Jaeuk Kim

Predicting Potential Distribution of Monochamus alternatus Hope responding to Climate Change in Korea

Predicting potential spatial distribution of Monochamus alternatus, a major insect vector of the pine wilt disease, is essential to the spread of the pine wilt disease. The purpose of this study was to predict future domestic spatial distribution of M. alternatus by using the CLIMEX model considering the temperature condition of the vector’s life history. To predict current distribution of M. alternatus, the administrative divisions data where the pine wilt spots caused by M. alternatus were found from 2006 to 2014 and the 10-year mean climate observed data in 68 meteorological stations from 2006 to 2015 were used. Eight parameter sets were chosen based on growth temperature range of M. alternatus reported in preceding researches. Error matrix method was utilized to select and simulate the parameter sets showing the highest correlation with the actual distribution. Regarding the future distribution of M. alternatus, two periods of 2050s(2046-2055) and 2090s(2091-2100) were predicted using the projected climate data of RCP 8.5 Scenario generated from Korea Meteorological Administration. Overall results of M. alternatus distribution simulation were fit in the actual distribution; however, overestimation in Seoul Metropolitan area and Chungnam Region were shown. Gradual expansion of M. alternatus would be expected to nationwide from western and southern coastal areas of Korea peninsula.

Valuation of Forest Habitat Functions of Endangered Mammals Using Species Distribution Model

Abstract It is estimated that there is a total of approximately 100,000 species in Korea. However, the number is currently about 30,000 and only 16,027 species are listed in the ‘Species Korea’ (as of December, 2014). Of the listed species, 51 species are designated as the Endangered Species Class I while 195 species are in the Class II, totaling 246 endangered species including 20 mammals. Under the circumstances that development (e.g., roads) is increasingly threatening the persistence of endangered mammals, it is significant to identify and preserve suitable habitats for them. In this context, evaluating the values of the suitable habitat environment would serve as essential information for development decision making. This study estimated the values of endangered mammals’ forest habitats through spatialization of habitat services. In doing so, a species distribution model, Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt) was utilized for a group of endangered mammals including, mountain goat, wildcat, marten cat, and flying squirrel. To calculate the values per unit area, a benefit transfer method was used based on the point-estimate technique with the best available values estimated previously. The range of discount rate of 3.0 to 5.5 percent was applied taking the notion of social discount rate into account. As a result, the province with the highest values for endangered mammal habitats appeared to be Gangwon, followed by Gyeongbuk and Gyeongnam. The monetary values of the endangered mammal habitats were estimated to be 330 billion to 421 billion won per year.Key Words: endangered mammals, habitat, values per unit area, benefit transfer method, social discount rate