• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.172-182
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus problem is an ecological problem stemming from a sudden change in the relationship between parasites and hosts. Ecologists judge organisms that are established out of their original territory as exotic species. Unlike in their original habitat, these exotic species become very aggressive in their newly settled habitat. Coronavirus infection damage was bigger in Europe or the United States than that in the country of its origin, China, and its neighboring countries. Therefore, coronavirus infection damage resembles the damage due to the invasive species. Results: Exotic species are found in places with similar environmental conditions to those of their origin when introduced to other ecological regions. However, there are few ecological ill effects in their place of origin, while the damage is usually severe in the ecological regions in which it is introduced. According to historical records, exotic infectious diseases, such as European smallpox and measles, also showed a similar trend and caused great damage in newly established places. Therefore, it is expected that measures to manage exotic species could be used for the prevention of exotic infectious diseases such as the coronavirus. Conclusions: Prevention comes first in the management of exotic species, and in order to come up with preventive measures, it is important to collect information on the characteristics of related organisms and their preferred environment. In this respect, ecosystem management measures such as exotic species management measures could be used as a reference to prevent and suppress the spread. To put these measures into practice, it is urgently required to establish an international integrated information network for collecting and exchanging information between regions and countries. Furthermore, a systematic ecosystem-management strategy in which natural and human environments could continue sustainable lives in their respective locations may serve as a countermeasure to prevent infectious diseases.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.302-315
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• 2023

Distribution characteristics and altitudinal gradient of four species (E. strigata, E. separigata, E. orientalis-sachalinensis group) of the mayfly genus Ephemera (Order Ephemeroptera) were analyzed with probability distribution models (exponential, normal, lognormal, logistic, Weibull, gamma, beta, Gumbel). Data was collected from 23,846 sampling units of 6,787 sites in Korea from 2010 to 2021. The beta distribution model showed the best fit for positively skewed E. orientalis-sachalinensis and little-skewed E. strigata along with altitudinal gradient. The reversed lognormal distribution model showed the best-fit for negatively skewed E. separigata. E. orientalis-sachalinensis distributed at the range of altitude 1~700 m (mean 251 m, median 226 m, mode 124 m, and standard deviation 161 m), E. strigata distributed at the range of altitude 5~871 m (mean 474 m, median 478 m, mode 492 m, and standard deviation 200 m), E. separigata distributed at the range of altitude 7~846 m (mean 620 m, median 659 m, mode 760 m, and standard deviation 181 m). Altitudinal habitat suitability ranges were estimated to be 42~257 m for E. orientalis-sachalinensis, 335~644 m for E. strigata, and 641~824 m for E. separigata. Based on the altitudinal spectrum of suitability and altitude-related temperature analysis results, E. orientalis-sachalinensis was estimated to be thermophilic, E. strigata to be mesophilic, and E. separigata to be thermophobic. This is the first national-scale evaluation of the altitudinal distribution of Ephemera in Korea. These results will be used in a further research study on altitudinal shift of the species of Ephemera under climate change.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2022

The olfactory organ of a Korean endemic species, Pseudobagrus koreanus, was investigated to describe its morphology and histology and analyze correlation between habitat environment and its ecological habits and characters, using a stereo microscope, a light microscope, and a scanning electron microscope. Its external morphology showed tubular anterior nostril at the tip of the snout and slit posterior nostril at the base of the nasal barbel. The olfactory chamber showed the rosette structure consisting of numerous lamellae radial and parallel to the medium raphe. The olfactory lamella has the sensory epithelium with olfactory receptor nuerons, supporting cells, basal cells, lymphatic cells, plasma cells and the non-sensory epithelium with stratified epithelial cells, mucous cells, lymphatic cells. In particular, 1) 41~43 (n=20) lamellae, 2) lymphatic cells and plasma cells, 3) mucous cells including neutral polysaccharid may be olfactory characteristics relevant to a stagnant or a standing habitat environment, nocturnal habit dependent on olfaction, and taxonomic characters compared at least to other catfish species.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.396-412
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• 2023

