• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.42-57
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• 2011

We described the above-ground plant species composition and measured a range of soil physico-chemical properties and the composition and size of the soil seed bank in the remnant natural vegetations on the flood plains of the Han River within Seoul, South Korea. We used analysis of variance and multivariate analyses to analyse the data and S${\o}$rensen's similarity index to compare the composition of the vegetation and seed banks. The soils were circum-neutral and composed of mainly sand and silt fractions with a very limited clay component; a gradient based on sand/clay proportions was identified. The soil seed banks varied markedly between- and within-sites and had much greater species diversity than the above-ground vegetation. Two of the major dominants in the vegetation (Miscanthus saccariflorus and Phragmites australis) were found at very low densities in the seed bank. The site differences appeared to be correlated with the sand-clay gradient, suggesting that the soil properties differentially affected seed inputs into the soil, or that the processes than controlled sediment deposition during floods was also important in differentially affecting seed deposition. Lastly, there was relatively little similarity between the vegetation, dominated mainly by perennials, and the seed bank which contained a relatively large proportion of annuals and biennials. This result suggests that after disturbance caused by flooding there is the potential for many other species to colonize. This may impinge on the regeneration potential of the sites and cause concern for the future conservation of these important remnants of natural vegetation.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 2019

Background: Cliffs are a major plant habitat around the coastal area, but in contrast to sand dunes and salt marshes, they have been little investigated in Korea. There are simple descriptions of cliff vegetation in studies on island vegetation, but there is no published paper, which addressed sea cliff vegetation synthetically. Furthermore, the coastal area where this study was carried out was designated as a conservation reserve. Even though, this area is exposed to intense recreational use such as trekking in these days. This study aims to clarify spatial distribution and structure of vegetation along the environmental gradient on coastal cliff and plateau in the Janggi peninsula (Homigot) located on southeastern Korea. Further, this study has also another objective to prepare a restoration plan to protect this conservation reserve from intense human disturbance. Results: Landscape elements were arranged in the order of sea cliff risen directly on the sea, seashore, coastal cliff, and plateau covered with relatively deep soil in a coastal area of the Janggi peninsula (Homigot), southeastern Korea. Vegetation was sampled at 59 plots arranged from the sea cliff through the seashore and coastal cliff to plateau. The sea cliff, seashore, and coastal cliff, which compose the coastal landscape, were dominated by the seashore spatulate aster (Aster spathulifolius Maxim.) community, dwarf sand sedge (Carex pumila Thunb.) community, and seashore spatulate aster (Aster spathulifolius Maxim.) community. On the plateau corresponding to the ridge of the coastal cliff, black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) community, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata Laxmann) community, east Asian hackberry (Celtis sinensis Pers.) community, sawleaf zelkova (Zelkova serrata Makino) community, and Korean oak (Quercus dentata Thunb.) community were established in the mentioned order along distance from the sea. Stand ordination showed a vegetation sequence from the seashore through the cliff to the plateau, consistent in its overall pattern among sites. This was dominated by topography. There is evidence for the importance also of salinity, drought and of soil depth. Conclusion: The lack of scientific interest in cliffs to date is in striking contrast to the commonness of cliffs around the whole national territory and to the attraction cliffs have had for humans throughout history. Cliffs provide a unique habitat, rarely investigated from an ecological viewpoint. Cliffs may represent an invaluable type of ecosystem, consisting of some of the least disturbed habitats on earth and contributing more to the biodiversity of a region than their surface coverage would indicate. Although this coastal area where this study was carried out was designated as a conservation reserve, this area is in danger of severe disturbance due to excessive recreational use. We recommended a restoration plan to protect this area from such a disturbance.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.83-93
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• 2008

Assessing for flora distribution is necessary for land management and environmental research in reclaimed lands. This study was conducted to find out the relationship between vegetation distribution and soil salinity on three reclaimed tidal flats of Kyonggi-bay in the mid-west coast of Korea. We investigated the soil salinity and identified the vegetation at the continuum distribution spots, and describe the characteristics of continuum distribution. On the reclaimed tidal flats, spatial variation of vegetation formed partially, however as the result for connection of each spatial variation along with the soil salinity, continuum distribution formed and it was overlapped edaphic gradient with vegetation distribution, it means that the continuum distribution correspond with soil salinity gradient, as the evidence high salt tolerance species occurred at high saline spots, non salt tolerance species occurred at low saline spots. On the aged reclaimed tidal flats, continuum type was various and also clearly distinguished but it was not clear on the early stage of reclamation. The continuum distribution distinguished sequential and non-sequential type. Sequential type started from high saline zone and connected to low saline zone gradually, on this type, vegetation changed from pioneer halophyte to facultative halophyte and glycophyte along with the salinity gradient. Non-sequential type formed by non-sequential change of soil salinity, on this type, vegetation distribution was non-regular form because it has not changed gradually. In the aged reclaimed land, vegetation wilted zone existed with high salinity, and continuum distribution started from this zone with bare patch.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.271-281
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• 2019

