• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.361-377
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to examine whether the guideline by the Ministry of Environment (ME) successfully and appropriately applied the IUCN Red List criteria at regional level and the rare and endangered national list considered eligible. A certain number of vascular plants, which are widely distributed in the world or in east Asia, deemed to be ineligible for assessment at a regional level as Not Applicable category (NA), because it occurs at very low numbers in South Korea. Among 377 vascular plant taxa evaluated by the ME, NA included 238 species, which represented 63.1%. The number of synonymized species or illegitimate name species were 13 species, which accounted for 3.4%. 21 species (9.3%) were threatened at global level and 103 species were possibly candidates species list for Red List assessments at regional level in the near future. The proportion of NA or waiting list was 66.6% among the list assessed by the ME. The most common errors involved incorrectly application of species extinction in case of population extinction in South Korea to the assessment and provided incorrect interpretation of the Red List criteria at regional level. The most assessments proposed by ME were not backed up without quantitative data quality, justifications, and sources. It is suggested that the risk of extinction should be reassessed at least in the Korean peninsula within the light of their overall distribution including far eastern Russia and North eastern China in north and for Japan and Taiwan in south for regional assessment. The results obtained here using the IUCN criteria at regional level showed that the list proposed by the ME produced an overestimation of the number of threatened vascular plants. Also, the misapplication of the term 'species extinction' for regional assessment was open to some degree of subjectivity and misinterpretation.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.607-616
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• 2006

Molecular characterization of ten marine cyanobacterial isolates belonging to the order Oscillatoriales was carried out using the phycocyanin locus (cpcBA-IGS) and the 16S-23S internally transcribed spacer region. DNA sequences from the phycocyanin operon discriminated ten genotypes, which corresponded to seven morphotypes identified by traditional microscopic analysis. The cpcB coding region revealed 17% nucleotide variation, while cpcA exhibited 29% variation across the studied species. Phylogenetic analyses support the conclusion that the Phormidium and Leptolyngbya genera are not monophyletic. The nucleotide variations were heterogeneously distributed with no or minimal informative nucleotides. Our results suggest that the discriminatory power of the phycocyanin region varies across the cyanobacterial species and strains. The DNA sequence analysis of the 16S-23S internally transcribed spacer region also supports the polyphyletic nature of the studied oscillatorian cyanobacteria. This study demonstrated that morphologically very similar strains might differ genotypically. Thus, molecular approaches comprising different gene regions in combination with morphological criteria may provide better taxonomical resolution of the order Oscillatoriales.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.691-710
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• 2017

This study was performed to investigate the geochemical and benthic environment of three shellfish farms in Suncheon Bay during the period of September 2014 ~ April 2015. Three sampling stations were selected; St.1 is the shellfish farm of razor clam near Jangsan area. St.2 is the shellfish farm of small ark shell near Hwapo area and St.3 is the shellfish farm of razor clam near Yongdu area. Razor clam was the dominant species at St.1, small ark shell and granulated ark shell were dominant at St.2 and St.3, respectively. Granulated ark shell inhabited St.3, although it is not cultured at that station. This station's exposure to air during the ebb tide and sediment composition likely provides the appropriate habitat for granulated ark shell species. Analysis of the number of different species showed that 8 benthos species were found to be distributed at St.1, 18 species at St.2, and 13 species at St.3. Among three stations, the highest Ignition Loss (IL), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Acid Volatile Sulfide (AVS) values were obtained from the sediment at St.2. The analysis of pore water from St.2 also showed the highest values of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), ammonia ($NH_4^+$), Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) and phosphate ($PO_4^{3-}$). These results are related to the fact that species dominance and richness is the highest in St.2.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.219-226
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• 2004

Cacti of the genus Opuntia, which are widely distributed throughout Latin America, South Africa, the Mediterranean, and Korea, have been used not only as ornamental plants but also for their medicinal value. For example, Opuntia spp. have traditionally been used as hypoglycemic plants for treating diabetes mellitus. In this article, we review published papers dealing with the biological and medicinal properties of Opuntia spp.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2017

The three self-compatible, terrestrial orchids Cephalanthera erecta, C. falcata, and C. longibracteata flower synchronously in sympatric populations. Cephalanthera erecta and C. longibracteata, which have white flowers that do not fully open, are predominantly autogamous, whereas the food-deceptive C. falcata, whose bright yellow flowers open completely, is predominantly outcrossing. The formation of hybrids rarely occurs between species owing to strong prepollination barriers (floral isolation). If these three species have evolved toward the prevention of interspecific hybridization, we can expect that the spatial distribution patterns of the three species would be characterized as spatial segregation (i.e., 'spatial repulsion') from each other. To test this prediction, we studied the three Cephalanthera species in sympatric populations showing coincident flowering within Yeonwhasan Provincial Park (YPP, Gyeongsangnam Province, South Korea). We found strong spatial aggregation in each population and spatial independence in the interspecific spatial distribution, differing from previous studies. We further hypothesize that Cephalanthera species in sympatry within YPP are distributed somewhat randomly in space, perhaps due to the sharing of similar mycorrhizal fungi.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Iris laevigata is geographically restricted and legally protected in Korea. In this study, a mesocosm study was conducted to examine the effects of environmental conditions such as water levels and soil nutrient conditions on the growth and survival of I. laevigata seedlings. Complete submergence lowered the total number of leaves, biomass, and survival rates. A rise in soil nutrients increased overall seedling growth and increased tiller numbers via the promotion of asexual reproduction. Also, we found that the lowest measured values of seedlings are associated with the most stressful condition due to the interaction of low soil nutrients and high water levels. I. laevigata seedlings, however, are distributed in low-nutrient habitats such as floating mat, even though they do not grow well under these conditions. This study suggests that I. laevigata does not prefer low-nutrient condition but choose another benefit such as low competition. Also, the water level must be lower than the seedling height for effective growth and management of I. laevigata.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.321-337
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• 2018

