Ecosystems In Korea Research Articles

국내 춤 생태계 변화에 관한 연구

This study aims to explore the change of dance ecosystem in Korea that is extended to digital
 content, by examining how street dance perceived as a subculture in the past has been mainstreamed by absorbing popular dance. It was discussed that street dance performed in everyday lives and digital space generates new meaning and value by combining various actors in technical, socio-cultural and dance aesthetics perspective. I conducted a literature review based on actor network theory, the concept of public sphere and discourses on the dance experience of spectatorship and participation, then also conducted in-depth interviews with six street dancers and analyzed the content.
 The findings suggest the following. Firstly, street dance is a multilayered experience converged with practical dance experience in lives and creation of dance content. Secondly, there is a shift toward a creator economy beyond the imitation. Thirdly, the integration of participation and spectatorship in battle culture and open spaces creates embodied interaction and social relationship with flow experience. It means that dancing in everyday lives and dance content in digital are interconnected and boundaries and forms of artistic and popular dance are blurred, which contributes to the revitalization and sustainability of the dance ecosystem. This study indicates the topics for the global development of K-Dance and for policy on the social value of dance.

The effects of flash drought on the terrestrial ecosystem in Korea

Typified by rapid intensification in a short time, flash droughts (FDs) have attracted increasing attention because of their effects on water resources and ecosystems. Water use efficiency (WUE) is a key indicator for understanding the interaction between the carbon dynamic and water cycle. However, the effects of FDs on terrestrial ecosystems in Korea remain mostly unknown. Therefore, we identified FD events in Korea using the soil moisture (SM)-based rate of intensification (RI) and the evapotranspiration (ET)-based Standardized Evaporative Stress Ratio (SESR) with flux tower data. Continuous satellite data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) were used to examine spatiotemporal patterns and trends in FD-related factors, Potential ET (PET), Actual ET (AET), Gross Primary Productivity (GPP), Evaporative Stress Ratio (ESR), and WUE from 2001 to 2020. The frequency, duration, and intensity of FDs in Korea were investigated and responses in WUE to FDs in different landcover types were examined. The SESR and RI had a similar performance in capturing FD events in flux tower site data. At the regional scale, a lower ESR was mainly observed in the western and southern parts of the study area, indicating progressively drier climate conditions. The mean frequency percentage and number of Korean FD events in the past 20 years were 61.3% and 16, respectively. In addition, more FD events occurred in the northern and eastern regions of the study area, where the main landcover type is forest, and northeastern Korea suffered from long FD events (over 30 days). FDs caused a positive response of WUE in most of the study area. However, the change in WUE after FD events varied by FD severity and landcover type. The changes in WUE after moderate FD events were largely driven by the change in GPP, and the highest sensitivity of WUE to FD intensity was found in croplands. These findings highlight the characteristics and effects of FDs on WUE across landcover types, which will be helpful in managing potential environmental risks in Korea.

Toxic effects of microplastic (Polyethylene) on fish: Accumulation, hematological parameters and antioxidant responses in Korean Bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco

Plastic waste discharged into the aquatic environment decomposes into microplastics (MP), which have toxic effects on fish species. Korean bullhead, Pseudobagrus fulvidraco is widely distributed in freshwater ecosystems in Korea, and it is important as an ecological indicator species to evaluate MP toxicity in Korea. In this study, the accumulation and physiological effects of juvenile P. fulvidraco exposed to microplastics (Polyethylene: PE-MPs with white surface and spherical shape) at control (0 mg/L), 100, 200, 5000 and 10,000 mg/L for 96 h were confirmed. Exposure to PE-MPs showed significant bioaccumulation of P. fulvidraco, and the accumulation profile was in the order of gut > gills > liver. Hematological parameters such as the red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) were significantly decreased over 5000 mg/L In plasma components, calcium, magnesium and total protein were significantly decreased over 5000 mg/L, whereas glucose, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased over 5000 mg/L or at 10,000 mg/L In antioxidant responses, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were significantly increased over 5000 mg/L, whereas glutathione (GSH) was significantly decreased over 5000 mg/L. The results of this study suggest that acute exposure to PE-MPs induced all physiological changes in a concentration-dependent manner, and it affects the hematological parameters, plasma components and antioxidant response of juvenile P. fulvidraco after accumulation in specific tissues.

