• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.307-318
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• 2010

This study was to analyze the ecological conditions, based on physical habitat, chemical, and biological conditions before (2006, 2007) and after ecological restoration (2009) in five sites of Changwon Stream (CS) and six sites of Nam Stream (NS), respectively, and then to compare ecological health between the two period. The analysis of ecological health was based on the multimetric models of Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) along with water chemistry in the streams. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. For the evaluations, the survey was conducted in the period of 2006~2007 before the restoration and in 2009 after the restoration by the city. Chemical conditions, based on conductivity, in both streams showed a typical longitudinal declines along the axis of the upstream-to-downstream. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in water quality between the two periods. Values of IBI in the CS and NS averaged 21.6 and 19.7, respectively, indicating a C grade in the criteria of Ministry of Environment, Korea, and there was no significant differences in the IBI between the two periods. Values of QHEI after the restoration averaged 29.2 and 63.2 in the CS and NS, respectively and the values decreased markedly especially, in the NS (35.3) after the restoration. The habitat disturbance was mainly attributed to destructions (i.e., the narrower width of riparian vegetation and higher substrate exposure by the air) of artificial materials by massive flood in 2009. Overall, our results suggest that the restoration was not effective in the two streams between the two periods, even if the budget was used a lot and that such ecological restoration, not considered the natural disaster, may not effect for the stream restoration.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.279-287
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• 2010

This study was to evaluate ecological conditions of Hyeongsan River watershed from April to September 2009. The ecological health assessments was based on Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), water chemistry during 2000~2009, and the fish multi-metric model, Index of Biological Integrity (IBI). For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. Values of IBI averaged 25.4 (n=6), which is judged as a "fair" condition (C) after the criteria of Barbour et al. (1999). The distinct spatial variation was found in the IBI. Physical habitat health, based on the values of QHEI, varied from 76 in the downriver (H6) to 150.5 in the headwater (H1) and was evidently more disturbed in the downriver reach. Values of BOD and COD averaged 2.4 $mgL^{-1}$ (range: 0.3~13.8 $mgL^{-1}$) and 4.3 $mgL^{-1}$ (scope: 0.6~12.8 $mgL^{-1}$), respectively during the study period. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged 3.0 $mgL^{-1}$ and 103.5 ${\mu}gL^{-1}$, respectively, indicating a severe eutrophication, and the nutrients increased more in the downriver than the headwater. Overall, physical, chemical and IBI parameters showed a typical downriver degradation along main axis of the river from the headwater-to-the downriver. This was mainly attributed to livestock waste and residential influences along with industrial discharge from the urban region.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2009

This study was to evaluate ecological health of Dongjin River in October 2007. The ecological health assessments was based on the Index of Biological Integrity (IBI), Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), and water chemistry. For the study, the models of IBI and QHEI were modified as 8 and 11 metric attributes, respectively. We also analyzed spatial patterns of chemical water quality over the period of 2005${\sim}$2008, using the water chemistry dataset, obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Korea. In Dongjin River, values of IBI averaged 19 (n=3), which is judged as a "Fair" condition after the criteria of Barbour et al. (1999). There was a distinct spatial variation. IBI score at Site 1 was estimated as 28, indicating a "Good" condition whereas, IBI at Site 2 and Site 3 were as 18 and 12, indicating "Fair" and "Poor" condition, respectively. Habitat analysis showed that QHEI values in the river averaged 117 (n=3), indicating a "Fair${\sim}$Good" condition after the criteria of Barbour et al. (1999). Values of BOD and COD averaged 2.3 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: 0.1${\sim}$8.9 mg $L^{-1}$) and 5.5 mg $L^{-1}$ (scope: 1.8${\sim}$12.6 mg $L^{-1}$), respectively during the study. Total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) averaged 2.7mg $L^{-1}$ and 0.127mg $L^{-1}$, respectively, and the nutrients showed large longitudinal gradients between the upper and lower reach. Overall, dataset of IBI, QHEI, and water chemistry showed that river health was a gradual decline at upstream to downstream. So, Dongjin River should be protected from habitat disturbance and chemical pollutions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1007-1021
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• 2018

Community dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrates and biological evaluation of water quality were investigated at Gigyecheon of Pohang and Gyeongju, Korea. The survey was carried out at 8 sites from May to October, 2017. As a result, total of 104 species under 54 families, 15 orders, 8 classes in 4 phyla with 5,052 individuals were revealed. The number of species was the most abundantly identified in aquatic insects, 76 species under 34 families, 6 orders. Among them, the order Odonata was the most abundant taxon as 21 species(20.2%). The most abundant individuals were collected in the phylum Mollusca as 1,453 individuals(28.8%). Various species appeared dominantly at each site by season, and the most dominant species was Caridina denticulata denticulata belonging to the class Malacostraca with 0.08 of dominance index. According to the results of community structure analyses, the diversity and richness indices were the highest at site II, the evenness index was the highest at site I, and the dominance index was the highest at site IV. The number of species and individuals of gathering collectors were the highest among functional feeding groups. Those of sprawlers were the highest among habitat orientation groups. The ESB showed a tendency to change according to season and site, and it was the highest in May at most surveyed sites. The KSI was also somewhat fluctuated according to season and site. From these indices, average biological water quality was evaluated as class II.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2018

