• 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 the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.451-458
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• 2009

Anatomical comparison of 8 North American species of Abies was executed to provide taxonomic information. The species of eastern (balsam and Fraser fir) and western (Pacific silver, white, grand, subalpine, California red, and noble fir) were found to be separated on the basis of crystals and color of contents in ray parenchyma cells and ray height. In eastern species, crystals in ray parenchyma cells were absent and ray parenchyma cell contents were colorless to very light. These two eastern species were further characterized by the absence of uniseriate rays exceeding 25 cells in height. In western species, only subalpine fir had colorless to very light contents but the remaining five species have dark contents in ray parenchyma cells. Crystals were absent to extremely sparse in Pacific silver fir, somewhat frequent in noble fir, frequent in grand and California red fir, and very frequent in white fir. Uniseriate rays exceeding 25 cells in height were regularly found in grand and California red fir but absent in white and noble fir.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 1999

The bryophyte communities on the forest floor of the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaf forest and the evergreen coniferous forest of cool temperate and subalpine zones in Mts. Taebaek, Odae and Sulak of Tabaek Range were investigated from. the numerical and phytosociological viewpoints. As a result, four bryophyte communities were recognized there, considering the species composition of vascular vegetation; A. Thuja koraiensis-Abies nephrolepis/Taxus caespitosa-Pinus pumila/Hylocomium splendens-Pleurozium schreberi community, B: Sasamorpha borealis-Abies nephrolepis/Plagiomnium cuspidatum- Aulacomnium heterostichum community, C. Abies holophylla-Abies nephrolepis/Thuidium recognitum-Trachycystis immarginata cristatus community, D. Meehania urticifolia-Abies nephrolepis/Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Taxiphyllum aomoriense community. Among these, the community A was distributed in higher altitudes and characterized by the species group of the holarctic elements, e.g. Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum majus, etc. limited in subarctic; subalpine and arctic; alpine zones and was confirmed as synusies of the Thujo-Abietetum nephrolepidis Song 1991 and Taxo-Pinetum pumilae Song 1985 belonging the Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. 1939. In contrast the communities B, C and D were distributed in the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaf forest of lower altitudes and characterized by the elements of the cool temperate; montane zone. They were confirmed as synusies belonging to the Corylo-Quercetum mongolicae Song 1988. By the result of the numerical syntaxonomical analysis such as cluster analysis, interspecific association, PCA, the communities were largely divided into the two types. The two types coincided with the community units or the diagnostic species of the bryophyte communities of the subalpine zone and the montane zone, respectively. Also the analysis revealed that the division of the above two forest zones are justifiable. Up to date many investigator have described the coniferous forest distibuted above 1000m in Taebaek mountains as the forest vegetation of subalpine zone. However, from the results of the present study, the boundary of the mixed forest and the true subalpine coniferous forest was elucidated to be ca. 1,500 m phytosociologically. Species richness was the highest in the community A, and the other four communities showed a similar species richness.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.201-211
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the vascular plants which can be an indicator of environmental change in Seseok of Jirisan National Park. The purpose of this study was to find out the basic information for the subalpine species. This study showed that the area had a total 295 taxa including 63 families, 177 genus, 252 species, 2 subspecies, 36 variants 5 forms and Pte-Q was 1.7. Among them, Korea endemic plants were 15 taxa such as Abies koreana. Rare plants were 14 taxa such as Viola diamantiaca. Naturalized plants consisted of 5 taxa such as Rumex crispus. The floristic regional indicator plants found in surveyed area were 72 taxa comprising 3 taxa of grade V, 7 taxa of grade IV and 24 taxa of grade III. In summary, The subalpine plants of the survey region consisted of 37 taxa including Abies koreana and Gymnadenia cucullata. As rare plants distributed in subalpine zone respond sensitively to climate change, accuracy distribution range, environmental characteristics of habitat and population dynamics of rare plants should be evaluated quantitatively.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.118-138
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• 2022

This study was conducted to identify the vegetation structure of major vegetation by region and elevation in the subalpine zone of Seoraksan National Park and prepare an inventory of flora. We reviewed the results of the previous subalpine studies and, through a preliminary survey, determined that the first appearance point of subalpine vegetation was about 800 m based on the south. Then we conducted a site survey by installing a total of 77 plots, including 12 plots on the northern Baekdamsa-Madeungnyeong trail (BD), 13 plots on the west Hangyeryeong-Kkeutcheong trail (HG), 13 plots on the east side of Sinheungsa-Socheongbong trail (SA), and 39 plots in the southern Osaek-Kkeutcheong, Osaek-Daecheongbong trail (OS), in an interval of 50 m above sea level. The analysis classified 7 communities, including Qercus mongolica-Abies holophylla-Acer pseudosieboldianumcommunity, Q. mongolica-Tilia amurensiscommunity, Q. mongolica-Pinus koraiensiscommunity, Q. mongolica-A. pseudosieboldianumcommunity, Betula ermanii-A. nephrolepiscommunity, P. koraiensis-A. nephrolepiscommunity, and mixed deciduous broad-leaf tree community according to the species composition based on the appearance of the major subalpine plants such as Quercus mongolica, Betula ermanii, and Abies nephrolepis, region, and elevation. 10.68±2.98 species appeared per plot (100 m²), and 110.87±63.89 individuals were identified. The species diversity analysis showed that the subalpine vegetation community of Seoraksan National Park was a mixed forest in which various species appeared as important species. Although there was a difference in the initial elevation for the appearance of major subalpine plants by region, they were distributed intensively in the elevation range of 1,100 to 1,300 m. In the Seoraksan National Park, 322 taxa, 83 families, 193 genera, 196 species, 1 subspecies, 26 varieties, and 4 forms of vascular plants were identified. One taxon of Trientalis europaeavar.arcticawas identified as the protected species. The endemic plants were 19 taxa, and 58 taxa were identified as subalpine plants.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.366-371
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• 1998

