• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.358-371
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• 2020

As climate change is expected to lead to a severe reduction of biodiversity, studies to investigate the reasons for habitat loss, growth decline, and death of Korean fir (Abies koreana Wilson), endangered alpine/subalpine species in Korea, have been conducted for years but found no clear answer yet. This study reviewed previous studies on Korean fir published in the journals in the past 40 years, 1980 through 2020, into 10-year units, examined the study trend by period, region, and subject with a focus on ecological studies, and analyzed the study results. The ecological studies were categorized into evolutionary ecology, physiological ecology, population ecology, and landscape ecology. Based on the results, we suggested the required research fields in the future. We found a total of 73 papers published in the past 40 years and 48 (65.8%) of them published in the past 10 years. In terms of region, Mt. Halla accounted for the most as 41 papers were on it. In terms of ecological subjects, the physiological ecology accounted for the most with 38, and the evolutionary ecology accounted for the least with 10. The review of the study results showed that many studies identified water stress caused by the water resource imbalance due to temperature increase and spring precipitation reduction following climate change as the main reason for the decline and habitat loss of Korean fir. However, recent studies suggested other factors, such as soil environment, disturbing organisms, and climatic events. The cause of the decline and death of the Korean fir not yet being clearly identified is that most of the studies dealt with the basic content, were carried out intermittently, and were concentrated in some regions. Therefore, we need long-term studies with advanced technology in each study subject at a local scale to find the cause of Korean fir decline and present sustainable management and conservation. Moreover, it is necessary to extend our study subjects to ecosystem ecology and systems ecology to integrate the results from various study subjects for a comprehensive understanding of the reason for Korean fir declines. The results of comprehensive studies could provide clearer answers for Korean fir's declines and the alternatives of conservation management and practices.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-317
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• 1995

The bryophyte communities on the forest floor of the mixed coniferous, deciduous broad-leaf forest and the evergreen coniferous forest of cool temperate and subalpine zones in Chiri Mountains with the highest peak (Cheonwangbong 1915 m) in south-central part of the Korean Peninsula were investigated from the phytosociology viewpoint. As a result, five bryophyte communities were recognized, considering the species composition of vascular vegetation; A. Sasamorpha borealis-Abies koreana/Dicranum scoparium-Plagiothecium silvaticum community, B. Bosta minor-Abies koreana/Anomodon rugelii-Plagiomnium cuspidatum community, C. Abies koreana/Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Entodon rubicundus community, D. Abies koreana-Picea jezoensis/Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Thuidium kanedae community, E. Abies koreana-Pieea jezoensis/Hylocomium splendens-Pleurozium sehreberi community. Among these, the communities A, B, C and D were distributed in the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaf forest of lower altitudes (1200 to 1700 m) and characterized by the elements of the cool temperate zone. They were confimled as synusies belonging to the Fraxino-Abietetum koreanae Song 1988. The community E was distributed in higher altitudes (1700 m to near the summit) and characterized by the species group of the holarctic elements, e.g. Hyloeomium splendens, Pleurozium sehreberi, Dieranum majus, etc. limited in subarctic; subalpine and arctic; alpine zones. The community E was confirmed as a synusie of the Abieti koreanae-Piceetum jezoensis Song 1991 belonging the Vaecinio-Pieeetea Br.-BI. 1939. Up to date many investigator have described the coniferous forest distibuted above 1200 m in Chiri mountauns as the forest vegetation of subalpine zone. However, from the results of the present study, the boundary of the mixed forest and the true subalpine coniferous forest was elucidated to be ca. 1700 m phytosociologically. Species richness was highest in the community E, and the other four communities showed a similar species richness. Among the species diversity indices, H' and D were high in the communities Band E, low in the communities A and C, and medium in the community D. The values of J' decreased with the increase in altitudes and the community E showed the lowest value. The result of Bray-Curtis ordination revealed that the diversity analysis and the division of the above two forest zones are justifiable. The taxa of the bryophyte communities were composed of 25 families, 46 genera, 73 species, 1 subspecies and 2 varieties.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.95-117
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate Korean native trees in the America landscape through arboretums, the plant inventory of America, computer files for accessions from Korea, source lists of plants and seeds, and seed and plant nursery company. The results were as follows; 1. Korean native trees introduced in America and Canada were 119 species, 116 species were being cultivated in arbrids were being sold in nurseries, new cultivars were selected from 32 species, and hybrids were bred from 5 species. 2. Abies koreana, Malus baccata, and Stewartia koreana were being cultivated in many arboretums and sold in many nurseries. Also there were new hybrids as well as new cultivars. 3. 25 species including Albizzia julibrissin were being cultivated in many arboretums and sold in many nurseries. Also there were new hybrids. 4. Ilex integra and Ilex rotunda were being cultivated in many arboretums and sold in many nurseries. There were no new cultivars, but there were new hybrids. 5. 44 species including Abies holophylla were being cultivated in many arboretums and sold in many nurseries. There were no new cultivars or hybrids. 6. Populus tremula var. davidiana was being cultivated in many arboretums. There were new cultivars of 'Erecta', 'Gigas', 'Pendula', but no new hybrids. They were not sold by any nurseries. 7. 41 species including Abies nephrolepsis were being cultivated in many arboretums. But they were not sold by any nurseries. They didn't have any new cultivars or hybrids. 8. Diospyros kaki 'Kyungsan Bansi', Elaeocarpus sylvestris var. ellipticus, and Pyrus serotina 'Dankae' were not being cultivated in arboretums in America but some nurseries were selling those species as well as new cultivars. 9. Only 3 species (Berchemia berchemiaefolia, Carpinus eximia, and Chionanthus retusus var. coreana which are native Korean plants) were not introduced in America or Canada.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2024

