• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.291-304
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• 2023

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have become an increasing concern in terms of human health risks as well as aesthetic impairment due to their toxicity. The reduction of water pollutants, especially nutrients from non-point sources in a reservoir watershed, is fundamental for HABs prevention. We investigated the pollutant removal efficiencies of a constructed wetland to evaluate its feasibility as a method for controlling non-point sources located in the Annaecheon stream within the Daecheong Reservoir watershed. The overall removal efficiencies of pollutants were as follows: BOD 14.3%, COD 17.9%, SS 50.0%, T-N 19.0%, and T-P 35.4%. These results indicate that constructed wetlands are effective in controlling pollutants from non-point sources. The seasonal variation in removal efficiency depended on the specific pollutants. The removal efficiencies of BOD, COD, and T-N were stable throughout the year, except during winter, which might have been influenced by lower microorganism activity. In contrast, T-P showed a consistent removal efficiency even during the winter season, suggesting that the wetland can reduce external phosphorus loading to the reservoir. Regarding the effects of pollutant loadings on removal efficiency, the effluent concentrations of all pollutants were significantly decreased compared to those in the influent in case of middle and high loadings. This demonstrates that constructed wetlands can handle high pollutant loads, including the initial runoff during rainfall, to prevent reservoir eutrophication. Despite the various strengths of wetland water purification, there are limitations as passive treatment. Therefore, more case studies should be conducted to suggest optimum operational conditions for constructed wetlands, taking into consideration reservoir-specific characteristics.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2024

The Sincheon wetland shows a remarkable diversity of fluvial landforms, such as river islands, anastomosing channels, braided channels, and sand-gravel bars, which contribute to its rich ecological habitat. The wetland area is characterized by a ecological diversity of herbaceous and woody plants. Significant changes in land cover within the wetlands were observed from 2008 to 2020. Notably, there was a rapid decrease in agricultural area from 18% to 0.04%, while the vegetation area expanded from 45% to 54%. Concurrently, the water area also experienced a notable increase from 34% to 41%. The surface sediment composition in the studied area displays sandy loam characteristics and exhibits acidic soil properties. Sediment acidity tends to increase downstream and in the central part of channels. Variations in acidity are also observed at nearby collection sites due to the tributaries and local discharge. The presence of dense vegetation in river islands and bars has led to a significant transformation of sediments into soil, with this change being more pronounced downstream, particularly near the weirs. The installation of a weir in Sincheon wetland is believed to have a significant impact on altering flow velocities between upstream and downstream sections, as well as influencing erosion and sediment deposition patterns. However, given the formation of landforms in response to weirs, effective administration and management are essential to address potential risks of catastrophic environmental disruptions, such as the removal of weirs and/or the maintenance of river channels.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.1-20
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• 2023

The present study has monitored the changes in the biodiversity of Dunchon-Dong ecological and landscape conservation area after the restoration of the wetland, identified and analyzed the threats to the ecosystem, and presented a management plan accordingly. In this area which was forests and rice paddies in the past, apartment reconstruction is currently underway, with some hinterland forests and wetlands remaining. When we look into the change in the floras, the total number of species was 193 in 2000 before the restoration, it decreased from 2004 to 2006, and as of 2019, it was 149, showing an increasing trend. The result of comparing the species that emerged before and after the restoration showed an increase in Cyperaceae herbs such as Carex maximowiczii and Carex dispalata growing in wetland areas within forests and Schoenoplectiella juncoides and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani growing in areas within wetlands where shallow water is maintained. As a result of analyzing the change in the area ratio of each type of extant vegetation, the wetland native herbs formed the power at the highest ratio after the restoration. The change in the power of the wetland native herbs was on an increasing trend until 2007, after which it decreased much in 2010 and then gradually increased, showing values of 26.6% in 2000, 44.6% in 2002, 49.0% in 2005, 53.3% in 2007, 28.7% in 2010, and 37.3% in 2019. The cause of the decrease in 2010 was judged to be due to the vegetation management conducted to secure open water and remove organic matter in freshwater reservoirs. The amphibia which emerged from 2000 to 2019 was a total of 9 species including Hynobius leeshii, Bufo gargarizans, Kaloula borealis, and Rana uenoi. As a result of the changes in the emerging wild birds, the species diversity index before the restoration was 0.9922 in 2000, and the species diversity index after the restoration gradually increased to 1.2449 in 2005, 1.2467 in 2010, and 2.2631 in 2019. The amphibia and wild birds inhibiting in the Dunchon-Dong forest and wetland were judged to have increased through continuous wetland maintenance such as naturalized plant removal management, native plant maintenance, and open water securing management. For the ecosystem preservation management of the Dunchon-Dong ecological and landscape conservation area, it was suggested to minimize the impact of the Dunchon-Dong reconstruction project, reorganize the indiscriminate access roads adjacent to the wetland, and reorganize the main entrance to the wetland. For ecosystem restoration management, systematic restoration and ecological buffer planting were suggested to be carried out at the time of construction fence demolition.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.42 no.3 s.120
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• pp.344-354
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• 2007

