• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2001

Vegetational changes along elevational and topographical gradients were studied in Mt. Jumbong which is located at the core area of the Mt. Sorak Biosphere Reserve in Kangwon-do Province in central Korea. Two 500 m north-south transects crossing two valleys and a small ridge were laid out, and fifty-one 10 m$\times$10 m permanent quadrats were systematically set up. All trees bigger than 2.5 cm DBH were marked with numbered aluminum tags, and their DBH measured and the species identified. Coverage of plant species in the herb layer were determined in two 2 m $\times$ 2 m subquadrats in each of the permanent quadrats. Thirty-two species of woody plants occurred in the tree layer in the permanent quadrats studied. Quercus mongolica was the dominant species across the study site, and Acer pseudosieboldianum and Carpinus cordata were also important. Quercus mongolica occurred on the ridges and south-facing slopes, and Acer pseudosieboldianum occurred extensively except for valleys. In contrast, Fraxinus mandshurica, Acer mono, Acer triflorum, and Ulmus laciniata were common in valleys. At the herbaceous layer, 112 species were identified. Dominant species were Ainsliaea acerifolia and Sasa borealis on the ridges, Meehania urticifolia on north-facing slopes, and Deutzia glabrata on valleys. Soil environmental factors were compared among the quadrats. pH was lower in the quadrats located on ridges and south-facing slopes, and organic matter was lowest on south-facing slopes. Quadrats located on valleys were generally higher in pH, organic matter, N, P, K, Ca and Mg. DCA ordinations for tree layer and herb layer were carried out in order to identify the dominant environmental factors affecting the distribution of plant species along the environmental gradients. Correlation analysis between ordination axis scores and environmental factors showed that axis one was negatively correlated with elevation and positively correlated with soil organic matter, pH, Ca, Mg, and P, but that axis two was positively correlated with elevation. These results indicate that vegetation responds very sensitively to elevational and topographical gradients although the study area is relatively small with about 100 m in elevational variation.

• Proceedings of the Zoological Society Korea Conference
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• 1997.10b
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• pp.160.1-160
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• 1997

No Abstract, See Full Text

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.638-644
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• 2021

Infrared guided weapons act as threats that greatly degrade the survivability of combat aircraft. Infrared weapons detect and track the target aircraft by sensing the infrared signature radiated from the aircraft fuselage. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the infrared signature and susceptibility of supersonic aircraft according to omni-directional detection angle. Through the numerical analysis, we derived the surface temperature distribution of fuselage and omni-directional infrared signature. Then, we calculated the detection range according to detection angle in consideration of IR sensor's parameters. Using in-house code, the lethal range was calculated by considering the relative velocity between aircraft and IR missile. As a result, the elevational susceptibility is larger than the azimuthal susceptibility, and it means that the aircraft can be attacked in wider area at the elevational situation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.1
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• pp.109-114
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• 2020

In this study, the elevational distribution of breeding birds in Seoraksan National Park, Korea was investigated. Forty-six species of birds were documented from line transect surveys taken from Seorakdong at 230 m above sea level (a.s.l.) to the Daechungbong summit at 1708 m asl. Birdspecies richness and diversity were highest in Seorakdong and lowest at the Daechungbong summit. As elevation increased, bird species richness and diversity decreased, with a humped-shape trend being observed between 700 m and 1200 m a.s.l. Stepwise analyses revealed that breeding bird species diversity indices were significantly negatively correlated with elevation (r² = 0.327, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with vegetational coverage (r² = 0.324, P = 0.046). Higher elevations supported fewer birds than low and intermediate elevations. Projections at the local scale, including data on behavior and habitat use by birds, will be necessary for optimal conservation and management of the bird communities in Seoraksan National Park.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 1977

The vertical distribution of the corticolous lichens in Mt. Sobaeg was detected by 10cm point quadrat. The dominant species of lichens was arranged in a single dimensional ordination along the elevational gradient with the frequency percentage of the species. Cetraria stracheyi, Parnaria leucosticta, Stieta platyphyll and Parmelia petusa were found in order of abundant from lower, Samgadong(400m) to higher, Birobong(1439m) in which they occurred mainly on the southwest slope. However, such species as Cetraria juniperina was more abundant than Parnaria leucosticta and Stieta platyphylla at the southeast slope. The distribution of Cetraria Stracheyi and Parnaria leucosticta was limited below 1200m height, while Parmelia petusa and Cetraria juniperina mostly above 900m height.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1995

