Earticle

가시연꽃은 우리나라 멸종위기식물 중에서 유일한 1년 생 부엽식물이다. 가시연꽃의 씨는 중요한 한약재로 사용되고 있고, 과거에는 강릉까지 폭넓게 출현했던 종이었으나 현재는 멸종위기식물로 지정되어 있다. 본 연구는 가시연꽃이 사라진 근본적인 원인을 파악하고, 이를 기본으로 생육지 관리에 적용하고자 시도되었다. 먼저 가시연꽃의 분포지를 조사하였고, 멸종의 원인(가설)을 부영양화, 저수지 집수역 내 토지이용 변화에 의한 토양퇴적, 습지의 수심 증가 등으로 설정하여 이를 실험으로 검증하고, 그 원인을 초기 발아의 특성과 관련지어 설명하고자 하였다. 가시연꽃은 과거에 비하여 그 분포지역이 위도 1° 나 줄어들었고, 자연 생육지는 열 곳에 불과하였다. 수질의 부영양화는 가시연꽃이 더 잘 자라게 하였고. 생육지에 토양이 퇴적되거나, 수심이 100cm 이상이면 유식물이 정착 되지 않았다. 따라서 가시연꽃의 생육지는 발아가 되는 봄철에 수심이 50cm 내외가 되도록 습지의 물을 조절하고, 주변에서 흙이 유입되지 않도록 줄과 같은 정수식물의 식생대를 조성하는 것이 중요하다고 판단된다.

Euryale ferox is only annual hydrophyte among endangered plants in Korea and its seed is high valuable medicinal material. This studies were carried to find out key factors that made E. ferox endanger in Korea and to apply the results for effective management of the natural wetlands inhabited by E. ferox. We investigated the distributed sites reported by previous studies and classified the distribution-affected factors into three categories, eutrophication(hypothesis 1), soil accumulation(hypothesis 2) and increasing of water level(hypothesis 3) in the habitat. These three hypotheses were tested in the field and explained the results with the morphological characteristics of seed germination stages of E. ferox. The geographical distribution ranges of E. ferox diminished at a rate of 1° latitude with about 10 natural wetlands for last 30 years. Water eutrophication in the wetland had a positive effect on the establishment of E. ferox. But higher in soil accumulation and water depth, then lower in the establishment rate of E. ferox. These results indicate that water depth in the wetland must be below 50cm during the germination season, especially in May and emergent hydrophytes filter zone is need to protect soil accumulation from soil erosion within its watershed for the effective management of wetland with E. ferox.

This experiment was conducted to establish the in vitro propagation of Dendrobium moniliforme through protocorm like body (PLB) induction from the culture of leaf, stem and root explants. Frequency of PLB formation from root explants was higher than those of leaf and stem explants. PLB’s proliferation in MS medium including 1.0 mg/L NAA was better than 1.0 mg/L IBA. Frequency of PLB’s proliferation on medium with various concentrations of BA, Kinetin, Tidiazuron (0. 1.0, 3.0 mg/L) and NAA (0, 1.0 mg/L) was tested. The maximun proliferation of PLB’s was obtained on MS medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/L BA and 1.0 mg/L NAA after 6 weeks of culture. Addition of 200 mg/L activated charcoal (AC) and 30 g/L sucrose was effective on PLB proliferation for D. moniliforme.

Molecular phylogenetics and population genetics are key to understanding the evolutionary dynamics and conservation of endangered species. The long-tailed goral (Naemorhedus caudatus) listed as Endangered class I and Natural monument in South Korea, is experiencing population decline due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, necessitating conservation efforts. So, this study used mtDNA control region sequences to investigate intraspecific phylogenetic relationships and haplotype networks of long-tailed gorals in South Korea. Intraspecific phylogeny showed two major clades, A and B, indicating complex genetic structure and historical and contemporary gene flow between populations in Gangwon-do and Gyeongbuk regions. Haplotype diversity (Hd) of long-tailed gorals was relatively high (0.839) but nucleotide diversity (π) was low (0.00661) indicating recent divergence. The findings of this study provide critical insights into the genetic structure and evolutionary history of long-tailed gorals, laying the foundation for informed conservation measures. By identifying genetic connectivity and regional divergence among populations, this study emphasizes the importance of targeted actions to maintain genetic diversity, improve ecological connectivity, and mitigate the effects of habitat fragmentation for long-term survival of this endangered species in South Korea.

