To assess the characteristics of meiofaunal community fluctuations related to environmental factors, seasonal surveys were conducted in the subtidal zone of Hallyeohaesang National Park. The average depth of the study area was about 20 m, and the average water temperature at the bottom was low in winter (11.33°C) and high in summer (17.95°C). The sedimentary particles mainly comprised silt and clay at most stations. The abundance of meiofauna ranged from 81.7 to 1,296.5 Inds. 10 cm-2, and the average abundance was 589.3 Inds. 10 cm-2. The average abundance of meiofauna in each season was the lowest at 416.5 Inds. 10 cm-2 in winter and the highest at 704.5 Inds. 10 cm-2 in spring. The dominant taxa were nematodes (about 92%) and harpacticoids (about 5%). In the cluster analysis of meiofaunal communities, they were divided into four significant groups. The largest group mainly contained spring and summer samples, and contained stations with a high nematode density of over 500 Inds. 10 cm-2 and harpacticoids below 50 Inds. 10 cm-2 with a high composition ratio of nematodes. In the cluster analysis, no regional division was found between the stations, and it was thought to be divided by the seasons with high abundance according to seasonal variation and the composition ratio of nematodes and harpacticoids. In the Spearman rank correlation analysis, the density of total meiofauna and the most dominant taxa, nematodes, was not significantly related to environmental factors. However, the density of harpacticoids had a significant positive correlation with water depth and a negative correlation with sediment particle size.
Paddy fields are important habitats for maintaining the biodiversity of agricultural ecosystems. Recently, as the need for safe food and biodiversity conservation has increased, the rice cultivation methods have undergone changes. This study was conducted to investigate the fish fauna in Environmentally Friendly Paddy fields (EFP) and Conventional Paddy fields (CP), and compare the characteristics of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and Aphyocypris chinensis populations in EFP and CP. A total of 2,703 fish were collected and classified into six families and 13 species. Our results showed that there was a difference in the proportion of fish populations in the two paddy fields, and the number of individuals in EFP was higher than in CP. The weight values of M. anguillicaudatus were higher in EFP than in CP, and the total length, body length, and weight values of A. chinensis were higher in EFP than in CP. Conditional factor (K) values also showed similar trends in EFP and CP. Our results indicate that the farming practices in paddy fields have a significant effect on the characteristics of M. anguillicaudatus and A. chinensis populations, and the results of this study can be used as basic data for securing biodiversity in future agricultural ecosystems.
Ecological occupation in irrigation ponds is a well-acknowledged fact that is essential for biodiversity conservation in agricultural ecosystems. However, there are few studies on the ecological functions and relationship between a paddy field and irrigation using macroinvertebrates in an environmentally friendly paddy field. The objective of this study is to identify the community and distribution characteristics of macroinvertebrates in an agricultural paddy field and irrigation pond ecosystems, and to provide basic data on the ecological function of an environmentally friendly paddy field. Macroinvertebrate sampling was conducted from May to September in an agricultural paddy field and irrigation pond in an environment-friendly paddy field in Boryeong city. We conducted a study to identify the distribution characteristics using macroinvertebrate species analysis, such as Functional Feeding Groups (FFGs), Habitat Oriented Groups (HOGs), rarefaction curve, and a two-way dendrogram. A total of 37 species of macroinvertebrates in 28 families, 13 orders were collected study during the period of the investigation. Dominant taxa of macroinvertebrates included Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Odonata. In terms of FFGs, predators and gathering collectors accounted for approximately 70%, in relation to HOGs, and climbers and swimmers occupied more than 50% from both the paddy field and irrigation pond. With respect to the rarefaction curve, the irrigation pond (July) was high as E (S, 141)=18 species, while the paddy field (May) was comparatively low as E (S, 141)=9 species. In conclusion, our results revealed that macroinvertebrates, such as Notonecta triguttata, Peltodytes intermedius, Appasus major, Laccotrephes japonensis, Appasus japonicus, Sigara substriata, Enochrus simulans, and Sternolophus rufipes, were used as a habitat and spawning ground in both paddy field and irrigation pond. The irrigation pond appears to be a very important spawning ground for macroinvertebrates.
