• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.307-316
• /
• 2010

Complex terrain refers to irregular surface properties of the earth that influence gradients in climate, lateral transfer of materials, landscape distribution in soils properties, habitat selection of organisms, and via human preferences, the patterning in development of land use. Complex terrain of mountainous areas represents ca. 20% of the Earth's terrestrial surface; and such regions provide fresh water to at least half of humankind. Most major river systems originate in such terrain, and their resources are often associated with socio-economic competition and political disputes. The goals of the TERRECO-IRTG focus on building a bridge between ecosystem understanding in complex terrain and spatial assessments of ecosystem performance with respect to derived ecosystem services. More specifically, a coordinated assessment framework will be developed from landscape to regional scale applications to quantify trade-offs and will be applied to determine how shifts in climate and land use in complex terrain influence naturally derived ecosystem services. Within the scope of TERRECO, the abiotic and biotic studies of water yield and quality, production and biodiversity, soil processing of materials and trace gas emissions in complex terrain are merged. There is a need to quantitatively understand 1) the ecosystem services derived in regions of complex terrain, 2) the process regulation occurred to maintain those services, and 3) the sensitivities defining thresholds critical in stability of these systems. The TERRECO-IRTG is dedicated to joint study of ecosystems in complex terrain from landscape to regional scales. Our objectives are to reveal the spatial patterns in driving variables of essential ecosystem processes involved in ecosystem services of complex terrain region and hence, to evaluate the resulting ecosystem services, and further to provide new tools for understanding and managing such areas.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.8-17
• /
• 2016

Ecosystems have functions of providing, supporting, regulating and cultural services. In particular, there is an increasing attention to the importance of regulating ecosystem services in carbon sequestration function, since it is closely related to the issue of climate change. In this study, to quantify benefits of climate regulating ecosystem services, the carbon storage was defined as an indicator. Nine major Korean ecosystems were classified and research papers on carbon storage were analyzed. The collected carbon storage data were categorized according to classified ecosystems, methodologies, and carbon storage components. For each category, the mean, standard error and coefficient of variation were calculated. The carbon storage indicator was highest in vegetation biomass of deciduous forest ecosystems. The uncertainty was also estimated by the IPCC 2006 guidelines. The estimations of the uncertainty differed by methodologies and carbon storage components. With exception of forest ecosystems, the limited number of studies were available which might have hindered to conduct accurate estimations. These findings indicate that there are needs for further clarification in the measurement standards by different ecosystems.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
• /
• 2022.05a
• /
• pp.99-99
• /
• 2022

Jeju island has a humid subtropical climate and this climate zone is expected to migrate northward toward the main land, Korea Peninsula, as temperature increases are accelerated. Vegetation type has been inevitably shifted along with the climatic change, having more subtropical species native in southeast Asia or even in Africa. With the forest composition shift, it becomes more important than ever to analyze the water balance of the forest wihth the ongoing as well as upcoming climate change. Here, we implemented the Ecosystem Demography Biosphere Model (ED2) by initializing the key variables using forest inventory data (diameter at breast height in 2012). Out of 10,000 parameter sets randomly generated from prior distribution distributions of each parameter (i.e., Monte-Carlo Method), we selected four behavioral parameter sets using remote-sensing data (LAI-MOD15A2H, GPP-MOD17A2H, and ET-MOD16A2, 8-days at 500-m during 2001-2005), and evaluated the performances using eddy-covariance carbon flux data (2012 Mar.-Sep. 30-min) and remote sensing data between 2006-2020. We simulated each of the four RCP scenarios (2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) from four climate forcings (GFDL-ESM2M, HadGEM2-ES, IPSL-CM5A-LR, and MIROC5 from ISIMIP2b). Based on those 64 simulation sets, we estimate the changes in water balance resulting from the forest composition shift, and also uncertainty in the estimates and the sensitivity of the estimates to the parameters, climate forcings, and RCP scenarios.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.84 no.1
• /
• pp.103-113
• /
• 1995