Only a handful freshwater fish species are still commercially sought after in Sweden. Subsistence fishing in lakes and rivers is also rare nowadays and has in general been replaced by recreational fishing. However, fishing for European smelt, Osmerus eperlanus (L.), once popular in many areas of central Sweden, has survived into the twenty-first century, particularly in the province of Varmland, as a minor, but interesting regional food speciality. It is a dish with character, since smelt has a very particular scent and it is therefore esteemed by some and rejected by others. Nowadays, it is eaten locally, especially by the elder generations, and attempts to popularize it as a regional food have so far failed. However, smelt deserves to be marketed as a regional culinary specialty, and has great potential to become popular among modern foodies. A traditional dish known as “smelt pancake” can be promoted. Interesting enough, there are new categories of smelt enthusiasts that have discovered the possibility of fishing in large numbers in spring, especially Thai and other immigrants. There are also a significant numbers of sojourners and visitors from the Baltic States, especially Lithuanians, fishing for smelt in Varmland.

This paper raises a question whether we can still draw a dichotomy between morphology and syntax as an autonomous component of grammar. Words are the output of a morphological component, so a syntactic component cannot access to the internal structure of words. Insomuch as two distinct components of morphology and syntax co-exist in grammar, morphologically formed elements are expected to behave as an atomic entity in syntax and hence syntactic operations cannot look at their internal structure. To the contrary, syntactically formed elements are expected to be visible to syntactic operations. However, under the scrutiny, the standard distinction between morphology and syntax can hardly hold. In particular, causative constructions and deverbal nominalizations weaken the morphology and syntax distinction since they display ambiguous properties of morphological (lexical) and syntactic properties.

The aim of this study was to provide basic guidelines for conservation and management of endangered plants in the national parks of Korea. Pedicularis hallaisanensis Hurus (Scrophulariaceae) is considered a second-class endangered species by Korean government and it is listed as a EN (Endangered) species in Red Data Book of Korea. We analyzed ecological conditions of P.hallaisanensis habitats based on vegetation properties and soil characteristics. This species which is known to inhabit in sub-alpine grassland of Korea and its population was located at an elevation of 1,374m to 1,916m. In the study sites, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, soil moisture, available phosphate, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, exchangeable sodium, cation exchange capacity and soil pH were 2.55-22.48%, 0.10-0.71%, 17.20-57.57%, 1.98-7.77ppm, 0.05– 0.22cmol+/kg, 0.78-18.21cmol+/kg, 0.25-0.76cmol+/kg, 0.08-0.13cmol+/kg, 5.35-26.48cmol+/kg and 5.69-7.55 respectively. Additionally, the genetic variation and structure of three populations were assessed using microsatellite markers.The genetic diversity of P.hallaisanensis among populations was the highest in Mt. Gayasan. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) apportioned among population and within population variations, showing more genetic variance (52%) occurred in within population, and 48% variation among populations. Lastly, we developed predicted distribution model based on climate and topographic factors by applying SDMs (Species Distribution Models). Consequently, current status of P. hallaisanensis habitats were very fragile and vulnerable with the pressure of the vegetation and the climate change constantly threatening the species’ survival. Therefore, it is essential to establish in situ conservation strategies for protecting natural habitats and to require exploring potential and alternative habitats for reintroduction.

