• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.188-199
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to provide data for conservation management of Pinus densiflora forest by analyzing ecological characteristics and the change of Pinus densiflora community structure for fifteen years in Gayasan National Park. According to the results of TWINSPAN analysis of Pinus densiflora forest, there were twenty plots(unit: $500m^2$)and it was classified into seven community types. The dominant species were Pinus densiflora in canopy layer, Carpinus laxiflora, Quercus variabilis, Quercus serrata in the understory layer and Sasa borealis, Rhododendron mucronulatum, Rhus trichocarpa in the shrub layer. The index of shannon's diversity was from 0.6803 to 1.2559 per $500m^2$ and the range of species number was from twenty-seven to fourty. As a result of the change of Pinus densiflora forest structure, the importance percentage(I.P.) of Carpinus laxiflora, Quercus variabilis, Quercus serrata in the understory layer were increased for fifteen years. The index of shannon's diversity changed $0.2608{\sim}1.0124\;into\;0.5547{\sim}1.2567\;per\;500m^2$ and species number changed $14{\sim}26\;into\;26{\sim}34$ for fifteen year.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.725-740
• /
• 2014

To figure out the vegetation situation in the ridge of the Naknam-Jeongmaek, six intensive survey sites were selected considering environmental factors and human interferences, 132 quadrats (area $100m^2$) were installed to survey appearing species of trees and major environmental factors, and the characteristics of vegetation structures were analyzed. The surveyed plots were divided into six groups according to the analysis of classification by TWINSPAN; Quercus mongolica-Q. variabilis community, Pinus densiflora-Q. dentata community, Chamaecyparis obtusa community, Q. mongolica-P. densiflora community, P. densiflora-P. thunbergii community, P. koraiensis community, Rhododendron spp.-Lespedeza cyrtobotrya community. P. densiflora-Q. dentata community, Q. mongolica-P. densiflora community, and P. densiflora-P. thunbergii community are expected to be succeeded by deciduous oaks because the power of deciduous oaks is strong in their lower layer. C. obtusa community, P. densiflora community, and Rhododendron spp.-L.cyrtobotrya community are artificial forests that were artificially formed and are expected to be maintained in the current state for some time because the dominance value of planted species of trees is high. Most vegetations in Naknam-Jeongmaek were secondary forests or artificial forests formed for forest tree production and forestation for erosion control. In particular the top regions and hilly sections of the mountain were mostly dominated by deciduous oaks such as Q. mongolica, Q. variabilis showed some P. densiflora community competing with deciduous oaks. On the other hand, low sections and regions adjacent to the city showed severe artificial interference since exotic species such as P. thunbergiil, C. obtusa, P. koraiensis, and Rhododendron spp. were planted.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.106 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2017

Forest harvest as large scale artificial disturbance makes edge environment in both clear-cutted and forested habitat. To clarify the development and recovery process of forest edge after disturbances is essential to understand vegetation responses and landscape level consequences such as edge-distance. In Korea, after clear-cutting, edge-related changes of environment and vegetation was not clarified yet. In Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest, by applying space-for-time approach (sites with undisturbed and 1, 3, 10, 16 yr after cutting), the edge-related change of plant abundance and abiotic factors were determined for 20 line-transect (60 m) and 340 ($1m{\times}5m$) quadrats, and clarified depth and duration of the disturbance. Immediately after edge formation, within 15m form the edge, biotic and abiotic factors such as cover, richness, canopy openness, temperature and moisture content exhibited larger changes compared to forest interior. Plant abundance and abiotic variables were stabilized at the level of forest inside within 16 yr and 10 yr after edge creation, respectively. Woody (tree and shrub) species generally was showed larger increment with proximity to edge than did herb or graminoid species. In addition, negative interactions between woody and herbaceous species were detected during the period of forest edge closure. Our results suggested that depth of forest edge formed by clear-cutting of Korean red pine forest was at least from 15 m to 20 m and edge effect were likely sustained more than 16 years. As the first empirical study on edge-distance between two contrast habitats of clear-cutted and adjacent forest in South Korea, the analytical reality on landscape structure and habitat patches can be improved.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.646-657
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to understand the ecological characteristics and vegetation structure of Mt. Daedun Provincial Park by setting up and surveying 42 plots ($100m^2$). The analysis using the TWINSPAN and DCA techniques found seven community groups: Quercus aliena community, Larix kaempferi community, Pinus densiflora community, Quercus variabilis-Quercus serrata community, Pinus rigida community, Carpinus tschonoskii community, and Quercus mongolica community. The results of a vegetation structure analysis showed that the dominant species of each community were likely to maintain the present structure, but, in the case of Pinus densiflora community, it is necessary to monitor the forest succession because of the competition with oak trees. The results of the DBH (diameter of breast height) analysis showed that the species in DBH 20-24cm and over 26cm were many observed, indicating that the communities were becoming stable. It is likely that the dominant species of tree canopies will maintain their state unless the unexpected physical environment changes, serious disturbance, pests or diseases occur. The results of the tree rings and annual growth analysis showed that the dominant trees had an average age of more than 40 years. The average annual growth was the highest for Quercus variabilis in community I at $3.51{\pm}2.39mm$ and the lowest for Quercus mongolica in community VII at $1.61{\pm}0.90mm$.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.27-43
• /
• 2019

