• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.278-284
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• 2018

Plant functional traits have been shown to be useful to understand how and why ecosystems and their components vary across environmental heterogeneity or gradients. This study investigated how plant functional (leaf) traits vary according to an elevation-associated environmental gradient. Environmental gradients (mean annual temperature and precipitation) were quantified, and leaf traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen, leaf phosphorus, leaf carbon, and leaf C/N ratio) of the understory woody plant species Acer pseudosieboldianum were examined across an elevational gradient ranging from 600 to 1200 m in a Baegunsan Mountain in Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. The results showed that mean annual temperature and precipitation decreased and increased along with elevation, respectively. Leaf area of the plant species decreased slightly with increasing elevation, while specific leaf area did not differ significantly. Leaf nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon concentrations) were higher at high elevations, but leaf C/N ratio decreased with elevation.

• 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.

• 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

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.233-242
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• 2018

This study explored the richness patterns of vascular plant species and evaluated the effects of the climatic and habitat variables on the observed patterns along elevational gradients on the Mt. Baekhwa, South Korea. Plant data were recorded from 70 plots and a total of 187 plant species with 78 woody and 109 herbaceous species were recorded along two study transects, the Banyasa and Bohyunsa transects, on the Mt. Baekhwa. A total of 154 plant species with 66 woody and 88 herbaceous species and 131 plant species with 58 woody and 73 herbaceous species were recorded along the Banyasa and Bohyunsa transects, respectively. We used simple ordinary least squares regression model, multi-model inference and variation partitioning to analyze the relative contribution of climatic and habitat variables on the elevational richness patterns. Species richness pattern for vascular plants along the Banyasa transect monotonically decreased with elevation, whereas plant species richness showed reversed hump-shaped pattern along the Bohyunsa transect. Although the elevational patterns of species richness for vascular plants were different between the both transects, habitat variables are more important predictors than climatic variables for the elevational patterns of plant species richness along our study transects on the Mt. Baekhwa. These results indicate that elevational diversity patterns of vascular plants may be different even between nearby elevational transects in a mountain ecosystem but the diversity patterns may be controlled by same drivers.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 1998

The vegetation pattern of Mt. Odae based on the soil humidity gradient showed 3 types: (1) the forest of Pinus densiflora under the mesic or xeric conditions of the low altitudinal area, (2) the forest of Acer including A. mono, A. pseudo-sieboldianum and Tilia amurensis under the submesic or subxeric conditions and (3) the forest of Quercus including Q. mongolica of the higher elevational area and Q. variabilis of the lower elevational area under the xeric condition. Water content, organic matter and total nitrogen of soil were relatively low in Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis communities while they were relatively high in Betula platyphylla var. japonica and Quercus mongolica communities. According to the result of cluster analysis based on similarity indices of the communities, the proposed successional sere in the forest vegetation of Mt. Odae was as follows. P. densiflora community $\longrightarrow$ P. densiflore + Q. mongolica community $\longrightarrow$ Q. mongolica + A. pseudo-sieboldianum community. P. densiflora community $\longrightarrow$ P. densiflora + Q. variabilis community $\longrightarrow$ Q. variabilis community $\longrightarrow$ Q. mongolica + Q. variabilis community $\longrightarrow$ Q. mongolica + A. pseudo-sieboldianum community.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.119-127
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• 1987

On the east slope of the front ranges of the Colorado Rockies, USA, three species of Populus are distributed at different elevations from the Great Plains to the timberline. At elevations 1, 720m (P. sargentii), 2, 335m (P.angustifolia) and 3, 190m (P.tremuloides) chlorophyll cotents of leaves of thses dioecious trees were determined. Total chlorophyll content was in the range of 0.86-1.56mg/g leaf, increasing with elevation as a second-degree polynomial, and the peak content was estimated to be reached at about 2, 800m. Total chlorophyll content was greater in female than in male trees in the two higher elevation species, but not in P. sargentii, the low elevation species. Chlorophyll b content was greater than chlorophyll a content in the same two higher elevation species. The increase of chlorophyll b than to increase of chlorophyll a content. These phenomena appear to be the result of adaptation of these species to different environmental conditional at different elevation. Sequential distribution of plant populations on environmental gradients in such a way that variation in given plant characters paralell the environmental gradient must occur not only in ecotypes of a species, but also in different but closely related species.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.