• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.298-307
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• 2018

Background: Subalpine ecosystems at high altitudes and latitudes are particularly sensitive to climate change. In South Korea, the prediction of the species richness of subalpine plant species under future climate change is not well studied. Thus, this study aims to assess the potential impact of climate change on species richness of subalpine plant species (14 species) in the 17 mountain national parks (MNPs) of South Korea under climate change scenarios' representative concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 using maximum entropy (MaxEnt) and Migclim for the years 2050 and 2070. Results: Altogether, 723 species occurrence points of 14 species and six selected variables were used in modeling. The models developed for all species showed excellent performance (AUC > 0.89 and TSS > 0.70). The results predicted a significant loss of species richness in all MNPs. Under RCP 4.5, the range of reduction was predicted to be 15.38-94.02% by 2050 and 21.42-96.64% by 2070. Similarly, under RCP 8.5, it will decline 15.38-97.9% by 2050 and 23.07-100% by 2070. The reduction was relatively high in the MNPs located in the central regions (Songnisan and Gyeryongsan), eastern region (Juwangsan), and southern regions (Mudeungsan, Wolchulsan, Hallasan, and Jirisan) compared to the northern and northeastern regions (Odaesan, Seoraksan, Chiaksan, and Taebaeksan). Conclusions: This result indicates that the MNPs at low altitudes and latitudes have a large effect on the climate change in subalpine plant species. This study suggested that subalpine species are highly threatened due to climate change and that immediate actions are required to conserve subalpine species and to minimize the effect of climate change.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.103-118
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• 2018

Ecosystems in subalpine regions are recognized as areas vulnerable to climatic changes because rainfall and the possibility of flora migration are very low due to the characteristics of topography in the regions. In this context, habitat niche was formulated for representative species of arbors in subalpine regions in order to understand the effects of climatic changes on alpine arbor ecosystems. The current potential habitats were modeled as future change areas according to the climatic change scenarios. Based on the growth conditions and environmental characteristics of the habitats, the study was conducted to identify direct and indirect causes affecting the habitat reduction of Abies nephrolepis. Diverse model algorithms for explanation of the relationship between the emergence of biological species and habitat environments were reviewed to construct the environmental data suitable for the six models(GLM, GAM, RF, MaxEnt, ANN, and SVM). Weights determined through TSS were applied to the six models for ensemble in an attempt to minimize the uncertainty of the models. Based on the current climate determined by averaging the climates over the past 30years(1981~2010) and the HadGEM-RA model was applied to fabricate bioclimatic variables for scenarios RCP 4.5 and 8.5 on the near and far future. The results of models of the alpine region tree species studied were put together and evaluated and the results indicated that a total of eight national parks such as Mt. Seorak, Odaesan, and Hallasan would be mainly affected by climatic changes. Changes in the Baekdudaegan reserves were analyzed and in the results, A. nephrolepis was predicted to be affected the most in the RCP8.5. The results of analysis as such are expected to be finally utilizable in the survey of biological species in the Korean peninsula, restoration and conservation strategies considering climatic changes as the analysis identified the degrees of impacts of climatic changes on subalpine region trees in Korean peninsula with very high conservation values.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.108 no.1
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• pp.10-20
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to identify the long-term area changes in the subalpine coniferous forests in Korea in order to understand the changes in the subalpine forest ecosystems vulnerable to climate change. We analyzed 20 years of time-series Landsat satellite images (mid 1990s, mid 2010s) for change detection of coniferous forests and compared with the long term changes of climate information to identify their relationship in the study area. As a result, the area of coniferous forests in the study region decreased by 25% over 20 years. The regions with largest changes are Seoraksan, Baegunsan-Hambaeksan-Jangsan, Jirisan, and Hallasan. The region with the largest decrease in area was Baegunsan (reduced area: 542 ha), and the region with large decrease in area and the largest rate of decrease was Hallasan (rate of decrease: 33.3%). As the Jeju region has the most rapid temperature rise, it is projected that Hallasan is the most vulnerable forest ecosystem affected by climate change. The result of this study shows that from a long-term perspective the overall coniferous forests in the subalpine region are declining, but the trend varies in each region. This national and long-term information on the change of coniferous forests in the subalpine region can be utilized as baseline data for the detailed survey of endangered subalpine coniferous trees in the future.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.236-243
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• 2013

Many plant species in subalpine regions are under threat of extinction as a result of climate change. In this study, the genetic diversity and geographic differentiation of three regions and six populations of Primula farinosa subsp. modesta (Bisset & Moore) Pax in Korea were assessed using the ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) marker. The average genetic diversity (P = 60.62, SI = 0.299, h = 0.190) was relatively lower than that of other long-lived perennials, even though it is a self-incompatible species. AMOVA analysis showed that 50% of the total genetic diversity was partitioned among regions and Bayesian cluster analysis showed some remarkable geographic trends that were structured into 2 or 3 regions, suggesting limited gene flow among regions. Considering the population fragmentation, low level genetic diversity, and high genetic differentiation, it is essential to establish in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for P. farinosa subsp. modesta.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.4 s.115
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• pp.404-417
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• 2006

