• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1501-1511
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• 2015

As essential trace elements, copper and zinc play important roles in many physiological events in plants. In excess, however, these elements can limit plant growth. This study selected a heavy metal-tolerant plant by analyzing seed germination and biomass of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), canola (Brassica campestris subsp. napus var. nippo-oleifera), Chinese corn (Setaria italica), and a sorghum-sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor ${\times}$ S. sudanense), and determined heavy metal uptake capacity by analyzing biomass, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and heavy metal contents under high external copper or zinc levels. The seed germination rate and biomass of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid were higher under copper or zinc stress compared to the other three plants. The plant biomass and photosynthetic pigment contents of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid seedlings were less vulnerable under low levels of heavy metals (${\leq}50ppm$ copper or ${\leq}400ppm$ zinc). The maximum quantum yield of PSII ($F_v/F_m$) and the maximum primary yield of PSII ($F_v/F_o$) decreased with increasing copper or zinc levels. Under high copper levels, the decline in $F_v/F_m$ was caused only by the decline in $F_m$, and was accompanied by an increase in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The $F_v/F_m$ declined under high levels of zinc due to both a decrease in the maximum fluorescence ($F_m$) and an increase in the initial fluorescence ($F_o$), and this was accompanied by a marked decrease in photochemical quenching (qP), but not by an increase in NPQ. Accumulations of copper and zinc were found in both aboveand below-ground parts of plants, but were greater in the below-ground parts. The uptake capacity of the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid for copper and zinc reached 4459.1 mg/kg under 400 ppm copper and 9028.5 mg/kg under 1600 ppm zinc. Our results indicate that the sorghum-sudangrass hybrid contributes to the in situ phytoremediation of copper or zinc polluted soils due to its high biomass yield.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.170-176
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• 2008

Organic carbon distribution and carbon budget of a Quercus variabilis forest in the Youngha valley of Mt. Worak National Park were investigated. Carbon in above and below ground standing biomass, litter layer, and soil organic carbon were measured from 2005 through 2006. For the estimation of carbon budget, soil respiration was measured. The amount of carbon allocated to above- and below-ground biomass was 56.22 and 13.90 ton C ha$^{-1}$. Amount of organic carbon in annual litterfall was 2.33 ton C ha$^{-1}$ yr$^{-1}$. Amount of soil organic carbon within 50 cm soil depth was 119.14 ton C ha$^{-1}$ 50 cm-depth$^{-1}$. Total amount of organic carbon in this Q. variabilis forest was 193.96 ton C ha$^{-1}$. Of these, 61.43% of organic carbon was allocated in the soil. Net increase of organic carbon in above- and below-ground biomass in this Q. variabilis forest was estimated to 7.68 ton C ha$^{-1}$ yr$^{-1}$. The amount of carbon evolved through soil respiration was 6.21 ton C ha$^{-1}$ yr$^{-1}$. Net amount of 1.47 ton C ha$^{-1}$ yr$^{-1}$ was absorbed from the atmosphere by this Q. variabilis forest.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2010

Nutrient availability is a critical component of agroecosystems, and is relevant to both above- and below- ground interactions. The principal objective of this study was to determine how the cessation of fertilization affects the communities of weeds and soil organisms in a corn/wheat field. Changes in dominant weed species, substrate-induced respiration, and the population density of nematodes and microarthropods were evaluated. Microbial substrate-induced respiration (SIR) and the population density of microarthropods decreased following the cessation of fertilization and were partly correlated with the aboveground weed biomass. The cessation of organic fertilizer application but continuing application of inorganic fertilizer reduced the population density of nematodes. In response to the cessation of fertilization, weed communities were dominated by species with little dependency on fertilization. Amaranthus retroflexus was identified as the most dominant species in the corn field; however, it was replaced by Digitaria ciliaris after the cessation of fertilization. In the wheat field, the cessation of fertilization led to a rapid reduction in the biomass of most weeds, except for Vicia angustifolia, supposedly as the result of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Additionally, the fact that weed biomass was partially correlated with SIR or the population density of microarthropods may reflect a mutual feedback between soil organisms and weeds. The results indicate that the cessation of fertilization alters communities of weeds and soil organisms through changes in weed biomass and interactions with symbiotic microorganisms.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2020

