• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.217-234
• /
• 2015

The ethnobotanical study was conducted to record and conserve the traditional knowledge of botanical taxa in Jeju island, Korea from March to November, 2011. According to the survey results, derived from 1,774 sheets of 177 residents at 78 places, the ethnobotanical plants in Jeju island consisted of a total 356 taxa; 103 families, 260 genera, 312 species, 2 subspecies, 37 varieties and 5 form. The analysis of usage for 365 taxa showed that the medicinal use was the highest with 284 taxa, followed by edible with 145 taxa, ritual with 36 taxa, craft with 31 taxa and timber with 31 taxa respectively. The leaf of plant was the most useful part, followed by stem and whole plant. The most frequently mentioned taxon was Plantago asiatica (34 citations), followed by Artemisia princeps (32 citations) and Lonicera japonica (30 citations).

• ALGAE
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.157-166
• /
• 2018

Cryptic species complexes are increasingly recognized in phycological research, obscuring taxonomy and raising questions about factors influencing speciation. A recent exploration of kelp genetic diversity on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia revealed the existence of a new species, Saccharina druehlii, which is cryptic with Saccharina sessilis. This suggests that molecular investigations further north may be required to elucidate the taxonomy and evolutionary history of this lineage. Although, for several decades, S. sessilis was considered a single highly variable species, its taxonomy has been far from straightforward. In particular, Hedophyllum subsessile (Areschoug) Setchell is now recognized as a synonym of S. sessilis in North America, but as a growth form of Saccharina bongardiana in Far East Russia. To resolve this taxonomic confusion, we sequenced mitochondrial (CO1-5P) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer) markers of S. sessilis populations from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, USA. Interestingly, none of our sequences matched S. sessilis sensu stricto. Instead, CO1-5P sequences from populations in the central and eastern Aleutians matched exactly S. druehlii with increasing sequence divergence occurring westward. Samples from Attu, the western-most island, composed a genetic group that clearly represents Kjellman's concept of Hafgygia bongardiana f. subsessilis and is distinct enough from S. druehlii and S. sessilis to potentially constitute a distinct species. Therefore, Saccharina subsessilis comb. nov. is proposed for this entity. Our results suggest the existence of a species complex at the crown node of S. sessilis and thus further investigation of Saccharina in Alaskan waters should be conducted to reconstruct the evolutionary history of this fascinating lineage.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.74-79
• /
• 2008

The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition of 14 kinds of citrus oils and to test their biological activities. Citrus essential oils were obtained by steam distillation from immature fruits collected from Jeju Island and were analyzed using gas chromatograph (GC)-flame ionization detectors (FID) and GC-MS. Limonene (55.4% to 91.7%), myrcene (2.1% to 32.1%), ${\alpha}$-pinene (0.6% to 1.6%) and linalool (0.4% to 6.9%) were the major components in most citrus species. To evaluate in vitro antibacterial activity, all essential oils were tested against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Nine out of fourteen citrus oils exhibited antibacterial activity against P. acnes, but not against S. epidermidis. The effects of the citrus oils on DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide radical anion scavenging, nitric oxide radical, and cytotoxicity were also assessed. Three essential citrus oils, Joadeung, Dongjunggyul, and Bujiwha, exhibited potent inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production. Two essential oils, Dongjunggyul and Joadeung, showed potent free radical scavenging activities in the DPPH assay. For future applications in cosmetic products, we also performed MTT assays in a human dermal fibroblast cell line. The majority of the essential oils showed no cytotoxicity. The results indicate that citrus essential oils can be useful natural agents for cosmetic application.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.12-24
• /
• 1992

The application of island biogepgraphy and habitat fragmentation theory to protected area management in Korea is discussed. The accelerating destruction and degradation of natural habitats, with the associated erosion of biodiversity, demands and urgent response and a critical review of attitudes to protected area management. The flora of Korea will continue to change in both distribution and status in response to these man induced changes. The conservation and management of ecosystems, because of the variety of threats and the varying levels of biodiversity to be conserved, requires an integrated approach. Such an approach assesses the variety of threats, prevalent and potential, and responds with a strategy combining habitat, species and population management. The application of island biogeography, habitat fragmentation and edge effects theory to conservation strategies in Korea will assist in the understanding of the dynamic relationships between the isolation. degradation and fragmentation of surviving habitat patches. The application of such approaches is discussed with recommendations made for the adoption of an increasingly scientific approach to plant conservation based upon a knowledge of the conservation status and distribution characteristics of the Korean flora. Such data combined with demographic studies on topics such as Minimum Viable Population Size will allow an integrated approach to plant and habitat conservation to progress.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.39-43
• /
• 2012

The knowledge of native wild mushrooms traditionally using in Jeju Island, that have specific native environment and various biodiversity, was investigated. From Jeju and Seogwipo cities including 7 provinces 4 locals, so total 50 villages, data was collected in the entire area and voice of the 93 elderly people between the age of fifty and ninety were recorded. As a result, total 23 native wild mushrooms were used in which 2 species were poisonous mushrooms, 7 species were medicinal mushrooms, 2 species was used for folk religion, 2 species were not used for living but for attention and 12 species were edible mushrooms. Also, a total of 267 cases of traditional knowledge was collected, in which 197 cases were about edible mushrooms for 12 species, 43 cases were about poisonous mushrooms for 2 species, 16 cases were about medicinal mushrooms for 7 species. Interestingly, the fortune for agriculture was told depending on spore mass release of Cyathus stercoreus which grows in animal feces and compost. It is considered as the distinctive traditional knowledge of Jeju Island.

