• Journal of Species Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2023

A northern lineage plant, Stellaria filicaulis (Caryophyllaceae), was newly found in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do of South Korea. This species is distributed in China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, and Russia. On the Korean Peninsula, St. filicaulis, however, has been known to grow in North Korea. Species identification was confirmed using morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data, while comparing with materials obtained from herbarium specimens. Stellaria filicaulis is distinguished from St. longifolia by having smooth surface of stem, petals about twice longer than sepals. On the neighbor-joining tree, St. filicaulis formed a clade, and the species is closely related to St. longifolia of the Parviflorae clade. Details of the morphological characters, the type specimens, voucher specimens data, and photographs of St. filicaulis in South Korea are presented. In addition, it is likely that a new habitat will be found by plant biodiversity field surveys through the middle part of the Korean Peninsula. Further research is needed to determine its population size, distribution, and threats, as well as identify appropriate locations for conservation collection of germplasm.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.523-528
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• 2016

The migratory locust Locusta migratoria, one of the world's most notorious insect pests, has polyphenic (gregarious or solitarious) characteristics. Although this species is known to have several morphological variants, it is genetically divided into two different lineages using mitochondrial genome analysis: Southern (Africa, Southern Europe, Southern Asia, and Australia) and Northern (East Asia and the Eurasian continent). In 2014, a large number of orange black-colored gregarious L. migratoria nymphs suddenly appeared at Haenamgun, Jeollanamdo in the south of Korea. This is the first report of gregarious phase locusts occurring in Korea. In this study, mitochondrial COI sequences of one nymph and 11 adults of L. migratoria were analyzed to examine the genetic lineage of the gregarious nymphs of L. migratoria. Our results showed that all 12 individuals belong to the Northern linage and have low intraspecific genetic divergences (0.0% - 0.9%).

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.541-563
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• 2022

This study aimed to elucidate the distribution of vascular plants in Namhansanseong (Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do), Korea. The results of 30 field surveys from June 2019 to June 2020 identified 568 total taxa, representing 513 species, 10 subspecies, 40 varieties, 3 forms, and 2 hybrids in 335 genera and 107 families. Among them, 17 taxa were endemic plants to Korea, and one taxon were endangered plant and three taxa were red list plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 63 taxa, specifically one taxon of grade V, seven taxa of grade IV, 12 taxa of grade III, 14 taxa of grade II, and 29 taxa of grade I. And 66 taxa were northern lineage plants. Alien plants were recorded a total of 61 taxa with a Naturalized Index of 10.7%, the Urbanization Index was calculated to be 9.8%. As the result of comparison with previous studies, in this study a total of 213 taxa were newly identified representing 187 species, three subspecies, 19 varieties, one form, and two hybrids in 161 genera and 66 families.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.720-761
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• 2022

This study surveyed the vascular flora present in abandoned paddy field type of 237 forest wetlands in Korea to provide baseline data for conservation, management, and monitoring and to support preparation for damage and climate change. The study period was from April 2015 to November 2021. The vascular flora of 237 forest wetlands by abandoned paddy field type were identified to consist of 128 families, 510 genera, 1,022 species, 27 subspecies, 87 varieties, 10 forma, and 1,146 taxa. 4 taxa were identified as grade II endangered wild plants, 185 taxa were identified as northern lineage plants of the Korean Peninsula, 43 taxa were endemic to the Korean Peninsula, and 58 taxa were rare plants as designated by the Korea Forest Service. Further, 296 taxa were floristic target plants and there were 86 taxa of invasive alien plants. According to wetland preference, 79 taxa (6.9%) were obligate wetland plants, 103 taxa (9.0%) were facultative wetland plants, and 61 (5.3%) taxa were facultative plants. Additionally, 66 taxa (5.8%) were facultative upland plants, and 837 taxa (73.0%) were obligate upland plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated the growth and physiological responses of Iris laevigata Fisch. to shading treatments in order to suggest optimal light conditions for ex-situ conservation of the northern lineage plants. For this purpose, a control plant receiving full sunlight and different shading treatments (50%, 75%, 95%) were installed, and leaf mass per area, chlorophyll content and fluorescence response, and photosynthetic characteristics were investigated. I. laevigata developed leaves with higher photosynthetic efficiency to adapt to lower light intensity as shading levels increased. Chlorophyll content increased with increasing shading levels, and leaf mass per area decreased with increasing leaf area. The chlorophyll fluorescence responses Fv/Fm and NPQ did not change with shading, and the activity of the carbon fixation system did not differ between treatments. I. laevigata exhibited a light-saturation point equivalent to that of sun plants and maintained photosynthetic capacity similar to that of controls up to 75% shading. The apparent quantum yield of I. laevigata decreased significantly at 95% shading, indicating adaptation to lower light conditions. It seems that the photosynthetic capacity of I. laevigata decreases when grown under 95% shading level compared to full sunlight, and it is judged that the longer the light is restricted by continuous shading, the more unfavorable the growth will be.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.171-202
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• 2024

