• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.91-103
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• 1994

The floristic characteristics and ecological conservation measures for the plant resources of the Tokyusan National Park. Chollapuk-do, Korea were discussed. The field works was done for three times in nine major areas from April to July, 1993. The total number of vascular plants in this area were summarized as 97 families, 297 genera, 469 species and 541 kinds. The nineteen kinds of artificially planted, twelve kinds of Korean endemics and sixteen kinds of Korean rare and endangered species in the area were revised and compiled in the list. The flora of the area were categorized into the Southern part of the Korean Region, where the species such as Quercus serrata. Fraxinus sieboldiana, Ilex macropoda, Lindera erythrocarpa, Lindera glauca, Rubus coreanus, Taxus cuspidata, Cephalotaxus koreana and Abies koreana were roled as major floristic components in the Korean Region and endemized in the southern part of Korea. The natural communities such as Adonis amurensis Community, Taxus cuspidata Community, Betula ermanii Community, Hemerocalis spp. Community, Rhododendron tschnoskii Community, Rhododendron schlippenbachii Community, Disporum ovale Community, Tricyrtis dilatata Community, and present natural distribution of Abies koreana, and swamp vegetation in Tumunsan areas, as well as upland grassland at the summit of Hyangchokpong were represented for their floristic values in the area. The fifteen kinds of medicinal plants such as Gastrodia elata, seven kinds of ornamental plants such as Adonis amurensis, and thirteen kinds of edible plants such as Ligularia fischeri are faced potentially in endangered from the outrageous collections by the local peoples. The Action Plan for the conservation management of the area which enables sustainable use by the local peoples must be established in the near future.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.169-183
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• 2021

This study was carried out to investigate the flora of the Hanbando wetland (Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do) from April 2019 to May 2020. Vascular plants were grouped into 508 taxa, comprising 93 families, 309 genera, 456 species, 10 subspecies, 37 varieties, and 5 forms. Among the investigated 508 taxa, 2 endangered species, 8 rare plants, and 8 endemic plants were identified. The specific plants by floristic region were grouped into 71 taxa including, 3 taxa of grade V, 10 taxa of grade IV, 15 taxa of grade III, 17 taxa of grade II, and 26 taxa of grade I. Naturalized and ecosystem disturbing plants were grouped into 57 taxa and 5 taxa, respectively. The percentage of naturalized plants species and urbanization index were estimated to be 11.2% and 17.8%, respectively. This study provides important basic information for the efficient management of Hanbando wetland, which possess a high conservation value since it is forms part of the list of Ramsar wetlands.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.245-257
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• 2021

Ulleungdo, a volcanic island, has different climate, soil, and topography characteristics from inland of the Korean Peninsula. Its agriculture also exhibits distinctive features. This study focused on floristic compositions and characteristics of crop lands in Ulleungdo. Flora surveys were conducted for 37 areas three times, one in May of 2016, one in July of 2020, and one in August of 2020. Results showed that vascular plants of crop lands in Ulleungdo included 186 taxa of 53 families, 132 genera, 160 species, 14 varieties, five subspecies, and five hybrids. Asteraceae had the most diverse species (33 taxa), followed by Poaceae (25 taxa), Fabaceae (12 taxa), Polygonaceae (11 taxa), and Liliaceae (nine taxa). The biological type of crop lands in Ulleungdo island was determined to be Th-R₅-D₄-e type. Rare plants were found for nine taxa: Athyrium acutipinnulum Kodama ex Nakai, Sedum takasimense Nakai, Rubus takesimensis Nakai, Dystaenia takesimana (Nakai) Kitag., Ligustrum foliosum Nakai, Aster pseudoglehni Y.Lim, Cirsium nipponicum (Maxim.) Makino, Lilium hansonii Leichtlin ex D.D.T.Moore, and Polygonatum robustum (Korsh.) Nakai. In addition, 45 taxa contained naturalized plants of 13 families, 33 genera, 44 species, and one variety. Urbanization and naturalization indices were 13.9%, and 24.2%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.347-376
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• 2021