To estimate buffer capacity and sensitivity of forest ecosystem to acid rain in Taejon, ionic components of throughfall, stemflow, soil leachate, and open rain in Pinus rigida and Quercus variabilis forest were analysed. The spatial sensitivity based on parent rock and forest type was given by IDRISI of GIS which created imagery conversion from soil and vegetation map. Parent rocks and soils were classified into acidic, sedimentary, metamorphic rock and then subdivided based on $SiO_2$ content. Average pH of vegetation leachate was higher in throughfall but lower in stemflow than open rain and higher in Quercus variabilis forest than in Pinus rigida forest. The flow of $SO{_4}^{2-}$, $NO_3{^-}$ and $Cl^-$ through vegetation leaching(throughfall plus stemflow) into soil were 7.2, 4.3, and 2.5 times, respectively, higher in Pinus rigida forest and 4.4, 2, and 2.5 times, respectively, higher in Quercus variabilis forest than in open field. But the concentration of exchangeable cations was 4.1 times higher in Pinus rigida forest and 4.6 times higher in Quercus variabilis forest than in open field. Average pH of soil leachate was lower than that of throughfall, but higher than that of stemflow. The concentration of exchangeable canons and $Al^{3+}$ in soil leachate were more in Pinus rigida forest than in Quercus variabilis forest and increase signficantly with the increase of acidic deposits. Pinus forest had more deposition and canopy interception of acidic pollutants and more nutrient loss than Quercus forest, and Quercus forest had more cation exchange and proton consumption and than consequently had less nutrient loss and better buffer capacity than Pinus forest. The 69% of forest soils was distributed on acidic rock, 25% of it on metamorphic rock, and 6% of it on intermediate and basic rock. Acidic rock residuals which had low very canon exchange capacity and high sensitivity to acid rain occupied a half of total forest land in Taejon area. Therefore forests in Taejon showed high vulnerability to acid rain and will receive much more stress with the increase of acid rain precursors.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.101 no.1
• /
• pp.96-103
• /
• 2012

In this study, we used HARVEST, a timber management strategy assessment tool, to evaluate alternative forest planning strategies on spatial pattern of cutting blocks. We applied the tool to the Gwangreung Experimental Forest (GEF) as a case study. The harvest schedules developed for GEF using a linear programming model was used to assess spatial patterns of cutting blocks under different management constraints. The results show that the allowable maximum harvest size largely affects the number, size, and distribution of cutting blocks. We also found that spatial dispersion methods and adjacency constraints could be used as an effective means to control spatial allocation of cutting blocks in order to meet certain forest ecosystem management goals.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.83 no.4
• /
• pp.460-472
• /
• 1994

This study has been conducted to give some ideas for reasonable ecological management of Taejon city and its adjacent forest ecosystem against the effect of acid rain. Rain monitoring points to analyse its components represented 1 point in industrial area, 4 points in commercial area, 4 points in residential area, and 5 points in suburban area and forest survey was done in 7 forest sites adjacent to rain monitoring points. Transformed vegetation index(TVI) based on Landsat TM data was analysed for forest area. Taejon area was seriously contaminated by air pollutants and average concentration of anions in precipitation were 20.16mg/l for $SO_4{^{2-}}$, 3.65mg/l for $NO_3{^-}$, and 3.09mg/l for $Cl^-$. Anion in precipitation were $1.09mg/m^2/month$ for $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $0.23mg/m^2/month$ for $NO_3{^-}$, and $0.20mg/m^2/month$ for $Cl^-$. Cation in precipitation were $0.14mg/m^2/month$ for $Ca^{2+}$, $0.10mg/m^2/month$ for $NH_4{^+}$, $0.08mg/m^2/month$ for $Na^+$, $0.07mg/m^2/month$ for $K^+$, and $0.08mg/m^2/month$ for $Mg^{2+}$. The region with the highest concentration of $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $Cl^-$ in rain was industrial area. $SO_4{^{2-}}$, $NO_3{^-}$, and $Cl^-$ concentrations in industrial area were 43.08, 3.88, and 3.64ppm, respectively. Forest soil showed strongly acidic ranging pH4.16-4.94. Transformed vegetation index(TVI) were 3.11 in Dangsan, 4.00 in Kyechoksan, 4.13 in Bomunsan, 4.18 in Kabhasan, 3.34 in Bongsan, 4.13 in Sikchangsan, and 4.20 in Seongchisan. Dangsan forest located near in industrial area showed the lowest TVI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.99-112
• /
• 2020

