• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.390-399
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• 2019

Background: The Northern Hemisphere forest ecosystem is a major sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the subalpine zone stores large amounts of carbon; however, their magnitude and distribution of stored carbon are still unclear. Results: To clarify the carbon distribution and carbon budget in the subalpine zone at volcanic Jeju Island, Korea, we report the C stock and changes therein owing to vegetation form, litter production, forest floor, and soil, and soil respiration between 2014 and 2016, for three subalpine forest ecosystems, namely, Abies koreana forest, Taxus cuspidata forest, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii forest. Organic carbon distribution of vegetation and NPP were bigger in the A. koreana forest than in the other two forests. However, the amount of soil organic carbon distribution was the highest in the J. chinensis var. sargentii forest. Compared to the amount of organic carbon distribution (AOCD) of aboveground vegetation (57.15 t C ha^-1) on the subalpine-alpine forest in India, AOCD of vegetation in the subalpine forest in Mt. Halla was below 50%, but AOCD of soil in Mt. Halla was higher. We also compared our results of organic carbon budget in subalpine forest at volcanic island with data synthesized from subalpine forests in various countries. Conclusions: The subalpine forest is a carbon reservoir that stores a large amount of organic carbon in the forest soils and is expected to provide a high level of ecosystem services.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.551-554
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• 2012

The present laboratory investigation was conducted to assess the effect of heavy metals on carbon mineralization. Soil was treated with three concentrations (50, 100 and $150{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}$ soil) of two heavy metals (Cd and Zn) in a factorial combination of treatments replicated four times. Determination of carbon mineralization was carried out at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 and 56 days after metal treatments.. The amount of $CO_2$-C released from heavy metal treated soils was found to be decreased at an increasing rate during the first 28 days, followed by slow release as incubation progressed. The total amounts of $CO_2$-C released were 448, 382 and $348mg\;kg^{-1}$ soil respectively for soils treated with 50, 100 and $150{\mu}mol\;g^{-1}$ soil of Zn. The corresponding figures for Cd treated soils were 406, 354 and $282mg\;kg^{-1}$ soil implying that dose-dependent reduction in cumulative $CO_2$-C released from soils. The inhibition of carbon mineralization was found to be high in Cd treated soils than that of Zn treated. Therefore, tolerance and adaptation of the microbial community is likely to be related to the concentration and the type of metal. According to the results, carbon mineralization can be considered as possible indicator of soil pollution by means of heavy metals.

• Clean Technology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.201-211
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• 2013

Biochar is charred materials generated during pyrolysis processes in the absence of oxygen using biomass, resulting in high carbon contents. In recent years, biochar has attracted more increasingly due to its potential role in carbon sequestration, renewable energy, waste management, soil amendment for agricultural use, and environmental remediation. Since biochar has a long-term stability in soil for thousands of years, biochar can be carbon negative compared to carbon-neutral biomass energy that decomposes eventually. Moreover, when biochar is applied to soil, crop production can be largely improved due to its high pH and its superior ability to retain water and nutrients. This paper review the research trends of biochar including the principles of carbon sequestration by biochar, its physico-chemical properties, and its applications on agricultural and environmental area.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2023.05a
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• pp.167-167
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• 2023

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a critical component of soil health and is crucial in mitigating climate change by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Accurate estimation of SOC storage is essential for understanding SOC dynamics and developing effective soil management strategies. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the spatial distribution of SOC storage in South Korea, using bulk density (BD) prediction to estimate SOC stock. The study utilized data from 393 soil series collected from various land uses across South Korea established by Korea Rural Development Administration from 1968-1999. The samples were analyzed for soil properties such as soil texture, pH, and BD, and SOC stock was estimated using a predictive model based on BD. The average SOC stock in South Korea at 30 cm topsoil was 49.1 Mg/ha. The study results revealed that soil texture and land use were the most significant factors influencing the spatial distribution of SOC storage in South Korea. Forested areas had significantly higher SOC storage than other land use types. Climate variables such as temperature and precipitation had a relative influence on SOC storage. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the factors influencing the spatial distribution of SOC storage in South Korea.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.382-389
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• 2009

An in-situ probe-based spectrophotometer has been developed. This system used two spectrometers to measure soil reflectance spectra from 450 nm to 2200 nm. It collects soil electrical conductivity (EC) and insertion force measurements in addition to the optical data. Six fields in Kansas were mapped with the VIS-NIR (visible-near infrared) probe module and sampled for calibration and validation. Results showed that VIS-NIR correlated well with carbon in all six fields, with RPD (the ratio of standard deviation to root mean square error of prediction) of 1.8 or better, RMSE of 0.14 to 0.22%, and $R^2$ of 0.69 to 0.89. From the investigation of carbon variability within the soil profile and by tillage practice, the 0-5 cm depth in a no-till field contained significantly higher levels of carbon than any other locations. Using the selected calibration model with the soil NIR probe data, a soil profile map of estimated carbon was produced, and it was found that estimated carbon values are highly correlated to the lab values. The array of sensors (VIS-NIR, electrical conductivity, insertion force) used in the probe allowed estimating bulk density, and three of the six fields were satisfactory. The VIS-NIR probe also showed the obtained spectra data were well correlated with nitrogen for all fields with RPD scores of 1.84 or better and coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of 0.7 or higher.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 2004

