• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.364-371
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• 2021

Public awareness of alien species can vary by generation, period, or specific events associated with these species. An understanding of public awareness is important for the management of alien species because differences in public awareness can affect the establishment and implementation of management plans. We analyzed digital texts on social media platforms, news articles, and internet search volumes used in conservation culturomics to understand public interest and sentiment regarding alien freshwater species. The number of tweets, number of news articles, and relative search volume to 11 freshwater alien species were extracted to determine public interest. Additionally, the trend over time, seasonal variability, and repetition period of these data were confirmed. We also calculated the sentiment score and analyzed public sentiment in the collected data using sentiment analysis based on text mining techniques. The American bullfrog, nutria, bluegill, and largemouth bass drew relatively more public interest than other species. Some species showed repeated patterns in the number of Twitter posts, media coverage, and internet searches found according to the specified periods. The text mining analysis results showed negative sentiments from most people regarding alien freshwater species. Particularly, negative sentiments increased over the years after alien species were designated as ecologically disturbing species.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.242-249
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• 2023

The aquarium pet trade is a source of potentially invasive crayfish species, which can be subsequently intentionally or unintentionally introduced into new environments. There were 34 species of freshwater crayfish imported into Korea for ornamental purposes. Starting with 1 species in 2008, it shows a trend of continuous increase every year with the maximum of 25 species in 2020. The number of freshwater crayfish imported into Korea for ornamental purposes was 1,172,159, with an annual average of 78,144 being imported. The population also recorded a record high in 2017 with a 38% increase in population imports compared to the previous year. Among the 34 pet crayfish imported into Korea, four species classified as high-risk and managed in the US and Europe were American crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), Cherax quadricarinatus, Cherax cainii, and Cherax destructor. In addition to American crayfish (P. clarkii), 3 types of high-risk invasive crayfish are designated as legally managed species by conducting an ecological risk assessment, raising awareness among importers, retailers and consumers through awareness-raising education on freshwater crayfish, and measures for route management such as species identification and improvement of labeling methods are needed.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2023

Alien species are known to threaten regional biodiversity globally, which has increased global interest regarding introduction of alien species. The Ministry of Environment of Korea designated species that have not yet been introduced into the country with potential threat as alert alien species to prevent damage to the ecosystem. In this study, potential habitats of Esox lucius and Maccullochella peelii, which are predatory and designated as alert alien fish, were predicted on a national basis. Habitat suitability was evaluated using EHSM (Ecological Habitat Suitability Model), and water temperature data were input to calculate Physiological Habitat Suitability (PHS). The prediction results have shown that PHS of the two fishes were mainly controlled by heat or cold stress, which resulted in biased habitat distribution. E. lucius was predicted to prefer the basins at high latitudes (Han and Geum River), while M. peelii preferred metropolitan areas. Through these differences, it was expected that the invasion pattern of each alien fish can be different due to thermal preference. Further studies are required to enhance the model's predictive power, and future predictions under climate change scenarios are required to aid establishing sustainable management plans.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2023

The main factor of biodiversity decline in major biological populations around the world is invasion of alien species. To protect native species, it is necessary to manage alien species. Recently, to eradicate ecosystem disturbance caused by alien species in Korea, many efforts have been made to capture individuals using nets and purchase captured individuals. However, there is no standard for classifying species due to the form of nest site or external characteristics of eggs of freshwater turtles. Thus, Mauremys reevesii eggs might be discarded due to mistaking as eggs of alien turtles. Based on more data, this study aims to compare and analyze external differences among eggs of Trachemys scripta elegans, Pseudemys concinna, and M. reevesii and use them as reference materials in the process of eradicating alien turtles. This study measured characteristics of eggs of the three turtle species. As a result of comparison, all variables of external characteristics of alien turtles and M. reevesii eggs showed significant differences. The shape of egg was also different, with eggs of T. scripta elegans and P. concinna showing a bicone shape and those of M. reevesii showing an ellipsoid shape. In conclusion, based on results of previous studies and the present study, eggs of M. reevesii, T. scripta elegans, and P. concinna are different in shape and structure. Thus, it is possible to distinguish between M. reevesii and invasive alien turtle using their eggs.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2025

Invasive alien species are one of the five primary drivers of global biodiversity loss. This study aimed to document the first record of Mieniplotia scabra in South Korea aquatic ecosystems, discovered during the nationwide survey on the habitat status of invasive alien species. The Jukdang Stream in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province is a well-known habitat for various artificially released tropical ornamental fish due to the heated effluent discharge from a large semiconductor factory. A total of five specimens of M. scabra were collected from Jukdang Stream in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, a well-known habitat for various artificially released tropical ornamental fish. The specimens were visually distinguished from native freshwater snails by their distinct dark red striped patterns and well-developed spines on the ribs. Genetic analysis, which was performed to verify the morphological characteristics, clearly confirmed that the species to be M. scabra. With its remarkable parthenogenetic reproductive ability and high environmental adaptability, M. scabra is likely to outcompete native species and possibly suppress their populations if it spreads further in the aquatic ecosystems of the country. Additionally, the species poses a significant health risk as a known intermediate host of the intestinal fluke Haplorchis taichui, which causes symptoms resembling to irritable bowel syndrome in humans. To confirm the establishment of M. scabra in South Korea, further monitoring of similar habitats with heated effluent inflow is necessary, and special precautions must be taken to avoid its consumption, since it could easily be mistaken for native snails.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.331-335
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• 2020