This study was conducted to understand the current status of the translocated species using a precede study and a model to evaluate the potential invasiveness that could adversely affect the aquatic ecosystem in the Gangneungnamdae Stream. A total of 12 translocated species were investigated and identified from 9 sites in a precede study, and steadily increased since 1982. For the study, which utilized research based on the total FISK (Fish Invasivenss Screening Kit) scores, all of the non-native fishes in Gangneungnamdae Stream were classified into two groups: namely as a high and a medium risk of becoming invasive. It was determined that there were two species (Zacco platypus and Pseudorasbora parva) that were determined to have posed the highest risk. The study determined that the mean scores were shown to have ranged from $3.06({\pm}0.16)-3.42({\pm}0.13)$. Consequently, the habitat analysis showed that the determined QHEI (Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index) values in the stream averaged 146 (88-171), indicating that an optimal habitat condition did exist in that locale. It can be inferred that compared to land use in the surrounding watersheds, the QHEI values and frequency of translocated species showed the lower the altitude of stream, the QHEI values were decreased and in case of land use pattern, a noted decreased forest and grassland area, and gradually increased urbanized area was seen to exist in the region. The correlation between the fish assemblage, QHEI, land use pattern of surrounding watershed and number of translocated species was identified and analyzed when the stream altitude decreased, and the number of species was increased (r= - 0.782, p=0.0127), the number of species was decreased (r= - 0.737, p=0.0234), and finally when the QHEI values were decreased, it was noted that the urbanized area was increased (r=0.292, p=0.446). In the case of the number of translocated species, when the number of translocated species was increased, the associated urbanized area was increased.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.57-65
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• 2016

Maeul-soop(Village forest) is a key element of Korean traditional village landscape historically and culturally. However, a number of Maeul-soops have been lost or declined due to various influences since the modern age. For this Maeul-soop that has a variety of conservation values including historical, cultural and ecological ones, attention and efforts for a systematic conservation and restoration of Maeul-soop are needed. The purpose of the present study is to provide information on ecological restoration and sustainable use and management of Maeul-soops based on component plant species, habitat and location characteristics of 499 Maeul-soops spread throughout Korea. Major six categories of threat factors to Maeul-soop ecosystem were identified and the influence of each factor was evaluated. For the evaluation of weight by threat factors for the influence on the vulnerability of Maeul-soop ecosystem, more three-dimensional analysis was conducted using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis method. In the results of evaluation using AHP analysis method, reduction of area, among six categories, was spotted as the biggest threat to existence of Maeul-soops. Next, changes in topography and soil environment were considered as a threat factor of qualitative changes in Maeul-soop ecosystem. Influence of vegetation structure and its qualitative changes on the loss or decline of Masul-soop was evaluated to be lower than that of changes in habitat. Based on weight of each factor, the figures were converted with 100 points being the highest score and the evaluation of vulnerability of Maeul-soop was conducted with the converted figures. In the result of evaluation of vulnerability of Maeul-soops, grade III showed the highest frequency and a normal distribution was formed from low grade to high grade. 38 Maeul-soops were evaluated as grade I which showed high naturality and 10 Maeul-soops were evaluated as grade V as their maintenance was threatened. Also in the results of evaluation of vulnerability of each Maeul-soop, restoration of Maeul-soop's own area was found as top priority to guarantee the sustainability of Maeul-soops. It was confirmed that there was a need to prepare a national level ecological response strategy for each vulnerability factor of Maeul-soop, which was important national ecological resources.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to provide baseline ecological data for the conservation of the Manchurian trout habitat through the investigation of the growth status of Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis, and Pearson's correlation analysis (PCA) between the B. lenok tsinlingensis population and the use of the land around Gyebangcheon stream. Sampling was conducted twice in July, September, and October 2018. During the July and September surveys, 882 individuals belonging to 13 species from six families were collected. The dominant species was Rhynchocypris kumgangensis and the subdominant species was Zacco koreanus. The total number of B. lenok tsinlingensis collected was 99. The results of the length-weight relationship in the B. lenok tsinlingensis population were analyzed with a regression coefficient b value of 3.1272 and a condition factor (k) value of 0.0006. Therefore, the growth condition of B. lenok tsinlingensis was regarded as fairly good. The QHEI(Qualitative habitat evaluation index) value in the B. lenok tsinlingensis habitat was 119.5(±0.5)-153.5(±0.5), indicating optimal-suboptimal conditions. As a result of the HIS (Habitat suitability index) analysis, it was confirmed that the optimal habitat for B. lenok tsinlingensis was 0.45-0.55m and >1 m in water depth, 0.55-0.65 m s^-1 in water velocity, and boulder in the substrate. The ratio of the land use in this study site was analyzed as 66.26-96.31% for forest and grassland areas, 0.00-23.79% for agricultural areas, 0.00-4.19% for urbanized areas, and 3.69-8.87% for others. Correlation analysis of the number of B. lenok tsinlingensis and various factors revealed statistically significant correlations between QHEI and forest and grassland areas, agricultural areas, and urbanized areas.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2011

