• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.21 no.3 s.54
• /
• pp.267-273
• /
• 2006

Concentrations of four essential metals (Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) were determined in apparently oil-polluted dead or near-dead three loon species collected in the Busan coast, Korea. Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn concentrations were generally high in liver, and also, Mn and Zn were high in bone. There were significant differences in some tissue concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn among three species, but did not show any consistent evidence of species-specific accumulation. Mean concentration of Fe was 11,635$\pm$4010 $\mu$g/g, Cu 64.3$\pm$30.7 $\mu$g/g, Mn 13.1$\pm$2.32 $\mu$g/g, and Zn 121$\pm$24.8 $\mu$g/g in liver of all three species examined. Mn and Zn levels in this study were similar to those of normal loons and other seabirds reported from different countries. However, Fe and Cu liver levels were extraordinarily higher than those of reported. This result suggests that unusual accumulations of essential metals such as Fe and Cu may partially arise from long-term starvation due to oil pollution.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.530-532
• /
• 2011

A Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) with lethargy, dyspnea, and poor physical condition was rescued and referred to the Animal Health Center, Seoul Zoo, Korea. The jay's eyelids were sealed with dark-colored hard scabs and it died the day after arrival. At necropsy, diphtheritic membranes on the tongue and oral mucosa were apparent, suggesting avian poxvirus infection based on the appearance of the oral diphtheritic lesions. PCR was conducted using a tissue sample to confirm the causative agent. The jay was diagnosed with an avian pox viral infection. This report describes the first case of a natural avian pox infection in a Eurasian jay in Korea.

• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.313-317
• /
• 2019

Bats influence overall ecosystem health by regulating species diversity and being a major source of zoonotic viruses. Hence, there is a need to elucidate their migration, population structure, and phylogenetic relationship. The complete mitochondrial genome is widely used for studying the genome-level characteristics and phylogenetic relationship of various animals due to its high mutation rate, simple structure, and maternal inheritance. In this study, we determined the complete mitogenome sequence of the bird-like noctule (Nyctalus aviator) by Illumina next-generation sequencing. The sequences obtained were used to reconstruct a phylogenic tree of Vespertilionidae to elucidate the phylogenetic relationship among its members. The mitogenome of N. aviator is 16,863-bp long with a typical vertebrate gene arrangement, consisting of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 1 putative control region. Overall, the nucleotide composition is as follows: 32.3% A, 24.2% C, 14.3% G, and 29.2% T, with a slight AT bias (61.5%). The base composition of the 13 PCGs is as follows: 30.3% A, 13.4% G, 31.0% T, and 25.2% C. The phylogenetic analysis, based on 13 concatenated PCG sequences, infers that N. aviator is closely related to N. noctula with a high bootstrap value (100%).

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.129-138
• /
• 2022

Reintroduction programs have been promoted across the world to recover and rehabilitate endangered birds through ex situ captive breeding and releasing to the nature. The ultimate aims of these reintroduction programs are recovery of sustainable populations in natural habitats. To ensure the success of the reintroduction programs, it is necessary to examine the followings in order to increase the success rate of releasing along with the development of captive breeding techniques: 1) Adequate habitat provision, 2) adaptability of captive-bred individuals, 3) survivability of released individuals, and 4) social interest and will. Before releasing captive-bred individuals, it should be reviewed whether there are habitats in which the limiting factor is removed, and assessed their long-term safety. The quantity and quality of the released individuals must be considered to increase the chances for mate selection, maintain genetic diversity, and acquire the ability to adapt to the wild. The release method must be decided in consideration of characteristics of the target habitats and individuals, and rational means such as careful observation, evaluation, and feedback must be provided throughout the release process. For the long-term success of recovery projects, social awareness, sustainable support, and related experts are needed. Satisfying these criteria can help to increase the success rates of reintroduction programs. For the bird reintroduction program in the future, the feasibility of the methods and procedures must be closely reviewed before starting.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2012