The red swamp crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) is native to northeastern Mexico and south-central United States. But the species has been introduced to other parts of the world, and cause ecological problems including habitat destruction and competition with indigenous species. In this study, we identified the distribution of P. clarkii in the freshwater system in Korea. P. clarkii were collected in the field sampling and it is assumed that they have settled in major domestic water systems of Korea including six points in the Yeongsangang River, five points in the Mangyeonggang River, two points in the Seomjingang River, and one point in the Geumgang River. In particular, more than 20 individuals were found in Seobongri, Wanjugun and Mosanri, Hampyeonggun, which are believed to form a relatively large population. Considering high mobility and environmental adaptability of the species, the possibility of their dispersal to other water systems is very high. Therefore, continuous monitoring and assessment of their distribution and potential spread are required and effective management to remove them policy is needed to prevent damage in the Korean ecosystem.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2017

We investigate predation rates of larvae and juveniles of Rana catesbeiana by using six native predatory fishes and six birds to select effective species to ecological control and management of R. catesbeiana that is invasive alien species and affects seriously wetland in Korea. Among freshwater fishes, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco, Silurus asotus and Channa argus ate larvae and juveniles of R. catesbeiana, and prefer the former, however Opsariichthys uncirostris, Monopterus albus and Anguilla japonica didn't eat at all. Six experimental water birds, Cygnus columbianus, Cygnus cygnus, Anas crecca, Aix galericulata, Anas penelope and Anas formosa nerver ate them. We were able to confirm control of R. catesbeiana probability using the native predatory fishes in Korea wetland.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.236-247
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• 2025

Inland fisheries are important for food security, while freshwater fish diversity is under increasing threat around the world, and both are often poorly documented. Limboto Lake, in Gorontalo Province on the northern arm of Sulawesi, is one of 15 priority lakes in Indonesia. Time-series data are important for sustainable management, but often unavailable, leading to shifting baselines. Data on the catch volume and species composition of buili gillnet fishers in Limboto Lake were collected over 12 weeks from February to April 2011 at four sampling sites with a total of 32 gillnet fishing trips. The 1,949 fish caught included 46 native fishes and 1,903 introduced fishes. The dominant species were tilapia (50% Oreochromis niloticus ; 33% Oreochromis mossambicus), followed by Java barb Barbonymus gonionotus (14%). Small numbers of striped snakehead Channa striata, mullets Planiliza spp., and spotted scat Scatophagus argus were also caught. Native species, including traditional food fishes such as gobies (Giuris sp. and Glossogobius sp.), were rare or absent. These historical data show that the introduction of non-native species had adversely affected the ichthyofaunal biodiversity of Limboto Lake 12 years ago, highlighting the need for biodiversity monitoring.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.206-215
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• 2015

Predicting the changes in the potential distribution of invasive alien plants under climate change is an important and challenging task for the conservation of biodiversity and management of the ecosystems in streams and reservoirs. This study explored the effects of climate change on the potential future distribution of Paspalum distichum var. indutum in the Korean Peninsula. P. distichum var. indutum is an invasive grass species that has a profound economic and environmental impact in the waterfronts of freshwater ecosystems. The Maxent model was used to estimate the potential distribution of P. distichum var. indutum under current and future climates. A total of nineteen climatic variables of Worldclim 1.4 were used as current climatic data and future climatic data predicted by HadGEM2-AO with both RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5 scenarios for 2050. The predicted current distribution of P. distichum var. indutum was almost matched with actual positioning data. Major environmental variables contributing to the potential distribution were precipitation of the warmest quarter, annual mean temperature and mean temperature of the coldest quarter. Our prediction results for 2050 showed an overall reduction in climatic suitability for P. distichum var. indutum in the current distribution area and its expansion to further inland and in a northerly direction. The predictive model used in this study appeared to be powerful for understanding the potential distribution, exploring the effects of climate change on the habitat changes and providing the effective management of the risk of biological invasion by alien plants.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2017

This study was conducted to determined the status and geographical distribution of the alien invasive Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) turtle on Jeju Island. We found thirty-two Red-eared slider habitats including twenty-five ponds, five agricultural reservoirs, a puddle and a stream. Among those, thirteen sites are newly determined habitats of the turtle. The remaining nineteen are previously reported. However, we could not find any turtles at nine sites, which were documented as turtle habitats in earlier reports. A total of one hundred thirty-three turtles were observed. Among them, we determined that thirty-nine were juvenile turtles, found in nineteen different habitats, indicating estimating that Red-eared sliders produced their progeny in the wild of this island. Because of geographical isolation by the ocean, no freshwater turtle had been found until $19^{th}$ Century. Therefore, the increased number of finding sites and Red-eared sliders indicate the possibility of human release of their pets or for other purposes, and natural propagation in the wild on Jeju Island. Our findings will be useful for management planning to deal with this invasive species, and implementation of a conservation program for native wildlife on Jeju Island.