In order to clarify some characteristics of hydrological cycle in the subalpine zone of Mt. Halla, water balance has been analysed using hydrological data of a first-order drainage basin around Mansedongsan and meterological data of Odeung AWS. The experimental basin extends from 1,595 m to 1,645 m in altitude and has an catchment area of 1.34 ha. It is largely underlain by trachybasalt and covered with sasa bamboo and sedges. Hydrological observations were carried out every 20 minutes from April 15 to September 19, 2004. The basin shows the total precipitation of 3,074 m that is 1.6 to 3 times of those in coastal and intermontane regions. Surface runoff amounts to 850 mm that is equivalent to 27.6% of the precipitation. By contrast, evapotranspiration only accounts for 14.2% of the precipitation, and the remnant of 1,790 m penetrates underground through a basement. The basin is located in the subalpine zone and then it has a high rainfall intensity as well as a large rainfall due to frequent orographic precipitation. But surface runoff usually dose not exceed 30% of the rainfall while Percolation demonstrates about 2 times of the runoff. Compared with granite or gneiss basins in Korea Peninsula, the experimental basin is characterized by a higher portion of percolation in water balance. And it is probably related to the highly permeable basaltic lavas in Jeju Island which are also overlain by porous volcanic soils.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.495-510
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• 2008

Vaccinium vitis-idaea or lingonberry, a typical arctic-alpine plant, is common on the circumpolar regions and alpine belts of the Northern Hemisphere, and also occurs on the alpine and subalpine belts of the Korean Peninsula, including Mt. Sorak and Hongchon. Vaccinium vitis-idaea at the elevation of c. 350m a.s.l. of Hongchon is found on the wind hole area with cool summer, and mild winter. Vaccinium vitis-idaea at Hongchon is regarded as the glacial relict of the Pleistocene period, and shows a disjunctive distribution, along with the alpine and subalpine belts of the northern and central Korea since the Holocene period. Present vertical range of Vaccinium vitis-idaea between Mt. Sorak and Hongchon might indicates that the temperatures during the glacial epoch was colder than today, down to -6 to $-7^{\circ}C$ Vaccinium vitis-idaea at this fragile wind hole site could be endanger if current global warming trends continues, and anthropogenic activities become serious.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.215-226
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• 2022

This study aims to investigate the soil environment characteristics of the Abies koreana community, which is currently showing a continuous decline in its size, in order to provide fundamental data for the management and creation of a conservation plan for the Abies koreana communities at the Korean national parks of Sobaeksan, Deogyusan, and Jirisan. Soil depth investigations were conducted at depths deeper than 40 cm into the B horizon at most study sites, except for the Dwaejipyeongjeon and Byeoksoryeong sites. The soil water content exceeded 30% on average, and these soils showed low bulk density levels. The soil texture was found to be the loamy or silty loam type at most study sites. It was also found in a chemical characteristic assessment that the soil samples contained more than 10% organic matter at most study sites. The cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.) and total N concentration levels were also high at most study sites. However, the soil showed low exchangeable K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ levels at most study sites. Finally, the pH values were 4.90, 4.53, and 4.60 at soil depths of 10 cm at the Sobaeksan, Deogyusan and Jirisan sites, respectively, outcomes that are notably lower than the average levels in soil from Korean forests according to the literature. This appears to be due to the cold and wet climate of these subalpine regions given the reduced leaf-litter decomposition rate and accumulation of organic acids.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2017

We conducted a total of 28 surveys from March to October 2016 in Gayasan National Park, to identify threatened plants for climate change, as well as for the effective management of biological organisms and resources against climate changes in Korea. Regarding threatened plants for climate change, we identified a total of 39 taxa, with 11 northern, 2 southern, and 26 taxa of concern. Among these taxa, 33 were identified as wild species. The species threatened by climate change located in the subalpine regions of Gayasan National Park were Abies holophylla Maxim., Abies koreana Wilson, Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc., Betula ermanii Cham., Berberis amurensis Rupr., Rhododendron tschonoskii Maxim., Vaccinium hirtum var. koreanum (Nakai) Kitam., Primula modesta var. hannasanensis T.Yamaz., Trientalis europaea var. arctica (Fisch.) Ledeb., Thymus quinquecostatus Celak., Parasenecio firmus (Kom.) Y.L.Chen, and Lilium cernuum Kom. These species are expected to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming, since they were confirmed to have a very narrow vertical distribution range. Moreover, although the following species are not included in the list of plants threatened by climate change, it is assumed that the endemic species that grow at the summit, and Grade V floristics special plants, such as Pedicularis hallaisanensis Hurus., Allium thunbergii var. deltoides (S.O.Yu, S.Lee & W.Lee) H.J.Choi & B.U.Oh, Heloniopsis tubiflora Fuse, N.S.Lee & M.N. Tamura, Aletris glabra Bureau & Franch, and Gymnadenia cucullata (L.) Rich., will also be extremely vulnerable to climate change. Therefore, we believe that measures for the conservation of these species are urgently needed, and also that the definition of species threatened by climate change should be broadened to include more objective and valid taxa through the long-term monitoring of species distributed around the summit area.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.69-79
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• 2013

We investigated the flora of Mt. Namdeogyu, southern regions of Deogyusan National Park, from April of 2011 to September of 2012. The number of vascular plants in this area were summarized as 507 taxa, including 102 families, 296 genera, 444 species, 8 subspecies, 49 varieties, 6 forms. Among the recorded taxa, Korean endemic plants were 9 species and the floristic regional indicator plants were 80 taxa including 3 taxa in grade V, 3 taxa in grade IV, 19 taxa in grade III category. The rare and endangered plants which was designated by Korea Forest Service were 15 taxa comprising 1 endangered species (EN) of Rhododendron tschonoskii, 5 taxa of vulnerable (VU) such as Cynanchum inamoenum, Lilium cernuum, Gastrodia elata, Bupleurum euphorbioides, Paeonia japonica, and 9 least concerned (LC). In addition, the subalpine plants of the region were summarized as 24 taxa, and Mt. Deogyu area inclunding the Mt. Namdeogyu was suggested as the north most limits line of the distribution for 2 taxa, Abies koreana and Rhododendron tschonoskii, and as the south most limit of the distribution for Bupleurum euphorbioides.

• 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.