The aim of this study was to provide basic guidelines for conservation and management of endangered plants in the national parks of Korea. Hibiscus hamabo (Malvaceae), Korean common name is “Hwang-Geun”, is considered a second-class endangered species by Korean government and it is listed as a VU (Vulnerable) species in Red Data Book of Korea. We analyzed ecological conditions of H. hamabo habitats based on vegetation properties and soil characteristics. This species which is known to inhabit in coastal sands near sea levels of sub-temperate regions of Korea and its population was located at an elevation of 3m to 36m. In the study sites, soil organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphate, exchangeable potassium, exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, exchangeable sodium, cation exchange capacity and soil pH were 2.75-12.11%, 0.05-0.63%, 1.37-7.59ppm, 0.26-2.30cmol+/kg, 3.80-18.67cmol+/kg, 2.39-10.53cmol+/kg, 0.20-15.33cmol+/kg, 13.52-75.54cmol+/kg and 5.10-7.95 respectively. Additionally, the genetic variation and structure of three populations were assessed using ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) markers. The genetic diversity of H. hamabo (P=30.62%, H=0.113, S=0.168) at the species level was very low than that of other long-lived perennials. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) apportioned among population and within population variations, showing more genetic variance (59%) occurred in within population, and 41% variation within populations. Lastly, we developed predicted distribution model based on climate and topographic factors by applying SDMs (Species Distribution Models). Consequently, current status of H. hamabo habitats is very fragile and vulnerable, with costal road construction and development constantly threatening the species’ survival. Therefore, it is essential to establish in situ conservation strategies for protecting natural habitats and to require exploring potential and alternative habitats for reintroduction.

Freshwater turtles and tortoises are one of the most threatened groups of animals in the world, with 60% of species being threatened. Hong Kong has five freshwater turtle species which are threatened due to illegal hunting and habitat loss. The conservation of freshwater turtles is important because overseas studies have showed that some species play important ecological roles, for example, facilitating storage and cross-ecosystem transportation of energy and minerals, acting as predators and prey, dispersing and enhancing germination rate of seeds, and assisting restoration of degraded ecosystems. Since turtles are rare across Asia, little is known about their ecological roles. In this study, we investigated the ecological roles of the critically endangered Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) using three approaches. First, we conducted behavioural experiments in the laboratory to test the predatory effect of P. megacephalum on the behaviour and growth rate of freshwater snails (Sulcospira hainanensis). Second, we used bulk stable isotope analysis to quantify the role of P. megacephalum in the food web, and used removal models to estimate how the ‘extinction’ of P. megacephalum may affect the food web. Third, we compared the macroinvertebrate community structure and ecosystem processes (leaf litter decomposition and primary production rates) between streams with and without turtles. Overall, the results of this study enhance our understanding of the ecological roles played by P. megacephalum and contributes to the conservation of endangered freshwater turtle species in Asia.

The endangered species of Cyathea spinulosa (tree ferns) are among the least concerned ferns of Nepal that bring threats to them and their habitat. A way to reduce such threats is by maintaining a database of species’ whereabouts and generating a scientific understanding the habitat preferences. This will eventually help in the formulation of conservation plans for the species. This research aimed to characterize the suitable habitat of C. spinulosa by enumerating the location of species in the Panchase Forests of central Nepal. The statistical index method was applied to relate the occurrence locations of species with various environmental factors for the development of indices. The suitable habitat of C. spinulosa (more and most suitable categories) covered 119 km2 and accounted for 43% of the total area studied. 74.4% of occurrence locations of C. spinulosa were recorded from these habitats. The habitat characteristics suitable for C. spinulosa were: proximity to streams (high moisture), land covered by forested area (shady area), mid-elevations of hills about 1,000 m to 2,000 m (sub-tropical climate), slope gradient of 20° to 40° (steep slopes), and northern to eastern aspects. These habitat characteristics could be considered for in-situ protection of tree ferns and designating the conservation plots.

The 2019 IPCC report approved that global warming of 1.5℃ will be exceeded between 2021 and 2040 if the current level of greenhouse gas emissions is maintained until the middle of this century. As global warming accelerates, climate change rapidly and frequently occurs. It also contributes to the plant extinction and loss of biodiversity. Recently, Abelia spathulata is a critically endangered (CR) species designated by The National Arboretum of the Korea Forest Service and the habitat of A. spathulata is Cheonseongsan Mountain in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, where is the only native habitat site in Korea. In addition, the number of populations is very small, so it is necessary to conserve their habitats and germplasm. Various ecological researches including environmental conditions, distribution range, and vegetation structure of A. spathulata have been conducted. However, there are few reports of ex-situ conservation and micropropation of A. spathulata. Development and establishment of stable, efficient in vitro regeneration systems is essential for clonally and mass propagation. Thus, the purpose of this study was to find and optimize the best re-differentiation and regeneration conditions of Abelia spathulate.

