• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2000

When interpreting change over time in forest ecosystems, distinguishing the effects of forest succession from the effects of environmental stress can be difficult. The result may be a simplistic interpretation. citing a specific successional or environmental cause of forest change when both types may be occurring. We present two case studies of changes in the forest floor in northern hardwoods. First, the belief that 50% of soil organic matter is lost in the first 20 years after logging was based on a study comparing northern hardwood stands of different ages. We resampled a series of 13 such stands after an interval of 15 years, and found that the young stands were not, in fact. losing organic matter as rapidly as predicted from the original chronosequence study. The pattern of higher organic matter content in the forest floors of older stands compared to young stands could be equally well explained by changes in logging practices over the last century as by the aging of the stand. The observed pattern of forest floor organic matter as a function of stand age was previously interpreted as a successional pattern, ignoring changes in treatment history. In the second case study, observed losses of base cations from the forest floor were attributed to cation depletion caused by acid rain and declining calcium deposition. We found that young stands were gaining base cations in the forest floor; losses of base cations were restricted to older stands. Differences in litter chemistry in stands of different ages may explain some of the pattern in cation gains and losses. In this case, the contribution of successional processes to cation loss had been overlooked in favor of environmental stress as the dominant mechanism behind the observed changes. Studies of environmental stress use repeated measures over time. but often don't consider stand age as a factor. Studies of successional change often assume that environmental factors remain constant. We were able to consider both forest succession and external factors because we repeatedly sampled stands of different ages.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.4
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• pp.412-421
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of forest management activities on canopy fuel characteristics for Pinus densiflora stands in South Korea. We used 1,085 managed stands data and 349 unmanaged stands data of the National Forest Inventory for this study, and it was estimated by using the Weibull function for the growth of stand and canopy fuel characteristics. Comparing the canopy fuel characteristics for the managed stands and unmanaged stands shows that the average canopy fuel load is about 14% higher than that of managed stands, and the canopy bulk density is also approximately 16% higher. The results of comparing growth projections for 40 years, 50 years and 60 years with the Weibull function are as follows: Over time, managed stands was predicted the maximum number of medium and large class diameter, while unmanaged stands was predicted maximum number of small and medium class diameter. From a fire fuel perspective, unmanaged stands are predicted to be of the type small class diameter and high density, which is a good condition for crown fire. In addition, Canopy fuel load, Canopy bulk density is relatively higher than managed stands, indicating that the possibility of high crown fire hazard.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2022

This study was conducted to examine litter inputs and litter decomposition rates following thinning, which is among the most important forest management activities that enhance the beneficial functions in Korean forests. Litter inputs and litter decomposition rates following a 2-year elapse from thinning in Pinus densiflora and following a 7-year elapse from thinning in Quercus variabilis stands were measured for 2 years from 16 sites in three regions (Sancheong-gun, Uiryeong-gun, and Jinju-si) in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Annual needle litter inputs in P. densiflora stands were significantly decreased following thinning, whereas annual broadleaved leaf litter inputs in Q. variabilis stands were not significantly different between thinned and unthinned treatments. The annual mean total litter inputs in both tree species were significantly lower in the thinned (P. densiflora: 3,653 kg ha^-1 year^-1; Q. variabilis: 4,963 kg ha^-1 year^-1) compared to the unthinned stands (P. densiflora: 5,138 kg ha^-1 year^-1; Q. variabilis: 5,997 kg ha^-1 year^-1) during the study period. The mass loss rates from decomposing needle litter in P. densiflora stands were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the thinned stands than in the unthinned stands for two sampling dates of the eight included in the study, whereas the decomposition rates from decomposing leaf litter in Q. variabilis stands were not affected by thinning. The results indicate that thinning effects on total litter inputs remained clear following a 2-year elapse from thinning in P. densiflora stands and following a 7-year elapse from thinning in Q. variabilis stands.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.40-53
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• 2021

The level of soil organic carbon (SOC) fluctuates in different types of forest stands: this variation can be attributed to differences in tree species, and the variables associated with soil, climate, and topographical features. The present review evaluates the level of SOC in different types of forest stands to determine the factors responsible for the observed variation. Mixed stands have the highest amount of SOC, while coniferous (both deciduous-coniferous and evergreen-coniferous) stands have greater SOC concentrations than deciduous (broadleaved) and evergreen (broadleaved) tree stands. There was a significant negative correlation between SOC and mean annual temperature (MAT) and sand composition, in all types of forest stands. In contrast, the silt fraction has a positive correlation with SOC, in all types of tree stands. Variation in SOC under different types of forest stands in different landscapes can be due to differences in MAT, and the sand and silt fraction of soil apart from the type of forests.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.4
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• pp.530-537
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• 2022

This study was conducted to compare the physical and chemical properties of soils in Quercus acutissima, Q. mongolica, Q. serrata, and Q. variabilis stands. A total of 423 plots (Q. acutissima 72 plots, Q. mongolica 150 plots, Q. serrata 97 plots, and Q. variabilis: 104 plots) were examined to determine the soil properties of A and B horizons throughout the country. The physical and chemical properties of soils were significantly different among the four different Quercus spp. stands. The sand content in both horizons was significantly higher in Q. acutissima stands than in the other three oak stands, whereas the clay content was lowest among the four stands. The soils in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands were more acidified than those in Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis stands. The concentrations of organic carbon and total nitrogen in both soil depths were significantly higher in Q. mongolica stands than in Q. serrata, Q. variabilis, and Q. acutissima stands. The content of available phosphorus was significantly higher in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands than in Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis stands; whereas the contents of exchangeable potassium, calcium, and magnesium were lower in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands than in Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis stands. The cation exchange capacity was highest in Q. mongolica stands, followed by that in Q. serrata, Q. variabilis, and Q. acutissima stands. These data indicate the need to design a nutrient management plan to enhance the low soil pH and exchangeable cation in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2000

