Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do region host numerous significant wetlands, including the Nakdong River Estuary, one of the largest migratory bird habitats in East Asia, making it an essential habitat for waterbirds. However, issues such as wetland area reduction have arisen due to accelerated industrialization and urbanization since the 1980s. This study analyzed annual and monthly changes in waterbird populations and examined habitat use patterns and interrelationships among four wetlands in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do: the Nakdong River Estuary (NRE), Lower Nakdong River (LNR), Junam Reservoir (JUR), and Upo Wetland (UPO), using waterbird data collected from 1999 to 2024. The results showed a decreasing trend in waterbirds at the NRE and UPO, while an increasing trend was observed at the LNR and JUR. Notably, populations of Anatidae decreased at the NRE and UPO but increased at the LNR and JUR, indicating that changes in Anatidae significantly influenced waterbird population trends. Monthly population fluctuations were particularly pronounced at the NRE and LNR. While the population decreased at the NRE after November, it increased at the LNR. This suggests that waterbirds moved to the LNR due to habitat and food resource reductions in the NRE. In contrast, the JUR and UPO exhibited weaker associations with the other sites. This study aims to contribute to future wetland management and waterbird conservation strategies in the Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do region.

This study investigates the role of Junam Reservoir and its surrounding paddy fields as a habitat for migratory birds by considering how different scenarios of habitat loss may affect their populations. It will focus on wintering Anatidae species and take advantage of the population data available for Junam Reservoir and adjacent agricultural fields to analyze habitat-use and dependency patterns. A Bayesian regression model was fitted to estimate the relative dependency at each reservoir and paddy field for each bird species. Network analysis was used to assess the interaction structure and connectivity between habitats and bird species. Furthermore, habitat loss scenarios were simulated in order to predict the outcome of reservoir-paddy field loss on the populations of birds. Among these species, the reservoir loss was much more critical for those highly dependent on reservoirs, such as bean goose, Anser fabalis, and Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus, but the loss of paddy fields became much more vital for those with higher dependence on paddy fields, such as Baikal teal, Anas formosa. Species that depended on both types of habitats, such as the white-naped crane (Antigone vipio) and the hooded crane (Grus monacha), had additive impacts and suffered the most significant population decline when both reservoirs and paddy fields were lost simultaneously. Network analysis demonstrated that both reservoirs and paddy played equally critical roles in the central nodes of the migratory bird species habitat network and acted as important connectors along migration routes. It is exemplary of the need to develop landscape-level means of maintaining migratory birds and ecosystem stability through the incorporation of ecological connectivity between paddy fields and reservoirs and vice-versa. This stresses integrated management relevant for the entire habitat network rather than single-site focused management, a call for multifaceted conservation efforts, securing of alternative habitats, and restoration of degraded habitats.

This study used text mining to analyze public interest and research trends related to the Nakdong River. We examined news articles (1990~2024) and academic publications (1960~2024) to understand the evolving relationship between societal concerns and scientific research. Main findings reveal growing public interest towards the Nakdong River, with initial focus on pollution related to the industrial development shifting to large-scale river modification projects and water quality issues. This increased awareness mirrored trends in research, where early emphasis on classic ecology and water quality expanded to include sociocultural, educational aspects and advanced methodologies. The study highlights a dynamic interplay between public discourse and scientific inquiry, with research priorities aligning with societal concerns like water pollution, algal blooms, and biodiversity loss, underscoring the need for integrated, multidisciplinary research that addresses emerging environmental challenges and promotes sustainable management of the Nakdong River ecosystem under climate change and other societal shifts.

This study utilizes association rule learning and clustering analysis to explore the co-occurrence and relationships within ecosystems, focusing on the endangered brackish-water snail Clithon retropictum, classified as Class II endangered wildlife in Korea. The goal is to analyze co-occurrence patterns between brackish-water snails and other species to better understand their roles within the ecosystem. By examining co-occurrence patterns and relationships among species in large datasets, association rule learning aids in identifying significant relationships. Meanwhile, K-means and hierarchical clustering analyses are employed to assess ecological similarities and differences among species, facilitating their classification based on ecological characteristics. The findings reveal a significant level of relationship and co-occurrence between brackish-water snails and other species. This research underscores the importance of understanding these relationships for the conservation of endangered species like C. retropictum and for developing effective ecosystem management strategies. By emphasizing the role of a data-driven approach, this study contributes to advancing our knowledge on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health, proposing new directions for future research in ecosystem management and conservation strategies.

