• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.293-302
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• 2018

This study was carried out to provide basic information on efficient preservation and management of an Abies koreana forest through analyzing the ecological characteristics by slope in Seseok, Mt. Jirisan. Soil moisture content at southern and northern slopes was 29.9% and 21.7%, respectively, and there was no significant difference among soil properties between southern and northern slopes. The importance value of A. koreana in the southern and northern slopes was high for tree and subtree layers, respectively. It is noteworthy that many seedling and saplings of A. koreana were present on the southern slope. The species diversity was 0.413 for the tree layer, 0.632 for the subtree layer, and 0.609 for the shrub layer on the southern slope and 0.396 for the tree layer, 0.783 for the subtree layer, and 1.215 for the shrub layer on the northern slope. Evenness and dominance ranged from 0.371 to 0.609 and 0.629 to 0.391 on the southern slope and from 0.380 to 0.968 and 0.620 to 0.032 on the northern slope, respectively. The mortality of A. koreana was 9.6% on the southern slope and 24.4% on the northern slope, a distinct difference between the slopes. The mortality type at two slopes was the highest proportion of standing dead. Annual mean tree ring growth of A. koreana on the southern slope (1.76 mm/yr) was higher than that on the northern slope (1.64 mm/yr).

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2014

We measured radial growth of Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa growing in Gangneung, Boseong, Yangsan and Ulleung-do, respectively and analyzed its relationship with temperature and precipitation. We found from the result of tree ring counting that forest stands of Cryptomeria japonica in Gangneung and Boseong was 40 to 50 years old and 50 to 70 years old in Yangsan and Ulleung-do. According to climate change, the mean temperature in Gangneung was found to be $12^{\circ}C$ to $13^{\circ}C$ which was similar to that of Boseong and Yangsan 40 to 50 years ago. While the result of the radial growth measured from Cryptomeria japonica in Gangneung showed a slightly decreasing tendency compared to the other areas, Chamaecyparis obtusa showed an increasing tendency. In the case of Cryptomeria japonica, a strong negative correlation between radial growth and climate related variables including both mean temperature and mean precipitation existed in Ulleung. There was a strong negative correlation between radial growth and mean temperature for Chamaecyparis obtusa in Yangsan, although there was a positive correlation in Gangneung and Yangsan.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.370-377
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• 1971

The Carbon-14 content in surface air at Seoul, Korea, was measured from February 1970 to August 1971 and a Larix Leptolepis, Gordon tree (Ip-Gal Namu) grown at Kwang-Nung, Kyunggi-Do, Korea, having 37 growth rings, was assayde for $^{14}C$. From the results of the surface air study, it was calculated that during the above period the inventory of excess $^{14}C$ in the atmosphere decreased with a half-time of 4.6 years. The overall yearly decrease was also checked. The tree-ring study showed that the tree's atmosphere was affected by $^{14}C$ from nuclear tests after 1956. In one study, atmospheric $CO^2$ samples were collected bi-monthly by the absorption of $CO^2$ in alkaline hydroxide solution. In the other, 5 year annual growth rings were assayed for radiocarbon. For the radioactivity measurement, carbon atoms in samples were converted to carbon atoms of benzene. The resulting benzene was taken as primary solvent for liquid scintillation counting.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.109-119
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• 2016

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of yearly changes in growing degree days (GDD) on the potential distribution and growth of Quercus mongolica in Korea. Annual tree-ring growth data of Quercus mongolica collected by the $5^{th}$ National Forest Inventory were first organized to identify the range of current distribution for the species. Yearly GDD was calculated based on daily mean temperature data from 1951 to 2010 for counties with current distribution of Q. monglica. When tree-ring growth data were analyzed through cluster analysis based on similarity of climatic conditions, seven clusters were identified. Yearly GDD based on daily mean temperature data of each county were calculated for each of the cluster to predict the change of potential distribution. Temperature effect indices were estimated to predict the effect of GDD on the growth patterns. In addition, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 of climate change scenarios were adopted to estimate yearly GDD and temperature effect indices from 2011 to 2100. The results indicate that the areas with low latitude and elevation exceed the upper threshold of GDD for the species due to the increase of mean temperature with climate change. It was also predicted that the steep increase of temperature will have negative influences on tree-ring growth, and will move the potential distribution of the species to areas with higher latitude or higher elevation, especially after the year of 2050. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable information necessary for estimating local growth characteristics and for predicting changes in the potential distribution of Q. mongolica caused by climate change.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

