• The Journal of Engineering Geology
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.379-395
• /
• 2018

A walking trail environment can be divided into the upper part of the trail, the trail itself, and the lower part of the trail. In this study, based on field investigations, we developed a risk index for trails by considering human/societal factors that affect each of these three trail environments. A checklist was developed for field investigations, and checklist items were scored through relative importance analysis. The relative weights of items were analyzed using the AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) technique, revealing that the upper environment of a trail is twice as important as the rest of the environment. The importance and score of items belonging to each environment were determined. We define the risk index as the sum of the item scores. Weights were added using data from existing investigations including landslides risk rating and designated risk steep slopes. The risk index has a maximum value of 200, and the maximum and minimum calculated scores of 335 risk sections were 159 and 64.2, respectively. As a result of comparative analysis between field observations and risk index calculations, most sections at relatively low risk had risk values less than 100, and sections with high risks or that had been the site of accident yielded scores that exceeded 140.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.107-115
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of forest healing programs with walking, sightseeing, and forest scent among six healing forest treatments using forest environment on the cognitive function, depression, and quality of life of elderly living alone. The subjects of the study were 17 senior citizens living in Samcheok and complaining of severe depression and forgetfulness. They were divided into two groups, and each group participated in the six sessions of the weekly forest healing program. All of them were surveyed of a Korean version of the MMSE-K, BDI (Beck Depression Inventory Korean Version), and SF-36 (Short Form 36 health survey questionnaire) with the questionnaire designed for the one-group pre-post test to examine changes in cognitive function, depression, and quality of life. The results showed that the mental status, depression level, and quality of life of respondents were significantly higher after healing programs. These results suggest that participation in healing program activities using forest environment can improve cognitive function, relieve depression and improve quality of life for senior citizens living alone. Therefore, inducing older adults who live alone and avoid outside activities to participate in the regular forest healing program will contribute to the prevention of dementia due to age and environment.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.677-690
• /
• 2019

Recently, the importance and effectiveness of neighborhood forests have been increasing in relation to the quality of life of urban residents. However, there are very few domestic studies that analyzed the correlation between visit characteristics and life satisfaction. Therefore, the study aims to understand how people use the forest for recreation and determine how visit characteristics in neighborhood forests affect individual life satisfaction(ILS). A nationwide survey (N=2,624) was conducted on visit frequency, proximity to forest, means of transportation, forest activities, and life satisfaction. To measure ILS, we used the three factors (personal, relative, collective) of COMOSWB (Concise Measure of Subjective Well-being) developed by Seo et al.(2011). The analysis shows that people usually visit the forest located within the distance of 10-30 minutes from their homes 1-2 times a month on foot for hiking/walking (forest bathing). In particular, the older visitors(over 60s) tend to visit the forest more often than the younger ones (20s). Furthermore, more frequent visitors are more likely to live near the forest. As a result of analyzing the correlation between visit characteristics and ILS by controlling demographic variables, it was found that 'visit frequency' had a positive effect on ILS, and 'proximity to the forest' did not have a statistically significant effect on ILS. In other words, residents who live near the forests are more likely to be satisfied with their lives by visiting frequently. The significance of the study is that it statistically determined that visit frequency is a key factor for ILS. Future studies should take into account the various qualitative factors of forest visit such as vegetation, quantity and types of forest, which will contribute to setting the direction for urban forest development and management.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.208-219
• /
• 2014

This work aims to establish the landscape ecological countermeasures to improve the sustainability of urban mountain forest and to enrich the biodiversity in twenty mountains of the Seoul Metropolitan City. Landscape ecological analysis was conducted based upon various criteria, such as area and elevation of mountains, flora, naturalized plants, vegetation, forest types, mountain trails, and public facilities. Various measures were suggested for the better maintenances of floristic diversity, introduced plants, vegetation and forest types of urban mountain forests. Sustainable recommendations for land use adminstration were developed for the preparations of a climate change-adapted urban mountain forests, as well as rational managements of ecosystem, walking trails, and public facilities within mountain forest. Rich and diverse natural vegetation as well as high floristic diversity were reported at mountains with higher elevations, larger area size, and rich landscape diversity. Mountains with low elevation, small size with easy public access, however, might require an urgent action to decrease the burdens by anthropogenic disturbances and urban development.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.161-169
• /
• 2023

