This study explored the population dynamics of the endangered perennial plant Pterygopleurum neurophyllum (Maxim.) Kitag through a multi-year winter deadbiomass removal approach. In 2022, a total population census was conducted at Wondong Wetland (Yangsan, Korea), where seven spatially independent patches were identified (P-1 to P-7). From 2023 to 2025, winter dead-biomass removal was implemented in two of these patches (P-1 and P-2), while the remaining patches served as controls. Annual population counts were monitored, and the effects of winter dead-biomass removal over time were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with a Poisson distribution. The interaction between management and year was highly significant (Wald χ 2=103.93, p<0.001), indicating differing temporal trajectories between the removal and control populations. No significant management effect was observed in 2023; however, the removal plots demonstrated a dramatic increase in 2024 (EMMs: Control=5.05 vs. Removal=92.77), which continued in 2025 (3.89 vs. 104.99). These findings indicate that winter dead-biomass removal significantly promotes the population expansion of P. neurophyllum, with ecological responses emerging cumulatively rather than immediately. This study provides empirical evidence that repeated winter dead-biomass removal, rather than a single-year disturbance, is crucial for the restoration and conservation of endangered wetland plant species.

This study investigated the characteristics of fish communities and distribution of endangered species in the mid-upper reach of Geumgang River, Korea, from September to October 2021. A total of 17,177 fish of 11 families and 46 species were collected from 13 survey stations during the survey period. The dominant species was Zacco koreanus (relative abundance of 17.45%), and the subdominant species was Z. platypus (16.73%), followed by Acheilognathus koreensis (8.49%), Hypomesus nipponensis (8.27%), Pungtungia herzi (7.28%), Coreoleuciscus splendidus (6.80%), Gobiobotia brevibarba (6.58%), Pseudopungtungia nigra (4.67%), A. yamatsutae (3.77%), G. macrocephala (3.38%), and Rhinogobius brunneus (3.04%). Among the collected fish species, 21 (45.65%) were identified as Korean endemics, and two exotic species, Lepomis macrochirus and Micropterus salmoides, were also observed. There were six species of endangered species that were designated by the Ministry of Environment (Class I: P. nigra and Liobagrus obesus; Class II: G. brevibarba, G. macrocephala, Hemibarbus mylodon, and Coreoperca kawamebari). H. mylodon is also a natural monument designated by the Korea Heritage Service. The cluster analysis showed that the dominance index was low, while the diversity and richness indices were high, indicating a stable and healthy fish community. The mid-upper reach of Geumgang River has a well-conserved and diverse aquatic environment and is inhabited by many endangered species and natural monuments. Therefore, continuous attention and systematic management are required.

LIn this study, we investigated the habitat characteristics of a Jeonju Duckjin lake in Jeonju City, Jeonbuk, in which a large group of reeve’s turtle(Mauremys reevesii)(endangered species Class II and natural monument No. 453 in Korea) was discovered. The lake where reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii) was discovered, was beside Jeonbuk National university. That lake was surrounded by lotuses, dam, and reeds. We found 12 reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii)(included with 2 juveniles), 30 red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)(included with 4 juveniles), 22 river cooter(Pseudemys concinna)(included with 5 juveniles), and 6 Chinese stripe necked turtle(Mauremys sinensis)(included with 4 juveniles) from June to September, 2024, respectively. A number of red-eared sliders(Trachemys scripta elegans) which threaten the survival of reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii), were also found in and around the lake. Newborn turtles in this year were not observed. However, we estimated that natural breeding had sufficiently occurred since we observed many young turtles in the lake. Furthermore, the presence of young red-eared slider individuals can be a persistent problem for reeve’s turtle(M. reevesii) as they are competing species. In conclusion, in-situ conservation method should be considered for protecting the endangered turtle and their habitat.

