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The relationship between natural cycles and human actions in causing climate change and its impacts on society have been a subject of debate. This paper explores the responses of pre-modern Koreans to climate change and natural disasters. The focus of this paper is on the societal reactions to these natural calamities and disasters during the Koryŏ dynasty (936–1392 A.D.) and their influence on Korea afterwards. This paper investigates the reasons behind the retention of primal religious worldviews in the face of ecological crises while other major imported religions were abandoned. The research method involved in this paper is archival research, and the literature sources include ancient records and other ecotheological resources. Through an analysis of the archival research and ecotheological resources, this study sheds light on the interpretation of climatic events in pre-modern Korea. Furthermore, based on the research findings, it presents missional implications for the Korean church in the post-pandemic era. This study underscores the importance of the church's responses to environmental awareness, collective responsibility, and spiritual support in addressing the challenges of climate change and provides missional implications for the Korean Church in response to the post-COVID-19 era based on the results of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime shipping is considered a major air pollutant that directly affects global warming and climate change. This study aims to design an emission control route (ECR) that can contribute to long-term initiatives along with emission prevention policies. Applying a scenario analysis, this paper has analyzed the impact of ECR implementation on air quality in the shipping route between Korea and Japan. In this study, the ECR is defined as eco-friendly shipping routes that recommend maintaining a specific level of speed while sailing. Based on the navigation trajectories of 55 O/Ds, which were extracted by the automatic identification system (AIS) data of 135 container ships for each port call during one year, the ECR domains were designated. To analyze the introduction impacts, this study employed a scenario analysis based on the current Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP) recommendation of 12 knots or less. The results demonstrated that the introduction of ECR in the liner services between Korea and Japan would increase the average travel time by 10.47–16.98%. However, according to the results of the scenario analysis, the introduction of the ECR can reduce emissions by 25.65% to 39.73%. By suggesting the initial concept of ECR and analyzing the emission reduction effects of its implementation, this study provides useful insights for a balance between economic and environmental performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the climate change scenario, climate change in the Korean Peninsula is expected to worsen due to extreme temperatures, with effects such as rising average temperatures, heat waves, and droughts. In Republic of Korea, which relies on foreign countries for the supply of forage crops, a decrease in the productivity of forage crops is expected to cause increased damage to the domestic livestock industry. In this paper, to solve the issue of climate vulnerability for forage crops, we performed a study to predict the productivity of forage crops in relation to climate change. We surveyed and compiled not only forage crop production data from various regions, but also experimental cultivation production data over several years from reports of the Korea Institute of Animal Science and Technology. Then, we crawled related climate data from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Therefore, we were able to construct a basic database for forage crop production data and related climate data. Using the database, a production prediction model was implemented, applying a multivariate regression analysis and deep learning regression. The key factors were determined as a result of analyzing the changes in forage crop production due to climate change. Using the prediction model, it could be possible to forecast the shifting locations of suitable cultivation areas. As a result of our study, we were able to construct electromagnetic climate maps for forage crops in Republic of Korea. It can be used to present region-specific agricultural insights and guidelines for cultivation technology for forage crops against climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor and display industries in the Republic of Korea make up the global electronics market with some of the greatest potential for growth due to accelerated digital transformation. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) present in the Earth's atmosphere could trap heat and contribute to the greenhouse effect, leading to global warming and climate change, and it is important to note that while GHGs are naturally present in the atmosphere and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth's temperature, human activities have significantly increased their concentration, leading to accelerated global warming and climate change. Volatile fluorinated compounds (FCs), including perfluorocompounds (PFCs), hydrofluorocompounds (HFCs), NF3, and SF6, are potent long-standing greenhouse gases that are used and emitted by electronics during the manufacturing and display stages of semiconductors. In accordance with global climate change, GHG reduction has developed as a demand of the times, and the electronics industry has also made efforts to reduce GHG emissions in response. Until now, process emissions from the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-GHGs) in various industries have been calculated according to the '06 IPCC G/L, and emission factors of '06 IPCC G/L have also been applied. However, the reduction and emission factors proposed in the IPCC G/L are values that do not reflect the latest and advanced reduction technologies in South Korean electronics, and national GHG emissions are overestimated. In this paper, by preparing accurate measurement methods for destruction removal efficiency (DRE), the use rate of gas (Ui), and b-product emission factors (Bby-product, i), which are characteristic parameters for estimating GHG Tier 3a emissions, we aim to increase the accuracy of GHG emissions by advancing emission factors that are unique to the semiconductor and display industries within the Republic of Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the climate crisis intensifies, the need to improve the climate resilience of developing countries is ever increasing. Hence, the international community is seeking ways to effectively conduct climate technology transfer by linking the projects with financial mechanisms. However, commercialization of climate technology in developing countries is no easy feat as comprehensive knowledge on the target country is a prerequisite for seeking a suitable technology-financial linkage measure. Hence, in-depth discussions on effective climate technology and financial linkage measures have become an important global agenda, and South Korea, as a country with long experience in climate technology transfer, and a strong ecosystem for public climate technology, should step forward to take up a leading role. Against this backdrop, this paper proposes strategies and implementation measures for linking funds from the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) with Korea’s Public Climate Technology (PCT) by examining several key areas of R&D, international cooperation, and technology commercialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Korea's late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Chosŏn Dynasty is marked by evidence of climate change. A distinctive feature of this period was the frequent outbreak of plagues such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, especially among the less privileged. There was, consequently, a large-scale discontentment among the poor. In this milieu, some local Confucian scholars, dismayed by the prevailing corruption in the central government, withdrew themselves from government business, focused on studying imported Catholic texts from China, and converted to Catholicism. The emergence of indigenous religious movements also reflected this social reality. This paper explores the correlation among climate anomalies, decline in agricultural productivity, competition for limited common resources, heightened social inequality, and frequent plagues, and how Catholicism, an indigenous religious movement, and Protestant Christianity impacted and were impacted by these processes in Korea's late Chosŏn Dynasty. It also suggests missional implications of this in the post-Covid-19 era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper attempts to explore the public dimension of religion in Korea. First, it examines the Western and East Asian contexts on the concept of 'public', noting that the gap in notions of public is large between East