언론에 노출된 외국인 마약사범 사례 분석

The purpose of this paper is to examine the cases of rapidly increasing foreign drug offenders, identify their characteristics, and suggest the measures against the foreigner drug issues. This paper analyzed the recent foreign drug crimes covered in the media by referring to the preceding research, statistics on foreigner drug, and the crime of narcotics white paper. Among the recent increase in the crimes committed by foreigners, the foreign drug offenders are rising. These criminals are different from the existing drug-related crime in Korea. Instead, they commit new forms of drug-related crimes, such as production and distribution of the illicit drugs. This resulted in harming the title as “Drug-Free Country” and qualitatively changing the ecosystem in Korea. As a result, the foreign drug-related crimes showed characteristics of online SNS-based distribution, drug smuggling using international mail, distribution of new type of drug, popularization of drug offender, and increase in drug distribution at farming areas and manufacturing areas.

Shared Interoperable Clinical Decision Support Service for Drug-Allergy Interaction Checks: Implementation Study.

Clinical decision support (CDS) can improve health care with respect to the quality of care, patient safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. Establishing a CDS system in a health care setting remains a challenge. A few hospitals have used self-developed in-house CDS systems or commercial CDS solutions. Since these in-house CDS systems tend to be tightly coupled with a specific electronic health record system, the functionality and knowledge base are not easily shareable. A shared interoperable CDS system facilitates the sharing of the knowledge base and extension of CDS services. The study focuses on developing and deploying the national CDS service for the drug-allergy interaction (DAI) check for health care providers in Korea that need to introduce the service but lack the budget and expertise. To provide the shared interoperable CDS service, we designed and implemented the system based on the CDS Hooks specification and Health Level Seven (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard. The study describes the CDS development process. The system development went through requirement analysis, design, implementation, and deployment. In particular, the concept architecture was designed based on the CDS Hooks structure. The MedicationRequest and AllergyIntolerance resources were profiled to exchange data using the FHIR standard. The discovery and DAI check application programming interfaces and rule engine were developed. The CDS service was deployed on G-Cloud, a government cloud service. In March 2021, the CDS service was launched, and 67 health care providers participated in the CDS service. The health care providers participated in the service with 1,008,357 DAI checks for 114,694 patients, of which 33,054 (3.32%) cases resulted in a "warning." Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare has been trying to build an HL7 FHIR-based ecosystem in Korea. As one of these efforts, the CDS service initiative has been conducted. To promote the rapid adoption of the HL7 FHIR standard, it is necessary to accelerate practical service development and to appeal to policy makers regarding the benefits of FHIR standardization. With the development of various case-specific implementation guides using the Korea Core implementation guide, the FHIR standards will be distributed nationwide, and more shared interoperable health care services will be introduced in Korea.

Seasonal Diversity of Microeukaryotes in the Han River, Korea Through 18S rRNA Gene Metabarcoding.

Freshwater ecosystems contain a large diversity of microeukaryotes that play important roles in maintaining their structure. Microeukaryote communities vary in composition and abundance on the basis of temporal and environmental variables and may serve as useful bioindicators of environmental changes. In the present study, 18S rRNA metabarcoding was employed to investigate the seasonal diversity of microeukaryote communities during four seasons in the Han River, Korea. In total, 882 unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were detected, including various diatoms, metazoans (e.g., arthropods and rotifers), chlorophytes, and fungi. Although alpha diversity revealed insignificant differences based on seasons, beta diversity exhibited a prominent variation in the community composition as per seasons. The analysis revealed that the diversity of microeukaryotes was primarily driven by seasonal changes in the prevailing conditions of environmental water temperature and dissolved oxygen. Moreover, potential indicator OTUs belonging to diatoms and chlorophytes were associated with seasonal and environmental factors. This analysis was a preliminary study that established a continuous monitoring system using metabarcoding. This approach could be an effective tool to manage the Han River along with other freshwater ecosystems in Korea.

