• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.409-419
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study is to compare the differences in aboveground flora and underground flora between a forest road and a forest edge and to clarify each characteristic through ecological approach to a forest road. The study site was the forest planted with Pinus koraiensis and Abies holophylla, and located at an altitude of 45m($36^{\circ}36'23''N127^{\circ}21'45''E$). The width of the forest road is 3.2m. This research set the forest edge within the areas 5m away from the forest road and also conducted a survey on vegetation 5 times from september 2006 to August 2007. In addition, it installed thirty six quadrats to make an analysis of reclaimed soil seed bank. Soil amounting to 600$cm^3$ was collected from each quadrat using soil samplers(100$cm^3$),which was preserved in low temperature refrigeration for a month. Soil was thinly strewed evenly on trays and watered every four or five days; then, this research did experiment for six months until no more germination took place. Through this process, this research identified species and counted the number of germinating individuals by using emerging seedlings. The research result showed that on the whole, the similarity index between aboveground flora and underground flora was low. The correlation coefficient between the aboveground flora vegetations both on the forest road and on its edge was found to be 0.36, showing a correlation with each other(p<0.05). On the other hand, the correlation coefficient between underground flora vegetations through the analysis of reclaimed soil seed bank was 0.20, showing no correlation with each other(p>0.05). As the survey result of naturalized plants, there existed 7 species of naturalized plants on the forest road in case woody plants were included, showing 11.11% naturalization rate and 2.61% urbanization index(UI). On the other hand in case woody plants were not included among the naturalized plants, the naturalization rate on the forest road was 12.50% while the naturalization rate on the edge of the forest was 9.09%.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.245-256
• /
• 2021

This study was conducted to identify the applicability of a LiDAR sensor to forest resources inventories by comparing data on a tree's position, height, and DBH obtained by the sensor with those by existing forest inventory methods, for the tree species of Criptomeria japonica in Jeolmul forest in Jeju, South Korea. To this end, a backpack personal LiDAR (Greenvalley International, Model D50) was employed. To facilitate the process of the data collection, patterns of collecting the data by the sensor were divided into seven ones, considering the density of sample plots and the work efficiency. Then, the accuracy of estimating the variables of each tree was assessed. The amount of time spent on acquiring and processing the data by each method was compared to evaluate the efficiency. The findings showed that the rate of detecting standing trees by the LiDAR was 100%. Also, the high statistical accuracy was observed in both Pattern 5 (DBH: RMSE 1.07 cm, Bias -0.79 cm, Height: RMSE 0.95 m, Bias -3.2 m), and Pattern 7 (DBH: RMSE 1.18 cm, Bias -0.82 cm, Height: RMSE 1.13 m, Bias -2.62 m), compared to the results drawn in the typical inventory manner. Concerning the time issue, 115 to 135 minutes per 1ha were taken to process the data by utilizing the LiDAR, while 375 to 1,115 spent in the existing way, proving the higher efficiency of the device. It can thus be concluded that using a backpack personal LiDAR helps increase efficiency in conducting a forest resources inventory in an planted coniferous forest with understory vegetation, implying a need for further research in a variety of forests.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.243-252
• /
• 2016

Comparison of Organic carbon in the Quercus mongolica and Pinus densiflora forest at Mt. Gumgang were investigated. Carbon in above and below ground standing biomass, litter layer, and soil organic carbon were measured from September 2013 through August 2014. For the estimation of carbon cycling, soil respiration was measured. The amount of carbon allocated to above and below ground biomass in Q. mongolica and P. densiflora forest was 115.07/34.36, $28.77/8.59ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. Amount of organic carbon in annual litterfall in Q. mongolica and P. densiflora forest was 4.89, $6.02ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. Amount of organic carbon within 50cm soil depth was 132.78, $59.72ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ $50cm-depth^{-1}$, respectively. Total amount of organic carbon in Q. mongolica and P. densiflora forest estimated to 281.52, $108.69ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. Amount of organic carbon returned to the forest via litterfall in Q. mongolica and P. densiflora forest was 2.83, $2.20ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. The amount of organic carbon absorbed from the atmosphere of this Q. mongolica and P. densiflora forest was 3.90, $0.81ton\;C\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$ respectively. Absorption of organic carbon in Q. mongolica forest was remarkably higher than P. densiflora forest.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.307-317
• /
• 2011