Asian and Western traditions. The following section discusses Habermas' 'institutional translation proviso' in relation to the notion 'public'. The institutional translation proviso serves as the basis for further discussion on rethinking the public role of religion in Korea in the era of climate crisis. We argue that 'secular' translations of religious convictions can help religious citizens and communities engage in public discourses on ecological challenges. We then consider major limitations of Habermas' understanding of religion. In the following section, we move on to discuss Albert Schweitzer and process theology in order to demonstrate how religious languages can be reinterpreted on the basis of modern experiences of ecological challenges. We then consider Buddhist alternatives for overcoming the climate crisis. The final section introduces José Casanova's account of public religions and discusses its implication for envisioning the public role of religious organizations in ecological efforts. Reviewing the contributions made by religious organizations to the Korean society, we suggest that 'ecological publicness' of religion can be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Who are the Minjung of the twenty-first century? It is difficult to find a group of people today who are suffering from political persecution by a military dictatorship due to their participation in the democratic movement of South Korea. On the other hand, people are living under other types of oppression; structural and systemic oppression and violence, as well as the global climate crisis, lead us to redefine the meaning of Minjung in the current context. As Byungmoo Ahn’s existential philosophy and theology engaged the reality of South Korea, it is very important and meaningful to reinterpret the Jesus event and the meaning of Minjung based on the local and global reality that we are experiencing in 2022. In today’s world, the Minjung we meet in this era of climate crisis can be pictured as people who are suffering and being killed by the irreversible destruction of nature caused by human civilization. The effects of global climate change and the climate crisis have made the entire human race into the suffering. Byungmoo Ahn interpreted God as the Minjung who came down to the field of salvation of life. According to Ahn’s theology, the Jesus event proclaims salvation to the Minjung in the age of climate crisis, those who are suffering and being killed, through the struggle against the forces of death and participation in the Salim movement. In this paper, I explore Ahn’s theology of Minjung and see it through the lens of ecological civilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The politics of international finance for coal power plants have intensified since the 2015 Paris climate agreement was negotiated. Over the past few years, Japan and South Korea have signaled their intent not to fund new coal projects overseas, leaving China and its Belt and Road Initiative as the 'financier of last resort.' In September 2021, China too announced its intent to stop providing finance for overseas coal projects. What accounts for their decision to cease financing overseas coal projects despite prominent differences in political systems, degree of internationalization of their financial systems, and economic size? Drawing on datasets of coal projects and financing supplemented by case material and interviews, this paper explores the dynamics of coal export finance and how the combination of international reputational pressures and declining demand for coal finance diminished the domestic support for incumbent coal exporters in all three countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversifying impacts of global disasters such as climate change and COVID-19 call for systematic consideration of how disasters can be addressed in different school subjects. In this paper, we discuss how the relationship between disaster and science education has been codified and framed in South Korea through an analysis of national curriculum and policy documents from the 2010s, a period marked by several human-caused disasters with lingering social impacts. A genealogical reading of policy documents reveals how disaster emerged as a curricular theme at the intersection of two policy discourses: the discourse of safety and the discourse of integration. Further analysis of the documents points to three tensions about science education that underlay this process, as disaster, a non-traditional topic, was introduced into the science curriculum. Our findings provide insights into the tensions and conflicting ideas about what should be learned in school science. We contend that a stronger theoretical and empirical base is needed when introducing new curriculum topics such as disaster into the curriculum. More effort is needed to justify the new topic against the existing aims and structures of school subjects, to consider the unique social and political context, and to bridge the gap between curriculum policy and classroom practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid deployment of modern renewable energy generation capacity in the fast‐growing Southeast Asian region will be crucial to ensure that the region can meet its increasing future energy demand in a sustainable way. However, many countries will need assistance through international cooperation and foreign aid to develop their sustainable energy sources. The three East Asian donor states Japan, South Korea and China are particularly crucial because they account for a large share of aid disbursement to the region and serve as development role models for many recipient countries. All three states are signatories of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and thus committed to the global goals of climate protection and sustainable energy development. This paper is based on an analysis of official aid databases and second‐party data to explore the details of the energy‐related aid contributions of the three key donor states to Southeast Asia during the last 15 years. The findings indicate that all three states contradicted their own international pledges by financing fossil‐fuel power generation projects in many countries in the region. Although recent policy changes in Japan and South Korea are cause for optimism, the opacity of China's energy‐related aid flows combined with its renewed support for domestic coal power generation are worrying signs for the future of energy development in Southeast Asia and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has a different impact on each member of society. To reduce the damage caused by climate change, adaptation activities are being initiated, such as expanding the capacity of social infrastructures, and each stakeholder wants these adaptations to work in his or her favor. Therefore, a methodology is needed to determine adaptation measures that are most beneficial to all members of society. In this paper, a framework is proposed for producing an adaptation strategy that minimizes conflict between stakeholders. This framework casts the process of organizing climate change adaptations as a game and defines each community member as a stakeholder, each adaptation measure as a strategy, and the minimization of loss from future climate change as a payoff. In a case study involving sea level rise in Suncheon Bay, Korea, this framework is used to generate an optimal plan for minimizing conflicts while considering the losses of the central government, local governments, and local communities. The game theoretic results from the proposed framework enable a balanced distribution of responsibilities among stakeholders to achieve infrastructure adaptation to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review, we aimed to synthesize the current knowledge on the observed and projected effects of climate change on the ecosystems of Korea (i.e., the Republic of Korea (ROK) or South Korea), as well as the main causes of vulnerability and options for adaptation in these ecosystems based on a range of ecological and biogeographical data. To this end, we compiled a set of peer-reviewed papers published since 2014. We found that publication of climate-related studies on plants has decreased in the field of plant phenology and physiology, whereas such publication has rapidly increased in plant and animal community ecology, reflecting the range shifts and abundance change that are occurring under climate change. Plant phenology studies showed that climate change has increased growing seasons by advancing the timing of flowering and budburst while delaying the timing of leafing out. Community ecology studies indicated that the future ranges of cold-adapted plants and animals could shrink or shift toward northern and high-elevation areas, whereas the ranges of warm-adapted organisms could expand and/or shift toward the areas that the aforementioned cold-adapted biota previously occupied. This review provides useful information and new insights that will improve understanding of climate change effects