• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 2020

In Korea, specific thermal elements such as annual mean temperature (AMT) 13℃, 14℃, and Kira's coldness index (CI) -10℃, have been suggested about the northernmost distribution of the warm-temperate evergreen broad-leaved forest zone. We reviewed the relationship between three thermal elements and the actual distribution of evergreen broad-leaved woody plants or its communities. Thiessen and Kriging method using point-data calibrated by seasonal lapse rate according to altitude were utilized for the spatial distribution pattern analysis. Several phytoclimatic maps were also produced in order to compare different thermal values. We identified that the AMT 13℃ was the best thermal element to demarcate the northern limit of the warm-temperate forest zone. Its area was estimated ca. 20,334 ㎢ and larger than those of other thermal elements. We concluded that an indirectly fabricated index i.e. CI -10℃ is useless and it was enough for a direct value of AMT 13℃ to represent the northern-limit distribution of warm-temperate forest zone, at least in Korea. Further researches on the reciprocity between floristic regions and phytoclimate zones are raised.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.3 s.59
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• pp.215-220
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• 2005

Through multiple stage analysis, the biochores in Korea were classified and organized as a hierarchy system. In the 1st step, the isopleth lines of warmth index $100^{\circ}C,\;85^{\circ}C,\;55^{\circ}C\;\cdot$ month and the coldness index $-8^{\circ}C,\;or-10^{\circ}C\;\cdot$ month, which indicate the boundaries of plant formation zones (Yim and Kira 1975; Yim 1977), were applied in the determination of major biochores. In the 2nd step, these biochores were subdivided into the five classes based on Thornthwaite's moisture index (Im) and Yim and Kira (1976), as follows: $100{\le}Im,100 In the 3 rd step, the analysis of topographic features yielded three categories of flatlands, gentle slope, and steep slope areas. These were obtained by adopting the $100{\times}100-meter$ gridded DEM and by considering the physical features of the Korean Peninsula. The features of relief in mountainous areas, waters, islands, etc. were converted into climatic indices. This grouping of biochores serves as a useful tool for the interpretation of the distributional patterns of vegetation of vascular plants and similar phenomena.