Earticle

To effectively delivery of nucleic acids into the cells, various gene delivery systems are required. They protect nucleic acids against immune response, serum, and elimination mechanism. Nonviral gene delivery systems have low immune response, low side effect and temporary transfection compared with viral systems. Cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) is widely used as biomedical materials because of its good mechanical properties due to their lower weight, bbiocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, we determined that CNC-Zinc/DNA combination systems (CZD cluster) could be deliver nucleic acids into the cells. CZD cluster successfully retarded migration of nucleic acids in agarose gel and enhanced DNA transfection efficiency into the cells. CZD cluster was spontaneously formed without any chemical reaction. This cluster systems could be used to deliver any plasmid DNA or siRNA in the cells and tissues without the requirement for a specific modification of the nucleic acids.

Understanding the genetic information and diversity assessment are important for the restoration strategies to manage endangered species. Since the beginning of fox restoration in Korea, foxes of the same subspecies have been introduced for restoration for five years, but there has been no evaluation that the introduced species are genetically healthy. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic diversity of the introduced 11 Red fox individuals. single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) using RNA-sequencing discovered for analyzing genetic diversity. As there are no genomic reference resources of Vulpes vulpes, Transcriptome database were made from 14 individuals as a reference data. Using this reference data, SNPs were detected and nucleotide diversity (π) was calculated. The mean of π was 2.287*10-4bp-1, and median was 1.967*10-4bp-1. This calculated result of π was compared to other wild species’, including the species in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. The genetic diversity of 11 introduced Red foxes had relatively lower diversity. Scattered plot based on PCA of 11 individuals showed that the low degree of variance, this indicate that genetic diversity among individuals was very low.

Recently several observations have been reported on the mass-media about habitation of long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) in eastern borderline (Mt. Yongmasan) of the metropolitan city, Seoul. Non-invasive and unidentified specimens (hairs and pellets) were collected and we tested molecular analyses such as species identification, molecular sexing and individual counting. Nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome B and cytochrome oxidase I genes showed that those samples were water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and long-tailed goral. In addition from the results of molecular sexing we found a male and a female long-tailed goral DNA samples using male-specific sex-related region Y gene and sexually heterogenous zinc finger -X and -Y genes, respectively. The genotypes of microsatellite markers differentiated the DNA samples into a water deer and two individuals of long-tailed goral. Combining whole molecular information, we finalized that those specimens might be from at leat a water deer and two long-tailed goral. From the camera trapping (CT) survey, we also took some photos of male goral supposed as the same individual from several locations. However, we could not caught the female one at that time by CT. Although we have no direct evidence on habitation of female goral until now, our molecular assay results indicated that both male and female goral inhabit Mt. Yongmasan, Seoul. Anyway, this is the new and first record about habitation of long-tailed goral nearby the metropolitan city Seoul where might be the farthest away to the west from the main habitat (far eastern mountainous ranges of South Korea). Our findings concluded that further survey should be carry out to estimate the number of individuals by molecular test and camera trapping together, and it is necessary to establish a conservation program for the long-tailed goral in Mt. Yongmasan, Seoul.

This study analyzed the population, sex ratio, and age of Korean long-tailed goral using camera trapping in the whole area of Woraksan National Park (WNP) in order to obtain data on the restoration, population increase and habitat expansion of endangered species “long-tailed goral” in the WNP. A total of 80 scouting cameras were installed at least one per a grid (1 km×1 km) in each of the 33 grid areas (2 km×2 km) selected from the five survey areas used in this study. A total of 91 individuals was identified from 2,866 cuts among 7,381 photos taken. There were 58 individuals in Yongbong, Joongbong and Habong. Among those we found 20 individuals in Yonghwa valley, 20 in Mansu valley, 5 in Poam, and 1 in other area, respectively. We recognized that there were 70 adults (76.6%), 15 sub-adults (16.5%) and 6 calves (6.6%), and 41 females (45.1%), males (31.9%) and sex unknown (23.1%). As a result of this study, it was confirmed that the number of 91 individuals of long-tailed goral are living in WNP, where 15 individuals have been initially released by the long-tailed goral restoration program at the beginning time in 2007. The largest number of this species was found in Yeongbong-Jungbong-Habong area where animals were released at beginning. As the population of Yongha-Mansu area increased, the population size was increased over whole area of WNP. Especially, we found that some of those released were migrated to the neighboring region, Soklisan National Park. In the future, it is necessary to take further studies such as measuring the maximum capacity, evaluating of the feasibility, and establishing the management of the increasing population, and we will provide data to promote the restoration and conservation policy of long-tailed goral in the WNP.

