KJCKorea
Journal Central

Human activities such as urbanization, agricultural expansion, and climate changeaccelerate habitat fragmentation, which restricts the spatial movement of wide-ranging species suchas wild boars (Sus scrofa) and weakens population connectivity, ultimately threatening ecosystemstability. Wild boars, in particular, possess high environmental adaptability and reproductive capacity,making them more likely to expand into human-influenced areas such as farmlands and urban fringes. This movement may increase the risk of spreading zoonotic diseases such as African Swine Fever(ASF). This study developed a density-based simulation model that integrates the ecological andbehavioral traits of wild boars with their spatial use patterns, aiming to analyze the spatial interactionsbetween population dynamics and resource utilization. The simulation results revealed that overtime,wild boars formed clusters in areas with concentrated food resources, leading to rapid depletion ofresources and localized population density peaks. Individuals exhibited selective spatial use based onfood availability and tended to avoid areas where resources had been exhausted. Notably, areas ofhigh population density may function as hotspots for pathogen maintenance and transmission. Accordingly, the findings of this study suggest the potential utility of the model as a basis foridentifying ASF risk zones and prioritizing ecological restoration areas.

This study applied a multidisciplinary approach integrating Focus Group Interviews (FGI)with beekeepers, rapid ecosystem services assessment, and GIS-based spatial analysis to investigatenative honeybee (Apis cerana Fabricius, 1793) habitats in Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do,Republic of Korea. Land cover characteristics within 3km buffer zones around five apiaries wereanalyzed, and 17 ecosystem service indicators reconstructed from the RAWES framework wereevaluated using a Likert scale survey. The results showed that water supply, landscape value,pollination services, and habitat provision were rated highest in importance, in that order. Threatassessments for pollination services identified invasive species (Asian yellow-legged hornet, sacbrood virus), development pressure, and environmental pollution as primary perceived stressors. The criticalshortage of spring nectarresources and quality nectar plants was confirmed. Differences in ecosystemservice perception according to beekeeping experience were observed, indicating complex interactionsbetween individual experience and local ecological conditions. Overall, this research provides anempirical and science-based foundation for developing habitat management strategies and policiesframeworks to support the conservation of A.cerana.

Coastal areas play a vital role for national and local communities, yet damages from coastal disasters are increasing with sea-level rise and abnormal climate phenomena. This study classifies 74 coastal municipalities in South Korea using Latent Profile Analysis with 34 indicators related to urban, economic, and disaster damage, and then identifies type-specific characteristics using binary logistic regression with seven disaster management indicators. The results classify coastal regions into three types—urban, industrial/port metropolitan, and rural/natural environment—and reveal that factors such as accessibility to fire stations, earthquake evacuation sites, and interchanges significantly affect the probability of belonging to each type. The findings suggest the need for tailored disaster management policies by type.