Ground beetle fauna of Mt. Bangtaesan in Inje-gun, Gangwon-do was investigated from June to October in 2010. Ground beetles were collected by pitfall trapping. A total of 34 species of 18 genera belonging to 7 families were identified from 1,041 collected ground beetles. Species richness was high in Pterostichinae (15 species, 44.1%), Carabinae (7 species, 20.6%), Harpalinae (4 species, 11.8%), Nebriinae (3 species, 8.8%) and others (5 species, 14.7%). Dominant species were Synuchus spp. (260 individuals, 25.0%), Aulonocarabus semiopacus (218 individuals, 20.9%), and Pterostichus audax (205 individuals, 19.7%) in order. Korean endemic species were collected 564 individuals belonging to 10 species. By principal component analysis (PCA), species distribution and abundance of ground beetles were different depending on habitat characteristics of vegetation, surrounding environment and feeding habitat. Carabinae and Pterostichinae which live in the forest were preferred in hardwoods and coniferous in the Bangtansan Natural Recreation Forest, while Callistinae and Harpalinae were collected in forest adjacent to grasslands. Overall, differences of habitat environments within forest are important factors associated with distribution of ground beetles. This result will provide useful informations with establishment of conservation program and long-term monitoring against environmental change within mountain by using ground beetles.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.246-260
• /
• 2014

A 90-m horizontal-resolution numerical model was configured to study the micrometeorological features of local winds in the valley of Gwangneung KoFlux (Korea Flux network) Sites (GDK: Gwangneung Deciduous forest site in Korea, GCK: Gwangneung Coniferous forest site in Korea) during summer days. The U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were employed for high-resolution model terrain height. Model performance was evaluated by comparing observed and simulated near-surface temperature and winds. Detailed qualitative analysis of the model-simulated wind field was carried out for two selected cases which are a clear day (Case I) and a cloudy day (Case II). Observed winds exhibited that GDK and GCK, as well as Case I and Case II, had differences in timing, duration and strength of daytime and nighttime wind direction and speeds. The model simulation results strongly supported the existence of the drainage flow in the valley of the KoFlux tower sites. Overall, the simulated model fields realistically presented the diurnal cycle of local winds in and around the valley, including the morning drainage-upslope transition and the evening reversal of upslope wind. Also, they indicated the complexity of local winds interactions by presenting that daytime westerly winds in the valley were not always pure mountain winds and were often coupled with larger-scale wind systems, such as synoptic-scale winds or mesoscale sea breezes blowing from the west coast of the peninsula.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.78 no.1
• /
• pp.11-25
• /
• 1989

Four regions have been selected and surveyed to investigate the effects of air pollution and acid deposition on forest ecosystem. They were Seoul as urban region, Yeochon and Ulsan as industrialized region, and Kangwondo as uncontaminated region. Soil pH and the distribution of elements were analyzed in process of time for three years as well as by distance from pollution sources. In general, forest soils acidified in process of time from pollution sources to suburban areas. Hydrogen ion concentration in forest soils increased in 1988 as much as 60% of that in previous year. Average soil pH values in coniferous forest were 4.45 in Seoul, 4.54 in Yeochon, 4.81 in Ulsan, and 6.03 in Kangwondo. Forest soil pH increased with the distance from pollution sources to suburban areas at constant rate within short ranges (up to 30 km) and at decreasing rate within long ranges (up to 200 km). On the contrary, sulfur content in soils decreased every year except in Yeochon region. Base saturation of forest soils in polluted regions were all below 20% level compared with 70% in Kangwondo region. Active aluminum content in soils increased with the soil acidification at the highest rate in Yeochon, and the next in Ulsan and Seoul. Heavy metal content such as copper and zinc in tree tissues were the lowest in Kangwondo region, and the next in Yeochon, Seoul and Ulsan.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.87 no.2
• /
• pp.308-315
• /
• 1998

This study was conducted to evaluate the availability of the forest topsoil as a source of the "Native-soil(seed-fertilizer-soil materials)" for the hydroseeding measures which are environmentally and ecologically stable revegetation measures on rock cut-slopes. Soil sampling and factorial experiments were used with a split plot design(main plot : forest soil type and soil spraying thickness, subplot : seeding rate) in 1996. Results obtained in this study were summarized as follows : Because of the competition between the seeded(introduced) species and the native species, the number of naturally emerged species in the non-seeded plot and that of in the seeded plot were $5{\sim}9species/0.07m^2$ and $2{\sim}6species/0.07m^2$, respectively. As increasing the seeding rate(introduced species), the appearance ratio of naturally emerged species was decreased. The total number of individuals was high in the plot which used coniferous forest soil as a seed source, however the ratio of the individuals of naturally emerged species was high(30%) in the plot which used deciduous forest soil. The usage of the forest topsoil as seed bank source onto the "Native-soil" materials for hydroseeding could be reduce the seeding rate to $1,000seedlings/m^2$. According to the several factors which are competition between seeded species and naturally emerged species, dryness of soil materials, and seed burial, spraying thickness with more than 5cm was suitable for the growth of plants in variety.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 2010

