• Title/Summary/Keyword: The forest ecosystem

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Forest Floor Biomass, Litterfall and Physico-chemical Properties of Soil along the Anthropogenic Disturbance Regimes in Tropics of Chhattisgarh, India

  • Oraon, P.R.;Singh, Lalji;Jhariya, Manoj Kumar
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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    • v.34 no.5
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    • pp.359-375
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    • 2018
  • The long term ecological effects have been reported in natural forest ecosystem due to various anthropogenic disturbances, especially in tropics of the world. The present study was carried out in the sanctuary area of central India to assess the changes on litter biomass, litterfall pattern and soil attributes under different disturbance regimes. The study area includes three forest circles i.e., Bhoramdeo, Jamunpani and Salehwara each comprising three disturbances regimes viz., high, medium and low severity of biotic pressure. A noticeable variation and impact were recorded in different sites. The impact varies significantly from least disturbed sites to highly disturbed sites across the circle and among different disturbances level. The seasonal mean total forest floor biomass across the forest circles varied from 2.18 to $3.30t\;ha^{-1}$. It was found highest under lightly disturbed site and lowest under heavily disturbed site. Total litterfall varied from 5.11 to $7.06t\;ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$ across the forest circle. Lowest litterfall was recorded at heavily disturbed site while highest in lightly disturbed site. Annual turnover of litter varied from 69-73% and the turnover time ranged between 1.37-1.45 years. The turn over time was higher for heavily disturbed site and lower for lightly disturbed site. The heavily disturbed site of all the circle showed the sandy loam soil texture, whereas moderately and lightly disturbed site comprised of sandy loam, sandy clay loam and clay soil texture, respectively. The bulk density decreases from heavily disturbed site to lightly disturbed site and the pH of soils ranged from 5.57-6.89 across the circle. Across the circle the total soil nitrogen ranged from 0.12-0.21%, phosphorus from 10.03-24.00 kg and Potassium from $139.88-448.35kg\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. Our results demonstrate that anthropogenic disturbances regime significantly influences forest floors in terms of mass, composition and dynamics along with litterfall rate and soil properties.

A Study on the Equity of the Charges Established to be Imposed on Damaging Activities of Natural Resources -A Comparative Study of Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge and Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation- (자연환경 훼손에 관한 부담금의 형평성 제고방안 -생태계보전협력금과 대체산림자원조성비의 비교를 중심으로-)

  • Bang, Sang-Weon;Yoon, Ick-June
    • Journal of Environmental Policy
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.25-61
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    • 2009
  • These days, environmental policies have changed from being command and control systems toward economic incentive systems, with various incentives having been established by OECD countries. In Korea, many environmental charges have been established in order to diminish activities which damage natural resources. Among them, the Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge and the Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation are considered to be representative environmental charges. These charges, along with a few others, were designed to encourage efforts to protect natural resources. The charges include a number of different features, utilize varying methods, and altered ranges of jurisdiction. However, the charges may pose serious inequity problems in terms of their estimated values and their conditions of reduction and exemption. For instance, although the Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge is a primary charge applied to natural resource damage, the charge does not fully secure its original objectives due to its low levy and limited range of provisions. Moreover, the Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation has been criticized because of similar reduction and exemption provisions. Therefore, this study analyzes the inequity problems associated with the charges and proposes solutions. First of all, the Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Charge should be redesigned in such a way that it reflects the substantial value of natural resource damage through either abrogate or increased maximum limits of the charge. With regard to the Replacement Charge for Forest Resources Creation, the cases and ranges of reduction and exemption provisions should be narrowed. Finally, the charges collected should be expended in conformity with their original objectives, and their expenditure should be restricted to either restoration activities or activities directly related to compensation and mitigation of damaged natural resources.