on the ecosystems of Korea. Moreover, it will serve as a reference for policy-makers seeking to establish future sectoral adaptation options for protection against climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the most discussed issues in international for a today. Evaluating the effect of climate change at a regional level and setting up an appropriate policy to address the issues associated with climate change require a proper evaluation process on the climate change and adaptation projects already implemented. Although various evaluation approaches to climate change adaptation programs have been proposed, it is rare to find a proper systematic approach to evaluating the reliability of those climate change adaptation programs. In the current situation regarding the system to evaluate climate change adaptation programs, the purpose of this study is to suggest a theoretical and standardized evaluation system on the reliability of climate change adaptation schemes. The new approach suggested in this paper will be appropriate when requiring a confidence level for adaptation programs that are specially localized and categorized. Using various quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods with the inherent reality mechanism, we provide a conceptual framework to measure the reliability of climate change adaptation programs with a flexible adjustment process. With the proposed framework, it is possible to provide the level of confidence on the results collected from the evaluation systems and construct a standardized, system-wide assessment procedure toward climate change adaptation policies. By applying this approach based on scientific evidence on the reliability of climate change adaptation policies, appropriate and efficient climate change adaptation programs will be properly designed for and implemented in Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the evolution of the policy agenda of the EU-South Korea strategic partnership, based on key pillars of cooperation: politics, security, and economics. In the political arena, the Framework Agreement has provided a major platform for promoting EU-Korea political dialogue and developing a common stance toward a shared global agenda. When it comes to security, the main agenda involves North Korea's missiles, nuclear program, and the challenge of nonproliferation; the two parties have coordinated sanctions against North Korea. South Korea has enacted a Crisis Management Participation Agreement (FPA) with the EU and begun to participate in the EU common security and defence policy. The changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula, as a consequence of recent inter-Korean and US-North Korea dialogues, may offer the EU new opportunities for constructive engagement. In the economic arena, the EU-Korea FTA has established solid trade and investment relations. While these pillars of the strategic partnership have led to stable and mature bilateral relations, both the EU and South Korea need to find new momentum for an enhanced partnership to deal with the ongoing challenge of global security instability and the backlash against the liberal international order. The EU-South Korea strategic partnership also needs a global agenda that covers climate change, technology, education, and culture. This study assesses the development of each pillar of the strategic partnership, addressing key challenges, tasks, and future diplomatic developments between the EU and South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The politics surrounding Korean cap and trade policy is riddled with competing visions of carbon markets, product markets, and the government. Broadly drawing on concepts from constructivism (‘coproduction') and economic sociology (‘embeddedness'), this paper argues that the relationship between carbon markets and product markets is characterized as ‘interactional coproduction', while the relationship between carbon markets and the government is based on ‘constitutive coproduction'. Moreover, I argue that, in social conflicts, the future of carbon markets is interpretively diverse with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, greenhouse gas emission information, and greenhouse gas emission permits. The future of product markets is at issue regarding market competitiveness, business inequality, and social inequality. In the Act on the Allocation and Trading of Greenhouse-Gas Emission Permits, the envisaged roles of the Korean government are embedded in the specific policy schemes of carbon markets. The government is viewed as regulator, supporter, market manager, and participant, but not as redistributor. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Forest pests are one of the most important factors disturbing forest ecosystems, by impacting forestry economy, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and sustainable ecosystem management. Monitoring the occurrence of forest pests offers clues to understand their impacts on the forest ecosystem and develop a sustainable ecosystem management strategy. This special issue is designed to create a better understanding of the changes and impacts of forest pests according to forest changes, caused by natural or anthropogenic causes. There are 13 papers published in this special issue, covering several issues concerning forest pests. Two of the papers reviewed the changes in forest pests in Korea or Poland. The remaining twelve papers covered issues concerning the monitoring, assessment, and management of forest pests. Through this special issue, we expect to contribute towards the improvement of our knowledge of the structures and processes in forest ecosystems relating to forest pests and fundamental information for the effective management of forest pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows for a Korean case study how the naphtha storage fraction and CO2 emissions from naphtha use in the petrochemical industry can be estimated. We have used the Non-Energy use Emission Accounting Tables model to estimate CO2 emissions by subtracting the carbon stored in products from the total carbon input. We also value the country's naphtha storage fraction by calculating carbon storage in basic chemicals. The naphtha storage fraction and associated CO2 emissions from non-energy use depend on the production and trade structure of a country. Therefore, it is reasonable for Korea (with its large production and net exports of chemicals) to estimate a county-specific storage fraction. The naphtha storage fraction estimated using the Non-Energy use Emission Accounting Tables model was over 90% in Korea between 2011 and 2015. It is much higher than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default fraction of 75%. A revision of the naphtha storage fraction from 75 to 90% is proposed for Korea. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change allows countries to apply their own values that more accurately represent their country's situation. The Korean government is advised to consider this finding in its national emission accounting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Philippines is highly vulnerable to weather-related and other natural disasters given its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Its disaster organization, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC, however, has limited capacity, as demonstrated in its handling of natural disasters in the last 20 years. In this paper, we adopt a comparative approach and compare the NDRRMC with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and South Korea's Disaster and Safety Management (DSM) in terms of mandate, organizational structure, resources, and technical capacity to identify possible areas requiring reform. We observe that the NDRRMC's working group structure, policy making, coordination, integration, supervision, monitoring and evaluation mandate, lack of strong leadership structure, and limited resources and capacities hinder it from providing a swift and effective response. This warrants a revisiting of policies and benchmarking on other disaster organizations like the U.S. FEMA and South Korea's DSM. Our findings lead us to recommend that the Philippines consider establishing a separate Department of Disaster Resilience equipped with the mandate, authority, leadership structure, resources, and technical capability to effectively prepare and respond to disasters instead of simply expanding the authority of the NDRRMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quaternary marine terraces are valuable archives of past local sea level changes and crustal movements. Thus, understanding the formation history of marine terraces based on reliable chronological framework is essential for reconstructing palaeo-sea level responses to global climate changes and also for evaluating potential seismic hazards. However, in the Korean peninsular, dating marine terraces are often limited because marine terrace sediments, which are the usual targets for dating, are rarely preserved, shallow in depth and dissected into