• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.104 no.1
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• pp.14-25
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• 2015

This study was carried out to classify forest communities and to aggregate forest cover types for the complex and diversified natural forest areas of Guryongsan, Sobaeksan, Baekhwasan, Sokrisan, and Baekhaksan in the middle part of Baekdudaegan. The vegetation data were collected by point-centered quarter sampling method. One thousand one hundred fourteen sample points were subjected to cluster analysis to classify 27 forest communities, which were aggregated into 7 representative forest cover types on the basis of community similarity from composition of canopy species. They were Quercus mongolica forest cover type, mixed mesophytic forest cover type, Q. variabilis forest cover type, Pinus densiflora forest cover type, the others deciduous forest cover type, Q. serrata forest cover type, and subalpine forest cover type. The Q. mongolica forest cover type was most widely distributed in the study areas. It was assumed that abundance of Q. mongolica might be negatively associated with species diversity. Mixed mesophytic forest cover type and the others deciduous forest cover type were commonly distributed in the areas of valley, on the other hand, Q. mongolica cover type and P. densiflora cover type tended to be distributed in the areas of ridge.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1257-1269
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• 2007

This study was performed to get more knowledge on the flora and their life form spectrum in the Hallasan Natural Reserve. The vascular plants include 83 species 35 genera 12 families of pteridophytes, 5 varieties 5 species 3 families of gymnosperm, 100 taxa in 2 varieties 98 species 58 genera 8 families of monocotyledon and 362 taxa in 3 forma 10 varieties 349 species 186 genera 65 families of dicotyledon in Hallasan Natural Reserve. The total of vascular plants is 550 taxa in 3 forma 11 varieties 536 species 284 genera 88 families. Among these, 204 species in total including 19 species of pteridophytes, 2 species of conifers, 45 species of monocotyledon and 138 species of dicotyledon are found only in the Hallasan Natural Reserve. The pteridophyte-quotient is 4.52 and floristic richness is 1.94. In the analysis of life form spectrum, there are 190 species (34.5%) of hemicryptophytes and 122 species (22.2%) of geophytes so that two life forms take large portions, 312 species (56.7%) of the vegetation in Hallasan Natural Reserve. Megaphanerophytes and microphanerophytes take 14.5% including 80 species followed by 83 species (15.1%) of nanophanerophytes, 42 species (7.6%) of chamaephytes, 29 species (5.3%) of therophytes, 24 species (4.4%) of hydrophytes and 18 species (3.3%) of epiphytes. According to the life form spectrum hemicryptophytes dominated high portions, which suggests Hallasan Natural Reserve has hemicryptophytic climate and similar to middle parts in the Korean Peninsular. The differences, however, were noticed by that it has more chamaephytes and less therophytes than that of the Peninsular and partially shows the characteristics of artic or subalpine climate.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2012

This study analyzed on the characteristics of vegetation structure, species composition and DBH class distribution in order to conservation and effective management for Taxus cuspidata community in Mt. Seorak, Mt. Balwang, Mt. Taebaek, and Mt. Odae. The vegetation in upper, subtree and shrub layer was consist of 11, 22, 33 species in Mt. Seorak, 15, 21, 33 species in Mt. Balwang, 10, 23, 36 species in Mt. Taebaek, and 14, 30, 32 species in Mt. Odae. As a result of importance value at all study sites, T. cuspidata and Abies nephrolepis in upper layer, T. cuspidata, A. nephrolepis and Acer komarovii in subtree layer, and Tripterygium regelii in shrub layer were high, respectively. Species diversity in upper and subtree layer at all study sited were ranged 0.834~1.234 and 1.125~1.329, respectively. According to the DBH class of major three species, T. cuspidata in Mt. Odae site showed a reverse J-shaped curve, which was estimated that T. cuspidata community of this site might be maintained continuously as a stable state.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.61-89
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• 2006

Algific talus slopes are local cold micro-environmental habitats where cool air escapes through vents and fissures of talus layer, and ice forms in summer. To access the phytogeographical significance and to develop the conservation strategy on vegetation of the algific talus, plant species composition on seven algific talus in South Korea was investigated. As a results, phytogeographically significant northern elements such as Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh., Diplazium sibiricum (Turcz. ex Kunze) Sa.Kurata, Polypodium virginianum L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. and Hackelia deflexa (Wahlenb.) Opiz were distributed in these algific talus slopes (below $N37^{\circ}43^{\prime}$). In addition, subalpine species such as Woodsia subcordata Turcz, Rosa suavis willd., Clematis fusca var. coreana ($H.L{\acute{e}}v.$ & Vaniot) Nakai, Calamagrostis langsdorfii (Link) Trin. and Carex vaginata var. petersii (C.A.Mey.) Akiyama were also distributed as typical relictual species of these algific talus (less than alt. 400m). The algific talus slopes in Korean peninsular can be regarded as the insular refugia that northern plant species advanced southward during the latest glacial age have been isolated and adapted in some local microhabitats. Because the algific talus slopes as paleorefugia are very important in terms of phytogeography as well as meteorology ans geology, developments of strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation on these small isolated and threatened populations associated with the algific talus urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.408-423
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• 2021

