In this study, we investigated the vertical distribution and vascular plants on Joryeongsan Mountain in Baekdudaegan, Korea. The results of four field surveys from April to September 2023 identified a total of 552 taxa, representing 491 species, ten subspecies, 43 varieties, six forms, and two hybrids in 314 genera and 101 families. The elevational distribution ranges of 360 taxa of vascular plants were also identified. Among them, 19 taxa were endemic to Korea, and two taxa were rare plants. The floristic target plants amounted to 100 taxa, specifically two taxa of grade V, seven taxa of grade IV, 25 taxa of grade III, 33 taxa of grade II, and 33 taxa of grade I. Seventy-eight taxa were northern lineage plants. In all, 29 taxa of alien plants were recorded in the investigated area, with a naturalized index of 5.3% and an urbanization index of 7.4%. Two plants disturbed the ecosystem. Species richness along the elevation showed a reversed doublehump shape with peaks at low, mid, and high elevations. The results of a cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between adjacent elevation sections, except in lowlands. Detrended Correspondence Analysis ordination also supported distinct groups by elevation. Warmth index values ranged from 62.1ºC·month to 92.9ºC·month on Joryeongsan Mountain. Our results provide primary data on vascular plants and valuable information on the current distribution ranges of plant species on Joryeongsan Mountain. These data could serve as a baseline for comparing species shifts at elevations under future climate changes.

Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a species that has devastated the United States and Canada. It is known to play a role in destroying the ecosystem. In this study, the domestic distribution of garlic mustard was confirmed and a detailed distribution map was created for the Samcheok region, where the largest population has been established in South Korea. This study investigated the growth environment, life cycle, and population dynamics of the species in the Samcheok region. Garlic mustard was found in a total of 301 locations in Samcheok, with a total distribution area of 2,957 square meters. Annual plants germinated in mid-April, overwintered in rosette form, underwent vegetative growth from April 10 to April 24 the following year, and flowered from April 24 to May 7. Individuals producing seeds began to die off from June. Both annual and biennial individuals showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing in number around April 27 (118 days). Garlic mustard grew well under favorable light conditions in early spring. They showed less growth on leaf litter, short distance from roads, lower altitude, deciduous broad-leaved forest of middle and lower parts of the slope and forest edge. Without proper control measures in the Samcheok region, it is likely to spread more rapidly in deciduous broad-leaved forests along hiking trails in the Galyasan Mountains. In particular, it is more likely to extend to oak community where light enters the site during flowering than to pine community where there is less light in the site.

Yeosu National Industrial Complex is one of Korea’s representative petrochemical industrial complexes where crude oil refining and petrochemical companies are concentrated. According to the results of the 2021 chemical emissions survey, during the process of manufacturing, storage, and transportation at the Yeosu National Industrial Complex, various hazardous chemicals, including hazardous air pollutants, volatile organic compounds and odorous substances are being emitted into the air, affecting the surrounding environment and the health of residents. The Ministry of Environment is applying strengthened standards by designating the Yeosu National Industrial Complex as an air conservation special measure area and establishing odor management areas to manage the air environment. Nevertheless, odor complaints continue to be registered and related complaints increase when turnaround work is carried out. Since air emissions are not counted during periods of turnaround as normal operations are temporarily suspended, it was difficult to establish policies to reduce odor complaints because the source of emissions and emission quantities cannot be ascertained with certainty. In this study, the extensive Yeosu National Industrial Complex was subdivided into 4 areas using a mobile vehicle equipped with PTR-ToF-MS capable of real-time analysis without sample pretreatment being carried out. Measurements were repeated during the day, night, and dawn while moving around the internal boundary of the plant and the boundary of each region where turnaround activities were being carried out. As a result, the recorded measurement for acrylonitrile was the highest at 6340.0 ppb and propyne and propene were measured the most frequently at 128 times each. Based on these results, it will be possible to help reduce emissions through process improvement by efficiently operating air measurement networks and odor surveys that conduct regular measurements throughout the year and providing actual measurement data to the plant. Also, it will help reduce odor complaints and establish systematic air management policies.

