• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2022

With the increase in world trade through ships, the destruction of the marine ecosystem and socioeconomic damage due to invasive alien species (IAS) are continuously increasing. In particular, marine organisms attached on the hull surface and niche area increase the friction resistance of ships as well as the invasion of non-indigenous species, and causes a decrease in operational efficiency and an increase in GHG (Green House Gas) emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently begun revising guidelines for the control and management of ship's biofouling, and New Zealand and California in the United States are already regulating biofouling management under their own laws. This study investigated the management status of the submerged surface of ships and marine organisms attachments on five international ships entering South Korea, and analyzed species group and coverage (%) of biofouling communities to evaluate the LoF (Level of Fouling) rank. Macroflouling was observed on all ships surveyed, and specially, the adhesion of macro organisms in niche areas such as bow thruster, bilge keels and sea-chest gratings appeared to be at a serious level. This study proposed the management direction our country should take with regard to ship's biofouling and the improvement measures for evaluation of LoF rank and inspection methods of hull and niche ares.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2014

In order to prevent the spread of non-indigenous aquatic species through the ballast water in commercial ships, International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted in 2004 the International Convention for Control and Management of Ship's Ballast Water and Sediments. The Convention mandates treatment of ballast water for most transoceanic voyages and its confirmation of treatment is made with plankton live/dead assay. Fluorescein diacetate assay (FDA), which produces bright green light for live phytoplankton, has been a de facto standard method to determine the survival of marine plankton, but its staining efficacy has been in dispute. In the present study, we examined the limitation of FDA, and compared its efficacy with Neutral red (NR) staining, another promising assay and widely used especially for zooplankton mortality. For all phytoplankton species studied in the present study, except Ditylum brightwellii, the staining efficiency was <50% with FDA. The green FDA fluorescence interfered with phytoplankton autofluorescence in most samples. In contrast, NR assay stained over 90% of both phytoplankton and zooplankton species tested in this study. FDA assay also showed that green FDA fluorescence rapidly faded when phytoplankton cells were exposed to microscope light. Both FDA and NR assay were negative on formalin-killed individuals of both phytoplankton and zooplankton species. Our results suggest that NR assay is more effective for determining the survival of marine plankton and can be applied to test the efficacy of ballast water treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.291-300
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship of occurrence and distribution of Eupatorium rugosum by forest types and soil characteristics in Mt. Namsan in Seoul, Korea. E. rugosum is designated as a harmful non-indigenous plant in ecosystem by the Natural Environment Conservation Act in Korea. E. rugosum grew along roadside and in valleys with some favorable light conditions. E. rugosum occurred in aggregations under Pinus densiflora and Robinia pseudoacacia communities. And it was sparse in forests of Quercus mongolica and P. koraiensis. The representative herb layer species were Oplismenus undulatifolius, and Parthenocissus tricuspidata in the E. rugosum communities. There was a significantly negative correlation between the coverage of E. rugosum and the coverage of tree layer. However, the result of ANOVA of E. rugosum coverage by dominant species of tree layers did not show a significant difference (p>0.05). The level of soil moisture content, organic content, and pH, was slightly higher in communities with E. rugosum than without, but it was statistically non-significant difference. However, it was found that the coverage of E. rugosum was very significantly negative correlated with the depth of top soil profile (litter and fermentation layer, p<0.05).

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2019

Pterocarpus erinaceus is a multipurpose tree species indigenous to semi-arid and Guinean-savanna woodlands of Africa. Natural regeneration on the savanna is being hampered by higher fire frequencies and other land use changes. Simultaneously, demand for timber from the species on the international market is on the rise, raising conservation concerns. To ensure sustainability, good quality seeds, sources of which have not received much research focus, are needed for afforestation. This study investigated how seed quality, germinability and initial seedling growth of P. erinaceus might be influenced by land-use type, mother tree size as well as source and timing of fruit harvest, using both correlational and experimental approaches. The results showed that up to 94.6% of all harvested fruits contained seeds, with no differences found between fruits harvested from cultivated and non-cultivated lands. Percentage of (sound) unblemished seeds was found to be higher for fruits harvested early March (47.3%) than fruits from late April (39.5%). Percentage sound seeds was 41.4% for dispersed fruits (i.e. detached fruits picked from under mother trees) which was not found to differ from undispersed fruits (i.e. fruits harvested while still attached to mother trees) at 45.5%. Also, the influence of fruit harvest time was not found to be different for dispersed and undispersed fruits. Correlations between seed set (proportion of fruits containing seeds) and mother tree size (both tree height and DBH) were found to be very low and non-significant for both dispersed and undispersed fruits. Across mother trees, mean emergence percent was 79.7%, and mean seedling height at three weeks following emergence was 5.32 cm. Both emergence percentage and seedling height were not found to differ among mother trees, but seeds from dispersed fruits had a higher emergence percent (85%) than seeds from undispersed fruits (74%). Implications of findings are discussed.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.272-281
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• 2023