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

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.237-249
• /
• 2011

Land-use changes due to the socio-economic environment influence landscape patterns and processes, which affect habitats and biodiversity. This study considers the effects of such land-use changes, particularly on the traditional rural "Maeul" forested landscape, by analyzing landscape structure and vegetation changes. Three study areas were examined that have seen their populations decrease and age over the last few decades. Five types of plant life-forms (Raunkier life-forms) were distinguished to investigate ecosystem function. Principle component analysis was used to understand vegetation dynamics and community characteristics based on a vegetation similarity index. Ordination analysis transformed species-coverage data was introduced to clarify vegetation dynamics. Landscape indices, such as area metrics, edge metrics, and shape metrics, showed that spatial heterogeneity has increased over time in all areas. Pinus densiflora was the main land-use plant type in all study areas but decreased over time, whereas Quercus spp. increased. Over a decade, P. densiflora communities shifted to deciduous oak and plantation. These findings indicate that the impact of human activities on the Maeul landscape is twofold. While forestry activities caused heavy disturbances, the abandonment of traditional human activities has led to natural succession. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the type and intensity of these human impacts on landscape heterogeneity relate differently to vegetation succession. This reflects the cause and consequence of patch dynamics. We discuss an approach for sustainable landscape planning and management of the Maeul landscape based on traditional management.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.41-44
• /
• 2020

The Chinese many-toothed snake (Sibynophis chinensis) is an endangered species in South Korea. To determine its reproductive activity, here we captured a gravid S. chinensis from Mulyeongari Oreum Wetland Conservation Area, Jeju Island, on May 27, 2018, and reared it at Animal Taxonomy and Morphology Laboratory, Jeju National University, South Korea. The snake oviposited a clutch of six eggs between June 12 and 20, 2018, with an average size of 24.86 ± 1.36 mm in length and 9.86 ± 0.49 mm in width, which were artificially incubated at a constant temperature of 27 ℃. After incubating for 34-41 days, five of these six eggs successfully hatched. Average snoutvent length (SVL), tail length (TL), and body weight (BW) of hatchlings were 136.5 ± 5.17 mm, 47.76 ± 2.80 mm, and 1.66 ± 0.12 g, respectively. This study observed the reproductive activity of S. chinensis and characterized its eggs and hatchlings for the first time, providing valuable information for the long-term conservation plan of S. chinensis in South Korea.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.143-153
• /
• 2020

Six new species of two genera Dysidea and Pleraplysilla (Demospongiae: Dictyoceratida: Dysideidae) are described from Jejudo Island, Dokdo Island and Guryongpo, Korea. Among them, five new species of the genus Dysidea are compared with other reported species in fibres structure, cored detritus and fibres arrangement. Dysidea niveus n. sp. is characterized by thin collagenous plate-like fibres. Dysidea dokdoensis n. sp. is similar to D. geomunensis Kim et al., 2020 in skeletal structure, but differs in length of surface conules. Dysidea hydra n. sp. is similar to D. mureungensis Kim et al., 2020 at the surface, but differs in fibres cored with spicules. Dysidea sabulum n. sp. is similar to D. glavea Kim et al., 2020 in cored large sands in fibres, but differs in having numerous large sands cored in fibres throughout the sponge. Dysidea hirsuta n. sp. is unique, only surface fibres cored with large sands but not in choanosome. A new species of genus Pleraplysilla, P. flabellum n. sp. is compared with seven other reported species. This new species is not encrusting but has a thick flabellate shape.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.247-263
• /
• 2015

We sequenced the rbcL gene in more than 100 collections of foliose Bangiales made in the Aleutian Islands and western Alaska Peninsula during the past 25 years. This work allows us to recognize four previously undescribed species, two in the genus Boreophyllum and two in Pyropia. Boreophyllum aleuticum appears to be endemic to the Aleutian Islands, whereas B. ambiguum is known to occur from the Yakutat area to the tip of the Alaska Peninsula. The two previously undescribed species of Pyropia are more broadly distributed. Pyropia taeniata, which was previously identified under the name Py. pseudolinearis, occurs from northern Southeast Alaska through the Aleutian Islands. Pyropia unabbottiae, which is sister to Py. abbottiae, occurs from southern Vancouver Island to Attu Island. Collections throughout the Aleutian Islands allow us to document the distribution of another dozen species of foliose Bangiales in this region, including Boreophyllum aestivale, Fuscifolium tasa, Pyropia fallax, Py. fucicola, Py. gardneri, Py. kurogii, Py. nereocystis, Py. pseudolanceolata, Py. torta, Wildemania amplissima, W. norrisii, and W. variegata. We were unable to confirm the occurrence of the following species previously recorded from the Aleutian Islands: Porphya ochotensis, Pyropia abbottiae, Py. perforata, Py. pseudolinearis, P. purpurea, P. umbilicalis, Py. yezoensis and Wildemania schizophylla. At least two undescribed filamentous Bangiales also occur in the Aleutian Islands.