• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2009

Population viability analysis of a Gold-spotted pond frog (Rana chosenica) population at Cheongwon-gun, Chungbuk, in South Korea was conducted and we proposed several suggestions for effective conservation and re-introduction of the species. Simulating a developed model over 1,000 times predicted that the population will exist over 30 years with a relatively low growth rate of 0.113, but with a high probability of extinction as 81.1%. Population growth and extinction probability were the most greatly depended on the rate of successful metamorphosis. In the case of outbreak of amphibian diseases such as Chytridiomycosis and Ranavirus, the population will be easily extinct within 4 years with 100% probability. In a habitat of which carrying capacity is 200, to successfully re-introduce an extinct population, it is initially needed to put 100 individuals of which 83% is males and its age structure is normal-distributed. If we additionally conducts artificial supplementation of 10% individuals every 2 years from 4 years to 10 years after initial reintroduction, the population will become a stable with 0.297 growth rate and 0.290 extinction rate. Our results are the first case of amphibian population viability analysis in Korea and could be used to develop effective conservation and re-introduction plans for endangered Gold-spotted pond frog.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2014

Orb-web spiders can be considered as an effective bio-indicative animal to monitor the ecological air pollution of certain habitat since they have limited shifting ability during their life spans. In this study we revealed the fine structural characteristics of booklung in the orb-web spider Nephila clavata, and its bio-indicative significance in the monitoring environmental asbestos exposure. The high resolution scanning electron microscopy results suggest that the cuticular spikes near the atrium could be act as an effective filtering structure for dust materials. Furthermore, inner cuticular spikes which protruded across the air sacs, have the functions not only sustaining appropriate respiratory volume of each air sac but also help to enhance respiratory capacity by maximizing the gross surface area for gas exchange. Interestingly, in spite of short exposure, the asbestose fibrils were effectively captured on the surface of the atrial cuticular spikes. Furthermore, histologic damages were observed due to penetration of asbestos fibrils through air sacs and fixed on the hemolymph space. In addition, although accumulated mass of hemocytes were observed near the fibrils, there were no asbestos bodies or coagulated hemocytes were found on the surface of the fibrils, This could be mainly due to the short exposure period towards asbestos. Briefly, these results indicate the spider's booklung could be valuable tool in the detection ecological air pollutants.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.161-171
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• 2009

A 'continuous removal of organic matters (CROM) system' using a native freshwater bivalve in Korea Anodonta woordiana, was developed to determine its potential of controlling various sestons in eutrophic lake system, and to evaluate its effect on water quality improvement under consideration of sediment addition as habitat. We designed CROM experiments with four treatments: no mussels and no sediment (W, negative control), no mussels and sediment (WS, positive control), mussels and no sediment (WM), and mussels and sediment (WMS). The experiments were performed at the condition of 18${\sim}$25 L $h^{-1}$ of inflow, mussel density of 486.1 indiv. $m^{-2}$, and temperatures between 15 and $22^{\circ}C$ for 13 consecutive days. Physicochemical and biological parameters were measured at daily (10:00 am) intervals after the mussel addition. Results indicated that mussel stockings without addition of sediment effectively removed sestons (suspended solids and chlorophyll-a) at nearly same level over 80 percentage of the control during the study, while there were no differences in removal activities of sestons between with and without sediment (P>0.5). Therefore, it clearly suggests that CROM system using A. woordiana has a strong potential to control the seston in surface water of eutrophic lake.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.spc
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• pp.10-18
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• 2014

