• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.160-166
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• 2009

We estimated site productivity for unstocked land based on the relationship between site index (i.e., average height of dominant trees at fixed age) and soil physico-chemical properties of Pinus densiflora stands. Site index relates to a direct method of determining a tree's response to a specific environment such as forest soil and climate conditions. We selected 78 sites in 22 P. densiflora stands of central temperate forest zone, and sampled soils for physicochemical analyzing. And 13 properties of soils were statistically treated by stepwise regression. In the degree of contribution of the variables to site index, the highly effective variables in A horizon were OM, clay content, sand content, available $P_2O_5$, and Exch. $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ inorder, and in B horizon T.N., O.M., Soil pH, cation exchange capacity(C.E.C.), and sand content in order. In both A and B horizon of the soil for P. densiflora stands, the variables commonly contributed to the site index were sand content and OM. These results may be useful to provide not only important criteria for establishment of Pinus densiflora stand sespecially in unstocked land but also aguidance for reforestation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2017

In temperate monsoon regions, extensive shallow landslides triggered by heavy rainfall are recurrent phenomena in mountainous areas. 1,357 landslides over Jinbu area, Korea that totaled 127 km2 were identified from aerial photographs and field survey. We examined characteristics of rainfall-induced shallow landslides and casual factors affecting landslide distribution with respect to topographic and forest settings, and land use. Most landslides occurred in the study area were the results of a complex combination of precondition, preparatory factors and triggering factors. Cumulative rainfall and high intensity rainfall during short period of time made the study area very sensitive to landslides and played as catalysts to enable other factors including topographic and forest settings, and land use to act more effectively. In addition, some landslides at lower elevation involved channel incision or bank erosion influenced by land use changes such as deforestation and intensification of agriculture surrounding riparian forests or hillslopes. The results suggest that most of landslide were triggered by heavy rainstorms while topographic, forest settings, and land use affected landslide distribution occurred in the study area.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2014

Mankyua chejuense is a native endangered plant distributed only in Gotzawal, a forested wetland, in Jeju Province, Korea. In order to determine the optimal environmental conditions for the growth and development of M. chejuense, we investigated the above- and below-ground growth responses and survival rate to various soil texture (sand and clay), water regimes (flooding and non-flooding), and $CO_2+T$ (ambient and elevated) conditions. All of the treatments had significant effects on aboveground growth parameters, while only the water regime and $CO_2+T$ treatments influenced belowground growth. The survival rate of M. chejuense was about twice higher under the sand, non-flooding and elevated $CO_2+T$ conditions than clay, flooding and ambient $CO_2+T$ conditions. These results indicate that M. chejuense grows in well-drained sandy soil conditions and elevated $CO_2$ concentration and temperature situations. Thus, there is a need to maintain M. chejuense under constant non-flooding soil conditions by implementing appropriate soil drainage strategies.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2008

Growth and reproduction of Palaemon serrifer were described and analyzed in a population inhabiting tide pools in warm temperate waters in Korea. The water temperature varied greatly in the tide pools, ranging from 8$^{\circ}C$ to 27.8$^{\circ}C$ Population structure and growth were investigated using size frequency distribution data collected from January to December 2003. Sex ratios fluctuated, but were almost equal during the breeding period. Growth was continuous and size increased gradually throughout the year. Adult females were larger and grew faster than males. von Bertalanffy growth parameters for a one-year sample of females and males were estimated as $L_{i\ddot{A}}$ = 11.32, K = 0.311, $t_0$ = -0.4115 and $L_{i\ddot{A}}$ = 8.36, K = 0.228, $t_0$ = -0.9693 respectively. Breeding was seasonal, starting in May, peaking in August, and finishing by the end of August. The species showed continuous production of successive broods. Laboratory observation showed that females with embryos near hatching had ovaries filled with vitellogenic oocytes ready for spawning. The reproductive output (effort) of each female (mean number of eggs: $552{\sim}1355$) was not high. The mean embryo volume, $0.078mm^3$, is relatively small, indicative of low energy allocation to each embryo. Recruitment of juveniles was closely linked to the breeding period, beginning in September.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2015