Although amphibians are declining worldwide and there is valid focus on determining the causes, critical basic information is missing for many species, such as geographic distribution and rate of population decline. In Korea, there are two closely related treefrog species: H. japonica, which is distributed widely throughout the country, and H. suweonensis, which occurs sympatrically in a narrow strip of western coastal plains. H. suweonensis is only found within the distribution of H. japonica. Males of both species call to advertise for mates, and the calls are distinguishable. To determine the spatiotemporal distributions of H. suweonensis and H. japonica, we conducted a calling survey in 70 localities encompassing the distributional range of H. suweonensis. A group of volunteers conducted the survey, supplemented with recording calls for validation. Calling activity was scored using the calling index (CI), which ranged from 0 to 3, with 0 indicating no calling and 3 indicating full chorus. The endangered H. suweonensis was found only in 14 out of 70 localities, designated as syntopic, whereas H. japonica occurred in all 70 localities. The calling activity of H. japonica was vigorous, with 56.1% of all surveys registering CI of 3 throughout the study period, but the calling activity of H. suweonensis was faint, with only 13.4 % of all surveys registering CI of 1 or higher. Geographic information system analysis revealed that syntopic localities had significantly less urban and forested areas and significantly more rice paddy area than the non-syntopic localities. Binary logistic regression confirmed that three habitat factors had negative effects on the occurrence of H. suweonensis: the percentages of urban, agricultural field, and forested areas. The spatiotemporal distributions of the two treefrog species throughout the breeding season confirmed that H. suweonensis indeed rare and may be undergoing an extinction vortex. For the conservation of H. suweonensis, swift and decisive measures should be taken, including determining the causes of population decline and establishing protected habitat areas.

This article examines the apocalyptic landscape of neoliberal South Korea through two postmillennial webtoons Sweet Home (스위트홈, 2020) and All of Us Are Dead (지금 우리 학교는, 2022), whose Netflix adaptations achieved global success during the COVID-19 lockdown. Through a comparative analysis of these zombie/monster horrors, the article challenges the existing discourse around the transnational, transmedia flow of Hallyu 韓流 (Korean wave). It does so by addressing the interconnected issues of genre, generation, and gender in these dystopic coming-of-age narratives, where endangered youths struggle for survival under a necropolitical order. The emergence of such zombified/monsterized subjects is linked to an aesthetics of relational survivance (hangjon 抗存) and to a vision of trans-species alliance, situated within Korea’s rapid neoliberalization and evolving popular protests. The article adopts a posthuman feminist perspective in tackling the affective dynamic running through the original webtoons, the participatory culture of the audience, and media convergence amid an antifeminist backlash in contemporary Korea. Alongside nuanced readings of graphic texts that elicit multisensory engagement and diverse viewer responses, its intersectional approach to the evolution of K-apocalypse, as inflected by Netflix, argues for the critical contextualization of the political, ethical, and ontological question of surviving as (non-)humans at the end of the world.

The main purpose of this study is not to delve deeper into a specific topic but to understand the recent trend of language extinction and its conservation. For this, two questions are raised: What is language extinction? And why do we need language conservation? To this end, UNESCO's criteria for language disappearances are firstly examined and followed by Paul and Simons‘ (2016) criteria for language extinction. In terms of language conservation, the concept of linguistic sustainability is first reviewed and Jejueo is taken for the practical applications for it. For this, the linguistic status of Jejueo is examined language. Then we look over how to preserve Jejueo in terms of sustainable status. It is expected that the current study will make a big contribution to raising people's awareness of the disappearing language conservation.