A Study on the Priority of Advancing Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Using AHP

In this study, the solution to the problems raised in the hydrogen industry infrastructure construction was considered using the AHP analysis. This research model divided the major decision-making issues of hydrogen infrastructure construction into seven and evaluated the importance and priority of detailed items for each decision-making issue. The result of the analysis indicated that locations near existing gas stations were suitable for installing hydrogen refueling stations. To expand the supply of hydrogen refueling stations, safety concerns and acceptability of the refueling stations were evaluated as the biggest problems to be solved. It was evaluated that the location near the new mass demand was the most suitable location of the hydrogen production facility. Expanding public service advertisements related to hydrogen safety was found to be an appropriate technique for raising public awareness for the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure construction. Insufficient hydrogen infrastructure was evaluated as the most important factor for expanding the hydrogen industry ecosystem in Korea. Therefore, to expand the construction of hydrogen infrastructure, in addition to the subsidies for hydrogen vehicles, support policies from the government that guarantee a certain rate of return on the operation of hydrogen infrastructure facilities are necessary.

Isolation and Characterization of Eleven Unrecorded Pezizomycotina Species from Freshwater Ecosystems in Korea

Freshwater fungi are a poly-phylogenetic group of taxonomically diverse organisms. In this study, we isolated diverse fungal strains from various environmental samples obtained from freshwaters in Korea. These strains were identified by performing molecular phylogenetic analyses of rDNA and/or other sequences (beta-tubulin, RNA polymerase II, and translation elongation factor 1). In addition, we examined their morphological characteristics microscopically and cultural characteristics using different media. We identified eleven unrecorded Pezizomycotina species: Cladosporium angulosum , Pseudorobillarda phragmitis, Paraconiothyrium estuarinum, Pseudopithomyces palmicola, Pyrenochaetopsis paucisetosa, Thelebolus globosus, Plagiostoma mejianum, Trichoderma cremeum, Fusarium tanahbumbuense , Coniochaeta endophytica , and Chaetomium tenue . Environmental samples obtained from different freshwater ecosystems in Korea could thus be a good source for isolating and investigating novel fungal species.

Seven Previously Unrecorded Fungal Species Isolated from Freshwater Ecosystems in Korea

Seven Previously Unrecorded Fungal Species Isolated from Freshwater Ecosystems in Korea

Developing drought stress index for monitoring Pinus densiflora diebacks in Korea

BackgroundThe phenomenon of tree dieback in forest ecosystems around the world, which is known to be associated with high temperatures that occur simultaneously with drought, has received much attention. Korea is experiencing a rapid rise in temperature relative to other regions. Particularly in the growth of evergreen conifers, temperature increases in winter and spring can have great influence. In recent years, there have been reports of group dieback of Pinus densiflora trees in Korea, and many studies are being conducted to identify the causes. However, research on techniques to diagnose and monitor drought stress in forest ecosystems on local and regional scales has been lacking.ResultsIn this study, we developed and evaluated an index to identify drought and high-temperature vulnerability in Pinus densiflora forests. We found the Drought Stress Index (DSI) that we developed to be effective in generally assessing the drought-reactive physiology of trees. During 2001–2016, in Korea, we refined the index and produced DSI data from a 1 × 1-km unit grid spanning the entire country. We found that the DSI data correlated with the event data of Pinus densiflora mass dieback compiled in this study. The average DSI value at times of occurrence of Pinus densiflora group dieback was 0.6, which was notably higher than during times of nonoccurrence.ConclusionsOur combination of the Standard Precipitation Index and growing degree days evolved and short- and long-term effects into a new index by which we found meaningful results using dieback event data. Topographical and biological factors and climate data should be considered to improve the DSI. This study serves as the first step in developing an even more robust index to monitor the vulnerability of forest ecosystems in Korea.

The Influence of Manila Clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) on Macrobenthos Communities in a Korean Tidal Ecosystem

We investigated the biological impact of extensive Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) aquaculture on macrobenthic communities in a tidal ecosystem in Korea. We collected macrobenthos (>1 mm in length) samples seasonally in the intertidal zone in Geunsoman, Taean, Korea from April 2011 to December 2014. We identified 146 macrobenthos species, including 60 polychaetes, 53 crustaceans, and 16 mollusks. A biota–environment matching (BIO–ENV) analysis indicated that the benthic community was affected by mean sediment grain size (Mz), total organic carbon (TOC), and R. philippinarum biomass. We found no correlation between R. philippinarum and the main dominant species (Heteromastus filiformis, Ceratonereis erythraeensis, and Ampharete arctica), which have a different feeding strategy; thus, this may result in a lack of competition for food resources. In addition, we found that flourishing R. philippinarum positively affects the macrobenthos density but negatively affects the biodiversity index. Moreover, competition between species does not occur clearly, and environmental variables (sediment, organic carbon) are important.