This study applied the LANDIS-II model to the forest vegetation of the study area in Yeongdong-gun, Korea to identify climate effects on ecosystems of forest vegetation. The main purpose of the study is to examine the long-term changes in forest aboveground biomass(AGB) under three different climate change scenarios; The baseline climate scenario is to maintain the current climate condition; the RCP 4.5 scenario is a stabilization scenario to employ of technologies and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; the RCP 8.5 scenario is increasing greenhouse gas emissions over time representative with 936ppm of $CO_2$ concentration by 2100. The vegetation survey and tree-ring analysis were conducted to work out the initial vegetation maps and data for operation of the LANDIS model. Six types of forest vegetation communities were found including Quercus mongolica - Pinus densiflora community, Quercus mongolica community, Pinus densiflora community, Quercus variabilis-Quercus acutissima community, Larix leptolepis afforestation and Pinus koraiensis afforestation. As for changes in total AGB under three climate change scenarios, it was found that RCP 4.5 scenario featured the highest rate of increase in AGB whereas RCP 8.5 scenario yielded the lowest rate of increase. These results suggest that moderately elevated temperatures and $CO_2$ concentrations helped the biomass flourish as photosynthesis and water use efficiency increased, but huge increase in temperature ($above+4.0^{\circ}C$) has resulted in the increased respiration with increasing temperature. Consequently, Species productivity(Biomass) of trees decrease as the temperature is elevated drastically. It has been confirmed that the dominant species in all scenarios was Quercus mongolica. Like the trends shown in the changes of total AGB, it revealed the biggest increase in the AGB of Quercus mongolica under the RCP 4.5 scenario. AGB of Quercus mongolica and Quercus variabilis decreased in the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios after 2050 but have much higher growth rates of the AGB starting from 2050 under the baseline scenario. Under all scenarios, the AGB of coniferous species was eventually perished in 2100. In particular they were extinguished in early stages of the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. This is because of natural selection of communities by successions and the failure to adapt to climate change. The results of the study could be expected to be effectively utilized to predict changes of the forest ecosystems due to climate change and to be used as basic data for establishing strategies for adaptation climate changes and the management plans for forest vegetation restoration in ecological restoration fields.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.111 no.4
• /
• pp.538-547
• /
• 2022

In this study, the population and community structure of Berchemia berchemiaefolia stands located at Mt. Naeyon (Gyeongbuk, Korea) were quantified, and multivariate analysis was done to determine the correlations between vegetation group types and environmental factors and to have reference data for the conservation and restoration of this species. In total, there were 164 B. berchemiaefolia trees in Mt. Naeyon. The average DBH of the trees was 24.5 cm, forming a normal distribution. It rarely appeared in an understory vegetation height of 3 m. About37.1% of the trees were branched. B. berchemiaefolia stands were classified into two groups: B. berchemiaefolia-Quercus serrata community and B. berchemiaefolia-Carpinus laxiflora community. Canopy gap, organic matter, exchangeable Ca, and cation exchange capacity were the major site characteristics affecting the distribution pattern of the stands. Currently, B. berchemiaefolia trees dominate in Mt. Naeyon, but depending on different habitat positions, the species was in a natural successional stage to C. laxiflora or C. cordata, which is a shade-tolerant species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2011

