Global Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Utilization Research Trends

Moon, Ho-Gyeong,Kim, Han,Choi, Nak-Hyun,Kim, Dong-Pil National Institute of Ecology 2020 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.1 No.1

The rapid development of technologies in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has led to their use in various areas. UAVs are mainly used for commercial purposes, but their utilization is increasingly important in other areas because their operation cost is less than satellites and aerial imaging. The utilization of UAVs in the environment/ecology area is relatively new. Therefore, identifying the trends of UAV-related spatial information is significant in basic research for UAV utilization. This study quantitatively identified domestic and international research trends related to UAV utilization and analyzed research areas. An attempt was also made to identify upcoming UAV-related topics in the environment/ecology research field using text mining to analyze the bibliographic information of global research literature. Domestic UAV-related studies were classified into seven clusters where basic research on "UAV technology/industry trends" was abundant, and studies on data collection and analysis through UAV remote sensing technology have increased since 2015. Eight clusters were identified for international studies where the most active research area international was "remote sensing technology/data analysis". In addition, Canopy, Classification, Forest, Leaf Area Index, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Temperature, Tree, and Atmosphere appeared as the main keywords related to environment and ecology. The appearance frequencies and association strengths were high because the advancement in UAV optical sensor technology and the rapid development of image processing technology enabled the acquisition of data that could not be obtained from existing spatial information. They are recognized as future research topics as related domestic studies have begun corresponding to international research.

Nationalism in Tiger Conservation: Should Tigers Have a Passport?

Lim, Anya National Institute of Ecology 2022 Proceedings of NIE Vol.3 No.3

Nationalism can solidify national unity and ideology but sometimes causes conflicts in human societies. Interestingly, it affects tiger conservation as well. Collaborative efforts are imperative for tiger conservation due to their vast home ranges which cross political boundaries and the limited financial resources. However, tiger states have not shown substantial commitment to collaboration. The nationalism that is entrenched in tiger conservation provides a credible explanation for this passive collaboration among nations. One type of nationalism occurs within a country by favoring one particular subspecies over another. The other type of nationalism occurs when former range countries want tigers. Instead of contributing to saving tigers in current habitats, they are eager to bring tigers back to their political boundaries regardless of the tremendous financial resources required and the lower chance of success. Considering nationalism in tiger conservation, tigers, just like humans, may need a passport for a better chance to survive.

Trend Analysis of Research Topics in Ecological Research

Suntae Kim National Institute of Ecology 2023 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.4 No.1

This study analyzed research trends in the field of ecological research. Data were collected based on a keyword search of the SCI, SSCI, and A&HCI databases from January 2002 to September 2022. The seven keywords, including biodiversity, ecology, ecotourism, species, climate change, ecosystem, restoration, wildlife, were recommended by ecological research experts. Word clouds were created for each of the searched keywords, and topic map analysis was performed. Topic map analysis using biodiversity, climate change, ecology, ecosystem, and restoration each generated 10 topics; topic maps analysis using the ecotourism keyword generated 5 topics; and topic map analysis using the wildlife keyword generated 4 topics. Each topic contained six keywords.

Ecoinformatics: A Review of Approach and Applications in Ecological Research

Lin, Chau Chin National Institute of Ecology 2020 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.1 No.1

Ecological communities adapt the concept of informatics in the late 20 century and develop rapidly in the early 21 century to form Ecoinformatics as the new approach of ecological research. The new approach takes into account the data-intensive nature of ecology, the precious information content of ecological data, and the growing capacity of computational technology to leverage complex data as well as the critical need for informing sustainable management of complex ecosystems. It comprehends techniques for data management, data analysis, synthesis, and forecasting on ecological research. The present paper attempts to review the development history, studies and application cases of ecoinformatics in ecological research especially on Long Term Ecological Research (LTER). From the applications show that the ecoinformatics approach and management system have formed a new paradigm in ecological research.