We established and monitored survey sites in seven regions of Mt. Jiri to investigate population decline and change of the Korean fir (Abies koreana) over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2018. With the exception of one site (Seseok), the six remaining ones all showed a four-layer stratification structure. The importance value of Korean firs in all of the survey areas decreased significantly by 28.5%, from 55.7% in 2009 to 39.8% in 2018. The average population of objects with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 5cm or more in all survey sites was 711 objects/ha in 2018, and the cumulative death rate from 2009 to 2018 was 10.8%. Among the death types, DS (dead standing) was the most dominant, comprising 82.4% of the total survey area. However, in Banyabong 1, which had a high gradient of 35°, the death types other than DS accounted for 44.2%. We estimate that A. koreana can maintain a stable population as its distribution type for each diameter class in the Saeseokpyeongjeon site showed a reverse-J shape. The average annual ring growth in all survey sites was 1.09 mm/year, with the most abundant growth observed in the Seseokpyeongjeon site, which was formed mainly by a subtree layer. The growth ring survey showed the estimated average age of A. koreana population in the Byeoksoryeong and Banyabong 1 sites to be 102 and 91 years, respectively, a general downward trend of vitality since 2013.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.81-99
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• 2022

The Baekdudaegan, spanning around 701 km from Hyangrobong to Cheonwangbong of Mt. Jirisan in South Korea, is rich in biodiversity and known as the main ecological axis of the Korean Peninsula. The Neuljae-Yuksimnyeong section of Marugeum in the southern part of the Baekdudaegan, particularly Mt. Deogyusan, is an area in which various types of vegetation appear depending on the environmental characteristics. The aims of this study were to investigate the current vegetation status at the Neuljae-Yuksimnyeong section of the Baekdudaegan and to provide basic data to aid systematic conservation and management through future classification of forest vegetation types. A vegetation survey was conducted using 637 plots from May to October 2019. Vegetation-type analysis showed that the vegetation units could be classified as a Quercus mongolica community group divided into seven communities: the Abies koreana community, Sanguisorba hakusanensis community, Persicaria hydropiper community, Quercus variabilis community, Quercus dentata community, Cornus controversa community, and Quercus mongolica community. The A. koreana community was subdivided into the Dryopteris expansa group and Picea jezoensis group. The Q. variabilis community was also subdivided into the Q. dentata group and Q. variabilis typical group. We concluded that special management plans for distinctive forest vegetation, including subalpine vegetation, grass or herb vegetation, and agricultural vegetation, should be prepared urgently to aid ecosystem preservation and enhancement.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.132-144
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• 2011

We studied the forest environment and characteristics of bird community between April and September of 2010 on the Hyangjeokbong area(A), Baekryunsa area(B) and Anseong area(C), all in the Deogyusan National Park. Hyangjeokbong area of the high latitude ridge was characterized by the Taxus cuspidata and Abies koreana etc., and deciduous broadleaf forest species, such as the Quercus mongolica, with abundance of subalpine zone coniferous trees, the Hemerocallis fulva and the Rhododendron schlippenbachii, while the areas Baekryunsa and Anseong were primarily characterized by deciduous broadleaf forests, with the valleys showing Fraxinus mandshurica colonies. In terms of the DBH(diameter at breast height) of trees, between 11 and 20cm showed the highest frequencies, while over 30cm was the highest in Baekryunsa area and the lowest in Hyangjeokbong area. Furthermore, in terms of coverage in relation to layers, in Hyangjeokbong area, the coverage volume of the lower layer was very high, in Baekryunsa area, the coverage volume of the middle layer between 8 and 12m was the highest, and in Anseong area, the coverage volume of the upper layer over 18m was the highest. A total of 53 bird species were observed during the study period at the Deogyusan National Park. The numbers of species and density of areas were 25 species and 45.20 Ind./km for Hyangjeokbong area, 50 species and 58.63 Ind./km for Baekryunsa area and 35 species and 66.89 Ind./km for Anseong area, with Baekryunsa area showing the highest number of species and Anseong area showing the highest level of density. In terms of dominant species, in Hyangjeokbong area, Cettia diphone, along with species which inhabit in grassland and shrubs, were the dominant species, and species which live in the canopy layer, including the Aegithalos caudatus, were found to be dominant in Baekryunsa and Anseong areas. For guild structure, bush nesting guild and bush foraging guild species were the highest in all areas, and the hole nesting guild and the air foraging guild species showed the lowest proportion. This seems to be the result of the low number of trees with diameter at breast height of over 30cm, which results in the lack of nesting grounds for hole nesting guild species.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.358-371
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• 2020

