• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.249-259
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• 2019

We investigated the tritrophic interactions associated with elevation and openness of dwarf bamboo (Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai) vegetation on Mt. Halla, Jeju Island. The interactions between dwarf bamboo plants and its consumers were investigated in four study sites with and without canopy along the elevation gradient. The ecological traits of dwarf bamboo included leaf area, water content, nitrogen content and carbon/nitrogen ratio. Arthropods were collected using a sweeping net and they were later divided into three different feeding guilds: herbivorous, omnivorous and predators. We found that the elevation and canopy openness on dwarf bamboo vegetation was positively related and as elevation increased and canopy opened, the bamboo densities and C/N ratio increased. However, the leaf area, water content and the N content decreased. The study sites with closed canopy indicated a relatively higher species richness of arthropods including insects. We concluded that the tritrophic interactions is closely related to the ecological characteristics of the dwarf bamboos, which is affected by elevation and canopy openness.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1972

Comparative analyses of canopy structure were conducted using newly bred high yield rice cultivars (IR 667-Suwon 213 and 214) and commercial varieties (Jinhung and Paldal) under the field condition. "Canopy score" as criteria of canopy structure was proposed. The results were summerized as follows: 1. IR667 line (IR8${\times}$Taichung Native 1${\times}$Yukara) showed lower canopy height, greater tiller openness, smaller leaf openness and leaf length ratio (flag leaf/3rd), shorter 4th and 5th internode length, greater diameter of 5th internode, consequently greater leaf area index, panicle weight and leaf weight ratio (leaf/leaf sheathculm) as merits, and greater leaf width, smaller leaf number(number of leaf/$m^2$)and specific leaf area($cm^2/g$) and faster destruction of canopy by senescence as demerits comparing with commercial varieties. 2. IR 667 line showed much higher "Canopy score", subsequently higher yield. 3. The quality of individual leaf was better in the commercial varieties indicating that the best combination for the better yield would be the leaf of commercial varieties with the structure of IR667 line.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2009

Pinus thunbergii plantations in Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, are of low ecological quality, with arrested succession and a high proportion of ruderal species. To improve the quality of the habitat, we created canopy gaps ($\sim42\;m^2$) and monitored changes in abiotic (light availability, canopy openness) and biotic (survival and growth of seedlings and understory communities) variables in 2007 and 2008 in plots that had received one of five types of treatment: cutting of canopy trees and removal of the understory (CU), cutting of canopy trees only (C), girdling of canopy trees and removal of the understory (GU), girdling of canopy trees (G) or control. Each treatment was applied to three replicate plots. Abiotic variables did not significantly differ among treatments. Survival rates of target species were slightly lower in the CU, G and control conditions. Based on logistic regression analysis, the only significant growth factor affecting survival was height growth. Positive effects of seedling height and leaf area growth on survival were also detected, but did not reach statistical significance. In treatment G, gradual improvement of overstory conditions and mitigation of competition by limitation of disturbance to the understory community were likely to have promoted seedling growth. There were no significant effects of gap treatments on changes in species abundance (cover and richness) and composition of understory between the study years. This result implies that the small gaps created in our study may be below the threshold size to affect understory growth. However, the results of this study are based on a short-term investigation of only two years. Long-term research is strongly recommended to clarify the effects of gap treatment on plant communities in afforested areas.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2012

Mikania micrantha, a neo-tropical vine, is spreading rapidly in the tropical part of Nepal and is now threatening the rural ecosystem including biodiversity and rural livelihoods. However, no attempt has been made to control the spread of M. micrantha. As a result, the vines are spreading freely and rapidly. After a thorough literature review and assessment of forest management practices, we proposed a manual cutting method, as it suits the Nepalese situation for several reasons: required labor is readily available, as local communities are managing forest patches, and the method does not have any potential adverse effects on non-target native species. Experimental plots were laid out in August 2011 to examine the effectiveness of manual cutting. Two different site types based on canopy coverage were selected and divided into three blocks based on cutting strategy. Four treatments were assigned across the experimental plots following a complete block design. We harvested above-ground biomass according to the assigned treatment. The results suggested that there should be at least two consecutive cuttings within a 3-week interval before flowering, and that three consecutive cuttings resulted in 91% mortality of the vines. In addition, cutting promoted regeneration of native plant species. Employing regular cutting operations can modify understory shade enhancing regeneration of native species, which is a desirable condition to constrain proliferation of M. micrantha. Periodic cuttings reduced the competitiveness of M. micrantha regardless of canopy openness, but native ground cover should be retained.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.78-87
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• 2021

