• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.208-217
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• 2014

Leaf litter is the main and quick source of organic matter and nutrient to the soil compared to other parts of litter. This study focused on the nutrients (N, P and K) leaching from leaf litter of Melia azadirachta, Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Swietenia macrophylla, Mangifera indica, Zizyphus jujuba, Litchi chinensis, Albizia saman, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Acacia auriculiformis, Dalbergia sissoo and Khaya anthotheca as the common cropland agroforest tree species of Bangladesh. About (9 to 35) % of initial mass was lost, while Electric Conductivity (EC) and TDS (Total Dissolved Solid) of leaching water increased to (573 to 3,247) ${\mu}S/cm$ and (401 to 2,307) mg/l respectively after 192 hours of leaching process. Mass loss (%) of leaf litter, EC and TDS of leaching water showed significant (ANOVA, p<0.05) curvilinear relationship with leaching time. Initial concentration of NH4, PO4 and K in leaching water was found to increase significantly (p<0.05) up to 48/72 hours and then remained almost constant at later stages (48/72 to 192 hours). Mass loss of leaves; EC, TDS, $NH_4$, $PO_4$ and K in leaching water was varied also significantly (ANOVA, p<0.05) among the studied tree species. All the tree species showed similar pattern of nutrients (K>N>P) release during the leaching process. The highest $NH_4$ (4,097 ppm) and potassium (8,904 ppm) concentration was found for M. azadirachta while the highest $PO_4$ (1,331 ppm) concentration was found for E. camaldulensis in the leaching water. Among the studied tree species, M. azadirachta, A. indica, D. sissoo, E. camaldulensis and Z. jujuba was selected as the best tree species with respect to nutrient leaching.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.5 s.162
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• pp.302-306
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• 2005

Litterfall and nutrient inputs were measured in even-aged coniferous plantations (a 31-year-old Pinus rigida and a 31-year-old Larix leptolepis) on a similar site condition in the Forest Practice Research Center, Gyeonggi Province. Litterfall was collected monthly from circular littertraps (collecting area: $0.50m^2$) for three years between April 1997 and February 2000. Average total annual litterfall was significantly higher for pine (5,802 kg/ha/yr) than for larch (4,562 kg/ha/yr) plantations. Needle litter in both plantations accounted for about 63% of total litterfall. Litterfall in the larch was distributed as follows: needle > other leaf > branch > miscellaneous > bark, while it was needle > miscellaneous > other leaf > branch > bark in the pine plantation. There was no temporal variation in needle litter, other leaf and bark during the 3 year study period. The concentrations of all nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) in needle litter were significantly higher in the larch than in the pine plantations. The annual nutrient concentration of needle litter in the larch varied among the years, whereas no year variation of needle litter was in the pine except for phosphorus (P). Nitrogen (N) and P inputs by needle litter were significantly higher for larch than for pine plantations established on a similar soil. The differences in N and P inputs were attributed to lower nutrient concentration in pine needle litter compared with larch needle litter, not to total needle litter mass. Annual inputs of nutrient in both plantations were not significantly different among years except for K of the larch although there was yearly different in needlefall mass and nutrient concentration during the 3-year observed period. The results indicate that the mechanisms of litterfall and nutrient inputs vary considerably between pine and larch plantations established on a similar site condition.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.353-362
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• 2009

This study attempted to compare the litter decomposition rate of Arundinella hirta and Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens which collected from serpentine soil acting potentially toxic concentration of heavy metals and non-serpentine soil by using the microcosm method for 192 days under constant humidity and $23^{\circ}C$. The contents of Ni, Fe, Mg and Cr in the serpentine and nonserpentine soil originated litter showed high differences between them. The litter samples from serpentine site have lower C/N than non-serpentine litter, but the soluble carbohydrate content was shown almost similar between two plant litter. The mass loss rates of leaf litter from serpentine area were slower than those from non-serpentine site. During the experimental period, the remained dry weight of A. hirta and M. sinensis var. purpurascens litter collected from serpentine site were 64.7%, 65.0% of initial dry weight and litter samples from non-serpentine site showed 54.2%, 50.7%, respectively. K and Na were leached rapidly at the initial decomposition periods, but Ca showed immobilization and other metal elements reserved at the decomposing litter for a long time. The decomposing A. hirta litter from non-serpentine soil showed higher values of $CO_2$ evolution, microbial biomass-C, and microbial biomass-N than those in serpentine soil originated litter acting nutrient stresses and exhibited rapid decay rate. The microbial biomass and microbial respiration of decaying litter were positively correlated with litter decomposition rate, and these relationships showed more rapid slope in non-serpentine soil originated litter than that in serpentine soil.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.208-220
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• 2019

