Vegetation constitutes the primary component of terrestrial ecosystems and plays a crucial role in examining global climate change and its impacts. Assessing vegetation dynamics over significant periods of time can provide critical information on changes in vegetation cover and regional climate. Satellite-based remote sensing products offer a unique opportunity to analyze these changes at a country scale. South Korea has a unique history of forest regeneration, and studying this relationship provides an opportunity to examine its impact. To achieve this, we employ the vegetation–precipitation relationship using time series segmentation on residual trends (TSS-RESTREND), a statistical method that calculates the correlation between the annual maximum vegetation index and cumulative rainfall. This method helps identify time-step changes related to structural changes in the ecosystem. Using the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and rainfall, this study aims to uncover the underlying dynamics and driving forces behind observed ecosystem changes, facilitating a deeper comprehension of the intricate interactions between vegetation and precipitation through the application of TSS-RESTREND. The findings increase knowledge of the complex relationship between vegetation growth and rainfall, given the country’s commendable forest regeneration program, even in the face of rapid urbanization. Moreover, the integration of finer resolution land cover images derived from in situ data not only provides a nuanced understanding of vegetation dynamics across diverse regions, but also underscores the critical need for continued collection of in situ data to provide more accurate and comprehensive analyses. The findings underline the pivotal role played by land resource management practices and underscores the significance of implementing adaptive conservation strategies, thereby contributing to the preservation of a stable and sustainable vegetation cover. The findings serve as a call for the ecosystem monitoring and strategic adaptation required to examine the environmental and ecosystem structural changes in the region. This study sheds light on the critical relationship between land management practices, environmental sustainability, and the resilience of the region’s vegetation amidst an ever-changing landscape.

Climate simulation is often used for evaluation of the sustainability of a species in global scale but not applicable for our study because the global data is too coarse to be used in small and fragmented habitat areas. We examined a weather forecasting model for the habitat analysis of the endangered species of the Korean long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus raddeanus). The weather research forecasting (WRF) model is implemented to downscale global climate data for a small fragmented habitat of the goral. The coordinates of goral fecal samples were collected during winter 2005 and summer 2006 using GPS and the goral habitat was set with the elevations of fecal samples mostly found. The atmospheric parameters of the habitat were then simulated by WRF and defined as the atmospheric signature of the goral suitable habitat. A series of temperature changes was then projected for the period from 2010s to 2090s to evaluate the change of the habitat for summer (June) and winter (December) seasons. As a result, the suitable habitat of the Korean long-tailed goral would be significantly declined and almost disappeared in the 2070s for summer or 2050s for winter under the climate scenarios of RCP 8.5 by IPCC.

Salmo trutta, commonly known as brown trout, is an invasive species that has established itself in various regions, including South Korea, where it poses ecological risks to native freshwater fish populations. To enable natural habitat restoration, S. trutta needs to be monitored, but traditional monitoring techniques are associated with several limitations. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to apply a sensitive and specific real-time PCR (qPCR) assay using a set of primers and a hydrolysis probe specific to the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of S. trutta. Environmental DNA (eDNA) was extracted from river-water samples collected downstream of the Soyang Reservoir and around the Uiam Reservoir between January and March 2023. The qPCR assays successfully detected S. trutta eDNA in 11 of the 24 samples, with high concentrations found upstream and downstream of the Soyang River. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of qPCR assay for the S. trutta detection in aquatic environments and highlight its potential for monitoring the spread of this species, especially in areas that are difficult to survey using traditional methods. This molecular approach offers a more efficient tool for S. trutta population management, mitigating its impact on native biodiversity.

Salmo trutta, commonly known as brown trout, is an invasive species that has established itself in various regions, including South Korea, where it poses ecological risks to native freshwater fish populations. The Ministry of Environment of South Korea has legally designated S. trutta as an invasive species. Thus, to enable natural habitat restoration, S. trutta needs to be monitored in South Korea. However, traditional monitoring techniques are associated with several limitations. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to apply a sensitive and specific qPCR assay using primers and a hydrolysis probe specific to the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (mt-cyb) of S. trutta. Environmental DNA (eDNA) was extracted from river water samples collected downstream of the Soyang Reservoir and around the Uiam Reservoir between January and March 2023. The qPCR assays successfully detected S. trutta eDNA in 11 of the 24 samples, with high concentrations found upstream and downstream of the Soyang River. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of qPCR assay for the detection of S. trutta in aquatic environments and highlight its potential for monitoring the spread of this species, especially in areas that are difficult to survey using traditional methods. This molecular approach offers a more efficient tool for S. trutta population management, mitigating its impact on native biodiversity.

Wetlands offer numerous benefits, including improving water quality, providing habitats for wildlife, and storing water. They are areas where water either covers the soil or is just below the surface for extended periods. Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance and ecological stability. In South Korea, the Wetlands Conservation Act was established in 1999 to protect these vital ecosystems and their biodiversity. The law defines inland wetlands as lakes, ponds, swamps, rivers, and estuaries. However, the boundaries of these areas are often unclear, creating challenges for conservation and research. This ambiguity complicates effective management and the implementation of necessary protective measures. This study utilized topographic and aerial images to gather spatial information about inland wetlands and assess their areas. It identified the boundaries of inland wetlands in South Korea, revealing a total area of 3,833.452 km2, which is 3.8% of the country’s total land area. The classified the spatial data, showing that vegetated areas cover 1,355.666 km2, or 35.4% of the total area, with woody plants covering 102.987 km2 and herbaceous plants 1,252.679 km2. Non-vegetated areas account for 2,477.786 km2, or 64.6%, with open water 2,206.615 km2, natural land 160.995 km2, artificial land 72.343 km2, and Agricultural land 37.833 km2. Clearly defining wetland boundaries is essential for effective conservation and protection. Accurate boundary definitions facilitate legal protection and help prevent damage to wetlands. The results provide quantitative data that can inform future wetland conservation planning and management. And enhance our understanding of the size and changes in South Korea’s inland wetlands, supporting their preservation and protection.