Background: The plant communities within reservoir drawdown zones are ecologically important as they provide a range of ecosystem services such as stabilizing the shoreline, improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. The aim of the study was therefore to identify the major environmental factors affecting these plant communities within the drawdown zone of the Soyangho Reservoir in South Korea, which experiences a monsoonal climate, and thereafter to (1) elucidate the plant species responses and (2) compare the soil seedbank composition along main environmental gradients. Results: Two main environmental gradients affecting the plant community structure were identified within the drawdown zone; these were a vertical and longitudinal gradient. On the vertical dimension, a hydrological gradient of flood/exposure, the annual-dominated plant community near the water edge changed to a perennial-dominated community at the highest elevation. On the longitudinal dimension from the dam to the upstream, plant species composition changed from an upland forest-edge community to a lowland riverine community, and this was correlated with slope degree, soil particle size, and soil moisture content. Simultaneously, the composition of the soil seedbank was separated along the vertical gradient of the drawdown zone, with mainly annuals near the water edge and some perennials at higher elevations. The species composition similarity between the seedbank and extant vegetation was greater in the annual communities at low elevation than in the perennial communities at higher elevation. Conclusions: The structures of plant community and soil seedbank in the drawdown zone of a monsoonal riverine reservoir were changed first along the vertical and secondly along the longitudinal gradients. The soil seedbank could play an important role on the vegetation regeneration after the disturbances of flood/exposure in the drawdown zone. These results indicate that it is important to understand the vertical and longitudinal environmental gradients affecting shoreline plant community structure and the role of soil seedbanks on the rapid vegetation regeneration for conserving and restoring the drawdown zone of a monsoonal reservoir.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.20-30
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• 2003

This study is aimed at establishing the categories and items for ecological assessment and evaluation of the environmental friendliness of golf courses in the capital region of Korea. The categories and items for the assessment have been derived based on the existing literature and interviews with golf experts. This study covers 32 golf courses in the capital region of Korea that are available in terms of data and on-site surveys. In order to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental friendliness of the golf courses, the assessment area was divided into 4 categories that include a total of 14 sub-categories. The 4 categories encompass 1) location, 2) topography, 3) vegetation, and 4) construction. As its sub-categories, the location category includes current land use and zoning in the National Land Use Management Law. Topography has 2 sub-categories in the damage ratio of existing topography, gradient, cut area, and slope height. The assessment of vegetation is largely based on site surveys in the categories of preservation of the existing vegetation, the use of natural resources and existing trees, the component ratio of native tree species, the multi-layered structure of vegetation, and the utilization of water purification plants. In the aspect of construction, afforestation on tile slopes and the utilization of existing surface soil were evaluated. The examination of comparative analysis among the 10 items as a ratio measure showed that the scores were low in the sub-categories of current land we, the use of existing trees, and the multi-layered structure of vegetation. However, the rating results were satisfactory in the 2 sub-categories including cut area, and the utilization of native tree species. Those proved to be contributing factors in the ecological health of the golf courses. According to correlation analysis of the 10 items to the overall ecological rating of each golf course, the sizes of the 32 golf courses were mainly affected by the damage ratio of existing topography, gradient, preservation of vegetation and slope height. This study has the initiative to conduct an ecological assessment of golf courses in the country based on site surveys. The study results revealed that location factors such as current land use, damage ratio of topography and gradient and topographical factors were the main factors affecting the environmental friendliness of golf courses. This indicates indicating the significance of these factors in the future construction practices of golf courses. Furthermore, this study raises the need for follow-up studies to establish more detailed assessment criteria and to develop assessment techniques for areas such as slope afforestation and water purification plants that need a qualitative approach.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 1996

The distribution of salt plant communities is conditioned by the gradient of salt concentration in the tidal land. The quantitative analyses of the salt vegetation were made to investigate the continuum in different stands of the tidal land in Namdong, Incheon City. The order in which the leading dominances are arranged is decided by the gradient of salt concentration. Wading dominant species, from the high level to the low level of the salt gradient, were Salicornia herbatacea, Sueda maritma, Limonium tetragonum, Aster tripolium, Atriplex tatarica, Catystegia soldonella, and Lathylus japonica These species form a continuum on the tidal land depending upon salt concentration. Key words: Continuum distribution, Salt gradient, Wading dominance.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.283-290
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• 1998

