• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1992

The reconstruction of the vegetational and environmental history of the Korean peninsula by the use of various fossil floral data from the Carboniferous period to the Pre-Holocene is reviewed. Though the oldest plant fossil in Korea (Neuropteris) dates back to the Carboniferous period, the first appearance of many of the present-day floristic genera indeed dates back to the Oligocene (c. 40 to 20 million years B.P.), and includes many thermophilous genera. The presence of thermophilous genera in the Oligocene at up to four degrees north of their present distributional limits implies that the climate of the Oligocene was warmer than that of today. The occurrence of similar thermophilous floristic element at up to six degrees north of their present range during the Middle Miocene suggests a maximum northward expansion of warmth-loving evergreen broadleaved vegetation for, recent Korean vegetation history. The continued occurrence of numerous present-day genera since the Oligocene period indicates a long-term stability of Korean vegetation, along with minor fluctuations within it. The admixture of evergreen coniferous plants and deciduous breadleaved plants, however, indicates a probable temperate climate for much of the Middle Pleistocene. There are couple of evidences which are indicative of an early-stage anthropogenic disturbance of natural vegetation during the Middle Pleistocene of Korea. The presence of cold-episodes during the Upper Pleistocene caused a general expansion of deciduous plants and cryophilous evergreen coniferous, plants. It is likely that the maximum southward expansion of cryophilous arctic-alpine and alpine floras in Korea occured during the penultimate glacial period. The disappearance of some cryophilous genera from 10,000 years B.P. marks the continued climatic amelioration since then, along with minor climatic fluctuations during the Holocene period.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2002

Pollen analyses and $^{14}$ C dating of the sediments of the Akindonuma moor, which is situated in a closed depression of an old landslide, were peformed in order to study the vegetation history of the montane zone of the Miyagi Prefecture, Northeast Japan. The main results are as follows: Two forest zones have been distinguished: 1) the A-I zone, or the Fagus-Quercus-Betula forest (R I stage, before about 11,700 yrs B.P.), and 2) the A-II zone, or the Fagus-Quercus forest (R II stage, after about 11,700 yrs B.P.). By comparing the geological section with the pollen diagram of the moor, it is assumed that the deposit environment of the Middle Part, which mostly consists of peat layers, is very stable. During the period, the Ulmus/Zelfkova pollen ratio was very low and small peak was not recognized. According to the preceding research, theme is a close relationship between the fluctuation of the Ulmus/Zelkova pollen ratio and the general trend of hillslope instability in the changing balance of temporature and precipitation Actually, Zelkova serrata tends to cover the footslope and the lower sideslope. Ulmus davidiana covers the footslope and the alluvial cone. Therefore, the fact that the Ulmus/Zeikova pollen ratio was very low and small peak was not recognized, is believed to reflect the stability of the earth's surface environment, which was estimated from the geological section.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.341-350
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• 2011

For the reconstruction of the past vegetational changes in Jeju Island, Korea, pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating on the sediments obtained from the Mulyeongari fen were carried out. By the results, the vegetational changes around the Mulyeongari fen from ca. 3,300 cal. yr BP to the present can be interpreted and reconstructed. The pollen record from the Mulyeongari fen was divided into two local pollen assemblage zones and three sub-pollen assemblage zones. Zone I (Quercus-Carpinus-Herbs Zone) was characterized by the predominance of Quercus(30~63%), Carpinus(9~35%) and herbs(40~424%). Zone II was characterized by three sub-pollen assemblage zones and the high occurrence ratio of the tree layer in comparison with Zone I. In Zone IIa (Quercus-Carpinus Zone), herbs(3~161%) were drastically decreased in predominance of Quercus(28~56%) and Carpinus(14~31%). In Zone IIb (Carpinus-Quercus Zone), Carpinus(36~48%) was preferentially increased but Quercus(29~39%) was slightly decreased. In Zone IIc (Quercus-Carpinus Zone), Carpinus(26~38%) was decreased inversely but Quercus(36~50%) was increased. In addition, Cyperaceae was also increased to 52%. Consequently, it is suggested that cool temperate southern/sub-montane vegetation composed of Quercus and Carpinus which was physiognomy of deciduous broad leaved forest was distributed around the Mulyeongari fen from ca. 3,300 cal. yr BP. In addition, Cyclobalanopsis(4~23%), Castanopsis(1~12%) and Myrica(under 1%) which are warm-temperate evergreen deciduous forest components were constantly appeared from this period. Accordingly, it can be inferred that the present vegetation type around the Mulyeongari fen was formed from ca. 180 cal. yr BP.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2005

This study presents the Mid-Lateglacial vegetation history of southwestern Korea. From the result of AMS dating and pollen analysis, four local pollen assemblage zones(BS) were recognized. The four local pollen assemblage zones are BS 1. 12,222cal BC$\sim$9,160cal BC: cool-temperate northern/altimontane mixed coniferous & deciduous broad-leaved forest, BS 2. 9,160cal BC$\sim$ 4,210cal BC: cool-temperate central/montane deciduous broad-leaved forest, BS 3. 4,210cal BC$\sim$125cal BC: cool-Temperate southern/submontane mixed coniferous & deciduous broad-leaved forest. BS 4. BC125cal ${\sim}$present: warm-temperate/cool-temperate southern/submontane coniferous forest. Pine forest expanded since 4,210cal BC and full-scale rice cultivation might started since 2,120cal BC. A radical expansion of Pinus densiflora forest after postglacial stage might be caused by human impacts including full-scale agriculture.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.101-112
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• 2013