The main purpose of this study is to obtain spatial image information toward forest thinning process in Larix forest stands. Thirteen different alternatives were simulated to visualize on the basis of actual thinning work photos. The options were illustrated as photos produced by photoshop program. Each alternatives were evaluated by forest visitor group with total 244 respondents after reliability test. Spatial images of 13 thinning photos were measured by 12 semantic differential scale as broad -narrow, ordered-tangled, friendly-unfriendly, monotonous-divers, dry-refreshing, relieved -stifling, healthy-sickly, uniform-scattered, dead-alive, opened-closed, bent-straight, and beautiful-ugly. In comparison with thinning stands and natural stands, thinning works were visual improvement effects of spatial images. Seemingly, this trend is due to definite form beauty, straight and clear length form of coniferous forest, As can be expected, slash and downwood were negatively related to improvement effects of spatial images. The 60% ratio of stem/ tree height and 450-950 trees/ha was positive in attraction of spatial images. Results indicate how to conduct forest thinning system for spatial images on Larix forest stands.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.2
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• pp.220-231
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• 2006

The study was conducted to investigate the differences in carbon storage of Quercus mongolica stands with respect to latitude and altitude in Korea. Study sites were located in Mt. Joongwang, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (altitudes 1,300 m, 1,000 m, and 800 m), Mt. Taehwa, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (altitude 350 m), Mt. Wolak, lecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do (altitude 300 m), Mt. Baekwoon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do (altitude 800 m), and Mt. Halla, Jeju-do (altitude 1,000 m). Total carbon storage and annual carbon storage of Q. mongolica stands were 85-210 tonC/ha and 7.2-10.6 tonC/ha, respectively. Lower latitude (NE) stands of Q. mongolica showed more carbon storage and annual carbon storage than higher latitude stands. Carbon storage and annual carbon storage of Q. mongolica stands were increased in low altitude. Carbon storage of Q. mongolica stands was higher in the northern aspect than in the southern aspect. However, there were no significant differences in annual carbon storage between the aspects.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.219-223
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• 2010

It has long been recognized that wild vegetation are sort of improving fitness. Many peoples are now ingesting them instead of the vegetables that are grown in green house. In this regard, Parasenecio firmus, which is considered to be one of the rare species in Korea, has been given a lot of attentions as edible green plants recently. Hence it may be necessary to provide the information people who want to commercially cultivate the plants. Regarding appropriate forest stands that are fit for the cultivation. Firstly, we collected the seeds from 4 natural habitats to find out how many seeds are fully matured in the natural conditions. The quality of the seeds collected were found to be very low. However, it appeared as clear differences when screened seeds were grown in covered seed beds over winter. In this case the germination rate of the seeds was 95%, indicating that there may be no difficulty for mass production of plantlets. Secondly, in the field of planting test in an appropriate cultivating site among 6 of forest stands, those in Pinus koraiensis stand were the highest in survival rate, but somewhat low with those in Quercus mongolica and broad-leaved stands. Thus, it was demonstrated that forest stands dominated with conifer like P. koraiensis are more appropriate for the cultivation of P. firums.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2012

This paper assesses the stmpage value of Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis) stands in the Research Forest of Kangwon National University. Assessment was done by means of the cost value method (Faustmann formula) for age class I, Glaser method for age class II-V, and inversion market method for age class over VI. Generally the value of stumpage is calculated by the inversion market method in the market. However, immature trees and middle age class trees are not assessed in market, and the Korean forest is not old enough to harvest. So, when forests are damaged by attacks from forest fire, blight and harmful insects, the forest cannot be compensated for the loss from the government or insurance company. For this reason, the value of all-age class trees are calculated by using appropriate methods. As a result, the value of age I class stands (0.3 ha) is calculated as 1,786,305 (won), age II-Vclass stands (22.1 ha) 206,677,975 (won) and age VI class and over stands (24.8 ha) 523,789,603 (won).

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-147
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• 2003

The main purpose of this study is to obtain forest scenic beauty management informations toward forest working systems in pinus densiflora forest stands, etc. To get these information, visual preference and spatial image analysis methods are used. 25 different alternatives were simulated to visualize on basis of actual forest working methods with taken photos from May to July, 2003. The options were illustrated as photos produced by computer software. Respondents' ratings for 25 landscape scenes were obtained by interview survey method. Each alternatives were evaluated by forest major student group with total 103 respondents after reliability test. Visual preference evaluation was used 10 point rating scale. Spatial images of 12 alternatives were measured by 12 semantic differential scale. In general, the respondents preferred refreshing and ordering forest stand after forest working to natural forest stand before forest working. High visual preference for forest density produces 400-600 trees/ha in small diameter class forest stands. Regarding visual preference according to pavement type of trail, soil trail is ranked high. Visual preference for cutting area ranks mature forest stand and visual preference for trail slope cover type ranks shrub with grass as relatively high on the preference scale. Through the factor analysis, spatial images of 12 coniferous forest stands are classified as 'ordered opened' and 'beautiful healthy'. Results indicate how to conduct forest working systems for forest scenic beauty management.