A field survey was conducted from June 2005 to September 2007 to explore changes of the vegetation and life form in the man-made Wetland along the Sinpyeongcheon for 3 years after its creation. A total of 20 species including 14 families, 18 genera, 15 species and 5 varieties were planted in the Wetland which was completed in 2004. Divided by life form of the planted species, a prevalent 65% of them was composed of perennation while 4 species of woody plants i.e. Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Salix glandulosa, Camellia japonica and Nandina domestica were planted there, too. The 3-year study revealed that hydatophytes (HH) scored the biggest increase in number, followed by slight increase in the number of microphanerophytes (M), megaphanerophytes (MM), chamaephytes (Ch), nanophanerophytes (N), perennial plants (H), etc., featuring generally a similar tendency for the whole period of study. The change in vegetation area increases in the area of Typha angustata, Phragmites japonica, Phragmites communis, etc. but a sharp decrease in the area of communities for other planted species. In terms of change in the area for planted species by their life form, hydatophytes (HH), HH Th (Th(w)) reported gradual increase while microphanerophytes (M), geophyte (G), and nanophanerophytes (N) continued to record a decrease. In conclusion, selection of plants to be planted turns out to play a vital role in molding the destiny of a man-made Wetland. It seems therefore extremely important to investigate the flora, and life and growth forms of the plants planted in the man-made Wetland in an effort to choose the species that can adapt themselves to the environment from the early phase on, contributing by thus to stabilization and diversification of the damp ground in line with the progression of their succession.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.764-776
• /
• 2015

This study aims to identify the structure of the plant community, and the ecological succession sere and the change in the forest ecosystem in Jungdaesa-Birobong area, Odaesan National Park_(i._e., located at high altitudes(over 1,000m)). It seeks to offer the basic data for the planning of vegetation management. In order to verify the status of the forest vegetation between Jungdaesa-Birobong, seventeen plots(size is $20m{\times}20m$) were set up as research sites at high altitudes. Importance value, distribution by diameter at breast height(DBH), the growth volume and age of the sample trees, similarity index and species diversity index of each survey plot were analysed. According to the results of DCA(Detrended Correspondence Analysis), one of the multivariate statistical techniques. It was found that the plant communities were classified into five groups: community I_(Quercus mongolica-Tilia amurensis community), community II_(Q. mongolica-Deciduous broad-leaved community), community III_(Q. mongolica-Pinus koraiensis community), community IV_(Abies holophylla-Q. mongolica community) and community V_(A. holophylla-Deciduous broad-leaved community). Community I which is dominated by Quercus mongolica and Deciduous broad-leaved communities is located at an altitude of over 1,300 meters(ranging from 1,335m to 1,495m), the community IV and V which are dominated by Abies holophylla are located at an altitude of under 1,200 meters(ranging from 1,115m to 1,175m) and the community II and III which include the main species of Quercus mongolica, Pinus koraiensis and Abies holophylla are located at an altitude of between 1,160 meters and 1,300 meters. The results showed that Quercus mongolica tends to have a higher importance value of woody species at a higher altitude while Abies holophylla tends to have higher importance value at a lower altitude. For the importance value woody species and -DBH class distribution, the communites I, II and III are expected to continuously maintain the present status. Whereas, for the influence of communities IV and V, Q. mongolica is predicted to be weakened. The age of sample trees was between 85 and 161; the average age was 123. The index of Shannon's Species diversity (H') showed heterogeneity was found among community I_(i._e., located at high altitude) and communities IV and V_(i._e., located at low altitude). As a results of analysing the index of Shannon's Species diversity (H': unit: $400m^2$), community III showed the highest diversity intex with 1.1109 followed by community II with 1.0475, community I with 1.0125, community IV with 0.9918 and community V with 0.8686. This study verified that the index of Shannon's species was significantly different by plant communities. For instance, when comparing the index of Shannon's species diversity in Quercus mongolica communities of this study and that of past relevant research, the value of index is very similar. However, the diversity index for the community which is dominated by Abies holophylla showed lower value when compared to the results from past relevant research.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.223-236
• /
• 2021