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The Flora of Vascular Plants in Mt. Chijae(Gamagol) and Its Adjacent Areas (in Damyang-gun, Jeonnam-do, Korea) (담양군 치재산(가마골) 일원 관속식물상)

  • Soon-Ho Shin;Kyoung-Pae Yun;Sang-Mi Kim;HyunSuk Kim
    • Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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    • v.38 no.1
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    • pp.22-47
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    • 2024
  • This study aims to reveal the distribution of native plants, rare plants, and specialty plants and provides basic data for efficient ecosystem management through a survey of the flora in Mt. Chijae (Gamagol) and its adjacent areas in Damyang-gun, Jeonnam-do, while also identifying useful plants in the eco-city Damyang-gun for distinctive garden plants. A total of 21 field surveys were conducted from March 2022 to June 2023 to collect and identify 492 taxa consisting of 101 families, 304 genera, 444 species, 10 subspecies, 35 varieties, and 3 formas. The analysis of the prepared sample list showed 14 taxa designated as specialty plants, 9 taxa designated as rare plants by the Korea Forest Service, 7 taxa designated as the national red (i.e., endangered) plants by the Ministry of Environment, and 68 taxa with phylogenetic specific species, of which 45 taxa for Grade I, 5 taxa for Grade II, 16 taxa for Grade III, and 2 taxa for Grade IV were confirmed. The list included 155 taxa of biological resources subject to export approval by the Ministry of Environment and 38 taxa of alien plants of which 7.7 percent were naturalized, and the urbanization index was 6.1 percent. Four taxa were ecosystem-disturbing invasive alien plants designated by the Ministry of Environment introduced artificially or naturally from abroad. This study is expected to contribute to creating unique and attractive landscapes in Damyang if the specific plants found in Mt. Chijae are grown and planted in city gardens.

Monitoring Mangrove Plantation along the Coastal Belts of Bangladesh (1989-2010)

  • Rahman, M. Mahmudur;Pramanik, Md. Abu Taleb
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.225-234
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    • 2015
  • Mangroves are important coastal ecosystems and are located at the inter-tidal zones of tropical and sub-tropical belts. The global mangrove forests are declining dramatically because of the conversion of forests to shrimp farming, over-exploitation, pollution and freshwater diversion. The Bangladesh Forest Department initiated mangrove afforestation throughout the coastal belts of Bangladesh in 1966 to provide better protection for the coastal communities. Up to 1990, 120,000 ha of mangroves had been planted and it is one of the largest coastal afforestaton programs in the world. The objective of this study is to exploit the spatial extent of mangrove plantation and their dynamics of changes over the last two decades using multispectral Landsat imagery. The study area covers the coastal areas of Bangladesh that is extended over the eastern part of Sundarbans up to Teknaf, the southern tip of mainland Bangladesh. Mangrove plantations were interpreted visually on computer screen and interactive delineation of forest boundary was done. The mangrove plantation area has been estimated as 32,725, 47,636 and 43,166 ha for the year of 1989, 2000 and 2010, respectively. Mangrove deforestation by human activity has increased almost six times in the recent decade in comparison to the previous one. The mangrove forest loss due to coastal erosion has slightly declined in the 2000s. Mangroves have been lost primarily because of agricultural expansion. The result of this investigation will be helpful to understand the dynamics of mangrove plantation and the main drivers of changes in this coastal ecosystem.

Stand Structure of the Natural Broadleaved-Korean Pine Forests in Northeast China

  • Li, Fengri;Ma, Zhihai
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.94 no.5 s.162
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    • pp.321-329
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    • 2005
  • Based on the data representing four typical Korean pine forest types, the age structure, DBH distribution, species composition, and forking rule were systemically analyzed for old-growth Korean pine forest in Liangshui Nature Reserve, northeast China. The age structure of Korean pine trees was strongly uneven-aged with one dominated peak following normal distribution, and age of trees varied from 100 to 180 years within a stand. The DBH and height differences in same age class (20 years) varied from 28 cm~64 cm and 5 to 20 m, respectively. Many conifer and hard wood species, such as spruce, fir, costata birch, basswood, oak, and elm, were mixed with dominated trees of Korean pine. The canopy of the old-growth Korean pine forest can be divided into two layers, and differences of mean age and height between Layer I and Layer II were ranged 80~150 years and 7~13 m, respectively. The Weibull function was used to model the diameter distribution and performed well to describe size-class distribution either with a single peak in over-story canopy and inverse J-shape in under-story canopy for old-growth Korean pine stands. The forking height of Korean pine trees ranged from 16m to 24 m (mean 19.4 m) and tree age about 120 to 160 years old. The results will provide a scientific basis to protect and recover the ecosystem of natural old-growth Korean pine and also provide the model in management of Korean pine plantation.

