Kyong-Jae Lee

A study on the characteristics of urban ecosystems and plans for the environment and ecosystem in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea

The aim of this study is to establish a plan for the environment and ecosystem by studying the characteristics of urban ecosystems, involving one of Seoul’s districts for environment-friendly urban management. Biotope type in Gangnam-gu was classified into six large groups: forest, planted area, grassland, stream and wetland, cultivated land and urbanization area. Then the six groups were again divided into 22 small groups on the basis of composition of species, naturalness, diversity of stratification and scarcity. Filicales and Disporum smilacinum communities, moisture-loving native plants which are well worth conserving, were distributed widely throughout the northern slope of Mt. Daemosan, an outer mountain in Gangnam-gu. In contrast, Ageratina altissima, one of the naturalized plants in Seoul, was found to spread over Mt. Maebongsan and the Cheongdam neighborhood park, residual mountain-type parks located along the northern part of the Yangjaecheon stream. The southern part of the stream was found to be used as a route for woodpeckers and small wild birds, since the district’s residual mountain type park was connected to large outer forest whose naturalness was in good condition. Under the plan for ecosystem conservation and restoration, conservation and restoration areas with highly valuable conservation biotopes were selected. Under the plan for ecosystem networking, a natural corridor and a green corridor were designed to connect greenspaces for the migration of woodpeckers. The plan for enlarging the greenspaces has a short-, mid- and long-term plan for areas that are need to secured greenspaces. The plan was set after comparing greenspaces in each block within the district.

Change of Green Space Arrangement and Planting Structure of Apartment Complexes in Seoul

This study was carried out to propose the improved method by analyzing the change of green space arrangement and planting structure of apartment complexes in Seoul. 12 survey sites, which have obvious differences, were selected by reflecting the change of floor area ratio, underground parking place, and green space ratio. We divided the survey sites into four types that high green ratio(over 40%) apartment on natural ground, low green ratio(under 40%) apartment on natural ground, low green ratio(under 40%) apartment on artificial ground, and high green ratio(over 40%) apartment on artificial ground each period based on green space ratio and ground structure, plant crown volume, planting density, and planting pattern. The main factors of change of green space arrangement were green space ratio and ground structure. The Green space ratio was changed by the floor area ratio with constructing underground parking place and floor area ratio was adjusted by government policy and economic status. Average width of front green area has been changed from 10.0m in high green ratio apartment on natural ground for 3.5m, 2.7m, and 4.5m each period. The average width of the buffer green area has been changed from 15.0m in high green ratio apartment on natural ground of 7.7m, and 2.7m by extending parking place in the low green ratio apartment of artificial ground, so buffer green areas have been reduced and disconnected. So buffer green area in apartment complexes has been extended that the average width of the buffer green area was 3.8m caused by growing recognition of green since 2001. The ratio of native plant in canopy layer was increased from 45.1 % in the case of the high green ratio apartment of natural ground in 1980~1983 to 55.6%. Average plant crown volume increased from in high green ratio apartment on natural ground for in a low green ratio apartment on natural ground. But average plant crown volume is in the high green ratio apartment of the artificial ground plant density of canopy layer was changed from 5 individuals per to 14.5 individuals per . We should construct the buffer green area with natural ground and get the function of ecological and beautiful environment regarding to garden concept in case of front green area, width 4.5m. We should get the function of increasing green volume by multi-layer planting with shade woody species and flower woody species in case of back-side green area, width over 5.0m. We should get the function of covering the wall and increasing green landscape by planting with high woody species in case of side green area. We should apply the ecological planting technique to buffer green area and connect buffer green area to inner green area in apartment complexes.

A Study on the Structure Characteristics of Planting Ground in Incheon International Airport, Korea

This study aims to suggest adequate soil management through the analysis of physicochemical properties of soil in the planting grounds of Incheon International Airport, which was constructed on a massive land reclamation site. Study areas were 5 sites at the international business complex, the passenger terminal, the airport support complex, the free trade zone, and the access road. Soil profile analysis showed that 9 plots out of the 27 plots were hardpan and heterospere within 80cm from the soil surface. The earth laid on the ground was categorized as gravel based soil(4 plots), dredged soil from the sea bottom and mixed reclamation materials(2 plots), clay with poor permeability(3 plots) and waste construction material(1 plot). Average soil hardness was and soil textures were sandy soil, sandy loam and loamy sand. Average soil pH was 6.7 and average organic matter content was 0.7%. Electrical conductivity was 0.0dS/m and exchangeable cation concentrations were 3.4cmol/kg, 1.5cmol/kg, 0.3cmol/kg and 1.0cmol/kg. Average cation exchange capacity was 11.0cmol/kg. Although average figures in Solum mostly meet the landscape design criteria, properties of each soil layer showed various values sometimes over the limit. Base saturations were 29.9%, 13.3% and 3.7% for lower soil, 33.3%, 17.0% and 2.7% for mid-soil and 32.6%, 12.2% and 1.9% for upper soil. Exchangeable sodium percentages were 16.4% for lower soil, 7.5% for mid-soil and 4.7% upper soil. Sodium adsorption rates were 0.8 for lower soil, 0.3 for mid-soil and 0.2 for upper soil. Factors affecting to the vegetation growth were heterogeneity and poorness of solum, disturbance of dredged soils, high soil hardness including hardpan in the subsurface soil layer and shallow effective soil depth, high soil acidity, imbalance of base contents, low organic matter content and low available phosphate levels in the soil.

