Biotope Evaluation and Its Classification Considering Urban Ecological Status: Focused on Cheongju City Kim, Yu Mi1·Jeong, Ji Hyeong2·Ban, Yong Un3·Kwon, Ihl4·Mun, Seog Gi5· Hwang, Jae Hoon6·Lee, Yong Hoon7·Baek, Jong In8 1Dept. of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea, [email protected] 2 Dept. of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea, [email protected] 3 Dept. of Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea, [email protected] 4 Dept. of Civil Engineering, Chungju University, 72 Daehak-ro, Chungju-si, Chungbuk 380-702 [email protected] 5 Dept. of Environmental Landscape Architecture, Cheongju University, 586, Dea Seong-ro, Sangdang-Gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 360-764, Korea, [email protected] 6 Dept. of Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea, [email protected] 7 Dept. of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea, [email protected] 8 1Dept. of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Chungbuk National University, 410 Seongbong-ro, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju Chungbuk 361-763, Korea, [email protected] ABSTRACT This study has intended to evaluate and type classification of biotope considering the urban ecological status in Cheongju City. This study consisted of the following three steps. First, we corrected greenness grade to calculate NDVI through satellite images (Quickbird) of Cheongju city. Second, we build thematic map of landscape, land- use, vegetation and land cover. Finally, we set up the ecological status grade to classify thematic map of 'land/human effect grade' and 'ecological habitat total grade' for biotope evaluation in Cheongju city using indicators process and matrix technique. This study has found the following results: 1) land/human impact grade was classified into five classes to mix land-use and landscape grade, 2) we suggest alternatives to compute comprehensive ecological habitat grades through summary up habitability grades according to greenness grades and 3) we classified sixty-two biotope types. This process calculates two alternative biotope grades. We found out the fifth grade (28.3%) is 1.5 times higher than the first grade (18.3%) and the second grade (2.1%) is the lowest total grade. KEY WORDS: Biotope, Ecological Status, Classification, Biotope Evaluation as an alternative to overcome the limits of Degree of Green 1.BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVES Naturality or Quantitative Ecological Map as basic information for planning with the consideration of natural, ecological Urbanization and industrialization in Korea are displaying many environment of national land (Il-Ki Choi, 2008). Biotope Map issues as they were accomplished in a short period of time which emerged in Germany in the 1980’s, is used in various without giving proper consideration to its ecosystems. To resolve fields for the natural environment management within the city this situation, it is extremely necessary to change the existing settings (Chung-Hyun Oh et al., 2006). Biotope evaluation and development-oriented city plan to include consideration of eco- classification is an assessment methodology for the ecological friendly, sustainable development. Since these urban spaces attributes and values in an urban setting. The examples of include the natural elements as well as the artificial elements, for Biotope Map used in Korea are Quantitative Ecological Map an efficient city space plan and management (Jeong-Ho Kim et from the Ministry of Environment, Seoul City (2000), Seongnam al., 2006), the present ecological condition of the city needs to be City (2004), Gwangyang City (2006), etc. Research produced analyzed. with Biotope classification in Korea includes The Suggestion for Classification of Biotope Type for Nationwide Application (Il-Ki Biotope Map established through the analysis of the present Choi et al., 2008), Classification Method for Biotope Mapping ecological condition of the city started to take its prominent place (Chung-Hyun Oh et al., 2006), Technique of Biotope Types (2008) confirmed the boundaries through site investigation after Classification at Small and Medium Cities in Seoul Metropolitan assessing overall forest boundaries for a precise inhabitation map Area (Jeong-Ho Kim et al., 2006), etc. Research using Biotope with scale of 1:5,000 to build Biotope classification for Urban evaluation include: City Biotope Assessment Technique for Forest management. Bo-Gwang Jeong et al. (2008) classified the Existent Urban Areas (Chung-Hyun Oh et al., 2006), space based on the current habitat by using KOMPSAT-2 Development of Forest Ecosystem Evaluation Considering satellite images and a 1:5,000 numeric map for the current Biotope Type (Jung-Ho Kim, 2007), A Study on the Biotope habitat classification. Evaluation and Classification of Urban Forests for Landscape Ecological Management (Jung-Hak Oh et al., 2008), Basic investigations for Biotope classification are being development of preservation level value evaluation technique by suggested in most of the Biotope-related research such as Jeong- investigating existent vegetation (Yeong-Sun Kim et al., 2008), Ho Kim (2006), Chung-Hyung Oh (2006), Yeong-Sun Kim etc. (2008). Majority of these researchers are conducting their investigations on the ecological values of Biotope based on area However, the previous research, using the Biotope evaluation occupancy ratio, spatial distribution and numeric analysis which and classification reflecting ecological inhabitation potentials and are expressible quantitatively. human impacts, resulted in applying to a large space unit for Biotope Map, or not reflecting the current inhabitation state. Existing research is displaying inadequate qualities to consider Therefore, the purpose of this research is Biotope classification the detailed land use characteristics of the city, by simply and evaluation, with the consideration of the urban behavior state dividing the basic materials for Biotope research upon of Cheongju City, Chungbuk Region to achieve a sustainable configuration or classifying by vegetation only. Also, urban environment. investigations on the current ecological state tend to focus only on judging the ecological values and do not consider the suitability for ecological habitats. This research has its distinction in building the materials by lot with the consideration of human 2. LITERATURE REVIEW behaviors which are the most influential in urban settings, and dynamically reviewing the current inhabitation state and potentials with the consideration of the ecological habitats based 2.1. Biotope on greenness grades. Biotope emerged from the concept of a biotic community as ‘Biotope of a Biocensis’. The etymologic origin of Biotope from Greek is a compound word for life, biotic species (Bios) and places (Topos). The concept of Biotope was first used as a 3. RESEARCH METHODS meaning of physical inhabitation space of a biotic community. Comprehensive Mapping was used for the Biotope mapping The Biotope concept developed initially in Germany combining method. Chung-Hyun Oh (2006) mentioned that Comprehensive characteristics of biocensis and physical characteristics of Mapping does not put any limits on Biotope and covers all habitation. In Germany, Biotope concept has extended and is existing Biotopes in the city as mapping subjects. Also, he applied to human behavior aspects by utilizing the Biotope Map mentioned it is typical to first conduct Biotope classification on as a tool for nature conservation and landscape control (Jin-Woo the subjects with identical characteristics in ecology and then Choi, 2009). produce the map based on the result. Internationally, Biotope is a value-neutral concept and defined as Prior to Biotope classification, basic investigations were not limited to only the inhabited space with special values and conducted, on the current ecological condition to provide the cares. In other words, farmlands consisting of biotic Species are basic such as current land use investigation, current biotic habitat also considered as a type of Biotope, as well as various of types state investigation, investigation on species classification aspects of marshlands that are also included (Seon-Hwa Moon, 2000). such as vegetations, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles, Biotope is important as a basic element to form a nature or mammals, arachnids and insects, investigation on each landscape as biotic habitat, and as a unit to maintain the ecologic inhabitation type such as forests, rivers, river streams, artificial system within the regional landscape and to restore it to its green fields, swamps of Cheongju City and then organized by lot. original state (Seong-Duck Kim, 1997). 1:5,000 numeric maps prepared through NGIS project were used for the drawings for investigations on current states. To determine the current land use, the land use map created during 2.2. Preview of Literal Researches the process of <Urban Biotope Map Development Project (2005, Research with Biotope has progressed in various fields, both Cheongju City)> and the satellite images of Cheongju City were domestically and internationally. The regions that are currently referenced. Current biotic habitat investigation, investigation on covered by the Biotope