• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2023

Forest biomass is used as a representative indicator of forest size, maturity, and productivity. Therefore, quantitative evaluation is important for management and harvest as well as the evaluation of ecosystem functions and services including CO₂ absorption. The allometric equation is a widely used method for estimating the value of each component through the relative growth rate of plants. Recently, studies indicated that the relative growth of trees is changing because of the increased CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere and the resulting climate change, raising the need to review the previously developed relative growth models and coefficients. In this study, the height-diameter at breast height (DBH) relationships of four major tree species in Korea [(Pinus densiflora (PD), Larix kaempferi (LK), Quercus variabilis (QV), and Quercus mongolica (QM)] were analyzed using the 5th-7th National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. Furthermore, these results were compared with the present yield table from the National Institute for Forest Science. This analysis revealed that the expected height for the same DBH increased as the NFI progressed. For example, in model analysis, the expected heights for PD, LK, QV, and QM for DBH of 25 cm were 12.48, 19.17, 14.47, and 13.19 m, respectively, in the 5th NFI data. In the 7th NFI data, these values were estimated as 13.61 (+9.1%), 21.58 (+12.7%), 15.76 (+8.9%), and 13.93 m (+5.6%), respectively. These results indicate that the major tree species in South Korean forests currently are more vigorous in height growth than in diameter growth when compared to the height-DBH development trends by tree species identified through past survey data.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.3
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• pp.421-426
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• 2015

The objective of this paper is to look into the growth of Cryptomeria japonica stand in South Korea along with the evaluation on their yields, followed by their carbon stocks and removals. A total of 106 sample plots were selected from Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, and Jeju, where the groups of standard are grown. We only used 92 plots data except outlier. As part of the analysis, the Weibull diameter distribution was applied. In order to estimate the diameter distribution, the growth estimation equation for each of the growth factors including the height, the diameter at breast height, and the basal area was drafted out and the verification for each equation was examined. The site index for figuring out the forest productivity of Cryptomeria japonica stand for each district was also developed as a Schumacher model and 30yr was used as a reference age for the estimation of the site index. It was found that the site index for Cryptomeria japonica stand in South Korea ranges from 10 to 16 and this result was used as a standard for developing the stand yield table. According to the site 14 in the stand yield table, the mean annual increment (MAI) of the Cryptomeria japonica reaches $7.6m^3/ha$ on its 25yr and its growing stock is estimated to be at $190.1m^3/ha$. This volume is about $20m^3$ as high as that of the Chamaesyparis obtusa. Furthermore, the annual carbon absorptions for a Cryptomeria japonica stand reached the peak at 25yr, which is 2.14 tC/ha/yr, $7.83tCO_2/ha/yr$. When compared to the other conifers, this rate is slightly higher than that of a Chamaecyparis obtusa ($7.5tCO_2/ha/yr$) but lower than that of the Pinus koraiensis ($10.4tCO_2/ha/yr$) and Larix kaempferi ($11.2tCO_2/ha/yr$). With such research result as a base, it is necessary to come up with the ways to enhance the utilization of Cryptomeria japonica as timbers, besides making use of their growth data.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2003

pH value of sampled fogwater at source regions (above highway and road) in Yongin sites showed the lowest value and was increased after passing the forest stands. Changes of ion concentrations through the forest stands showed a lowering tendency at sampling sites. The fogwater passing the forest stands (Quercus mangolica and Pinus rigida) surrendered acid pollutants to crown and stem from the atmosphere. It was concluded that environmental moisture in the atmosphere is acidified in fogwater. The influence was extended to the pure zone, and the frequency of acid rain has increased. The forests are assumed to remove air pollutants because ion concentrations in fogwater decreased after passing the forests. The fogwater which functions as a local sink for pollutants (H$_2$SO$_4$, HNO$_3$, etc.) falling on plant surfaces is considered to effectively remove acid pollutants. But if the deposition of pollutants exceeds the capacity of purification, it would damage the forest ecosystem. Further investigation is necessary to identify tree species tolerant to acid pollutants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.136-143
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• 2010