A Study on the Construction Methods and the Distribution of Proper Spatial Function for Restoring Urban Streams into Close-to-Nature Streams - A Case Study of Hongjecheon(Stream) in Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul -

The purpose of this study is to propose a plan that properly organizes urban close-to-nature streams by evaluating the city park functions, ecological functions and landscape functions required for urban stream and setting up space function suitable for the space. The site of this study is Hongjecheon located in Seodaemun gu of Seoul City, whose length of channel spans 6.12km in total. The plan for the construction of close-to-nature streams had been established from late 2003, and the construction was completed. Evaluation Categories and indications were deduced from 4 stages. First, based on theoretical examination, we made a list of stream and park evaluation categories and added Category about Characteristic of urban streams. Next, we set Final Evaluation Categories and indications through the process of goal-relevance, indication verification, merging similar category. Final Evaluation Categories were deduced such as usage demand, usability(city park functions), biodiversity, inhabitation potential, rarity(ecological functions), historical cultural elements, and landscape Quality(landscape functions). As a result of allotting space functions, zones 1 through 4, got high grades at usage demand, was classified as a civic resort district; zones 5 through 6, close to major green area and remained original landscape, as ecological conservation and restoration district; zones 7 through 8, get high grades at usage demand and usability, as environmentally-friendly use district; and zones 9 through 10, many historical cultural elements and view points, and high green possession rate, as stream scenic district. In addition, detail space function and construction plan for each zones were proposed. As a result of this study, proposed space function assignment considering natural characteristics, humanities and social characteristics and landscape characteristics and is expected to be utilized at reasonable spatial planning considering various functions required for urban stream.

A Study on Comparison of Changes in Ecological Characteristics for Bulgwangcheon(stream) Close-to Nature Section

The aim of this study was to provide basic data in managing the project that was carried out on Bulgwangcheon in a nature-friendly way to improve the conditions around the areas, which was brought to completion in 2002, based on changes in ecological characteristics. For this propose, this study examined documents related to the project, compared physical and enviromnental changes before and after the project was conducted and analyzed changes in the stream ecosystem. The result showed that in areas that effluent water was often observed, especially when it rained, the river wall was washed away and vegetation was found damaged. As for actual vegetation, this study compared planting coverage of each section of the research area and actual vegetation charts. The results indicated that Lespedeza spp., Aster koraiensis among mixed seeds that were planted in the reservoir path were almost swept away while Festuca arundinacea dominated the areas. Phragmites communis, Miscanthus sacchariflorns and Salix gracilistyla which had been planted in a small number were also almost washed out though a small number of them were left to form a colony. After examining the topography and structure of the plant community, this study found that areas where mixed seed were planted had changed into two types of vegetation: First type of area is dominated by P and R which are usually raised in apron with abundant floating particles. The second type of area is dominated by dry gramineous plant such as F and A. Areas around low flow channel where Phragmites communis, Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Salix gracilistyla planting construction method is applied was washed away with the width of low flow channel reduced. Though P, M and S formed a small community in some areas around the low flow area, they were in small number and in composition of simple plant species. Two ways were suggested in this study to manage the stream in an ecological way. First, adequate revetment construction methods should be applied by monitoring the flow of the stream as well as considering the flood control of urban streams. Second, target vegetation communities that are suitable for the environment of the stream should be chosen and be plantedconstantly with high density. At the same time, ornamental native plants shouldn`t be planted as they have been and disturbing vegetation should be removed.

Methods for Improving the Function of Habitat and Eco-friendly Use In Urban Area Mountain Parks - Ogeum Neighborhood Park, Seoul -

In this study, space allocation with an assessment system for improving the function of the ecological use and function of each space was undertaken to suggest appropriate goals and directions. Ogeum Park, used as the study site, is a stronghold green zone located in the fan-shaped area of the Songpa-gu green zone on a 22ha area site. The assessment system for this study consisted of a total of 3 steps: Step 1 includes the division of the spatial block, Step 2 assesses the proper functioning of each spatial block, while Step 3 includes space allocation and presents improvements for function by space. This study performed a basin analysis with the consideration that Ogeum Park is a forest area and divided the site into a total of 8 areas according to how the sections of land are used. The function of wildlife habitat included an analysis of plant ecology(vegetation type, vegetation layer, potential vegetation), animal ecology(wild birds), and waterways. The function of leisure and use included an analysis of gradients, noise, paths, status of use, and status of facilities. The evaluation of the function of habitat sorted items into native vegetation, vegetation diversification, vegetation potential, animal diversification and potential of animal habitats. The results of grading the evaluation scores by space in the function of habitat showed that the Areas IV and VII, which were 90% of the maximum point, were Grade A, Areas II and V were Grade B at 70% and Area I and VI were Grade C at 50%. Areas III and VIII, which were not found to be beyond the standard of 50%, were excluded. The evaluation of the functions of leisure and use classified items into use potential, use preference, use concentration, use diversification and use convenience. The results of the graded evaluation scores by space in use function, showed areas V and VI as Grade A, or 90% of the maximum score. Grade B, 70% of the maximum score, was given to Areas I and VII. Grade C, 50% of the maximum score, included Areas II, IV and VIII. Area III, graded lower the standard of 50%, was excluded. The study evaluated areas according to a common standard, classified spaces by proper functions into ecological spaces, environmentally-friendly use spaces and use spaces according to the standard of spatial distribution on the basis of the above results through a synthesis of grades of habitat function, leisure function and use. This offers ideas for the improvement of wildlife habitat and environment-friendly use functions by space.