Measuring the Effectiveness of an Ecosystem Service to Regulate Air Quality in Wetland, South Korea

Kim, Jung In,Lee, Kyungeun,Yeo, Inae,Choi, Tae-Young,Lee, Beom Hee,Jung, Pil Mo,Joo, Wooyeong National Institute of Ecology 2021 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.2 No.1

This study aimed to verify the suitability of an air quality regulating service for wetland ecosystem service evaluation by investigating the effect of reducing particulate matter (PM) on vegetation in wetlands. We installed tunnel-type experimental plots at Yonghwasil Pond in the National Institute of Ecology and set up the input and output of PM by applying the natural vegetation of the relevant wetlands. We took measurements by replicating four different conditions four times each. The air quality regulating service in each experimental plot was measured based on PM10 concentration; further, the difference between the input and the output concentration of PM passing through the Phragmites australis community tunnel was measured using a light scattering method. For the Phragmites australis community in the outdoor conditions and bare land, the PM concentration was measured with the same specifications as tunnel-type experimental plots without setting up the input and output. For the tunnel-type experimental plots, PM10 concentration was significantly lower in the output than in the input. Furthermore, in the outdoor conditions, a comparison between the Phragmites australis community and bare land showed that the concentration was relatively low in the former than in the latter. This confirmed the PM reducing effect due to the blockage and absorption of PM depending on the growth of Phragmites australis. Based on the results of this study, we assessed the air quality regulating service in wetlands as an evaluation indicator.

Assessing the Carrying Capacity of Wild Boars in the Bukhansan National Park using MaxEnt and HexSim Models

Tae Geun Kim National Institute of Ecology 2023 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.4 No.3

Understanding the carrying capacity of a habitat is crucial for effectively managing populations of wild boars (Sus scrofa), which are designated as harmful wild animal species in national parks. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population size supported by a park's environmental conditions. This study aimed to estimate the appropriate wild boar population size by integrating population characteristics and habitat suitability for wild boars in the Bukhansan National Park using the HexSim program. Population characteristics included age, survival, reproduction, and movement. Habitat suitability, which reflects prospecting and resource acquisition, was determined using the Maximum Entropy model. This study found that the optimal population size for wild boar ranged from 217 to 254 individuals. The population size varied depending on the amount of resources available within the home range, indicating fewer individuals in a larger home range. The estimated wild boar population size was 217 individuals for the minimum amount of resources (50% minimum convex polygon [MCP] home range), 225 individuals for the average amount of resources (95% MCP home range), and 254 individuals for the maximum amount of resources (100% MCP home range). The results of one-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in wild boar population size based on the amount of resources within the home range. These findings provide a basis for the development and implementation of effective management strategies for wild boar populations.

Skeletal Differences in Lower Body and Limbs in Relation to Ecological Traits in Anurans in South Korea

Park, Jun-Kyu,Kang, Tae Gyu,Lee, Ji-Eun,Kim, Ji-Eun,Kim, Younghyun,Do, Yuno National Institute of Ecology 2022 Proceedings of NIE Vol.3 No.1

The trade-off between morphology and physical function may vary according to ecological traits. Taking a quantitative approach, we attempted to analyze the differences in the skeletal shape of the lower body and limbs in relation to the ecological traits of four anuran species (Dryophytes japonicus, Glandirana rugosa, Pelophylax nigromaculatus, and Lithobates catesbeianus) occurring in South Korea. Body size, locomotor mode, microhabitat, trophic positions, and predator defense mechanisms were selected for the ecological traits of the anurans. The pelvis, ilium, and urostyle, which are associated with locomotor performance, were selected for the skeletal shape of the lower body. The ratio of limbs, which is related to locomotor mode and microhabitat, was confirmed by analyzing the skeletons of the forelimbs (radio-ulnar and humerus) and hindlimbs (femur and tibiofibular). Both landmark-based geometric morphometrics and traditional methods were used for skeletal shape comparison. The skeletal shape of the lower body was completely different among the four species, whereas the ratio of the limbs was only different in D. japonicus. The skeletal shape of the lower body may be related to body mass and predator defense mechanisms, whereas the ratio of the limbs was related to the locomotor mode and microhabitat. Quantifying these morphological differences among various species can help elucidate the mechanisms of behavioral and morphological changes in response to ecological effects.