Background: To understand shade and wind effects on seedling traits of common reed (Phragmites australis), we conducted a mesocosm experiment manipulating day length (10 h daytime a day as open canopy conditions or 6 h daytime a day as partially closed canopy conditions) and wind speed (0 m/s as windless conditions or 4 m/s as windy conditions). Results: Most values of functional traits of leaf blades, culms, and biomass production of P. australis were higher under long day length. In particular, we found sole positive effects of long day length in several functional traits such as internode and leaf blade lengths and the values of above-ground dry weight (DW), rhizome DW, and total DW. Wind-induced effects on functional traits were different depending on functional traits. Wind contributed to relatively low values of chlorophyll contents, angles between leaf blades, mean culm height, and maximum culm height. In contrast, wind contributed to relatively high values of culm density and below-ground DW. Conclusions: Although wind appeared to inhibit the vertical growth of P. australis through physiological and morphological changes in leaf blades, it seemed that P. australis might compensate the inhibited vertical growth with increased horizontal growth such as more numerous culms, indicating a highly adaptive characteristic of P. australis in terms of phenotypic plasticity under windy environments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.1-16
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to understand the vegetation structure of the Corylopsis coreana habitats in South Korea and their correlation with environmental factors, in order to provide basic data for preparing conservation. A total of 40 vegetation survey plots were established in around Southern region, Gangwon-do and Gyeonggi-do Province. The cluster analysis revealed four distinct clusters: Quercus mongolica-Pinus densiflora (QmPd), Castanea crenata (Cc), Quercus mongolica (Qm), and Pinus koraiensis (Pk). Among them, the QmPd cluster was selected as the representative community. Soil texture analysis that most areas consisted of loamy soil and were distributed on the northern aspects. The plantation, represented by Pk, exhibited a high content of exchangeable aluminum (5.227±0.342 mg/kg), suggesting the need for soil improvement and monitoring in these habitats. The canopy openness (forest gap) ranged from 11% to 21%, indicating a relatively closed canopy in many survey plots. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated heterogeneous species composition between the QmPd cluster and the Pk cluster (total R² = 0.608).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.321-338
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• 2014

In the Natural Monument (No. 432) Jeju Sanghyo-dong Cymbidium kanran Habitat (39 ha), flora, vegetation diversity, stand structure, mirco-climate, canopy openness, light environment and soil temperature and moisture were quantified from Oct. 2013 to Feb. 2014. Compare to Seogwipo-si, daily mean temperature ($5.7^{\circ}C$) and moisture (75.8%) in study area were lower at $3.3^{\circ}C$ and 15%, respectively. Mean soil temperature and moisture were $16.5^{\circ}C$ and 37.3%, respectively, and mean litter layer depth (n = 81) was 4.3 cm. Mean canopy openness and light availability at forest floor were 15.5% and $8.5mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}day^{-1}$, respectively. Total of 22 species including vascular and bryophyte plants and 6 vegetation group were observed. Castanopsis siebildii was dominant species in study area, and density and basal area were 1,777 stem/ha and $90.3m^2/ha$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.102-109
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• 2016

