• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2018

Quantitative information on biomass and available nutrients are essential for developing sustainable forest management strategies to regulate atmospheric carbon. An attempt was made at Chilapatta Reserve Forest in Duars region of West Bengal to quantify its above and below ground carbon along with available "N", "P" and "K" in the soil. Stratified random nested quadrats were marked for soil, biomass and litter sampling. Indirect or non-destructive procedures were employed for biomass estimation. The amount of these available nutrients and organic carbon quantified in soil indicates that the forest soil is high in organic carbon and available "K" and medium in phosphorus and nitrogen. The biomass, soil carbon and total carbon (soil C＋C in plant biomass) in the forest was 1,995.98, 75.83 and $973.65Mg\;ha^{-1}$. More than 90% of the carbon accumulated in the forest was contributed by the trees. The annual litter production of the forest was $5.37Mg\;ha^{-1}$. Carbon accumulation is intricately linked with site quality factors. The estimated biomass of $1,995.98Mg{\cdot}ha^{-1}$ clearly indicates this. The site quality factor i.e. tropical moist deciduous with optimum availability of soil nutrients, heavy precipitation, high mean monthly relative humidity and optimum temperature range supported luxuriant growth which was realized as higher biomass accumulation and hence higher carbon accumulated.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2017

In this study, it was intended to compare the two methodologies for forest management project through extension of rotation age: Korean Forest Carbon Offset Standard (KFOS) and Verified Carbon Standard (VCS). The amount of carbon removals and offset credits based on the two methodologies and their trends were analyzed in this study. The major difference between two methodologies were found at the process of estimation of baseline carbon removals. For instance, average carbon stock during the project period was used for estimation of baseline carbon removals in KFOS, while average carbon stock change during the 100 years was used in VCS. Due to the different approach for estimation of baseline carbon removal, the estimated offset credits were also different according to the two methodologies. In this study, 15 project scenarios were considered for comparison of two methodologies : 5 major coniferous stands in Korea (Pinus densiflora in Gangwon region, Pinus densiflora in Central region, Pinus koraiensis, Larix leptolepis, Chamaecyparis obtusa) with 3 project periods (30, 35, 40 years). The results showed that estimated carbon offset credits based on the KFOS methodology were higher for all 15 scenarios compared to those based on the VCS methodology. The KFOS showed a steep decline in the annual offset credit as project period gets longer, thus it is not desirable for projects with longer period. VCS is more acceptable for longer projects with a small difference according to the project periods. The results also indicated that Pinus densiflora in Gangwon, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix leptolepis are more desirable species for forest management project through the extension of ration age.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.5
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• pp.673-681
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• 2010

This study examined the biomass data estimated from different allometric models and calculated the mean aboveground biomass, mean belowground biomass and root/shoot ratio values according to the forest types and age classes. These mean values and the forest inventories in 2009 were used to estimate the aboveground and total biomass carbon storage in different forest types (coniferous, deciduous and mixed forests). The aboveground and total biomass carbon storage for all forest types in Korea were 350.201 Tg C and 436.724 Tg C. Over the past 36 years, plantations by reforestation programs have accounted for more than 70% of the observed carbon storage. The carbon storage in Korean forest biomass was 436.724 Tg C, of which 175.154 Tg C for coniferous forests, 126.772 Tg C for deciduous forests and 134.518 Tg C for mixed forests, comprising approximately 1/20 of the total carbon storage of the East Asian countries. The total carbon storage for the whole forest sector in Korea was 1213.122 Tg C, of which 436.724 Tg C is stored in forest biomass if using the ratio of carbon storage in different pools examined from the United States. Such large carbon storage in Korean forests is due mainly to active plantations growth and management practices.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.472-480
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• 2018

This study was conducted to estimate carbon storage in Quercus mongolica stands based on stand age class, and to provide basic data on the carbon balance of broad-leaved forests of Korea. The research was conducted at the experimental forest of Kangwon National University, Hongcheon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, Korea. Three plots were set up in each of three Q. mongolica forest stands (III, V, and VII) to estimate the amount of carbon stored in Q. mongolica aboveground vegetation, coarse woody debris (CWD), organic layer, mineral soil, and litterfall. The carbon storage of the aboveground vegetation increased with an increase in stand age, while the carbon storage ratio of stems decreased. The carbon storage of the organic layer, CWD, and litterfall did not show any significant differences among age classes. In addition, the carbon concentration and storage in the forest soils decreased with depth, and there were no differences among age classes for any soil horizon. Finally, the total carbon storage in the III, V, and VII stands of Q. mongolica were 132.2, 241.1, and $374.4Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. In order to predict and effectively manage forest carbon dynamics in Korea, further study on deciduous forests with other tree species in different regions will be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.33-46
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• 2023

