• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.2
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• pp.130-149
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• 2017

The subalpine zone which is vulnerable to climate change could be functioning as a habitat for northern plant species especially in the Korean peninsula. In this study, classification of phytosociological community type and investigation on flora of vascular plants of Daecheongbong area in Mt. Seorak were carried out in order to provide a basic information for an ecological restoration and management of the vegetation through community ecological approach. Vegetation data were collected from 31 of quadrates from May to October, 2016. We analyzed vegetation types with phytosociological method, importance value with Curtis & McIntosh method, CCA using PC-ORD program tool, and flora of vascular plants. As a result, the forest vegetation was classified into Abies nephrolepis community. The community was divided 3 groups such as Pinus pumila group, Rhododendron brachycarpum group and Angelica decursiva group. Therefore, the vegetation had 3 kinds of units. The differential species group, it was classified into total of 7 species group units including Thuja koraiensis and Smilacina bicolor differential species group. The mean importance percentage (MIP) in VU 1 was shown Pinus koraiensis (24.1), A. nephrolepis (23.6) and Betula ermanii (10.5), and in VU 2, it was P. koraiensis (26.2), A. nephrolepis (20.8) and B. ermanii (10.5), and in VU 3, it was P. koraiensis (22.2), A. nephrolepis (16.4), B. ermanii (13.5) in the order, respectively. As for importance values of P. koraiensis and A. nephrolepis representative competition species, were different at each layers. The former (46.7) was higher than the latter (26.1) in tree layer, but the latter was higher than the former in subtree and, shrub and herb layers of VU 1. VU 2 and VU 3 also indicated the same tendency. P. pumila group and A. decursiva group were shown to have positive correlation with altitude and present species, respectively. The designated as the endemic plant was 11 taxa and, as the rare plant 24 taxa and 62.5% of vascular plant was northern plant species. It is necessary to continue further long-term monitoring of 3 vegetation units, IV of main competition species (P. koraiensis and A. nephrolepis) with stratum and main specific species (rare plants and endemic plants) considering vegetation science and, population and community ecology approaches.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

This study, which was conducted from Apr. 2013 to Jan. 2014, was carried out as part of a project of making a more detailed ecological zoning map with 1/5,000 scale. The necessity of electronic vegetation map with large scale has arisen in order to make the best use of basic research findings on resource monitoring of National Parks and to enhance efficiency in National Park management. In order to improve accuracy and speed of vegetation research process, the data base for vegetation research was categorized into five groups, namely broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, mixed forest, rock vegetation and miscellaneous one. And then a vegetation map for vegetation research was created for the research on the site. What is in the database for vegetation research and the vegetation map reflecting findings from vegetation research showed similar distribution rate for broad-leaved forest with 71.965% and 71.184%, respectively. The distribution rate of coniferous forest (16.010%, 15.747%), mixed forest (10.619%, 12.085%), and rock vegetation (0.015%, 0.002%) did not have much difference. In a detailed vegetation map reflecting vegetation research findings, the broad-leaved mountain forest was the most widely distributed with 60.096% based on the physiognomy classification. It was followed by mountain coniferous forest (16.332%), mountain valley forest (15.887%), and plantation forest (3.558%) As for vegetation conservation classification evaluated in the national park, grade I and grade II areas took up 200.44 km2, 61.80% and 108.80 km2, 33.55% respectively. The combined area of these two amounts to 95.35%, making this area the first grade area in ecological nature status. This means that this area is highly worth preserving its vegetation. The high rate of grade I area such as climax forests, unique vegetation, and subalpine vegetation seems to be attributable to diverse innate characteristics of Odaesan National Park, high altitude, low level of artificial disturbance, the subalpine zone formed on the ridge of the mountain top, and their vegetation formation, which reflects climatic and geological characteristics, despite continuous disturbance by mountain climbing.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.627-633
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• 2014