To quantitatively analyze the effects of burning, we conducted a vegetation survey in the grasslands in Kirigamine, central Japan. We classified each species into stages of succession based on the life-history traits of the species and defined the score of the species in each stand based on the classification. We weighted the scores with a v-value, the product of coverage and height in the quadrat, and summed them to calculate the index of dynamic status. With these indices, we were able to quantitatively compare the stands in the study area and discern minute differences between the stands with different lengths of restoration periods since the disturbance of burning. These indices correlated with the v-value of trees, suggesting that the disturbance of burning seemed to affect the trees in the stand. We then calculated the growth of the tree species Pinus densiflora to evaluate its contribution to the index of dynamic status.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2017

Vegetation and landscape characteristics at the three highest summits of Republic of Korea, i.e. Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, are analyzed on the basis of species composition, physiognomy, vegetation distribution and structure of alpine plants, along with landform, geology, soil and habitat conditions. Dominant high mountain plants at three alpine and subalpine belts contain deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum (31.6%), and evergreen coniferous small tree, Pinus pumila (26.3%) at Seoraksan, deciduous broadleaved tree, Betula ermanii (35.3%), evergreen coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis (23.5%) at Jirisan, and evergreen coniferous tree, Abies koreana (22.6%), deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii (19.4%) at Hallasan, respectively. Presence of diverse landscapes at the peak of Seoraksan, such as shrubland, grassland, dry land along with rocky areas, and open land may be the result of hostile local climate and geology. High proportion of grassland and wetland at the top of Jirisan may related to gneiss-based gentle topography and well developed soil deposits, which are beneficial to keep the moisture content high. Occurrence of grassland, shrubland, dry land, conifer vegetation, and rocky area at the summit of Hallasan may due to higher elevation, unique local climate, as well as volcanic origin geology and soil substrates. Presences of diverse boreal plant species with various physiognomy at alpine and subalpine belts, and wide range of landscapes, including rocky, grassland, shrubland, wetland, and conifer woodland, provide decisive clues to understand the natural history of Korea, and can be employed as an relevant environmental indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 1998

This is the review of vegetational history of the post-glacial period in Korea. most of studies for vegetational changes are located in the lowland alluvial plain, especially below the hilly zone of western and eastern coastal regions of Korea. A couple of methods, pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating, have been employed in these studies. These results lead us to establish the pollen zonation in Korea as the followings. Yasuda et al.(1980) classified six period in Yongrang lake of sokcho. These are as follow I. 17,000-15,000yr B.P.: Picea, Abies, Pinus(Haploxylon), Larix stage, II.15,000-10,000yr B.P:Herb, Pteridophyta stage, III.10.000-6,700yr BP.:Quercus stage, IV.6,700-4,500yr B.P.:Pinus, Quercus, Carpinus stage, V.4,500-1,400yr B.P.:Quercus. Pinus stage, VI.1,400yr B.P.-present: Pinus, Herbs stage. Jo(1979) also divided the period into two stages from the outcomes of analysis done in Jumoonjin and other sites I.10,000-6,000yr B.P.:Quercus stage, II.6,000-present: Pinus-Quercus stage, and three substages: IIa.6,000-3,400 yr B.P.:lower Pinus stage, IIb.3,400-2,000yr B.P.:Pinus-Quercus stage, IIc.2,000-present: Pinus stage. Choi(1993, 1996) divided the period into three stages: I.6,000-5,000yr B.P.:Alnus, Quercus stage, II.5,000-4,000yr B.P.: Alnus, Quercus, Pinus stage, III.4,500-2,600yr B.P.: Alnus, Pinus stage. In the period around 6,000yr B.P. distinct dominant species clearly occupied the lowland of the eastern and western coasts. Thus, this strongly supports the fact that even if Korea experienced its warm and wet climate after the lateglacial, it underwent a different environmental change, dry climate, compared to the regions of Japan.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.217-221
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Gotjawal forest on Jeju Island is characterized by uneven topography that developed as a result of freezing-thawing weathering process and irregular substrates caused by numerous lava-flow collapses. Sanyang Gotjawal, located in southwest of Jeju Island, is a well-developed forest with a long history. In addition to photographs, there is a need for a good way to describe the unique features of Gotjawal, including its geology and vegetation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We illustrated the area's natural features using Clip Studio Paint 1.12.0. To reveal its complexity, we separated the vegetation and geological features in the illustrations. CONCLUSION(S): We drew a cross-section of Gotjawal's unique layers, including lava flows. In addition to an eco-geological approach, we described the dominant vegetation and geological characteristics of the three forest layers (trees, shrubs, and herbs) in Gotjawal.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.5_1
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• pp.427-433
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• 1998

The standing crop and net production were estimated in Moojaechi on Mt. Jungjok. By using the decay model of organic carbon, absolute year of bog peat was calculated. Pollen analysis to bog peat revealed vegetational history and climate change around Moojaechi. The time required for amount of the accumulated peat in the bog was estimated in terms of the balance of the accumulation and decay of organic carbon of the deposit peat. Absolute year of the peat surveyed in this study was about 314 years. Pollen of Pinus was predominant in all the pollen zone, Geamineae and Cyperaceae increased in lower pollen zone while Pinus in upper pollen zone. This showes that climate of the past was probably more humid than that of present. In addition, middle pollen zone showed warming trend which is suggested by high pollen concentration of Quercus, Juglans, Carpinus and Corylus. It suggests that overall environment and vegetation were changed from warmer and more humid to dry condition in Moojaechi and it is considered as the course of boggy ground formation by retrogressive successions.

• 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.