The sustainability of Iris koreana, a rare and endemic plant designated by the Korea Forest Service, is threatened due to artificial factors such as habitats loss and climate change etc. and internal factors such as changes in biological properties of the habitats etc. but conservation biology research has not been performed in South Korea. The objective of this study is to establish the species conservation strategies by analyzing the characteristics of their habitats, including: 1) Population characteristics, and 2) habitat analysis of the vegetation and abiotic environments. From April to May, 2015, population characteristics [density (stems $m^{-2}$), flowering rate (%) and leaf area size ($cm^2$)] in I. koreana habitats such as Buan1~6 (BA1~6), Jangseong1~2 (JS1~2) and vegetation characteristics (phytosociological research and ordination analysis), and abiotic environments [soil temperature ($^{\circ}C$), soil humidity (%), transmitted light ($mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and canopy openness (%)] were measured. I. koreana was mainly distributed at elevation 50 to 150 m and 2 to $11^{\circ}$ slope. Slope direction was shown as 90 to $193^{\circ}$. The average degree of canopy openness was 11.9%. It showed the highest at BA2 (17.5) and the lowest at JS1 (7.7). The average degree of transmitted light was $6.3mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. It showed the highest at BA2 (10.1) and the lowest at JS1 (3.6). Population density showed average 25.8 (stems $m^{-2}$). It showed the highest at JS2 (19.7) and the lowest at JS1 (9.3). flowering stems showed average 16.9 (stems). It showed the highest at BA3 (35) and the lowest at BA5 (4). Leaf area size was average $94.1cm^2$.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.253-262
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• 2015

The sustainability of Cypripedium japonicum, a rare plant designated by the Korea Forest Service, is threatened due to artificial factors such as habitat loss and climate change etc. and internal factors such as changes in biological properties of the habitat etc. but conservation research has not been performed in South Korea. The objective of this study is to establish the species conservation strategies by analyzing the characteristics of their habitats, including: 1) Population characteristics, and 2) habitat analysis of the vegetation and abiotic environments. From April to September, 2014, population characteristics [density (stems $m^{-2}$), flowering rate (%), and leaf area ($cm^2$)] in Cypripedium japonicum habitats such as Chuncheon (CC), Hwacheon (HC), Muju (MJ), and Gwangyang (GY) and vegetation characteristics (plant sociological research and ordination analysis), and abiotic environments [temperature ($^{\circ}C$), relative humidity (%), transmitted light ($mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and canopy openness (%)] were measured. Cypripedium japonicum was mainly distributed at elevation 450 to 990 m and 5 to $30^{\circ}$ slope. Slope direction was shown as 0 to $110^{\circ}$. Habitats temperature (mean $18.94^{\circ}C$) was well matched to seasonal changes. Differences among sites showed greater level according to latitude difference. It showed the highest in habitat, GY located in the South. On the other hand, relative humidity (77.38%) didn't show much difference among sites. The average degree of canopy openness was 18.17%. It showed the highest at HC (22.1%) and the lowest at MJ (16.1%). The average degree of transmitted light was $9.1mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$. It showed the highest at CC ($10.6mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) and the lowest at GY ($6.87mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}d^{-1}$). Chlorophyll content showed average 26.12 SPAD. It showed the highest at MJ (30.64 SPAD value) and the lowest at HC (23.69 SPAD value). Leaf area was average $253.35cm^2$. It showed the highest at CC ($281.51cm^2$) and the lowest at HC ($238.23cm^2$).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.98 no.1
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• pp.94-105
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• 2009

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) stand is representative lowland exotic plantation with low ecological quality and arrested succession in South Korea. To facilitate succession and restore natural vegetation, small canopy gaps (${\sim}57m^2$), which can modify minimally structural variables and reduce restoration related disturbances on stand, was established in the black locust stand, and oak (Quercus serrata) seedlings were introduced in the gap. Two types of varying levels were introduced for gap creation; cutting (C) and girdling (G) on canopies. Understory removal (CU and GU) treatment was applied as subtypes of structural modification. Growth (diameter, height and leaf area) of target species and responses (species composition, diversity and coverage) of understory community were monitored during study years (2007~2008). Canopy openness was different significantly among treatments but not for light availability. Based on the result of logistic regression, growth of height and leaf area of seedlings were significant variables on seedling survival. Height and leaf area of seedlings were increased during study years, although radial growth was reduced. During study years, there were no significant differences in species composition and diversity, and total coverage increased about 20%. Increase of resources by gap creation and understory removal likely affect growth of target species. Small gap creation was effective to reduce understory responses in composition and diverstiy. Synthesized, growth of target species and responses of understory community to small canopy gap creation exhibited, in short term, possibility of utilization in alternative forest restoration and management option. Long-term monitoring is necessary to certificate effect of artificial gap creation on forest restoration.