• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2020

Background: The Himalayan forests are of great importance to sustain the nature and community resource demands. These forests are facing pressures both from anthropogenic activities and ongoing global climatic changes. Poor natural regeneration has been considered a major problem in mountainous forests. To understand the population structure and regeneration status of Larix (Larix griffithiana and Larix himalaica), we conducted systematic vegetation surveys in three high-altitude valleys namely Ghunsa (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, KCA), Langtang (Langtang National Park, LNP), and Tsum (Manaslu Conservation Area, MCA) in Nepal Himalaya. The average values of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and sapling height were compared for three sites and two species using Kruskal-Wallis test. Population structure was assessed in terms of proportion of seedlings, saplings, and trees. Regeneration was analyzed using graphical representation of frequencies of seedlings, saplings, and trees in histograms. Results: The results showed that the population structure of Larix in terms of the proportion of seedling, sapling, and tree varied greatly in the three study areas. KCA had the highest record of seedling, sapling, and tree compared to other two sites. Seedlings were the least among three forms and many plots were without seedlings. We found no seedling in MCA study plots. The plot level average DBH variation among sites was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 7.813, df = 2, p = 0.02) as was between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 5.9829, df = 1, p = 0.014). Similarly, the variation in average tree height was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 134.23, df = 2, p < 0.001) among sites as well as between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 128.01, df = 1, p < 0.001). All the sites showed reverse J-shaped curve but more pronounced for KCA and MCA. In comparing the two species, Larix griffithiana has clear reverse J-shaped diameter distribution but not Larix himalaica. Conclusion: The varied responses of Larix manifested through regeneration status from spatially distinct areas show that regeneration limitations might be more pronounced in the future. In all the three studied valleys, regeneration of Larix is found to be problematic and specifically for Larix griffithiana in MCA and Larix himalaica in LNP. To address the issues of disturbances, especially serious in LNP, management interventions are recommended to sustain the unique Himalayan endemic conifer.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.883-891
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• 2010

More recently, there have been significant changes in the forms of channels due to runoff characteristics driven by climate changes and other alterations in basin/channel environments. Particularly, increasing local deposition in major channels is being observed nationwide. Of such phenomena, it is noteworthy that flood-plains show unidirectional growth and lowering of channels within compound channels in the form of a high-flow plain. These changes are supposed to affect management of the river ecology as well as flood control. In this study, the research on channels in Korea confirmed that the phenomenon of local deposition in those channels is actually taking place, rendering a problem to be urgently addressed. Previous studies on bed changes have been focused on low channels based on bed materials distributed over the channels. However, this research has proved that surface-layer deposition of a high-flow plain is closely related with changes in the conditions of ground surfaces and, ultimately, affects the bed of the entire channel as well. According to the intensive research on the condition of the high-flow plain of the mouth of the Han River, the silt deposited in the high-flow plain was the main cause of settlement/growth of vegetation. And this leads to landforming along with woods-forming, disturbing flood control as well as the normal river ecology.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.158-171
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• 2010

The flora of Deokjeok Island was investigated 35 times from September 2007 to September 2008. Based on voucher specimens, the study indicated that this area consisted of 535 taxa in total; 108 families, 320 genera, 480 species, 2 subspecies, 45 varieties and 8 forms were present. Compositae and Graminae were the first and second most common families surveyed in the region, respectively. Among the more remarkable examples found were four taxa of Korean endemic plants, six taxa of rare and endangered plants designated by National Arboretum, and 55 taxa of specific plants that have been designated by the Ministry of Environment. Furthermore, 50 taxa of naturalized plants were observed and they occupied 17.9% of the total in the surveyed area. Although some parts of the investigated region were disturbed by human impact, the ecological status was comparatively well preserved. However, the area where the remarkable plants were discovered should be more systematically protected. Since the proportion of naturalized plants in the human habitation area was considerably high and the spreading of these plants seems consistent, it is expected that the ecosystem of this area may become critically unstable in near future.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.72-95
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• 2015

In order to illustrate the flora of vascular plants distributed in the area of Mt. Hambaek-san and its neighboring mountains, the authors collected vascular plants intensively on Mt. Hambaek-san (1,573 m), Mt. Geumdae-bong (1,418 m) and Mt. Daedeok-san (1,307 m) from April of 2012 to August of 2014. All of them consisted of 90 families, 310 genera, 532 species, 4 subspecies, 73 varieties and 13 forms, with a total of 622 taxa. The total number of vascular plants in the investigated area was 808 taxa (17.55% of all vascular plants in Korea) with the addition of voucher specimens from previous investigations. Among the collected plants, endemic ones were 21 taxa, rare and endangered ones 26 taxa, naturalized ones 30 taxa, useful ones 464 taxa, and floristically specific ones of Korean floristic zones 62 taxa except for species of the first and second grade. Among the floristic zones of the Korean Peninsula, this investigated area showed the typical vegetation of a temperate middle province into which more northern elements than southern elements flowed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-69
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• 2006