This study was conducted to provide basic information on the management of natural deciduous forests by presenting suitable stand density over time for natural deciduous forests in Pyungchang Area. The stand density index(SDI) for the sampling point was also computed. The cutting scenarios were adopted by considering the SDI estimated in the sampling point. And then, simulation cutting was enforced to the stand. Cutting scenarios consisted of three cutting levels, with the period of 5 years where each suitable cutting level of selection system will not have the SDI over the maximum SDI throughout 30 years and consider harvest after 30 years. As a result of the simulation cutting, it was found that removing 12% and 14% of basal area per each time kept proper stand density while removing 10% exceed to the adequate basis. From an economic point of view, it was concluded that removal 12% of basal area would be the most suit cutting level in selection system.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 2007

This study was conducted to provide the fundamental data of the policy plan for the security of forestry labour and the revitalization of forestry mechanization by analysing the status of forestry labor and the training plan. In forestry, the total number of employer and the labour cost have slightly increased annually, but the number of employer for timber harvesting has decreased. Therefore, the organization of expert forestry mechanization unit and the training of operator will be necessary. The number and person of forest management unit, the working days of the year and income have increased in Korea. However, the working days per month of forest management unit were only 15 days, which are only 180 days per year. In the results of the calculated number and person of forest management unit for the Korean forest tending volumes, about 349 forest management units are required. In case of adjusting 12 persons per 1 unit, 4,185 persons are required. In calculated results of the optimum forestry mechanization unit and member's number by the adjusting of tower yarder harvesting system for annual timber harvesting production volume, it was known to necessary the 250 forestry mechanization unit and the 1,250 members which are calculated at 5 persons per 1 group.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.3
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• pp.349-356
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• 2019

This study examines the effect of thinning in terms of changes in the growth characteristics of Chamaecyparis obtusa stands after they were thinned with varying intensity in Gochang, North Jeolla Province, Korea. Thinning was carried out in 2000 on Chamaecyparis obtusa stands (22 years old), and the stands were categorized in terms of the thinning intensity in the experiment: very heavy, heavy, medium, light, and control. The results of monitoring up to 2018 revealed that the diameter at breast height and the growth rate of individual trees after thinning had a positive correlation with the thinning intensity, whereas the stand volume showed a negative correlation. The height to diameter (H/D) ratio decreased by up to 70-80 due to the increased diameter at breast height after thinning and thereby resulted in better quality. The relative yield index right after the first thinning was between 0.75 and 0.95, which suggests the best timing for the first thinning had been missed. This study's findings are expected to serve as a basic reference in establishing the thinning system for Chamaecyparis obtusa forests.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.86 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 1997

This study aimed at evaluating one curvilinear equation and nine non-linear equations for estimating stand growth characteristics(mean dbh, mean height and volume per ha) for the plantations of Pinus koraiensis and the natural stands of Quercus mongolica. The data were collected from 92 plots in Pines koraiensis stands and 83 plots in Quercus mongolica stands, and the site index of all the stands is 14. The curvilinear equation, $Y=at^be^{-c/t}$, used in preparing the yield tables was well fitted within the range of data, but was likely to give overestimates when extrapolating in old stage due to the tendency of linear increase. Among the non-linear equations, logistic equation and Sloboda equation gave overestimates in young stands and reached the asymptotic status early which means underestimates in old stage. Extrapolating in old stage, Hossfeld equation generally gave larger values than others due to its large estimates of parameter a, the maximum value. On the other hand, Bertalanffy equation gave underestimates in young and old stands and overestimates in middle-aged stands. The estimates with Korf equation was relatively low for Pinus koraiensis stands, and this tendency was more obvious in dbh growth of Quercus mongolica stands. Ueno-Ohzaki equation was liable to give over or underestimates depending on the value of parameter b when extrapolating in old stands. Considering the accuracy of estimates and the biological base of the growth equations, Gompertz equation, Chapman-Richards equation and Weibull equation were generally applicable for estimating the stand growth characteristics of both species in the whole range of stand ages including extrapolated range. To get more accurate and precise parameter estimates, more data, especially in old stands, should be required in further study.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.83 no.4
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• pp.545-555
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• 1994