Species from the mayfly genus Ephemera (Order Ephemeroptera) was assessed for their physical microhabitat suitability (namely E. strigata, E. separigata, and E. orientalis-sachalinensis). Probability distribution models (Exponential, Normal, Lognormal, Logistic, Weibull, Gamma, Beta, and Gumbel) based on the data collected from 23,957 sampling units of 6,787 sites in Korea from 2010 to 2021 were used. Mode and standard deviation calculated from the best-fitting models to species distribution along a water depth gradient were 265 cm and 159 cm in E. orientalis-sachalinensis; 10 cm and 83 cm in E. strigata; 20 cm and 15 cm in E. separigata, respectively. The current velocity gradient was 22 cm/s and 40 cm/s in E. orientalis-sachalinensis; 60 cm/s and 53 cm/s in E. strigata; 82 cm/s and 25 cm/s in E. separigata, respectively. The mean diameter (phi scale) of substrate grains were -3.6 and 2.2 in E. orientalis-sachalinensis; -7.4 and 1.5 in E. strigata; -5.8 and 0.9 in E. separigata, respectively. Habitat suitability range of E. orientalis-sachalinensis was estimated to be 161~369 cm (water depth), 5~44 cm/s (current velocity), -5.2~-2.0 (mean diameter); 3~34 cm (water depth), 36~94 cm/s (current velocity), -8.1~-6.3 (mean diameter) for E. strigata; 12~32 cm (water depth), 63~96 cm/s (current velocity), -6.3~-5.2 (mean diameter) for E. separigata. In relative comparison, E. orientalis-sachalinensis was estimated to be rheophobic, eurybathophilic, and eurypsephophilic; E. strigata to be euryrheophilic, bathophobic, and lithophilic; E. separigata to be stenomesorheophilic, stenobathophobic, stenolithophilic.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.475-490
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• 2023

Chemical water quality suitability for species (Ephemera strigata, Ephemera separigata, and Ephemera orientalis-sachalinensis group) of the mayfly genus Ephemera (Order Ephemeroptera) was analyzed with probability distribution models (Exponential, Normal, Lognormal, Logistic, Weibull, Gamma, Beta, Gumbel). Data was collected from 23,957 sampling units of 6,664 sites in Korea from 2010 to 2021. E. orientalis-sachalinensis occurred at the range of BOD₅ 0.3~11.1 mg/L (the best-fit Lognormal model); T-P 0.007~0.769 mg/L (the Gumbel model); TSS 0.4~142.2 mg/L (the Lognormal model). E. strigata occurred at the range of BOD₅ 0.4~7.4 mg/L (the Gumbel model); T-P 0.007~0.254 mg/L (the Lognormal model); TSS 0.4~17.1 mg/L (the Lognormal model). E. separigata occurred at the range of BOD₅ 0.4~2.6 mg/L (the R-Weibull model); T-P 0.007~0.134 mg/L (the Lognormal model); TSS 0.7~10.0 mg/L (the Lognormal model). Habitat suitability range of E. orientalis-sachalinensis was estimated to be 0.4~1.9 mg/L (BOD₅), 0.024~0.086 mg/L (T-P), 2.5~22.4 mg/L (TSS); that of E. strigata was 0.4~0.7 mg/L (BOD₅), 0.007~0.018 mg/L (T-P), 0.0~1.7 mg/L (TSS); that of E. separigata was 0.0~0.4 mg/L (BOD₅), 0.000~0.015 mg/L (T-P), 0.5~3.1 mg/L (TSS). In a relative comparision, E. orientalis-sachalinensis was estimated to be eurysaprobic, and narrowly adapted in high levels of T-P and TSS, E. strigata was estimated to be oligosaprobic and adapted in low levels of T-P and TSS, and E. separigata was estimated to be stenooligosaprobic and widely adapted in low level of T-P and TSS.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2015

