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It is important to understand the dynamics of population size to accurately assess threats and implement conservation activities when required. However, inaccurate estimates are harming both the threat estimation process, and the resulting conservation actions. Here, we address the extinction threats to Scincella huanrenensis, a species described in the People’s Republic of China, but also occurring on the Korean peninsula. Estimating the threats to the species is not an easy task due to its unknown population status in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Here we analysed the literature to acquire the known presence point for the species, along with datapoints originating from opportunistic field surveys, and employed habitat suitability models to estimate the range of the species. We then followed the categories and criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to assess the extinction risk of the species. We found the species not to be fitting the threatened category at the global scale based on the range size, the only category for which enough data was available. We recommend the status of the species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species to be updated as it is now listed as critically endangered (CR), a listing fitting a national assessment for the People’s Republic (PR) of China. While this species is possibly less threatened than currently listed, this is not a genuine improvement, and specific conservation aspects should not be neglected due to its specialisation to medium to high elevation habitat.
YuCheol Shin; Kevin Messenger; Kyo Koo; Sang Lee; Mian Hou; Amaël Borzée. How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends. Conservation 2021, 1, 58 -72.
AMA StyleYuCheol Shin, Kevin Messenger, Kyo Koo, Sang Lee, Mian Hou, Amaël Borzée. How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends. Conservation. 2021; 1 (1):58-72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuCheol Shin; Kevin Messenger; Kyo Koo; Sang Lee; Mian Hou; Amaël Borzée. 2021. "How Threatened Is Scincella huanrenensis? An Update on Threats and Trends." Conservation 1, no. 1: 58-72.
The endangered species Mongolian racerunner (Eremias Argus), with a limited distribution in South Korea, is found only in sand dunes near waterside and forests. Therefore, species trends in this particular habitat are directly affected by habitat contamination and destruction. In this study, we examined the effects of coastal sand dune restoration on the distribution and population of E. argus. We conducted a field survey in Baramarye special protection zone, called Baramarye Coast, a part of the Taeanhaean National Park, during April and June 2016. We searched and recorded the location of E. argus and tagged them using the toe clipping method. The size of the E. argus population was estimated using the Peterson method. After the restoration of coastal sand dunes in Baramarye Coast, the population size of E. argus increased by 126–137 (21.1–55.7%) compared with that in 2008. The home range of E. argus in coastal sand dunes was significantly expanded by 4.8-fold for 95% Kernel density (KD) and 3.6-fold for 50% KD compared with that in 2008. Moreover, we confirmed that the distribution of E. argus was expanded to the restored area. Our study showed that in situ conservation is effective for endangered E. argus, distributed in particular environments such as coastal region. This study provides one more reason why coastal region must be conserved.
Min Ho Chang; Jae Young Song; Kyo Soung Koo. Effect of coastal dune restoration on the population of endangered Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) in the Republic of Korea. Journal of Coastal Conservation 2021, 25, 1 -6.
AMA StyleMin Ho Chang, Jae Young Song, Kyo Soung Koo. Effect of coastal dune restoration on the population of endangered Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) in the Republic of Korea. Journal of Coastal Conservation. 2021; 25 (2):1-6.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMin Ho Chang; Jae Young Song; Kyo Soung Koo. 2021. "Effect of coastal dune restoration on the population of endangered Mongolian racerunner (Eremias argus) in the Republic of Korea." Journal of Coastal Conservation 25, no. 2: 1-6.
Globally, an increase in the transportation and expansion of the pet market is the most important cause of the invasion of non-native species. Invasion of non-native species disturbs native ecosystems and leads to socio-economic problems. The pet trade involving turtles has been globally recognized as the route through which non-native species enter ecosystems. As a result, the invasion of non-native turtles worldwide is causing problems such as competition, predation, transmission of parasites, and hybridization with native turtles. Every year, both the number of non-native turtles imported as pets in the Republic of Korea and the number of introduced species found in the wild is increasing. However, the current status of non-native turtles in the wild is not well known, posing major challenges to their management. In this study, we aimed to determine the current status of non-native turtles introduced into the wild in Korea. We analyzed the factors associated with the detection and distribution of non-native turtles. In total, 1587 of non-native turtles (three families, six genera, and 13 species including subspecies) were found in 648 sites in Korea: Chelydra serpentina, Mauremys sinensis, Chrysemys picta bellii, Graptemys ouachitensis, G. pseudogeographica pseudogeographica, G. p. kohni, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, P. peninsularis, P. rubriventris, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, and T. s. troostii. There was relationship between the distribution of non-native turtles and environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature. Moreover, human factors such as number of human populations and size of region were significantly related with the distribution and number of non-native turtles. In conclusion, it is likely that human factors are associated with the influx of invasive turtles to the natural habitat, while the possibility of survival and adaption for the turtles is associated mainly with environmental factors. Our result will be an essential guideline not only for understanding the current status of non-native turtles in Korea, but also for establishing strategies for management and control.
Kyo Soung Koo; Soorim Song; Jae Hyeok Choi; Ha-Cheol Sung. Current Distribution and Status of Non-Native Freshwater Turtles in the Wild, Republic of Korea. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4042 .
AMA StyleKyo Soung Koo, Soorim Song, Jae Hyeok Choi, Ha-Cheol Sung. Current Distribution and Status of Non-Native Freshwater Turtles in the Wild, Republic of Korea. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (10):4042.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKyo Soung Koo; Soorim Song; Jae Hyeok Choi; Ha-Cheol Sung. 2020. "Current Distribution and Status of Non-Native Freshwater Turtles in the Wild, Republic of Korea." Sustainability 12, no. 10: 4042.