Shin-Jae Rhim

Characteristics of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia distribution in southern Korea

During October 1998 - May 1999, we studied the distribution of hazel grouse Bonasa bonasia and the structure of their habitats in southern Korea. Hazel grouse were censused from the responses to calls imitated using a Scandinavian metal hunters whistle in winter and spring along line transects. Hazel grouse were distributed in most of the high mountain forest areas in southern Korea. The frequency of occurrence varied with altitude within the range of 300–1,200 m a.s.l., with the highest density at 600–900 m a.s.l. Altitudinal distribution differed between seasons, however, and hazel grouse were observed at lower altitudes more often in winter than in spring. They occurred in mixed, deciduous and coniferous forest areas, but the use of forest types varied by season. Particularly many individuals were observed in planted Japanese larch Larix leptolepis forests. The coverage and density of understory vegetation was more developed where hazel grouse were observed, but coverage more than 2 m above ground did not seem to be important in explaining hazel grouse presence. The occurrence of hazel grouse was related to the development of understory vegetation more than to forest type. Seasonal use of forest types may have been related to the combined availability of food and cover in understory vegetation.

Seasonal changes in territorial behaviour of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) in a temperate forest of South Korea

We studied the seasonal changes in territorial behaviour of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) from December 1999 to July 2001 in a temperate forest of South Korea. The study was based on the use of radio telemetry. Territory size and degree of overlap increased after the breeding period, and index of advertisement and border disputes decreased. In spring, the territory was defended by both males and females. During autumn and winter, this behaviour was relaxed to such a degree that hazel grouse cannot be considered territorial, but as forming a home range.

Influence of roads on small rodents population in fragmented forest areas, South Korea

The road effect on small rodent population is investigated at 8 fragmented forest areas in the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea in September 2001. We especially focused on the distribution and body condition of small rodents near the roads. Korean field mouse (Apodemus peninsulae) seems to be more sensitive to the existence of a road than striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Korean field mouse prefers interior forest area to around road. Striped field mouse is a habitat generalist and has wide distributional range around road, but Korean field mouse is forest-inhabiting species and their distribution is limited in forest area. These results suggest the effect of road is different on each small rodent species and their habitat preferences.

Characteristics of seasonal movement of hazel grouse (Bonasa bonasia) in a temperate forest

This study were carried out in the Experimental Forest (37° 48′ 10″ N, 127° 48′ 50″ E) of Gangwon Forest Development Institute, Gamjeong-ri, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Province, Korea from Dec. 1999 to Jul. 2002. Eight individuals (three males and five females) of hazel grouse were captured and they were marked with a 14-g necklace-type transmitter. The surveying results showed that females were more active than males throughout the year, but males were more mobile than females in spring. The degree of movement for females and males was similar from summer to winter. The overlap degree of habitat was very large from spring to autumn. Hazel grouse had greater shifts in area use in winter. They used similar area from spring to autumn, made a shift in their habitat use in winter, and then shifted back to the previous habitat.

Home Range, Activity Patterns, Arboreality, and Day Refuges of the Korean Wood Mouse Apodemus peninsulae (Thomas, 1907) in a Temperate Forest in Korea

Abstract. We used radio telemetry to study the home range, activity patterns, arboreality and day refuges of the Korean wood mouse Apodemus peninsulae (Thomas, 1907) during fall and winter in a temperate forest in Korea. The mean home range size in fall was 1,998 ± 1,732 m2 (range: 599–7,798 m2; n = 14); winter home range size could not be estimated because the mice were minimally active in winter and few movements were identified. Males tended to have larger home ranges than did females, although this difference was not statistically significant. In the fall, Korean wood mice were primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, and they often used several day refuges. Male and female activity levels were not significantly different. No direct evidence of arboreality was found.

Characteristics of Bird Community in Mangyeong River Area

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of bird community and habitat types in Mangyeong River area from Aug. 1999 to Jun. 2000. Paddy field was the most dominant land use type. Water area, mudflat, shrub field, urban area and green house were also dominant land use types in study area. Eighty-eight bird species were recorded during study period. Maximum number of species and individuals were shown as 58 species and 7,084 individuals in Oct. and Jan., respectively. There were low number of diving ducks and clumped pattern of waterfowl distribution of bird community in Mangyeong River area. Dabbling ducks distributed at upper reaches near Samrye Bridge, and plovers and sandpipers at lower reaches near estuary. Those results suggest that creation of pools over one meter water-depth and restoration of paddy field into riparian zone with diverse shrubs are required to increase the bird diversity in the Mangyeong rived.