To assess the ecological changes of Korean fir (Abies koreana E. H. Wilson) under climate change conditions, growth and physiological responses were analyzed over a 5-year period in a control group (outdoors) and in a treatment group where the temperature and CO2 levels were elevated to closely resemble RCP 4.5 conditions. The results showed an increasing trend in annual branch length of A.koreana in the climate change treatment group over time. While climate change conditions did not significantly impact the morphological differences of A.koreana leaves, they did influence the biomass of the leaves, suggesting that as climate change progresses, the productivity of A.koreana leaves may decline. On the other hand, the chlorophyll content in A.koreana under climate change conditions was higher in the climate change treatment group, whereas the photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, water use efficiency and stomatal conductance was higher in the control group. This suggests that an environment with elevated temperature and CO2 could influence an increase in stomatal density, but having a negative impact on photosynthetic reactions. Further research on stomatal density under each environmental treatment will be required to confirm this hypothesis. Additionally, as this study only observed changes in leaf biomass, further empirical research should be considered to understand the changes in biomass of A.koreana under climate change conditions. In conclusion, the environmental adaptability of A.koreana is expected to weaken in the long term under elevated temperatures and CO2.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

This study was carried out to compare stand structure and dynamics in Abies koreana forest in Yeongsil area of Mt. Hallasan between 2011 and 2017 by analysing DBH distribution, tree vitality, importance value (IV) and species diversity through the national long-term ecological research project conducted by National Institute of Environmental Research. As a result of DBH distribution, A. koreana decreased in all DBH class except 20-25 cm and the number of individual decreased by 16.3 percent from 780 to 655. As a result of tree vitality of A. koreana, the number of standing alive (AS) decreased by 16.2 percent from 652 to 546, while that of standing dead (DS) increased by 15.8 percent from 106 to 126 and that of fallen dead (DF) increased by 193.7 percent from 16 to 47, respectively. Importance value of A. koreana decreased by 2.4 percent point from 45.9 % to 43.5 %. Species diversity increased by 0.006 from 0.513 to 0.519. The weakening of the A. koreana in the Yeongsil area of Mt. Hallasan could be considerably supported by many aspects such as DBH distribution, tree vitality and importance value. Therefore, Long-term ecological monitoring and continuously research in that area should be conducted to clarify the effects of ecosystem changes.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1999

Species of the pillars in the 4 different buildings(Sudaridjang, Beopbojeon, Dongsaganjang, Seosaganjang) in which Tripitaka Koreana wood blocks are conserved were identified. 1. In 114 pillars, including 6 partially piled-up pillars, 73(64%) was Zelkova serrata, 17(14.9%) was Pinus koraiensis, 16(14%) was Pinus densiflora, 5(4.4%) was Abies holophylla, 2(1.8%) was Quercus sp., and 1(0.9%) was Pinus rigida. 2. The pillars from Sudarajang were consist of various species such as Pinus densiflora, Pinus Koraiensis, Abies holophylla, Quercus sp., and Zelkova serrata, whereas all 47 out of 48 pillars from Beopbojeon were consist of only one species-Zelkova serrata. 3. We can be inferred from the characteristics of the identified species that Beopbojeon whose pillars are made of only Zelkova serrata was built at least before the mid-Koryo dynasty followed by Sudarajang, but Dongsaganjang and Seosaganjang might be built far later than that time.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