This study was carried out in degraded and non-degraded community forests (CF) in the Terai region of Kanchanpur district, Nepal. A total of 63 concentric sample plots each of 500 ㎡ was laid in the inventory for estimating above and below-ground biomass of forests by using systematic random sampling with a sampling intensity of 0.5%. Mallotus philippinensis and Shorea robusta were the most dominant species in degraded and non-degraded CF accounting Importance Value Index (I.V.I) of 97.16 and 178.49, respectively. Above-ground tree biomass carbon in degraded and non-degraded community forests was 74.64±16.34 t ha^-1 and 163.12±20.23 t ha^-1, respectively. Soil carbon sequestration in degraded and non-degraded community forests was 42.55±3.10 t ha^-1 and 54.21±3.59 t ha^-1, respectively. Hence, the estimated total carbon stock was 152.68±22.95 t ha^-1 and 301.08±27.07 t ha^-1 in degraded and non-degraded community forests, respectively. It was found that the carbon sequestration in the non-degraded community forest was 1.97 times higher than in the degraded community forest. CO₂ equivalent in degraded and non-degraded community forests was 553 t ha^-1 and 1105 t ha^-1, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between degraded and non-degraded community forests in terms of its total biomass and carbon sequestration potential (p<0.05). Studies indicate that the community forest has huge potential and can reward economic benefits from carbon trading to benefit from the REDD⁺/CDM mechanism by promoting the sustainable conservation of community forests.

• 한국공간정보시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.359-362
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• 2007

Estimation of carbon in the natural forest regions is a pre-requisite for carbon management. In the light of increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere, the amount of carbon present in the plants and soils are very much needed to estimate the sequestered carbons stock of any region. Carbon stock estimation studies are limited in India, especially in the natural forest regions of Eastern ghats of Tamil Nadu. Remote sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) were used along with extensive field and laboratory works to estimate the carbon stock in the living biomass and soil. About five forest types were identified and mapped using satellite data. The total biomass carbon including above and below ground were 2.74 Tg and the total soil organic carbon was 3.48 Tg. This study has yielded significant information about the carbon stock in a natural forest region and it could be used for future comparative studies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.138-147
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• 2012

For biomass estimation of Phyllostachys pubescens stands by optimal survey method we established 9 bamboo sample plots in the research forests of KFRI (Korea Forest Research Institute). The dry weight of culm segment determined by relative heights of total bamboo height show us two groups of 1st to 5th culm segment (up to 0~55% culm of tree height from the bottom area) and 6th to 8th culm segment (55~100%) by the results of cluster analysis for dry weight ratio. This results show that upper and lower part of 55~70% reference height from the bottom area against total culm height can be used in obtaining 1 kg of a sample bamboo, respectively, rather than 2.0 m stem segments of other forest tree species. In above-ground biomass estimation by $W=aD+bD^2$ having the highest coefficient of determination in this study, above ground stand biomass was 57.77 ton/ha (culm 40.47 ton/ha, branch 9.29 ton/ha, and leaf 8.01 ton/ha) of which 70% was contributed by culm component followed by branch (16%) and leaf (14%). Below-ground biomass was 53.35 ton/ha in total.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2009

Organic carbon (OC) distribution in 32-year-old pitch pine plantation at Mt. Hotae in Kongju, Korea, was studied from August 2007 to July 2008. In order to investigate the OC distribution, OC in plant biomass, litterfall, litter layer on forest floor, and soil within 50cm depth were estimated. The density of P. rigida plantation was 3,200 trees/ha, average DBH was $18.7{\pm}5.53cm$ and average tree height was $11.1{\pm}1.85m$. Organic carbon stored in plant biomass, litterlayer on forest floor and soil in 2008 was 89.46 ton C/ha (46.09%), 4.32 ton C/ha (2.23%) and 100.32 ton C $ha^{-1}$ 50cm-$depth^{-1}$ (51.68%), respectively. Amount of OC returned to forest floor via litterfall was 2.21 ton C $ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$. Total amount of OC stored in this P. rigida plantation was 194.1 ton C/ha. Net increase of OC in above- and below-ground biomass in this pitch pine plantation was 4.82 ton C $ha^{-1}\;yr^{-1}$.

• Journal of Korea Foresty Energy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2006

Quercus mongolica is the most common hardwood species distributed in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the biomass and energy content of the belowground biomass of Q. mongolica and to obtain the regression equation for estimating root biomass using the tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH). A total of 18 sample trees ranging 20 to 60 year-old were selected in the study sites. Tree height, DBH, age, and weight of stemwood, sapwood, heartwood, stembark, branch, leaf, and root were measured for total biomass. The highly positive correlation was shown between the biomass of most of variables of aboveground components and root biomass. The regression equation of the aboveground total biomass was $log\;W_A\;=\;1.469\;+\;0.992\;log\;D^2H\;(R^2 =0.99)$. The regression equation of the belowground biomass was $log\;W_R\;=\;1.527\;+\;0.808\;log\;D^2H\;(R^2\;=\;0.97)$. The mean energy contents of sapwood, heartwood, bark, leaf, and root were 19,594 J/g DW, 19,571 J/g DW, 19,999 J/g DW, 20,664 J/g DW, and 19,273 J/g DW, respectively. The results obtained from this study can be used to estimate biomass and energy content of belowground using easily measurable variables such as DBH and tree height ranging from 20 to 60-year-old Q. mongolica stands.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-99
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• 2006