If the plant genetic resources and information-sharing systems held by arboretums worldwide are effectively utilized, it is believed that a conservation system for plant diversity in the currently inaccessible North Korean region could be established. This study was conducted to review the scientific names of plants native to North Korea but not to South Korea and to assess the status of genetic resources held in domestic and international arboretums. To compile a list and status of North Korean plant's genetic resources, updated checklists of vascular plants in Korean Peninsula and online plant information databases were consulted to compile synonym, distribution range, and other related information. A total of 486 taxa (449 species, 13 subspecies, 21 varieties, 1 forma and 2 hybrids) from 236 genera and 64 families, representing 12.34% of the total native flora of the Korean Peninsular were presented in the North Korea plant list, and the presence of rare, endemic and northern lineage species was confirmed. It was found that 384 taxa from 190 genera, 53 families of North Korean plants are held as genetic resources in 333 arboretums and plant research institutions across 46 countries and 5 continents worldwide. This study is expected to contribute to the construction and application of a species list for plants native to the Korean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.317-345
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• 2022

This study carried out a survey to utilize basic data for the conservation of northern lineage plants that are vulnerable to climate change, targeting algific talus slope of a specific forest biodiversity region in Yeotan-ri, Jeongseon-eup, Jeongseon-gun, Gangwon-do. The survey was conducted by dividing the wind hole into 625 m² inside and 6,925 m² outside based on the wind hole. The vascular flora were identified as 84 families, 203 genera, 296 species, 6 subs., 27 var., 2 for., and a total of 331 taxa. This was found to be about 7% of 4,724 species of vascular plants in Korea. Plants endemic to the Korean peninsula were identified as 19 taxa, including Syringa fauriei, and 11 taxa for rare plants designated by IUCN. Critically endangered grade (CR) was Paeonia obovata 1 taxa, Endangered grade (EN) was Forsythia saxatilis and Prunus choreiana 2 taxa. A total of 78 taxa were florisitc target species, and 19 taxa were classified for indicator plants in the limestone area. As for alien plants, 20 taxa such as Taraxacum officinale were identified, and the naturalization rate was 6.04% and the urbanization rate was 5.33%. Geographical plants of the study area are 2 taxa of Syringa fauriei and Syringa villosa subsp. wolfii.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.60-88
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the vertical distribution and vascular plants in the Gakho mountain. Form the results of three field surveys from May 2022 to September 2022, a total of 478 total taxa, representing 426 species, 11 subspecies, 35 varieties, four forms, and two hybrids were identified, which were categorized in 282 genera and 94 families. We identified the elevational distribution ranges of 398 taxa of vascular plants. Among them, 19 taxa were endemic to Korea, one taxon was identified as a rare plant. The floristic target plants amounted to 72 taxa, specifically two taxa of grade V, two taxa of grade IV, 16 taxa of grade III, 27 taxa of grade II, and 25 taxa of grade I. Further, 71 taxa were identified as northern lineage plants. A total of 19 taxa of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 4.0%, an Urbanization Index of 6.6%, and three plants that disturbed the ecosystem. The result of analyzing the pattern of species richness showed a reversed hump shape with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between adjacent elevation sections that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Warmth index in the Gakho mountain ranged from 57.2℃·month to 84.2℃·month. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants and valuable information on elevational distribution ranges of current plant species in the Gakho mountain, which could serve as a baseline for comparison of the shifts in elevation under future climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.615-630
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the flora of Mt. Seongdeok (Ganghwa-gun) in Korea. From the results of nine field surveys from March 2020 to July 2022, a total of 445 total taxa, representing 397 species, nine subspecies, 35 varieties, two forms and two hybrids were identified, which were placed in 273 genera and 93 families. The plant formation of Mt. Seongdeok is a deciduous broad-leaved and conifer mixed forest, which is common in the middle part of the Korean Peninsula. Most of the mountain is covered by a young secondary forest, which is mainly composed of Quercus ssp. and Pinus ssp. Among them, five taxa were endemic to Korea, one taxon were endangered plant and two taxa were red list plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 27 taxa, specifically one taxon of grade V, four taxa of grade III, seven taxa of grade II, and 15 taxa of grade I. And 43 taxa were northern lineage plants. A total of 46 species of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 10.3%, an Urbanization Index of 11.7%, and six plants that disturbed the ecosystem. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants flora, and plant diversity and distributional changes.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.459-464
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• 2016

An outbreak of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, in the environment-friendly reclaimed plantations of forage crops in Sanyimyeon, Haenam-gun, Jellanam-do, Korea in August 2014 caused severe damages to various crops. Owing to its first occurrence in the Korean history, the causes underlying the outbreak and phase-transition of the migratory locust were not known. It is critical to establish the genetic relationship of the migratory locust in Sanyimyeon, Haenam-gun with the other previously reported strains in the world in order to understand the mechanisms responsible for its outbreak. The gene sequences of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and displacement-loop (D-loop) of the mitochondria of various regional species of the migratory locust were used to perform the phylogenetic analysis. Our results suggested that the migratory locusts in Sanyimyeon, Haenam-gun are closely related with the Eurasian strains of the northern lineage. In future, these two mitochondrial genes can be used for elucidating the genetic population structures in migratory locusts in various regions. In addition, the sequence information of these genes can be used to enhance our understanding of the genetic basis of the outbreak of migratory locusts.