• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.102-110
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• 2009

This study examined the halophyte community and soil analysis according to habitat in representative 18 salt marshes of southern and western coasts of Korea from July 2006 to April 2008 and suggested basic materials for vegetational restoration of these aras. First, the survey area was classified into coastal and estuarine marshes. Then, the coastal marshes were classified into clay marsh, sand gravel marsh, and sand marsh, and the esturarine marshes, into salt swamp and estuary marsh. Major plant communities according to habitat pattern were Phragmites communis, Carex scabrifolia, and Suaeda japonica community in the clay marsh; Phragmites communis, Zoysia sinica, Carex scabrifolia, Salicornia herbacea, Artemisia fukudo, Suaeda martima community in the sand gravel marsh; Elymus mollis, Carex kobomugi, and Vitex rotundifolia community in the sand mars; Phragmites communis, Zoysia sinica, Suaeda martima, and Carex scabrifolia community in the salt swamp, and Suaeda japonica, Phragmites communis, Carex scabrifolia, and Suaeda asparagoides community in the estuary marsh. The soil environment of halophyte community area showed a difference to soil and halophyte community according to habitat characteristics of halophyte. Thus, to restore salt mashes in the coast area, it is advantageous for the stable settlement, germination, and growth of halophyte to grasp physical and physicochemical characteristics of habitat soil in the salt marshes, to select halophyte suitable to these habitat conditions, and to expand gradually in the natural vegetation area after transplantation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.490-502
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• 2021

This study was conducted to analyze the current status of fish fauna and characteristics of the fish community according to the habitat of Woraksan National Park, Korea. The spatially balanced sampling selected 20 stations from major streams of Woraksan National Park, and three surveys were conducted in each season. The physical environments of the habitat were mostly mountain streams (Aa), with large stones and gravels scattered over the stream. The average altitude of the habitat was 304.4 m, and the average depth of water was 40.3 cm, being less than 1 m in most cases, and the river water level was distributed from 3rd to 5th streams. The principal component analysis of the physical environmental factors by habitat showed that the substrate properties differed according to the altitude. The survey identified a total of 2,183 individuals in 16 species belonging to 7 families. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus(86.2%), and the subdominant species was Rhynchocypris oxycephalus(3.8%). Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, classified as the endangered wildlife II, was the first endangered legally protected species found in this survey. Analysis of the rank abundance curve model in the fish community showed the Zipf model at 9 out of 20 points, the Lognormal model in 3 points, and the Preemption model in 4 points. The remaining 4 habitats showed only one species and were not analyzed. The canonical correspondence analysis of 20 stations and fish species was performed to understand the characteristics of the fish community according to environmental factors. The fish communities were divided according to differences in habitat environment by the altitude.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.229-241
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• 2023

Microphysogobio rapidus is designated as endangered species class I by Ministry of Environment, and its distribution and population have been gradually declining, and it is now limited to the Nam River and some tributary streams of the Nakdong River Watershed. For the restoration of this highly endangered species, it is important to identify the causes of the decline and establish appropriate restoration plans. However, due to lack of basic data and ecological research, most steps are stagnant. Therefore, in this study, we identified the differences in the physical, biological, and sociological habitats between current and past distributed sites through field surveys and literature reviews. As a result of the field survey, there were differences in conductivity between the current and past distributed sites, and fish communities were also showed differences. The literature data also showed that the physico-chemical values of the past distributed sites were generally unfavorable, which generated negative consequences on biological factors. In particular, the effects of urbanization were found to be a major factor affecting the habitat of M. rapidus. Habitat stabilization is crucial for the recovery of this endangered species. However, in the past distributed sites, disturbances such as stream development and weir construction have altered streams physico-chemically and result in changes of M. rapidus. Therefore, a comprehensive plan that considers both stream connectivity and water quality is needed to manage and restore the habitat of M. rapidus.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.502-509
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• 2009

In this study a total of 27 stream sites, at 1 km intervals, were monitored for simple physicochemical water characteristics, land coverage patterns, and stream environment characteristics using the Habitat-riparian Indexing System (HIS), in the Yangsan Stream. The HIS has been tested in previous research, resulting in some identification of advantages in the application to the stream ecosystems data. Even though reliable stream environment characterization was possible using HIS, there was no information about the application of this tool to present continuity of environmental changes in stream systems. Also the necessity was raised to compare the results of HIS application with land coverage information in order to provide useful information in management strategy development. The monitoring results of this study showed that changes of environmental degradation were well represented by HIS. Especially, stream environment degradation due to construction was relatively well reflected in the HIS monitoring results, and the main causality of Yangsan Stream degradation was expansion of the urbanized area. In addition, there were significant relationships between the HIS scores and land coverage information. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare appropriate options in controlling or managing the expansion of the industrialized areas in this stream basin in order to improve the stream environment. For this purpose, ensemble utilization of HIS results, water quality, and geographical information, resulting in integration with remote sensing processes can be possible.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.325-330
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• 2011