Plants are consumed by a myriad of organisms that compete for resources. Direct interactions among multiple plant-feeding organisms in a single host can range for each species from positive to negative. Wood-boring beetle is faced with a number of biotic and abiotic constraints that interfere with the good prospects from the tree. Biotic factors such as arthropod pests and diseases and abiotic factors such as drought and water-logging are the major constraints affecting the species. This study was conducted to provide basic data for analyzing forest health, identify the kinds of wood-boring beetles in the central part of Korea and analyze the species composition and diversity of regional communities. A total of 10,461 individual wood-boring beetles belonging to 8 families and 50 species were recorded during the attracted to trap trees in the pine forests on study sites. As a result of collecting from each study site, the community structure in all study sites was similar. Seasonal Occurrences of dominant wood-boring beetles (5 species) from each study site showed the highest number of all species except Siphalinus gigasin May, followed by a gradual decline, and the largest number of Siphalinus gigasappeared in June. The similarity index of species composition was relatively high from 0.75 to 0.90 for each study site.

Synanthedon bicingulata (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) is one of the major insect pest infliting on Prunus serrulata.This species attack the cambium of host plants in larval stage and weaken tree vigor. This study was conducted to figure out the injury characteristics of P. serrulata by investigating the damage rate and distribution of damage parts. For the survey of appearance period, we used delta traps with female-sex pheromone lure. Damage rate of S. bicingulatawas highest at site 5 (yanggu-gun) with 71%. And there was a large number of damaged part as DBH is large. The damage parts were distributed intensively below 50cm in height. Peak emergence period of male S. bicinigulatawas mid-september.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as building blocks were widely used to produce renewable and sustainable nanomaterials. CNCs are mainly produced by inorganic acid hydrolysis such as sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric acids, etc. However, there are some drawbacks for inorganic acid hydrolysis such as harsh corrosion of equipment, severe environmental pollution, large water usage and so on. Herein, we reported a green and sustainable method for the preparation of CNCs via a one-step treatment based on a deep system solvent (DES) system of FeCl3-catalyzed choline chloride and oxalic acid dihydrate (F-DES). Due to its low melting point, this F-DES can be easily obtained at a lower temperature. Results shows that CNC samples (F-CNC) could be successfully isolated from bleached eucalyptus Kraft pulp (BEKP) with a high yield (over 70%). Also the DES could be recovered from the reaction solution by a simple evaporation process with high recovery rate ( %). Thermogravimetric analyses revealed that the onset decomposition temperature for the obtained F-CNC was 321°C, which was much higher than that of the CNCs produced from the same raw BEKP by sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Therefore, the FeCl3-catalyzed deep eutectic solvent treatment could be a sustainable and economically feasible method for the production of CNCs with high thermal stability.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are mainly produced by traditional mineral acid hydrolysis, such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, etc., which usually causes some problems such as corrosion of equipment, inability of acid recovery, large amounts of water usage, and over-degradation of cellulose. In this work, a green and sustainable approach for the preparation of CNCs was developed by using a mixed acid hydrolysis of oxalic acid and sulfuric acid. The acid ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time were investigated in detail. It was discovered that a high yield up to 85 % was achieved by this mixed acid with a ratio of 5:1:4 for sulfuric acid: oxalic acid: H2O respectively at 95 oC for 2 h. Results showed that the resultant CNCs have a narrow particle size of 416±35 nm (based on dynamic light scattering). TEM characterization showed the CNCs was perfect whisker morphology. Also, the obtained CNCs exhibited superior dispersion stability in water due to the introduction of carboxyl group on the surface of CNCs by oxalate esterification. Thermogravimetric analyses revealed that the resultant CNCs showed a much higher thermal stability (315 °C) than the traditional sulfuric acid hydrolyzed CNCs. In addition, over 90% of oxalic acid could be recovered by a simple recrystallization step. Thus, the present work demonstrated an efficient and green preparation method of CNCs with high yield and high thermal stability.