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infects a variety of birds with a wide range of clinical signs from asymptomatic to severe. During a 10-month period in 2011, a total of 1,024 sera from wild birds including 42 species of birds in 8 orders were collected and the seroprevalence of NDV in wild birds was evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Evidence of NDV infection was observed in 12.6% (129/1,024) of wild birds with a maximum prevalence reported in Mandarin duck (27.8%, 32/115) followed by Mallard duck (20.8%, 57/274), Spot-billed duck (11.9%, 36/303), Pintail (2.9%, 1/34), Black-tailed gull (2.9%, 1/34), White-fronted goose (1.8%, 1/56) and Common teal (1.4%, 1/69). None of the other 35 species of wild birds were antibody-positive for NDV. Mandarin duck, Mallard duck and Spot-billed duck showed high sero-prevalance of 12.2% to 42% during winter season (November to March). Our results indicate that Mandarin duck, Mallard duck and Spot-billed duck might be natural reservoirs for NDV in Korea and the prevalence of NDV infection in wild birds displayed a seasonal pattern with high prevalence of NDV in winter season (November to March).

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.173-183
• /
• 2019

Based on their virulence, the avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are classified into two pathotypes: low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. Among the 16 HA subtypes of AIV, only the H5 and H7 subtypes are classified as HPAI. Some AIVs, including H5 and H7 viruses, can infect humans directly. Six H7 subtype isolates from wild birds of the H7N7 (n=4) and H7N1 (n=2) subtypes were characterized in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that eight viral genes (HA, NA, PB2, PB1, PA, NP, M, and NS) of the H7 isolates clustered in the Eurasian lineage, the genetic diversity of which is indicated by its division into several sublineages. The Korean H7 isolates had two motifs, PEIPKGR and PELPKGR, at the HA cleavage site, which have been associated with LPAI viruses. Six H7 isolates encoded glutamine (Q) and glycine (G) at positions 226 (H3 numbering) and 228 of HA, suggesting avian-type receptor-binding specificity. None of the Korean H7 isolates had the amino acid substitutions E627K in PB2 and I368V in PB1, which are critical for efficient replication in human cells. The Korean H7 isolates showed no deletions in the NA stalk region and in NS. These results suggest that the Korean H7 isolates from wild birds are different from the H7N9 influenza viruses isolated in China in 2013, which are capable of infecting humans.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.351-362
• /
• 2010

This study was supposed to offer vegetation plans for functional improvement of the recreational forest by researching Mt. Chukryong which is located at Oebang-li Sudong-Myon Namyangju Kyong-gi Province in Korea. In this study, artificial vegetation and natural vegetation near trails in recreational forest were researched through biodiversity analysis. From this analysis process, a typical management improvement of the biodiversity functions were examined by reviewing functions biotope condition, vegetation structure and wild bird community condition. Typical vegetation system was divided into four detail parts: Managed artificial Pinus koraiensis forest, Not managed artificial Pinus koraiensis forest, Natural deciduous forest and Not managed deciduous forest. As a result of the vegetation structure, the numerical value of the deciduous forest species diversity was higher than that of artificial Pinus koraiensis, and the numerical value of the managed condition was higher than that of not managed condition. As a result of a habitat structure analysis of the wild bird community, managed Pinus koraiensis forests were inadequate structure for wild birds to habit in there because the forests had weak structure layers, but unmanaged deciduous forest and unmanaged Pinus koraiensis that had diverse layers was proper places for birds to in habit. Thus, based on the functional analysis of biodiversity, management patterns of the target area were concluded in two manners: conserving management and restoring management. Deciduous forest protection target areas included natural deciduous forest area and managed deciduous forest area, ecological restoration target area included unmanaged artificial Pinus koraiensis area and restoring management target area includes managed artificial Pinus koraiensis.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.166-177
• /
• 2010