With a view to developing a database of death years of Korean firs (Abies koreana) at Yeongsil in Mt. Halla and investigating their abrupt inter-annual growth reduction tree-ring analysis was employed. To this end, 10 living trees (YSL) were selected to establish a master chronology and 20 dead trees were used to date their dead years. To investigate the difference in death years by death types, 10 trees, which remained standing (YSSD) out of the 20 dead trees were selected. The rest 10 dead trees were already fallen (YSFD). Two increment cores per tree at breast height were extracted in contour direction using an increment borer. A 106-year master chronology (1911-2016) was successfully established from the 10 YSLs. Through cross-dating between individual YSSD time series and the master chronology, it was verified that 1 YSSD was dead in summer 1978, 1 YSSD between autumn 1999 and spring 2000, 2 YSSDs in summer 2007, 1 YSSD in summer 2010, 1 YSSD in summer 2012, and 1 YSSD in summer 2013. The youngest tree rings of 2 YSSDs having no bark were in 1977 and 2002. For the YSFDs, it was verified that 1 YSFD was dead between autumn 1997 and spring 1998, 1 YSFD between autumn 2001 and spring 2002, 2 YSFDs between autumn 2009 and spring 2010, 1 YSFD in summer 2010, and 2 YSFDs between autumn 2012 and spring 2013, while the youngest tree rings of 2 YSFDs having no bark were in 1989 and 2004. To note, the death years of two trees, one from each death type (YSSD and YSFD), could not be verified due to poor cross-dating with the master chronology. The inter-annual growth reductions of YSSD and YSFD occurred more frequently and intensively than YSL. Typically, the YSFD showed the most frequent and intensive inter-annual growth reduction. On comparing the inter-annual growth reductions with the corresponding records of typhoons however we could not find any reliable relationship. Finally, from prior reports and results of the current study it can be concluded that the death and abrupt growth reduction of korean fir at Yeongsil in Mt. Halla are not caused by only a certain environmental factor but various factors.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2002

Dwarf bamboo(Sasa borealis) is a dominant understory species in the various forest types in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate vegetation structure of Sasa borealis and effects of Sasa on the growth of overstory tree species along the forest development after clearcutting. Three representative stand types with and without S. borealis in Baekwoonsan, Chonnam province were selected in 1998 for this study: uncutting stands(natural deciduous forests with overstory vegetation), 1987-cutting stands (11 years after clearcutting), and 1993-cutting stands(5 years after clearcuting). Vegetation type was largely classified into Sasa borealis dominant type and Sasa borealis recessive or absent type. The former composed of four associations including Quercus serrata-Carpinus laxiflora / Sasa borealis community, Cornus controversa-Morus bombysis / Sasa borealis community, Styrax japonica-Styrax obassia / Sasa borealis association, Zelkova serrata / Sasa borealis community. The latter divided into six associations including Quercus serrata / Lindera erythrocarpa community, Cornus controversa / Lindera erythrocarpa community, Quercus serrata / Acer pseudosieboldianum / Deutzia glabrata community, Fraxinus rhynchophylla-Quercus serrata / Lindera erythrocarpa / Euonymus alataus community, Rubus crataegifolius-Hydrangea macrophylla community, Rubus crataegifolius-Lespedeza bicolor community. Distribution of Sasa, borealis by developmental stages of forests showed that in natural stands was dominant understory, but was various pattern in two cutting stands. Mean annual ring growth of Quercus serrata and Carpinus laxiflora during the last 35 years had not been affected by presence of Sasa, based on comparisons in annual ring growth between Sasa-present and Sasa-absent stands. In conclusion, dense crown of Sasa borealis suppressed the invasion of other shrubs or annuals and facilitated later stages of plant succession by promoting growth of shade-tolerant tree species after clear cutting.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.3
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• pp.353-358
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated the relationship of tree-ring growth with total nitrogen content, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes from the core samples of Pinus koraiensis (35-year-old). Annual ring width showed significant positive correlations with the ${\delta}^{13}C$ (P=0.003). The total nitrogen content (P=0.024), and the ${\delta}^{13}C$ content was also correlated with total nitrogen content (P=0.038), indicating that the growth of P. koraiensis was stimulated as the contents of both ${\delta}^{13}C$ and total nitrogen were increased. On the other hand, the less the ${\delta}^{15}N$ content and the C/N ratio were, the larger the annual ring width was. Moreover the families with relatively better growth performance contained the higher levels of ${\delta}^{13}C$ in the xylem compared to other families. These results suggest that the ${\delta}^{13}C$ and total nitrogen contents are the important determinants in the growth performance of P. koraiensis.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.34-36
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• 2003