Levulinic acid is a valuable platform chemical which could be used as raw material to synthesis various chemicals and fuels. In this work, citric acid modified HZSM-5 and aluminum ion modified HZSM-5 were prepared and used in the production of levulinic acid from glucose. The modified HZSM-5 was characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, BET, TG and pyridine FTIR. The Brønsted acid sites density of citric acid modified HZSM-5 was higher than aluminum ion modified HZSM-5. More importantly, the kinetics of levulinic acid production catalyzed by citric acid modified HZSM-5 and aluminum ion modified HZSM-5 were investigated, respectively. The Saeman model was applied to predict the concentration of levulinic acid, and the values calculated by the model agreed well with the experimental data. The rate of production of levulinic acid with citric acid modified HZSM-5 was higher than that of aluminum ion modified HZSM-5. The model supplied a profound understanding in the conversion of glucose into levulinic acid with modified H-ZSM-5 zeolite.

Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) is a native tree species unique to south China. It has the advantages of fast growth, high yield, strong adaptability and leanness-resistant, and it is an important tree species for timber and rosin. In the aspect of tree breeding, our institute has carried out studies on provenance, genetic variation of forest stand and individual plant at different levels, interaction between provenance and environment, stability and adaptability of provenance, and selected a series of superior varieties suitable for paper making, rosin tapping and insect resistance. In the aspect of forest cultivation, the study on reforming low efficiency stands of masson pine in red soil low hilly areas and the cultivation model of combination of wood and rosin using was carried out. In the aspect of disease and insect control, the method of inducing wood and injecting dry drug and releasing natural enemy insects was developed to control pine wilt disease, and the prevention rate has reached more than 90%. Both of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) were successful species introduced from abroad, especially the species of slash pine, which is widely planted and promoted in our province. Like the masson pine, slash pine and loblolly pine are both important tree species for timber and rosin with high economic benefits. In our institute, we have carried out research on the breeding of slash pine and loblolly pine building materials, and explored the suitable cultivation mode of building materials. The selection of the improved varieties on high-yield rosin and high-yield wood & rosin of slash pine and loblolly pine was carried out, and the second-generation seed orchard of high-yield rosin was established, and the seed orchard was successfully dwarfed. Since 2015, our institute has introduced more than 100 superior families of slash pine and loblolly pine from the United States, and collected more than 200 high-generation genetic resources of slash pine and loblolly pine from inside and outside the province, and built testing forests from different families and resource collection fields. Research on asexual reproduction techniques of slash pine and loblolly pine such as cutting, grafting and somatic embryo induction has been carried out, and some phased research results have been obtained.

Gynura procumbens (Lour.) Merr. is one of the Gynura species commonly known as ‘Sambung Nyawa’ in Malay and as ‘bai bing cao’ in China, where it is traditionally used to treat various health ailments such as eruptive fevers, rash, kidney disease, migraines, constipation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Recently, pharmacologic studies reported that G. procumbens has anti-oxidant, anti–Herpes simplex virus, anti–hyperglycemic, anti–hyperlipidemic, anti–inflammatory, analgesic, and reduced blood hypertension properties. Today, people in various tropical regions consume an increasing amount of G. procumbens leaves in diet and tea, and research shows that leaves contents are not having any toxic effects. The health benefits of consuming G. procumbens are related to the amount of bioactive compounds found in it, such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenes, and alkaloids but available literature indicates that little previous studies of secondary metabolites have been done on G. procumbens roots after picking leaves from G. procumbens. In this work, the constituents of the root of G. procumbens were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis. ceramides,N-((5E,8R,11E)-1,8-dihydroxyheptadeca-5,11-dien-1-yl)-2-hydroxypentacosan amide (1), together with three known steroidal compounds, β-sitosterol (1), daucosterol (2), and stigmasterol (3) was isolated. The structure of the new compound was determined based on spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D NMR and MS spectrometry. The stereochemistry was determined by NOESY experiments.

