• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.63-74
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• 2023

Background: Comparing with the several types of infrastructures, linear infrastructures are known to facilitate the spread of undesirable species in ecosystems. Recently, some new man-made habitats (e.g., gravel pads of the high-voltage towers, solid wastes and sewage habitats) were established along the Deltaic Mediterranean coast of Egypt as a result of the construction of the E-W coastal international highway. The current study evaluates the floristic composition associated with the pads of high-voltage towers that had been constructed for stabilizing the power line towers in the North Nile Delta. Plant cover was measured for 22 randomly stand. Results: Eighty-four species were recorded, of which 35 are perennials (41.6%), 2 biennials (2.3%) and 47 annuals (56.0%) belonging to 23 families. The largest families were Asteraceae (16 species), Poaceae (15 species), Chenopodiaceae (12 species), and Fabaceae (7 species). Ten aliens (10.7%) out of the 84 species were recorded. Therophytes have the highest percentage (58%), followed by hemicryptophytes (14%), chamaephytes (11%). Six vegetation groups were recognized in the study area after the application of two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN), Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Phragmites australis, and Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum have the highest presence percentage. Both of Salsola cyclophylla and Solanum villosum were recorded for the first time in North Nile Delta. Natural habitat had the highest α-diversity, but the lowest β-diversity (4.9, 15.4), while gravel pads had the reverse (2.7, 30.8). Some species which are native to the desert habitats (e.g., Rumex pictus, Salsola kali, and Carthamus tenuis) were able to invade the North Nile Delta. Conclusions: Habitat of gravel pads is an expressing form about the intense of disturbance in Deltaic Mediterranean coast of Egypt. More of efforts should be carried out to avoid more human disturbances that creating as ruderal habitats which open the gate to invasive species in the flora of North Nile Delta.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 1995

Floral analysis about vegetation of Kimpo landfills and its periphery region was carried out. The study area was defined to a square $(81km^2)$ of which center was located at 250m in front of Andongpo, Komdan-myon, Kimpo-gun in the northwest part of the Kyunggi Province. This study was accomplished by analyzing five qualitative traits such as ecological strategy, reproductive strategy, distribution type, native/foreign division and life-form throughout actual investigation of the flora. The flora was composed of 536 taxa which comprise 105 families, 343 genera, 458 species, 1 subaspecies, 70 varieties and 7 forms (including 92 species of horticultural plant). Lythrum salicaria community, Spiraea salicifolia community, ottelia alismoides community and woods of Alnus japonica were recorded ？ 새 retrictive distribution according to habitat characteristics. Owing to severe anthropogenic interferences such as construction of the Kimpo landfills in the study areas, a high proportion of ruderal plants and neophytes in the floral composition was recognized. The proportion of individual distribution type and therophyte was very high throughout whole study areas, and plant communities in the reclaimed areas were characterized by high proportion of phalanx plant species. Analysis of the correlations between meshes with ecological traits of plant species showed that Kimpo landfills and its periphery region was divided into two vegetation types, coastal type and inland type, as a result of possible saline effects.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2009

Pinus thunbergii plantations in Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, are of low ecological quality, with arrested succession and a high proportion of ruderal species. To improve the quality of the habitat, we created canopy gaps ($\sim42\;m^2$) and monitored changes in abiotic (light availability, canopy openness) and biotic (survival and growth of seedlings and understory communities) variables in 2007 and 2008 in plots that had received one of five types of treatment: cutting of canopy trees and removal of the understory (CU), cutting of canopy trees only (C), girdling of canopy trees and removal of the understory (GU), girdling of canopy trees (G) or control. Each treatment was applied to three replicate plots. Abiotic variables did not significantly differ among treatments. Survival rates of target species were slightly lower in the CU, G and control conditions. Based on logistic regression analysis, the only significant growth factor affecting survival was height growth. Positive effects of seedling height and leaf area growth on survival were also detected, but did not reach statistical significance. In treatment G, gradual improvement of overstory conditions and mitigation of competition by limitation of disturbance to the understory community were likely to have promoted seedling growth. There were no significant effects of gap treatments on changes in species abundance (cover and richness) and composition of understory between the study years. This result implies that the small gaps created in our study may be below the threshold size to affect understory growth. However, the results of this study are based on a short-term investigation of only two years. Long-term research is strongly recommended to clarify the effects of gap treatment on plant communities in afforested areas.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.136-159
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• 2019