This study aims to propose biotope field datasheet and biotope type classification based on habitat-based by analyzing the German biotope system. The German system began in 1976 and has established a habitat-based national biotope classification system. On the other hand, Korea institutionalized in 2018 to build a classification system based on land use and land cover, which is a classification system that does not fully reflect ecosystem in Korea. Germany operates 44 biotope classification systems and 40 biotope field datasheet. Korea uses a single biotope field datasheet regardless of the biotope type. This classification system may not reflect the characteristics of Korea's biotope ecological habitat. The biotope classification system of Korea was proposed by dividing it into five categories: mountain ecology, freshwater ecology, land ecology, coastal ecology, and development area to reflect ecosystem habitat. The biotope type was designed as a system of large-classification-middle-small classification and subdivided into medium-classification and subdivided in each biotope system. The major classifications were classified into 44 categories according to the mountainous biotope(11), freshwater biotope(8), terrestrial biotope (12), coastal biotope(6), and development biotope(7). Unlike Germany, Korea's biotope field datasheet was proposed in five ways according to the classification of major ecosystem types. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the policy suggestion and the utilization of ecosystem conservation because the biotope classification system is classified to reflect the characteristics of ecosystem habitats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.123-132
• /
• 2008

The problems caused by new biological organisms in Ogasawara Island of Japan include : (1) loss of native species' habitats and extinction of native species due to the multiplication of invasive species; (2) reduction of native species and confusion in the food chain in result of invasive species' predation; (3) confusion in genes due to hybridization of new and native plants; and (4) destruction of ecosystem and erosion of earth due to rapid increase of invasive species. The natural ecosystem of preserved areas in Korea is constantly confused and destroyed by new animals and plants, but Korea does not has any solutions because new animals and plants rarely affect human lives. Invasive species are manually introduced by humans and are considered disasters caused by humans. Korea is in desperate need of campaigns as the general public does not understand the seriousness of the destruction and confusion of natural ecosystem caused by new biological organisms and their indirect/direct influences on humans. It is necessary to evaluate the biological characteristics, ecological influence, and harms of invasive species in preserved areas to establish a system to manage invasive species and plan the priority removal of species that are highly harmful and locally distributed. Manual removal and suppression of new biological organisms that cause problems is effective, but it takes cost, effort, and time. Therefore, we would need to research and develop the most efficient and effective techniques and measures to manage invasive species in our ecosystem.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.65-78
• /
• 2011

Ozone ($O_3$) is a main component of photochemical oxidants, and a phytotoxic anthropogenic air pollutant. In North America and Europe, the current concentration of $O_3$ has been shown to have significant adverse effects on vegetation. In this review, we summarize the experimental studies on the effects of $O_3$ on the growth and photosynthetic activity of Japanese forest tree species to understand the present knowledge and provide sound basis for future research toward the assessment of $O_3$ impacts on Japanese forest ecosystem. Since the 1990s, several Japanese researchers have conducted the experimental studies on the effects of ambient levels of $O_3$ on growth and physiological functions such as net photosynthesis of Japanese forest tree species. Although the sensitivity to $O_3$ of whole-plant growth is quite different among the species, it was suggested that the current ambient levels of $O_3$ in Japan are high enough to adversely affect growth and photosynthetic activity of Japanese forest tree species classified into high $O_3$ sensitivity group such as Japanese beech. The N load to soil has been shown to reduce the sensitivity to $O_3$ of Japanese larch and increase that of Japanese beech. To establish the critical level of $O_3$ for protecting Japanese forest tree species, therefore, it is necessary to take into account the N deposition from the atmosphere. There is little information on the combined effects of $O_3$ and other environmental factors such as elevated $CO_2$ and drought on growth and physiological functions of Japanese forest tree species. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the experimental study and accumulate the information on the combined effects of $O_3$ and any other abiotic environmental factors on Japanese forest tree species.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.205-210
• /
• 2011

This study aims to assess MEE(management effectiveness evaluations) on PAs(protected areas) for forest genetic resources which play an important role in biodiversity conservation, and then to suggest better ways to manage PAs for forest genetic resources. This study applies same indicators of the MEE on PAs as the ones described in the prior study(Ryu et al. 2011). The indicators applied are composed of five elements, thirty-two indicators which all would be grouped into one element by each traits. Overall indicators belonging to the element of output and outcome are comparatively low. Especially the ones related to the change of biodiversity, degree of ecosystem health, variation of civil complaint and visitor satisfaction are ranked mostly low. The element of input shows the low rank on the number of staff and budget. The score of indicators related to the identification of the threats of PAs and local communities' supports turn out to be low in the element of Context. The element of process, however, has scored low on Staff management, Education/Awareness programs and Governance, while the law enforcement, management regulation and capacity to prevent forest disasters have made relatively high score. Meanwhile, all indicators in the element of planning have scored relatively high as compared to the indicators belonged to other elements. This study suggests to strengthen a few constructive proposals, such as facilitating efficient management framework for PAs, developing local community cooperation program, establishing survey, research and monitoring system, and registering PAs to the WDPA(World Database on Protected Areas) according to the IUCN categories.