Ecosystem observatories are burgeoning globally in an endeavour to detect national and global scale trends in the state of biodiversity and ecosystems in an era of rapid environmental change. In this paper we highlight the additional importance of regional scale outcomes of such infrastructure, through an introduction to the Great Western Woodlands TERN (Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network) SuperSite, and key findings from three gradient plot networks that are part of this infrastructure. The SuperSite was established in 2012 in the 160,000 km² Great Western Woodlands region, in a collaboration involving 12 organisations. This region is globally significant for its largely intact, diverse landscapes, including the world's largest Mediterranean-climate woodlands and highly diverse sandplain shrublands. The dominant woodland eucalypts are fire-sensitive, requiring hundreds of years to regrow after fire. Old-growth woodlands are highly valued by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and managing impacts of climate change and the increasing extent of intense fires are key regional management challenges. Like other TERN SuperSites, the Great Western Woodlands TERN SuperSite includes a core eddy-covariance flux tower measuring exchanges of carbon, water and energy between the vegetation and atmosphere, along with additional environmental and biodiversity monitoring around the tower. The broader SuperSite incorporates three gradient plot networks. Two of these represent aridity gradients, in sandplains and woodlands, informing regional climate adaptation and biodiversity management by characterising biodiversity turnover along spatial climate gradients and acting as sentinels for ecosystem change over time. For example, the sandplains transect has demonstrated extremely high spatial turnover rates in plant species, that challenge traditional approaches to biodiversity conservation. The third gradient plot network represents a 400-year fire-age gradient in Eucalyptus salubris woodlands. It has enabled characterisation of post-fire recovery of vegetation, birds and invertebrates over multi-century timeframes, and provided tools that are directly informing management to reduce stand-replacing fires in eucalypt woodlands. By building regional partnerships and applying globally or nationally consistent methodologies to regional scale questions, ecological observatories have the power not only to detect national and global scale trends in biodiversity and ecosystems, but to directly inform environmental decisions that are critical at regional scales.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.356-367
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• 2012

Community structure of fish and inhabiting status of endangered species, Cobitis choii and Gobiobotia naktongensis were investigated in the Ji Stream, a tributary of the Geum River Drainage System of Korea from May to October 2011. Ten to 23 fish species inhabited upper stream (St. 1~St. 4) with a Aa-Bb river type composed of mostly pebble and cobble bottoms, 16~28 species did middle stream (St. 5~St. 7) with a Bb type composed of mostly cobble and boulder bottoms, and 20-29 species did lower stream (St. 8~St. 10) with a Bb-Bc type composed of mostly sand bottoms. A total of 44 species belonging to nine families were found in the stream during the survay. The dominant species were in the order of Zacco platypus (37.2%), Pungtungia herzi (5.8%) and Pseudogobio esocinus (5.5%). Other abundant species included Acheilognathus lanceolatus (5.3%), Zacco koreanus (5.2%), Hemibarbus longirostris (4.9%) and Squalidus gracilis majimae (3.5%). Among residing species, 16 species were endemic to Korea, two (Cobits choii and Gobiobotia naktongensis) were endangered, and one (Micropterus salmoides) was non-indigenous. The similarity index based on species composition and abundance clearly delineated the fish community of the Ji Stream according to the three major sections, which were defined at the above. Dominance index gradually decreased toward downstream, while diversity, evenness and species richness indexes gradually increased toward downstream. The two endangered species, C. choii and G. naktongensis co-occurred at the lower stream due to the prevalence of a sandy substratum.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.99-111
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• 2014