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of six islands belonging to the Gogunsan Archipelago (i.e., Sinsi-do, Seonyu-do, Munyeo-do, Yami-do, Bian-do, and Duri-do) in the Korean Peninsula. As results of five field surveys from March to October of 2016, we have identified 575 total taxa, representing 527 species, five subspecies, 42 varieties, and one hybrid, placed in 358 genera and 118 families. Of these 575 taxa, four are endemic to Korea, six taxa are listed on the Korean Red List of threatened species, 67 are floristic regional indicator plants, and 74 are invasive alien species. In this study, we compared species richness among the islands, and find that the larger the islands, the higher the species richness. In the case of habitat affinity types, forest species were most common, followed by farmland, seacoast, bare ground and wetland species. From similarity analyses based on the composition of vascular plants, each island did not exhibit either local specificity or unique diversity. On the contrary, the proportion of invasive alien and ruderal species may increase by human activities. Investigations and analyses of island flora such as this are important to assess the current status of the flora, predict future vegetation patterns and the spread of the alien species, and establish managment plans of plant diversity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.165-177
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• 2023

Field surveys were conducted at a total of 50 locations targeting naturalized plants on Ulleung-do. A total of 109 taxa were identified, including the list of naturalized plants in the preceding literature. The naturalized plants of Ulleung-do had a high proportion of Asteraceae, which appeared frequently in the habitat of the ruderal type. There were no naturalized plants that settled only on Ulleung-do, and all naturalized plants found on Ulleung-do first settled on the Korean Peninsula. This was proved by the high rates of epecophyten (90.8%) and the introduction period 2nd (70.6%). On the other hand, among ecosystem-disturbing species that have a great influence in the inland of the Korean Peninsula, Hypochaeris radicata and Rumex acetosella appeared in a limited area in Ulleung-do. On the other hand, Lapsana communis appeared in high density along the forest edge, requiring management of naturalized plants different from those in the Korean Peninsula. Naturalized plants on Ulleung-do showed a rapid increase in the 1990s after increased academic research, coastal road development, and other development projects. This highlights the necessity for continuous research on the pattern of naturalized plant occurrence after the completion of the Ulleung Airport, which is currently under construction.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2005

An important theme of this paper is to search for more genelalities of diversity and distribution pattern on the trampled plant communities in Daegu area. A total of 50 phytosociological releves were analyzed by the Zurich-Montpellier School's method and generalized habitat characteristics by using Euclidean coefficient and PCoA (Principal Coordinates Analysis). Five plant communities were classified and matched into largely two physiognomic types: grass-types such as Eragrostis ferruginea community, Eleusine indica community, Setaria viridis community, Digitaria ciliaris community, and forb-type of Plantage asiatica community only. These plant communities correspond to quite distinctive four habitat types, with both soil stability and moisture in microhabitat conditions: stable-moderate, unstable-moderate, stable-dry, and unstable-dry. Top-ten species showing the highest relative net contribution degree(r-NCD) were Digitaria ciliaris, Eleusine indica, Eragrostis ferruginea, Plantago asiatica, Echinochloa crus-galli, Trifolium repens, Polygonum aviculare, Setaria viridis, Setaria glauca and Artemisia princeps. The front three species showing more than 50% in percent r-NCD possess florescence after monsoon season. It is critically pointed out that the regional ecological differentiations i.e. the Daegu bioclimatic division, the $C_4$-plant dominant season(post-monsoon) of Korean peninsula, and species composition different from Japan's Plantaginetalia asiaticae, are the basis for deriving characteristics of the roadbed trampled plant communities of Daegu.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.27 no.6 s.122
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• pp.355-361
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• 2004

In order to elucidate the ecophysiological characteristics of coastal plants, we collected them on salt marsh and sand dune, and analyzed inorganic ($Na^+,\;K^+,\;Mg^{2+},\;Ca^{2+}$) and organic solutes (soluble carbohydrate, glycine betaine). Chenopodiaceous plant species (Atriplex gmelini, Salicornia europaea, Salsola collina, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda japonica) showed a tendency to accumulate inorganic ions such as $Na^+\;and\;Cl^-$ instead of $K^+$. However, Chenopodium serotinum which lives in ruderal habitat contained more $K^+$ and less $Na^+$ than the other Chenopodiaceous plants. Most Chenopodiaceous plant species maintained very low level of soluble $Ca^{2+}$ and relatively low concentration of carbohydrates and showed high concentration of glycine betaine which is among the most effective known compatible solutes in the leaves of plant under drought and saline conditions. On the other hand, plant species which belong to Gramineae (Ishaemum anthephoroides, Phragmites communis, Zoysia sinica) and Cyperaceae (Carex kobomugi, Carex pumila) absorbed $K^+$ selectively and excluded $Na^+\;and\;Cl^-$ effectively regardless of habitat conditions, and they accumulated more soluble carbohydrate as osmoticum than Chenopodiaceous plants. These results suggested that physiological characteristics such as high storage capacity for inorganic ions (especially alkali cations, chloride) and the accumulation of glycine betaine in chenopodiaceous plants and $K^+$-preponderance, an efficient regulation of ionic uptake (exclusion of $Na^+\;and\;Cl^-$) and the accumulation of soluble carbohydrate in monocotyledonous plants enable them to grow dry and saline habitats.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.277-286
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• 2021