This study aims to provide basic data for the systematic conservation and efficient management of forest ecosystems by analyzing changes in understory vegetation of temperate broad-leaved deciduous forests. One-hectare permanent survey plot, consisting of 100 subplots sized 10 × 10 meters, was installed in Gwangneung forest in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do in 2003. The state of stands and the understory vegetation in the permanent survey plot were examined at a 5-year interval from 2003 to 2018. The vascular plants found in the survey area were 56 families, 128 genera, 176 species, 18 variants, 4 varieties, and 1 subspecies, for a total of 199 taxa. The number of species in both the shrub layer and the herbaceous layer showed a tendency to decrease with time. The MRPP-tests showed a significantly differing species composition of the shrub layer in all years except 2008-2013, whereas significant differences were found in all years concerning the herbaceous layer. As for the average importance value, Euonymus oxyphyllus (18.23%), Acer pseudosieboldianum (16.48%), and Callicarpa japonica (13.85%) were dominant in the shrub layer, while Ainsliaea acerifolia (23.41%), Disporum smilacinum (9.45%), and Oplismenus undulatifolius (5.62%) were dominant in the herbaceous layer. In the shrub layer, the richness of Smilax china, Lonicera subsessilis, and Philadelphus schrenkii was high when the basal area and the stand density of an upper layer were high. By contrast, smaller basal area and stand density were associated with the richness of Acer pseudosieboldianum, Deutzia glabrata, Morus bombycis, and Cornus kousa. Furthermore, it was found out that the impact of the basal area and the stand density on the herbaceous layer decreased over time, while the herb layer's species composition was greatly affected by cover degrees of Euonymus oxyphyllus and Acer pseudosieboldianum in the shrub layer. In conclusion, the number of species in the understory vegetation in Gwangneung forest is continuously decreasing, thus implying that species diversity, basal area, and stand density of an upper layer can influence the species composition in understory vegetation.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.447-459
• /
• 2009

This study is intended to provide basic date for the efficient management of Pinus densiflora community by analyzing ecological characteristics of Pinus densiflora inhabiting Byeonsanbando National Park. According to investigations, P. densiflora community and P. densiflora-Quercus community are widely distributed, occupying 40.3% of the total area. 21 sites ($400m^2$per site) are selected for TWINSPAN analysis, and the result indicates that the whole community of P. densiflora and P. densiflora-Quercus can be classified into 8 types, and the age of P. densiflora is 40-50 years, which is similar to that of deciduous broad-leaved trees. The 8 community types are: P. densiflora community which competes with Quercus variabilis; P. densiflora community in which Fraxinus sieboldiana and Quercus serrata grow in the understory layer; P. densifloa community in which Q. serrata grow in the understory layer and Smilax china var. microphylla in the shrub layer respectively; P. densifloa community in which P. densiflora and F. sieboldiana grow in the understory layer; P. densiflora community which competes with Q. serrata and Carpinus tschonoskii; P. densiflora community which competes with Q. variabilis and Q. serrata; P. densiflora community in which Prunus sargentii grow; P. densiflora community in which Abies holophylla grow. P. densiflora community which competes with Q. variablis and C. tschonoskii seems to be in a stage of succession to deciduous broad-leaved community. The analysis indicates that Shannon diversity index is 0.2756-1.3879. It also indicates that there is a negative correlation between P. densiflora and Q. variabilis and C. tschonoskii; there is a positive correlation between P. densiflora and F. sieboldiana and Rhododendron schlippenbachii. These investigations show that the transformation of vegetation is already under way. There is a possibility that ecological succession can take place in 30.4% of the total area from P. densiflora to Quercus and deciduous broad - leaved trees. Therefore, it is recommended that the preservation and maintenance of P. densiflora be implemented by taking control of competing species which undermine the stability of P. densiflora forest community.