This study investigated the occurrence and morphological characteristics of Polyphylla laticollis manchurica adults in the Miho River, Cheongju, from June to August 2024. Surveys were conducted at five sites along a 14 km stretch from upstream of Palgyeol Bridge to downstream of Oksan Bridge, including three sites along the main river and two sites in tributaries. No P. laticollis manchurica adults were found at the tributary sites. A total of 107 adults were recorded at site C and D, with peak occurrence observed between June 20 and August 4, 2024. The first occurrence date was recorded in June 20, the peak occurrence on July 5, and the last observation on August 4. The morphological measurements of the adults attracted by light trap were as follows: body length 33.38±1.68 mm; body width 16.02±1.00 mm; and body weight 1.45±0.32 g. The sex ratio (male : female) was 7.14 : 2.86. While no significant differences were observed in body length and width between males and females, females were significantly heavier during the third survey period. Most adults attracted to artificial light were males, and several dead individuals were found near streetlights and bridge. This study provides fundamental data on the occurrence period, habitat distribution, and phototactic behavior of P. l. manchurica, contributing to a better ecological understanding and conservation efforts for this endangered species.

In this study, 41 individuals in 7 locations within CP, MG, UC, and DN map sheets were observed. The MG map sheet had the highest number (n=13) of individuals, while the CP-3 site on the CP map sheet had the lowest number (n=1) of individuals. Land use analysis indicated that the MG site with the highest number of individuals had a high percentage (70.56%) of forest land areas with a small percentage (12.63%) of farmland areas. The CP-3 site with the lowest number of individuals had a small percentage (26.47%) of farmland areas. It also had the highest percentage (32.13%) of residential and commercial areas, covering 19,616 m2. Measurement results of the physical habitat environment for B. karubei indicated a mean substrate of -2.1 (Φm), an average water depth of 63.0 cm, and a flow velocity of 0.2 m s-1. The association rule analysis for co-occurring species revealed that Semisulcospira coreana, Ecdyonurus kibunensis, and Goera japonica had the highest associations among lotic species, while Limnodrilus gotoi and Calopteryx japonica demonstrated the highest association among lentic species.

This study aimed to provide foundational data for the conservation and improvement of the habitat of an endangered species, Viola websteri, in South Korea, by identifying the environmental characteristics of its habitat and determining main environmental factors influencing its population size. To achieve this, this study conducted literature reviews, field surveys of study sites, and spatial analyses based on previous research results, collecting data for 32 environmental attributes related to V. websteri. These collected data were utilized for factor analysis and path analysis, leading to the identification of environmental factors affecting population size based on scientific analysis processes and results. Additionally, this study examined correlations between population size and environmental factors, focusing on aspects related to amount of light, organic matter, tree height, tree cover, shrub cover, and soil humidity, all of which were found to influence the population size of V. websteri. The population size showed a negative correlation with the amount of light. However, it showed positive correlations with organic matter, tree height, tree cover, shrub cover, and soil humidity. Furthermore, the path analysis model indicated a strong positive correlation between fruiting rate and individual height of V. websteri. Overall, these results suggest that high cover of tree and shrub layers can create an environment that suppresses the herbaceous layer, allowing adequate light penetration, sufficient soil humidity, and organic matter, which can promote both growth and fruiting rates of V. websteri.

Present study investigated fish community at 12 sites within Yudeungcheon Stream in October 2018 and May 2019 to understand the inhabit status of the endangered species Pseudopungtungia nigra. We collected 39 species and 2,554 individuals of fish, and the Fish Assessment Index (FAI) was evaluated as “Good (B)” with an average score of 66.8. Among collected fishes, 15 endemic and 2 invasive species, Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis macrochirus were identified. In the distribution survey of P. nigra, it appeared in a range of approximately 12 km from Maebawiyuwonji Park (St. 5) to Budnaedari Bridge (St. 10). Based on population collected in May, the age of P. nigra (female) were divided into three groups by the length-frequency distribution method: 1 year old (60~76 mm), 2 years old (82~99 mm), and more than 3 years old (100~117 mm). Total length of the minimum maturity individual was 60 mm, and was a 1 year old. The estimated average population size using the Jolly-Seber method was 5,804 individuals in the Suryeongyo Bridge. Our study provides fundamental information about the fish community and River health assessment in Yudeungcheon Stream. Furthermore, we are expected to provide ecological information of the P. nigra, consequently helping to establish conservation and restoration plans for endangered species.