This study sought to analyze changes in the vegetation structure and species diversity indices in the Abies koreana forest in the Yeongsil area of Hallasan Mountain and establish basic data for Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER). The results show that the number of woody plants per 1ha has increased by 804 (45.1%) from 1,781 to 2,585 individual plants, whereas the number of live A. koreana did not change much with 796 individual plants. The number of dead tree plants, however, jumped by 807 (82.2%) from 982 to 1,789 plants. With other tree species, the number of live individual plants increased by 807 (82.2%) from 982 to 1,789 plants, whereas the number of dead plants increased by 31 from 10 to 41 individual plants. Results of the average importance index analysis show that the number of A. koreana decreased, while the number of Weigela subsessilis, Rhododendron yedoense for. poukhanense, and Magnolia sieboldii increased. The species diversity index increased by 6.7% as per the maximum level in the upper layer and by 7.2% in the lower layer, respectively. Results of the stem morphology analysis show that the number of AS type was highest with 700 individual plants among A. koreana, while their distribution by type shifted from AS>AL>DS>DB to AS>DS>AL>DB. As for other species, the AS type was most abundant with 1,580 individual plants, while their distribution by type shifted from AL>AS>AF>AB to AS>AL>AB>AD. The number of newly sprouted tree plants has increased from 420 in 2014 to 453 in 2016. Of the individual plants that were alive in 2014, 23 were found dead and 33 individual plants younger than 3 years old have been newly added to the group. The number of deaths after 2014 was highest among the 2 years olds, whereas the number of 2 years olds that sprouted in 2014 was highest among the newly sprouted tree plant group. In the A. koreana forest in Yeongsil, the density of other species was rising rapidly with the exception of the dead and live A. koreana. The occurrence of new tree plants is decreasing rapidly, thereby confirming the rapid change in the area's vegetation structure. Therefore, there is a need for continuous long-term ecological research to monitor vegetation change. It can also be used as a basic data for efficient restoration research.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.4
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• pp.387-392
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• 2007

Characteristics of needle morphology and anatomy were examined in 14 populations of Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim. and A. koreana Wilson. Additionally we studied the classification index to distinguish between the species by the method of discriminant analysis. Characteristics of needle for A. nephrolepis could be distinguished from those for A. koreana by flatten arrangement, thin and long length for needle form, many stomata row, and marginal position of resin duct Nested ANOVA showed that there were statistically significant differences among populations as well as among individuals within populations in all 9 needle traits. For the needle indices such as needle thickness, number of stomata row, and the distance between resin duct and vascular for both species, variance components among populations were larger than those among individuals within populations. The characteristics that contributed most to the separation of A. nephrolepis and A. koreana according to the discriminant analysis using stepdisc procedures were needle index and thickness of needle, needle arrangement index, distance between resin duct and vascular, and number of stomata row.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.93-118
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• 2013

In this study, the forest vegetation of Jirisan National Park were classified into 20 communities, 3 subcommunities by the Z-M method. In the analysis of environmental factors, the organic matter and total nitrogen had the highest correlation on the subalpine forests. among them Picea jezoensis community showed the highest, Betula ermanii community, Taxus cuspidata community, Pinus koraiensis community, Abies nephrolepis community and Abies koreana community were represented in order. the K, Mg, Ca had correlation on th montane forests; Quercus mongolica community, Quercus serrata community, Stewartia pseudocamellia community, Pinus densiflora community, Quercus variabilis community were in order. the total nitrogen, electrical conductivity and organic matter had the highest correlation of the montane ravine forests; Fraxinus mandshurica community, Abies holophylla community, Betula costata community, Cornus controversa community and Carpinus laxiflora community were in order.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.226-245
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• 2019

To understand the dynamics of radial growth of trees and micro-climate at a site of Korean fir (Abies koreana Wilson) forest on high-altitude area of Mt. Hallasan National Park, Jeju Island, Korea, high precision dendrometers were installed on the stems of Korean fir trees, and the sensors for measuring micro-climate of the forest at 10 minutes interval were also installed at the forest. Data from the sensors were sent to nodes, collected to a gateway wireless, and transmitted to a data server using mobile phone communication system. By analyzing the radial growth data for the trees during the growing season in 2016, we can estimate that the radial growth of Korean fir trees initiated in late April to early May and ceased in late August to early September, which indicates that period for the radial growth was about 4 months in 2016. It is interesting to observe that the daily ambient temperature and the daily soil temperature at the depth of 20 cm coincided with the values of about 10 ℃ when the radial growth of the trees initiated in 2016. When the radial growth ceased, the values of the ambient temperature went down below about 15 ℃ and 16 ℃, respectively. While the ambient temperature and the soil temperature are evaluated to be the good indicators for the initiation and the cessation of radial growth, it becomes clear that radii of tree stems showed diurnal growth patterns affected by diurnal change of ambient temperature. In addition, the wetting and drying of the surface of the tree stems affected by precipitation became the additional factors that affect the expansion and shrinkage of the tree stems at the forest site. While it is interesting to note that the interrelationships among the micro-climatic factors at the forest site were well explained through this study, it should be recognized that the precision monitoring made possible with the application of high resolution sensors in the measurement of the radial increment combined with the observation of 10 minutes interval with aids of information and communication technology in the ecosystem observation.