The flora of vascular plants and the vegetation on the tidal flat was investigated in Jebudo located at Hwaseong city of Gyeonggi-do province from 2004 to 2005. Jebudo has been considered to show difference from the flora which is peculiar to island as it became semi-land by free traffic to mainland with the installation of a road which had enabled entry into the Jebudo in 1991 due to sea-splitting phenomenon. The result of the vascular plants in Jebudo were consissted of 305 taxa; 264 species, 38 varieties and 3 forms of 202 genera of 74 families. As a result of examination by distinctive survey areas within Jebudo, a tidal flat(I) region where the halophyte was being spread has been researched as 7 taxa; 7 species of 6 genera of 5 families. The taxa in Godo-Island(II) was reseached as 50 taxa; 39 species, 11 varieties and 42 genera of 24 families. The taxa in Sand dune area(III) was reseached as 61 taxa; 52 species and 9 varieties of 53 genera of 25 families. The most plant species was reseached in Mt. Tapjae (IV) reaseach area among the reseach areaes 136 taxa; 118 species, 17 varieties and 1 form of 108 genera of 55 families. The taxa in Dangje Mt.(V) was reseached as 119 taxa; 105 species, 13 varieties and 1 form of 95 genera of 45 familes. The taxa in Dongmi Mt. (VI) was reseached as 100 taxa; 85 species and 15 varieties of 83 enera of 43 families. The taxa in Paddy field(VII) was reseached as 120 taxa; 106 species, 13 varieties and 1 form of 86 genera 31 families. Especially, a Crypsinus hastatus community which is a rare plant designated by Korea forest service and a preservation plant designated by the natural environment preservation law (1998) has been discovered at a cliff of Topjae mountain near the ferry located at the northeast side. According to the result of researching halophyte communities which make up the zonation according to the environmental gradient, the communities were being formed in the order of Limonium tetragonum community, Phragmites communis community, Carex scabrifolia community, Triglochin maritimum community and Carex scabrifolia community in accordance with the order of soil particle size with breakwater as their standard.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.223-239
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• 2005

The vascular plants collected from Dongwol Valley in Mt. Gyeryongsan, national park were composed of all 248 taxa including cultivated species, and classified into 1 phylum, 4 classes, 3 subclasses, 34 orders, 84 families, 178 species, 33 varieties and 4 forms. As compared the flora of the commonly distributing species of this region with those of the southern part, the middle part, the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju-do Island and Ulreung-do Island, the proportion of them were $90.3\%,\;98.0\%,\;79.0\%,\;73.8\%$ and $62.1\%$, respectively. One taxon of the plants distributed only in the southern part, 3 taxa of those in the middle part, 5 taxa of those in the middle-northern part and 23 taxa of those in the middle-southern part were found in this Valley. Natural resource plants were categorized into edible 118 taxa, medicinal 78 taxa, industrial 46 taxa, ornamental 39 taxa, timber 14 taxa and fiber 9 taxa. Four taxa of the Korean endemic plants are distributed in Dongwol Valley. The vegetation of the valley is Quercus and Rhododendron mixed forest, and it belongs to the boundary between the middle part and the southern part in the floral zone of the Korean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.19-38
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• 2016

This study was carried out to investigate the flora, vegetation and soil properties of serpentine area in Andong, Korea. The vascular plants identified during the seven-round field surveys were a total of 359 taxa: 88 families, 239 genera, 311 species, 6 subspecies, 33 varieties, 6 forms and 3 hybrids. 249 taxa were newly discovered in this region. The plant composition of serpentine area is the deciduous broad-leaved and conifer-mixed forest which is the common one in the middle part of the Korean peninsula. Four taxa of Korean endemic plants such as Clematis brachyura, Populus ${\times}$ tomentiglandulosa, Paulownia coreana and Aster koraiensis were collected. The vascular plants on the red list according to IUCN evaluation basis were found to be seven taxa: Near Threatened (NT) species of Hypericum attenuatum, Polygala tenuifolia and Senecio argunensis, Least Concern (LC) species of Penthorum chinense, Potentilla discolor and Acorus calamus, and Not Evaluate (NE) species of Scorzonera austriaca ssp. glabra. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 19 taxa comprising two taxa of grade IV, five taxa of grade III, four taxa of grade II, and nine taxa of grade I. The naturalized plants were identified as 34 taxa and the percentage of naturalized index (NI) was 9.5 %, and urbanization index (UI) was 10.6 %. Forest soils contained high content of nickel and cadmium. The soil layer consists of loam and silt loam from the surface to a depth of 20 cm and loam and silt clay from a depth of 20 cm to 40 cm.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.234-247
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• 2013