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution pattern of plants on streamside of Kyonganchon, which is a tributary of the Han River, and to determine the relationships between plant distribution and environmental factors. Fifteen study sites were selected along the Kyonganchon, and vegetation distribution pattern and soil environmental factors were determined. The most frequently ocurring species in the study sites were Persicaria thunbergii, Persicaria hydropiper, Echinochloa crus-galli and Bidens frondosa, and among them the two Persicaria species were dominants of the community. Many species showed different distribution along the stream:Chenopodium album, Equisetum arvense and Setaria viridies occurred in the upstream region, while Rumex crispus, Leonurus sibiricus and Rorippa islandica occurred in the middle and downstream regions. Analysis of soil properties showed that organic matter and clay content were higher in the upstream region while sand content was higher in the downstream region. The results of DCA ordination showed that axis one was positively correlated with organic matter and clay content and negatively correlated with sand content, indicating that the distribution pattern of vegetation along the Kyonganchon was determined by elevational gradient from upstream to downstream region or gradient of stream width and water level, and by soil organic matter content and soil texture related to these gradients.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.60-88
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the vertical distribution and vascular plants in the Gakho mountain. Form the results of three field surveys from May 2022 to September 2022, a total of 478 total taxa, representing 426 species, 11 subspecies, 35 varieties, four forms, and two hybrids were identified, which were categorized in 282 genera and 94 families. We identified the elevational distribution ranges of 398 taxa of vascular plants. Among them, 19 taxa were endemic to Korea, one taxon was identified as a rare plant. The floristic target plants amounted to 72 taxa, specifically two taxa of grade V, two taxa of grade IV, 16 taxa of grade III, 27 taxa of grade II, and 25 taxa of grade I. Further, 71 taxa were identified as northern lineage plants. A total of 19 taxa of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 4.0%, an Urbanization Index of 6.6%, and three plants that disturbed the ecosystem. The result of analyzing the pattern of species richness showed a reversed hump shape with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between adjacent elevation sections that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Warmth index in the Gakho mountain ranged from 57.2℃·month to 84.2℃·month. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants and valuable information on elevational distribution ranges of current plant species in the Gakho mountain, which could serve as a baseline for comparison of the shifts in elevation under future climate change.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.381-402
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• 2017

In order to investigate distribution of vascular plants along elevational gradient in the Nodong valley of Gyebangsan, vascular plants of eight sections with 100-meter-high were surveyed from the Auto-camping site (800 m) to the top of a mountain (1,577 m). There were a total of 382 taxa: 89 families, 234 genera, 339 species, 7 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 2 forms. As a result of analyzing the pattern of species richness, it showed a reversed hump-shaped with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. As a result of analyzing habitat affinity types, the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. But, the ruderal species decreased with increasing elevation, and then increased at the top of a mountain. As for the proportion of life forms, the annual herbs gradually decreased with increasing elevation, but it did not appear between 1,300 m and 1,500 m and then increased at the top of a mountain. The trees gradually increased with elevation and decreased from 1,300~1,400 m. The vascular plants divided into four groups by using DCA. The arrangement of each stands was arranged in order from right to left on the I axis according to the elevation. The distribution of vascular plants is determined by their own optimal ranges of vegetation. Also, rise in temperature due to climate change affects the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. Furthermore, plans for conservation and management based on these data should be prepared according to climate change.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.110 no.2
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• pp.141-154
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• 2021

The change in vegetation structure along elevational gradients on the southeastern part of Mt. Hallasan was studied. Vegetation data were collected with 59 quadrates located from 16 to 1,565 m with 100 m intervals. Community types were classified using cluster analysis, and species composition and diversity were analyzed along elevational gradients. The vegetation was classified into seven, namely, type 1 Quercus serrata community, type 2 Carpinus tschonoskii community, type 3 Carpinus laxiflora community, type 4 Pinus densiflora community, type 5 Abies koreana community, type 6 Castanopsis sieboldii community, and type 7 Quercus acuta community. The species with a high importance value in tree layer in each elevational zone were C. sieboldii and Q. acuta at 100-600 m; C. laxiflora, Q. serrata, and C. tschonoskii at 700-800 m; P. densiflora at 1,100-1,200 m; and Abies koreana at 1,500-1,600 m. The species diversity indicated higher value at 700-800 m, 1,200-1,300 m and 1,400-1,500 m than at the other elevation.