Early Changes in Vegetation after the Construction of 'the Ecological Forest' in Youido Park

여의도공원 내 조성된 '자연생태의 숲'의 초기 식생 변화

'The Ecological Forest' in Youido Park was intended to be an artificial forest in urban center, following the form of natural forests in central Korea. This study was to investigate the planting plan and the vegetation change of 'the Ecological Forest' and to compare it with natural forests of similar plant composition. The natural forests had slopes between $12^{\circ}$ and $21^{\circ}$, whereas 'the Ecological Forest' had slopes between $2^{\circ}$ and $6^{\circ}$. It was unlikely that the slope condition was adequate to show 'toposequence succession' at 'the Ecological Forest'. The soil bulk density and soil hardness of 'the Ecological Forest' were higher than those of the natural forests. The soil pH of 'the Ecological Forest' was 7.45, which was greater than that of the natural forests. There were some changes in plant composition and amounts 2 years after the construction : the number of conifers was reduced from 383 to 338 ; the number of deciduous trees was reduced from 4717 to 1158. It was because of the young trees dead in the sub-tree layer. The herbaceous species planted were 14 families, 31 species, which increased to 37 families, 93 species after 2 years. In case of horizontal structure of vegetation, trees and shrubs were distributed evenly in the natural forests, whereas 'the Ecological Forest' showed uneven distribution with higher total density. In case of vertical structure of vegetation, the natural forests had distinctive layers with dominant species distributed in each layers. In 'the Ecological Forest', however, dominant species were only in tree layer. The natural forests had greater average tree height, tree density, however, and basal area than 'the Ecological Forest'. The results showed that there were some differences in the structure between 'the Ecological Forest' and natural forests. The management plan should be applied in order that the natural condition be restored in 'the Ecological Forest' by competition between plant species and natural processes.