Analysis of the Current Status of Data Repositories in the Field of Ecological Research

Kim, Suntae National Institute of Ecology 2021 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.2 No.2

In this study, data repository information registered in re3data (re3data.org), a research data registry, was collected. Based on collected data, the current status was analyzed for 354 repositories (approximately 14% of total repositories) in the field using keywords in the ecological field suggested by two experts. Major metadata formats used to describe data in ecological research data repositories include Federal Geographic Data Committee Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC/CSDGM), Dublin Core, ISO 19115, Ecological Metadata Language (EML), Directory Interchange Format (DIF), Darwin Core, Data Documentation Initiative (DDI), and DataCite Metadata Schema. The number of ecological repositories according to country is 102 in the US, 34 in Germany, 31 in Canada, and one in Korea. A total of 771 non-profit organizations and 12 for-profit organizations are involved in the construction of the ecological field research data repository. Data version control ratio of the ecological field research data repositories registered in re3data was analyzed to be somewhat higher (86.6%) than the total ratio (83.9%). Results of this study can be used to establish policies to build and operate a research data repository in the ecological field.

Post-release Monitoring after Reintroduction of Captive-reared Korean Endangered Frog, Pelophylax Chosenicus

Park, Chang-Deuk,Kwon, Kwanik,Yoo, Nakyung,Lee, Jung-Hyun,Kang, Dong-Won,Park, Jong-Sung,Yoo, Jeongwoo,Kim, Keun-Sik,Yoon, Ju-Duk National Institute of Ecology 2021 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.2 No.2

To restore the Gold-spotted pond frog (Pelophylax chosenicus), a Korean endangered frog, 600 captive-reared individuals were reintroduced between August and September 2019 into an aquatic garden in the National Institute of Ecology where P. chosenicus had previously inhabited. After reintroduction, six post-release monitoring sessions were conducted from August 2019 to May 2020. Monitoring was performed using three methods (counting calls, observation, and capture) from sunset to midnight near release sites, eliminating potential threat factors. Snout-vent lengths and body weights of recaptured individuals were measured before they were released immediately. We noted that both snout-vent lengths and body weights of recaptured individuals were slightly higher than those before. The average recapture rate was 4.66%. Reintroduced frogs were recaptured at the last monitoring session conducted in May 2020, indicating that these reintroduced frogs hibernated during the winter successfully. We found that these reintroduced frogs successfully settled after release. This result will be useful for establishing management strategies for endangered frogs in Korea. Particularly, post-release monitoring could be an essential approach in the restoration program of a target species.

Stable Carbon Isotope Signature of Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) in Two Streams with Contrasting Watershed Environments: A Potential Indicator for Assessing Stream Ecosystem Health

Kim, Chulgoo,Choi, Jong-Yun,Choi, Byungwoong,Lee, JunSeok,Jeon, Yonglak,Yi, Taewoo National Institute of Ecology 2021 국립생태원회보(PNIE) Vol.2 No.4

We conducted a study to investigate the characteristics of the carbon cycle of two streams (located in Shig a Prefecture, Japan), having similar size, namely, the Adokawa stream (length: 52 km, area: 305 km², watershed population: 8,000) and the Yasukawa stream (length: 62 km, area: 380 km², watershed population: 120,000), but with different degree of human activity. Samples were collected from these two streams at 14 (Adokawa stream) and 23 (Yasukawa stream) stations in the flowing direction. The dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration and the stable carbon isotope ratio of DIC (δ¹³C-DIC) were measured in addition to the watershed features and the chemical variables of the stream water. The δ¹³C-DIC (-9.50 ± 2.54‰), DIC concentration (249 ± 76 µM), and electric conductivity (52 ± 13 µS/cm) in Adokawa stream showed small variations from upstream to downstream. However, the δ¹³C-DIC (-8.68 ± 2.3‰) upstream of Yasukawa stream was similar to that of Adokawa stream and decreased downstream (-12.13 ± 0.43‰). DIC concentration (upstream: 272 ± 89 µM, downstream: 690 ± 37 µM) and electric conductivity (upstream: 69 ± 17 µS/cm, downstream: 193 ± 37 µS/cm) were higher downstream than upstream of Yasukawa stream. The DIC concentration of Yasukawa stream was significantly correlated with watershed environmental variables, such as, watershed population density (r = 0.8581, p<0.0001, n = 23), and forest area percentage of the watershed (r = -0.9188, p<0.0001, n = 23). δ¹³C-DIC showed significant negative correlation with the DIC concentration (r = -0.7734, p<0.0001, n = 23), electric conductivity (r = -0.5396, p = 0.0079, n = 23), and watershed population density (r = -0.6836, p = 0.0003, n = 23). Our approach using a stable carbon isotope ratio suggests that DIC concentration and δ¹³C-DIC could be used as indicators for monitoring the health of stream ecosystems with different watershed characteristics.