• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2010

Betula platyphylla var. japonica and Betula ermanii segregate vertically at an elevation of approximately 1,850 m on Mt. Neko in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. B. platyphylla var. japonica and B. ermanii were the dominant species below and above this altitude, at which the mean-annual and growing-season air temperatures were $4^{\circ}C$ and $14.1^{\circ}C$, respectively. Based on a modification of Kira's warmth index which employs cumulative temperature represented as $^{\circ}C$ day, leaf unfolding in both species was observed to be initiated at $58^{\circ}C$ day and $169^{\circ}C$ day, respectively. In 1996, leaf unfolding was initiated on 18 May in B. platyphylla var. japonica (+/-6 days) and on 5 June in B. ermanii (+/-8 days), shortly after the last frost which occurred on 5 May 1995 above 1,850 m; below this elevation there was no risk of frost at the time. At elevations above 1,850 m, the unfolded leaves of B. platyphylla were damaged by late frost, while B. ermanii escaped injury because the leaves were still protected by winter buds. The optimum temperature for seed germination in both B. platyphylla and B. ermanii was $30^{\circ}C$. Temperature alternation from 10 to $30^{\circ}C$ and moist storage of seeds at $4^{\circ}C$ (stratification) prior to incubation increased germination rates in both species. The seedlings of B. ermanii had a greater survival rates than those of B. platyphylla var. japonica when planted above 1,850 m. Comparisons of the timing of leaf unfolding and the latest frost at a site appeared to be the main factors affecting the vertical distribution of these species.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.165-172
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• 2003

The objectives of this study were to examine the physiological responses to ozone and to measure ozone uptake rates of Betula species exposed to relatively high concentration of pollutants. At the end of the growing season, photosynthesis, pigments contents, antioxidants (SOD and GR) and ozone uptake rates were measured or estimated at the leaves of five Betula species (Betula costata, B. davurica, B. platyphylla var. japonica, B. schmidtii and B. ermanii) exposed to 100ppb ozone concentration. On the termination of the experiment, growth effects were determined by measuring leaf area and dry weights of leaf, stem and root. Ozone treatment showed the significant reduction the leaf area and dry weight of four Betula species, except for B. ermanii. Shoot / root (SR) ratio of five species represented two different types. SR ratio of B. costata and B. davurica were lower than control, in contrast, SR ratio of B. platyphylla var. japonica, B. schimidtii and B. emani, were higher than that of control. The photosynthetic responses of five species were different in responses to ozone exposure. Four species, except for B. emanii, maintained or increased the stomatal conductance, but B. emanii decreased both stomatal conductance and photosynthesis. SOD activities of five species decreased by the ozone exposure, especially B. ermanii showed the largest reduction, GR activities of B. platyphylla var. japonica and B. schmidtii increased, B. costata and B. emanii decreased. Instantaneous ozone uptake rate was the highest at the leaves of B. ermanii and B. costata, ozone uptake per seedling was the highest at the leaf of B. schmidtii and B. emanii. It was concluded that B. costata, B. davurica and B. platyphylla var. japonica, appeared the growth reduction and visible ozone injury, were sensitive species to ozone, and B. schmidtii with the increased antioxidant activity and B. ermanii without the growth reduction were relatively resistant species to high ozone concentration at the early growing stage.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2004

To investigate the vegetation structure of subalpine region from Hyangjeukbong to 2nd Deogyusan, 20 plots(100$m^2$) set up with random sampling method were surveyed. Three groups Quercus mongolica community, Betula ermanii - Picea jezoensis - Taxus cuspidata community, Taxus cuspidata - Qurecus mongolica - Betula ermanii community were classified by cluster analysis. Quercus mongolica, Taxus cuspidata and Betula ermanii were found as a major woody plant species in the subalpine region from Hyangjeukbong to 2nd Deogyusan. In this area, Korean endemic species, Abies koreana was distributed small amounts. In future, importance percentage of Abies koreana might be decreased, but that of Betula ermanii might be increased. High positive correlations was proved between Betula ermanii and Rhododendron schlippenbachii, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum ; Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes and Acer mono; Syringa velutina and Magnolia sieboldii and relatively high negative corrlations was proved between Betular ermani and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes ; Quercus mongolica and Acer mono; Abies koreana and Tripterygium regelii, Weigela subsessilis. Species diversity(H') of investigated groups were ranged 1.0316∼1.1776 and it was similar to those of the ridge area of the national parks in Baekdudaegan.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.310-319
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• 1992

