• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

This study performed the impact of ecological waterway on fish community in a reach of the Dal River, Korea. Fish monitoring revealed that 9 fish species are dominant, namely Zacco platypus, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco koreanus, Pungtungia herzi, Acheilognathus yamatsutae, Rhinogobius brunneus, Tanakia signifer, Gobiobotia macrocephala, and Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpus, and account for 95% of the total fish community. The River2D model was used for the computation of the flow and the HSI model for the habitat simulation. The restoration of the waterway performed through the small dam removal, the formation of the pool-riffle structure, and the change of the bed elevation and width. Simulation results indicated that the restoration of the ecological waterway effects significantly increased by about 16% for the WUA (Weighted Usable Area) of the total fish community in optimal ecological flow conditions ($Q=7.0m^3/s$). The restoration of the ecological waterway is more advantageous to fish community.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.145-155
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• 2022

Koreoleptoxis nodifila (Martens, 1886) is an endangered species only living in the central and north streams of South Korea. However, there is a lack of information on physical habitat characteristics of K. nodifila. We aimed to determine preference ranges for water depth, current velocity, streambed substrate of K. nodifila. The weibull model was used to estimate the habitat suitability based on distribution of individual abundance by physical factors. Optimal depth preferences ranged from 0.53~17.17 cm, current preferences ranged from 48.40~81.03 cm s^-1 and substrate (𝜱_m) preferences ranged from -4.36~ -2.26. Median values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth 16.73 cm, current velocity 65.23 cm s^-1, substrate -3.51. Mean values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth 21.32 cm, current velocity 65.65 cm s^-1, substrate -3.63. Mode values of central tendency were determined as follows: water depth 5.17 cm, current velocity 64.77 cm s^-1, substrate -3.24. Based on the habitat suitability analysis, the microhabitat types of K. nodifila were determined as riffle and coarse-grained streambed.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.56 no.9
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• pp.553-562
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• 2023

The Gobiobotia naktongensis is a species endemic to Korea, and it has recently been designated as a class I endangered species of freshwater fish. Naeseong Stream, one of the tributaries of the Nakdong River, where the Gobiobotia naktongensis was first discovered, provided an optimal habitat for the Gobiobotia naktongensis in the past with fine sand beds and riffle. Currently, due to the construction of Yeongju Dam and the excessive dredging of river channels by the local government, the riverbed armoring in the downstream area of the dam is undergoing rapid changes, and as a result, the habitat environment of the Gobiobotia naktongensis is deteriorating. In this study, the variations of the habitat suitability of the Gobiobotia naktongensis due to the change in the riverbed grain size of the Naeseong Stream were analyzed based on the WUA (weight usable area) using the physical habitat model, River2D. The study domain is the reach from Seoktap Bridge to Hoeryong Bridge downstream of Yeongju Dam. The change in riverbed grain size was analyzed using D50 acquired in 2010 and 2020, respectively. The substrate grain size of Naeseong Stream in 2020 was thicker than that in 2010, and the riverbed coarsening phenomenon was evident overall. As a result of the River2D analysis, the area in which the Gobiobotia naktongensis could inhabit was only about 0.75% in 2010 compared to the entire area of the flow, and even this decreased to 0.55% in 2020 due to riverbed armoring.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2023

This study was conducted to clarify the environmental variables that affect the appearance of Mauremys reevesii and to understand the relationship between M. reevesii and the variables. Habitat environmental survey was implemented by selecting 17 environmental variables considering ecological characteristics of M. reevesii in the main reservoir in Gurye-gun, the Republic of Korea. And the habitat data on the presence and absence of M.reevesii were analyzed statistically. The habitat suitability model of M. reevesii was described in following equation : logit (p) = -3.68 + (0.17 × leaf litter depth) + (1.55 × vegetation coverage of overstory on land) + (0.71 × coverage of midstory on land) + (0.96 × vegetation coverage of understory on water). This information gained is valuable for better understanding the distribution and how to conserve and promote populations of M. reevesii occurring in the Republic of Korea.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.149-160
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• 2011

This study developed a HSI for the creatures in Hongcheon River in order to analyze the conditions proper for habitats. For the index, the investigator identified a total of seven items encompassing hydraulic characteristics such as flow velocity and water depth, and water quality characteristics such as water temperature, BOD, DO, TN, and TP. The subject river was simulated, inspected, and revised with a two-dimensional river model (RMA-2) and water quality model (QUAL2E). Using GIS, the developed index was divided by section by reflecting river characteristics and compared and analyzed with the statistics. The river was divided into a total of 29 reaches by reflecting the basic characteristics and the features of the hydraulic coefficient on the cross-sections of the river. According to the analysis results, the fish scored the highest mean of the overall habitat suitability index of 0.769 at reach 27. Each of the variables had the following mean values: 0.122 m/s for flow velocity, 0.782m for water depth, $14.3^{\circ}C$ for water temperature, 0.68 mg/l for BOD, 10.3 mg/l for DO, 2.4 mg/l for TN, and 0.0121mg/l for TP.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.292-303
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• 2022

Background: Climate change significantly influences the geographical distribution of plant species worldwide. Selecting indicator species allows for better-informed and more effective ecosystem management in response to climate change. The Korean Peninsula is the northernmost distribution zone of warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved (WTEB) species in Northeast Asia. Considering the ecological value of these species, we evaluated the current distribution range and future suitable habitat for 13 WTEB tree species designated as climate-sensitive biological indicator species. Results: Up-to-date and accurate WTEB species distribution maps were constructed using herbarium specimens and citizen science data from the Korea Biodiversity Observation Network. Current northern limits for several species have shifted to higher latitudes compared to previous records. For example, the northern latitude limit for Stauntonia hexaphylla is higher (37° 02' N, Deokjeokdo archipelago) than that reported previously (36° 13' N). The minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6) is the major factor influencing species distribution. Under future climate change scenarios, suitable habitats are predicted to expand toward higher latitudes inland and along the western coastal areas. Conclusions: Our results support the suitability of WTEB trees as significant biological indicators of species' responses to warming. The findings also suggest the need for consistent monitoring of species distribution shifts. This study provides an important baseline dataset for future monitoring and management of indicator species' responses to changing climate conditions in South Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.973-983
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• 2007