Estuarine wetlands for 33 watersheds in the Han River estuary were delineated on topographic maps from the 1910s, 1970s, and 2000s. Then, these data were used to address the issue of spatial distribution and temporal variation. Watershed characteristics such as drainage density, location, watershed size, slope, and elevation were identified for each watershed to determine the relationship between watershed characteristics and spatial distribution of estuarine wetlands. The analysis of estuarine wetlands indicated that wetlands in the estuary had declined gradually between the 1910s and the 1970s, although most wetlands were lost since the 1970s mainly caused by the large development projects related to urban expansion in metropolitan Seoul. The sediment composition and formation processes of the wetlands differed with watershed location; mud flats dominate in the lower part of the estuary, and relatively more sandy and emergent-plant wetlands occur near the main channel and tributaries of the Han River. Relatively more estuary wetlands occur in large watersheds, which have high slopes and low elevations. Estuarine wetlands have been lost dramatically in the densely populated watershed regions (i.e., Han River Seoul, Han River Goyang, West Han River), while relatively more wetlands have remained in undeveloped regions, including the Lower Imjin River and Lower Han River. In particular, anthropogenic disturbance has played an important role in the loss of wetland through the conversion of wetland into agricultural and developed land.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.1-15
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• 2006

As the imports of foreign agricultural products are liberalized and the consumption of agricultural products declines, abandoned rice paddy fields continues to rise. However, such abandoned rice paddy fields has not been precisely surveyed yet. In this backdrop, a necessity to develop technology to utilize such abandoned rice paddy fields has emerged. Utilization of abandoned rice paddy fields as wetlands may be a good example. This study aimed to survey the current status and characteristics of wetlands created within abandoned rice paddy fields by selecting abandoned rice paddy fields throughout the nation and conducting field surveys on the sites that had transformed into wetlands. The abandoned rice paddy fields almost transformed into wetland and the types of wetlands transformed from abandoned rice paddy fields were mainly Inland/Moutain/Depression/Abandoned rice paddy fields/Marsh/Phragmites communis community and Inland/Moutain/Depression/Abandoned rice paddy fields/Swamp/Salix koreensis community. Abandoned rice paddy fields that had transformed into wetlands was depending heavily on waterways for water supply than other reservoirs and lakes do. Abandoned rice paddy fields transformed into wetlands was most observed in mountainous area. Abandoned rice paddy fields are because agricultural land is no longer profitable due to international and social changes and is not cultivated as government policy. Wetland period and dimension originated from abandoned rice paddy fields are very various and its surrounding land its mostly forest and the next largest follow roads and rural community. The abandoned rice paddy fields transformed into wetlands is mostly deserted currently. Despite their value as wetlands, no restoration and utilization efforts are made in Korea today. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct a precise current status survey on these areas and introduce management and restoration plans at the government level in the case of important habitats.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2003

Total 7 moors, Yong-neup on Mt. Daeam, Chilbo Mt. moor, Dogapsa-neup on Mt. Wolchul, Wangdeungiae-neup on Mt. Jiri, Mujechi-neup on Mt. Jungjok, Buljae-neup on Mt. Kyungak and Geoinri-neup on Dongsang, were investigated by literatures and survey. Distribution, conditions, and similarity of dominant species and Orchidaceae on moor were analyzed. The results are follows; There are total 46 wetland plant species observed more than twice from 7 moors. The plants classified as constancy class V, which are appeared more than 80%, are Iris ensata var. spontane, Juncus effusus var. decipiens, Sanguisorba tenuifolia var. alba, Habenaria linearifolia, Sium ninsi, Lobelia sessilifolia, Lastrea theiyptoris, and Eupatorium chinensis var. simplicifolium. Highly appearing Orchidaceae, which was classified to constancy class IV plant, are Habenaria linearifolia, Pogonia japonica, Eipactis thunbergii, and Platanthera mandarinorum. They are the typical index plants of the moors. Habitual environment of Habenaria radiate and Platanthera hologlottis can be affected by environmental aspects such as latitude, altitude and the water quality. However those of Habenaria linearifolia, Epipactis thunbergii, and Pogonia japonica are not affected by latitude and altitude, but may be determined by water condition of wetland. As the result of similarity index analysis for appearance of Orchidaceae identifying each moors in the view of species composition, swamps at Dogapsa-neup and Buljae-neup are very similar. However Yong-neup is totally different from those of Dogapsa-neup and Buljae-neup. Yong-neup had shown the high similarity indices of 0.85 and 0.75 with Wangdeungiae-neup and Mujechi-neup, respectively. Growth properties of wild Orchidaceae at wetland were almost similar. Platanthera mandarinorum and Liparis kumokiri had characteristics of good adaptability. Most of them need light. Pogonia was the only long-day plant. The flowering time of these Orchidaceae was from May to September.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.111-122
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• 2023