This study was carried out to estimate net fine root carbon production in Quercus variabilis natural stands in Chungiu area. Soil samples were taken in 0-30cm, 30-60cm, and 60-90cm soil depths from April to November using soil sampler. Fine root carbon biomass was higher in 0-30cm soil depth than the other soil depths. Net fine root carbon production (kg/㏊/yr) were 671kg in 0-30cm soil depth, 599kg in 30-60cm soil depth, and 479kg in 60-90cm soil depth, and 1749kg in 0-90cm soil depth. fine root turnover rates were 0.43 in 0-30cm soil depth, 0.96 in 30-60cmsoil depth, and 1.03 in 60-90cm soil depth. N, p, K, and Mg input into the soil (kg/㏊/yr) due to fine root turnover at 0-90cm soil depth in this study were 33.9kg, 1.8kg, 11.4kg and 20.1kg, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2023

To investigate the impact of forestry projects on the carbon stocks of forests, we estimated the carbon stock change of above-ground and soil before and after forestry projects using forest type maps, forestry project information, and soil information. First, we selected six map sheet with large areas and declining age class based on forest type map information. Then, we collected data such as forest type maps, growth coefficients, soil organic matter content, and soil bulk density of the estimated areas to calculate forest carbon storage. As a result, forest carbon stocks decreased by about 34.1~70.0% after forestry projects at all sites. In addition, compared to reference studies, domestic forest soils store less carbon than the above-ground, so it is judged that domestic forest soils have great potential to store more carbon and strategies to increase carbon storage are needed. It was estimated that the amount of carbon stored before forestry projects is about 1.5 times more than after forestry projects. The study estimated that it takes about 27 years for forests to recover to their pre-thinning carbon stocks following forestry projects. Since it takes a long time for forests to recover to their original carbon stocks once their carbon stocks are reduced by physical damage, it is necessary to plan to preserve them as much as possible, especially for highly conservative forests, so that they can maintain their carbon storage function.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2017

Background: In order to investigate organic carbon distribution, carbon budget, and cycling of the subalpine forest, we studied biomass, organic carbon distribution, litter production, forest floor litter, accumulated soil organic carbon, and soil respiration in Taxus cuspidata forest in Halla National Park from February 2012 to November 2013. Biomass was calculated by using allometric equation and the value was converted to $CO_2$ stocks. Results: The amount of plant organic carbon was $13.60ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ in 2012 and $14.29ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ in 2013. And average organic carbon introduced to forest floor through litter production was $0.71ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$. Organic carbon distributed in forest floor litter layer was $0.73ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ on average and accumulated organic carbon in soil was $51.13ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ on average. In 2012, Amount of released $CO_2$ from soil to atmosphere was 10.93 ton $CO_2ha^{-1}year^{-1}$. Conclusions: The net ecosystem production based on the difference between net primary production of organic carbon and soil respiration was $-1.74ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ releasing more carbon than it absorbed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 2001

Changes in land-use can affect soil organic matter content and fertility. We compared total soil carbon and nitrogen concentrations, soil respiration, and nitrogen availability under three land-use types in central Korea; conversion of old rice field to natural willow-maple (Salix-Acer) forest, conversion of old field to artificial Korean pine (Pines koraiensis) forest, and indigenous oak (Quercus spp.) forest. After 20 years of fallow the area of rice field conversion to forest had higher soil carbon and nitrogen concentrations in the soil depth of 0-10cm and 10-20cm than the areas of field conversion to Korean pine forest and indigenous forest. In general, soil carbon and nitrogen concentrations decreased with soil depth. Organic matter accumulation as a balance of input and decomposition seemed to be higher in the soil of previous rice field, and carbon and nitrogen accumulation was largely confined to the topsoil. Soil respiration rates were greatest at the area of rice field conversion to forest, and appeared to be related to soil carbon and soil moisture. Soil nitrogen availability measured by the ion exchange resin bag method differed significantly among land-use types; soil inorganic nitrogen ($NH_4{^+}+NO_3{^-}$) and ammonium availability were highest in the soil under indigenous oak forest followed by conversion of old field to artificial Korean pine forest and conversion of old field to natural willow-maple forest.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.109-116
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• 2010

Climate change is known to affect both natural and managed ecosystems, and will likely impact on the terrestrail carbon balance. This paper reports the effects of climate change on spatial-temporal changes in carbon reductions in South Korea's during 2000-2100. Future carbon (C) stock distributions are simulated for the same period using various spatial data sets including land cover, net primary production(NPP) and leaf area index (LAI) obtained from MODIS(Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer), and climate data from Data Assimilation Office(DAO) and Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA). This study attempts to predict future NPP using multiple linear regression and to model dependence of soil respiration on soil temperature. Plants store large amounts of carbon during the growing periods. During 2030-2100, Carbon accumulation in vegetation was increased to $566{\sim}610gC/m^2$/year owing to climate change. On the other hand, soil respiration is a key ecosystem process that releases carbon from the soil in the form of carbon dioxide. The estimated soil respiration spatially ranged from $49gC/m^2$/year to $231gC/m^2$/year in the year of 2010, and correlating well with the reference value. This results include Spatial-Temporal C reduction variation caused by climate change. Therefore this results is more comprehensive than previous results. The uncertainty in this study is still large, but it can be reduced if a detailed map becomes available.