This study is to identify potential factors to impact on appearance of wildbirds which live in the core forest around urban area in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. As a result of analysis of, studies on biotope showed most of urbanization biotope was biotope of residential areas with high green coverage and biotope of residential and business areas with low green coverage while most of biotope of green and openspace was core green biotope. The research area was divided into several blocks based on biotope types in the urbanization areas excluding green and openspace. As a result of research on wildbirds, total 51 species 3,419 individuals appeared in spring and total 35 species 4,213 individuals appeared in winter. 24 wild bird species were selected as subjects of this study among 31 species seen in urbanization areas, since urban birds, rapacious birds, waterside birds were excluded from the study for the proper consideration. Then this study looked at how many species and individuals of the subjects were observed at each research block in urbanization areas during spring and winter separately. Landuse structure and green structure in each block were examined to see whether these structures affect the number of wild birds observed in urbanization areas of Gangdong-gu. Furthermore, the distance between these blocks and green was assessed. While studying the potential links between the landuse structure and the number of wild birds observed in urbanization areas of Gangdong-gu, block area, green coverage, and building-to-land ratio were believed to affect the number of types and species of wild birds in the research area. In terms of correlation analysis of whether green structure affected the number of wild birds observed in urbanization areas of Gangdong-gu, crown volume of layers, the average green patch area, the average height of canopy layer were found to have an impact not only on the number of types but also species of wild birds in the research area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.219-229
• /
• 2013

This research is performed in order to suggest seasonal effective research time that is applied to wild birds research which lives in a forest. The subject area of this research is Mulgun-ri village forest in Samdong-Myeon, Namhe-gun. To investigate suitability of the project, existing land-use, existing vegetation, vegetational structure, and etc. of the subject and whole area are figured out. To suggest adequate research time, based on seasonal sun rise and set time for 3days, repetitive research is performed at hourly intervals. The subject area is connected with a forest and is possible for forest wild birds to flows in and provides various habitats and feeding areas. And also the subject area is a appropriate area for wild birds research and is like a natural forest in that a layer structure development of the forest itself, a distribution of Zelkova serrata and Aphananthe aspera and so on. 105 species which is observed in subject area are categorized and mountain birds are classified. After time-based peak value is selected in each season, hourly species richness, diversity, and index of similarity are analyzed as compared with the appearing number of species and individual bird. As a result, 7~11 hour is the most effective time in spring, and 8~9 hour is the best time. In summer, 6~9 hour is the most appropriate time when whole appearing species are similar to species structure. In fall, 7~11(30~60 minutes after sun rise) when wild birds movements are vigorous is analyzed easy to observe and 8~9 hour is the most appropriate research time because each analysis shows the best values. In winter, 7~12 hour is the most effective time although 10~11 hour is the best time but it is decided that similar results are drawn because hourly deviation is not so big except 1 hour before sun rise. In every four season, it is decided that 30~60 minutes after sun rise is appropriate to research a group of wild birds in the subject area.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.79-95
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to find the changes in the habitat of wild birds caused by climate change in urban rivers and protected areas that greatly require ecological functions. In the future, this study can be used as a management index to protect the urban river ecosystem and maintain the health of sustainable urban rivers, thereby ensuring biodiversity. The Tancheon Ecological and Landscape Conservation Area, selected as a target site, has been affected by climate change. The four seasons of Korea have a distinct temperate climate, but the average annual temperature in Seoul has risen by 2.4-2.8℃ over the last 40 years. Winter temperatures tended to gradually increase. Precipitation, which was concentrated from June to August, is now changing into localized torrential rain and a uniform precipitation pattern of several months. Climate change causes irregular and unforeseen features. Climate change has been shown to have various effects on urban river ecosystems. The decrease in the area of water surface and sedimentary land impacted river shape change and has led to large-scale terrestrialization. Plants showed disturbance, and the vegetation was simplified. The emergence of national climate change indicator species, the development of foreign herbaceous plants, the change of dry land native herbaceous species, and wet intelligence vegetation were developed. Wild birds appeared in the territory of winter-summer migratory. In addition, species change and the populations of migratory birds also occurred. It was judged that fluctuations in temperature and precipitation and non-predictive characteristics affect the hydrological environment, plant ecology, and wild birds connecting with the river ecosystem. The results of this study were to analyze how climate change affects the habitat of wild birds and to develop a management index for river ecological and landscape conservation areas where environmental and ecological functions in cities operate. This study can serve as a basic study at the level of ecosystem services to improve the health of urban rivers and create a foundation for biodiversity.