This study presents a fine scale distribution of the endangered species, Odontobutis obscura, through field surveys and literature reviews. Using the mark-recapture method, the population size in major habitats was determined. Field surveys conducted on 18 streams in Geoje Island revealed that the O. obscura was only found in the main streams and tributaries of the Sanyang, Gucheon, and Buchun Streams, which are part of the Sanyang Stream watershed. The O. obscura exhibited relative abundances ranging from 0.5% to 35.3% at different locations, with certain spots showing higher relative abundances (18.8% to 35.3%), indicating major habitat areas. A review of six literature studies confirmed the presence of the O. obscura, although there were differences in occurrence status depending on the purpose, scope, and duration of the studies. Combining the results of field and literature surveys, it was found that the O. obscura inhabits the main and tributary streams of the Sanyang, Gucheon, and Buchun Streams, from the upper to lower reaches. Currently, the O. obscura population in the Sanyang Stream watershed maintains a stable habitat, but its limited distribution range suggests potential issues such as genetic diversity deficiency in the long term. The population size of the O. obscura was confirmed at two specific locations, with densities of 0.5 to 1.5 individuals per m2. The average movement distance from the release point was 13.1 m, indicating the limited mobility characteristic of ambush predators. Understanding the distribution and population size of endangered species is the first step towards their conservation and protection. Based on this information, further research could significantly contribute to the conservation of the O. obscura.

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.

수염풍뎅이(Polyphylla laticollis manchurica)는 과거에는 흔히 발견되었으나, 1970년대 이후 한반도 내 개체수 가 급격히 감소하여 2005년 환경부에 의해 멸종위기 야생생물 Ⅰ급으로 지정되었다. 또한 해당종의 분자생물학적 연구는 멸종위기종이라는 특성으로 인해 제한적으로 진행되었다. 그로 인해 NCBI 등 공공 데이터베이스에서 제공되는 서열정보들 또한 부족한 실정이다. 이 연구는 이러한 한계를 극복하고 수염풍뎅이의 유전적 특성을 규명하기 위해 생물정보학적 기술을 활용하여 전사체 분석을 진행하였다. Illumina HiSeq 2500 플랫폼을 사용하여 53,433,048개의 RNA reads를 얻었으며, Trinity와 TGICL을 이용한 De novo 어셈블리 분석을 통해 18,172개의 unigenes를 생성하였다. 생성된 unigenes는 GO, KOG, KEGG, PANM DB를 활용하여 annotation을 진행하였다. 그 결과, GO 분석에서는 ‘binding and catalytic activities’와 관련된 항목이 높은 발현을 보였으며, KOG 분석의 경우 ‘Cellular Processes and Signals’ 범주가 높은 비율을 나타내었다. KEGG 분석을 통해 2,118개의 unigenes가 metabolic 카테고리에 annotation된 것을 확인하였다. SSR 모티프 분석에서는 AT/AT (42.90%) 모티프, AAT/ATT (13.13%) 모티프 순으로 많이 나타나는 것을 확인하였다. 이 연구를 통해 분석한 결과 들을 이용하여 유전자원 및 종 정보를 실시간 제공 및 정보 공유가 가능하도록 Database 및 web-interface를 구축하 였으며, 이러한 자료들은 국내 멸종위기종인 수염풍뎅이의 고유한 유전적 특성을 발굴 및 확보할 수 있는 기반자 료로써 활용될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