small patches. Further, it is not always possible to trace paleo-coastal sediments as they are covered by topsoil deposits or disturbed by anthropogenic activities. Recently, we found a well-preserved marine terrace at the elevation of ~ 5 m (a.m.s.l) with distinguished lateral extension of ~ 250 m at Nulchado island in the southeastern part of the Korean peninsula. This is covered by colluvial sediments (> ~ 2 m in thickness), and considered to be well-suited for the investigation of the formation history of marine terraces along the southeastern coast of Korea because it is rich in the sedimentological, geological and stratigraphic record, together with clear topographical setting. For OSL dating, we collected fourteen samples (seven samples from marine terrace sediments and another seven from colluvial sediments). From the OSL dating of marine sediments, we obtained the depositional age of ca. 80 ka (MIS 5a; interglacial period), which is in good agreement with previously reported OSL ages from the marine terraces located at ~ 50 km away to the northeast from Nulchado island (e.g., [1]). In this paper, we first examine the suitability of quartz grains of the samples for reliable OSL dating and present multiple and single grain quartz OSL ages of marine and colluvial sediments. Then, we discuss the developmental characteristics of marine terraces in Nulchado island and implications for the formation of marine terraces along the southeastern coast of Korea in comparison with palaeo-sea level changes of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to climate change, abnormal climate phenomena occur frequently, damaging aging highway facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to develop adaptation projects for highway systems. Adaptation projects focus on mitigating the impact of climate change on highway facilities and enabling safe use. The present study aims to develop quantified evaluation indicators that are necessary for planning and selecting appropriate climate change adaptation projects. By analysing previous studies, the most important factors to be considered in the evaluation process of climate change adaptation projects were defined, and 20 preliminary evaluation indicators were divided into three layers. A feasibility study for each class was performed on the preliminary evaluation indicators by an expert panel; 16 evaluation indicators were selected through a feasibility study, and the weight of each indicator was calculated using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. The priority of the evaluation indicators was service improvement through adaptation projects (weight 8.76), cost reduction and job creation (weight 8.46), and climate change impact reduction and vulnerability reduction (weight 8.31). These quantified evaluation indicators can help organizations that manage highways respond to climate change and establish adaptation projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a growing argument attributing the primary cause of global climate change to livestock industry, which has led to the perception that the livestock industry is synonymous with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, a closer examination of the global GHG emission by sector reveals that the energy sector is responsible for the majority, accounting for 76.2% of the total, while agriculture contributes 11.9%. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the total GHG emissions associate with the livestock supply chain amount to 14.5%. Within this, emissions from direct sources, such as enteric fermentation and livestock manure treatment, which are not part of the front and rear industries, represent only 7%. Although it is true that the increase in meat consumption driven by global population growth and rising incomes, has contributed to higher methane (CH4) emissions resulting from enteric fermentation in ruminant animals, categorizing the livestock industry as the primary source of GHG emissions oversimplifies a complex issue and disregards objective data. Therefore, it may be a misleading to solely focus on the livestock sector without addressing the significant emissions from the energy sector, which is the largest contributor to GHG emissions. The top priority should be the objective and accurate measurement of GHG emissions, followed by the development and implementation of suitable reduction policies for each industrial sector with significant GHG emissions contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the willingness to pay (WTP) of the Korean people for a flood control policy to prepare for climate change and a policy to reinforce the protection of populations vulnerable to climate change was estimated using the contingent valuation method (CVM). In addition, the appropriateness of the budgets allotted by the Korean government for these two policies in 2021 was examined by comparing them with the benefits to the people at the national level. The average annual WTP per household was estimated to be approximately KRW 27,457 and 25,854 for these two policies. The WTP was found to increase with adverse effects caused by extreme weather conditions; as people developed an interest in climate change, their income level increased and hence they showed preferences for policies by the ruling party. In addition, the benefits of the two policies at the national level were estimated to be worth KRW 573.6 and 540.1 billion, respectively. When the benefits were compared with the amount allotted in the budgets for them, the ratio of the budget to the benefit was found to be 77.55% for flood control in preparation for climate change and 4.46% for the reinforced protection of populations vulnerable to climate change. This confirms that the acceptability of the policy by the populations vulnerable to climate change is high, but the budget is not allocated as per the need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhododendron sobayakiense is an endemic and near-threatened species (Korean Red List, NT) found in the alpine regions of South Korea that requires conservation. This study investigated the species' genetic variations and seed germination characteristics and predicted its potential habitat change according to climate change scenarios. The genetic diversity of R. sobayakiense at the species level (P = 88.6%; S.I. = 0.435; h = 0.282) was somewhat similar to that observed for the same genus. The inter-population genetic differentiation was 19% and revealed a relatively stable level of gene exchange at 1.22 in each population. The main cause of gene flow and genetic differentiation was presumed to be the Apis mellifera pollinator. Seed germination characteristics indicated non-deep physiological dormancy, with germination at ≥10 °C and the highest percent germination (PG) of ≥60% at 15–25 °C, while the PG was ≥50% at 30 °C. The PG increased at constant temperature than at variable temperatures; the mean germination time decreased as temperature increased. The climate scenarios SSP3 and SSP5 were analyzed to predict future R. sobayakiense habitat changes. The variables of the main effects were Identified as follows: elevation > temperature seasonality > mean diurnal range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater ecosystems are vulnerable to the invasion of exotic aquatic plant species because of the great likelihood of the introduction of exotic species, and the lack of barriers that block introduced species. Water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes Mart., is one of the world's most invasive alien plant species damaging freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Here, we monitored the water hyacinth population on Jeju island, Korea, to assess current invasion risks. Furthermore, we investigated how water hyacinth affects water pH because pH is an important determinant of the distribution of other aquatic plants, and thus a good indicator of aquatic ecosystem health. Water containing water hyacinth had a pH of 5.3, while that with water hyacinth and soil had a pH of 4.8 72 hours after the start of the experiment. Water hyacinth extracts contained shikimic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid, which are possible compounds that caused a decline in water pH. Water hyacinth also inhibited the growth of the aquatic plant species, Spirodela polyrhiza and Lemna perpusilla. These results imply that invasion of water hyacinth adversely impacts the abiotic and biotic characteristics of aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, monitoring the water hyacinth population suggests that this invasive aquatic plant overwinters on Jeju island. Therefore, regular monitoring and subsequent control of water hyacinth population can prevent its expansion in the aquatic habitats of Jeju island and the southern region of the Korean peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we conducted surveys during the 2018–2022 summers to investigate the impact of climate change-related changes in the phytoplankton community structure on the marine ecosystem in the South