In order to revive the ecological function of degraded rivers, a total restoration plan for riverbeds and riparians needs to be developed. Previous evaluations for rivers were mainly focused on the river's physical structures. Therefore, this research has developed indicators to evaluate a riparian restoration considering biodiversity. Through literature and previous cases review, 4 fields and 13 indicators are selected for the evaluation. Four fields are biodiversity, habitat diversity, connectivity and habitat functionality. In the biodiversity field, 4 indicators of the exuberant extent of herbaceous vegetation and their diversity, the exuberant extent of shrub and woody plants and their diversity, the number of plant communities and naturalized plants are included. Habitat diversity are comprised of 4 indicators of the longitudinal continuity of vegetation, the mixture of plant communities, the extent of plant type color fruit abundance and the distribution of vegetation. Connectivity includes 3 indicators of target distribution, the shore slope of low water channels and the extent of artificial embankment materials. Habitat functionality has 2 indicators of the status of food supply plants and the habitat functionality. The value weighting for the fields and indicators has been calculated based on the AHP(Analytic Hierarchy Process) method. 50 experts were surveyed with quantifiable questionnaire, among them 43 experts have more than 10 yesrs experiences in the nature restoration field. The selected and weighted indicators have been tested to the 12 sections in Gap stream located in Daejeon. In conclusion, the indicators are feasible and the selected indicators could be used to establish the direction and objectives of riparian restoration.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.314-319
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• 2019

Background: The dramatic worldwide decline in the butterfly species Leptalina unicolor (Bremer & Grey) is largely the result of continuous habitat decline and disturbance by humans. The discovery of a narrow habitat in riverside wetlands utilized by L. unicolor raises the hope that such restricted key areas could be rather easily protected. Results: Here, we explain the environmental variables and habitat characteristics that primarily influence the distribution of L. unicolor discovered at the riverside areas along the Geum River. L. unicolor larvae were found at 9 of 13 study sites, and their abundance was strongly positively correlated with plant biomass. Our investigation showed that among four plant species (Miscanthus sinensis, Spodiopogon cotulifer, Setaria viridis, and Imperata cylindrica), L. unicolor larvae were the most abundant on the leaves of M. sinensis. They were not abundant on the leaves of S. cotulifer, S. viridis, or I. cylindrica. Interestingly, the number of L. unicolor larvae was positively correlated with the coverage area ($m^2$) of M. sinensis (F = 41.7, $r^2=0.74$, P < 0.0001). Conclusions: It appears that water (e.g., wetlands, ponds, and watersides) located along the riverside areas along the Geum River is important for the constant maintenance and conservation of L. unicolor. This is based on the habitat characteristics (water preference) of M. sinensis, which is used as a habitat by L. unicolor larvae. However, the waterside is dry and terrestrialization is in progress owing to the decreased water levels and water supply caused by an opened weir. Hereafter, this area will likely require management to secure a stable habitat for L. unicolor.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.318-326
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• 2022

The Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) recommends that 17% of the land be designated as a protected area to counter global environmental problems. Korea also realized a need to designate protected areas according to the international level and explain the significance of designating protected areas. Accordingly, studies on ecosystem services are required. In Korea, the protected areas are designated as national parks, provincial parks, and county parks by hierarchy under the Natural Parks Act. However, as priority was on political and administrative aspects, research on ecosystem service value evaluation and habitat management were concentrated in national parks, and provincial and county parks were relatively neglected. Therefore, more studies on provincial and county parks are necessary. In this study, habitat quality for Gajisan Provincial Park, where there were few studies on habitat management and ecosystem service valuation, was evaluated using the InVEST Habitat Quality model among the InVEST models. The analysis results were compared with 16 mountainous national parks. The results showed that the habitat quality value of Gajisan Provincial Park was 0.83, higher than that of the surrounding areas. The analysis of habitat quality in three districts showed 0,84 for the Tongdosa and Naewonsa districts and 0.83 for the Seoknamsa district. By use district, the nature conservation district, the natural environment district, the cultural heritage district, and the park village district had the highest habitat quality value in that order. Compared with the existing habitat quality analysis results of national parks, Gajisan Provincial Park showed naturalness at the level of Mudeungsan National Park. These results can be used as objective data for establishing policies and management plans to preserve biodiversity and promote ecosystem services in provincial parks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2011