The seasonality of leaf fall has important implications for understanding the response of trees' phenology to climate change. In this study, we quantified the leaf fall pattern with a model to estimate the timing and speed of leaf litter according to species and considered the nutrient use strategy of canopy species. In the autumns of 2015 and 2016, leaf litter was collected periodically using 36 litter-traps from the deciduous forests in Gwangneung and sorted by species. The seasonal leaf fall pattern was estimated using the non-linear regression model of Dixon. Additionally, the resorption rate was calculated by analyzing the nitrogen concentration of the leaf litter at each collection time. The leaf litter generally began in early October and ended in mid-November depending on the species. At the peak time (T50) of leaf fall, on average, Carpinus laxiflora was first, and Quercus serrata was last. The rate of leaf fall was fastest (18.6 days) for Sorbus alnifolia in 2016 and slowest (40.8 days) for C. cordata in 2015. The nitrogen resorption rates at T50 were 0.45% for Q. serrata and 0.48% for C. laxiflora, and the resorption rate in 2015 with less precipitation was higher than in 2016. Since falling of leaf litter is affected by environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, photoperiod, and $CO_2$ during the period attached foliage, the leaf fall pattern and nitrogen resorption differed year by year depending on the species. If we quantify the fall phenomena of deciduous trees and analyze them according to various conditions, we can predict whether the changes in leaf fall timing and speed due to climate change will prolong or shorten the growth period of trees. In addition, it may be possible to consider how this affects their nutrient use strategy.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.329-337
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• 1997

Study of population density and biomass of soil microarthropods in soil, herbaceous leaf litter and wood leaf litter was conducted at 4 sites with different flora in Mt. Jumbong, a nature reserve area, in Korea from Aug. 1994 to May 1996. Total 47, 849 individuals of soil microarthropods in soil were collected and identified into 6 different classes, and 16 orders. The composition, densities, and dominant group of soil microarthropods were different among 4 sampling sites. Collembola was the most abundant group with 50.7% at South-facing slope and 50.6% at the North-facing slope. But Acari was the most abundant group with 49.8% at Altitude 900m site and 47.7% at Altitude 1100m site. Two group ranged 87-95% of total individuals. A/C ratio was less than 1.0 at 4 sampling sites during the all sampling seasons. As a result of biomass evaluation, rato of Acari was decreased but ratio of Diplopoda, coleoptera, Araneae, Diptera and Chilopoda was increased. About 70% of total orders and densities were found in less than 5cm soil depth. The composition, densities, and dominant group of soil microarthropods were different among soil, herbaceous litter and wood litter. Collembola was the most abundant group in herbaceous and wood litter. A/C ratio was less than 1.0 in litter during the sampling seasons. As a result of biomass evaluation in litter, ration of Araneae and Collembola was very high, but ratio of Acari was low.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.374-382
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• 2021