Effect of design factors for groynes on diversification of topography and restoration of ecosystems in straight and meandering streams

In this study, we investigated effectiveness induced by the installation of groynes in river for protection of stream and restoration of ecosystem in Korea. The effect of different designs in groyne including shapes (single-bar type and double –bar type), angles (45° and 135° to the stream flow), and intervals (1 m and 2 m between groynes) on topographic changes were examined in test bed. The topographic changes in different cases were analyzed and compared both qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. More various topographical changes were found in the case with the installation angle of 45°, double-bar type groyne, and 2 m-interval by significant erosion or switching pattern of erosion and deposition along the stream. Comparative analysis results implied that this switching pattern would be the response from properly designed groynes. Based on results from test bed, 13 groynes were installed in the field and topographical changes with biodiversity were observed after installation. As evidences on the effectiveness of groynes, the formation of shallow puddles and increases in number of fishes and invertebrates were observed in the field.

First Gut Content Analysis of 4th Instar Midge Larvae (Diptera: Chronomidae) In Large-Scale Weirs Using a DNA Meta-Barcoding Approach.

Chironomidae larvae play an important role in the food chain of river ecosystems in Korea, where it is dominant. However, detailed information on the diet of Chironomidae larvae are still lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify the gut contents of 4th instar larvae of a Chironomidae inhabiting four large-scale weirs (Sejong Weir, Juksan Weir, Gangjeong-Goryeong Weir, and Dalseong Weir) using a DNA meta-barcoding approach. We found that dominant Operational Taxonomic Unit (OUT) was assigned to Paractinolaimus sp. (Nematoda), and the sub-dominant OTU was assigned to Dicrotendipes fumidus (Chironomidae). The most common OTUs among the individuals included phytoplankton, such as Tetrahymena sp., D. armatus, Pseudopediastrum sp., Tetradesmus dimorphus, Biddulphia tridens, and Desmodesmus spp. We calculated the selectivity index (E’) and provided scientific evidence that Chironomidae larvae have a significant preference (E’ > 0.5) for Desmodesmus armatus, E. minima, and T. dimorphus, while it does not show preference for other species found in its gut. Differences in physico-chemical factors, such as water quality, nutrients, Chl-a, and carbon concentrations, resulting from anthropogenic impacts (i.e., construction of large-scale weirs) as well as the particle size of prey organisms (small-sized single cell) and effects of chemicals (chemokinesis) could affect the feeding behavior of Chironomidae larvae.

Meiobenthic nematodes in the assessment of the relative impact of human activities on coastal marine ecosystem.

Ecological quality (EcoQ) status of the Southwest and West coasts of South Korea was evaluated within the "National Investigation of Marine Ecosystems in Korea" in the 2015. In particular, the study dealt to assess the ecological quality of the sediments using free-living nematode communities. A total of 149 species were found in the study area, and Daptonema, Sabatieria, Parodontophora, Sphaerolaimus, and Viscosia were found as dominant genera. Statistical analysis of both environmental and faunal parameters showed an increasing human pressure from Western to Southern coasts. The community structure changed with the environmental features of the study area and allowed the detection of a suite of possible nematode indicators that might be used in monitoring studies. In particular, Dorylaimopsis spp. appeared heavy metal and organic matter resistant taxa, Sabatieria an eutrophication resistant genus, while Paracanthonchus and Neotonchus as heavy metal and organic matter sensitive genera. The principal component analysis (PCA) results showed a clear negative correlation between maturity index and both heavy metal and organic matter increasing, while diversity indices did not appear to be significantly influenced by them. Appling the thresholds of the synthetic nematode indices, the EcoQ of the study area was assessed as poor to moderate.