We analyzed the hair microstructure of Korean small terrestrial mammals, such as Rodentia and Lagomorpha, to classify the characteristics of hair morphology. Micromys minutus showed a unicellular irregular type of medulla structures; on the other hand, the other mammals showed multicellular structures. Regarding the cuticular scale structures, the Rodentia species exhibited a narrow and broad diamond petal type, while the Lagomorpha species exhibited an elongated petal type. Interestingly, the hair cross-sections showed quite unique characteristics. We constructed hair identification keys to distinguish species with a single hair. The dichotomous key of Rodentia and Lagomorpha can be used for their behavioral ecology and dietary analysis of upper predators to serve as the basis for ecological research.
Frankliniella occidentalis is an invasive pest insect, which affects over 500 different species of host plants and transmits viruses (tomato spotted wilt virus; TSWV). Despite their efficiency in controling insect pests, pesticides are limited by residence, cost and environmental burden. Therefore, a fixed-precision level sampling plan was developed. The sampling method for F. occidentalis adults in pepper greenhouses consists of spatial distribution analysis, sampling stop line, and control decision making. For sampling, the plant was divided into the upper part (180 cm above ground), middle part (120-160 cm above ground), and lower part (70-110 cm above ground). Through ANCOVA, the P values of intercept and slope were estimated to be 0.94 and 0.87, respectively, which meant there were no significant differences between values of all the levels of the pepper plant. In spatial distribution analysis, the coefficients were derived from Taylor’s power law (TPL) at pooling data of each level in the plant, based on the 3-flowers sampling unit. F. occidentalis adults showed aggregated distribution in greenhouse peppers. TPL coefficients were used to develop a fixed-precision sampling stop line. For control decision making, the pre-referred action thresholds were set at 3 and 18. With two action thresholds, Nmax values were calculated at 97 and 1149, respectively. Using the Resampling Validation for Sampling Program (RVSP) and the results gained from the greenhouses, the simulated validation of our sampling method showed a reasonable level of precision.
Benthic macroinvertebrates are important ecological and environmental indicators as primary or secondary consumers, and therefore are widely used in the evaluation of aquatic environments. However, there are no comprehensive river ecosystem monitoring surveys that link the major physicochemical water quality items with benthic macroinvertebrates in urban streams. Therefore, this study investigated the distribution characteristics of benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical water quality items (17 items) in Yangjaecheon and Yeouicheon from 2019 to 2020. At the same time, by applying Spearman’s rank correlation analysis and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis in the water quality data and biotic index, we tried to provide basic data for diagnosing the current status of river ecosystems in major urban rivers in Seoul. Based on the study results, a total of 39 species and 3,787 individuals were identified in Yangjaecheon, the water quality (based on BOD, TOC, and TP) of Yangjaecheon was higher than Grade Ib (good), and the BMI using benthic macroinvertebrates appeared as Grade C (normal) at all the sites. In Yeouicheon, a total of 51 species and 4,199 individuals were identified, the water quality (based on BOD, TOC, TP) was higher than Grade Ib (good) similar to Yangjaecheon, and the BMI of both Upstream and Saewon bridge was Grade B (good), while Yeoui bridge was Grade C (normal). Overall, analysis results for the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates by a nonmetric multidimensional scaling method showed no significant difference between the two streams (p=0.1491). Also, significant environmental variables related to benthic macroinvertebrates distribution were determined as water temperature and DO. On the other hand, the results of the correlation analysis between biotic index and major water quality items confirmed that R1 and BMI could be used for on-site urban river water quality evaluation.
In this study, Telenomus remus Nixon (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) was first reported as a natural enemy of the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) egg collected from corn fields in Korea, and its biological characteristics was studied. Based on morphological and molecular analysis, the parasitoid emerged from S. frugiperda eggs was identified as T. remus. We found that T. remus can attack the eggs of S. frugiperda, Spodoptera litra and Spodoptera exigua under a laboratory condition. The longevity of T. remus female adult was longer than that of male adult. The egg-to-adult period of T. remus was not affected by the host age and sex. T. remus female adult laid at least 1-3 eggs a day to a maximum of 37 or more eggs, and the most oviposited on the 3rd to 4th day after emergence. The host preference for oviposition of T. remus adult was high in the order of S. litura>S. exigua>S. frugiperda. T. remus preferred to parasitize 1- and 2-day-old host egg rather than 3-day-old host egg. When compared to the sex ratio of T. remus progeny, the rate of female progeny was higher at the initiation time of oviposition, while the proportion of male progeny increased significantly with female adult age, especially after 8-day-old adult. This information may be useful for improving T. remus mass rearing system and developing a biological control program to control S. frugiperda.