Previous studies have identified several factors that shape the microbiome of a host, such as diet, gut anatomy, host phylogeny, reproductive stage, season, altitude, and geography. In this study we focus on two of these factors—geography and host We characterize the fecal microbiota of the endangered Big-headed Turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) and compare across a relatively fine geographic scale (3 populations within an 8-km radius). We found the fecal microbiota to vary between the most distant sites, and infer the difference to be due to food availability, environmental microbiota,or both. For host, we compare the fecal microbiota of individuals of P. megacephalum and the Beale’s Eyed Turtle (Sacalia bealei) that are syntopic. The fecal microbiota differs between these two host species, and may be due to diet and/or host-adapted bacteria. Since these individuals were collected from the same place at the same time, differences in environmental microbiota likely have little to no effect. We encourage more researchers to collect gut microbiota data of wild turtles, so we can better understand and apply microbiota data to conservation.

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

헤저언어가 죽어가는 언어라는 것은 오랫동안 공감대가 형성되어 왔다. 그 생명력을 탐구하는 것은 죽어가는 언어 연구에 귀중한 사례 참고가 될 뿐만 아니라 세계적으로 이러한 언어와 문화를 보호하기 위한 통찰력을 제공할 수 있다. 본 연구는 헤저언어의 위기 현황을 분석하고 두 가지 연구 질문에 답하는 것을 목표 로 하였다. 첫째, UNESCO 생명력 지표는 현재 상태와 미래 전망을 평가하는 데 어떻게 도움이 될 수 있는가? 둘째, 최근 수십 년 동안 헤저언어의 사회적 기능에 는 어떤 변화가 발생했는가? 본 연구는 인류학 언어학 접근법에 기초한다. 현장 조사에서 데이터를 수집하였다. 심층 기술 방법을 사용하여 조사 결과를 제시한다. 연구 결과, 헤저언어는 사용에서 심각한 기능적 쇠퇴를 보이지만 부분적인 회복 징후를 보이는 중국의 특수 유형의 위기 언어라는 결론을 내렸다. 사회적 기능의 관점에서 볼 때, 헤저언어는 일상 의사소통 영역에서 완전히 물러났지만 단기적으 로 완전히 사라지지는 않을 것이다. 앞으로 헤저언어는 구전 전통과 의례 풍속과 같은 문화 영역에서 계속 중요한 역할을 할 것이다. 연구 결과를 바탕으로 몇 가지 시사점을 제시하였다. 첫째, 정부는 더 많은 민족 문화 교육 센터를 설립하고 더 많은 민족 문화 활동을 관리할 것을 제안한다. 둘째, 민족 문화 교육 센터의 강사는 문화 교육 기술을 향상시켜 교육 효과를 증진시켜야 한다. 셋째, 연구자들은 두 기능 간의 관계를 탐구하고 위기 언어를 보호하는 최선의 방법을 찾을 책임이 있다. 향후에는 언어 보호에 관한 보편적인 이론을 탐구하기 위해 민족 언어 보호에 관한 더 많은 사례 연구가 필요하다.

It has long been a consensus that the Hezhen language is an endangered language. Exploring its vitality can serve as a valuable case reference for endangered language research as well as offer insights for safeguarding these languages and cultures globally. The study aimed to analyze the endangered status of the Hezhen language and answer two research questions. Firstly, how can UNESCO vitality indicators help evaluate its current status and future prospects? Secondly, what changes have occurred in the social function of the Hezhen language in recent decades? The study is based on Anthropology Linguistics approach. It collected data from field investigations. Deep descriptive method is used to reveal the investigation results. The study concludes that the Hezhen language is a special type of endangered language in China, characterized by severe functional decline in its use but with signs of partial recovery. From the perspective of social function, the Hezhen language has completely withdrawn from the field of daily communication, though it will not disappear entirely in the short term. In the future, the Hezhen language will continue to play an important role in cultural fields such as oral traditions and ritual customs. Based on the findings, the study delivered several implications. Firstly, governments are suggested to set up more ethnic cultural training centers and manage more ethnic cultural activities. Secondly, instructors in ethnic cultural training centers are required to improve their skills in cultural training, which will promote the training effectiveness. Thirdly, Researcher are responsible to explore the relationship between the two functions and find the best ways to protect endangered languages. In the future, more case studies about ethnic language protection are required to explore the universal theories about language protection.