The vegetation pattern of Mt. Odae based on the soil humidity gradient showed 3 types: (1) the forest of Pinus densiflora under the mesic or xeric conditions of the low altitudinal area, (2) the forest of Acer including A. mono, A. pseudo-sieboldianum and Tilia amurensis under the submesic or subxeric conditions and (3) the forest of Quercus including Q. mongolica of the higher elevational area and Q. variabilis of the lower elevational area under the xeric condition. Water content, organic matter and total nitrogen of soil were relatively low in Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis communities while they were relatively high in Betula platyphylla var. japonica and Quercus mongolica communities. According to the result of cluster analysis based on similarity indices of the communities, the proposed successional sere in the forest vegetation of Mt. Odae was as follows. P. densiflora community $\longrightarrow$ P. densiflore + Q. mongolica community $\longrightarrow$ Q. mongolica + A. pseudo-sieboldianum community. P. densiflora community $\longrightarrow$ P. densiflora + Q. variabilis community $\longrightarrow$ Q. variabilis community $\longrightarrow$ Q. mongolica + Q. variabilis community $\longrightarrow$ Q. mongolica + A. pseudo-sieboldianum community.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.156-167
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• 2008

Meorological data have been collected to monitor the wetland area in Goheung bay since 2003 and four intensive observations were conducted to study effects of the atmospheric turbulence on the energy budget and the ecological changes. We improved an algorithm to estimate the sensible heat flux with routine data. The sensible heat flux estimated by gradient method was in good agreement with that measured by precision instruments such as surface layer scintillometer and ultrasonic anemometer. Diurnal variations of sensible heat flux showed analogous tendency to those of temperature gradient. When the vertical wind shear of horizontal wind components was weak, even though temperature gradient was strong, the gradient method underestimated the sensible heat flux. A compensation for the cloud will make this gradient method be a helpful tool to monitor the ecosystem without expensive instruments except for weak wind shear and temperature gradient.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.321-328
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• 1998

To describe the major environmental factors operating in coastal wetland and to characterize the distribution of the plant species over the wetland in relation to the major environmental gradients, 12 soil physical and chemical properties were determined. The gradient of water and osmotic potential of soil, electrical conductivity, sodium and chloride content and soil texture alsong the three habitat types of salt marshes, salt swamp and sand dune were occurred. The 24 coastal plant communities from principal component analysis (PCA) on the 12 variables were at designated as a gradient for soil texture and water potential related with salinity by Axis I and as a gradient for soil moisture and total nitrogen gradient by Axis II On Axis I were divided into 3 groups (1) 9 salt marsh communities including Salicornia herbacea communities (2) 5 salt swamp communities including Scirpus fluviatilis communities and (3) 10 sand dune communities including Jmperata cylindrica communities on Axis II were divided into 2 groups (1) salt marsh and sand dune communities, and (2) 3 salt swamp communities. The results could account for the zonation of plant communities on coastal wetland observed alsong envionmental gradients.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.5_3
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• pp.713-721
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• 1998

The effects of artificial interference on the vegetation landscape in Mt. Nam of Seoul, Korea were clarified by analysing the distribution of vegetation landscape element and the number and size of patch depicted as a vegetation map in terms of landscape ecological principles. The effects of artificial interference on vegetation were also confirmed from the environmental gradient analysis on plant community extended from the lowland to the peak of that mountain. Vegetation landscape elements were divided into plantation and secondary forest in actual vegtation map. The ratio of plantation to secondary forest was higher in the lowland below mid-slope and the southern slope. Most afforested land were occupied by Robinia pseudoacacia and Populus tomentoglandulosa, Pinus rigida, P. koraiensis, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Alnus hirsuta and so on are localy planted. In addition, projects to replace those afforested trees by P. densiflora as a kind of campaign for "Restoration of the one original feature of Mt. Nam" or to replace those tree species by planting young Abies holophylla or P. koraiensis under the mature afforested trees are also carried out in recent years. In cases of secondary forest, the southern slope was dominated by P. densiflora and the northern one by Q. mongolica. But the lowland of the northern slope is dominated by P. densiflora as the same as that in the southern slope. Vegetation landscape elements in Mt. Nam were much simplified comparing with that of suburban area around Seoul. The number of patches, which reflects the degree of diverse artificial interference was more in the lower area than in the upper area and more in the southern slope than in the northern one. On the other hand, the size of patch showed the antagonistic tendency to that of the number of patch. As a result of environmental gradient analysis, vegetation distribution in Mt. Nam was different from that in suburban area around Seoul. For example, Alnus japonica community, Zelkova serrata community, and Carpinus laxiflora community, which is established in mountain comparatively rare in artificial interference disappeared in Mt. Nam. As a result of analysis on vegetational succession in P. densiflora community and Q. mongolica community, both communities showed a tendency of retrogressive succession differently from that in control site located in suburban area around Seoul. In addition, species composition of P. densiflora and Q. mongolica communities in Mt. Nam were also different from those in Mt. Surak located around Seoul. It was interpreted that those results were originated from the environmental pollution and excessive arti ficial interferences.rferences.