• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.163-163
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• 2003

The study area, Kwangneung Experiment Forest (KEF) is located on the west-central portion of Korean peninsula and belongs to a cool-temperate broadleaved forest zone. At the old-growth deciduous forest near Soribong-peak (533.1m) in KEF, we have established a permanent plot and a flux tower, and the site was registered as a KLTER site and also a KoFlux site. In this study, we aimed to present basic ecological characteristics and synthetic data of carbon budgets and flows, and some monitoring data which are essential for providing important parameters and validation data for the forest dynamics models or biogeochemical dynamics models to predict or interpolate spatially the changes in forest ecosystem structure and function. We made a stemmap of trees in 1 ha plot and analyzed forest stand structure and physical and chemical soil characteristics, and estimated carbon budgets by forest components (tree biomass, soils, litter and so on). Dominant tree species were Quercus serrata and Carpinus laxiflora, and accompanied by Q. aliena, Carpinus cordata, and so on. As a result of a field survey of the plot, density of the trees larger than 2cm in DBH was 1,473 trees per ha, total biomass 261.2 tons/ha, and basal area 28.0 m2/ha. Parent rock type is granite gneiss. Soil type is brown forest soil (alfisols in USDA system), and the depth is from 38 to 66cm. Soil texture is loam or sandy loam, and its pH was from 4.2 to 5.0 in the surface layer, and from 4.8 to 5.2 in the subsurface layer. Seasonal changes in LAI were measured by hemispherical photography at the l.2m height, and the maximum was 3.65. And the spatial distributions of volumetric soil moisture contents and LAIs of the plot were measured. Litterfall was collected in circular littertraps (collecting area： 0.25m2) and mass loss rates and nutrient release patterns in decomposing litter were estimated using the litterbag technique employing 30cm30cm nylon bags with l.5mm mesh size. Total annual litterfall was 5,627 kg/ha/year and leaf litter accounted for 61% of the litterfall. The leaf litter quantity was highest in Quercus serrata, followed by Carpinus laxiflora and C. cordata, etc. Mass loss from decomposing leaf litter was more rapid in C. laxiflora and C. cordata than in Q. serrata litter. About 77% of C. laxiflora and 84% of C. cordata litter disappeared, while about 48% in Q. serrata litter lost over two years. The carbon pool in living tree biomass including below ground biomass was 136 tons C/ha, and 5.6 tons C/ha is stored in the litter layer, and about 92.0 tons C/ha in the soil to the 30cm in depth. Totally more than about 233.6 tons C/ha was stored in DK site. And then we have drawn a schematic diagram of carbon budgets and flows in each compartment of the KEF site.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.5_3
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• pp.649-663
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• 1998

