The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was established in 1953 during the cessation of the Korean War, which divided the Korean Peninsula into North and South Korea. The DMZ is a representative biodiversity resource because it limits human activities. The current status of faunal diversity in adjacent areas of the DMZ was investigated in five regions at 91 sites from 2015 to 2019. A total of 19,562 individuals were collected and identified, including 81 species, 19 families, and 11 orders. Zacco koreanus was the most abundant fish species (relative abundance of 21.9%), while other key species were Zacco platypus (18.2%), Rhynchocypris oxycephalus (5.2%), Rhynchocypris steindachneri (4.9%), and Pungtungia herzi (3.7%). Notably, twenty-nige endemic and seven Red Data Book species were recorded, and three exotic species, Carassius cuvieri, Micropterus salmoides, and Lepomis macrochirus were found at five sites. Human activities and disturbances were found at 34.0% of all sampling sites, and the highest disturbance factors were river dredging and agricultural use (seven sites), sewage (five sites), and fisheries and development (two sites). We recommend that the governments of South and North Korea collaboratively manage the DMZ to protect ecological diversity and maintain its status as a symbol of peace.

This study was conducted to provide information on alien species to the Baekdudaegan Protected Area eco-survey by Ministry of Environment in South Korea from 2015 to 2019. The scope of the survey is based on data from 26 subsections out of 44 subsections in five regions, excluding Korea National Park.In the study area, a total 58 taxa, consisting of 16 family, 48 genera, 56 species, two varieties were found. In addition, five species of ecosystem-disturbing species were identified that Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Aster pilosus, Rumex acetosella, Solanum carolinense, Humulus japonicus. However, the habitat of ecosystem-disturbing species could not be confirmed in the subsections of Dakmokjae-Kubusiryeong (designated number, 13-20), Gisdaebaegibong-Doraegijae (designated number, 23, 24), Ihwaryeong-Haneuljae (designated number, 33), and Neuljae-Miljae (designated number, 37). The spatial status of alien flora on the Baekdudaegan Protected Area monitored by Ministry of Environment in our data can be basic ecological information for the conservation and management of plant species diversity on it.

This study was conducted to provide information on alien species to the specific islands monitored by Ministry of Environment in South Korea, based on the National Survey of Natural Environment of Islands from 2006 to 2020. In the study area, a total 54 taxa, consisting of 17 family, 45 genera, 53 species, one variety, were found. Among them, two species classified as Ecosystem-disturbing species, Humulus japonicus (H. japonicus) Siebold & Zucc. and Ambrosia artemisiifolia (A. artemisiifolia) Linnaeus were found. Alien plants were identified on 127 islands (49.4%), H. japonicus were found on 27 and A. artemisiifolia on six specific islands. The spatial status of alien flora on the specific islands monitored by Ministry of Environment in our data can be basic ecological information for the conservation and management of plant species diversity on the islands.