To investigate the structure of Korean native species, Abies koreana forest in subalpine zone of Mt. Halla, 20 plots ($10{\times}10m$) set up with random sampling method were surveyed. The forest on subalpine zone in Mt. Halla was Abies koreana - Taxus cuspidata - Sasa quelpaertensis community. High positive correlations were shown between Quercus ${\times}$ grosseserrata and Carpinus laxiflora; Carpinus laxiflora and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, Ilex crenata; Taxus cuspidata and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, Prunus padus, and high negative correlations were shown between Abies koreana and Quercus ${\times}$ grosseserrata; Abies koreana and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum; Sasa quelpaertensis and Prunes sargentii. Vigor of Abies koreana was depressed, 8.11% of total number of Abies koreana investigated were dead. DBH of dead individuals ranged mainly 10-30 cm.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 1991

The character and differential species of Abies koreana community, a subalpine coniferous forest, on Mt. Hall a and its vegetation unit were reviewed, based on literature published up to date. Song and Nakanish (1985a) originally described Saso-Abietetum koreanae Song et Nakanishi 1985 for the community. At that time, we were fully justified in establishing the nomenclature. Nevertheless, against this nomenclature, Yim and Kim (1990) made a objection, and it was renamed as what is called Saso quelpaertensi-Abietetum koreanae (Song et Nakanishi) corr. Yim et Kim 1990. In their previous study(Yim et al., 1990) being the root of the nomenclature, however, they did not study on the full layers containing the moss layer of bryophyte and lichen for the stratification of the Abies koreana community, in spite of the importance of the species of moss layer for the selection of character and differential species of vegetation units belonging to Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. 1939, and also the floristic composition from their study was not compared with that of the vegetation units of the subalpine coniferous forests in Korea Peninsula, Japan, Maritime Province of Siberia and Northeast China. Among the four character species selected by them, it is clear that Maianthemum bifolim and Lonicera maackii are species no having the characteristic value from the phytosociological viewpoint. Besides, Sasa quelpaerthensis described in their nomenclature is a synonym of S. palmata (Suzuki, 1978). Therefore, their nomenclature is invalid and comes under a contravention (Infringement of Priority) to the Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Barkman et al., 1986). Saso-Abietetum koreanae was amply justified also by author's recent study (Song, 1991)examined throughout the range of subalpine coniferous forest in Korea. With the discussion of justification of Saso-Abietetum koreanae, a association discussion was brought in the present review.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2004

To investigate the vegetation structure of subalpine region from Hyangjeukbong to 2nd Deogyusan, 20 plots(100$m^2$) set up with random sampling method were surveyed. Three groups Quercus mongolica community, Betula ermanii - Picea jezoensis - Taxus cuspidata community, Taxus cuspidata - Qurecus mongolica - Betula ermanii community were classified by cluster analysis. Quercus mongolica, Taxus cuspidata and Betula ermanii were found as a major woody plant species in the subalpine region from Hyangjeukbong to 2nd Deogyusan. In this area, Korean endemic species, Abies koreana was distributed small amounts. In future, importance percentage of Abies koreana might be decreased, but that of Betula ermanii might be increased. High positive correlations was proved between Betula ermanii and Rhododendron schlippenbachii, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum ; Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes and Acer mono; Syringa velutina and Magnolia sieboldii and relatively high negative corrlations was proved between Betular ermani and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes ; Quercus mongolica and Acer mono; Abies koreana and Tripterygium regelii, Weigela subsessilis. Species diversity(H') of investigated groups were ranged 1.0316∼1.1776 and it was similar to those of the ridge area of the national parks in Baekdudaegan.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.321-328
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• 2002

In order to provide the basic information for restoration of vegetation, conservation of rare species and maintenance of biodiversity, changes of site factors and vegetation by human trampling disturbance were investigated at the subalpine zone near the peak of Mt. Sorak in Korea. The destructed vegetation was found mainly in the southern parts with gentle slope in this study area. Height and coverage of vegetation and the species diversity decreased, and the community structure depended on trampling strength. Soil moisture, organic matter contents and litter thickness in the site with destructed vegetation by human trampling showed lower values than in the undisturbed site. Soil depth decreased, and gravel exposure on the ground surface increased by soil erosion responded to trampling strength.