The occurrence of wild boars (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) and reports of wildlife-vehicle conflicts (i.e., road-kill) involving them have increased in natural forest regions of Korea. In the past few decades, many wildlife passages have been constructed to reduce vehicle collisions involving wildlife species. However, few studies have assessed the habitat suitability of target wildlife species when locating the construction sites of wildlife passages. Target species rarely use wildlife passages if built in an inappropriate location. Therefore, a quantitative habitat model is required to find suitable sites for wildlife passages that can connect the fragmented forest patches of wildlife habitats in Korea. In this study, the wild boar was selected as the target species, and six environmental variables (percentage of Quercus forest, slope aspect, distance to roads, water accessibility, forest stand age and density) were measured. The habitat model for wild boars was developed with a Delphi survey, and habitat suitability maps were delineated for the provinces of Gangwon-do and Jeollanam-do. In this study, 298 and 64 boars were observed in Gangwon-do and Jeollanam-do, respectively. Observations of wild boars derived from the second nationwide natural environmental survey were used to evaluate the habitat model. Habitat suitability maps that superimposed existing road networks suggested that wild boar habitats were severely fragmented in both provinces, particularly in Gangwon-do. To connect the fragmented habitats and prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions, this study proposes 11 and 5 wildlife passage sites in Gangwon-do and Jeollanam-do, respectively.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2015

In this study, the dependence of local conspecific abundance on seed set and predation was examined, and determinates of population density of the temperate tree species Carpinus laxiflora (Betulaceae) in Inagi city, Tokyo, Japan were identified. During a good seed year (2013), seeds were sampled from 27 individuals and categorized as Sound, Empty, Predated, Immature, Decayed, or Broken. Empty seeds were identified as those that failed to fertilize and predation rates were defined as the proportion of seeds that were affected by predators. The proportion of the seed set that was fertilized was significantly positively correlated with local abundance of conspecific trees, while the proportion of seeds that escaped predation was significantly negatively correlated with local abundance of conspecific trees. Thereby, the production of Sound seeds was highest at sites with moderate local conspecific abundance. Although this phenomenon was only observed in a few cases, it clearly showed optimal reproductive success under conditions of moderate density of conspecific reproductive adults, suggesting a mechanism that controls the population density of this species.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.353-360
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• 2006

Ecological correlates of flowering times often are examined to infer evolutionary mechanisms for flowering time diversities. We examined ecological characteristic associations such as growth habits and pollination modes with flowering times among 3,037 Korean angiosperms experiencing strong climatic seasonalities. We first examined taxonomic membership effects on flowering times across diverse taxonomic levels. Phylogeny constrained flowering times at all levels down to the genus level. We then analyzed the effects of ecological characteristics using subset data consisting of species randomly selected from each genus to control phylogenetic effects. The commonly observed patterns of early flowering of woody species in temperate regions existed. Spring flowering shrubs and trees, however, both being woody, were involved with biotic and abiotic vectors, respectively. In two herbaceous groups of annuals and perennials, annuals flowered later in the growing season than perennials although both herbs tended to be associated with abiotic vectors when flowering in autumn. These results support our hypothesis that species able to decouple vegetative and reproductive growth flower in spring's dry season, but species with different habits, even when they flower within the same season, are subjected to different selective pressures for efficient pollination.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Background: Hibernating bats exhibit ubiquitous winter activity in temperate zones, but there is considerable between- and within-species variety in their intensity and purpose. Bats may fly during winter for sustenance or travel to other hibernacula. This study compared inter-regional variation in the winter activity of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum). We predicted that weather and hibernacula-environmental conditions would influence winter activity patterns. Results: Winter activity patterns differed between regions. In the Anseong area, we confirmed movement inside the hibernaculum, but in Hampyeong, we observed movement both inside and between hibernacula. The two regions differ by $4^{\circ}C$ in average winter temperatures. Anseong experiences 22 days during which average daily temperatures exceeded $5^{\circ}C$, whereas Hampyeong experienced 50 such days. During the hibernating period, bat body weight decreased by approximately 17-20% in both regions. Conclusions: Ambient temperatures and winter-roost environments appear to be behind regional differences in hibernating bat activity. As winter temperatures in Korea do not favor insect activity, feeding probability is low for bats. However, bats may need to access water. At Anseong, underground water flows inside the hibernaculum when the reservoir outside is frozen. At Hampyeong, the hibernaculum does not contain a water source, but the reservoir outside does not freeze during winter. In conclusion, water-source location is the most likely explanation for regional variation in the winter activity of hibernating bats.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2018