Aralia continentalis, which belongs to araliaceae, is a perennial herb widely distributed in East Asia. The purpose of the present study is to compare the biological activity of stem, root and leaf extracted with 100% methanol of A. continentalis. Total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were measured using gallic acid and rutin as a calibration curve, respectively. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was performed for anti-oxidantive effects. In measurement of the total phenolic contents and flavonoids, leaf extracts was the highest. The DPPH radical scavenging activity revealed that the leaf extracts showed the highest activity. Anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extracts were examined by using NO inhibition activities. The leaf extracts showed a strong anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of NO production. The major biologically active compounds in those extracts were measured using UPLC according to the standard methods of the Korean Pharmacopoeia. These results suggested that the leaf extracts of A. continentalis can be used as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the location characteristics, soil environment and vegetation structure of habitats of Daphne pseudomezereum var. koreana. The relationship between each factor was analyzed to provide the basic data of ecosystem restoration in response to conservation of natural habitat and climate change. The rock exposure was 15 ~ 35%, which means that the average is 24%. The vascular plants of the entire native habitats of D. pseudomezereum were identified as 129 taxa consisting of 46 families and 95 genera. The results of the Two-way cluster analysis using PC-ORD were divided into three plant communities: cluster I (Tilia amurensis - Quercus mongolica), cluster II (Fraxinus rhynchophylla - Acer pseudosieboldianum), and cluster III (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) species diversity index was highest in cluster I (1.124) and cluster Ⅱ was 1.047 and cluster Ⅲ was 0.932. The habitats of D. pseudomezereum are either loam or clay loam. Soil acidity, organic matter content and available phosphoric acid were found to be pH 5.40, 14.38% and 31.08ppm, respectively. As a result of ordination analysis of soil characteristics, community, and characteristic species, the most significant factors were magnesium content of soil, shrub layer and altitude.

Salix gracilistyla is widely distributed in relatively stable riparian zones such as the waterfronts of natural wetlands in Korea, and it demonstrates rapid growth of branches and root and rapid asexual propagation. For purpose of potential for utilization on unused land including reclaimed land using S. gracilistyla which is stem cuttings and potted plants were exposed to different concentration of NaCl solution. Stem cutting were socked in NaCl solution, and potted plants were watered as solution to plants by periods. In the NaCl absorption of stem cuttings, 0.1% NaCl treatment did not affect the rooting. However, 0.2% NaCl treatment decreased the rooting to 50%. In NaCl absorption of potted plants, they were able to survive well up to 0.2% NaCl treatment. However, survival rate was decreased to 50% on 0.5% NaCl treatment. Survival rate was decreased under 20% in 0.3% NaCl treatment on stem cuttings and 0.5% NaCl treatment on potted plants. In the NaCl absorption, ratio of Ca2+/Na+, K+/Na+ and Mg2+/Na+ were decreased and caused physiological disorder. In the treatment of high treatment, concentration of chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids were decreased. To investigate clonal effects, ion such as Ca2+, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and ratio between ion were analyzed. It showed as the different concentration in several clones. Three clones which is superior clone at standard of yield more absorbed Na+ than other clones.

Investigating traditional knowledge, it can be source of various field including food and medicine. It means that it is not clearly defined scientifically and/or technologically. Therefore, this study was objected to survey and document traditional knowledge on mountain grown plants through the interview of local people in several the interior village, Republic of Korea by preliminary stage. We surveyed traditional knowledge in Gangwon and Kyeongsangbuk province, the republic of Korea, which is located in the mid-eastern part in Korean peninsula. When the age considered, the people under 65 years knew more and better than the people of other age. It is considered that they have better memories and chances to interact with mass media so that often confuse modern knowledge with traditional knowledge under unconscious situations. Except for under 65 years old age, the people of 76 years old to 80 years showed more knowledge than other age. More than half of the plants surveysed were used as medicinal source to solve problems such as cold, fever, stomach, joint pains, injury, woman’s disease, etc. The secondary usage was food. Some of the plant were used differently both in purpose and method by locality. Medicinal and edible plants were important for last decades for Koreans because medicines and even food were not easily available due to colonization and inner conflicts. Some plants used have toxic materials, but interviewees knew well how to remove them, although the process was not supported scientifically and technologically. Thus it needs a lot of caution if we take plants as source of food or medicine. The most popular part of a plant was leaf, stem, root, total plants, wood, and fruits in order. It is believed that herbs are used more frequently than trees because they are easily accessible and not necessarily divided.