Investigating and evaluating regionally distributed plant resources provide fundamental information (inventory) to conserve plant diversity in target areas. Nevertheless, the examination of inventory to collect information in areas with little interest has been insufficient. In this study, the vicinity of Mt. Baegamsan(1,004m) was investigated for plant resources in the central and southern part of the Korean peninsula, which has received low interest. Nine surveys identified a total of 638 taxa consisting of 108 families, 339 genera, 572 species, 12 subspecies, 49 varieties, and 5 forms. One taxon was designated to be the endangered wild plant by the Ministry of Environment, and a total of 29 taxa were designated to be endemic species in Korea. Floristic target species identified by the surveys included 1 taxon for grade V, 13 taxa for grade IV, 36 taxa for grade III, 29s taxa for grade II, and 34 taxa for grade I. A total of 38 taxa were identified to be naturalized plants, and 3 of them were designated as invasive alien plants by the Ministry of Environment. There was a difference in plant distribution between western and eastern areas of Mt. Baegamsan. The endangered and valuable plants for conservation were mainly identified from Mt. Baegamsan peak area, the ridge, and the western area. Considering the plant distribution, the Mt. Baegamsan region, located on Nakdong-jungmaek, was estimated to be dispersal routes for plant expansion and retreat.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.60-88
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• 2023

This study was conducted to investigate the vertical distribution and vascular plants in the Gakho mountain. Form the results of three field surveys from May 2022 to September 2022, a total of 478 total taxa, representing 426 species, 11 subspecies, 35 varieties, four forms, and two hybrids were identified, which were categorized in 282 genera and 94 families. We identified the elevational distribution ranges of 398 taxa of vascular plants. Among them, 19 taxa were endemic to Korea, one taxon was identified as a rare plant. The floristic target plants amounted to 72 taxa, specifically two taxa of grade V, two taxa of grade IV, 16 taxa of grade III, 27 taxa of grade II, and 25 taxa of grade I. Further, 71 taxa were identified as northern lineage plants. A total of 19 taxa of alien plants were identified, with a Naturalized Index of 4.0%, an Urbanization Index of 6.6%, and three plants that disturbed the ecosystem. The result of analyzing the pattern of species richness showed a reversed hump shape with minimum richness at mid-high elevation. A cluster analysis showed a high degree of similarity between adjacent elevation sections that are geographically adjacent with similar habitat environments. Warmth index in the Gakho mountain ranged from 57.2℃·month to 84.2℃·month. Our results provide basic data on vascular plants and valuable information on elevational distribution ranges of current plant species in the Gakho mountain, which could serve as a baseline for comparison of the shifts in elevation under future climate change.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2022

In this study, the vascular plants of the Mt. Deokhangsan protected area were surveyed for the purpose of forest genetic resources conservation in Gangwon-do, South Korea. The flora on Mt. Deokhangsan were classified as follows 537 taxa, 90 families, 302 genera, 479 species, 4 subspecies, 51 varieties, and 3 forms. Among the taxa, 19 were Korean endemic plants and 17 were rare and endangered plants. Plants as indicators of limestone areas were found in 33 taxa. Naturalized plants were found in 27 taxa and species threatened by climate change were found in 33 taxa, including 11 endemic plant taxa and 22 northern plant taxa. Plants endemic to Korea and northern plants were mainly found at the study site, whereas southern plants were not found. Thus, Mt. Deokhangsan apparently has an environment suitable for the growth of northern plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.171-202
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• 2024

If the plant genetic resources and information-sharing systems held by arboretums worldwide are effectively utilized, it is believed that a conservation system for plant diversity in the currently inaccessible North Korean region could be established. This study was conducted to review the scientific names of plants native to North Korea but not to South Korea and to assess the status of genetic resources held in domestic and international arboretums. To compile a list and status of North Korean plant's genetic resources, updated checklists of vascular plants in Korean Peninsula and online plant information databases were consulted to compile synonym, distribution range, and other related information. A total of 486 taxa (449 species, 13 subspecies, 21 varieties, 1 forma and 2 hybrids) from 236 genera and 64 families, representing 12.34% of the total native flora of the Korean Peninsular were presented in the North Korea plant list, and the presence of rare, endemic and northern lineage species was confirmed. It was found that 384 taxa from 190 genera, 53 families of North Korean plants are held as genetic resources in 333 arboretums and plant research institutions across 46 countries and 5 continents worldwide. This study is expected to contribute to the construction and application of a species list for plants native to the Korean Peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.355-378
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• 2019