The objective of the study was to provide the useful scientific data on the early rehabilitation of the legging road after timber harvesting in the forest area. This study was carried out at logging roads which were constructed during 1989 and 1994 in Mt. Baekwoon. The field survey was conducted in July, 1991. Judging from the analysis of soil bulk density, time required for recovery as the undisturbed forest soil condition was more than 10 years in the road which was left, and the regression equation is as follows, $$Y_1=1.4195-0.0744{\cdot}X(R^2=0.91)$$ $$Y_2=1.4673-0.0688{\cdot}X(R^2=0.73)$$ (X : elapsed year after road construction. $Y_1$, $Y_2$ : soil bulk density($g/cm^3$) at 0~7.5cm, and 7.5~15.0cm, respectively) Especially soil bulk density with buffer strip-woods was $0.890-0.903g/cm^3$, so it was 20% lower than that of logging road surface without buffer strip-woods. Among the 7 factors, location, sand content, and soil hardness had statistically significant effect on the soil bulk density in logging road surface. The pioneer species on logging road surface were Rhus cratargifolius, Prunus chinensis, and Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, etc. in woody species, and Pteridium aquilinum, Arundinella hirta, and Lysimachia clethroides, etc. in herb species. So, in process of year, average plant coverage were 70% on cutting and banking slope and 20% on logging road surface which elapsed 6 years after logging road construction. Through this research, buffer strip-woods must be remained for environmental conservation of forest conditions, and from the time to be closed the road, planting, seeding, and grazing works could be effective to the soil condition and vegetation recovery.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.87-97
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• 2014

This study was conducted to provide field-based harvesting study information which can be used to select an optimal cable system for certain work conditions on steep grounds (> $20^{\circ}$ ground slope) in Korea. To accomplish this study objectives, we evaluated three cable yarding systems (RME-300T tower-yarder, Chuncheon tower-yarder, FARMI tractor winch) working in typical work conditions for their yarding productivity and operational efficiency. Those yarders are commonly used for removing logs or trees on steep grounds in Korea. Under the same work conditions (average DBH of tree to be cut, 20 cm; yarding distance, 60 m; lateral yarding distance, 10 m; and machine utilization rate, 70%), the average productivities were $33.04m^3$/day, $38.47m^3$/day, and $14.17m^3$/day for RME-300T, Chuncheon tower-yarder, and FARMI, respectively. Our standardized cost comparison study also showed that the yarding cost was highest at $37,835won/m^3$ with FARMI, followed by RME-300T at $25,105won/m^3$ for the same work conditions. We found the lowest yarding cost with the Chuncheon tower-yarder at $20,520won/m^3$ which was resulted primarily from high yarding productivity at the yarding distance (60 m). Our analysis suggested that a small machine such as FARMI could be a low-cost yarding machine option for a cable yarding job with a short yarding distance (40 m or less). The Chuncheon tower-yarder is well suited for a mid-range yarding distance job in Korea, ranged between 40 to 140 m. If yarding distance were longer than 140 m, the RME-300T tower yarder appears to be most cost-effective.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 1977

Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) is one of main timber species in Korea that could find much plantation and growing stands on all over the country. It is thought to be in meaningful that a guiding diagram for density control of Japanese larch stands is made to estimate easily the density conditions in the quantitaive, ecological and economic viewpoint. Sample plots for this study are selected from the stands that have not been thinned in recent years, and mean height, mean diameter, dominant height, tree numbers per hectare and stem volume of mean tree are calculated from the each sample plots among total 165 plots In this study, especially, the theory of slenderness of mean tree are applied, that have been identified through the results of the spacing trial. Relative growth characteristics of this species are calculated from the general logistic curve and its formula is $Y=ax^b$. Relatwion between the measured items are found out as follows: 1. Relation between the mean height and tree numbers per hectare by slender class is showing the high correlation as table 1 and fig. 2, and between mean diameter and tree numbers per hectare is also high correlation as table 1 and fig 3. 2. The stem volume can be correctly estimated from height in case that slender class may be known, as showing in table 3 and fig. 4. 3. The stem volume can be more correctly estimated from the relation with $D^2H$ as formula, $Log_e\;V=0.9569\;Log_eD^2H-9.8431$, and relation between stem volume of single tree or volume per hectare and tree numbers per hectare are as following formulas: $Log_e$ stem volume=9.5026-1.6800 $Log_e$ tree numbers per hectare $Log_e$ stem volume per hectare=9.4911-0.6784 $Log_e$ tree numbers per hectare. Stem volume of mean tree, tree numbers per hectare and stem volume per hectare correspond to the mean tree height are calculated to slender class as table 5, 6, 7. Through the above steps, the diagram for density control of Japanese larch are produced as fig. 9. It is thought that this diagram could be applied to control the density of Japanese larch stands.