Background: As trade increases, the influx of various alien species and their spread to new regions are prevalent and no longer a special problem. Anthropogenic activities and climate changes have made the distribution of alien species out of their native range common. As a result, alien species can be easily found anywhere, and they have nothing but only a few differences in intensity. The prevalent distribution of alien species adversely affects the ecosystem, and a strategic management plan must be established to control them effectively. To this end, hot spots and cold spots were analyzed according to the degree of distribution of invasive alien plants, and major environmental factors related to hot spots were found. We analyzed the 10,287 distribution points of 126 species of alien plants collected through the national survey of alien species by the hierarchical model of species communities (HMSC) framework. Results: The explanatory and fourfold cross-validation predictive power of the model were 0.91 and 0.75 as AUC values, respectively. The hot spots of invasive plants were found in the Seoul metropolitan area, Daegu metropolitan city, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, southwest shore, and Jeju island. Generally, the hot spots were found where the higher maximum temperature of summer, precipitation of winter, and road density are observed, but temperature seasonality, annual temperature range, precipitation of the summer, and distance to river and sea were negatively related to the hot spots. According to the model, the functional traits accounted for 55% of the variance explained by the environmental factors. The species with higher specific leaf areas were more found where temperature seasonality was low. Taller species preferred the bigger annual temperature range. The heavier seed mass was only preferred when the max temperature of summer exceeded 29 ℃. Conclusions: In this study, hot spots were places where 2.1 times more alien plants were distributed on average than non-hot spots (33.5 vs 15.7 species). The hot spots of invasive plants were expected to appear in less stressful climate conditions, such as low fluctuation of temperature and precipitation. Also, the disturbance by anthropogenic factors or water flow had positive influences on the hot spots. These results were consistent with the previous reports about the ruderal or competitive strategies of invasive plants instead of the stress-tolerant strategy. The functional traits are closely related to the ecological strategies of plants by shaping the response of species to various environmental filters, and our result confirmed this. Therefore, in order to effectively control alien plants, it is judged that the occurrence of disturbed sites in which alien plants can grow in large quantities is minimized, and the river management of waterfronts is required.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.381-402
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• 2017

In order to investigate distribution of vascular plants along elevational gradient in the Nodong valley of Gyebangsan, vascular plants of eight sections with 100-meter-high were surveyed from the Auto-camping site (800 m) to the top of a mountain (1,577 m). There were a total of 382 taxa: 89 families, 234 genera, 339 species, 7 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 2 forms. As a result of analyzing the pattern of species richness, it showed a reversed hump-shaped with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. As a result of analyzing habitat affinity types, the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. But, the ruderal species decreased with increasing elevation, and then increased at the top of a mountain. As for the proportion of life forms, the annual herbs gradually decreased with increasing elevation, but it did not appear between 1,300 m and 1,500 m and then increased at the top of a mountain. The trees gradually increased with elevation and decreased from 1,300~1,400 m. The vascular plants divided into four groups by using DCA. The arrangement of each stands was arranged in order from right to left on the I axis according to the elevation. The distribution of vascular plants is determined by their own optimal ranges of vegetation. Also, rise in temperature due to climate change affects the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. Furthermore, plans for conservation and management based on these data should be prepared according to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.378-401
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• 2019

This study generated a list of plants in eight sections from the Baekdansa ticket office (874m) to Cheonjedan (1,560m) divided in the interval of 100m above sea level to examine the species diversity patterns and distribution changes of the vascular plants at different altitudes in Taebaeksan National Park. Four site surveys found a total of 385 taxa: 89 families, 240 genera, 345 species, 5 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 1 form. A result of analyzing the change of species diversity along elevational gradients showed that it decreased with increasing elevation and then increased from a certain section. A result of analyzing habitat affinity types showed that the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. On the other hand, the ruderal species appeared at a high rate in the artificial interference section. A result of comparing the proportion of woody and herb plants showed that the woody plants gradually increased with elevation and rapidly decreased in the artificial interference section. On the other hand, the herb plants showed the opposite trend. A result of analyzing the change of distribution of species according to altitude with the DCA technique showed that the vascular plants were divided into three groups according to the elevation in order on the I axis with the boundaries at 900m and 1,300m above sea level. The arrangement of each stand from right to left along the altitude on the I axis with a significant correlation with warmth index (WI) confirmed that the temperature change along the altitude could affect the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, the continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. We expect that the results of this study will be used as the basic data for establishing the measurement measures related to the preservation of biodiversity and climate change.