Most wetlands worldwide have suffered from extensive human exploitation. Unfortunately they have been less explored compared to river and lake ecosystems despite their ecological importance and economic values. This is the same case in Korea. This study was aimed to estimate the assemblage attributes and distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates for fifty wetlands distributed throughout subtropical Jeju Island in 2021. A total of 133 taxa were identified during survey periods belonging to 53 families, 19 orders, 5 classes and 3 phyla. Taxa richness ranged from 4 to 31 taxa per wetland with an average of 17.5 taxa. Taxa richness and abundance of predatory insect groups such as Odonata, Hemiptera and Coleoptera respectively accounted for 67.7% and 68.2% of the total. Among them Coleoptera were the most diverse and abundant. Taxa richness and abundance did not significantly differ from each wetland type classified in accordance with the National Wetland Classification System. There were three endangered species (Clithon retropictum, Lethocerus deyrolli and Cybister (Cybister) chinensis) and several restrictively distributed species only in Jeju Island. Cluster analysis based on the similarity in the benthic macroinvertebrate composition largely classified 50 wetlands into two major clusters: small wetlands located in lowland areas and medium-sized wetlands in middle mountainous regions. All cluster groups displayed significant differences in wetland area, long axis, percentage of fine particles and macrophyte composition ratio. Indicator Species Analysis selected 19 important indicators with the highest indicator value of Ceriagrion melanurum at 63%, followed by Noterus japonicus (59%) and Polypylis hemisphaerula (58%). Our results are expected to provide fundamental information on the biodiversity and habitat environments for benthic macroinvertebrates in wetland ecosystems, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for small wetlands relatively vulnerable to human disturbance.

In this study, we proposed a novel concept of liquid level indicator that can stably measure the liquid level even with changes in liquid density by enormous temperature changes. This uses a distributed optical fiber sensor based on Rayleigh scattering with high spatial resolution. Additionally, taking advantage of the flexibility of an optical fiber sensor, we introduced a bendable supporting structure and made it possible to freely adjust the angle for ease of installation of the liquid level indicator. In the proof-of-concept experiment using a prototype incorporating the proposed concept, we confirmed that the interface location can be effectively detected by utilizing the difference in heat transfer characteristics between liquid and gas phases, demonstrating the feasibility of liquid level measurement. Such a liquid level indicator is expected to enable more accurate level measurements in environments with huge temperature changes and to be conveniently used even in situations where installation and maintenance of the level meter are challenging due to complex internal structures.

In this study, we estimated the distribution density of giant jellyfish in coastal waters of Korea in 2023 and compared the occurrence of giant jellyfish over four years. In May, the giant jellyfish were mainly distributed in the waters of the Yangtze River outflow, and in July, they were highly distributed in the west of Jeju Island and near the south coast of Korea. In addition, when comparing the distribution densities of giant jellyfish in Korea over four years, both acoustic and sighting surveys showed that the highest density of jellyfish occurred in 2021.

In this study, the seasonal distribution was surveyed using acoustic in the coastal waters around nuclear power plants. Acoustic surveys were conducted in June, September, December 2022, and March 2023 in the coastal waters of Uljin-gun. According to the results of this study, zooplankton were distributed at the depths from 0 m to 50 m in the waters around nuclear power plants. Zooplankton appeared in summer (June), autumn (September), and spring (March). In the survey area, fish were distributed at the depths from 25 m to 190 m, appearing in the summer (June), autumn (September), winter (December) and spring (March). The SV of zooplankton appearing in the survey area ranged from -98.0 dB to -78.0 dB, and it exhibited a one-class in the frequency distribution of SV. The SV of fish appearing in the survey area ranged from -36.0 dB to -35.0 dB and -98.0 dB to -53.0 dB, and it exhibited two-class in the frequency distribution of SV.

2022년 1월부터 11월까지 부산지역에서 유통 중인 신선 농산물 210건을 대상으로 리스테리아균 분포 현황 및 병 원성 여부를 조사하였으며, 분리된 균주를 대상으로 혈청 형 및 유전자 지문분석을 통해 역학적 연관성을 확인하였 다. 조사 대상 신선농산물에서 총 40건의 리스테리아균이 검출되었으며, Listeria monocytogenes 등 4종의 리스테리 아균이 검출되었다. 이 중 L. innocua가 22건, L. monocytogenes 10건, L. grayi 6건, L. rocourtiae 2건으로 나타났으며, 이 중 식중독을 유발하는 L. monocytogenes균 은 팽이버섯에서만 검출되었다. L. monocytogenes의 병원 성을 유발하는 유전자인 iap, prfA, inlA, inlC, inlJ 및 hly 6종에 대한 분석 결과, 총 10개 균주 중 6개 균주에서 iap 등 6종의 병원성 유발 유전자가 검출되었으며, 4개 균주 에서 hly를 제외한 5종의 유전자가 검출되어 식중독 발생 잠재위험이 있음이 확인되었다. 지역 유통 식재료에 분포 하는 L. monocytogenes의 유전학적 유사도 및 오염원 추 이를 확인하기 위해 신선농산물에서 분리한 L. monocytogenes 10균주 및 2022년 부산지역 유통 가금류에 서 분리한 L. monocytogenes 2균주를 대상으로 혈청형 분 석 및 PFGE를 실시한 결과, 신선농산물 분리균주의 혈청 형은 1/2a 및 1/2b 두 가지 serotype으로 확인되었으며, 가 금류 분리균주는 모두 1/2a형으로 나타났다. 유전자지문 분석결과, 전체 균주의 유사도는 100-45.7%로 나타났고, 이 중 100% 상동성을 보인 균주들은 동일 생산농장 또는 동일지역 유래 팽이버섯에서 분리되어 오염원의 출처가 같음을 추측할 수 있었다. 신선농산물 분리균주와 유통 가금육 분리균주와의 유사도 확인 결과, 일부 팽이버섯 분 리균주와 가금육 분리균주의 유사도가 90.9-84.6%로 나타 났다. 농산물 및 축산물 생산시설간 오염원 이동 및 교차 가능성을 유추할 수 있었다.