Estimation of Evapotranspiration in a Forest Watershed in Central Korea (중부(中部) 산림(山林) 지역(地域)의 증발산량(蒸發散量) 추정(推定))

  • Kim, Jesu
    • Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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    • v.88 no.1
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    • pp.86-92
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    • 1999
  • Evapotranspiration is one of important variables affecting ecosystem processes such as vegetation distribution and growth. It acts as a limiting factor for natural water resource management. The transpiration of vegetation is mainly determined by climatic factors. The lower slope of the study area was densely forested with Pinus densiflora S. et Z. of 8 m height, and the upper slope was covered with poorly grown Pinus densiflora S. et Z. and Quercus trees. The amount of evapotranspiration was estimated to 590.3 mm/yr by annual water budget method. The canopy resistance of Penman-Monteith model was determined as 99 s/m. Seasonal evapotranspiration can be estimated with the calculated evaporation and the canopy resistance. The amount of evapotranspiration peaked in May. That is considered from both the direct evaporation of intercepted rainfall and the transpiration of vegetation during the dry spring season.

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Allometric Equation for Biomass Determination in Chuqala Natural Forest, Ethiopia: Implication for Climate Change Mitigation

  • Balcha, Mecheal Hordofa;Soromessa, Teshome;Kebede, Dejene
    • Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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    • v.34 no.2
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    • pp.108-118
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    • 2018
  • Biomass determination of species-specific in forest ecosystem by semi-destructive measures requires the development of allometric equations; predict aboveground biomass observable independent variables such as, Diameter at Breast Height, Height, and Volume are crucial role. There has not been equation of this type in mountain Chuqala natural forest. In this study two species namely, Hypericum revolutum Vahl. & Maesa lanceoleta Forssk. with tree diameter classes (15-20, 20.5-25, and 25.5-35 cm), with the purpose of conducting allometric equations were characterized. Each species assumed considered individually. For the linear model fit the two observed variable DBH, H and V were preferred for the prediction of above ground biomass. The best fitted model choose among the two formed model were identified using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), and $R^2$ and adjacent $R^2$. Based on this the best fit model for Hypericum revolutum Vahl. was AGB=-681.015+4,494.06 (DBH), and for Maesa lanceoleta Forrsk. was. AGB=-936.96+5,268.92 (DBH).

A Study on the Development of Experiential Nature Education Program in the Urban Forest Park - A Case Study of Yeongheung Park in Suwon - (도시 산림공원의 체험형 자연교육 프로그램 개발 연구 - 수원 영흥공원을 대상으로 -)

  • Chang, Ye-Na;Kim, Sung-Hee;Han, Bong-Ho;Choi, Jin-Woo
    • Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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    • v.47 no.6
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    • pp.12-23
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    • 2019
  • The purpose of this study was to develop and study an experiential natural education program that could emphasize the importance of the natural environment by providing natural experience opportunities using the natural resources of the urban forest parks using Youngheung Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province as a target site. The research target was limited to Suwon Yeongheung Park, which had the potential to become a place for education, where urban forest conservation and sustainable use already coexist. The natural education resources derived by surveying and analyzing the basic environment and the ecology of plants and animals in Suwon Yeongheung Park were organized to establish program goals, directions, and themes. Suwon Yeongheung Park is a water-rich forest that forms an ecological system of wetlands, including rice paddies, muknon wetlands, and dungbun, near a valley area. The U-shaped walkway was smoothly formed along the ridge and includes Doran-gil, which is among the Palochrome Road, designated by the city of Suwon. The soil is acidic, with a pH 4.40, due to urban pollution and acid rain, and is not good for plant growth. Most of the artificial forests, natural forests, and arable land were found using land use and extant life surveys. Old trees were distributed in artificial forests, the oak clusters in natural forests, and the fields and darrinones were distributed in the arable areas. As the forest vegetation declined, the cedar forest was underway, and the cedar trees and red bean pear trees were cultivated due to their adaptability to the urban environment. There are 13 large of 180 sacks, one being 109 centimeters in diameter, the largest silvery tree, and 105 oak trees, provide food and shelter for animals. Six species of waterfowl that used the 22 kinds of forest wetlands, while four species of amphibians and two species of reptiles reside in the wetlands. Natural Monument No. 327, Mauryuk, Class II Endangered Wildlife, was also observed in the wetlands. Eight other species of surface dragonflies and three species of butterflies were observed. By systemizing the resources, members, and characteristics of the forest ecosystems in Suwon Yeongheung Park based on five criteria, the program for a hands-on natural education was presented with the aim of understanding the urban forest ecosystem in Suwon Yeongheung Park, having an affinity with the city, and recognizing its relationship with the community and society. However, further research is needed as there are limitations of research on programs characterized by different ages and classes.