Cnidium officinale Makino is is widely used as oriental medicine for treatment of replenishing the blood, and tonicity, headaches, women’s diseases etc. in east Asia including Korea. This study was carried out to investigate a more effective cytokinin and carbon sources on multiplication from rhizome bud explants for two types (To and Il) of Cnidium officinale. In To type, cytokinins such as thidiazuron (TDZ), 6-benzylaminopurine (BA), zeatin (ZA) and kinetin (KN) were effect to increase weight of in vitro plants than control however length of in vitro plants was not significant among cytokinin treatment. Especially length was the highest in 20 μM TDZ treatment. In Il type, in vitro plant grown slower in 10 μM BA, 20 μM BA and 2.5 μM ZA than control. Generally, TDZ treatment showed good condition of in vitro plants including weight and length in both types. Treatment of 2% sucrose, 4% sucrose and 1.5% glucose showed the higher weight of in vitro plants than other carbon sources. Shoots was well developed and grown well except of 2% sucrose in both types.

This study was carried out to investigate the vascular flora of Baekdudaegan Seolarksan sphere(Hyangno-bong ~ Guryong-ryung) by National University of Kangwon, Kyungpook, Kongju. As a result of a study involving ridge and valley areas from April 2016 to October 2016, the vascular plants were consisted of total 564 taxa; 93 families, 275 genera, 486 species, 5 subspecies, 65 varieties and 8 forms. Threatened plants for Climate change were found to be; 55 taxa. Among them, endemic plants were 34 species(Aconitum pseudolaeve etc.) and northern plants were ; 20 species. Rare plants were found to be; 54 taxa; 26 families, 44 genus, 50 species, 4 varieties 1 forms. Among them CR degree was found to be 7 species(Dracocephalum rupestre, Crataegus komarovii etc), EN degree; 9 species(Anemone narcissiflora, Thalictrum coreanum etc), VU degree; 15 species(Thuja koraiensis, Paeonia japonica etc), LC degree; 25 species, DD degree; 2 species. Rare plants are being affected by environment and overharvesting is increasing with their high ornamental value, rarity, and food value. It is believed that it is necessary to preserve each plant in order to avoid such damages.

This study was carried out to investigate the vascular flora of Baekdudaegan Taebacksan sphere(Guryong-ryung ~ Dakmok-ryeong). As a result of a study involving ridge and valley areas from April 2017 to October 2017, the vascular plants were consisted of total 395 taxa; 85 families, 230 genera, 34 3species, 4 subspecies, 41 varieties and 7 forms. Threatened plants for Climate change were found to be; 38 taxa. Among them, endemic plants were 11 species(Aconitum pseudolaeve etc.) and northern plants were ; 27 species. Rare plants were found to be; 25 taxa; 14 families, 21 genus, 24 species, 1 varieties. Among them CR degree was found to be 1 species(Dracocephalum rupestre), EN degree; 2 species(Anemone narcissiflora, Jeffersonia dubia ), VU degree; 4 species(Leontice microrhyncha, etc ), LC degree; 17 species, DD degree; 1 species. Rare plants are being affected by environment and overharvesting is increasing with their high ornamental value, rarity, and food value. It is believed that it is necessary to preserve each plant in order to avoid such damages.