Assessment of Satellite-Based Chlorophyll-a Algorithms in Eutrophic Korean Coastal Waters: Jinhae Bay Case Study

Jinhae Bay, one of the most important aquaculture areas in Korean coastal waters, has suffered from serious environmental problems due to intensive anthropogenic activities since the 1970s. Determining the response of coastal ecosystems in Korea to anthropogenic activities requires understanding the characteristics of chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), and the high spatiotemporal resolution of the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) can aid these efforts. However, producing reliable satellite-based Chl-a estimates is challenging in optically complex coastal waters and the Chl-a estimation algorithms must be assessed regionally. Based on in situ Chl-a measurements collected in Jinhae Bay between 2011 and 2016, we evaluated GOCI-derived Chl-a estimates obtained using six ocean color Chl-a algorithms: two standard open ocean algorithms, one GOCI-standard algorithm, and three Tassan’s algorithms regionally modified for Korean waters. All of the algorithms tended to underestimate high Chl-a values >0.9 mg m–3. The Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem Ocean Color Project (YOC) algorithm, one of the modified Tassan’s algorithms, provided the best fit to the in situ Chl-a measurements in Jinhae Bay (r=0.51 , p<0.05 ), including appropriate representations of the spatial and temporal variation. Therefore, this algorithm can be considered a baseline approach for satellite-based long-term coastal monitoring systems in Jinhae Bay.

Coastal Ecosystem Health Assessment in Korea: Busan Case Study

As a pioneering effort to assess the health of marine ecosystems in Korea, coastal ecosystem components were monitored in the Busan coastal area from 2013 to 2015. Pelagic ecosystem assessment focused on eutrophication and plankton communities in surface waters. For benthic ecosystem assessment, sediment environments with regard to toxic organic compounds and heavy metals as well as benthos communities were investigated. Preestablished indicators and criteria based on the relationships between chemical pressures and biological responses were applied to the assessment. Water and sediment qualities and community health of plankton and benthos were expressed in their respective individual indices and finally integrated into a holistic health index or score. From observation across the three-year study period in the Busan coastal waters, water quality index and plankton health index were assessed as “Fair” or “Good”. Sediment quality index was “Very poor” or “Poor” inside harbor areas such as Busan North Port, Busan South Port, Gamchun Port, and Dadaepo Port. Benthic pollution index evaluating the health status of macrobenthic communities also exhibited an unhealthy condition in the harbor areas. The annual health map of the Busan coastal ecosystem was consecutively updated from 2013 to 2015 to provide scientific information on unhealthy spaces and indicators in the Busan coastal area. The annual health maps displayed a hot spot of ‘Poor’ grade in the Busan South Port. Therefore, it is suggested that the top priority for the Busan coastal ecosystem management should be paid to the hot spot to restore the ecosystem health of the Busan coastal waters by especially focusing on the benthic ecosystem. Future coastal management should focus on the mitigation of problematic factors and should be connected to and provide feedback to the health assessment results of the Busan coastal area.

A new species of the genus Thalassironus (Nematoda: Enoplida: Ironidae)from the coasts of South Korea.

A new species of the genus Thalassironus de Man, 1889 was discovered during several surveys of the offshore marine ecosystem in Korea. This new species belonging to the family Ironidae, Thalassironus koreanus sp. nov., shares general morphological traits of the genus such as an optically smooth cuticle, buccal cavity consisting of two parts with three movable teeth and thick cuticularized walls, six rounded lips with ten cephalic setae, slit-like amphid and short conical tail with caudal glands present. The new species is most closely related to T. bohaiensis, first discovered in the Bohai Sea, in terms of body ratio (a, b, c, c') and general morphology, but differs by its generally longer and larger body structures, cervical setae at the level of the buccal cavity, paired somatic setae distributed along the body, and longer/larger spicule. A description of Thalassironus koreanus sp. nov., diagnosis of the genus, emended pictorial key for the genus and discussion of important characteristics for the genus is provided.

