• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.233-246
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• 2023

In terms of understanding the water cycle and efficient water resource management, the importance of soil moisture has been highlighted. However, in Korea, the lack of qualified in-situ soil moisture data results in very limited utility. Even if satellite-based data are applied, the absence of ground reference data makes objective evaluation and correction difficult. The cosmic-ray neutron probe (CRNP) can play a key role in producing data for satellite data calibration. The installation of CRNP is non-invasive, minimizing damage to the soil and vegetation environment, and has the advantage of having a spatial representative for the intermediate scale. These characteristics are advantageous to establish an observation network in Korea which has lots of mountainous areas with dense vegetation. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the CRNP soil moisture observatory in Korea as part of the establishment of a Korean cOsmic-ray Soil Moisture Observing System (KOSMOS). The CRNP observation station was installed with the Gunup-ri observation station, considering the ease of securing power and installation sites and the efficient use of other hydro-meteorological factors. In order to evaluate the CRNP soil moisture data, 12 additional in-situ soil moisture sensors were installed, and spatial representativeness was evaluated through a temporal stability analysis. The neutrons generated by CRNP were found to be about 1,087 counts per hour on average, which was lower than that of the Solmacheon observation station, indicating that the Hongcheon observation station has a more humid environment. Soil moisture was estimated through neutron correction and early-stage calibration of the observed neutron data. The CRNP soil moisture data showed a high correlation with r=0.82 and high accuracy with root mean square error=0.02 m³/m³ in validation with in-situ data, even in a short calibration period. It is expected that higher quality soil moisture data production with greater accuracy will be possible after recalibration with the accumulation of annual data reflecting seasonal patterns. These results, together with previous studies that verified the excellence of CRNP soil moisture data, suggest that high-quality soil moisture data can be produced when constructing KOSMOS.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.98-107
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• 2013

Big and old trees in the scenic spots with the attributes of remote villas are vulnerable to man-made damages and very sensitive to the external environment such as soil conditions, so the corresponding management plans are required. Thus this study has been conducted to survey the big and old trees in the scenic remote villas and suggest the ideal management plans. The results can be summarized as follows. First, regarding the tree heath above the ground, transformation of tree, death of branches, and death of barks are closely related to tree vigor. Particularly, the areas receiving many visitors require prompt countermeasures against the dried and dead tress above the ground and the areas in which dried and dead tress occurred and also the safety measures for the visitors and facilities. Second, regarding the soil environment, visitor traffic is closely related to the tree vigor. In 15 remote villa gardens, 64% of trees are exposed to heavy traffic and the tree vigor has declined due to an increase of visitor. Thus, there is a need to give positive consideration the installation of the complementary facilities and the plantation of herbal plants in the congested areas to form the ground surface that can tolerate the heavy visitor traffic. Third, remote gardens are in general located adjacent to ponds and mountain streams and thus the trees in the waterfront areas require the prompt countermeasures against the decline of growth due to the excess-moisture in the soil. Further the blockage of the sewage system due to the heavy rains dampens the surrounding soil, which results in lethal damages to the trees. Thus, there is a need of the maintenance of the waterfront areas and sewage system before and after the rainy season. In addition, there is a need to establish medium-long term management polices through the recognition of the importance of the main trees of remote villa gardens in scenic spots and prepare the tree management manual depending on the attributes of the corresponding areas. I strongly suggest making manuals for the systematic management as well as the extensive PR activities and education for the preservation of tress on a long-term basis; and furthermore securing the budget and manpower for the research and development of a systematic management system.