Two tree frogs, Dryophytes suweonensis and Dryophytes japonicus, inhabiting Korea, are morphologically similar and share the same habitats. Therefore, they are identified mainly through their calls, especially for males. Dryophytes suweonensis is registered as an endangered (IUCN: EN grade) and protected species in South Korea. Thus, it is necessary to develop a method to rapidly identify and discriminate the two species and establish efficient protection and restoration plans. We identified significant genetic variation between them by sequencing a maternallyinherited mitochondrial 12S ribosomal DNA region. Based on the sequence data, we designed a pair of primers containing 7 bp differences for high resolution melting (HRM) analysis to rapidly and accurately characterize their genotypes. The HRM analysis using genomic DNA showed that the melting peak for D. suweonensis was 76.4±0.06°C, whereas that of D. japonicus was 75.0±0.05°C. The differential melt curve plot further showed a distinct difference between them. We also carried out a pilot test for the application of HRM analysis based on immersing D. suweonensis in distilled water for 30 min to generate artificial environmental DNA (eDNA). The results showed 1.10-1.31°C differences in the melting peaks between the two tree frog samples. Therefore, this HRM analysis is rapid and accurate in identifying two tree frogs not only using their genomic DNA but also using highly non-invasive eDNA.
Ecological characteristics of a brown alga, Scytosiphon lomentaria, were investigated from January 2021 to December 2021 in its natural habitat off Sodol, Jumunjin, eastern coast of Korea. The S. lomentaria population at the site formed widespread patches on mid shore. During the investigation, environmental conditions including seawater temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were monitored at the site. Growth and maturation of the S. lomentaria population were identified through qualitative and quantitative investigations. An estimation of the effective cumulative temperature for maturation of the alga was obtained based on growth data and a biological zero temperature of 8°C. Sporangia were observed from February to May when seawater temperatures ranged from 7.7°C to 16.4°C. A maturation peak was detected in April when seawater temperature was 12.1°C. After zoospore release, the alga became bleached and only the crust remained after June. Developmental initiation of the thallus occurred at temperatures above 8°C. Its maturation required approximately 162 degree-days.
Among migratory insect pests, Mythimna seperata and Cnaphalocrocis medinalis are invasive pests introduced into South Korea through westerlies from southern China. M. seperata and C. medinalis are insect pests that use rice as a host. They injure rice leaves and inhibit rice growth. To understand the distribution of M. seperata and C. medinalis, it is important to understand environmental factors such as temperature and humidity of their habitat. This study predicted current and future habitat suitability models for understanding the distribution of M. seperata and C. medinalis. Occurrence data, SSPs (Shared Socio-economic Pathways) scenario, and RCP (Representative Concentration Pathway) were applied to MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy), a machine learning model among SDM (Species Distribution Model). As a result, M. seperata and C. medinalis are aggregated on the west and south coasts where they have a host after migration from China. As a result of MaxEnt analysis, the contribution was high in the order of Land-cover data and DEM (Digital Elevation Model). In bioclimatic variables, BIO_4 (Temperature seasonality) was high in M. seperata and BIO_2 (Mean Diurnal Range) was found in C. medinalis. The habitat suitability model predicted that M. seperata and C. medinalis could inhabit most rice paddies.
North Korea has actively participated in the international community related to environmental agreements. It has proposed various environmental policies internally since the Kim Jong-un regime. In particular, it emphasizes activities related to climate change response, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the conservation of ecosystems including forests and wetlands. In this study, a new security cooperation plan was proposed with an understanding of the climate crisis and environmental regime as a starting point. To this end, trends and recent activities for climate-environment cooperation in the international community and on the Korean Peninsula were analyzed. In addition, North Korea’s conditions for cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, technology demand, and the projected future environment of the Korean Peninsula were dealt with. Ultimately, through advice of experts, we were able to discover cooperation agendas by sector and propose short-term and long-term environmental cooperation strategies for the Korean Peninsula based on them. In this study, conditions and directions for cooperation in fields of climate technology, biological resources, air/weather, water environment, biodiversity, renewable energy, bioenergy, and so on were considered comprehensively. Among 21 cooperation agendas discovered in this study, energy showed the largest number of areas. Renewable energy, forest resources, and environmental and meteorological information stood out as agendas that could be cooperated in the short term. As representative initiatives, joint promotion of ‘renewable energy’ that could contribute to North Korea’s energy demand and carbon neutrality and ‘forest cooperation’ that could be recognized as a source of disaster reduction and greenhouse gas sinks were suggested.