This study aimed at investigating the flora of Birae-Rock Peaks of Mt. Man in Hwacheon-Gun and the surrounding areas. A total of 341 vascular plant taxa are recorded, representing 221 genera, 4 subspecies, 42 varieties and 6 forms in 84 families. Rare species, including Aristolochia contorta and Crataegus komarovii are found across 10 taxa; 8 families, 10 genera, 9 species, 1 variety. Endemic species, including Populus Tomentiglandulosa and Salix Koriyanagiare found across 14 taxa; 11 families, 14 genera, 12 species, 2 varieties. Species threatened by climate change, including Clematis trichotoma and Cardamine komarovi are found across 8 taxa; 6 families, 7 genera, 8 species. The area is considered to be a suitable habitat for northern species due to the high abundance of northern species and endemic species. To conserve northern species and their natural habitat under climate change, habitat conservation plans should be developed.

Jukbyeon-Bong is located in Goseong city of Gangwon province in DMZ area in South Korea. The survey was performed from March to August in 2018. The flora of the Jukbyeon-Bong were classified as a total of 283 taxa, 74 families, 183 genera, 245 species, 3 subspecies, 30 varieties and 5 forms. The rare plant designated by Korea Forest Service was found to be 1 taxa; Patrinia saniculaefolia Hemsl. Among the plants collected in this surveyed area, a total of 5 taxa were found to be endemic plants of Korea; Asperula lasiantha Nakai, Patrinia saniculaefolia Hemsl., Hemerocallis hakuunensis Nakai, Populus tomentiglandulosa T.B.Lee, Hosta minor (Baker) Nakai. Distribution of floristic special plants were found to be divided into five classes (I~V). The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 27 taxa of grade IV, 6 taxa of grade III, 7 taxa of grade II and 10 taxa of grade I. 17 taxa of naturalized plants were identified, which included Rumex acetosella L., Phytolacca americana L., Cerastium glomeratum Thuill.

The purpose of this study is to develop a method for estimating the wild boars’ population using the species distribution model in order to effectively manage the population of wild animals in national park, Korea. we estimated species population using wild boars’ inhabitable area derived from species distribution model and the mean population density of the wild boars in national parks. The number of wild boars derived from species distribution model is similar to the result estimated through field research including unmanned camera investigation and wild boars’ trace investigation. Estimation of wild boar populations using the species distribution model is considered to be a valid method. The findings in this study are expected to be used as baseline data to effectively manage wild animals in the national parks of Korea.

The eastern bent-winged bat, Miniopterus fuliginosus is Least concern(LC), species of IUCN Red List. This species of Miniopterus (Miniopteridae) is vast distributed the Caucasus through to South Asia, Peninsular Southeast Asia, China, and Korea. We determined and annotated the whole mtDNA genome of the eastern bent-winged bat Miniopterus fuliginosus in Korea. The complete mitogenome is a circular molecule of 16,961bp in length, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two non-coding regions (L-strand replication origin and control region). The mitogenome is AT-biased, with a nucleotide composition of 31.0% A, 27.7% T, 25.7% C, and 15.7% G. In the phylogenetic analysis, the Korean eastern bent-winged bat M. fuliginosus was grouped with Myotis lucifugus, M.nigricans, Chaerephon plicatus, Tadarida latouchei, and T.teniotis. These mitogenomes provide a valuable resource for future studies of molecule phylogeney and biogeography.

Mt. Goseong-san (291m) is located around sports complex of Goseong-gun, Gwangwon-do. There are several walking trails and historical sites. A study on the flora of Mt. Goseong-san is important to understand the plant species in DMZ because of geographic proximity. As a result of investigation conducted 3 times from April to August in 2018, the vascular plants were obtained as a total of 278 taxa: 73 families, 182 genera, 241species, 3 subspecies, 30 varieties and 4 forms. Among those observed species, a total of 17 taxa were identified as regional indicator. Rare plant species were 4 taxa including Polygonatum stenophyllum (EN degree), Epimedium koreanum (VU degree), and Patrinia saniculaefolia (LC degree). The endemic species were 3 taxa; Populus tomentiglandulosa, Vicia chosenensis, and Asperula lasiantha. 20 taxa were naturalized plants including Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Bidens frondosa. There are usefulness plants; 132 taxa of edible plants, 92 taxa of medicinal plants, 29 taxa of ornamental plants, 123 taxa of pasturing plants.

