• ALGAE
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.167-180
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• 2018

Benthic diatoms are ubiquitous in tidal flats and play major roles in maintaining coastal ecosystems. Spatio-temporal variations in diatom diversity have not been well-studied, mainly because of difficulties in morphological identification and the lack of appropriate genetic tools. To overcome these problems, we used the gene encoding the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large-subunit (rbcL) as a molecular marker, and sequenced these genes with the aid of the MiSeq platform. In this manner, we explored the genetic diversity of benthic diatoms in tidal flats of Guenso Bay on the west coast of Korea; differences in the spatial distributions of benthic diatoms were evident. The diatom communities were dominated by Nitzschia, Navicula, and Amphora; their relative distributions were affected by the sand proportion, grain size, and air exposure time. Our results suggest that meta-barcoding of the rbcL gene and next-generation sequencing can be used to explore the diversity of benthic diatoms.

• ALGAE
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.237-252
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• 2020

Temperate rocky reefs dominated by the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, support diverse assemblages of benthic macroalgae that provide a suite of ecosystem services, including high rates of primary production in aquatic ecosystems. These forests and the benthic macroalgae that inhabit them are facing both short-term losses and long-term declines throughout much of their range in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Here, we quantified patterns of benthic macroalgal biomass and irradiance on rocky reefs that had intact kelp forests and nearby reefs where the benthic macroalgae had been lost due to deforestation at three sites along the California, USA and Baja California, MEX coasts during the springs and summers of 2017 and 2018. We then modeled how the loss of macroalgae from these reefs impacted net benthic productivity using species-specific, mass-dependent rates of photosynthesis and respiration that we measured in the laboratory. Our results show that the macroalgal assemblages at these sites were dominated by a few species of stipitate kelps and fleshy red algae whose relative abundances were spatially and temporally variable, and which exhibited variable rates of photosynthesis and respiration. Together, our model estimates that the dominant macroalgae on these reefs contribute 15 to 4,300 mg C m^-2 d^-1 to net benthic primary production, and that this is driven primarily by a few dominant taxa that have large biomasses and high rates of photosynthesis and / or respiration. Consequently, we propose that the loss of these macroalgae results in the loss of an important contribution to primary production and overall ecosystem function.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.99-120
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• 2023

The community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates in Upo wetland was identified, and the biological water quality was evaluated. In addition, through statistical analysis of current and literature data, ecological changes over time were evaluated for each wetland. Benthos were quantitatively collected in March, June, and September of 2020 and 2021, and 4 phyla, 5 classes, 16 orders, 42 families, 81 species and 3,406 individuals were identified. In the functional feeding group of Upo wetland, predators were dominant with 34 species (45.95%) and 1,504 individuals (41.84%). In the habitual dwelling group, sprawlers and swimmers showed the highest proportion in the number of species and individuals. Average biological indices in Mokpo and Upo were the highest and lowest, respectively, and it is considered that Mokpo maintains the healthy ecosystem for benthic macroinvertebrates. Community stability was high in Upo, and other wetlands are thought to be stabilizing. The ecological score of benthic macroinvertebrate community is considered to be more suitable index among three biological water quality evaluation indices for the environmental evaluation of Upo wetland. The evaluation results on changes in environmental quality showed that Upo has stable ecosystem without significant change, Mokpo and Sajipo have significant increases in some indices.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.33-47
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of eco-friendly restoration in forested bog on the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate community. The benthic macroinvertebrates collected from the surveyed sites were composed of 1,071 individuals, 60 species, 40 families, 13 orders, 6 classes and 5 phyla. At the control and Site 3(small dam), the number of species and individuals were larger than that of other sites, and EPT group ratio was same as well. Considered by index, the dominance index (DI) was found the highest at the biotope area. The diversity index (H') and richness index (RI) were the highest at the control and Site 3. In addition, the ecological score of benthic macroinvertebrate (ESB) showed the highest at site 3, while the lowest at biotope area. The stability and recovery of benthic macrointebrates showed different according to restoration types at forested bog. After restoration project, the benthic macroinvertebrates were observed to get recovery at Site 3, and to have the highest communities stability at control and Site 3. At biotope areas (Site 4, Site 5 and Site 6) communities stability were the lowest, but showed different community stability values according to the presence of water. It is confirmed that the eco-friendly restoration projects indeed provided the better environment for the inhabitation of benthic macroinvertebrate community. The change of community index depending on the restoration projects suggests that the eco-friendly restoration can provide a more suitable environment for benthic macroinvertebrate ecosystem that prefers the stream environment.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.347-370
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• 2013

A study on the presence of benthic dinoflagellates in the intertidal zone along the coasts of Jeju Island, Korea was conducted during 2011 and 2012. Identification and taxonomic observations were made of the benthic dinoflagellate samples using light and epifluorescence microscopy. Thirty-seven dinoflagellate taxa belong to five orders, nine families, 18 genera and 30 species, which are new records for Korean waters, were detected in this study. The detailed nomenclature, references, distribution, and illustrations are presented here. The commonly occurring genera were Amphidinium, Coolia, Ostreopsis, Prorocentrum, and Thecadinium. Among the recorded species, 26 were found only in sand sediment, seven in macroalgal samples, and four were found in both sand and macroalgal samples. Of the 37 species, nine were potentially toxic. These results suggest that diversified benthic dinoflagellates including several potentially toxic species occur in sand sediment and macroalgae in the intertidal zone along the coasts of Jeju Island. The morphological features of the identified species were more or less similar to observations made by previous studies in Korea and elsewhere. The presence of known toxic species may indicate a potential risk of toxicity in the marine ecosystem of Jeju Island. The present study can be helpful for further detailed taxonomic, toxicological, molecular phylogenetic studies and may help in the management and conservation of Jeju Island's marine ecosystem.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2022

