• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.210-226
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• 2024

Old-growth mixed-conifer forests in Bhutan are characterized by remarkable tree species compositional heterogeneity. However, our knowledge of tree species assemblages and their structural attributes in these forests has been limited. Therefore, forest classification has been reliant on a single dominant species. This study aimed to distinguish tree species assemblages in an old-growth mixed conifer forest in Western Bhutan and to describe their natural compositional and stand structural characteristics. Furthermore, the regeneration status of species was investigated and the quantity and quality of accumulated coarse woody debris were assessed. Ninety simple random sampling plots were surveyed in the study site between 3,000 and 3,600 meters above sea level. Tree, standing deadwood, regeneration, and coarse woody debris data were collected. Seven tree species assemblages were distinguished by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and Indicator Species Analysis, representing five previously undescribed tree species associations with unique set of consistent species. Principal Component Analysis revealed two transitional pathways of species dominance along an altitudinal gradient, highly determined by relative topographic position. The level of stand stratification varied within a very wide range, corresponding to physiognomic composition. Rotated-sigmoid and negative exponential diameter distributions were formed by overstorey species with modal, and understorey species with negative exponential distribution. Overstorey dominant species showed extreme nurse log dependence during regeneration, which supports the formation of their modal distribution by an early natural selection process. This allows the coexistence of overstorey and understorey dominant species, increasing the sensitivity of these primary ecosystems to forest management.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.4
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• pp.553-558
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• 2010

This study was conducted to clarify the differences in rodents population densities between natural restored and red pine silvicultured forests after forest fire in Samcheok, Gangwon Province, Korea from March to December 2008. One ha size of 3 study plots were set up in each natural restored and silvicultured stand. We trapped the small rodents during 4 consecutive nights every 2 months in each stand. Understory coverage and number of shrub stems were higher in silvicultured stand than in natural restored stand. Coverage of overstory, suboverstory and midstory, number of tree stem, woody seedling stems and dead wood, and amount of coarse woody debris were higher in natural restored stand than in silvicultured stand. Six hundred eighty eight individuals of four species, such as Apodemus agrarius, A. peninsulae, Eothenomys regulus and Tamias sibiricus were captured in our study. Number of captured small rodents were higher in natural restored stand than in silvicultured stand. Also, species compositions were differed in both stands. The captured number of A. agrarius and A. peninsulae were most highest in April and December. E. regulus were shown higher number of captured in April and June, and T. sibiricus were in June and October. Removal of coarse woody debris and silvicultural practice would not be good for the inhabitation of small rodents. For the conservation of small rodents diversity, management of understory and canopy would be needed in forest fired area.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.251-256
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• 2003

Baseline data on the type, species and volume for dead trees were collected from old growth fir (Abies holophylla) forest in Sorak National Park. Though the survey was restricted to fly forest, a basic data compatible to those in other countries were collected. Besides fir, dead trees were also found in deciduous species. All the Known dead tree types were found. Average volume of dead tree in the surveyed area was 00.42 $\textrm{m}^2 \; ha^{-1}$. There seems no correlation existing between the distributions of dead tree and coarse woody debris (CWD).

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.337-341
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• 2003

Habitat heterogeneity can enhance biological diversity by providing variation in structural diversity. This paper reviewed heterogeneous habitat serves as a population stability and superior demographic performance (e.g., high density, survivorship, reproductive rate) can be observed compared with organisms with inferior demographic performance. The idea of habitat variation has been further developed in modelling. Furthermore the size and configuration (distribution) of a patch (of a particular habitat type) become effective for the stability of population through hiding places and food resources. Species diversity is related to habitat complexity that provides structural diversity to ground -dwelling organisms. Finally coarse woody debris can enhance habitat complexity thus stabilizing population fluctuation and increasing survivorship.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2019