This study is aimed to identify the distribution of vascular plants at Mt. Ma-san located in Goseong city of Gangwon province in South Korea. The survey was performed from March to November in 2010 and 2016. The flora of the mountain were found to be; 711 taxa, 96 families, 343 genera, 595 species, 7 subspecies, 94 varieties and 15 forms. The rare plants were found to be 32 taxa including Anemone koraiensis Nakai, Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai, Salvia chanryoenica Nakai. In the surveyed area, a total of 28 taxa were found to be endemic plants of Korea including Cirsium setidens (Dunn) Nakai, Anemone koraiensis Nakai. Distribution of floristic special plants were found to be divided into five classes (class I~V). The floristic special plants in the surveyed areas were 8 taxa of grade V, 27 taxa of grade IV, and 46 taxa of grade III. 38 taxa of naturalized plants were identified, which included Bidens frondosa L., Erechtites hieracifolia Raf., Helianthus tuberosus L.

The characteristics of carbonized woods of Pinus densiflora and Pinus koraiensis grown in different regions of Kangwon and Kyungbuk provinces were investigated for understanding charcoal quality. Wood samples were carbonized in an electric furnace under nitrogen gas flow (1kg/cm2) at the temperatures of 250°C, 300°C, 350°C, and 400°C. The characteristics of the carbonized woods such as weight loss, volume change, density, ash content, fixed carbon, and pH were examined. Structural change and crystalline properties were also observed by scanning electron microscopy and an X-ray diffraction method. The results showed that increasing carbonization temperature was resulted in an increase of weight loss and volume shrinkage. During carbonization, the woods with higher density had higher weight loss and volume shrinkage compared to the woods with lower density. Density reduction was not affected by treatment temperature due to balance reduction of weight and volume. Ash content, fixed carbon, and pH value increased with increasing the carbonization temperatures. While volatile matter decreased with an increase of carbonization temperature. Cell wall structure and crystalline properties were greatly changed by the carbonization temperature. It is revealed that the critical temperature for the change of cell wall structure and crystalline property must be around 350°C. Consequently, there were no significant differences on the quality of wood charcoal by the regions.

As an alternative biomass, the giant miscanthus was introduced for raising the bio industry in Korea. Unlike the expectations, however, its application has been limited due to its low economical value. To utilize it as a high added value material, in this study, the feasibility of nanofiber production from giant miscanthus holocellulose treated with delignification by peracetic acid method and their properties were investigated. The yield of the cellulose nanofiber produced by the acid hydrolysis method using sulfuric acid was calculated on the base of percentage of moisture content of the obtained suspension. As results, the yields were affected by sulfuric acid concentration, reaction time and temperature. The higher the reaction temperature, the smaller the length and width of the fiber were observed by TEM analysis. In addition, TEMPO oxidized giant miscanthus cellulose fiber treated with ball mill was shorter in fiber length than that of by homogenizer treatment. Moreover, the particle size was manufactured with uniform size with increase of the ball mill and homogenizer processing speed and time. In the FT-IR analysis, the carboxylation reaction of cellulose was confirmed. It was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis that the intensity of 002 was shifted after the ball mill and homogenizer treatment of TEMPO oxidized giant miscanthus cellulose.

Wood-fiber insulation board (WIB) can be considered a one of core construction materials to provide comfort and safe residential space and to help reducing energy consumption due to its environmental friendly and high heat insulation properties. In this study, low density wood-fiber insulation board was prepared with different types of adhesive and then physical and heat insulation properties, toxic chemical emission property, and combustion characteristics were analyzed. Density of WIB was approximately 0.10 g/cm3. The WIB prepared with MUF (melamine-urea-formaldehyde), PF (phenol-formaldehyde), eMDI (emulsified 4,4′ methylene diisocyanate) showed hard form type board and that of prepared with latex showed soft and flexible form type board. All WIB showed approximately 0.037 W/m․ k, so thermal conductivity of sample did not affected by adhesive types. Formaldehyde emission of WIB prepared with MUF, eMDF, and latex showed SE0 grade except WIB prepared with PF. All WIB satisfied TVOC (total volatile organic compounds) emission regulation (no exceed 400 ㎍/m2․h). TVOC emission level was very lower than that of petroleum-based synthetic insulations. The WIB prepared with MUF and eMDI had less than 3 % thickness swelling properties and higher bending strength was detected on WIB prepared with eMDI. According to cone-calorimeter test, the WIB prepared with MUF showed lower THR and PHRR properties and lower gas emission than other WIBs. For using insulation board made by wood-fiber, MUF adhesive may be better choose based on comprehensive evaluation.