This study was carried out to investigate the benthic polychaetous community and benthic ecosystem quality status on the adjacent continental shelf of Jeju Island, and field surveys were conducted at 31 stations in July and August, 2020. The surface sediment was generally composed of muddy sand facies and sandy mud facies, and the average particle size was medium silt (6.1±1.6∅). The benthic polychaetous community revealed a total of 73 species with a mean density of 242 ind./m². The major dominant species were Notomastus latericeus, Ampharete arctica and Onuphis shirikishinaiensis. By the cluster analysis and nMDS results based on species composition of the benthic polychaetous community, the study area was divided into three station groups arranged from east to west by the water depth and sedimentary facies. The station group located in the west was subdivided into two station groups from south to north. From results of correlation analysis and PCA, it was found that the benthic polychaetous community in the study area had a strong correlation with the sedimentary environment and water depth. The benthic faunal community (or ecosystem) on the adjacent continental shelf of Jeju Island was assessed to be in a healthy state by biotic indices such as AMBI and BPI.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1105-1115
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to collect crucial data for the improvement of water quality and ecosystem conservation by analyzing water samples, sediments, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish in the Seosan reservoir. The average values of water quality parameters from 2001 to 2016 were a chemical oxygen demand of 10 mg/L, total nitrogen of 1.22 mg/L, and total phosphorus of 0.074 mg/L. Cadmium was detected in the range of 0.531-0.748 mg/kg in the reservoir sediment. Fish belonging to 6 families and 9 species were identified in the reservoir. The dominant species were Carassius auratus and Micropterus salmoides. Benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 22 families and 28 species were identified. The ecological score of the benthic macroinvertebrate community was 15 inside the reservoir (St. 2). Micropterus salmoides, an invasive alien species, was determined to be the subdominant fish species based on the number of captures, and the presence of the invasive species, Sicyos angulatus L. and Paspalum distichum L. was confirmed among the land flora.

• ALGAE
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2004

This study was to clarify the variations in a marine ecosystem through examining the species composition of benthic algae in the coast of Dokdo Island during summer (June & August, 2003). The total number of species found in benthic algae was 45 composed of 11% green algae, 29% red algae and 60% brown algae. The dominant species were Enteromorpha linza, Cladophora spp. and Codium frgile for green algae, Ecklonia cave, Eisenia bicyclis, Sargassum confusum, S. patens, S. horneri, Myagropsis myagroides for brown algae and Amphiroa cphedrace. A pusilla, Lithophyllum okamurae, Corallina spp. Laurencia pinnata, L. hamata, Chondria crassicaulit, C. dasyphylla, Gelidium amansii, Neosiphonia yendoi and Polysiphonia yendoi for red algae. The number of benthic algal species decreased more in this study than in previous researches. The whitening of the rocky shore might provoke the decrease of benthic algal biomass and species.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.369-383
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• 2006

The Saemangeum project is one of the biggest reclamation efforts in Korea and may cause coastal ecosystem change due to altered environments and habitat loss. Since February 2002, benthic environment and community structure in the Saemangeum studied area were studied to assess the influence of the project on macrofaunal community. The result of seasonal study from February, 2002 to August 2005 is reported here. Overall, changes of species numbers and dominant species of benthic animals in the periods before (1988) and after $(2002{\sim}2005)$ the Saemangeum dike construction were not evident both inside and outside the dike. However, local environmental and community change were noted The partial completion of Saemangeum dike $(4^{th}\;dike)$ in June 2003 altered water circulation and sediment deposition patterns both inside and outside the dike. Fine sediment was accumulated inside and outside the $4^{th}$ dike while coarse sediment dominated near the main channel (Sinsi gate). Benthic community resl)ended to the altered sediment type in these areas. Species number and diversity in both site was low compared to other sites. The dominant species in these areas were composed of the benthos that had not commonly occurred in the Saemangeum subtidal area.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2022

This study analyzed the relationship between the community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates and habitat changes in open estuaries among the sites included in the national estuary monitoring program. The estuary survey was conducted under the "Guidelines for Investigation and Evaluation of Biometric Networks" and classified by sea area, 80 places in the East Sea, 102 places in the South Sea, and 19 places in the West Sea were investigated. In a total of 201 open estuaries, benthic macroinvertebrates were identified with 4 phyla, 9 classes, 41 orders, 139 families, 269 species and 196 species in the East Sea, 182 species in the South Sea, and 90 species in the West Sea. The highest population densities were Insecta in the East Sea, the Malacostraca in the South Sea, and the Annelida in the West Sea. Through SIMPER analysis, species contributing to the similarity of benthic macroinvertebrates communities in each sea area were identified. Some species greatly influenced the similarity of clusters. The benthic community in the East Sea was affected by the salinity, so the contribution rate of freshwater species was high. On the other hand, the benthic communities of the South and West Seas showed species compositions are influenced by the substrate composition. As results, the benthic macroinvertebrate community in Korean estuaries was impacted by salinity and substrate simultaneously, and the close relationship with geographical distance was not observed. The result of this study is expected to be used to respond to environmental changes by identifying and predicting changes in the diversity and distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in Korea estuaries.