해양공간계획(Marine spatial planning)은 해양의 합리적인 이용과 지속 가능한 해양 공간 활용을 위한 중요한 요소이다. 특히 어업활동 보호구역은 지속 가능한 어업을 위한 핵심 용도구역으로, 해양공간계획 경계 내에서 약 45.6%를 차지한다. 그러나, 현재 어업활동보호구역의 지정 과 평가는 미래 수요와 잠재적 가치를 충분히 반영하지 못하고 있으며, 중장기 계획 수립을 위한 보다 합리적인 평가 방법과 예측 도구가 필요한 상황이다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해, 본 연구는 어업활동보호구역 내 주요 어종인 고등어, 갈치, 멸치, 참조기를 대상으로 어종 분포 예측을 시도하고, 현재 용도구역과의 비교를 통해 예측 도구의 가능성을 평가하였다. 한편, IPCC 6차 기후변화 시나리오(SSP1-2.6 및 SSP5-8.5)를 적용한 종분포 모델(MaxEnt)을 사용하여 미래 기후변화에 따른 어종의 이동 및 분포 변화를 분석한 결과, 고등어, 갈치, 참조기의 분포 면적은 현재보다 약 28~86% 증가했으나, 멸치의 분포 면적은 약 6~11% 감소했다. 이 결과를 바탕으로 주요 4종의 종풍부도 지도를 작성하였으며, 해양공간계획 경 계 내에서 ‘높음’으로 평가된 종풍부도 해역과 어업활동보호구역이 중복되는 비율은 약 15%, SSP1-2.6 시나리오에서 21%, SSP5-8.5 시나리오에서 34%로 증가하였다. 연구 결과는 향후 용도구역 평가나 유보구역 변경 시 과학적 근거로 활용될 수 있으며, 어종의 현재 종분포와 기후변화에 따 른 분포 예측을 통해 현재 용도구역 평가의 한계를 보완하고, 지속 가능한 유용 해양 자원의 이용을 위한 계획 수립에 기여할 것으로 판단된다.

The key to invasive pest management lies in preemptive action. However, most current research using species distribution models is conducted after an invasion has occurred. This study modeled the potential distribution of the globally notorious sweet potato pest, the sweet potato weevil (Cylas formicarius), that has not yet invaded Korea using MaxEnt. Using global occurrence data, bioclimatic variables, and topsoil characteristics, MaxEnt showed high explanatory power as both the training and test areas under the curve exceeded 0.9. Among the environmental variables used in this study, minimum temperature in the coldest month (BIO06), precipitation in the driest month (BIO14), mean diurnal range (BIO02), and bulk density (BDOD) were identified as key variables. The predicted global distribution showed high values in most countries where the species is currently present, with a significant potential invasion risk in most South American countries where C. formicarius is not yet present. In Korea, Jeju Island and the southwestern coasts of Jeollanam-do showed very high probabilities. The impact of climate change under shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios indicated an expansion along coasts as climate change progresses. By applying the 10th percentile minimum training presence rule, the potential area of occurrence was estimated at 1,439 km2 under current climate conditions and could expand up to 9,485 km2 under the SSP585 scenario. However, the model predicted that an inland invasion would not be serious. The results of this study suggest a need to focus on the risk of invasion in islands and coastal areas.

Species distribution model (SDM) is used to preserve biodiversity and climate change impact. To evaluate biodiversity, various studies are being conducted to utilize and apply SDM. However, there is insufficient research to provide useful information by identifying the current status and recent trends of SDM research and discussing implications for future research. This study analyzed the trends and flow of academic papers, in the use of SDM, published in academic journals in South Korea and provides basic information that can be used for related research in the future. The current state and trends of SDM research were presented using philological methods and text-mining. The papers on SDM have been published 148 times between 1998 and 2023 with 115 (77.7%) papers published since 2015. MaxEnt model was the most widely used, and plant was the main target species. Most of the publications were related to species distribution and evaluation, and climate change. In text mining, the term ‘Climate change’ emerged as the most frequent keyword and most studies seem to consider biodiversity changes caused by climate change as a topic. In the future, the use of SDM requires several considerations such as selecting the models that are most suitable for various conditions, ensemble models, development of quantitative input variables, and improving the collection system of field survey data. Promoting these methods could help SDM serve as valuable scientific tools for addressing national policy issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change.