This research aims at identifying the goshawk's possible and replaceable breeding ground by using the MaxEnt prediction model which has so far been insufficiently used in Korea, and providing evidence to expand possible protection areas for the goshawk's breeding for the future. The field research identified 10 goshawk's nests, and 23 appearance points confirmed during the 3rd round of environmental research were used for analysis. 4 geomorphic, 3 environmental, 7 distance, and 9 weather factors were used as model variables. The final environmental variables were selected through non-parametric verification between appearance and non-appearance coordinates identified by random sampling. The final predictive model (MaxEnt) was structured using 10 factors related to breeding ground and 7 factors related to appearance area selected by statistics verification. According to the results of the study, the factor that affected breeding point structure model the most was temperature seasonality, followed by distance from mixforest, density-class on the forest map and relief energy. The factor that affected appearance point structure model the most was temperature seasonality, followed by distance from rivers and ponds, distance from agricultural land and gradient. The nature of the goshawk's breeding environment and habit to breed inside forests were reflected in this modeling that targets breeding points. The northern central area which is about $189.5 km^2$(2.55 %) is expected to be suitable breeding ground. Large cities such as Cheongju and Chungju are located in the southern part of Chungcheongbuk-do whereas the northern part of Chungcheongbuk-do has evenly distributed forests and farmlands, which helps goshawks have a scope of influence and food source to breed. Appearance point modeling predicted an area of $3,071 km^2$(41.38 %) showing a wider ranging habitat than that of the breeding point modeling due to some limitations such as limited moving observation and non-consideration of seasonal changes. When targeting the breeding points, a specific predictive area can be deduced but it is difficult to check the points of nests and it is impossible to reflect the goshawk's behavioral area. On the other hand, when targeting appearance points, a wider ranging area can be covered but it is less accurate compared to predictive breeding point since simple movements and constant use status are not reflected. However, with these results, the goshawk's habitat can be predicted with reasonable accuracy. In particular, it is necessary to apply precise predictive breeding area data based on habitat modeling results when enforcing an environmental evaluation or establishing a development plan.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.729-742
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• 2020