The growth and biomass of reeds(Phragmites australis) growing in a subsurface treatment wetland system were investigated from April 2003 to October 2003. Nitrogen(N) and phosphorous(P) concentrations in above-ground(AG) and below-ground(BG) tissues of reeds were examined and the removal rate of N and P by reeds were analyzed. The system, 29 m in length, 9 m in width and 0.65 m in depth, was constructed in June 2001 on a floodplain in the down reach of the Kwangju Stream in Korea in order to purify polluted water of the stream. A bottom layer of 45 cm in depth was filled with crushed granites(15~30 mm in diameter) and a middle layer of 10 cm in depth was filled with pea pebbles(10 mm in diameter). An upper layer of 5 cm contained course sand. Reeds were transplanted on the surface of the system, which were dug out of natural wetlands, and their shoots were trimmed 40 cm in height. The height and density of the shoots averaged 237.7 cm and 244.0 shoot/$m^2$, respectively, when the reeds grew fully. The maximum biomass of AG and BG tissues were 1,964 and 1,577 g/$m^2$, respectively, and the AG : BG ratio of biomass was 1.26. Mean AG and BG dry weights were recorded as 1,355 and 748 g/$m^2$, respectively. The AG and BG tissue concentrations of N averaged 12.37 and 10.01 mg/g, respectively, and those of P 2.37 and 2.03 mg/g, respectively. Inflow to the system averaged 40 $m^3$/day. The concentrations of total nitrogen(T-N) in influent and effluent were 8.4 mg/L and 3.2 mg/L, respectively, and those of total phosphorous(T-P) were 0.73 and 0.38 mg/L, respectively. The total removal of T-N and T-P by the system during the investigation period averaged 140.2 and 9.7 g/$m^2$, respectively, and the total uptake of N and P by the reeds were calculated as 24.39 and 4.73 g/$m^2$, respectively. Average removals of about 17% of N and about 49% of P by reeds were recorded. The N and P concentrations in AG tissues were significantly different among the three zones of the system:near to inflow(St1), in the middle of system(St2), and near to outflow(St3). The N and P concentrations in BG tissues were also significantly different among St1, St2 and St3. N and P concentrations in AG and BG tissues of reeds growing in St1 were higher than those in St2 and St3. The height and density of shoots of reeds in St1 were larger than those in St2 and St3. Significant amounts of N and P in the influent were taken up by reeds in St1.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.129-133
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• 2003

Water is critically important for Tricholoma matsutake(Tm) growth because it is the major component of the mushroom by over 90%. The mushroom absorbs water through the below ground hyphal colony. Therefore, the objectives of our study were to investigate spatio-temporal water changes in Tm colonies. This study was carried out at Tm fruiting sites in Sogni Mt National Park, where the below-ground mushroom colonies have been irrigated. To identify spatial water status within the Tm soil colony soil moisture and ergosterol content were measured at six positions including a mushroom fruiting position on the line of the colony radius. To investigate temporal soil moisture changes in the soil colony, Time Domain Reflectometry(TDR) sensors were established at the non-colony and colony front edge, and water data were recorded with CR10X data logger from late August to late October. Before irrigation, whereas it was 12.8% at non-colony, the soil water content within Tm colony was 8.0% at 0-5cm from the colony front edge, 6.2% at 10-15cm and 6.5-7.5% at 20-40cm. And the content was 12.1% at 80cm distance from the colony edge, which is similar to that at the non-colony. In contrast, ergosterol content which is proportional to the live hyphal biomass was only 0.4${\mu}g$/g fresh soil at the uncolonized soil, while 4.9 $\mu\textrm{g}$/g fresh soil at the front edge where the hyphae actively grow, and 3.8 ${\mu}g$/g fresh soil at the fruiting position, l.1${\mu}g$/g at 20cm distance and 0.4${\mu}g$/g in the 40cm rear area. Generally, in the Tm fungal colony the water content changes were reversed to the ergosterol content changes. While the site was watered during August to October, the soil water contents were 13.5∼23.0% within the fungal colony, whereas it was 14.5∼26.0% at the non-colony. That is, soil water content in the colony was lower by 1.0∼3.0% than that in the non-colonized soil. Our results show that Tm colony consumes more soil water than other parts. Especially the front 30cm within the hyphal colony parts is more critical for soil water absorption.