In boreal conifers in China's Northeast area, maximum latewood density (MXD) of tree-ring varies in response to growing season temperature. Forest net productivity can be estimated using the Normalized-difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) calculated from satellite sensor data. MXD from the Mohe site in this area was compared with estimates of NPP for 1982-1999 produced by the NDVI model, which was established based on the relationship of leaf area index (LAI) and NDVI. The result shows that the MXD series correlated significantly with the NDVI model estimates series, suggesting that MXD appeared to be an appropriate index for productivity or canopy growth in region where forest productivity is strongly temperature-related.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 1992

The paleoclimate of the Chungbu Mountainous Region, Mts. Seorak and Sobaek, was estimated by means of dendroclimatic methodology, The annual growth value of tree-rings is deeply interrelated with the mean temperature of April-May and July-August. The mean temperature of April-May of the reconstruction period(1635-1911), observation period(1912-1989), and the whole period(1635-1989) is 13.58$^{\circ}C$, 13.69$^{\circ}C$, and 13.6$0^{\circ}C$, respectively. That of July-August is $24.50^{\circ}C$, $24.62^{\circ}C$, and $24.58^{\circ}C$ respectively. The reconstructed mean temperature data for April-May and for July-August reveal 13.2 and 12.9 year cycles.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.565-577
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to understand the factors influencing the decline and the patterns of changes in Abies nephrolepis populations on Mt. Seorak. We installed permanent quadrats in the areas of the Gwittagicheongbong (peak), Gwanmoneungseon (ridge), and the Seorak Falls and have monitored the community structure, population dynamics, radial growth, and vitality in the quadrats since 2009. Excluding the Seorak Falls, the three research sites showed a three-layer structure in which the low-tree layer forms the canopy. Major tree species were Khingan fir, Korean arborvitae, Mongolian oak, Erman's birch, and Korean maple. The significance of Khingan fir in Seorak Falls decreased from 45.3% in 2009 to 36.8% in 2018. The number of shoots ($DBH{\geq}5cm$) was highest at 1,800 individuals/ha and 1,700 individuals/ha at the Gwittagicheongbong 2 and the Gwanmoneungseon, respectively. The mortality rates over the past 10 years were very high, at 38.3% and 35.3%, respectively, in the Gwittagicheongbong 1 and Seorak Falls. The most stable inverse J-shaped distribution in the Gwittagicheongbong 1 area was shown in the size-frequency distribution of the Khingan fir populations. The average annual ring growth of the Khingan fir was 0.96 ~ 1.73 mm/year, and the ring growth tended to decrease in the areas of Gwittagicheongbong 1, Gwanmoneungseon, and Seorak Falls, where the vitality was low. If the monitoring process continues, it will be possible to obtain basic data for the conservation and management of subalpine vegetation.