This study was implemented to select the suitable site for Palustrine Wetland at habitat restoration for Oriental stork, red species and top-level predator in ecosystem. The evaluation items was fitted by review the antecedent studies on the suitable site selection model and evaluation items of wetland. The study sites were setted in $5,884,800m^2$ area including Yesan-gun Dae-ree, in which Oriental stork' park will be located, through DEM(Digital Elevation Model) watershed analysis. The thematic map by valuation items with secure of water resource, soil, topography, distance between roads, houses, etc., land using, wildlife corridor, and type of water resource was prepared using GIS program. The sites with high evaluation score were selected as suitable creation sites for wetland through overlapping those maps. Total 8 sites with over 18 point were selected. The characteristics of selected sites show that the soil are consisted of clay, the connectivity is valued high with surface water, the slope are gentle, and the connectivity is good with surroundings ecosystem. The result of water quality analysis, which was implement to survey available water resources and develop the solution of problem of water environment, showed that water quality at Salmok reservoir and Bogang reservoir is generally good, but the water quality at stagnant water body rising out from groundwater is not good. This study has limit to select the suitable sites of wetland only by analyzing physiotherapy environment in study area. Hereafter, the study is need to examine closely enhancement effects of biological diversity through investigation of biotic environment.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2018

The distribution aspect and extinction threat evaluation of the endangered species, Rhodeus pseudosericeus were investigated from 2012 to 2017 in Korea for the subject of this study. The number of appearance sites in the past literature of available and identified R. pseudosericeus was 26. During the study period, the samples of R. pseudosericeus were collected in 44 sites (Hangang River 35 sites, Sapgyocheon Stream 4 sites, Daecheoncheon Stream 5 sites) among the noted 214 sampling stations investigated. Among these, the newly appearance streams were Ilricheon Stream, Samsancheon Stream, Bangyecheon Stream and Hanpocheon Stream in the Hangang River. In addition, the habitats and populations in the upper Seomgang River (Hoengseong Dam), lower Heukcheon Stream, Muhancheon Stream and Daecheoncheon Stream decreased due to dam construction, river work, water pollution, and the spread of the exotic species Micropterus salmoides. The main habitat of R. pseudosericeus was the middle-upper stream of clean water with slow water velocity, sand-pebble bottoms and lots of aquatic plants. Given this evidence as noted for the 30.2% reduction in occupancy within 10 years, due to the qualitative decline of habitat, the overfishing risk of ornamental fish and the spread of M. salmoides, in this case R. pseudosericeus is considered to be Vulnerable (VU A2cde) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2019

Investigations on the study of the distribution aspects and extinction threat evaluation of the Korean endemic species, Iksookimia pacifica were done from 2017 to 2018 in Korea. During the study period, the samples of I. pacifica were collected in 17 streams, 46 sites (from Baebongcheon Stream of Goseong-gun to Gunsuncheon Stream of Gangneung-si) among the noted 33 streams and 104 sampling sites investigated. The population size of I. pacifica was relatively large in streams such as Bukcheon, Baebongcheon, Hwasangcheon, Cheonjincheon, Ohhocheon Stream etc., but the population size was small in streams such as Sacheoncheon, Namcheon, Gangneung Namdaecheon Stream etc. The main habitat of I. pacifica was the downstream pool of clean water with slow velocity and sand bottoms, and their sensibility was estimated to be due to river work and water pollution. Comparing the previous records of the appearance of I. pacifica, they were first seen in Sampocheon Stream, but they did not appear in Jusucheon, Jeoncheon, Samcheok Osipcheon Stream. Given this evidence as noted for the 19.5% reduction in occupancy within 3 generations, in small appearance range ($1,343km^2$) and small occupancy area ($184km^2$), the number of locations were many (18) and the population was relatively large within the range of habitat. Therefore, I. pacifica is now considered a Near Threatened (NT) based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.