Background: For understanding and evaluating a more realistic and accurate assessment of ecosystem carbon balance related with environmental change or difference, it is necessary to analyze the various interrelationships between soil respiration and environmental factors. However, the soil temperature is mainly used for gap filling and estimation of soil respiration (Rs) under environmental change. Under the fact that changes in precipitation patterns due to climate change are expected, the effects of soil moisture content (SMC) on soil respiration have not been well studied relative to soil temperature. In this study, we attempt to analyze relationship between precipitation and soil respiration in temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest for 2 years in Gwangneung. Results: The average soil temperature (Ts) measured at a depth of 5 cm during the full study period was $12.0^{\circ}C$. The minimum value for monthly Ts was $-0.4^{\circ}C$ in February 2015 and $2.0^{\circ}C$ in January 2016. The maximum monthly Ts was $23.6^{\circ}C$ in August in both years. In 2015, annual precipitation was 823.4 mm and it was 1003.8 mm in 2016. The amount of precipitation increased by 21.9% in 2016 compared to 2015, but in 2015, it rained for 8 days more than in 2016. In 2015, the pattern of low precipitation was continuously shown, and there was a long dry period as well as a period of concentrated precipitation in 2016. 473.7 mm of precipitation, which accounted for about 51.8% of the precipitation during study period, was concentrated during summer (June to August) in 2016. The maximum values of daily Rs in both years were observed on the day when precipitation of 20 mm or more. From this, the maximum Rs value in 2015 was $784.3mg\;CO_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1}$ in July when 26.8 mm of daily precipitation was measured. The maximum was $913.6mg\;CO_2\;m^{-2}\;h^{-1}$ in August in 2016, when 23.8 mm of daily precipitation was measured. Rs on a rainy day was 1.5~1.6 times higher than it without precipitation. Consequently, the annual Rs in 2016 was about 12% higher than it was in 2015. It was shown a result of a 14% increase in summer precipitation from 2015. Conclusions: In this study, it was concluded that the precipitation pattern has a great effect on soil respiration. We confirmed that short-term but intense precipitation suppressed soil respiration due to a rapid increase in soil moisture, while sustained and adequate precipitation activated Rs. In especially, it is very important role on Rs in potential activating period such as summer high temperature season. Therefore, the accuracy of the calculated values by functional equation can be improved by considering the precipitation in addition to the soil temperature applied as the main factor for long-term prediction of soil respiration. In addition to this, we believe that the accuracy can be further improved by introducing an estimation equation based on seasonal temperature and soil moisture.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.23 no.8
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• pp.1447-1453
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• 2014

The differentiation of sex is important for species preservation. However, Fairy Pitta is sexually monomorphic and sex of an individual is indistinguishable with its external characteristics. We determined the sex of Fairy Pitta through DNA analysis and investigated the causes and time of injury and mortality and the size based on sex. We collected 21 samples at Jeju Island, Korean Peninsula from 2004 to 2013 and extracted DNA from them and amplified chromo helicase DNA-binding gene from Z and W chromosomes through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). We confirmed their sex with the banding pattern through Agarose gel electrophoresis, i.e. male (ZZ): one banded and female (ZW) two banded. We distinguished the sex of 17 of 21 samples resulting in 9 males and 8 females. Most casualties were recorded in adult of both sexes. Causes of injury and mortality proved that female casualties occurred from window strikes, dehydration, car accident, predation by natural enemies, and male occurred from window strikes, car accident and dehydration. The time of injury and mortality in adults differ by sex. There was no difference between sexes in any of the six size parameters. As the time of injury and mortality differ by sex, the survey on the role and ecological nature by sex in breeding season must be carried out in the future. External measurements may not be reliable for sexing of Fairy Pitta and other traits such as vocal or characteristics are required to identify the sex of individuals in the field.