This study investigates the impact of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus infection on the gut bacterial communities of the pine sawyer beetle, Monochamus alternatus, with a distinction between male and female individuals. Utilizing specific primers, we determined the infection status and analyzed the bacterial composition across different taxonomic levels. Regardless of infection status or sex, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were found to dominate the phylum level, with significant contributions from Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. At the class level, Bacilli, Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Actinobacteria emerged as prevalent groups. Meanwhile, the genus level was characterized by a high abundance of Lactobacillus, Rickettsia, Bacillus, and Rahnella. Our analysis of alpha diversity metrics, including Observed Species, Shannon Index, Inverse Simpson Index, and Phylogenetic Diversity, revealed no significant differences attributable to B. xylophilus infection; however, notable variations were observed between sexes. Principal Coordinates Analysis and Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling further underscored that the differences in gut bacterial communities were more pronounced between male and female beetles than between infected and uninfected individuals. These findings highlight the influence of host sex over infection status in shaping the gut microbiome of Monochamus alternatus, providing new insights into the complex interactions between host biology, gut microbiota, and pathogen infection.

This study investigated the distribution and diversity of spider communities living in natural and semi-natural environments located in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, and thereby emphasizes the importance of urban planning and biodiversity conservation. In this study, we documented 128 spider species through pit-fall trapping, sweeping, and manual collection methods and analyzed their alpha and beta diversity, nestedness, and interactions. As a result, natural habitats (forests) showed higher biodiversity and more complex species interactions. Despite anthropogenic impacts, such as human activities, urban habitats have shown notable biodiversity. Nestedness analysis and association rule learning reveal diverse community structures in multiple habitats and intricate interspecies relationships. This study highlights the importance of habitat heterogeneity in supporting biodiversity and the importance of considering multiple ecological factors in urban planning.

This study explores the significant influence of micro-environmental factors on carcass decomposition and insect colonization, with a particular emphasis on detailed insect community analysis. The research employed an innovative approach by placing two pig carcasses in contrasting environments that one in a sunlit open field and the other in a shaded forest. The findings revealed dynamic shifts in insect diversity in the sunlit area, characterized by a rapid increase followed by a decrease, in contrast to the more steady, gradual changes observed in the shaded area. This contrast highlights the sensitivity of insect communities to even minor changes in environmental conditions like sunlight and temperature. It unveils the nuanced ways in which such factors shape the composition and dynamics of insect communities. These insights are crucial for the field of forensic entomology, enhancing the accuracy of post-mortem interval estimations. By providing a clearer understanding of how different micro-environmental conditions influence insect activity and decomposition processes, this study significantly contributes to the refinement of forensic methodologies.

Over four years (2020–2023), 305 traps were strategically placed across South Korea to collect data on Vespidae species. Our findings showed that Vespula flaviceps, Vespa crabro, and Vespula koreensis were the most frequently encountered species. Vespa velutina was also widespread, suggesting its successful integration into local ecosystems. The ARL analysis, using the “apriori” algorithm, identified significant co-occurrence patterns and potential interactions. The rules generated indicated both competitive and coexistent relationships with varying levels of association strength across different regions. Clustering analyses, including hierarchical and k-means clustering, grouped species based on their occurrence similarities. The distinct clusters formed in the analysis highlighted the unique ecological roles and interactions of V. velutina and other Vespidae species in South Korean ecosystems.

This presentation explores the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in entomology beyond traditional image analysis. It highlights AI's potential in auditory and olfactory analysis, areas less explored in entomological research. Utilizing machine learning, AI enhances insect classification and ecosystem assessment through improved analysis of existing data. The discussion includes AI's capability in developing indices for habitat evaluation using insects as bioindicators, emphasizing its versatility across different research areas within entomology. This approach aims to broaden the scope of AI applications, promoting a deeper understanding of ecological dynamics through entomological studies.

We attempted to estimate potential habitats of Clithon retropictus and to determine the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates by presence of C. retropictus. 2016 to 2018 database of “Survey and Assessment of Estuary Ecosystem Health” by the Ministry of Environment were used to identify the distribution site of C. retropictus. The occupancy model was applied to estimate the potential habitat of C. retropictus. Four diversity indices were used to confirm the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. C. retropictus was found in the southern coast area and part of the east coast, and this pattern was consistent with previous studies. Additionally, the occupancy model predicted that a potential habitat of C. retropictus could appear in the west coast area. The community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates was relatively high at the site with C. retropictus than the site without C. retropictus. Therefore, the occupancy model can be considered when conserving C. retropictus inhabiting a limited area. Additionally, C. retropictus can be used to the indicator species that can represent the brackish water environment.