As climate change is expected to lead to a severe reduction of biodiversity, studies to investigate the reasons for habitat loss, growth decline, and death of Korean fir (Abies koreana Wilson), endangered alpine/subalpine species in Korea, have been conducted for years but found no clear answer yet. This study reviewed previous studies on Korean fir published in the journals in the past 40 years, 1980 through 2020, into 10-year units, examined the study trend by period, region, and subject with a focus on ecological studies, and analyzed the study results. The ecological studies were categorized into evolutionary ecology, physiological ecology, population ecology, and landscape ecology. Based on the results, we suggested the required research fields in the future. We found a total of 73 papers published in the past 40 years and 48 (65.8%) of them published in the past 10 years. In terms of region, Mt. Halla accounted for the most as 41 papers were on it. In terms of ecological subjects, the physiological ecology accounted for the most with 38, and the evolutionary ecology accounted for the least with 10. The review of the study results showed that many studies identified water stress caused by the water resource imbalance due to temperature increase and spring precipitation reduction following climate change as the main reason for the decline and habitat loss of Korean fir. However, recent studies suggested other factors, such as soil environment, disturbing organisms, and climatic events. The cause of the decline and death of the Korean fir not yet being clearly identified is that most of the studies dealt with the basic content, were carried out intermittently, and were concentrated in some regions. Therefore, we need long-term studies with advanced technology in each study subject at a local scale to find the cause of Korean fir decline and present sustainable management and conservation. Moreover, it is necessary to extend our study subjects to ecosystem ecology and systems ecology to integrate the results from various study subjects for a comprehensive understanding of the reason for Korean fir declines. The results of comprehensive studies could provide clearer answers for Korean fir's declines and the alternatives of conservation management and practices.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.413-425
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• 2017

This manuscript describes the relationship between climate change and forest growth, forest species, carbon stocks, and tree mortality. 1) In the aspect of forest growth, the growth of major coniferous species, including Pinus densiflora, had a negative correlation with temperature. On the other hand, major deciduous oak species, including Quercus variabilis and Quercus mongolica, had a positive correlation with temperature. 2) When considered in the aspect of the forest species distribution, various models commonly showed a decrease in the distribution of coniferous species and an increase in oak species due to climate change in the medium to long term. 3) From the carbon stock perspective, there was a difference in the estimation according to the status of forest management. Most of Korean forests will mature to become over-matured forest after year 2030 and are estimated to produce approximately 410 million ton forest biomass until 2090 with the current cutting regulations for sustainable forest management announced by the Korean Forest Service. 4) In the forest mortality, the mortality rate of the major coniferous species showed a clear tendency to increase higher temperatures while it decreased for the oak species with no verification of statistical significance. Moreover, the mortality of the subalpine coniferous species was projected to progress rapidly. considering the overall impacts described above, there should be a management strategy for coniferous species that are relatively vulnerable to climate change. Moreover, a sustainable forest plan in the aspect of ecosystem services, carbon sequestration and storage, which is linked to global issues such as Sustainable Development Goals, ecosystem services and negative emission.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.213-246
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• 2016

Algific talus slopes tend to occur on steep north-facing slopes with bedrock that retains ice and emits cold air throughout the growing season. Algific talus slopes provide a suitable microclimate for disjunct or relict populations of northern plant species at low altitude habitats in temperate zones. The purpose of this study is to suggest a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of algific talus slopes through studies of the floristics and plant species compositions and threat factors at present and in the future of 15 major algific talus slopes in Korea. As a result, the vascular plants surveyed on 15 major algific talus slopes were recorded, with a total of 587 taxa, 109 families, 323 genera, 531 species, 7 subspecies, 47 varieties 1 form and 1 hybrid. Of them, endemic plants numbered 26 taxa, and threatened species according to the IUCN valuation basis numbered 8 taxa. Fourth (IV) and fifth (V) degree indicator species as specified by floristic subregions numbered 31 taxa. Peculiarly, several subalpine-native plant species, in this case Cystopteris fragilis, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Huperzia selago, Rosa koreana, Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Woodsia hancockii, were distributed on algific talus slopes at 100-600 m above sea level. Numerous and diverse biological resources native to algific talus slopes in Korea have been consistently disturbed or damaged by human activities without some form of protection. An all-taxa biodiversity inventory should be surveyed to provide more information about all biological species living on algific talus slopes. In addition, conservation strategies to ensure biodiversity and effective management of algific talus slopes are discussed in detail.