This study quantitatively investigates the effects of internal cavity geometry on the structural safety of high-value aged trees using the finite element method (FEM). Virtual cavities were incorporated into the tree model, and stress responses were analyzed under an extreme wind load condition. The results show that internal cavities significantly increase stress concentration by reducing the effective load-bearing cross-section, with cavity location having a greater influence on structural stability than cavity size. Small cavities located near the outer region of the trunk caused a sharp increase in stress, whereas larger cavities positioned near the center had a limited effect. Structural vulnerability was concentrated in the lower trunk on the leeward side, where wind-induced bending moments are maximized. These findings highlight cavity location as a critical indicator for the safety assessment and management of high-value aged trees.

본 연구의 목적은 5% 잣유(Pinus koraiensis oil)의 첨가 급여가 이상지질혈증 유발 Sprague-Dawley (SD)계 흰쥐의 혈청 지질 성분 및 단백질 농도에 미치는 영향을 규명하고자 시행하였다. 연구결과 잣유는 이상지질혈증으로 유발된 흰쥐의 혈청 총콜레스테롤, 총콜레스테롤에 대한 HDL-콜레 스테롤 농도비, 동맥경화지수(atherosclerotic index, AI)와 심혈관 위험지수(cardiac risk factor, CRF), LDL-콜레스테롤, 중성지질, 인지질, 유리 콜레스테롤 및 콜레스테롤 에스테르, 유리지방산 농도 감소에 효과를 보였으며, HDL-콜레스테롤 농도는 증가시키는 효과를 보였다. 총단백질과 글로불린의 농도는 감소하였으며, 알부민/글로불린 비(A/G ratio)는 증가를 하였다. 따라서, 이상지질혈증 유발 흰쥐에서 잣유의 첨가 급여는 혈청 지질 성분의 개선과 단백질 농도에 영향을 미침으로써 혈중 콜레스테롤 및 혈행 개선 건강기능식품 소재로서의 이용 가능성이 있을 것으로 기대된다.

소나무재선충병은 소나무재선충(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)의 감염으로 발생하며, 소나무 숲 생태계에 심각한 환경 피해를 준다. 본 연구에 서는 소나무재선충에 대한 살선충제를 개발하기 위해 7가지 곤충병원성 곰팡이 추출물의 살선충 활성을 평가하였다. 곰팡이를 배양하여 추출물을 얻은 다음, 다양한 농도에서 96-웰 플레이트를 이용해 살선충 활성을 평가하였다. 그 결과, 붉은자루동충하초(Cordyceps pruinosa) 추출물은 5 mg/mL 농도에서 84.7%의 가장 높은 치사율을 보였으며, LC50 값은 0.130 mg/mL였다. 노린재포식동충하초(Ophiocordyceps nutans) 추출물은 76.2%의 치사율을 보였다. 나머지 5가지 곰팡이 추출물은 42.8%에서 62.0% 사이의 치사율을 나타내었다. 동충하초류 추출물의 높은 살선충 활성 은 활성 화합물을 추가로 밝혀낸다면, 생물학적 살선충제로 개발될 가능성을 시사하였다.

Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), is a major threat to Pinus thunbergii forests in South Korea. Although climatic conditions are known to affect the spread of PWD, the specific influences of temperature and geography on nematode density and tree mortality remain unclear. This study assessed monthly PWN density and black pine mortality across three regions—two coastal (Geoje and Sacheon) and one inland (Jinju)—from 2021 to 2023. Nematode density and tree mortality consistently peaked in autumn across all regions. A strong positive correlation was observed between nematode density and tree mortality (r = 0.7468, p < 0.01), while temperature showed no significant correlation with either variable. These results indicate that PWD severity is more closely tied to nematode activity than to temperature alone, and that regional and seasonal variability must be considered in disease assessment. The findings highlight the need for region-specific monitoring and management strategies that prioritize high-risk periods, particularly autumn, when nematode activity and disease expression are most pronounced. This research provides essential data to support adaptive PWD control programs under changing climatic conditions.

In this study, we aimed to understand the effects of pest control on forest ecosystems by examining the populations of beetles, a bioindicator species, in pine wilt disease-affected areas. Density and diversity of beetles at the pest control (sites 1 and 2) and control (site 3) sites were compared. Site 1 contained 247 individuals of 11 species from 5 families, site 2 contained 461 individuals of 19 species from 9 families, and control site 3 contained 511 individuals of 19 species from 9 families. The following main species were collected from each site: 34 pine jewel beetles(Chalcophora japonica) in June, 23 red flat bark beetles(Synuchus cycloderus) in August, and 42 red flat bark beetles in September from site 1, 46 pine jewel beetles in June, 36 elegant beetles(Carabus jankowskii) in August, and 21 elegant beetles in September from site 2, and 31 red ground beetles(Coptolabrus smaragdinus) in June, 56 two-spotted dust beetles(Planetes puncticeps) in August, and 30 two-spotted dust beetles in September from site 3. Furthermore, diversity, evenness, and dominance indices were analyzed for all beetles collected from the pest control and control sites. Site 1 exhibited a diversity index of 0.706, evenness index of 0.711, and dominance index of 0.161. Site 2 exhibited a diversity index of 1.115, evenness index of 0.872, and dominance index of 0.097. Site 3 exhibited a diversity index of 1.101, evenness index of 0.861, and dominance index of 0.102. Similarity index was 47.4% between sites 1 and 2, 33.3% between sites 1 and 3, and 40.0% between sites 2 and 3.