Recently, The amount of wood being used is increasing. Accordingly, people using wood are concerned about fire. For this reason, people are interested in fire retardant wood. Many researches on fire retardant wood are under way but the actual combustion data of research is in short supply. Former fire retardant wood is mostly manufactured by pressurized water-soluble agent. In this study, we made fire retardant wood by laser incising. Laser incising method increases the pressurized impregnation amount and improves the combustion performance. Fire retardant of we using was water-soluble fire retardant developed by NIFoS. The wood was treated at a pressure of 13bar using a self-developed pressurizing impregnation system. The scale used in the experiment was cone calorimeter as it measures heat release rate and total heat released. The combustion performance of the wood was analyzed according to ISO 5660-1. The PHRR of untreated specimens was 196.21 kW/m². When the hole density was 2500 ea/m², 8100ea/m² and 40000 ea/m², the PHRR was 132.52 kW/m², 113.71 kW/m² and 61.24 kW/m² respectively. The THR of untreated specimens was 63.6 MJ/m². When the hole density was 2500ea/m², 8100 ea/m² and 40000 ea/m², the THR was 58.3 MJ/m², 48.1 MJ/m² and 24.0 MJ/m². The result of the experiment would be useful of guiding the fire safety using wood.

This study was carried out to understand the effect of delignification on crystal transformation of alkali-treated wood cellulose by milling and heat-treatment. We used wood flours in different size with 40mesh, 60mesh, 100mesh, 200mesh and wood chips of Paulownia tomentosa for the samples. Control and heat treated samples at 100℃ and 200℃ were examined. The samples were treated with 15% NaOH solution for 10 minutes, and followed by washing with distilled water and dried at room temperature. Additionally, the alkali-treated wood samples were soaked in Schűltz solution for one day and heated at 60℃ for 1 hours, and then washed with distilled water until neutralization. The morphology of wood particles was observed using an optical microscope. Crystalline properties and crystal transformation from cellulose I to cellulose II of the samples before and after delignification were investigated by an X-ray diffraction method. In the X-ray diffraction analysis, it is revealed that the crystal transformation from cellulose I to cellulose II was proceeded easily by delignification. After delignification of alkali-treated samples, also, smaller particle size of wood samples, the more crystal transformation from cellulose I to cellulose II. Moreover, heat-treated samples were more easily transformed to cellulose II structure than control samples.

This study was aimed to investigate and to compare the anatomical characteristics of compression wood (CW), lateral wood (LW) and opposite wood (OW) in a stem of Pinus densiflora. The tracheid length, ray number, ray height, and microfibril angle (MFA) of CW, LW, and OW in each annual ring (5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th) were analyzed by an optical microscopy, while the crystalline characteristics from each part in each annual ring were measured by an X-ray diffraction method. The CW had shorter tracheid length than LW and OW from 5th to 25th annual ring, while the tracheid lengths of OW were the longest from 5th to 30th annual ring. CW showed higher ray height than LW and OW from 10th to 40th annual ring, while CW had greater MFA than LW and OW in each annual ring. Furthermore, the ray number of CW was the lowest among CW, LW, and OW in each annual ring, while the relative crystallinity of CW was smaller than those of LW and OW in each annual ring. The CW had smaller crystal width than LW and OW at 5th to 20th and 40th annual ring. In conclusion, it was suggested that the anatomical characteristics among CW, LW, and OW in a stem of Pinus densiflora showed some distinct differences.