Vegetational data obtained from 24 quadrats of Mt. Paekdu area were analysed by applying two multivariate methods : two-way indicator species analysis(TWIMSPAN) for classification and detrended canonical correspondence analysis(DCCA) for ordination. DCCA technique allowed to extract the ordination axes that could be related to 9 environmental factors. The dominant tree species distributed in the region between 1,700-1,950m from sea level were Betula ermanii, Larix olgensis, Abies nephrolepis, and Picea jezoensis in descending order. The dominant tree species distributed in the region between 1.300-1.500m were Abies nephrolepis, Pinus koraiensis, Larix olgensis, Betula mandshurica, and Picea jezoensis in descending order. The available phosphorus content in forest soil ranged from 7 to 1.153ppm. The distribution of the major communities showed a close relationship with elevation gradient. From high to low elevation, the communities of Alnus fruticosa var. mandshurica, Betula ermanii, Larix olgensis, Abies nephrolepis, Picea jezoensis, Pinus koraiensis, and Quercus mongolica were found in descending order. At the communities where Betula ermanii was dominant, Betula ermanii forest was distributed in the high elevation area, Betula ermanii-Larix olgensis forest in the good nutrition of organic matter and $K^+$, and Abies nephrolepis forest in the good nutrition of $Mg^{{+}{+}}$ and $Ca^{{+}{+}}$. The most dominant factor influencing community distribution was elevation.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.246-254
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• 2021

Subalpine and alpine ecosystems are especially vulnerable to temperature increases. Betula ermanii Cham. (Betulaceae) is a dominant broad-leaved tree species in the subalpine zone and is designated as a 'Climate-sensitive Biological Indicator Species' in South Korea. This study aimed to predict the potential distribution of B. ermanii under current and future climate conditions in South Korea using the MaxEnt model. The species distribution models showed an excellent fit (AUC=0.99). Among the climatic variables, the most critical factors shaping B. ermanii distribution were identified as the maximum temperature of warmest month (Bio5; 64.8%) and annual mean temperature (Bio1; 20.3%). Current potential habitats were predicted in the Baekdudaegan mountain range and Mt. Hallasan, and the area of suitable habitat was 1531.52 km², covering 1.57% of the Korean Peninsula. With global warming, future climate scenarios have predicted a decrease in the suitable habitats for B. ermanii. Under RCP8.5-2070s, in particular, habitat with high potential was predicted only in several small areas in Gangwon-do, and the total area suitable for the species decreased by up to 97.3% compared to the current range. We conclude that the dominant factor affecting the distribution of B. ermanii is temperature and that future temperature rises will increase the vulnerability of this species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.397-406
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• 1998

To investigate the structure and the conservation strategy of natural forest at Taech'ongbong-Hangyeryong Area in Soraksan. 45 plots(20m*20m) set up with random sampling method were surveted. Four groups - Quercus mongolica - Acer pseudosieboldianum community, Avies nephrolepis - Tilia amurensis - Quercus mongolica community, Abies nephrolepis - Taxus cuspidata community, Abies nephrolepis - Qurecusmongolica community - were classified by cluster analysis. High positive correlations were proved between Abies nephrolepis and Betula ermanii; Abies nephrolepis and Pinus pumila; Aies nephrolepis and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum; Betula ermanii and Pinus pumila; Betula ermanii and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum; Pinus pumila and Rhododendron mucronulatm var. ciliatum; Quercus mongolica and Rhododendron schlippenbachii; Quercus mongolica and Qeigela subsessilis; Euonymus macroptera and Syringa reticulata; Euonymus macroptera and Viburnum wrightii; Acer ukurunduense and Euonymus oxyphyllus, and high nagative correlations were proved between Betula ermanii and Acer pseudosieboldianum; Quercus mongolica and Tripterygium regelii; Rhododendron schlippenbachii and Tripterygium regelii; Carpinus cordata and Acer pseudosieboldianum. Species diversity(H') of investigated area was calculated 2.1352~2.8016.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 1994