Degenerative arthritis is a common joint disease that affects many elderly people and is typically diagnosed through radiography. However, the need for remote diagnosis is increasing because knee pain and walking disorders caused by degenerative arthritis make face-to-face treatment difficult. This study collects three-dimensional joint coordinates in real time using Azure Kinect DK and calculates 6 gait features through visualization and one-way ANOVA verification. The random forest classifier, trained with these characteristics, classified degenerative arthritis with an accuracy of 97.52%, and the model's basis for classification was identified through classification algorithm by features. Overall, this study not only compensated for the shortcomings of existing diagnostic methods, but also constructed a high-accuracy prediction model using statistically verified gait features and provided detailed prediction results.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.102 no.3
• /
• pp.315-322
• /
• 2013

This study was carried out to establish a management program and soil restoration plan through analysis of soil properties and visitor questionnaires in Songrim in Hadong, Korea. Soil bulk density in Songrim was slightly higher in the closed-woodlands ($1.31g/cm^3$) than in the open-woodlands ($1.39g/cm^3$). Soil bulk density in the closed-woodlands was higher in walking trails ($1.74g/cm^3$) than in forest areas ($1.39g/cm^3$), while the rates of pore space were lower in walking trails (42.6%) than in forest areas (50.5%). The soil porosity were lower in the closed-woodlands (34.6%) than in the open-woodlands (42.6%). Soil strength in surface soil was slightly lower in the open-woodlands ($8.5kgf/cm^2$) than in the closed-woodlands ($10.5kgf/cm^2$). The content of organic matter, total nitrogen and exchangeable cations of the woodlands was low compared with the optimum nutrient content for tree growth in Korea forest soil. According to the survey, the objective of visiting in Songrim was to enjoy recreation and landscape views. To conserve pine forest ecosystems in Songrim, the respondents said that it needs to the implement of closed-woodland periods, the establishment of smoking free zone, and the prohibition of garbage throwing and alcohol including disciplinary rules and education. Also the respondents said that pine forest ecosystem in Songrim is relatively sound, but the woodlands require the intensive management to the ecosystem and the introduction of native understory vegetation, such as grasses under pine forest ecosystem. It is recommended to designate the rest-year forest for a proper period in all woodlands to restore the Songrim soil rather than the alternation application between the rest-year for three years or non-rest-year trails, and to open partially the walking trails across the woodlands after the period. In addition, the forest within the woodland is need to designate a long-term rest-year.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2010

This study carried out to develop barrier-free certification program in forest trail. It is done to provide the certification system presented about certification organized, certification standard and indexes, evaluation method and operation plan. In order to develop certification program in forest trail, detailed measurement index must be developed earlier based on an accessbility, a stability, a preservation and a walking continuity. The suitable forest trail for weak pedestrian was investigated that running slope should be 1/20(5%) maximum, cross slope cannot exceed 1/50(2%) maximum and clear tread width should be above of minimum 90cm. In addition, the trail type is designed as a mixed trail system which is a combination of the loop and the line form and its distance should be 225~675m. Finally, forest trail should be manage sustainably by having regular monitoring and evaluation.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2021

