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- P-ISSN2765-2203
- E-ISSN2765-2211
- KCI Candidate
Abstract
The objective of this study was to provide basic data for the conservation of wetland ecosystems in the Civilian Control Zone and the management of Yongyangbo wetlands in South Korea. Yongyangbo wetlands have been designated as protected areas. A field survey was conducted across five sessions between April 2019 and August of 2019. A total of 248 taxa were identified during the survey, including 72 families, 163 genera, 230 species, 4 subspecies, and 14 varieties. Their life-forms were Th (therophytes) - R5 (non-clonal form) - D4 (clitochores) - e (erect form), with a disturbance index of 33.8%. Three taxa of rare plants were detected: Silene capitata Kom. and Polygonatum stenophyllum Maxim. known to be endangered species, and Aristolochia contorta Bunge, a least-concern species. S. capitata is a legally protected species designated as a Class II endangered species in South Korea. A total of 26 taxa of naturalized plants were observed, with a naturalization index of 10.5%. There was one endemic plant taxon (Salix koriyanagi Kimura ex Goerz). In terms of floristic target species, there was one taxon in class V, one taxon in Class IV, three taxa in Class III, five taxa in Class II, and seven taxa in Class I. Three invasive alien species (Ambrosia trifida L., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., and Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc) were observed. For continuous conservation of Yongyangbo Wetlands, it is necessary to remove invasive alien plants and block the inflow of non-point pollutants.
Abstract
The analysis of seven islands in Gogunsan archipelago, Korea with insect fauna and vascular plant flora was carried out based on a field survey conducted in May, July, and September. As a result, a total of 2,817 insect individuals including 264 species and 315 taxa of vascular plant were recorded. Bangchukdo the largest island among the seven islands showed the largest number both insect species and plant taxa. The similarity analysis suggested that the nearness of each island strongly affected the insect fauna and vascular plant flora on each island. In addition, there was significant correlation between the areas of each island and the numbers of insect species (Spearman’s correlation coefficient=0.857, P-value=0.014). In the future, the results of this study can be used as data related to island ecology and conservation.
Abstract
This study aimed to obtain fundamental data for demonstrating biodiversity of vegetation of East Asian alder (Alnus japonica) Forest Wetland of Heonilleung Royal Tombs. A total of 166 vascular plants (159 species, three subspecies, three varieties, and one cultivar) belonging to 132 genera and 59 families were found, accounting for 8.3% of 1,996 vascular plant species found in Seoul. Therophyte was the most common life-form of plants in Heonilleung Wetland. As for rare plant species, one Least Concern (LC) species was found. There were 15 floristic regional indicator species in the research area. Three of them belonged to floristic grades III and IV. This indicates that their habitats are discontinuous and isolated to some degree. Nineteen invasive alien plant species were found, most of which were introduced from North America after the year 1964 with a spread rate of V (widespread, WS).
Abstract
The present study aimed to clarify flora living at the area of Restoration Center for Endangered Species in Yeongyang, Gyeongbuk Province. In May, August, and September 2019 and in May and July 2020, all of vascular plants were recorded, and endangered, Korea endemic, and exotic plant species were further identified. The study site contained a total of 418 floral taxa (98 families, 261 genera, 384 species, 4 subspecies, 27 variations, and 3 formations), in which Magnoliophyta accounted for larger proportion (95.2%) than Pteridophyta (3.6%) and Pinophyta (1.2%). In addition, 1 endangered (Cypripedium macranthos Sw.) and 5 Korea endemic species (Aconitum pseudolaeve Nakai, Eleutherococcus divaricatus var. chiisanensis [Nakai] C.H. Kim & B.-Y. Sun, Lonicera subsessilis Rehder, Paulownia coreana Uyeki, and Weigela subsessilis [Nakai] L.H. Bailey) were detected. The number of exotic species was 33, consisting of 4 invasive-exotic, 4 potentially invasive-exotic, and 25 non-invasive species. Compared to a previous assessment before the establishment of the center (in 2014), there were increases in total floral taxa (from 361 to 418), endangered species (from 0 to 1), and exotic species (from 26 to 33). These results possibly reflect temporal changes in floral community, which should be confirmed through subsequent long term monitoring.
Abstract
Saxifraga hirculus is classified as a vulnerable plant species in Europe, and it is confined to base-rich flushes in the British uplands. However, a lack of available information about its conservation status hampers the development of adaptive strategies for its in-situ conservation, especially with respect to grazing. To assess the effectiveness of sheep grazing in maintaining viable populations of S. hirculus, we compared the community dynamics of the vegetation in a base-rich flush over 44 years in two plots: one sheep-grazed under business-as-usual sheep grazing densities and the other fenced to exclude grazing. The plots were established in 1972, and the abundances of all vascular plants, bryophytes, and litter were measured at six intervals until 2016. Our results showed that although the presence of S. hirculus was maintained in both plots over the 44 years, it declined and reached a minimum between 1995 and 2010, when it was close to extinction. Since 2013, Saxifraga has recovered only slightly. Interestingly, the S. hirculus response appeared to be independent of grazing treatment, but it mirrored wider changes in the vegetation composition and structure within the flush over the 44 years. These changes are similar to others reported in broader uplands that have been attributed to a combination of reduced nitrogen and sulfur deposition and global warming. Thus, the simple adaptive management approach of “just managing” sheep grazing appeared ineffectual for preserving the S. hirculus population. S. hirculus showed signs of recovery at the end of the study period within this base-rich flush.
