Hummocks and other forms of microtopography in arid and semi-arid regions are essential for regulating soil moisture and supporting plant growth. However, research on this topic in Mongolia is limited. This study aims to explore the physical and ecological characteristics of hummocks and associated microtopography, as well as plant distribution in the Zuunkharaa region, and to propose restoration strategies based on these features. Field surveys were conducted in July 2025 within two 20×20 m quadrats: one dominated by woody plants (Quadrat 1) and the other by herbaceous plants (Quadrat 2). A total of 71 hummocks were examined, and small 1×1 m quadrats were set up to record hummock dimensions (major axis, minor axis, basal area, and height) and resident plant species. We identified 34 plant species, categorized as forbs (25 species), graminoids (5 species), and shrubs (4 species). Quadrat 2 showed significantly greater short axis length, basal area, and height compared to Quadrat 1, suggesting a decrease in size or compression during the establishment of shrubs. Additionally, the shrub emergence rate was notably higher in Quadrat 1 (65%) than in Quadrat 2 (26%), indicating shifts in biotype composition based on the development stage of the hummocks. This underscores the need for ecological restoration strategies that replicate the ecosystems associated with such microtopography in arid and semi-arid regions.

Ambrosia trifida is an invasive annual plant species that creates dense stands, suppressing native vegetation in affected habitats. To assess its ecological impact and the short-term effectiveness of mechanical management, we conducted field removal experiments using cutting and uprooting methods. We examined plant community composition, species richness, and diversity before and after treatment. Mechanical removal significantly altered plant community structure, leading to increased emergence of native species and reduced dominance of A. trifida, while control plots showed minimal change. Treated plots also had substantially lower soil seed bank density, with most remaining seeds concentrated in the upper 0-5 cm layer, indicating that limiting annual seed input is crucial for suppressing population persistence. However, recovery responses varied by site: Mugunri experienced notable declines in A. trifida cover and a greater establishment of native species, whereas the CCZ site retained A. trifida as a sub-dominant and saw limited recruitment of native species. These differing outcomes suggest that site-specific environmental conditions, initial species pools, and residual seed bank size may affect vegetation recovery after invasive plant removal. While this study demonstrates that mechanical removal disrupts A. trifida dominance and encourages short-term vegetation recovery, its one-year duration limits our understanding of longterm successional pathways. Continued monitoring, repeated annual removal, and assessments across multiple sites are necessary to better understand the mechanisms driving post-removal recovery and to inform the development of effective restoration strategies.

Biomimetic study is being conducted in various fields and applied to the development of technology for the realization of a sustainable society. In this study, we analyzed the cuticular surface structure and wax layer composition of the leaves of Myriophyllum verticillatum and Azolla imbricata to investigate the antifouling characteristics. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis (FE-SEM) and contact angle measurement revealed that the surface of M. verticillatum had an irregular and curved layered structure with non-directional filament structures and showed high hydrophobicity. On the leaves of A. imbricata, amphiphilic structures with nano-sized hydrophobic plate-like filament structures and micro-sized irregular hydrophilic spikes were observed. The dorsal surface of the A. imbricata leaves had a denser distribution of hydrophobic nano-structures compared to the ventral surface. The dorsal surface of the leaf showed high hydrophobicity, while the ventral surface showed wettability. Due to the habitat characteristics of A. imbricata, which is a floating plant, the ventral surface is constantly in contact with water, while the front surface has a hydrophobic surface. Analysis of the wax composition of plants revealed that M. verticillatum and A. imbricata were mainly composed of saturated fatty acids, ketones (2-Nonadecanone and 2-Heptadecanon), and sugar alcohols such as 1,30-Triacontanediol. These substances have high antimicrobial activity, and saturated fatty acids form stable and rough anisotropic crystalline surfaces. The hierarchical amphiphilic structure and the non-toxic stable hydrophobic surface observed in the cuticle of aquatic plants are expected to be utilized as materials for the development of sustainable antifouling technologies.

3차원 구조광 스캐너를 이용하여 비파괴적, 비접촉적 으로 식물 잎 면적을 측정하는 방법을 고안하고자 하였 다. 3차원 구조광 스캐너를 이용하여 측정한 콩의 잎 면 적은 엽면적 측정기로 측정한 잎 면적과 높은 상관관계 를 보였다. 또한 콩의 V1~V4까지의 각 생장단계마다 3차원 스캔 이미지를 이용하여 측정한 잎 면적은 지상 부를 수확한 후 측정한 생중량 분석 결과와 매우 높은 상관관계(R2=0.98)를 나타내었다. 가뭄 및 염분 스트레 스 환경에서 3차원 스캐너를 이용하여 시간에 따른 콩 의 생장의 변화를 비교한 결과, 대조구의 식물체 잎 면 적은 시간이 경과될수록 증가한 반면 가뭄 및 염분처리 구의 식물체 잎 면적은 처리 12일과 14일 후 각각 감소 하여 처리구 간 뚜렷한 차이를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과 를 통해 3차원 스캐너를 이용하여 다양한 환경에서 식 물체의 잎 면적과 생체량을 효과적으로 추정할 수 있음 을 확인하였다. 사 사 본 연구는 미래창조과학부 중견연구자 지원사업(과제 번호: 20110028162)과 KRIBB 기관고유사업의 연구비 지원으로 수행되었습니다.