We investigated the flora of vascular plants in Mt. Papyeong which is located in the northern part of Paju and the border of western DMZ through 13 surveys from April 2016 to August 2019. The vascular plants of Mt. Papyeong include 410 taxa; 361 species, 9 subspecies, 36 varieties, and 4 forms from 257 genera of 91 families. Among 410 taxa, we characterize endemic species, rare and endangered plants, floristic regional indicator plants, and climate change adapted plants in Korea. Specifically, there are 9 Korean endemic plants designated by Korea National Arboretum and 6 taxa by Korean Ministry of Environment. According to IUCN evaluation, there are 13 rare and endangered plants in Mt. Papyeong. On the other hand, 2 taxa were listed in a red list suggested by Korean Ministry of Environment. The floristic regional indicator plants include 46 taxa which are composed of 2 species of IV degree, 13 taxa of III degree, 11 taxa of II degree, and 20 taxa of I degree. Also, 27 naturalized plants were identified, and the percentage of Naturalized Index (NI) and Urbanization Index (UI) were 6.58%, and 8.43%, respectively. We hope that this investigation provide a valuable data for applying the further studies on the biodiversity and strategy of conservation of environment in the DMZ and Paju areas.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-46
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• 2022

This study was carried out to examine vascular plants and invasive alien plants in Gyodong Island, located at the northwestern Civilian Control Line (CCL) of Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, and to use them as basic data for systematic management of identified plants and establishing biodiversity conservation measures. The survey was conducted 13 times from April 2019 to August 2021. The vascularflora in Gyodong Island was identified as 109 families, 378 genera, 641 species, 15 subspecies, 49 variants, 8 forma, a total of 713 taxa. This was found to be about 15.36% of the total 4,641 taxa of vascular plants in Korea. The northern linage plants on the Korean Peninsula appearing in the Gyodong Island area were identified in 83 classification groups, including Red-based leaf edge (Carex erythrobasis H.Lev. & Vaniot). Korea endemic plants were identified as 16 taxa such as Seoul wild-ginger [Asarum heterotropoides var. seoulense (Nakai) Kitag.], and a total of 20 taxa of rare plants designated by IUCN were observed, including the endangered grade Beardless iris (Iris ruthenica Ker Gawl.). Floristic target species were classified with a total of 99 taxa. For V grade, Beardless iris 1 taxon was found. and also IV grade and III grade were identified in 8 taxa and 20 taxa respectively. The invasive alien plants identified as 75 taxa, such as Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney. The naturalization rate was 10.51%, and the urbanization index was calculated as 23.29%. Since large-scale construction has been currently underway on Hwagae Mt. in Gyodong Island as the target of survey area, the influx of invasive plants will be expected to promote. Therefore, it is urgent to establish in-situ protection and conservation measures for notable plants such as Beardless iris and Water smartweed [Persicaria amphibia (L.) S.F.Gray].

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.394-402
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the bat (Chiroptera) fauna in Jeju Island. Bat distribution was monitored in lava tubes, sea caves, cave encampments and eco-corridors from July, 2006 to June, 2015. Bat specimens were also confirmed at the museums in Jeju Island. From the present study, we found 8 species of 6 genera belong to 3 families, which was different from the records had previously described in Jeju Island since 1928. Five species (Rhinolophus ferrumequium, Myotis bombinus, M. formosus, M. macrodactylus and Miniopterus schreibersi) were commonly found to live in lava tubes and cave enforcements. But only R. ferrumequium was found in a sea cave and five species including Murina leucogaster and Pipistrellus abramus were found in eco-corridors. We have also found seven species including Tadarida insignis in the specimens stored in local museums. From the results of this study, we actually could not found the remaining seven species (Hypsugo savii, Miniopterus fuscus, Myotis mystacinus, Myotis ikonnikovi, Myotis branditii, Myotis petax and Pipistrellus endoi). Interestingly, Myotis formosus which is known as one of endangered species and Myotis bombinus which is very rare in Korean Peninsula were currently found in Jeju Island. In addition, Tube-nosed bat (Murina leucogaster) that was discovered for the first time through this study. A variety of habitats for Chiroptera were identified, but the information is still not sufficient to understand. These results will be useful to provide a fundamental data in preserving the diversity of bats and in ecological study in Jeju Island.