Coarse woody debris (CWD), which is a component of the forest ecosystem, plays a major role in forest energy flow and nutrient cycling. In particular, CWD isolates carbon for a long time and is important in terms of slowing the rate of carbon released from the forest to the atmosphere. Therefore, this study measured the physiochemical characteristics and respiration rate ($R_{CWD}$) of CWD for Larix kaempferi and Pinus rigida in temperate forests in central Korea. In summer 2018, CWD samples from decay class (DC) I to IV were collected in the 14 forest stands. $R_{CWD}$ and physiochemical characteristics were measured using a closed chamber with a portable carbon dioxide sensor in the laboratory. In both species, as CWD decomposition progressed, the density ($D_{CWD}$) of the CWD decreased while the water content ($WC_{CWD}$) increased. Furthermore, the carbon concentrations did not significantly differ by DC, whereas the nitrogen concentration significantly increased and the C/N ratio decreased. The respiration rate of L. kaempferi CWD increased significantly up to DC IV, but for P. rigida it increased to DC II and then unchanged for DC II-IV. Accordingly, except for carbon concentration, all the measured characteristics showed a significant correlation with $R_{CWD}$. Multiple linear regression showed that $WC_{CWD}$ was the most influential factor on $R_{CWD}$. $WC_{CWD}$ affects $R_{CWD}$ by increasing microbial activity and is closely related to complex environmental factors such as temperature and light conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to study their correlation and estimate the time-series pattern of CWD moisture.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the carbon (C) contents in different mixed stands of P. dens if/ora and deciduous oak species in Gwangneung, central Korea. Five mixed stands with different ratios of P. densiflora and deciduous oak species were chosen based on the basal area of all trees ${\geq}\;5cm$ DBH: pure P. densiflora (P100D0), 70% P. densiflora + 30% deciduous oak species (P70D30), 44% P. densiflora + 56% deciduous oak species (P50D50), 37% P. densiflora + 63% deciduous oak species (P40D60), and 10% P. densiflora + 90% deciduous oak species (P10D90). Total C contents in the overstory (aboveground and belowground) vegetation were higher in the mixed stands (P70D30, P50D50, P40D60) than in the pure stands (P100D0, P10D90). Moreover, except for P40D60, C contents of forest floor (litter and coarse woody debris) were larger in the mixed stands (P70D30, P50D50) than in the pure stands. However, total soil C contents up to 30cm depth were highest in the pure deciduous oak stand than in the pure P. densiflora stand and mixed stands. Total ecosystem C contents (Mg/ha) were 163.3 for P100D0, 152.3 for P70D30, 188.8 for P50D50, 160.2 for P40D60, and 150.4 for P10D90, respectively. These differences in total ecosystem C contents among the different mixed stands for P. densiflora and deciduous oak species within the study stands were attributed by the differences in vegetation development and forest management practices. Among the five study stands, the total ecosystem C contents were maximized in the 1:1 mixed ratio of P. densiflora and deciduous oak species (P50D50).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.6
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• pp.711-715
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• 2006

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of habitats and small rodent populations between remnant removed and left areas caused by different remnant treatment on forest floor in fired coniferous forest, Mt Gumbong, Samcheok, Korea, There were higher value of variables of understory coverage, snags, downed coarse woody debris (CWD) in natural restored area. Mean number of captured individuals and body weights of Apodemus peninsulae and Eothenomys regulus were more higher in remnant left area than in removed area, The differences in density and body weight of small rodents would be related with habitats between both study areas. The remove of remnant trees on the forest floor would not be good for small rodents. The more detailed and long-term researches would be needed for proper restoration in fired forest area.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the differences in habitat environment and characteristics of small rodent populations with time elapse after thinning in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) plantations, Mt. Janggun, Gyeongbuk Province, South Korea. We found that there were significant differences in habitat environment, number of tree, shrub stems, coverage of overstory, midstory, rock and number of coarse woody debris (CWD) between thinned and unthinned forest stands. We captured four small rodent species. Total number of captured small rodent were higher in thinned stands. Male-to-female ratio of Apodemus agrarius, and A. peninsulae were both the highest in forest stand 3 year after thinning. The differences in number of captured and sex ratio of small rodents might be related to habitat environment between thinned and unthinned stands. Thus, thinning can provide good habitat for small rodents by developing understory vegetation and increasing CWD in Japanese larch plantations. These results suggest that forest management through maintenance of CWD and induction of midstory and understory vegetation after thinning is necessary to maintain small rodents diversity.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.472-480
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• 2018

This study was conducted to estimate carbon storage in Quercus mongolica stands based on stand age class, and to provide basic data on the carbon balance of broad-leaved forests of Korea. The research was conducted at the experimental forest of Kangwon National University, Hongcheon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, Korea. Three plots were set up in each of three Q. mongolica forest stands (III, V, and VII) to estimate the amount of carbon stored in Q. mongolica aboveground vegetation, coarse woody debris (CWD), organic layer, mineral soil, and litterfall. The carbon storage of the aboveground vegetation increased with an increase in stand age, while the carbon storage ratio of stems decreased. The carbon storage of the organic layer, CWD, and litterfall did not show any significant differences among age classes. In addition, the carbon concentration and storage in the forest soils decreased with depth, and there were no differences among age classes for any soil horizon. Finally, the total carbon storage in the III, V, and VII stands of Q. mongolica were 132.2, 241.1, and $374.4Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. In order to predict and effectively manage forest carbon dynamics in Korea, further study on deciduous forests with other tree species in different regions will be needed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.1
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• pp.113-117
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• 2008

This study was conducted to clarify the differences in habitat characteristics and rodent populations between before and after damaged tree removals at forest fired areas in coniferous forest, Samcheok, Gangwon Province, Korea. The understory coverage and the number of shrub stem were increased by forest succession. Number of snags and downed CWD (coarse woody debris) were decreased after damaged tree removals. Population density of Apodemus agrarius was increased after damaged tree removal. However, population density of total rodents, Apodemus peninsulae and Eothenomys regulus were decreased. Changes in habitat structures may be influenced in rodent species composition. Especially, that would be negative effect on forestdwelling rodents.