The habitat characteristic of the Gammarus sobaegensis which is one of the Amphipoda kinds has been found inhabiting in the inter mountain stream at Ganseong stream. From the investigation, the main inhabitant area of the G. sobaegensis maintained the water temperature under $10^{\circ}C$ during the spring and autumn season, and the electric conductivity was also maintaining under $40{\mu}Scm^{-1}$. For the precipitation, for this year when the monthly accredited rainfall did not exceed 800 mm, it did not affect maintaining the population of the G. sobaegensis but when the monthly accredited rainfall exceeded 1,000 mm it was found to be working as a unfavorable condition for maintaining the population. The effect especially from this kind of rainfall created the flow of G. sobaegensis as well as the flow of the fallen leaves which are the food resources and affected the population of the G. sobaegensis as a multiple interruption reason. Among the Functional Feeding Groups (FFGs) distribution depending on the use of the food resources the shredders showed up in the ratio of 20% in the site 1~3, and showed a big difference with the site 4~7 as it showed up in the ratio near 10%. Also, after comparing the variation of the individual number among the G. sobaegensis and shredders at the site 1~3 where G. sobaegensis mainly shows up, it showed the same variation pattern except for 2009.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.27-36
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the structure of the vegetation on the trail of Hallyeo Marine & Coastal National Park. Twenty six $10{\times}10m$ plots were established along the Jisimdo trail. The vascular plants were surveyed from March 2011 to October 2011. Camellia japonica was a major woody species in the study area, while Pinus thunbergii and Zanthoxylum ailanthoides were co-dominant tree species. There were positive correlations between Distylium racemosum and Ligustrum japonicum var. japonicum; Callicarpa japonica var. luxurians and Eurya japonical; Actinodaphne lancifolia and Cinnamomum japonicum; A. lancifolia and Machilus japonica. Positive correlations were found between A. lancifolia and P. thunbergii; Z. ailanthoides and C. japonicum. Species diversity (H') was ranged from 0.51907 to 1.0217, and was relatively low compared to those of same national parks. 10 populations of Milletia japonica which are rare and endemic species, were recorded from the list of rare and endemic species of the Ministry of Environment near by ammo dumps, this study recommend the long term habitat monitoring of the species.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.1-1
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• 2016

Many of the world's large ecosystems are severely stressed due to population growth, water quality and quantity problems, vulnerability to flood and drought, and the loss of native species and cultural resources. Consequences of climate change further increase uncertainties about the future. These major societal challenges must be addressed through innovations in governance, policy, and ways of implementing management strategies. Science and engineering play a critical role in helping define possible alternative futures that could be achieved and the possible consequences to economic development, quality of life, and sustainability of ecosystem services. Science has advanced rapidly during the past decade with the emergence of science communities coalescing around 'Grand Challenges' and the maturation of how these communities function has resulted in large interdisciplinary research networks. An example is the River Experiment Center of KICT that engages researchers from throughout Korea and the world. This trend has been complemented by major advances in sensor technologies and data synthesis to accelerate knowledge discovery. These factors combine to allow scientific debate to occur in a more open and transparent manner. The availability of information and improved communication of scientific and engineering issues is raising the level of dialogue at the science-policy interface. However, severe challenges persist since scientific discovery does not occur on the same timeframe as management actions, policy decisions or at the pace sometimes expected by elected officials. Common challenges include the need to make decisions in the face of considerable uncertainty, ensuring research results are actionable and preventing science being used by special interests to delay or obsfucate decisions. These challenges are explored in the context of examples from the United States, including the California Bay-Delta system. California transfers water from the wetter northern part of the state to the drier southern part of the state through the Central Valley Project since 1940 and this was supplemented by the State Water Project in 1973. The scale of these activities is remarkable: approximately two thirds of the population of Californians rely on water from the Delta, these waters also irrigate up to 45% of the fruits & vegetables produced in the US, and about 80% of California's commercial fishery species live in or migrate through the Bay-Delta. This Delta region is a global hotspot for biodiversity that provides habitat for over 700 species, but is also a hotspot for the loss of biodiversity with more than 25 species currently listed by the Endangered Species Act. Understanding the decline of the fragile ecosystem of the Bay-Delta system and the potential consequences to economic growth if water transfers are reduced for the environment, the California State Legislature passed landmark legislation in 2009 (CA Water Code SS 85054) that established "Coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem". The legislation also stated that "The coequal goals shall be achieved in a manner that protects and enhances the unique cultural, recreational, natural resource, and agricultural values of the Delta as an evolving place." The challenges of integrating policy, management and scientific research will be described through this and other international examples.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.205-249
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• 2021