The complete chloroplast genome of Viola biflora, an endangered species in South Korea, was sequenced and analyzed. The genome exhibits a typical quadripartite structure, spanning 158,068 bp with a GC content of 36.3%. It contains 111 unique genes; namely, 77 protein-coding genes, 4 rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. Comparative analysis with other Viola species revealed high conservation of the genome structure and gene content across the genus. A maximum-likelihood phylogenetic tree was constructed using whole-chloroplast genome sequences from 33 Viola species and one outgroup. The results of the analysis partially supported the infrageneric classification system proposed by Marcussen et al. However, unsupported results were also observed, such as the formation of a polyphyletic group by Viola biflora and Viola orientalis and the creation of a paraphyletic group by subsect. Patellares within sect. Plagiostigma. Moreover, Viola biflora formed a sister group to the Viola raddeana-Viola verecunda clade, showing a close phylogenetic relationship with sect. Plagiostigma. This study provides valuable genomic information for future research on the evolution, ecology, and conservation of Viola biflora.

Nowadays after finding new or interesting animals in the wild, many people mention about the genetic test for precise identification of the species and revealing their biogeographic and genealogical origin. The current genetic technology is an essential part in conservation biology such as molecular identification, sex determination, animal counting, population management, parentage test and forensic study so on. The Species Restoration Technology Institute (SRTI) of Korea National Park Service (KNPS), South Korea, has been conducting the molecular analysis for endangered animals related to genetics, reproduction, and ecology so far. In this year, we constructed a pedigree of the Asiatic black bear population reintroduced in the Jirisan National Park (JNP) and their progeny. In May, an Asiatic black bear has been hit by the bus on highway nearby the JNP, then we identified this bear based on the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome B gene and the genotype distribution of microsatellite (MS) markers in May, 2018. In addition, we verified that two newborn cubs of Asiatic black bear were born by artificial insemination but not natural mating throughout comparing their MS genotypes with those from candidate fathers and mothers in this year. For the long-tailed goral restoration program, we are analyzing genetic information to explain the genetic structure, biogeographical distribution and inter population correlation in South Korea. MtDNA and Y-chromosomal genes and MS genotypes are employing to determine their maternal and paternal lineages of local populations and to reveal genetic correlation among populations. In addition, the SRTI is trying to identify the species, to determine sexes and to count the individuals for herbivore scat and hairs collected from the wild especially national parks of South Korea. For example, herbivore’s pellet samples supposed as the long-tailed goral were taken from two national parks located in southern part of Korean Peninsula in this year, but those samples were finalized as roe deer, water deer and feral goats. Recently, we identified two individuals (a male and a female) of the long-tailed goral and one water deer from the collections in the eastern borderline (Mt. Yongmasan) of the metropolitan city Seoul in this summer, and provided current status of inhabitation of these two herbivores based on the results of molecular tests. For the Red fox restoration program, we are examining the haplotype distribution of mtDNA genes for verifying that the candidate animals are phylogenetically north-eastern Asian origin. The familial structure of candidate animals was also analyzing for avoiding inbreeding during proliferation between new and previously introduced red foxes after reintroduction from China. In addition, we are trying to distinguish the red fox and its competitors using scat specimens from the red fox releasing place. Dietary analyses have also been trying to make up the profile of food items and to reveal the dietary patterns for better understanding behavioral ecology and for preparing management by the next-generation DNA sequencing technique. In conclusion, genetic approaches could be the assisted method for understanding the endangered animals as providing their identities, phylogenetic relationship, hereditary characteristics, genetic correlation among populations and ecological information, which plays important roles in conservation and management of the interesting animals in the wild.

More than 100 mountain goats, which is an endangered species, live in Mt. Seorak, Yanggu/Hwacheon, Gosung/DMZ, and Uljin/Bonghwa/Samcheok, known as the four major habitats. For the future of the mountain goats, ecological corridors for the meta populations should be secure among the isolated populations of these four major habitats. These ecological routes should ensure that if a disturbance occurs in a particular local habitat, it can be avoided in another habitat. Such ecological routes will prevent the habitat population from the sudden disappearance. In addition, by reducing inbreeding, genetic resistance against environmental disturbance will be raised. Therefore, they will contribute greatly to maintaining the stable population of at least these representative habitats.