An estuary is an area where a freshwater river or stream meets the ocean. Even before the importance of the value of estuaries was recognized, the estuary was lost because of large-scale conversion by draining, filling, damming, and dredging. In South Korea, 643 estuaries are located, and the total area is 3,248,300 ha, accounting for 32.5% of the total area of South Korea. Over 35% of Korean estuaries are closed estuaries which are only temporally connected with the sea, either permanently or periodically. Since 2008, in order to preserve the estuary ecosystem and solve major issues in the estuary by accumulating knowledge about the estuarine ecosystem, the Ministry of Environment of Republic of Korea has been conducting the “Estuarine Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment Project”. At 668 sites of 325 estuaries, epilithic diatom, benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, and vegetation are investigated, and the habitat condition of each site is evaluated using the newly developed biotic index. More than 100 researchers annually record 2,097 species of estuaries according to the standardized survey guidelines over the past 14 years and provide strictly managed data necessary for establishing estuaries conservation policies. As a result of bibliometric analysis of 1,195 research articles related to the monitoring and assessment of the estuarine ecosystem, research on pollutants such as heavy metals and sediment control have recently been conducted. “Estuarine Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment Project” is an ecological monitoring type of long-term mandated monitoring that is usually focused on identifying trends. Although it is difficult to identify the mechanism influencing a change in an ecosystem through long-term mandated monitoring, providing empirical data for supporting evidence-based policy, decision-making, and the management of ecosystems. In order to increase the efficiency of the project, research to investigate the relationship between sediments and pollutants and organisms can be conducted at specific estuaries or sites to compensate for the shortcomings of mandatory monitoring.

본 연구에서는 방사선 촬영 기법을 사용하여 국내에 서식 하는 무미양서류인 청개구리 (Hyla japonica), 옴개구리 (Glandirana rugosa), 참개구리 (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), 황소개구리 (Lithobates catesbeianus)의 체성분과 골밀도를 분석하였다. 이중 엑스선 촬영 장치 (Dual-energy Xray absorptiometry)를 사용하여 체성분과 골밀도를 측정하 였으며 암수 간 차이와 종 간 차이를 파악하였다. 또한 방사선 촬영 기법을 사용한 신체 상태 평가 방법의 효용성을 확인하기 위해 무미양서류 4종의 먹이자원 가용성을 파악하고 신체상태와의 관계를 확인하였다. 신체를 구성하는 성분인 골, 지방, 제지방 비율과 골밀도는 암수 간 차이가 없었지만 무미양서류 4종 간 차이는 있었다. 골밀도와 먹이자원 가용성은 황소개구리가 가장 높았으며 청개구리가 가장 낮았다. 옴개구리와 참개구리의 먹이자원 가용성은 차이는 없었다. 골밀도와 먹이자원 가용성은 유의미한 상관관계를 가졌으며 먹이 상태를 나타내는 질소 안정동위원소비는 골밀도에 의해서만 변화하는 것을 확인하였다. 기회적 포식자인 무미양서류의 먹이 상태 혹은 자원 가용성이 체성분은 물론 골밀도에 영향을 미칠 수 있다. 개체의 신체 상태를 나타내는 체성분과 골밀도는 무미양서류에서 서식지의 안정성을 평가하는 생태지표로서 사용이 가능할 것으로 보인다.

Carcass or the remains of animals are a spatially and temporally patchy resource. Consumers of carcass during the different phases of carcass decomposition show a unique pattern i.e. insect succession i.e. resource pulses. Resource pulses are events of increased resource availability over short period that combine low frequency and large magnitude. The subject field of resource pulses is important because many natural systems are immediately influenced by some pulsed resource component. Specially, species composition (structure) and their activities (function) could be changed by pulsed resources in the incorporated habitat.

The Wintering Waterbird Census of Korea was started in 1999 and monitors 200 major migratory sites in South Korea. Waterfowl counts have been undertaken for more than 20 years since; however, a limited number of studies have analyzed the temporal patterns of waterfowl population. In this study, we analyzed population size changes of wintering whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) at 112 monitoring sites from 2001 to 2018. The average number of whooper swans was 4,296±42.66 and there was a trend for an increase in population size across the survey period. We found that the population in the Nakdong River Estuary, one of the major wintering sites over 18 years (26.22% of the national population), had rapidly decreased (- 0.77% per year). Conversely, the whooper swan population in the Junam Reservoir and Sihwa Lake increased (+1.64%, +0.54% per year, respectively). Estuaries showed the highest dominance of whooper swans among the five different habitat types, accounting for 32.13% of the population. Reservoir/lakes had 30.60% of the total population and reclaimed lakes (18.24%), river (13.11%), and coast (5.93%) followed. The annual distribution of the whooper swan population in South Korea has been affected by various habitat conditions resulting from human activities and urbanization. To better understand the complex factors that can cause rapid changes in wintering waterfowl populations, it is necessary to integrate the data from the bird census program with environmental conditions to conduct in-depth pattern analyses over longer time periods.