This study was carried out to survey the flora of Hongdo Island in Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. Specimens collected from previous Hongdo flora studies were reexamined using a relevant biodiversity database, and field surveys were carried out 22 times from April of 2003 to October of 2020. Based on the specimens collected during both previous studies and this study, the identified vascular plants of Hongdo consisted of 472 taxa comprising 102 families, 296 genera, 425 species, 6 subspecies, and 41 varieties. Among them, 111 taxa are newly recorded in this study, and 6 taxa are described in detail in terms of their morphological characteristics and habitat. Also, 29 taxa were reviewed or re-identified with corresponding taxonomic annotations. In Korea, Hongdo represents the northern distributional limit of the 4 taxa of Goodyera biflora, Damnacanthus major, Calanthe aristulifera, and Hemerocallis hongdoensis. Moreover, Hosta yingeri and Saussurea polylepis are endemic to Hongdo and nearby islands in Korea. Distribution maps of these species were prepared. Protected species designated by the Ministry of Environment were 7 taxa consisting of 2 taxa of level I, specifically Sedirea japonica and Neofinetia falcata, and 5 taxa of level II, which were Cymbidium macrorhizon, Woodwardia japonica, Dendrobium moniliforme, Calanthe aristulifera, and Bulbophyllum inconspicuum. Red list plants as designated by the National Institute of Biological Resources numbered 11 taxa. Naturalized plants numbered 40 taxa.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2018

The distribution of mosquitoes collected in the Cheongju area from 2016-2018 were compared. The collection sites were established at a residential area, migratory bird sanctuary, and cowshed using black light (BL) and BG sentinel traps. Culex pipiens was the most collected species in the residential area, and Aedes vexans was the most collected species in the migratory bird sanctuary and cowshed in all years. The BG trap collected more individuals than did the BL trap in the residential area and migratory bird sanctuary. In total, 22,679 (10 species) mosquitoes were collected in 2016, and 6,502 (8 species) and 6,803 (9 species) mosquitoes were collected in 2017 and 2018, accounting for 3.49- and 3.33-fold decreases, respectively. The relationship between meteorological conditions and mosquito density, according to various variables, was not significant different. The Chaoyang virus was found in Aedes vexans and Culex pipiens collected at the cowshed in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Based on the results of this study, it is considered that continuous surveillance of mosquitoes should be performed for controlling mosquito populations and mediating diseases spread by this vector.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.2
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• pp.224-232
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• 2019

The movement of fish to the upper and the lower parts of a mountain stream was investigated based on the installation of specific types of structures within the stream. The results indicated that as the flow rate increases after a rain, the height of the drop in an open-type structure, such as a concrete box, is decreased so that the floating fishes, such as the Chinese minnow fish, move relatively easily from the upper to the lower parts and from the lower to the upper parts of the stream. In contrast, the fishes released from an upper point of a wall-type structure with <1 m, such as rocks drop works and stone masonry for stream-grade stabilization, were trapped in the lower part of the stream and, even after the rainy season, it was difficult for the fish to move from the lower to the upper parts of the stream. In particular, the barrier-type structures ${\geq}3m$ limit the movement of fish, even when there are few drainage holes at the lower end of the dam, and there is no space for the fishes to communicate with each other, even when the flow rate is high; therefore, although the fish are active, they are restricted to move according to the type and characteristics of the structures. When installing structures in a mountain stream, the height of the structure must be low enough to allow the fish to communicate with each other or an open-type structure must be installed. The fish habitat and water conditions within the stream must be considered when designing the type and height of the in-stream structures.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2019

Biological factors (e.g. microorganism activity) in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) play essential roles for degradation and/or removal of organic matters. In this study, to understand the microbial functional roles in WWTP, we tried to isolate and characterize a bacterial strain from activated sludge sample. Strain S16 was isolated from the activated sludge of a municipal WWTP in Daejeon metropolitan city, the Republic of Korea. The cells were a Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, facultative anaerobe, and rod-shaped. Strain S16 grew at a temperature of $15{\sim}40^{\circ}C$ (optimum, $30^{\circ}C$), with 0~9.0% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0~2.0%), and at pH 5.5~9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0~7.5). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S16 was most closely related to the unique species Miniimonas arenae NBRC $106267^T$ (99.79%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) of the genus Miniimonas. The cell wall contained alanine, glutamic acid, serine, and ornithine. Although the isolation source of the type strain NBRC $106267^T$ which considered as a marine microorganism is sea sand, that of strain S16 is terrestrial environment. It might raise an ecological question for habitat transition. Therefore, comparative genome analysis will be valuable investigation for shedding light on their potential metabolic traits and genomic streamlining.