• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.508-525
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• 2019

Algific talus slopes provide microclimates suitable for disjunct or relict populations of northern plant species at low elevation habitats in the temperate zones. The propose of this study was to assess the phytogeographical significance and produce a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation on algific talus slopes. Therefore, we studied the floristics of bryophytes on 15 algific talus slopes in Korea. The bryophytes on the algific talus slopes in Korea consisted of 59 families, 138 genera, 226 species, two subspecies, and five varieties, totaling 233 taxa. Peculiarly, many northern bryophytes, such as Andreaea rupestris var. fauriei (Besch.) Takaki., Buxbaumia minakatae S. Okamura, Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Schimp., and Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. ex Brid.) Mitt. were found on the algific talus slopes. Of them, unrecorded species from south Korea numbered 14 taxa and unrecorded species from the Korean peninsula numbered seven taxa. A similarity analysis based on the bryophyte flora showed that the index of similarity between regions with similar environmental factors was high. This means that the bryophyte flora composition on each algific talus slopes was affected by topography and microclimate. Algific talus slopes are phytogeographically significant microhabitats where northern plant species that advanced southward during the latest glacial age have been isolated and adapted. However, algific talus slopes have constantly been destroyed or damaged by humans without consideration of conservation. Conservation strategies to ensure the biodiversity and effective management of algific talus slopes in Korea are discussed in detail.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.61-89
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• 2006

Algific talus slopes are local cold micro-environmental habitats where cool air escapes through vents and fissures of talus layer, and ice forms in summer. To access the phytogeographical significance and to develop the conservation strategy on vegetation of the algific talus, plant species composition on seven algific talus in South Korea was investigated. As a results, phytogeographically significant northern elements such as Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh., Diplazium sibiricum (Turcz. ex Kunze) Sa.Kurata, Polypodium virginianum L., Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. and Hackelia deflexa (Wahlenb.) Opiz were distributed in these algific talus slopes (below $N37^{\circ}43^{\prime}$). In addition, subalpine species such as Woodsia subcordata Turcz, Rosa suavis willd., Clematis fusca var. coreana ($H.L{\acute{e}}v.$ & Vaniot) Nakai, Calamagrostis langsdorfii (Link) Trin. and Carex vaginata var. petersii (C.A.Mey.) Akiyama were also distributed as typical relictual species of these algific talus (less than alt. 400m). The algific talus slopes in Korean peninsular can be regarded as the insular refugia that northern plant species advanced southward during the latest glacial age have been isolated and adapted in some local microhabitats. Because the algific talus slopes as paleorefugia are very important in terms of phytogeography as well as meteorology ans geology, developments of strategies for in situ and ex situ conservation on these small isolated and threatened populations associated with the algific talus urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.213-246
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• 2016

Algific talus slopes tend to occur on steep north-facing slopes with bedrock that retains ice and emits cold air throughout the growing season. Algific talus slopes provide a suitable microclimate for disjunct or relict populations of northern plant species at low altitude habitats in temperate zones. The purpose of this study is to suggest a strategy for the comprehensive conservation of the vegetation of algific talus slopes through studies of the floristics and plant species compositions and threat factors at present and in the future of 15 major algific talus slopes in Korea. As a result, the vascular plants surveyed on 15 major algific talus slopes were recorded, with a total of 587 taxa, 109 families, 323 genera, 531 species, 7 subspecies, 47 varieties 1 form and 1 hybrid. Of them, endemic plants numbered 26 taxa, and threatened species according to the IUCN valuation basis numbered 8 taxa. Fourth (IV) and fifth (V) degree indicator species as specified by floristic subregions numbered 31 taxa. Peculiarly, several subalpine-native plant species, in this case Cystopteris fragilis, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Huperzia selago, Rosa koreana, Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Woodsia hancockii, were distributed on algific talus slopes at 100-600 m above sea level. Numerous and diverse biological resources native to algific talus slopes in Korea have been consistently disturbed or damaged by human activities without some form of protection. An all-taxa biodiversity inventory should be surveyed to provide more information about all biological species living on algific talus slopes. In addition, conservation strategies to ensure biodiversity and effective management of algific talus slopes are discussed in detail.

• Mycobiology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.276-287
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• 2020

An algific talus slope is composed of broken rocks with vents connected to an ice cave, releasing cool air in summer and relatively warmer air in winter to maintain a more stable microclimate all year round. Such geological features create a very unusual and delicate ecosystem. Although there are around 25 major algific talus slopes in Korea, lichen ecology of these areas had not been investigated to date. In this study, we report the first exploration of lichen diversity and ecology at an algific talus slope, Jangyeol-ri, in Korea. A total of 37 specimens were collected over 2017-2018. Morphological and sequencing analysis revealed 27 species belonging to 18 genera present in the area. Of particular interest among these species was Solorina saccata, as it has previously not been reported in Korea and most members of genus Solorina are known to inhabit alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere. We provide here a taxonomic key for S. saccata alongside molecular phylogenetic analyses and prediction of potential habitats in South Korea. Furthermore, regions in South Korea potentially suitable for Solorina spp. were predicted based on climatic features of known habitats around the globe. Our results showed that the suitable areas are mostly at high altitudes in mountainous areas where the annual temperature range does not exceed 26.6 ℃. Further survey of other environmental conditions determining the suitability of Solorina spp. should lead to a more precise prediction of suitable habitats and trace the origin of Solorina spp. in Korea.