This study investigates sound, scenery, and soundscape preferences, which are sensory factors that users feel in a healing forest, comparing the difference in recovery by the soundscape. In the barrier-free, wooden walking path of the National Daegwallyeong Healing Forest, a survey site with five different conditions was selected. Users prefer water sounds the most and places with open views for scenery. For the complex sensation of soundscapes, the most preferred is a space where water sounds can be heard, and either a waterfall or an open view can be seen. A profile of mood states test was use to compare users' psychological recovery by the soundscape. It was found that users felt the most positive mood with water sounds and open views. In addition, users' preference for artificial sounds, scenery, and soundscape was the lowest. In the mood state test, it was found that the artificial soundscape incited the most negative emotions.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.104 no.1
• /
• pp.150-161
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to obtain the basic data for the effective development and operation of forest healing by analysing the preference of adults on the forest therapy program. The survey of 516 normal adults on the forest therapy program was conducted. Using SPSS 21.0 Program, data analysis of descriptive statistics and correlation analysis of each program confirmed number of covariate, and so we conducted a factor analysis to short meaningful data. And then we looked at the forest healing program preference difference according to demographic characteristics(sex, age, residence, occupation) through reliability analysis, frequency analysis, T-test, analysis of variance(ANOVA). Facter analysis was performed by use of the VariMax orthogonal rotation factor analysis to abbreviate 37 forest therapy program. Through this, the program has been reduced such as 7 program group(1: psychology-based treatment, 2: teaching and counselling-based treatment, 3: camping and forest bath-based treatment, 4: diet-based treatment, 5: nature and plant-based treatment, 6: meditation-based treatment, 7: respiration and yoga-based treatment) and 7 independent programs(1: sleeping in the forest, 2: vision quest, 3: soaking in water, 4: walking wearing shoes, 5: viewing the forest, 6: mountaineering, 7: athletics in the forest). With this criterion, the forest therapy program difference in accordance with sex, age, residence, occupation has been investigated. First, it was verified that there was a significant difference between male and female in the group of such as psychology-based treatment, diet-based treatment, mountaineering. Second, there appeared a significant difference in groups such as teaching and counselling-based treatment, camping and forest bath-based treatment, nature and plant-based treatment, respiration and yoga-based treatment, athletics in the forest. Third, according to the residence, there appeared a significant difference in groups such as psychology-based treatment, teaching and counselling-based treatment, diet-based treatment, nature and plant-based treatment, meditation-based treatment, vision quest, mountaineering, athletics in the forest. Fourth, according to the occupation, there appeared a significant difference in groups such as nature and plant-based treatment, medication-based treatment, vision quest, walking wearing shoes, viewing the forest, mountaineering. As shown before, it seems to be necessary that we should be mindful of this investigation which shows variety of preference of adults on the forest therapy program according to demographic characteristics. We expect the results of this study to be utilized as basic data for the development of forest therapy program targeting on adults.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.463-471
• /
• 2012

Objective of this study is to provide basic information for developing more differentiated and targeted forest healing policy and Korean medical healing programs grounded on consumer preference for forest based Korean medical healing tourism products. The internet survey(CAWI) by percentage quota sampling with 400 Seoulite ages over 30 by the age, area, and gender was conducted, and 317 samples were used for a final analysis. 61.5% of the Seoulite associated 'forest bath/walking in the woods/tree' with an image of a forest based Korean medical healing tourism product, and preference for the product and the intention to use were positive at the percentages of 72.9% and 67.5%, respectively. Preferred areas were Seoul/Gyeonggi-do(53.5%) and Gangwon-do(38.8%). 'Stress solving and refreshment', 'taking a forest bath and a walk', and 'maintaining and promoting health' were the main purposes of the use. As for a therapy, 'walking therapy' was most preferred, and 'ergotherapy' was the next. First priority as for a use facility was 'healing trail', and 'professional medical facility' ranked second. Although important decision attributes were ' cost of use', 'food', and 'friendliness of medical staff', all the other sets of attributes related to use convenience, quality of medical service and tourism activities also recorded high, which forecasts higher consumer expectation for the product. As the result showing differences in consumer preference by the demographic segmentation, differentiated and segmented consumer needs should be considered when planing and managing a product. The scope of the study is limited to a demographic segmentation which is a basic stage of understanding consumer preference, therefore more detailed future researches on complicated and multi-dimensional consumer needs are required.