Community structure of fish and inhabiting status of natural monument and endangered species, Cobitis choii were investigated in the Baekgok Stream, a tributary of the Geum River drainage system of Korea from May to November 2012. Ten-15 fish species inhabited upper stream (St. 1~St. 3) with a Aa or Aa-Bb river type composed of mostly pebble and cobble bottoms. 15~21 species did middle stream (St. 4~St. 5) with Aa or Aa-Bb type composed of mostly cobble, boulder and pebble bottoms. Nine species did Reservoir Baekgok (St. 6) with composed of mostly mud bottoms, and Seven species did Reservoir Baekgok outflow (St. 7) with Aa-Bb type composed of mostly boulder and cobble bottoms. And 20~23 species did lower stream (St. 8~St. 9) with a Bb-Bc type composed of mostly cobble and sand bottoms. A total of 35 species belonging to ten families were found in the stream during the survey. The dominant species were in the order of Zacco platypus (34.7%), Pungtungia herzi (9.4%) and Microphysogobio yaluensis (9.0%). Other abundant species included Tridentiger bifasciatus (8.2%), Pseudogobio esocinus (5.9%), Carassius auratus (4.6%), Squalidus chankaensis tsuchigae (3.7%), Rhinogobius brunneus (3.0%). Among residing species, ten (28.6%) species were endemic to Korea, one (Cobits choii) was endangered, and two (Micropterus salmoides and C. cuvieri) were non-indigenous. Natural monument and endangered species, C. choii were only inhabited St. 5, and they are inhabited 30~100 cm in water depth, sand bottom and slowly velocity. Using the mark-recapture method, populations were estimated at $7,838{\pm}6,290$ individuals. Age group in May estimated from total length indicated that the 38~45 mm group is 0 year old, the 46~60 mm group is 1 years old, the 61~80 mm group is 2 years old, and the 81~93 mm group is more than 3 years old. Condition factor (${\times}10^5) was 0.36~0.39 and 0.35~0.38 for female and male, respectively, and they are 13.5% were infected with parasites (digenea). We are discussed the health status, threats and conservation strategies of C. choii in the Baekgok Stream.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the creation techniques of artificial wetland, one of biotopes developed to promote biodiversity in urban areas, and to look for improvement steps. Specifically, artificial wetland creation techniques were categorized into living environment and living creature classification. Being living conditions for creations, habitat environment was reviewed with a focus on water and soil environments. Living creatures were classified into plants, insects, fish, and birds. The evaluation of creation techniques was done in post-construction evaluation while considering the creation of habitats for living creatures. Intervention by users, changes in living environment and living species, and relevance of creation techniques were reviewed. Key results of this study are as follows. (1) Water environment for the living environment of creatures provides a suitable environment conditions for the living of creatures through a process easing the use of piped water. Various water depths and embankment appear to have a positive impact on the living of aquatic life. In particular, embankment covered in soil naturally played an important role as a place for the activities of aquatic insects and young fish as well as the growth of aquatic plants. (2) Various aquatic and ground plants to promote insect-diversity, shallow water, and old-tree logs had contributed greatly in increasing the types and number of insects. Aquatic insects. Aquatic insects were seen much particularly in areas where aquatic plants are rich but water is shallow than any other areas. (3) A space piled with stone to provide habitats for fish was not much used. However, it was observed that fish used embankment built with natural stones and embankment using logs in areas where water is deep. In addition, it was confirmed that 1,500 fish that had been released propagated using various depths and places for birth. (4) It was analyzed that techniques (creation of island, log setting, and creation of man-made bird nests) to provide habitats and to attract birds are not serving their roles. In such a case, it is believed that species had not increased due to the smallness as well as isolated features of the area. Based on theoretical review, they are judged to be areas that are likely to be used when a greater variety of birds is introduced. It is judged that attracting and keeping more birds at the site, such spaces need to be linked systematically in the future in terms of building eco-network while ensuring an adequate living areas. (5) In the study areas, users intervened greatly. As a result, a blockage was created preventing the normal growth of plants and non-indigenous plants were introduced. In order to limit the intervention by users, setting enough buffer zones, and environment education programs were urgently required. D/H=1>Hyangkyo> houses on the river>temples>lecture halls. D/H ratio of the backside areas is as follows. D/H=1>Hyangkyo>houses on the river>lecture halls. 4. Inner garden were planted deciduous than evergreen trees with Lagerstroemia indica. Enclosed dominant trees were planted by Pinus densiflora, Querces seuata. construct GEM strain, and examined for the expression and functional stability in microcosms.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.325-334
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• 2023

The invasive red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, is native to south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. Recently, it has been being spreading in the wild in South Korea. However, its primary sources, introduction routes, establishment, and expansion in South Korea remain unclear. Here, we analyzed genetic diversity and population genetic structures of its domestic natural populations during early invasion, commercial stock from local aquaria (a suspected introduction source), and original United States population using mitochondrial COI gene sequences for 267 individuals and eight microsatellite markers for 158 individuals. Natural and commercial populations of P. clarkii showed reduced genetic diversity (e.g., haplotype diversity and allelic richness). The highest genetic diversity was observed in one original source population based on both genetic markers. Despite a large number of individuals in commercial aquaria, we detected remarkably low genetic diversity and only three haplotypes among 226 individuals, suggesting an inbred population likely originating from a small founder group. Additionally, the low genetic diversity in the natural population indicates a small effective population size during early establishment of P. clarkii in South Korea. Interestingly, genetic differentiation between natural populations and the United States population was lower than that between natural populations and aquarium populations. This suggests that various genetic types from the United States likely have entered different domestic aquariums, leading to distinct natural populations through separate pathways. Results of our study will provide an insight on the level of genetic divergence and population differentiation during the initial stage of invasion of non-indigenous species into new environments.