The eco-hydrologic effects of maintenance water supply on Oncheon stream are studied using hydrologic, hydraulic and ecologic models. SWMM (Storm Water Management Model) is used for long-term simulation of runoff quantity and water quality from Oncheon stream watershed. Using the output hydrologic variables from SWMM, HEC-RAS (River Analysis System) is then used to simulate the hydraulics of water flow through Oncheon stream channels. Such hydrologic, hydraulic and water quality output variables from SWMM and HEC-RAS are served as input data to execute PHABSIM (Physical Habitat Simulation) for the purpose of predicting the micro-habitat conditions in rivers as a function of stream flow and the relative suitability of those conditions to aquatic life. It is observed from the PHABSIM results that the weighted usable area for target fishes has the maximum value at $2m^3/s$ of instream flow. However, mid and down stream areas that have concrete river bed and covered region are unsuitable for fish habitat regardless of instream flow increment. The simulation results indicate that the simple maintenance water supply is limited in its effect to improve the ecological environment in Oncheon stream. Therefore, it is imperative to improve water quality and to recover habitat conditions simultaneously.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2016.05a
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• pp.162-162
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 한국 낙동강에 위치한 강정-고령보에 설치된 by-pass 어도의 유인효율을 유량 변화에 따라 살펴보고, 어도 유인효율을 극대화할 수 있는 최적의 본류 방류량을 산정하였다. 강정-고령보는 고정보와 가동보로 구성된 혼합식 보로 유량조절이 가능하며, 가동보의 조작에 따라 by-pass 어도 내의 유량이 결정된다. 유인효율의 지표로 목표어종의 HSC(Habitat Suitability Criteria) 지수에 기반한 WUA(Weighted Usable Area)를 삼았다. WUA는 평면 2차원 물리서식처 모형인 River2D를 활용하여 계산하였다. 또한 River2D로 계산된 유속장은 GPS Floater를 활용한 현장관측 자료로 검증하였으며, 어망을 이용한 월별 어류 모니터링 자료로 유인효율 평가의 타당성을 간접적으로 검증하였다. 결과적으로 본 연구 대상인 강정-고령보의 by-pass 어도에서 가장 효과적으로 목표 어류를 유인하기 위해서는 본류의 유량이 190 cms내외를 유지해야 한다. 특히 목표 어류인 모래무지가 봄철(4월~6월)에 산란기를 맞아 상하류로 이동하려는 경향을 띄므로, 이때 적절한 가동보 운영을 통해 본류 유량을 190 cms로 유지하는 것이 필요하리라 사료된다.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.427-437
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• 2019

Background: Climate change is believed to be continuously affecting ticks by influencing their habitat suitability. However, we attempted to model the climate change-induced impacts on future genus Rhipicephalus distribution considering the major environmental factors that would influence the tick. Therefore, 50 tick occuance points were taken to model the potential distribution using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) software and 19 climatic variables, taking into account the ability for future climatic change under representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5, were used. Results: MaxEnt model performance was tested and found with the AUC value of 0.99 which indicates excellent goodness-of-fit and predictive accuracy. Current models predict increased temperatures, both in the mid and end terms together with possible changes of other climatic factors like precipitation which may lead to higher tick-borne disease risks associated with expansion of the range of the targeted tick distribution. Distribution maps were constructed for the current, 2050, and 2070 for the two greenhouse gas scenarios and the most dramatic scenario; RCP 8.5 produced the highest increase probable distribution range. Conclusions: The future potential distribution of the genus Rhipicephalus show potential expansion to the new areas due to the future climatic suitability increase. These results indicate that the genus population of the targeted tick could emerge in areas in which they are currently lacking; increased incidence of tick-borne diseases poses further risk which can affect cattle production and productivity, thereby affecting the livelihood of smallholding farmers. Therefore, it is recommended to implement climate change adaptation practices to minimize the impacts.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.246-254
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• 2021

Subalpine and alpine ecosystems are especially vulnerable to temperature increases. Betula ermanii Cham. (Betulaceae) is a dominant broad-leaved tree species in the subalpine zone and is designated as a 'Climate-sensitive Biological Indicator Species' in South Korea. This study aimed to predict the potential distribution of B. ermanii under current and future climate conditions in South Korea using the MaxEnt model. The species distribution models showed an excellent fit (AUC=0.99). Among the climatic variables, the most critical factors shaping B. ermanii distribution were identified as the maximum temperature of warmest month (Bio5; 64.8%) and annual mean temperature (Bio1; 20.3%). Current potential habitats were predicted in the Baekdudaegan mountain range and Mt. Hallasan, and the area of suitable habitat was 1531.52 km², covering 1.57% of the Korean Peninsula. With global warming, future climate scenarios have predicted a decrease in the suitable habitats for B. ermanii. Under RCP8.5-2070s, in particular, habitat with high potential was predicted only in several small areas in Gangwon-do, and the total area suitable for the species decreased by up to 97.3% compared to the current range. We conclude that the dominant factor affecting the distribution of B. ermanii is temperature and that future temperature rises will increase the vulnerability of this species.