The clarify the ecological properties, and to predict change of understory vegetation of mt. Nam Park, population dynamics and interspecific competition of D. smilacinum and D. viridescens, which grow in understory of deciduous broad-leaved forest and pseudo-annuals, were studied from May 20 to May 30 1998. The depth of litter layer, soil moisture content, soil organic matter and soil texture were surveyed in 18 populations (15 D. smilacinum populations and 3 D. viridescens populations). Mean litter layer of d. smilacimum population was thinner than that of D. viridescens populations). Mean litter layer of D. smilacnum population was thinner than that of D. viridescens population. The contents of soil moisture and organic matter of D. smilacinum population were lower than that of D. viridescens population. The D. smilacinum growed in broad range of soil texture but D. viridescens in loamy soil. Because D. smilacinum could tolerate more broad range of soil moisture and soil texture than D. viridescens, the former covered the herb layer in earlier stage and the latter introduced in later stage when rhizome could grow easily. The numbers of individual in two marginal parts were smaller than that in center in same D. smilacinum patch. And the total numbers of individuals grown in (10 ${\times}$ 10)cm were from 0 to 12. The rhizome (subterranean runner) weight, rhizome length, root weight, shoot weight, lea weight and leaf number per subquadrat (cell) increased along the number of individual, that is, increased from marginal part to center. But rhizome weight and rhizome length per individual were vice versa. Therefore, the individuals in marginal part reproduced longer and stronger asexual propagules than that in center. The distribution pattern of D. smilacinum was contageous and that of D. viridescens was random or regular. Therefore, population growth of former was independent on density and that of latter was dependent on density. The distributions of size-class showed normal curves in two population, but the curves based on data of total dry weight showed positive skewness and those of leaf number showed negative skewness The correlation coefficient (CC) values between the properties of each organ were high in two population and significant at 0.1% level. The CC values of D. viridescens were higher of the two. Therefore, the former allocated the energy to each organ stable. The rhizome depth of d. viridescens was 2 times deeper than that of D. smilacinum. And rhizome length and weight of D. viridescens were longer (2 times) or heavier (4 times) than those of D. smilacinum. The patch size of D. viridescens increased 60 cm per year and that of D. smilacinum 30 cm. On this results, the intrinsic increase velocity of d. viridescens patch was 2 times faster than that of d. smilacinum, therefore, on the competition, the former had an advantage over D. smilacinum. The reason why d. viridescens defeated D. smilacinum resulted from that the leaf area of former was 4 times broader than that of latter. in Mt. Nam Park, it was thought that two disporum Population would change with the 3 thpes of environmental change as followings. First, no human impact and increase of soil moisture content resulted in increase of D. viridescens population. Second, mild human impact and similar condition of soil moisture content resulted in slow increase or no changes of D. smilacinum and d. viridescens population. Third, severe human impact and dry condition resulted in decrease or vanishment of two disporum populations.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.303-319
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• 2023

Pitfall traps that use ethylene glycol as a preservative solution are commonly used in arthropod research. However, a recent surge in cases involving damage to these traps by roe deer or wild boars owing to the sweet taste of ethylene glycol has prompted the addition of quinone sulfate, a substance with a pungent taste, to deter such wildlife interference. This study aimed to assess the effects of quinone sulfate on arthropods collected from pitfall traps containing ethylene glycol. We strategically positioned 50 traps using ethylene glycol alone and 50 traps containing a small amount of quinone sulfate mixed with ethylene glycol in a grid pattern for systematic sampling at the Gwangneung Forest long-term ecological research (LTER) site. Traps were collected 10 days later. The results revealed a notable effect on ants when quinone sulfate was introduced. Specifically, it decreased the number of ants. In a species-specific analysis of ants, only Nylanderia flavipes showed a significant decline in response to quinone sulfate, whereas other ant species remained unaffected. Additionally, among the arthropod samples obtained in this survey, we identified species or morpho-species of spiders, beetles, and ants and assessed species diversity. Consequently, the utilization of quinone sulfate should be undertaken judiciously, taking into account the specific species composition and environmental characteristics of the monitoring site. Our study also highlighted the significant response of various arthropod groups to variations in leaf litter depth, underscoring the crucial role of the leaf litter layer in providing sustenance and shelter for ground-foraging arthropods. Furthermore, we have compiled comprehensive species lists of both spiders and ants in Gwangneung forest by amalgamating data from this investigation with findings from previous studies.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.265-270
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• 2005

In order to investigate the organic carbon distribution, net primary production, annual litter production, organic carbon in litter layer, soil organic carbon and soil respiration were studied in an oak forest, Kongju, Chungnam Province in Korea. Net primary production was estimated to 15.84 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$. The amount of carbon allocated to leaf and reproductive organ, branch, stem and root was 1.71, 4.03, 7.34, 2.76 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ respectively. Annual litter production was 5.21 $ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, which amounted to 2.35 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$. Average amount of organic carbon in litter layer (L+F) was 6.06 ton C/ha, and that of L layer decreased from winter through summer. Soil organic carbon decreased along the soil depth. Average amount of soil organic carbon in this oak forest was 165.19 ton C/ha. The amount of carbon evolved through soil respiration was 11.24 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$. Net amount of 4.60 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ was absorbed from the atmosphere by this oak forest.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2023