The characteristics of 124 Phytolacca americana present areas and 88 surrounding absent areas over the country were investigated and compared from July 2016 to Sept 2017. The Phytolacca americana was confirmed as having been nationally distributed and is usually found in roadsides at an altitude of 380 m (26%), forest edges (24%), forests (19%), sunny spots (60%), dry soils (53%), sandy loams (31%) and sand+gravel soils (22%). 321 taxons consisting of 79 families, 209 genera, 289 species, 2 subspecies, 26 varieties and 4 cultivars and 286 taxons consisting of 76 families, 195 genera, 256 species, 2 subspecies, 24 varieties and 4 cultivars were found in the Phytolacca americana present areas and the absent areas, respectively. The relative net contribution degree was found highest in the Phytolacca americana (100) followed by Robinia pseudoacacia (29.4), Humulus japonicus (8.8) and Artemisia princeps (6.0) in the present areas, while it was found highest in Robinia pseudoacacia (100) followed by Humulus japonicus (44.4), Artemisia princeps (35.9), Pueraria lobata (18.6) and Setaria viridis (12.3) in the absent areas. The Raunkier's life form in the present/absent areas was found highest in the therophytes (34%/34%), followed by hemicryptophytes (17%/18%), megaphanerophytes and mesophanerophytes (18%/17%), nanophanerophytes (11%/11%) and geophytes (9%/11%). There was no significant difference in the species diversity between the present (2.141) and the absent (2.124) areas. However, the allelopathic agent and light blocked-out by the Phytolacca americana could possibly inhibit germination and the development of other species; especially, where a difference in species diversity was found high in forests, compared to other habitats (p=0.0605). Accordingly, it is suggested to review possible disturbances of native species habitats in shady spots including forest gaps, although the effect of Phytolacca americana on the ecological system in the suburban open and disturbed areas is not large.

• Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.334-343
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• 2017

Eclipta prostrata and E. alba are annual herbal medicinal plants and have been used as Chinese medicinal tonics. Both species are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions as well as in Korea. Both species have similar morphological features but E. alba has smoother leaf blade margins compared with E. prostrata. Although both species are utilized as oriental medicines, E. prostrata is more widely used than E. alba. Morphological semblances have confounded identification of either species. Here, we report the complete chloroplast genomes of both species to provide an authentication system between the two species and understand their diversity. Both chloroplast genomes were 151,733-151,757 bp long and composed of a large single copy (83,285-83,300 bp), a small single copy (18,283-18,346 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (25,075-25,063 bp). Gene annotation revealed 80 protein coding genes, 30 tRNA genes and four rRNA genes. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genus Eclipta is grouped with Heliantheae tribe species in the Asteraceae family. A comparative analysis verified 29 InDels and 58 SNPs between chloroplast genomes of E. prostrata and E. alba. The low chloroplast genome sequence diversity indicates that both species are really close to each other and are not completely diverged yet. We developed six DNA markers that distinguish E. prostrata and E. alba based on the polymorphisms of chloroplast genomes between E. prostrata and E. alba. The chloroplast genome sequences and the molecular markers generated in this study will be useful for further research of Eclipta species and accurate classification of medicinal herbs.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 1998

To know whether there is any androconia on Korean Lycaenidae, studies were carried out with Korean Lycaenid butterflies for their types and distribution pattern with the aid of scanning electron microscope. As the results, androconia was observed from 8 species; Niphanda fusca (B. et G.), Pseudozizeeria maha (K.), Zizina otis (F.), Everes argiades (P.), Celasrtina argiolus (L.), Maculinea arionides (S.), M. teleius (B.) and Lycaeides argyronomon (B.). Androconia was not found only from males, and it was observed on both dorsal and ventral surfaces of fore wings and on ventral surface of hind wings. Androconia was found to be distributed mainly on the area between the median and anal venis. General structure of androconia on Korean Lycaenids was rather simple with laminar and foot stalk. However, 2 types of androconia were observed from 2 species, Pseudozizeeria maha and Everes argiades, while only one type was observed from other 6 species. The foot stalks of androconia on Niphanda fusca under the tribe Niphandini is located on the ventral surface of laminar and hidden from dorsal view, while one end of that on all other 7 species belong to the tribe Polyommatini is attached to the lower side of laminar and shown from both side.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2015

A natural mixed stand of Phragmites australis and Phacelurus latifolius was studied to clarify the distribution properties in a microsite in a tidal flat of Suncheon Bay. The height, density, and biomass of the shoots, as well as the biomass of the root system, were monitored for both species along with the altitude on a mound from June 2010 to October 2013. Firstly, the mean height and dry weight of both species were similar during the growth season. However, individual variations of the sizes of plants in the same species were noticeable. Secondly, the density and dry weight per unit area of P. latifolius increased, but that of P. australis decreased with the altitude on the mound. Thirdly, the root system (rhizomes and roots) of P. latifolius was mostly located in the upper layer (up to 20 cm depth), while that of P. australis was in the lower layer (over 70 cm depth) of the sediment. The roots of P. australis penetrated to the lower parts of the water table, while the roots of P. latifolius did not make contact with free water of the sediment. Fourthly, the removal of the shoot in the early growth season led to a visible reduction of biomass in the late growth season. The reduction rate was larger in P. latifolius than in P. australis. Lastly, in the area where the mound was removed, the density of P. australis increased in the first two years (2010-2011) and was highly sustained inthe last two years (2012-2013). However, the density of P. latifolius was low, and this plant was distributed at the edge of the mound only.