Annual biomass production and amount of organic carbon in Abies koreana forest at Mt. Halla were conducted as a part of Korea National Long-Term Ecological Research (KNLTER). We measured standing biomass change of litter, soil production and organic carbon amounts of the forest floor and soil layer of A. koreana forest in Mt. Halla from 2009 to 2013 in permanent plots. Standing biomass, which was determined by allometric method, was converted into $CO_2$. The standing biomass in A. koreana forest was 98.88, 106.42, 107.67, 108.31, $91.48ton\;ha^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. The amount of annual carbon allocated to above ground was 35.95, 38.69, 38.96, 39.46, $33.2ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ and below ground biomass was 8.54, 9.2, 9.49, 9.28, $7.97ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. Amount of organic carbon returned to the forest via litterfall was 1.09, 1.80, 1.32, 2.46 and $1.20ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Amount of organic carbon in annual litter layer on forest floor was 2.74, 2.43, 2.00 and $1.16ton\;C\;ha^{-1}$ in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. Amount of organic carbon within 20cm soil depth was 55.77, 54.9, 50.69, 44.42 and $41.87ton\;C\;ha^{-1}20cm^{-1}$ in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 year, respectively. Then standing biomass and organic carbon distribution increased steadily until 2012. But there declined in 2013 because of the typhoon Bolaven. Thus, standing biomass and organic carbon distribution of this subalpine forest were largely affected by natural disturbance factor.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.28-51
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to analyze forest vegetation structure in Marugeum (the ridge line) area between Dakmokryeong and Daetjae in Baekdudaegan through vegetation classification, importance value, species diversity, and CCA using the data that were collected from 245 quadrates through Braun-Blanquet vegetation survey method from May to September in 2017. The results of the forest vegetation classification identified 8 vegetation units with Quercus mongolica community group at the highest level. Q. mongolica community group was classified into the Cornus controversa community, Buxus koreana community, Sasa borealis community, Abies nephrolepis community, and Q. mongolica typical community. C. controversa community was further classified into Quercus dentata group, Filipendula glaberrima group, Larix kaempferi group, and C. controversa typical group. The result of the important value analysis showed that Q. dentata had the highest importance value at 19.1% in vegetation unit 1 while Q. mongolica had the highest importance value at 22.7%, 38.3%, 25.6%, 41.3%, 27.9%, and 41.6% in vegetation unit 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, respectively, and L. kaempferi had the highest importance value at 27.6% in vegetation unit 3. As such, Q. mongolica species generally represented the communities of Marugeum (the ridge line) area of Dakmokryeong to Daetjae in Baekdudaegan. The results of species diversity showed that vegetation unit 1 and 2 were 3.305 and 3.236, respectively, which were relatively higher than other vegetation units. It was considered that this result was due to the influence of high emergence of present species. The results of the CCA analysis of the correlations between biotic environmental factors and vegetation types showed that vegetation unit 1 was mainly correlated with the megaphanerophyte ratio and vine plant ratio. In the correlations between abiotic environmental factors and vegetation types, vegetation unit 7 was significantly correlated with altitude. From the perspective of ecological management, vegetation unit 5 represented by B. koreana community was inhabited by a variety of plants due to the species composition and location environment due to the geological characteristics that are typical of limestone area. Vegetation unit 7 represented by A. nephrolepis community was typified as subalpine vegetation widely distributed by relict species and endemic species. We concluded that it is necessary to manage these vegetation units with an ecologically differentiated approach.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.388-408
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• 2022

This study was conducted to select the indicator species (plant) according to the topographical characteristics in the Picea jezoensis forests, endangered subalpine coniferous trees. In South Korea and China (close to Baekdusan), the southern tree line limit of Picea jezoensis has meaningful geographical and latitudinal values for analyzing the ecological characteristics of P. jezoensis forests. Latitude greatly affects the geographical values of plant ecology, and the difference in latitude and habitat affects the change in species composition in forests. With prolonged environmental change, the habitat of subalpine plants will become smaller, and the plants may become extinct. As the P. jezoensis forests of South Korea and China, in particular, are in danger of disappearing without protection, it is important to monitor the population and develop a conservation strategy. Eighty-seven circular plots were established in P. jezoensis forests in South Korea and China. Through processes such as MRPP-test and NMS ordination, indicator species were selected based on this, and basic data for biodiversity assessment were presented. As a result of the Indicator Species Analysis (ISA), 5 taxa were selected from the upperstory vegetation and 18 taxa from the understory vegetation at the altitude(p<0.05). Indicator species by aspect were analyzed as 3 taxa for upperstory vegetation and 16 taxa for understory vegetation (p<0.05). In the case of indicator species according to the slope, 6 taxa for upper vegetation and 24 taxa for understory vegetation were selected(p<0.05). As for the indicator species according to their habitat, 8 taxa in upper vegetation and 65 taxa on understory vegetation were selected. As a result of MRPP-test, it was analyzed that the species composition was heterogeneous in the group of understory vegetation than that of upperstory vegetation. As a result of NMS ordination, the correlation with environmental factors of indicator species was analyzed by rock exposure for upperstory vegetation and latitude for understory vegetation (cut off level=0.3).

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.198-206
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the damage caused by rodents in the area around Seseokpyeongjeon in Jirisan National Park and identify suspected perpetrating species by analyzing rodent excrement found near the damaged trees. Damaged trees were surveyed regardless of species of trees in the exploration trail in the target site where visual observation was possible. Sequencing analysis of mitochondrial DNA Cyt-b was performed on rodent excrement around the damaged trees to identify the perpetrating species. A total of 52 trees were damaged by rodents, and they were all identified to be Korean Fir (Abies koreana) and were concentrated in places where Korean Fir formed communities with high density. A total of 40 Korean Fir over 1.5 meters high were surveyed, and only the affected branches, not the whole tree, were found to be withered in 39 of them. A total of 12 Korean Fir under 1.5 meters high were surveyed, and 7 of which were found to have been completely withered, indicating that relatively young trees were more vulnerable to withering. The genetic sequencing analysis of excrement confirmed that the species that perpetrated the Korean Fir was Craseomys regulus.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2020