Geospatial Assessment of Frost and Freeze Risk in 'Changhowon Hwangdo' Peach (Prunus persica) Trees as Affected by the Projected Winter Warming in South Korea: I. Determination of Freezing Temperatures (겨울기온 상승에 따른 복숭아 나무 '장호원 황도' 품종의 결과지에 대한 동상해위험 공간분석: I. 월동기간 중 동해유발온도 결정)

  • Chung, U-Ran;Kim, Jin-Hee;Kim, Soo-Ock;Choi, Mi-Hee;Hwang, Kyu-Hong;Yun, Jin-I.
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.206-212
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    • 2009
  • We investigated the patterns of freeze injury in dormant 'Changhowon Hwangdo' peach fruit by observing the extent of browning and germination of the branches that were treated with freezing temperature sets simulating the process of natural freezing incidences in orchards. Under the treatment of freezing temperature of $-15^{\circ}C$, the browning ratios were 15% for flower bud and less than 3% for both leaf bud and cambium. Under the $-20^{\circ}C$ treatment, the browning ratios were 40% for both flower and leaf buds and 1% for cambium. The browning ratios were 86%, 68% and 40% respectively for flower bud, leaf bud, and cambium under the $-25^{\circ}C$ treatment. All the samples showed 100% browning ratio under the $-30^{\circ}C$ treatment. The budburst ratios of leaf buds were 85%, 66%, 32%, and 0% under the -15, -20, -25 and $-30^{\circ}C$ treatments, respectively. The branches of peach fruit treated with the same freezing temperature showed different responses depending on the sampling date. In January the browning ratio was low and the budburst ratio was high whereas in February the opposite was the case, showing vulnerability of peach trees to low temperature after endo-dormancy release.

Geospatial Assessment of Frost and Freeze Risk in 'Changhowon Hwangdo' Peach (Prunus persica) Trees as Affected by the Projected Winter Warming in South Korea: III. Identifying Freeze Risk Zones in the Future Using High-Definition Climate Scenarios (겨울기온 상승에 따른 복숭아 나무 '장호원황도' 품종의 결과지에 대한 동상해위험 공간분석: III. 고해상도 기후시나리오에 근거한 동해위험의 미래분포)

  • Chung, U-Ran;Kim, Jin-Hee;Kim, Soo-Ock;Seo, Hee-Cheol;Yun, Jin-I.
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.221-232
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    • 2009
  • The geographical distribution of freeze risk determines the latitudinal and altitudinal limits and the maximum acreage suitable for fruit production. Any changes in its pattern can affect the policy for climate change adaptation in fruit industry. High-definition digital maps for such applications are not available yet due to uncertainty in the combined responses of temperature and dormancy depth under the future climate scenarios. We applied an empirical freeze risk index, which was derived from the combination of the dormancy depth and threshold temperature inducing freeze damage to dormant buds of 'Changhowon Hwangdo' peach trees, to the high-definition digital climate maps prepared for the current (1971-2000), the near future (2011-2040) and the far future (2071-2100) climate scenarios. According to the geospatial analysis at a landscape scale, both the safe and risky areas will be expanded in the future and some of the major peach cultivation areas may encounter difficulty in safe overwintering due to weakening cold tolerance resulting from insufficient chilling. Our test of this method for the two counties representing the major peach cultivation areas in South Korea demonstrated that the migration of risky areas could be detected at a sub-grid scale. The method presented in this study can contribute significantly to climate change adaptation planning in agriculture as a decision aids tool.