In the present study, we analyzed the decay rate and nutrient dynamics during leaf litter decomposition of Pinus densiflora and Pinus thunbergii in Gongju for 60 months, from 2014 to 2019. P. thunbergii leaf litter decomposed faster than that of P. densiflora. The decay constant of P. densiflora and P. thunbergii leaf litter after 60 months was 3.02 and 3.59, respectively. The initial C/N ratio of P. densiflora and P. thunbergii leaf litter were 14.4 and 14.5, respectively. After 60 months, C/N ratio of decomposing P. densiflora and P. thunbergii leaf litter decreased to 2.26 and 3.0, respectively. The initial C/P ratio of P. densiflora and P. thunbergii leaf litter were 144.1 and 111.3. After 60 months elapsed, the C/P ratio of decomposing P. densiflora and P. thunbergii leaf litter decreased to 40.1 and 45.8, respectively. After 60 months, the percentage of the remaining N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in decomposing P. densiflora leaf litter was 231.08, 130.13, 35.68, 48.58, and 36.03%, respectively. After 60 months, the percentage of the remaining N, P, K, Ca, and Mg in decomposing P. thunbergii leaf litter was 143.91, 74.02, 28.59, 45.08, and 44.99%, respectively. The findings of the present study provide an insight into the forest ecosystem function of coniferous forests through the analysis of the amount of nutrient transfer into the soil through a long-term decomposition process; this information is intended to be used as basic data for preparing counter measures for future climate and ecosystem changes.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.335-340
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• 2003

Patterns of mass loss and nutrient release from decomposing oak (Quercus mongolica) and mixed litters (Q. mongolica, Betula schmidtii, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, Kalopanx pictus and Tilia amurensis) in a natural hardwood forest in Gyebangsan (Mt.) were examined using litterbags placed on the forest floor for 869 days. Mass loss rates from decomposing litter were consistently higher in mixed litter (59%) than in oak litter types (52%) during the study period. Nutrient concentrations such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) from decomposing litter were also higher in mixed litter than in oak litter types. Nutrient concentrations (N, P, Ca, and Mg) increased compared with initial concentration of litter, while K concentrations dropped rapidly at the first 5 months and then stabilized. The results suggest that mas loss and nutrient release obtained from decomposing litter of single species in mixed hardwood forest ecosystem should be applied with caution because of the potential differences of mass loss and nutrient release between single litter and mixed litter types.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.83-91
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• 1997

One year study with litter bags(mesh size - 0.4mm, 0.8mm, 1.7mm and 5.0mm) was carried out to investigate the soil invertebrate community in the process of leaf decomposition in Namsan and Kwangreung deciduous forests, which were considered to be under different degrees of environmental selective pressure. Soil animals collected from litter bags were classified into the class of order or higher taxa. Acari and Collembola were major groups: Acari and Collembola were about 60% and 30% of total soil animals in their numbers, respectively. Among minor groups, Dipteria, Araneae, Diplopoda, Coleoptera and Chilopoda were comparatively dominant. In Namsan forest which was considered to be under higher environmental selective pressure than Kwangreung, the densities of Acari and Collembola were somewhat higher than in Kwangreung, although there was no statistically significant difference between two sites. The densities of Chilopoda, Enchytraeidae and Nematoda were much higher in Namsan than in Kwangreung but Diplopoda and Symphyla were much more in Kwangreung. It was expected that those groups could be used as bioindicators. The densities of Acari and Collembola were very low until March and then showed the peak in May. But they decreased slowly until November. There was no significant difference among the mesh sized of litter bags in the densities of Acari and Collembola but other groups of soil invertebrates seemed to be prevented from immigrating into the litter bag of mesh size 0.4mm. Decomposition rate of litter in the litter bag was low in early stage of decomposition. The % residual mass over initial mass at 8 months after litter bag introduction in the field was over 80%. Thereafter, % residual mass decreased more fast and was about 60% at 1 year after bag introduction. There was little evidence for the effects of soil invertebrates upon the litter decomposition in the period of this study. And there was no significant difference between Namsan and Kwangreung or among mesh sizes of litter bags in the decomposition rate.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 1989

The action and growth of soil microorganisms were studied in accordance with the leachates from leaf litter over the time lapse, and soil properties and species compositions in studied area were investigated. The investigations of soil microorganisms were made through dividing into two groupsbacterial and fungal groups. The abundance of soil microorganisms showed high correlation with organic matter(0.98) and total nitrogen(0.97) of soil. The amount of soil microorganisms was found the highest in litter layer and the next were humus and A layer in order. The bacterial growth rate in leachates from leaf letter was increased continuously by two weeks. The fungal growth rate was increased only for one week and after then it was decreased abruptly.