Background: The Himalayan forests are of great importance to sustain the nature and community resource demands. These forests are facing pressures both from anthropogenic activities and ongoing global climatic changes. Poor natural regeneration has been considered a major problem in mountainous forests. To understand the population structure and regeneration status of Larix (Larix griffithiana and Larix himalaica), we conducted systematic vegetation surveys in three high-altitude valleys namely Ghunsa (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, KCA), Langtang (Langtang National Park, LNP), and Tsum (Manaslu Conservation Area, MCA) in Nepal Himalaya. The average values of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and sapling height were compared for three sites and two species using Kruskal-Wallis test. Population structure was assessed in terms of proportion of seedlings, saplings, and trees. Regeneration was analyzed using graphical representation of frequencies of seedlings, saplings, and trees in histograms. Results: The results showed that the population structure of Larix in terms of the proportion of seedling, sapling, and tree varied greatly in the three study areas. KCA had the highest record of seedling, sapling, and tree compared to other two sites. Seedlings were the least among three forms and many plots were without seedlings. We found no seedling in MCA study plots. The plot level average DBH variation among sites was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 7.813, df = 2, p = 0.02) as was between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 5.9829, df = 1, p = 0.014). Similarly, the variation in average tree height was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 134.23, df = 2, p < 0.001) among sites as well as between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 128.01, df = 1, p < 0.001). All the sites showed reverse J-shaped curve but more pronounced for KCA and MCA. In comparing the two species, Larix griffithiana has clear reverse J-shaped diameter distribution but not Larix himalaica. Conclusion: The varied responses of Larix manifested through regeneration status from spatially distinct areas show that regeneration limitations might be more pronounced in the future. In all the three studied valleys, regeneration of Larix is found to be problematic and specifically for Larix griffithiana in MCA and Larix himalaica in LNP. To address the issues of disturbances, especially serious in LNP, management interventions are recommended to sustain the unique Himalayan endemic conifer.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2014

This study classified the types of major forest vegetation and analyzed the syngeographical characteristics of the vegetation in the Mt. Deokhang with exhumed lime rocks. The forest vegetation on the ridge of Mt. Deokhang was classified into 1 community group, 3 communities, 2 groups, and 2 subgroups, 5 types in total. The syngeographical form of Deokhangsan fully exhibited the topographical peculiarity, proximity to subalpine, and limestone zone. In addition, Carex ciliato-marginata, Carex humilis var. nana, and so forth which appear as species with high consistency in the well-drained semiarid zone represent the soil environment of the lime stone area and northern plants such as Carex ussuriensis and Asplenium ruta-muraria represent the characteristics of the vegetation in alpestrine in close proximity. Moreover, the Carpinus turczaninowii in the area appears to show the characteristics of migratory vegetation due to the peculiarity of the habitat. The syngeographical characteristics of this study area show both the characteristics of the habitat and phytogeographic characteristics. Furthermore, they are expected to contribute to the diversity in community and habitat form in Korean peninsula in terms of vegetation science.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.300-311
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• 2013

Subalpine species, Sorbus pohuashanensis in the Korean peninsula, which is assumed to be evolved from hybridization between S. commixta and an unknown species based on the flavonoids data. Morphometric analysis was conducted on the basis of 19 leaf and flower (or fruit) characters. A total of 721 samples in 13 populations of Sorbus pohuashanensis and S. commixta from Korea and additional specimens of S. commixta, S. pohuashanensis, and S. wilsoniana from Japan and China were examined to reveal the hybridization patterns and morphological differences. We found a preliminary evidence where Korean mountain rowan is more related to a Chinese inland taxon, S. wilsoniana, rather than Northeastern Chinese S. pohuashanensis in terms of flavonoids. The current morphological structure of the Korean mountaion rowan, however, which is more similar to S. commixta, was neither associated with that of S. wilsoniana nor that of S. pohuashanensis. This indicates that this morphological variation represents an intermediate of S. commixta and S. wilsoniana via a more ancient hybridization event in terms of qualitative characters, such as stipules, buds, and carpels. These morphometric differences together with other distinguishing characteristics suggest that the Korean mountain rowan should be considered as a conspecific species of S. commixta, although this demonstration of hybridization with the current phenetic species concept contradicts longstanding historical species concept.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.571-575
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• 2014

'Dream Song' is a cultivar of Gypsophila paniculata developed by the Jeollabuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services in 2010 for cut-flower production. This hybrid was bred from 121 seedlings collected from an open-pollinated population of 'Gyp06-11'. It has novel morphological characteristics of upright plant type, lanceolate leaves, double florets with a few bright white-colored petals of obovate shape, truncate petal tips, and cup-shaped calyces. Furthermore 'Dream Song' has desirable cultivation characteristics including narrow branching angle, and moderate resistance to powdery mildew, thrips and leaf miners. Moreover it produces more primary branches, and longer internodes and flower stalks than reference cultivar 'Bristol Fairy' during summer cultivation in a subalpine area (500 m over the sea level). Flowering in 'Dream Song' is delayed by about 17 days as compared to 'Bristol Fairy'. 'Dream Song' produces normal flowers with 2 pistils and an average of 10.4 stamens, with fewer malformed flowers than 'Bristol Fairy'.