Effects of Temperature and Salinity on the Egg Development and Larval Settlement of Ciona robusta (Ascidiacea, Phlebobranchia, Cionidae)

Ascidians are marine benthic organisms, which attach to the surfaces of both natural and artificial substrates from shallow to deep waters around the world. Invasive ascidians are reported to have spread widely through maritime activities, especially as a fouling on ship hulls. Ciona robusta has been reported as an invasive ascidian species of the marine ecosystem in Korea since it was first recorded in 1967 and was designated as an organism causing marine ecological disturbance by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea in 2017. In the current study, in order to provide some basic ecological data for the management and control of C. robusta, we investigated the effects of temperature and salinity on egg development and larval settlement. The egg development and larval settlement of C. robusta were investigated at five constant temperatures, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24°C, and at eight constant salinities ranging from 26 to 40 psu (increments of 2 psu). The highest hatching rate was 64.2 ± 7.8% at 16°C and 34 psu, and the lowest was 2.2 ± 2.0% at 20°C and 28 psu. No eggs hatched at salinities of 26 and 40 psu. The highest developmental rate (1/h) was 0.075 ± 0.015 at 24°C and 32 psu, and the lowest was 0.015 ± 0.000 at 20°C and 28 psu. The highest settlement rate was 47.1 ± 10.3% at 20°C and 34 psu, and the lowest was 0.7 ± 0.0% at 20°C and 28 psu. The highest rate of settlement time (1/h) was 0.034 ± 0.012 at 24°C and 34 psu, and the lowest was 0.011 ± 0.000 at 20°C and 28 psu. The approximate optimal temperature and salinity ranges for egg development and larval settlement of C. robusta were estimated to be 16−20°C and 32−34 psu, respectively. This study suggests that the development of C. robusta was affected by both salinity and temperature and that these factors may have a significant effect on the occurrence of C. robusta in Korea.

Long‐term ecological research on Korean forest ecosystems: the current status and challenges

AbstractThe present study aims to monitor the long‐term changes in forest structure, productivity, nutrient cycling, and to accumulate ecological information on forest ecosystem in Korea. There are six long‐term ecological research sites and seven flux measurement sites in Korea. The Gwangneung experimental forest (GEF) located in the central cool‐temperate forest sub zone is known as a model site where many interdisciplinary researches have been ongoing actively since mid‐1990s over all other Korea long‐term ecological research sites (KLTER). Collected data and information through monitoring and investigation of changes in forest ecosystem have been stored in a database for analyses. The relative importance of tree species (%) of GEF was in the order Quercus serrata (20) = Euonymus oxyphyllus (20) &gt; Carpinus laxiflora (12). The total biomass and basal area were 249.53 t ha−1 and 26.66 m2 ha−1, respectively. There were 136 taxa with 49 families, with 97 genera, 11 varieties, 3 forma, and 1 subspecies in 1 ha permanent plot. The increase in temperature has been estimated to have negative effects on tree growth. The litter decomposition rate was in the order Cornus controversa &lt; C. cordata &lt; C. laxiflora &lt; Q. serrata. The average litterfall and soil respiration were 5803 kg ha−1 and 8600 kg C ha−1, respectively. Further, the GEF, a KLTER site tended to be almost carbon neutral with an annual growth average of 51,000 ± 78,000 kg ha−1. The data from six LTER sites are digitalized and classified to build data catalogs on the ecological information system. The information on stand dynamics and materials and energy budget in the forest ecosystem is utilized for impact assessment and the study of adaptation strategy for forest ecosystem to climate change.

Lethal and sublethal effects of thiacloprid on non-target carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract To control population of Monochamus beetles that transmit pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, a variety of insecticides have been applied to forest ecosystems in Korea. Non-target predatory insects can be directly or indirectly exposed to insecticides. We evaluated potential lethal and sublethal effects of thiacloprid on survival and behavior of carpenter ants, Camponotus japonicus Mayr. Field-collected ants were directly exposed to several food items such as thiacloprid-exposed Monochamus beetles, 10% sugar water with thiacloprid concentrations, and 10% sugar water at group and individual levels. In experiment for groups of individuals, dead beetle bodies generally had possible adverse effects on ants through dietary exposure, because two forager ants were dead or paralysis after they were exposed to thiacloprid-exposed Monochamus beetles. At individual level, dietary exposure to thiacloprid at concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L was lethal to ants, causing paralysis and impaired walking. Mortality of ant workers was higher in direct or indirect exposure treatments than that in the control. Some ants exposed to thiacloprid showed abnormal behavior within a few days, especially at thiacloprid concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L. However, some of them sometimes recovered from the abnormal behavior in a day. In consequence, application of thiacloprid in pine forests may disrupt species interaction and foraging behavior of ants, but the effect of thiacloprid through trophallaxis behavior should be further assessed using more extensive colonies composed of queen, workers, brood, and so on.