Seasonal home ranges and activity of three rodent species in a post-fire planted stand

Abstract. Movement patterns of three small rodent species (striped field mouse Apodemus agrarius, n = 18; Korean field mouse A. peninsulae, n = 21; and Korean red-backed vole Myodes regulus, n = 22) were tracked by radio-telemetry to determine seasonal variation in home range size, daily distance traveled, and number of daytime resting area in a post-fire planted stand of Japanese red pine Pinus densiflora in Mt. Gumbong, Samcheok, South Korea. Home range sizes and distances traveled did not differ among the species; however, significant differences were noted in the home range sizes (analysis of variance; F = 9.24, df = 2, 6, p = 0.05) and distances traveled (Kruskal-Wallis test; H = 9.51–15.38, p = 0.05–0.01) of each species across seasons. In winter, all three measures considerably decreased for all species examined. The home range sizes of male rodents of all species were 1.4–2.2 times larger than those of female rodents. All species were primarily nocturnal; in daytime, they remained confined to their resting areas. The durations of movement negatively correlated with daytime length (Spearman correlation analysis; r = -0.41, p = 0.01, n = 2583); no differences were observed in the number of daytime resting areas among species (F = 0.81, df = 3, 6, p = 0.38). However, the numbers of daytime resting areas of three small rodents were the smallest in winter. Thus, seasonal variation is an important factor affecting small rodent movement patterns. Further long-term ecological research would help elucidate how small rodents seasonally interact and share resources in the same habitat.

Characteristics of Attitudinal Bird Community in Mt. Seoraksan National Park

본 연구는 설악산국립공원에 서식하고 있는 조류군집의 계절적, 고도별 분포 현황을 조사, 분석하고 조류군집의 특성을 파악하기 위해 오색-대청봉과 백담사-대청봉 지역에서 2001년 5월부터 10월까지의 기간동안 실시되었다. 2개 조사 지역에서 쇠박새, 쇠솔새, 진박새, 동고비 등이 전체 고도별 구간에서 고르게 분포하고...This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of attitudinal bird communities in Mt. Seoraksan National Park from May to Oct. 2004. Marsh tit Parus palustris, Arctic warbler Phylloscipus borealis, coal tit Parus ater and Eurasian nuthatch Sitta europaea evenly distributed in almost elevational ranges. Goshawk Accipiter gentilis, black grouse Tetrao tetrix, white-lumped swift Apus pacificus, Siberian rubythroat Luscinia calliope, red-flanked bluetail Tarsiger cyanurus, dusky warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus, yellow-browned warbler Phylloscopus inornatus, siskin Carduelis spinus and rook Corvus frugilegus were only observed in high altitude area. Distribution pattern of birds in Mt. Seoraksan National Park showed differences by elevation. There was difference in attitudinal distribution pattern of birds in Mt. Seoraksan National Park. It seems that habitat preference or selection is different in each species. Attitudinal habitat preference of each bird species need further studies.

Characteristics of vegetation structure in breeding area of Siberian rubythroat (Luscinia calliope) in Daecheongbong peak, Mt. Seoraksan national park, South Korea

Most of forest birds have the characteristics for habitat selection. The purpose of this study is to clarify the vegetation structure in breeding area of Siberian rubythroat (Luscinia calliope). In Daecheongbong peak, Mt. Seoraksan national park, South Korea from May to August, 2001, breeding population of Siberian rubythroat and the dominant species in breeding area of Siberian rubythroat (Luscinia calliope) were surveyed by line transect method along the ridge in the Daecheongbong peak area. Number of individuals and location of song posts were observed and recorded. According to the survey results, the study area was classified into high, middle and low density areas. Those birds selected the forest area of dominant species for Erman’s birch and dwarf Siberian pine as habitat and preferred the shrubs area with the lower height and higher coverage.

Changes in distribution area of Korean musk deer (Moschus moschiferus parvipes) from 1950s to 1999 in South Korea

Based on the literature reviews and questionnaire, field survey on the species, feces, and tracks in non-snow season and snow season of Korean musk deer from February to December of 1999 in South Korea (Cultural Properties Administration 1999), the authors summarized the change of distribution area and number of Korean musk deer from 1950s to 1999. The results showed that the distribution area of Korean musk deer (Moschus moschiferus parvipes) was sharply decreased from 1950s to 1999 in South Korea. Due to the road and forest road construction in the habitat of Korean musk deer, the musk deer habitats were fragmented and lost. And the illegal capture for economic benefits was the main reason of decreases in number of individuals and habitats of this species. Forest roads in high elevation area were also used as the passages for illegal captures. For the conservation and protection of Korean musk deer, strict regulation of illegal capture is urgently needed.