Sea of Korea. The average surface water temperature increased by ~1.07 °C at 0.0195 °C·yr−1 between 1968 and 2022. During the summers, the rate was 0.0211 °C·yr−1, with a total increase of ~1.16 °C, indicating a stronger increase in summer surface water temperature. Over the last 30 years, nutrient levels in the South Sea have decreased, particularly at the surface. Moreover, 29.3–90.0% of the phytoplankton community structure was dominated by nanoflagellates (≤20 μm). Based on the size of the phytoplankton chl-a, the average contribution rate of picophytoplankton was the highest (60.1%). Redundancy analysis revealed negative correlations between nutrients and water depth, excluding NH4. Increased stratification due to climate change is causing reduced nutrient availability at the surface mixed layer, and the size of the phytoplankton structure is progressively reducing. These changes are expected to manifest in a complex microbial food web centered on smaller phytoplankton with low primary productivity. This can reduce the efficiency of carbon transfer to higher consumer levels, suggesting a potential decrease in marine productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the recent increase in food demand, urban agriculture has gained attention as a way of increasing food self-sufficiency and providing recreational spaces in cities. In this study, the suitability of rooftop greenhouses (RGs), a type of urban agriculture, was analyzed by combining the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and geographic information systems (GIS) in Seoul, the capital city of Korea. To achieve this, we derived location suitability factors through expert consultations and calculated the weights of each factor through AHP. After building the spatial data according to these factors, they were weighted and summed then scaled to a score of 0–100. The highest weight of the RG location factors was for benefit (0.1782), followed by officially assessed land prices (0.0913) and supermarket density (0.0802). The weights of supermarket density and accessibility were high because they are considered the main distribution channels. When analyzing the location of RGs by linking these results with the spatial data according to factor, we revealed that Gangseo-gu (a district of Seoul) had relatively high location suitability scores. This trend was determined to be caused by the rather low officially assessed land price, high supermarket density, and productive population. This result could prove useful when selecting the approximate locations of RGs in Seoul and for promoting food self-sufficiency in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether the fluvial flood defense system of Korea is appropriate for risk reduction. Using spatial socioeconomic data and remote sensing, we estimated the potential economic damage that can be caused by the flooding of local streams and rivers along the Nakdong River (the longest river in Korea). For the analysis, a river risk map including return periods (50, 80, 100, and 200 years) and spatial inventories (residential, agricultural, industrial assets, and human lives) was employed to determine flood-prone areas and assess the damage within the inundation areas. A quantitative flood analysis was conducted using an object-based method to estimate the expected annual damage. We then compared the estimated damage for each tributary within the designed return periods and found no correlation. Numerous tributaries with low-defense targets were considered high-risk, while those with high-defense targets were assessed as low-risk. The dataset used in this study covered four damage categories. Among them, flood damage to residential assets appeared to have the highest value, whereas flood damage to industrial assets had the lowest value. The results demonstrate that the Korean government needs to tailor its flood defense policy based on quantitative risk assessments to effectively manage flood risks, especially given the increasing risk of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite-based surface albedo data are widely used to monitor and analyse the global climate and environmental changes. Korea continuously retrieves surface albedo from the Communication, Ocean and Meteorological Satellite (COMS)/Meteorological Imager sensor (MI) and GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A)/Advanced Meteorological Imager sensor (AMI). However, the quality of these surface albedo outputs differs due to differences in the algorithms, input data and resolution, which limits their long-term use as climate data. By analyzing errors in the surface albedo data from COMS/MI and GK-2A/AMI and applying corrections, continuous climate monitoring can be enhanced. This study developed a correction model based on machine learning using multiple linear regression (MLR), random forest (RF) and deep neural network (DNN) models to consider the albedo data error characteristics of each satellite. The best performing RF model was used for correction. The errors of the corrected RF COMS/MI data were reduced; when validated with insitu data, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the COMS/MI improved from 0.056 to 0.023, similar to the RMSE of 0.019 of GK2A/AMI. It also showed stability in the time series validation with GLASS satellite data, with a consistent mean RMSE of 0.036. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abies nephrolepis (Trautv. ex Maxim.) Maxim. has its southernmost populations in South Korea and they are expected to decline under climate change. To establish a strategic conservation plan, this study aimed to investigate the spatial genetic structure and seed characteristics of A. nephrolepis. We used nine microsatellite markers on 165 individuals of A. nephrolepis and sampled seeds in a southernmost population at Mt. Hambaeksan, South Korea. We observed a high level of heterozygosity, and a simulation study found that sampling 20 individuals was enough to secure sufficient genetic diversity on average. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that individuals had a positive genetic relationship until 30 m. Bayesian clustering models, STRUCTURE and GENELAND, failed to achieve a consensus in the optimal number of population (K), estimating K = 1 and K = 2, respectively. Principal coordinate analysis supported the absence of genetic substructure within the study population. There was a large variance in seed production among mother trees. On average, seeds of A. nephrolepis from Mt. Hambaeksan had a purity of 70.4% and a germination percentage of 32.2%. We found that seed weight was the most effective indicator of seed quality. Mother trees at higher altitudes had poorer purity which is threatening to A. nephrolepis considering the upslope retreat of subalpine species under climate change. Our results provide insights into the interactions among spatial processes, genetic structure, and seed quality within a population of A. nephrolepis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is to evaluate the future potential impact of climate change on the water quality of Chungju Lake using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program ( WASP). The lake has a storage capacity of 2.75 Gm3, maximum water surface of 65.7 km2, and forest-dominant watershed of 6,642 km2. The impact on the lake from the watershed was evaluated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool ( SWAT). The WASP and SWAT were calibrated and validated using the monthly water temperatures from 1998 to 2003, lake water quality data (dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen [T-N], total phosphorus [T-P], and chlorophyll- a [chl- a]) and daily dam inflow, and monthly stream water quality (sediment, T-N, and T-P) data. For the future climate change scenario, the MIROC3.2 HiRes A1B was downscaled for 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s using the Change Factor statistical method. The 2080s temperature and precipitation showed an increase of +4.8°C and +34.4%, respectively, based on a 2000 baseline. For the 2080s watershed T-N and T-P loads of up to +87.3 and +19.6%, the 2080s lake T-N and T-P concentrations were projected to be 4.00 and 0.030 mg/l from 2.60 and 0.016 mg/l in 2000, respectively. The 2080s chl- a concentration in the epilimnion and the maximum were 13.97 and 52.45 μg/l compared to 8.64 and 33.48 μg/l in 2000, respectively. The results show that the Chungju Lake will change from its mesotrophic state of 2000 to a eutrophic state by T-P in the 2020s and by chl- a in the 2080s. Editor's note: This paper is part of a featured series on Korean Hydrology. The series addresses the need for a new paradigm of river and watershed management for Korea due to climate and land use changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As climates change around the world, concern regarding environmental pollutants emitted into the atmosphere is increasing. The cement industry consistently produces more than 4000 million metric tons of cement per year. However, the problem of air pollutants being emitted from the calcination process is becoming more critical because their amount increases proportionally with cement production. Each country has established regulatory standards for pollutant emission. Accordingly, the cement industry is equipped with facilities to reduce air pollutants, one of which is the NOx removal process. NOx reduction processes under combustion conditions are modified to minimize NOx generation, and the generated NOx is removed through post-treatment. In terms of NOx removal efficiency, the post-treatment process effectively changes the combustion conditions during calcination. Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) processes are post-treatment environmental facilities for NOx reduction. Accordingly, considering the stringent NOx emission standards in the cement industry, SNCR is essential, and SCR is selectively applied. Therefore, this paper introduces nitrogen oxide among air pollutants emitted from the South Korean cement industry and summarizes the technologies adapted to mitigate the emission of NOx by cement companies in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Korea is a signatory of the Paris Agreement and has announced its aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, South Korea's current policy trajectory is not compatible with maintaining a global temperature rise below 2 °C. Climate change has not been a dominant electoral issue in South Korea, with national concerns being prioritized. A Paris-Agreement-compatible development pathway could synergistically improve ambient air quality in South Korea. This research examines the gains of a climate action pathway that would achieve 2050 carbon neutrality, compared to a business-as-usual (BAU) pathway, in South Korea. The work aims to add further evidence to the potential national gains from strong climate action across all sectors in South Korea. The paper argues that by focusing on and estimating national gains, the momentum for enhanced climate policy action can be intensified by framing robust climate action as an opportunity rather than a cost. Through a climate action pathway, South Korea could avoid 835 years of life lost (YLL) in 2030, 2237 YLL in 2040 and 3389 YLL in 2050. Through this pathway, South Korea could also cumulatively abate 5539 million tons of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) in greenhouse gas emissions over the 2022–2050 period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since Environmental Sound and Sustainable Development announced in 1992, low carbon and/or green economy has been gradually expanded in the world. South Korea government announced low carbon green growth as a nation strategy on August 15, 2008 in line with the expansion of climate change discussion in the world. Various Korean industries have integrated environmental issues into their corporate strategies in response to external business atmosphere such as the gradual expansion of new Environmental Sound and Sustainable Development paradigms, climate change issues, and the introduction of the nation''s low carbon green growth vision. The Korean construction industry has also tried to introduce and drive strategic environment management. The paper strives to analyze strategic environmental management types within the Korean construction industry, evaluating the strategic stages of Korean construction Industries based on Hunt and Auster''s model. Its scope is limited to 99 Korean construction sectors that have a high sensitivity to the environment. To categorize the stage of environmental management, this paper carried out a full content analysis. Then, cluster analysis was utilized to understand the strategy type of environmental management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper examines the usefulness of the non-stationary generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution in modelling extreme rainfall. We modelled the annual maxima of daily (AMP1) and 2-day (AMP2) rainfall data observed during the summer rainy season, dating up to 2007 in 28 stations in South Korea. We fitted the GEV distribution to the data for each location. The location parameter of the GEV distribution was formulated as a function of time to explore the temporal trends in maximum precipitation over the course of climatic change and to predict future behaviours. We found evidence of non-stationarity in the form of increasing trends for six stations from AMP1 and for five stations from AMP2. This trend is consistent with the results from a regional climate model derived by the A1B emission forcing of IPCC AR4. The stationary Gumbel distribution provided a good fit to the AMP1 data for 18 stations and to the AMP2 data for 15 stations. We quantified the changes in extreme rainfall for each station; the return levels and their 95% confidence intervals for various return periods are provided. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As incidences of food poisoning, especially norovirus-induced diarrhea, are associated with climate change, there is a need for an approach that can be used to predict the risks of such illnesses with high accuracy. In this paper, we predict the winter norovirus incidence rate in Korea compared to that of other diarrhea-causing viruses using a model based on B-spline added to logistic regression to estimate the long-term pattern of illness. We also develop a risk index based on the estimated probability of occurrence. Our probabilistic analysis shows that the risk of norovirus-related food poisoning in winter will remain stable or increase in Korea based on various Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. Our approach can be used to obtain an overview of the changes occurring in regional and seasonal norovirus patterns that can help assist in making appropriate policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and the inherent instability of cities create a significant threat to urban systems, and the impacts of climate change may worsen existing vulnerabilities in cities. In this study, we propose spatial solutions to enhance resilience in Korean cities facing climate change and minimize damages from natural disasters. To achieve this, we developed a vulnerability analysis model considering inadequate facilities and public-space utilization. We analyzed climate vulnerability under future scenarios, focusing on heat waves, urban flooding, and property damage in Korea, which are increasing in occurrence. By incorporating various climate-change-induced natural disaster factors into climate exposure variables, we identified current vulnerabilities within the context of future scenarios, allowing for the utilization of sensors and optimal monitoring locations for early preparedness. Future research could further establish criteria for designating natural disaster prevention districts and regulating development activities within such zones, as well as determining the best locations for heat wave and flood disaster prevention sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change as a global challenge requires collective responses from stakeholders in society. As the main source of energy consumption generating greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2), firms increasingly share their problems and experiences regarding energy saving in interfirm knowledge communities. By distinguishing knowledge sharing from free‐riding, we investigate how firms that participate in an interfirm knowledge community for energy saving improve their energy efficiency. We use a unique panel dataset collected between 2001 and 2011 from the Energy Saving through Partnership program in South Korea. Our findings show that, within the community for energy saving, firms that share their knowledge through presenting their best practices improve energy efficiency to a greater extent (approximately 11.8–14.8%) than free‐riders. Our results suggest that the improvement in knowledge‐sharing firms' energy efficiency is attributed to relevant and tailored feedback gained from other participants. Further, we find that the understanding and activeness of other participants, which determine the quality and quantity of feedback respectively, significantly affect knowledge‐sharing firms' energy efficiency. Overall, our analysis has implications for firms on how they can contribute to a collective response to climate change through their collaborative activities in an interfirm knowledge community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Yoon, J.J., 2018. Fine-resolution Numerical Simulations to Estimate Storm Surge Height and Inundation Vulnerability Considering Future Climate Change Scenario. In: Shim, J.-S.; Chun, I., and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 916–920. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Typhoons are significant natural disasters in Korea, causing considerable damage to property. Climate change worsens the situation. The most severe loss of life and property in Korea was caused by Typhoon Maemi in September 2003. When storm surges coincide with high tides, they cause even greater damage. Therefore, it is desirable to accurately forecast storm surges, to enable detailed evacuation planning, including hazard mapping. To estimate the maximum probable inundation area while planning a hazard map, it is necessary to consider future climate change scenarios. The simulation of the largest storm surge inundation was successfully carried out with the Typhoon Maemi scenario using the Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM). According to the recent IPCC AR5 report, the rate of sea level rise (SLR) could accelerate to 1.4–2.0 m by the end of the 21st century. This estimate should be considered when designing coastal structures in order to prevent coastal disasters. We applied the results of SLR to coastal inundation simulations. We considered the effects of additional future SLR on the traditional storm surge inundation simulation of Typhoon Maemi. Virtual scenarios with additional SLR were simulated to evaluate the maximum probable surge height, and inundation depth and area for each climate change scenario along the southern coast of Korea. The increase in inundation heights and areas at the regional scale was found to be approximately 67–70% and 414–527%, respectively. This study provides a method to determine the maximum probable inundation area due to surge wave propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the potential impact of observation error on the calibration performance of an integrated watershed model. A three-dimensional integrated model was constructed using HydroGeoSphere and applied to the Sabgyo watershed in South Korea to assess the groundwater–surface water interaction process. During the model calibration, three different weighting schemes that consider observation error variances were applied to the parameter estimation tool (PEST). The applied weighting schemes were compared with the results from stochastic models, in which observation errors from surface discharges were considered a random variable. Based on the calibrated model, the interactions between groundwater and surface water were predicted under different climate change scenarios (RCP). Comparisons of calibration performance between the different models showed that the observation-error-based weighting schemes contributed to an improvement in the model parameterization. Analysis of the exchange flux between groundwater and surface water highlighted the significance of groundwater in delaying the hydrological response of integrated water systems. Predictions based on different RCP scenarios suggested the increasing role of groundwater in watershed dynamics. We concluded that the comparison of different weighting schemes for the determination of error covariance could contribute to an improved characterization of watershed processes and reduce the model uncertainty arising from observation errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This work focuses on the PV power output forecasting using time series algorithms. • The input datasets are selected PV data from north region of South Korea. • Feature selection for time series algorithms is based on different seasons and climate changes. • PV power generation forecasting by different AI models has carried out on an hourly basis to test efficacy. • LSTM model shows the lowest error rate for quick PV power generation forecasting. The present photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems are globally facing the irregularity problem in the distribution of PV generation. In particular, the exact PV power forecasting is critical for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems under unwanted changes in environmental circumstances. The grid energy management, grid operation and scheduling are important factors to forecast the PV power output. Time series analysis is one of the most important aspects of PV output prediction, especially in places (in South Korea) where past solar radiation data or other weather parameters have not been recorded. In this paper, a variety of time-series methods including deep-learning algorithm and machine learning algorithms was used to predict the PV power generation output for quick respond to equipment and panel defects. For designing AI models, the input data were characterized by dividing seasons and choosing the multiple parameters from seasons. In this study, the photovoltaic power generation data was collected from Ansan city, South Korea during January 2017 to June 2021 and the weather data was collected from Suwon city, South Korea during January 2017 to June 2021. In this work, approx. 40,000 hours of operation data from 1.5 MW grid-connected PV system in South Korea was used. PV power generation forecasting was carried out on an hourly basis to test efficacy of various models. Among all models (Holt-Winters, Multivariate Linear Regression, ARIMA, SARIMA, ARIMAX, SARIMAX), LSTM model presented the lowest error rate as compared to other models for quick PV power generation forecasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a cost-benefit analysis of coastal protection via seawalls in South Korea against climate-change-induced sea level rise. This is the first bottom-up analysis for South Korea, deriving the optimal solution from extensive geographical and financial databases with detailed street-address-level information. Our analysis indicates that the net benefit is maximized if seawalls are built along 21% of the South Korean coast. By comparing the bottom-up solution to the aggregate solution and utilizing a comprehensive sensitivity analysis, we highlight two implications for the climate change economics literature. First, the country-level aggregate analysis adopted by many existing studies may include a sizable aggregation bias. Second, relative to the climate change mitigation problem, the coastal protection problem is less sensitive to the choice of the discount rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding to the climate change, Korea has been establishing a domestic policy framework for promoting energy saving and greenhouse gases reduction, with the expansion of low carbon technologies for industry as a key area. This paper analyzes investment barriers for low carbon technology investment and suggests supportive policies based on a survey to petrochemical companies in Korea. A total of 35 samples were collected. Among which, 32 companies are targeted by the Korean domestic emission trading scheme and represent 63% of the total CO 2 emissions of all petrochemical companies under this scheme. The analysis result indicates that low carbon technology introduction is not a priority for the sampled companies. Besides the lack of financial support, there exist other impediments to low carbon technology investment, e.g., lower investment priority, economic loss during new technology replacement, technology uncertainty and less pressure on energy prices. In addition, technology payback period acceptable for companies was estimated by the multi-bounded discrete choice method. The acceptable payback period on the part of half samples ranges from 2.4 to 3.6 years. The relatively high preference to short-term profitability of low-carbon technologies may hinder the companies to make the investment decision. Financial support and information dissemination for low carbon technologies may be useful to facilitate company's investment in low carbon technologies. Carbon pricing policies, such as emission trading scheme, is agreed to be supportive by providing the price signal for the investment. This analysis enhances the understating of Korean company's perception on low carbon technology investment and provides meaningful policy implications for the development and improvement of related policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of climate change issues, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been emerging as an important research topic in recent years. This study examines the role of corporate governance in reducing GHG emissions by focusing on board independence. We use the industry fixed effect panel regression model to analyze data from 156 listed South Korean firms during the period from 2011 to 2019. Our results suggest that board independence is related positively with the reduction in GHG emissions. In addition, our evidence shows that firms with higher levels of GHG emissions have better financial performance, but board independence weakens the relation. Our findings imply that an independent board tends to focus on balancing the firm's financial versus environmental performance. This quantitative study contributes to our understanding of the effects of corporate effects on firms' GHG emissions and their financial consequences. The findings have implications for corporate managers and policymakers with respect to choosing corporate governance structures that reduce GHG emissions effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate variation is a primary driving force influencing the hydrological cycle, resulting in extreme natural disasters such as drought. Investigating the linkage between meteorological and hydrological droughts under climate change is critical for early warning against hydrological drought. In this study, we investigated spatial and temporal characteristics of the drought propagation threshold (PT) in the Han River Basin (HRB) of South Korea. