be classified into the filamentous form (64.4%), the sheet form (21.9%), and the coarsely branched form (13.7%). There was significant difference from the two habitats representing dominant species, distributions and ratio of functional-form groups.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.200-210
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• 2023

Background: Cambaroides similis is an endangered candidate species living in the stream of South Korea. Freshwater crayfish is known to decline rapidly not only domestically, but also internationally. Its decline is projected to be further exacerbated due to climate change. Understanding physical characteristics of the habitat is crucial for the conservation of an organism. However, comprehensive data regarding the distribution and physical habitat characteristics of C. similis are currently unavailable in South Korea. Thus, the objective of this study was to ascertain preferred ranges for water depth, current velocity, and streambed substrate of C. similis using Weibull model. Results: In this study, C. similis was found at 59 sites across 12 regions in South Korea. Its optimal water depth preferences ranged from 11.9 cm to 30.1 cm. Its current velocity preferences ranged from 9.8 cm s^-1 to 29.1 cm s^-1. Its substrate preferences ranged from -5.1 𝜱_m to -2.5 𝜱_m. Median values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth of 21.4 cm, current velocity of 21.2 cm s^-1, and substrate of -4.1 𝜱_m. Mean values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth of 21.8 cm, current velocity of 22.0 cm s^-1, and substrate of -4.4 𝜱_m. Mode values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth of 21.7 cm, current velocity of 20.1 cm s^-1, and substrate of -3.7 𝜱_m. Conclusions: Based on habitat suitability analysis, physical microhabitat characteristics of C. similis within a stream were identified as Run section with coarse particle substrate, low water depth, and slow current velocity. Due to high sensitivity of these habitats to environmental changes, prioritized selection and assessment of threats should be carried out as a primary step.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to identify the effects of farming practices on the Misgurnus anguillicaudatus population, including their habitat characteristics, length frequency and the length-weight relationships of M. anguillicaudatus population; this study investigated the differences of the population living in environment-friendly (EFP) and conventional paddy fields (CP). As the result of age distribution by length frequency of M. anguillicaudatus, the EFP showed various age distributions which were not present in the CP. In particular, the age $0^+$ (28-51 mm) of individuals in the CP were significantly lower than those in the EFP. In May, the number of individuals was similar in CP and EFP, which led to the assumption that the M. anguillicaudatus population living in a shallow depth was killed by rotary and tillage works. The regression coefficient (b) in relation to the length-weight of M. anguillicaudatus population was 3.0, which appeared relatively stable as a habitat condition in the CP and EFP, except in June. The condition factor for M. anguillicaudatus population in the CP and the EFP showed a relatively stable monthly population, except in June which was likely to be influenced by the stress to lay their eggs or chemicals such as the use of pesticides. This change of habitat characteristics and length-weight relationship on M. anguillicaudatus population in rice paddy fields was influenced by farming practices as well as the time of year.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2016

Cymbidium kanran Makino is being threatened in its own habitats due illegal collecting and habitat changes by vegetation growth along historical landuse change. In this study, we established habitat restoration model for conservation of C. kanran based on ecological diagnosis. Through exploration to Jeju Island in 2014 and 2015, we identified 27 unknown habitats of C. kanran and in there, abiotic variables and vegetation structure and composition were quantified. Altitudinal distribution of C. kanran was between 200 m~700 m a.s.l. and compared to distribution in 2004, Area of Occupation (AOO) decreased at 82%. Specific habitat affinity was not observed by evenly found in mountain slope and valley and summergreen and evergreen broadleaved forests, but likely more abundant in valley habitats with higher soil and ambient moisture. Total of 96 individual of C. kanran was observed with an average density of $942.6individuals\;ha^{-1}$. The plants showed relatively short leaf length (average=$10.7cm{\pm}1.1cm$) and small number of pseudo bulbs ($1.2{\pm}0.2$). Flowering and fruiting individuals were not observed in field. C. kanran was classified into endangered plant species as CR (Critically Endangered) category by IUCN criteria. Phenotypic plasticity of C. kanran was likely support to sustain in more shaded habitat environment and recent habatat changes to closed canopy and low light availability may exhibit negatively effects to C. kanran's life history. Restoring C. kanran habitat should create open environment as grassland and low woody species density.