In order to rehabilitate forest sites damaged by wildfire via natural or artificial restoration, it is important to determine right tree species, which can acclimate to biogeoclimatic environment at the sites. The objectives of this study were to develop site index equation of different tree species for estimating forest productivity and to provide information on species selection for post-wildfire restoration. Site index equation was developed based on environmental information from wildfire damaged areas in Gangneung, Goseong, Donghae, and Samcheok, where were located in east coastal areas of South Korea. Despite the small numbers (4~5) of environmental variables used for the development of the site index equations, statistical analysis (e.g. mean difference, standard deviation of difference, and standard error of difference) showed relatively low bias and variation, suggesting that those equations can provide relatively high capability of estimation and practical applicability with high effectiveness. The small numbers of the variables enabled the model to be applied in a wide range of usages including determination of appropriate tree species for post-wildfire restoration. The estimation of forest site productivity showed the possibility of large distribution in east coastal region as the best site for Korean ash (Fraxinus rhynchophylla) and original oak (Quercus variabilis) that can be used for firebreak in the region. These results imply that damages by forest fire can be reduced significantly by replacing existing pure coniferous forests in the area with ones dominated by broad-leaved deciduous stands, which can play an important role as fire break and/or prevent a transition from surface fire to crown fire.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.113 no.2
• /
• pp.222-238
• /
• 2024

Coniferous species in subalpine ecosystems are known to be highly sensitive to climate change. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor community and population dynamics. This study monitored 37 plots within the distribution area of Abies koreana on Mt. Jirisan for a period of eight years. We analyzed the importance value, density of living stems, mortality rate, recruitment rate, basal area, DBH (diameter of breast height) class distribution, and tree health status. Our results showed changes in the importance value based on the tree stratum, with A. koreana decreasing by 3.6% and Tripterygium regelii increasing by 2.5% in the tree layer. Between 2015 and 2023, there were 149 dead trees/ha (17.99% mortality rate) and 12 living trees/ha (1.02% recruitment rate) of A. koreana. The decrease in basal area was attributed to a decrease in the number of living trees. Tree mortality occurred in all DBH classes, with a particularly high decline in the <10 cm class (65 trees/ha reduced). In terms of changes in tree health status, the population of alive standing (AS) type trees, initially consisting of 539 trees/ha, has been transformed into alive standing (AS), alive lean (AL), and death standing (DS), accounting for 69.7%, 0.5%, and 13.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, DS-type trees have transitioned into dead broken (DB) and dead fallen (DF) types. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by strong winds in the subalpine region that pull up the rootlets from the soil. Further research on this finding is recommended.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2013

The pollen analysis was performed targeting the valley plain alluvium of Jangjae-ri, Asan area in order to clarify the climate and vegetation environment of the Last glacial maximum and the Late glacial in terms of Gokgyo River Watershed In Asan-City, Korea. The sample collection point gets included in the current deciduous broadleaf forest zone (south cool temperate zone). The results are as follows. (1) The vegetation environment of about 19,300-14,100yrB.P. at the investigation area is mainly classified into YJ-I period and YJ-II period while YJ-Ia period is classified once again into YJ-Ia period and YJ-Ib period. YJ-Ia period (19,300-17,500yrB.P.) is correlated with the Last Glacial Maximum while the vegetation at the time has relatively a little wide distribution area of grassland compared to the forest and the forest vegetation of this time period is the mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest. YJ-Ib period (15,400-14,750yrB.P.) is correlated with the Late glacial (or the Last Glacial Maximum) and the distribution area of grassland became wider compared to the forest. While the forest vegetation of this time period is the mixed conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest, a difference exists in terms of the dominant tree species. YJ-II period (about 14,650-14,100yrB.P.) is correlated with the Last glacial while the distribution area of grassland became even wider than the forest compared to the YJ-Ib in case of the vegetation at the time and the forest vegetation of this time period is the coniferous forest. (2) Both YJ-I period and YJ-II period were relatively cold and dry compared the End of Late Glacial (about 12,000-10,000yrB.P.)~Early Holocene (10,000-8,500yrB.P.), Also, YJ-II period was relatively colder than the YJ-I period and the YJ-Ib period was relatively more humid than the YJ-Ia period.