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) were employed to represent meteorological drought and hydrological drought, respectively. Correlation analyses between the SPI at various time scales (1–24 months) and the three-month SRI (SRI-3) were performed to identify the best time scale of SPI corresponding to the SRI-3. To investigate PTs, five general circulation models (GCMs) were selected to compute multi-model ensemble projections under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. A future period (2021–2099) was sub-divided into two periods such as P2 (2021–2060) and P3 (2061–2099) to estimate temporal variation of PT. Our results indicated that the SPI-4 showed the highest correlation with the SRI-3 in P1, while the SPI-3 best corresponded to the SRI-3 in future periods under both climate change scenarios. Drought characteristics of meteorological and hydrological drought showed increasing trends in P2 and P3 under both climate change scenarios. Spatio-temporal variation in PT was observed throughout the HRB. The PT showed significant decreases in both future periods, while the highest percentage decreases were observed in watersheds located in the northern, mid, and western parts of the HRB in P3 under both climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the relative risks of heat days on mortalities by vulnerable groups (elderly, single-person households, less-educated) in the past decade (1999–2008) and the recent decade (2009–2018) in four cities, Seoul, Incheon, Daegu, and Gwangju, in Korea. It has been known that the health impacts of heatwaves have gradually decreased over time due to socio-economic development, climate adaptation, and acclimatization. Contrary to general perception, we found that the recent relative risk of mortality caused by heat days has increased among vulnerable groups. It may associate with recent increasing trends of severe heat days due to climate change. The increasing relative risk was more significant in single-person households and less-educated groups than in the elderly. It implies that the impacts of climate change-induced severe heat days have been and will be concentrated on vulnerable groups. It suggests that social polarization and social isolation should be addressed to reduce heatwave impacts. Furthermore, this study shows the necessity of customized heatwave policies, which consider the characteristics of vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental crises caused by climate change and human-induced disturbances have become urgent challenges to the sustainability of human beings. These issues can be addressed based on a data-driven understanding and forecasting of ecosystem responses to environmental changes. In this study, we introduce a long-term ecological monitoring system in Korean Long-Term Ecological Research (KLTER), and a plan for the Korean Ecological Observatory Network (KEON). KLTER has been conducted since 2004 and has yielded valuable scientific results. However, the KLTER approach has limitations in data integration and coordinated observations. To overcome these limitations, we developed a KEON plan focused on multidisciplinary monitoring of the physiochemical, meteorological, and biological components of ecosystems to deepen process-based understanding of ecosystem functions and detect changes. KEON aims to answer nationwide and long-term ecological questions by using a standardized monitoring approach. We are preparing three types of observatories: two supersites depending on the climate-vegetation zones, three local sites depending on the ecosystem types, and two mobile deployment platforms to act on urgent ecological issues. The main observation topics were species diversity, population dynamics, biogeochemistry (carbon, methane, and water cycles), phenology, and remote sensing. We believe that KEON can address environmental challenges and play an important role in ecological observations through partnerships with international observatories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, water scarcity has become a serious social problem caused by global climate change. In agricultural water usage, subsurface irrigation techniques can be an alternative method to save water and improve the productivity and quality of crops. The technique supplies water by burying an irrigation hose 30 cm underground rather than placing it on the ground (topsoil), effectively preventing evaporation loss at the soil surface. In this study, we numerically calculated the pressure drop using a dripper installed inside an underground irrigation hose developed in Korea. The pumping load of the domestic product was evaluated in terms of momentum loss and compared with the most widely used Netafim products. The lower the pressure drop in the dripper, the higher the performance of the irrigation system in terms of stable water supply. Using computational fluid dynamics and experiments, we provide a meaningful evaluation of the domestic product in the irrigation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acer pictum and Quercus acuta are native species recommended for restoration. To restore ecosystem functions and maintain natural ecosystems, it is suggested to deploy well-adapted and locally adapted plant material, and this notion is gaining interest. Studying how species change in response to climate change is an important part of forest restoration planning. Our method uses climate data to define the habitat range of species and to identify regions with relatively similar climates through Seed Transfer Zones (STZs). Potential habitat suitability changes of A. pictum and Q. acuta were identified under various environmental scenarios using seven climatic factors and five topographical factors. The MaxEnt algorithm was used to predict potential habitat suitability in current and future (1980–2100) climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5). STZs are maps of areas with comparable climates and have been used to determine the climates of potentially habitable areas. This helps to minimize the maladaptation of seed movement within the same area. As a result, A. pictum growth increased along the southern coastal area and drainage was the paramount factor influencing A. pictum distribution. By checking the climate of regions with high habitability in STZs (Winter Minimum Temperature (WMT) 15–20 °F, Annual Heat: Moisture (AHM) 16–19 °C/m zone, WMT 20–25 °F, AHM 16–19 °C/m located in the zone), Q. acuta was shown to move northward with climate change centering on the southern coastal area. Additionally, Annual Precipitation (Bio12) was the most significant factor influencing Q. acuta distribution. In confirming the climate of areas with high habitability in STZs, we verified that habitat density was high in the WMT 10–15 °F, AHM 19–21 °C/m zone and WMT 20–25 °F, AHM 19–21 °C/m zone. This study establishes that the potential distributions of A. pictum and Q. acuta are affected by climate change. It supplies evidence for ecological restoration and sustainable development, and can formulate future conservation and management plans for economically valuable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luthrodes pandava (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) is a major pest of the genus Cycas (Cycadales: Cycadaceae) and mainly inhabits low latitudes of Asia. Recently, L. pandava has gradually spread to other regions. L. pandava was first recorded in South Korea in 2006 and has been continuously observed on Jeju Island ever since. Adequate management and mitigation plans are necessary to prevent further spread of L. pandava throughout Korea. Therefore, this study used a species distribution model to predict the potential distribution of L. pandava under current and future climate conditions. A weighted ensemble model that incorporated the accuracy of 10 species distribution models was used to improve the forecast certainty. The potential distribution areas of L. pandava were predicted in units of 20 years from the present to 2,100 using a climate change scenario (SSP5–8.5). Under current and future climate conditions, the ensemble model predicted that L. pandava would be extensively distributed on Jeju Island and along the southern seaboard, west coast, and east coast, inhabiting 50–70% of Korea's land area by 2,100. Additionally, many sources of food for L. pandava, excluding those in the Cycas genus, have been observed in Korea. Thus, trading ports and the inland of the Korean Peninsula must be continuously monitored for outbreaks of L. pandava. The findings of this study provide essential necessary data to help mitigate the outbreak and spread of L. pandava in Korea and their associated damage to the Cycas genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]