This study was established to build and suggest the Ecological Performance Standards for replaced wetlands as the mitigation strategies for the construction projects. The request performance and assessment factors and standards were derived by bibliographic review and verified by the field survey for the reference wetlands. And the weights for each factor were derived by AHP(Analytical Hierarchy Process) method. The results are as follows : 1) Assessment factors were induced by in-depth research of many wetland assessment models and benchmarks evaluated ecological functions. This study proposed final 12 assessment factors through ecological specialist and experts interviews added with literature analysis. 2) 10 natural wetlands were selected as Reference Wetlands as the measure to propose assessment factors and assessment criteria. Those reference wetlands are well-conserved inland natural wetlands classified to the one having worthy to conserve (grade "high") according to RAM(Rapid Assessment Method). Reference wetlands chosen by the study are Parksilji, Jeongyangji, Mulkubi, Bawineupkubi, Jilnalneup, Jinchonneup, Doomoso, Haepyung wetland, Whangjeong wetland, and Whapo wetland. The research developed assessment criteria for the performance assessment factors based on several explorations of the reference wetlands. 3) "Requiring performance" of replaced wetlands is defined as "to carry out similar or same ecological functions provided by natural wetlands", in overall. The detailed requiring performances are as follows; ${\bullet}$ to play a role of wildlife habitats ${\bullet}$ to have biological diversity ${\bullet}$ to connect with other ecosystems ${\bullet}$ to provide water environment to perform good ecological functions 4) The assessment factors for required performance are categorized by wildlife habitat function, biological diversity, connectivity of adjacent ecosystem, and water environment. Wildlife habitat category is consisted of wildlife habitat creation, size of replacement wetland, and site suitability. Biological diversity category contains the number of plant species, the number of wildlife species, and number of protected species as the sub-factors. Connectivity of adjacent ecosystem is comprised of wildlife corridor, green network and distance from other ecosystem. Finally, water environment make up with water quality, depth of water body, and shape of waterfront. 5) Finally, every assessment factors were verified and weighted by the AHP methods and the final standards were proposed. The weights of factors of requiring performance suggested as habitat (0.280), connectivity (0.261), diversity (0.260), hydraulic environment (0.199). And those of detailed sub-factors are site suitability (0.118), protected species (0.096), distance to neighbor ecosystem (0.093), habitat creating (0.091), green corridor (0.090) etc.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the differences in habitat environment and characteristics of small rodent populations with time elapse after thinning in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) plantations, Mt. Janggun, Gyeongbuk Province, South Korea. We found that there were significant differences in habitat environment, number of tree, shrub stems, coverage of overstory, midstory, rock and number of coarse woody debris (CWD) between thinned and unthinned forest stands. We captured four small rodent species. Total number of captured small rodent were higher in thinned stands. Male-to-female ratio of Apodemus agrarius, and A. peninsulae were both the highest in forest stand 3 year after thinning. The differences in number of captured and sex ratio of small rodents might be related to habitat environment between thinned and unthinned stands. Thus, thinning can provide good habitat for small rodents by developing understory vegetation and increasing CWD in Japanese larch plantations. These results suggest that forest management through maintenance of CWD and induction of midstory and understory vegetation after thinning is necessary to maintain small rodents diversity.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.282-289
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• 2023

Background: As wildlife habitats are being destroyed and growth environments are changing, the survival of animals and plants is under threat. Epilobium hirsutum L., a species that inhabits wetlands, has held legally protected status since 2012. However, no specific measures are currently in place to protect its habitat, leading to a decline in remaining populations as a result of land use change and human activities. Results: The growth environment (including location, climate, land use, soil, and vegetation) of the five habitat sites (Samcheok, Taebaek1, Taebaek2, Cheongsong, Ulleung) of E. hirsutum L. was investigated and analyzed. These habitats were predominantly situated in flat areas with gentle south-facing slopes, at an average altitude of 452.7 m (8-726 m) above sea level in Gangwon-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. The average annual temperature ranged 11.5℃ (9.2℃-12.9℃), whereas the average annual precipitation ranged 1,304.5 mm (1,062.7-1,590.7 mm). The surrounding land use status was mainly characterized by mountainous areas, and human interference, such as agricultural land and roads, was commonly found in proximity to these natural habitats. Soil physicochemical analysis revealed that the soil was predominantly sandy loam with a slightly high sand content. The average pH measured 7.64, indicating an alkaline environment, and electrical conductivity (EC) averaged 0.33 dS/m. Organic matter (OM) content averaged 66.44 g/kg, available phosphoric acid (P₂O₅) content averaged 115.73 mg/kg, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) averaged 23.43 cmolc/kg. The exchangeable cations ranged 0.09-0.43 cmol⁺/kg for potassium (K), 10.23-16.21 cmol⁺/kg for calcium (Ca), 0.67-4.94 cmol⁺/kg for magnesium (Mg), and 0.05-0.74 cmol⁺/kg for sodium (Na). The vegetation type was categorized as E. hirsutum community with high numbers of E. hirsutum L., Persicaria thunbergii (Siebold & Zucc.) H. Gross, Phragmites japonica Steud., Humulus japonicus (Siebold & Zucc.), and Bidens frondosa L.. An ecological flora analysis, including the proportion of lianas, naturalized plants, and annual herbaceous plants, revealed that the native habitat of E. hirsutum L. was ecologically unstable. Conclusions: Analysis of the habitat of E. hirsutum L., a class II endangered wildlife species, provided essential data for local conservation and restoration efforts.