This study was carried out to illuminate the floras of vascular plants of Mt. Eungbongsan in Yeongwol-gun. This study was conducted from April to October, 2011. Based on the voucher specimens, vascular plants in this area consisted of 89 families, 288 genera, 405 species, 3 subspecies, 43 varieties, and 7 forms, totally 458 taxa. 16 species were endemic to Korea such as Cirsium setidens, Saussurea macrolepis, Salvia chanroenica, Anemone koraiensis, Clematis brachyura, Clematis trichotoma, Populus tomentiglandulosa, Salix dependens, Salix koriyanagi, Chrysosplenium flaviflorum, Philadelphus schrenckii, Lysimachia coreana, Lonicera subsessilis, Weigela subsessilis, Paulownia coreana, and Corydalis maculata. Ten taxa were rare plants as designated by Korea Forest Service such as Anemone koraiensis, Eranthis stellata, Aristolochia contorta, Rodgersia podophylla, Lysimachia coreana, Syringa wolfii, Lloydia triflora, Streptopus ovalis, Salvia chanroenica, and Carpinus tshonoskii. Plants specially designated by the Ministry of Environment in phytogeographic categories totaled 87 taxa including 39 taxa of grade I, 14 taxa of grade II, 19 taxa of grade III, 14 taxa of grade IV and 1 taxon grade V. Naturalized plants consisted of 8 families with 28 taxa that made up 6.1% of the total vascular plants in this area. Naturalized plants have not strongly influenced the Mt. Eungbongsan vegetation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-120
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• 2012

This study was carried out to illiminate the diversity of vascular plants by making list of rheophyte and hydorphyte plants at Yugu stream. This study was conducted from Aug., 2009 to Sept. 2010 at 7 points. Based on the voucher specimens, vascular plants from investigated areas were 88 families 229 genera 290 species 3 subspecies 30 varieties 5 forms, totally 328 taxa. Korean endemic plants were 3 species such as Forsythia koreana (Rehder) Nakai (planted) and Paulownia coreana Uyeki (planted), and Weigela subsessilis (Nakai) L.H. Bailey. The rare and endangered plants were designated by Korea Forest Service were 4 taxa, such as Penthorum chinense Pursh, Acorus calamus L., Lilium callosum Siebold & Zucc. and Iris ensata var. spontanea (Makino) Nakai. Floristic special plants were totally 26 taxa, which were grade V of 2 taxa, grade IV of 2 taxa and grade III of 9 taxa. Naturalized plants were 27 taxa, that was 8.3% of whole discovered vascular plants in this area. Even naturalized plants has not influence on the vegetation of Yugu stream. Since village was composed along the stream and the roads and banks were linked, naturalized plants were flowed continuously into this region. So, strategy of the conservation for this region should be designed. Based on flora, 3 types of group were discriminated such as main stream type (4 points), branch stream type (2 points) and reservior type (1 point). Each group has difference in composition of plants.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.45-62
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• 2010

Zero plane displacement (d) is the elevated height of the apparent momentum sink exerted by the vegetation on the air. For a vegetative canopy, d depends on the roughness structure of a plant canopy such as leaf area index, canopy height and canopy density, and thus is critical for the analysis of canopy turbulence and the calculation of surface scalar fluxes. In this research note, we estimated d at the Gwangneung coniferous forest by employing two independent methods of Rotach (1994) and Martano (2000), which require only a single-level eddy-covariance measurement. In general, these two methods provided comparable estimates of $d/h_c$ (where $h_c$ is the canopy height, i.e., ~23m), which ranged from 0.51 to 0.97 depending on wind directions. These estimates of $d/h_c$ were within the ranges (i.e., 0.64~0.94) reported from other forests in the literature but were sensitive to the forms of the nondimensional functions for atmospheric stability. Our finding indicates that one should be careful in interepreation of zero plane displacement estimated from a single-level eddy covariance measurement that is conductaed within the roughness sublayer.