FT-IR, GC/MS, and ATR-FT-IR analyses were performed to confirm the physicochemical characteristics of saw palmetto fruit (SPF) extract. FT-IR analysis of the standard product showed that the band corresponding to the carbonyl bond of free fatty acid was stronger than the band of acyl-glyceride. Sample E was identified as having the same trend as the standard sample. Fatty acid composition analysis revealed that the main fatty acids in the standard sample were lauric acid and oleic acid. The content of lauric acid ranged from approximately 30% to 38% in samples B, C, D, and E, while the content of oleic acid ranged from approximately 29% to 34%. The GC/MS analysis confirmed that the standard SPF extract consisted of fatty acids and fatty acid ethyl esters. Sample E demonstrated a similar pattern to the standard samples in terms of oleic acid, lauric acid, and fatty acid esters. ATR-FT-IR analysis indicated that only sample E was predicted to contain 100% saw palmetto extract. Therefore, these study findings can be considered fundamental data for analyzing the physicochemical characteristics of the composition of SPF extract.

The natural environment of the modern society does not simply reflect damage, but is a complex and grave reality that threatens the Earth. To solve this problem, various aspects related to the natural environment have been explored around the world, and a number of studies are ongoing to balance the development and preservation of the natural environment in Korea. However, no clear category exists for the natural environment and the related terms are ambiguous, rendering the overall evaluation system is in efficient. Therefore, the present study attempted to set the scope of application of a comprehensive evaluation system based on terms similar to the natural environment, concepts of the natural environment viewed from a value-based perspective and a capacitive perspective. In addition, by examining the concept of ecosystem services, a conceptual model for efficient application of the evaluation system of the natural environment through the association between categories of the natural environment is presented to derive implications for practical operation in the future.

Damage to the natural environment is becoming increasingly complex in modern society, expanding to impact not only the environment but also society and the economy. Various systems and policies based on sustainability have been promoted internationally. Legal systems and policies based on evaluation systems such as land environment assessment and urban ecological status maps, have been implemented in Korea. However, most of Korea institutions and policies related to the natural environment have been directed toward the conservation of the natural environment, and restricted to in simple theoretical frameworks with various limitations. Therefore, this study analyzed the definition and value of the natural environment for a fundamental conceptual approach to the valuation of the natural environment. Based on this, we modeled the policy process for a flexible evaluation system suitable for the actual situation of Korea natural environment through a review of the integration of environmental policy proposed in Europe.

Repeated use of land is depleting future resources and causing many ecological problems, prompting the need for a natural resource policy focusing on effective conservation. This study aims to identify methods based on international cases useful for introducing sustainable conservation of domestic natural resources. Currently, South Korea has developed and enforced many management and evaluation strategies for natural resources. However, due to limitations on policies and management, they show signs of strain. Therefore, this study compares and analyzes international conservation policies for nature and scenery, such as Germany’s impact mitigation regulation, the USA’s HEA (habitat equivalency analysis) and REA (resource equivalency analysis) policies, and Japan’s three laws for landscape and greenery, to achieve the following three goals: first, find natural resources suitable for South Korea and define them. Second, plan goals for mitigation of total natural resources and build a basis for them. Third, establish effective complete plans for evaluating the total amount of natural resources.

New towns and large multi-family housing complexes are being built in the capital region of Korea, with the goal of creating safe and pedestrian-friendly cities. Traffic accidents in such residential complexes, however, is on the rise, creating social problems. While there have been many previous studies on problems with pedestrian environment; there is a dearth of studies that take design-based approach to ensure safety in pedestrian environment within residential complexes. Therefore, this study aims to prevent traffic accidents by properly planning pedestrian environment within multi-family housing complexes, in addition to emphasizing theories related to planning safer pedestrian environment in general. This study found the following design directions required to improve the design theory of pedestrian safety in multi-family housing complexes: (1) Linking traffic facilities and residential complex spaces in Korea; (2) Considering implementation of United Kingdom road systems; (3) Establishing appropriate objectives for each residential complex based on case study. In response to these findings, the study selected the A84BL complex in Hwaseong Dongtan 2 Complex located in Dongtan-myeon, Hwaseong-si in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Items that can be implemented, as well as spatial design directions, were discussed with a focus on private vehicles, pedestrians, and service vehicles.