In this study, we analyze seabottom conditions and characteristics integrated with topographic data, seafloor mosaic, underwater images and orthophoto(drone) of soft-hard bottom area around the Sib-Ri rock in the northern shore of the East Sea(Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung). We obtained field survey data around the Sib-Ri rock(about 600 m × 600 m). The Sib-Ri rock is formed by two exposed rocks and surrounding reef. The artificial reef zone made by about 200 ~ 300 structures is shown the western area of the Sib-Ri rock. The underwater rock region is extended from the southwestern area of the exposed the Sib-Ri rock with 9 ~ 11 m depth range. The most broad rocky seabottom area is located in the southwestren area of the Sib-Ri rock with 10 ~ 13 m depth range. The study area were classified into 4 types of seabottom environment based on the analysis of bathymetric data, seafloor mosaics, composition of sediments and images(underwater and drone). The underwater rock zones(Type I) are the most distributed area around the Sib-Ri Rock(about 600 m × 600 m). The soft seabottom area made by sediments layer showed 2 types(Type II: gS(gravelly Sand), Type III: S(Sand)) in the areas between underwater rock zones and western part of the Sib-Ri rock(toward Gyeongpo Beach). The artificial reef zone with a lot of structures is located in the western part of the Sib-Ri rock. Marine algae(about 6 species), Phylum porifera(about 2 species), Phylum echinodermata(about 3 species), Phylum mollusca(about 3 species) and Phylum chordata(about 2 species) are dominant faunal group of underwater image analysis area(about 10 m × 10 m) in the northwestern part of the Sib-Ri rock. The habitat of Phylym mollusca(Lottia dorsuosa, Septifer virgatus) and Phylum arthropoda(Pollicipes mitella, Chthamalus challengeri hoek) appears in the intertidal zone of the Sib-Ri rock. And it is possible to estimate the range and distribution of the habitat based on the integrated study of orthphoto(drone) and bathymetry data. The integrated visualization and mapping techniques using seafloor mosaic images, sediments analysis, underwater images, orthophoto(drone) and topographic data can provide and contribute to figure out the seabottom conditions and characteristics in the shore of the East Sea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the geographical distribution and habitat for Rana catesbeiana and Trachemys scripta elegans in order to obtain the current basic data on biota needed for establishing a database on non-indigenous species(NIS) in Jeju-do and to develop management plans applicable to Jeju, starting from March 2005 until May 2006. As a result of an inspection, it was found that the habitat for R. catesbeiana in Jeju includes Hankyeong-myeon, Daejeong-eup, and Ahndeok-myeon. These areas are all located on the western side of Jeju-do, and considered to have favorable conditions for R. catesbeiana to inhabit. Thus, it is unlikely that the population of R. catesbeiana will possibly decrease; what's worse, there exists even a risk that it could not only expand to other regions but also do damage to the population of native insecta, fishes, amphibians and reptiles, so this terrible species ought to be exterminated. More than 92 individuals of T. scripta elegans species were found to inhabit in 15 ponds around Jeju Island. T. scripta elegans. as the topmost predator, could destruct the pond ecosystem, and also cause a problem of water pollution due to its excrement. Counter-measures against T. scripta elegans could include publicity activities encouraging self-control of the release of captive T. scripta elegans, extermination plans using its ecological habits, and sign-posting publicizing its hazard to healthy ecosystem at the areas with high population density of T. scripta elegans or at its habitats with high foot traffic, together with the continuous management of NIS(none-indigenous species).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.230-240
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• 2013

The fish fauna and population characteristics of Zacco platypus at the 9 habitat types in the Hongcheon River were investigated from August, 2009 to April, 2010. The collected species during the surveyed period were 21 species belong to 6 families. Korea endemic species were Acheilognathus signifer, Microphysogobio longidorsalis, Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, Squalidus gracilis majimae, Zacco koreanus, Iksookimia koreensis, Silurus microdorsalis, Liobagrus andersoni, Coreoperca herzi, Odontobuitis interrupta, and Odontobuitis platycephala which showed 61.9% ratio of total species. Dominant species was Z. koreanus, and subdominant species was Z. platypus. Dominant species according to habitat types were Z. platypus(in side channel, substrate type pool, and riffle), Z. koreanus(channel connected pool, run, meander type pool, and rock type pool), M. yaluensis( dam type pool ) and Rhynchocypris oxycephalus(channel unconnected pool). Length-weight relationship in the population of Z. platypus was 3.27 in regression coefficient(b). Principal component analysis was classified as 2 groups. Bray-curtis cluster analysis indicated that the channel connected pool and meander type pool showed the most similar values(66.2%), whereas side channel and channel unconnected pool exhibited the most distance values(32.1%).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.545-552
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• 2009

This study was conducted to provide basic information for development of habitat-based conservation strategies of biological diversity in agricultural ecosystem. The carabid beetle assemblages were examined at four kinds of habitats(levee, dike, forest patch remnants and streamside) from three differently stressed areas located in Paltan-myun, Hwaseong city, Korea: agricultural and forest area(site 1), industrial area(site 2), and residential area(site 3). Pitfall trap samplings were carried out 39 times from November 2000 to November 2002. Our study's findings were that the composition of carabid beetle fauna, dominance species, and pattern of carabid beetle assemblage were different among the habitats. The similarity index was highest between two levees in site 2 and 3, and lowest between hillock in site 2 and streamside in site 3, and that among habitats fragmented by road with high traffic was lower than that among any other habitat types. So, we could know that agricultural land use respectively do an important role in diversity conservation and networking. These findings will be used to establish the land use and management plans in the aspects of conservation of biodiversity.