벽계천의 어류군집 특성 및 멸종위기 4종의 서식 양상을 밝히기 위해 2020년 4월부터 9월까지 조사를 실시하였다. 조사기간 동안 7개 지점을 선정하여 조사한 결과, 채집된 어류는 9과 31종 3,415개체였다. 출현종 중 우점종은 참갈겨니 (Zacco koreanus, 31.2%), 아우점종은 피라미(Z. platypus, 15.0%), 다음으로 돌고기(Pungtungia herzi, 11.7%), 줄납자 루(Acheilognathus yamatsutae, 5.4%), 납자루(A. lanceolata intermedia, 4.8%), 밀어(Rhinogobius brunneus, 4.4%), 가는돌고기(Pseudopungtungia tenuicorpa, 4.3%) 등의 순으로 우세하였다. 출현종 중 한국고유종은 19종(고유화율 61.3%)이었고, 기후변화민감종(냉수성 어종)은 금강모치(Rhynchocypris kumgangensis)와 둑중개(Cottus koreanus) 2종이 확인되었다. 법정보호종은 환경부지정 멸종위기 야생생물 II급인 묵납자루(A. signifer)와 가는돌고기, 한강납줄 개(Rhodeus pseudosericeus), 둑중개 4종이 출현하였으며, 주로 묵납자루와 가는돌고기는 중·하류에, 한강납줄개는 중류에, 둑중개는 최상류에 서식하고 있었다. 이중 가는돌고기는 출현개체수가 가장 많았고, 전장빈도분포도로 연령을 추정한 결과, 7월기준 전장 24~35㎜는 당년생, 54~75㎜는 1년생, 82~97㎜는 2년생, 104~109㎜는 3년생 이상으로 추정되었다. 군집분석 중 우점도는 상류에서 높고 하류로 갈수록 낮아지는 경향을 보이나 다양도와 균등도, 풍부도는 상류에서 낮고 하류로 갈수록 높아지는 경향을 보였다. 하천건강성(FAI)은 매우 좋음 5개 지점, 좋음 2개 지점으로 나타나 양호하였다. 벽계천은 비교적 서식지가 잘 보존되고 있었으나 멸종위기종이 많이 서식하는 중·하류부 일부는 하천공사가 진행되면서 서식지가 교란되고 있어 보존대책이 요구되었다.

본 연구는 전문가 기반형 모델(Habitat Suitability Index)의 한계로 지적되는 주관적 기준, 통계분석의 부재 등과 통계기반형 모델(MaxEnt)의 한계로 지적되는 현장검증, 전문가 의견 반영 등의 극복을 위하여 각각의 모델을 개발하여 통합하는 방식으로 핵심서식지를 도출하였다. 핵심서식지 발굴을 위해 문헌분석 및 공간분석자료를 바탕으로 전문가 심층면담을 진행하였고, 전문가 자문과 GIS 도면 구축 가능성을 고려하여 모델을 개발하였다. 주요 환경변수는 식생대, 임상, 임분밀도, 연평균 강수량, 유효토심으로 선정되었다. 그 결과 현재 나도승마가 분포하고 있는 16지점 중 15지점이 핵심서식지로 나타났으며, 개발된 모델은 약 93.75%의 높은 정확도를 가지고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 하지만 전체 연구대상지의 약 27.8%가 핵심서식지로 나타남에 따라, 추후 서식변수 및 공간자료 정밀화를 통한 모델의 고도화가 필요할 것으로 판단된다. 따라서 높은 등급으로 확인된 서식지라도 대상종의 서식유무 파악을 위한 현장검증은 필수적으로 수행되어야 한다. 하지만, 이러한 한계에도 불구하고 HSI와 MaxEnt의 상호보완적 활용은 생물종의 분포와 서식지 이용 특성을 통하여 적합 서식지를 예측하고, 신규 서식지 발굴 및 대체서식지 선정 등 다양한 방면으로 활용 가능할 것으로 판단된다.