To investigate the structure and the conservation strategy of natural forest at Paekryunsa-Hyangcho kpong area in Tokyusan, 21 plots (400$m^2$) set up with random sampling method. Four groups were classified by cluster analysis. High positive correlations was proved between Tripterygium regelii and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes, Viburnum sargentii and Betula ermanii, Corylus heterophylla var. thunbergii and Stephanandra incisa, Betula costata and Cornus controversa, Acer mono and Tilia amurensis, Tilia amurensis and Kalopanax pictum, Lonicera maackii and Viburum sargentii, and Betula ermanii, Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes and Taxus cuspidata, and Viburnum sargentii, and High negative correlations was proved between Acer pseudo-sieboldianum and Viburnum sargentii, Tripterygium regelii and Stephanandra incisa, Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes, and Stephanandra incisa. Species diversity(H') of investigated area was calculated 0.9402~1.2473. Taxus cuspidata, Betula ermanii and Abies koreana at Hyangchokpong area in Tokyusan should be conserved.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2010

This study was carried out to analyze vegetation and soil characteristic, and ordination of subalpine forest vegetation of Daecheongbong area, Mt. Seorak. Communities by characteristic in species composition of subalpine forest were classified into Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum - Betula ermani community group, Pinus pumila, Abies nephrolepis, Thuja koraiensis, and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum - Betula ermanii typical community. The results of the correlation between forest communitie sand soil conditions of Daecheongbong area by DCCA ordination method are as follows: The Pinus pumila community and Thuja koraiensis community were mainly found in the high percentage area of total nitrogen, available phosphorous, organic matter in comparison with Abies nephrolepis community and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum - Betula ermanii typical community. The Abies nephrolepis community and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum - Betula ermanii typical community were mainly found in the high elevation area in comparison with Pinus pumila community and Thuja koraiensis community. The Pinus pumila community and Thuja koraiensis community were mainly found in the northern and northwestern direction, but Abies nephrolepis community and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum - Betula ermanii typical community were mainly found in the southwestern direction.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.321-329
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• 1990

An investigation was performed to elucidate wave character of the timber line on the middle slope of the west side of Paektusan. The Betula ermanii forest, which composes the timber line on about 2, 060m elevation of sea level, is the pure community of B. ermanii. Diffraction pattern of wave distribution of B. eramnii due to boundary condition of alpine temperature gradient was found out on the timber line. Interference patterns of waves of B. ermanii communities produced by environment conditions such as soil layers, whids, snow and relief were shown on a specific area. These facts indicate that the B. ermanii individuals have wave and particle duality, the complementarity principle.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the ecological attributes of forest types which were classified by cluster analysis in the natural forest of Mt. Odae on the basis of the vegetation data (232 sampling points) from the point-quarter sampling methods. For the classified types, the species composition was expressed by importance value to describe the stand structure and the species diversity was quantified using the Shannon's diversity index. Recognized forest types were 1) Quercus mongolica-Pinus densiflora-Betula ermanii forest type, 2) Mixed mesophytic forest type, 3) Q. mongolica forest type, 4) B. ermanii forest type. Species diversity indices of total and overstory were highest in the Mixed mesophytic forest type (3.465 and 2.942), and lowest in the B. ermanii forest type (0.118 and 0.832). In addition to that, Q. mongolica-P. densiflora-B. ermanii forest type was calculated as 3.226 and 2.565, and Q. mongolica forest type was calculated as 2.776 and 1.218 in total and overstory, respectively. It was considered that after the P. densiflora and B. ermanii first invaded and site condition became good, Q. mongolica-P. densiflora-B. ermanii forest type was dominated by Q. mongolica. Mixed mesophytic forest type showed the most stable stand structure with various species distributed uniformly. Q. mongolica forest type would preserve the present stand status for a while, and the B. ermanii in B. ermanii forest type would be pressed by other species over time.