Invasive species are organisms that are introduced into places outside of their natural distribution range. The global pet trade is facilitating the introduction of invasive species into new countries and areas. Among the introduced alien species, turtles are one of the most common animal groups whether lives in wetland ecosystems, such as wetlands or reservoirs. Like other countries around the world, exotic turtles is becoming a growing concern for the wetland ecosystem in South Korea. In this study, we report new reports of subspecies of Painted turtle (Chrysemys spp.): Chrysemys picta marginata, C. p. bellii and C. dorsalis, from the reservoirs in downtown Cheongju and Gwangju, South Korea. We used morphological features, such as the characteristics of the legs, plastron, and carapace, to identify the turtles. It is assumed that all turtles were artificially released into nature. Considering the increasing number of reports on the introduction of alien invasive turtles in Korean wetlands, we recommend the formulation of an immediate and systematic management plan for pet trades and organized continuous monitoring programs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Environment and Ecology Conference
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.87-89
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• 2011

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.347-356
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• 2013

To provide the information for the wetland management considering the water treatment ability of macrophytes, the growth characteristics and primary production by reed (Phragmites australis) and cattail (Typha angustifolia), and the decomposition rate of organic matter produced were investigated in two sub-wetlands (Banweol and Donhwa wetlands) of the Sihwa Constructed Wetland (CW) with different chemistry of inflows. The shoot height of P. australis and Typha angustifolia began to increase in March, and reached its peaks in July and August (340cm and 320cm, respectively). The shoot density of P. australis ranging $100{\sim}170EA/m^2$ was higher than that of T. angustifolia (max. $78EA/m^2$). Standing biomass of P. australis ranged from $1,350{\sim}1,980gDM/m^2$, with maximal biomass in Banwol Upper Wetland. And it was larger in upper wetlands than lower wetlands. On the other hand standing biomass of T. angustifolia ($1,940gDM/m^2$) was similar to that of P. australis in Banwol Upper Wetland. Primary productivity of P. australis was in the order of Banwol Upper Wetland ($2,050gDM/m^2/yr$) > Donghwa Lower Wetland ($1,840gDM/m^2/yr$) > Banwol Lowerr Wetland ($1,570gDM/m^2/yr$) ${\fallingdotseq}$ Donghwa Lower Wetland ($1,540gDM/m^2/yr$), and that of T. angustifolia ($2,210gDM/m^2/yr$) was higher than P. australis. Annual production of organic matter produced by P. australis and T. angustifolia was 845 ton DM/yr (423 ton C/yr), and about 90% was comprised of that by P. australis. From the litter decomposition rate (k) (P. australis: leaf 0.0062/day, stem 0.0018/day; T. angustifolia: leaf 0.0031/day, stem 0.0018/day), leaf was rapid degraded compare to stem in both P. australis and T. angustifolia. The litter decomposition rate of leaf was two times rapid P. australis than T. angustifolia, whereas that of stem was same in both. Annual litter decomposition amount of P. australis than T. angustifolia was 285 ton C/yr(67.3% of organic matter produced by macrophytes), indicating that 32.7% of organic matter produced by macrophytes is accumulated in the Sihwa CW.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1421-1431
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• 2013

This study was conducted for clarifying distribution and characteristics of marshy Ericaceae plants on Mt. Changbai in China. The marshy Ericaceae plants in wetland of Mt. Changbai were investigated on about 1400 m altitude. This region is various developmental wetlands and vegetation mixture of needle-leaf trees and broad-leaf trees. This region also is start point of the coniferous forest zone in Mt. Changbai. As results of these researches, L. palustre var. diversipilosum and L. palustre var. decumbens populations were investigated in Larix olgensis var. amurensis community. R. lapponicum subsp. parvifolium var. parvifolium community appeared as a typical community. Environmental conditions of L. palustre var. diversipilosum and L. palustre var. decumbens populations' habitats are more soil humidity and shade condition. R. lapponicum subsp. parvifolium var. parvifolium community habitat, however, has more deposits and humidity condition. Therefore when the plants were cultivated, we should recognize the growth condition such as maintenance of humidity and control deposits. The flora of marshy Ericaceae species habitats was investigated as 28 families, 49 genera, 45 species, 14 variety, 1 forma, 1 sub-species, and total 61 taxa.