This study was conducted to clarify the environmental variables that affect the appearance of Mauremys reevesii and to understand the relationship between M. reevesii and the variables. Habitat environmental survey was implemented by selecting 17 environmental variables considering ecological characteristics of M. reevesii in the main reservoir in Gurye-gun, the Republic of Korea. And the habitat data on the presence and absence of M.reevesii were analyzed statistically. The habitat suitability model of M. reevesii was described in following equation : logit (p) = -3.68 + (0.17 × leaf litter depth) + (1.55 × vegetation coverage of overstory on land) + (0.71 × coverage of midstory on land) + (0.96 × vegetation coverage of understory on water). This information gained is valuable for better understanding the distribution and how to conserve and promote populations of M. reevesii occurring in the Republic of Korea.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.215-226
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate the soil environment characteristics of the Abies koreana community, which is currently showing a continuous decline in its size, in order to provide fundamental data for the management and creation of a conservation plan for the Abies koreana communities at the Korean national parks of Sobaeksan, Deogyusan, and Jirisan. Soil depth investigations were conducted at depths deeper than 40 cm into the B horizon at most study sites, except for the Dwaejipyeongjeon and Byeoksoryeong sites. The soil water content exceeded 30% on average, and these soils showed low bulk density levels. The soil texture was found to be the loamy or silty loam type at most study sites. It was also found in a chemical characteristic assessment that the soil samples contained more than 10% organic matter at most study sites. The cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) and total N concentration levels were also high at most study sites. However, the soil showed low exchangeable K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ levels at most study sites. Finally, the pH values were 4.90, 4.53, and 4.60 at soil depths of 10 cm at the Sobaeksan, Deogyusan and Jirisan sites, respectively, outcomes that are notably lower than the average levels in soil from Korean forests according to the literature. This appears to be due to the cold and wet climate of these subalpine regions given the reduced leaf-litter decomposition rate and accumulation of organic acids.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.247-255
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• 2024

Background: To effectively understand and evaluate plant diversity in a specific area and make meaningful comparisons between regions, standardized methods that measure diversity irrespective of survey plot size are crucial. This study proposes a model equation for comparing plant species diversity using the modified Whittaker plots. Plant species diversity was measured in two Gotjawal areas on Jeju Island, where the coexistence of northern and southern limit species significantly impacts diversity. By analyzing the relationship between plant species diversity and environmental factors, the study clarified the characteristics of plant and habitat diversity in the Gotjawal ecosystem. Results: The species richness of vascular plants, herbaceous plants, and woody plants increased with area and was higher in Jeoji Gotjawal than in Seonheul Gotjawal. Similarly, the species turnover rate (slope value) was higher in Jeoji Gotjawal (4.37) than in Seonheul Gotjawal (3.85). This indicates that the species richness in Jeoji Gotjawal increases more with the expansion of the survey area (1-1,000 m²), reflecting a faster species turnover rate. Additionally, in Gotjawal areas, species richness increased with greater leaf litter depth, elevation, slope, and rock ratio. These results indicate that differences in plant species diversity were attributed to soil environmental factors. Conclusions: The plant species diversity of Gotjawal, surveyed using standardized methods, was lower than that of forested areas in the central region of South Korea where the same method was applied. Most previous studies on species diversity likely compared diversity without considering a consistent survey area. Therefore, when comparing plant species diversity domestically and globally, it emphasizes the need for the use of standardized survey methods.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.213-223
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• 2022

This study was conducted to establish a Habitat Suitability index (HSI) based on literature research and field surveys on ecology and habitat of 'Hynobius leechii'. And this study will be used as basic data for qualitative evaluation of habitat environment. The survey sites were divided into natural habitats close to the prototype habitat and artificial restoration areas where Hynobius leechii was monitored. So the types of habitats were diversified. Hynobius leechii is a vulnerable species to climate change because it is affected by the microhabitat and has low mobility. HSI variables of Hynobius leechii were extracted through domestic and overseas literature, and standards were extracted from literature research and field survey. The standards were presented as a value of the physical allowable category in consideration of realization. To verify the study, an in-depth consultation was conducted by amphibians experts. HSI variables of Hynobius leechii were included 9 variables such as Overstory canopy cover(%), Understory cover(%), Water-pH, Soil-pH, Soil relative humidity(%), Leaf litter depth(cm), Rock substrates (%), Type of Coarse woody, Distance from Street or Pollutant(m).