In this study, carbon storage in the aboveground biomass, litter layer, and soil layer was calculated for abandoned mining restoration areas to determine the level of carbon storage after the restoration project through comparison with the ecological reference. Five survey sites were selected for each abandoned mining restoration area in Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do, and the ecological reference that can be a goal and model for the restoration project. The carbon storage in the restoration area was 0~21.3Mg C ha^-1, the deciduous layer 3.3~6.0Mg C ha^-1, and the soil layer(0-30cm) 8.3~35.1Mg C ha^-1, showing a significant difference in carbon storage by target site. The total carbon storage was between 6.1 and 35.3% of the ecological reference, with restoration area ranging from 14.0 to 62.4 Mg C ha^-1. The total carbon storage in the restoration area and the ecological reference differed the most in the aboveground biomass and was less than 12%. Based on these results, forest restoration area need to improve the carbon storage of forests through continuous management and monitoring so trees can grow and restore productivity in the early stages of the restoration project. The results of this study can be used as primary data for preparing future forest restoration indicators by identifying the storage of abandoned mining restoration areas.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 2017

This study was conducted to estimate litter carbon stock change from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) data for national greenhouse gas inventory report. Litter carbon stocks were calculated from the NFI dataset in NFI5 (2008) and NFI6 (2013) in Gangwon province. Total carbon stock change of litter was $0.68{\pm}0.71\;t\;C/ha$ from NFI5 (2008) to NFI6 (2013), however, there was no significant difference between the both dataset at 2008 and 2013 year. Litter carbon stock of coniferous stands was higher than deciduous stands in NFI5 (2008) and NFI6 (2013) (P<0.05). This study was limited to pilot study, so we will assess litter carbon stock using more complete data from NFI systems. It can be used as data sources for national greenhouse gas inventory report on forest sector.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.96 no.5
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• pp.602-608
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• 2007

Forest plantations become important strategy not merely for the financial aspect, but for carbon sequestration and ecosystem stability. Forest plantations increase the density of the forest biomass, which reduce the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Biomass density is also a useful variable for comparing structural and functional attributes of forest ecosystems across a wide range of environmental conditions. In this study, carbon sequestration of teak (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) in the individual tree and plantation levels estimation was carried out Site-specific allometric equation for the estimation of teak tree biomass was developed based on the direct measurement of fifteen (15) harvested trees in the Oak-twin Township of the Bago Yoma Region, Myanmar. A regression equation of the diameter at breast height (DBH) and the aboveground biomass (carbon content) was constructed to estimate the carbon storage level of plantations, which averaged 79 ton/ha. The average carbon accumulation in the soil (up to 30 cm in depth) was estimated 38.89 ton/ha, The highest mean annual increment (MAI) of total carbon was found in the 6-yr-old teak plantation (12.10 ton/ha/yr) whereas the lowest MAI was in the 26-yr-old teak plantation (4.31 ton/ha/yr).

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2016

This study was intended to analyze the average abatement cost (AAC) of forest carbon offset projects to suggest a basic credit price for government purchase of forest carbon credits. For this purpose, an a/reforestation project and a forest management project were designed with 30 years of project period. It is assumed to plant pine trees (Pinus densiflora) for the a/reforestation project, while it is assumed to replace rigida pine trees(Pinus rigida) with oak trees (Quercus acutissima) for the forest management project. For each project, the forest carbon stock was calculated and the revenue and the cost were analyzed with standardized management activities. Korea Forest Service has supported private forest owners the cost of management activities and the consulting fee for designing carbon offset project. Therefore, the AAC were analyzed for two cases : the one with subsidy for consulting fee (case 1) and the other with subsidy for both consulting fee and management costs (case 2). In addition, the sensitiveness of AAC was analyzed according to the 4 credit prices : ￦5,000, ￦10,000, ￦15,000 and ￦20,000. The result showed that the AAC analyzed for the case 1 was so high that net revenue would not be expected from all project types with any credit price. However the AAC analyzed for the case 2 was relatively lower than the AAC of case 1. Net revenue was expected from a/reforestation project with credit price over ￦10,000, while from forest management project with credit price over ￦15,000. Based on the AAC analyzed in this study, ￦15,000 was suggested as the basic price for government purchase of forest carbon credit.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2018

This study was carried out to quantify degree of contribution of harvested wood product (HWP) on mitigation of climate change by valuation of public benefits, environmentally and economically. The potential carbon dioxide emission reduction of HWP was estimated by accounting carbon storage effect and substitution effect. Based on 2014 statistics of Korea Forest Service, domestic HWPs were sorted by two categories, such as wood products produced domestically from domestic and imported roundwood. The wood products were divided into seven items; sawnwood, plywood, particle board, fiberboard (MDF), paper (including pulp), biomass (wood pellet) and other products. The carbon stock of wood products and substitution effects during manufacturing process was evaluated by items. Based on the relevant carbon emission factor and life cycle analysis, the amount of carbon dioxide emission per unit volume on HWP was quantified. The amounts of carbon stock of HWP produced from domestic and from imported roundwood were 3.8 million $tCO_{2eq}$., and 2.6 million $tCO_{2eq}$., respectively. Also, each reduction of carbon emission by substitution effect of HWP produced from domestic and imported roundwood was 3.1 million $tCO_{2eq}$. and 2.1 million $tCO_{2eq}$., respectively. The results of this study, the amount of carbon emission reduction of HWP, can be effectively used as a basic data for promotion of wood utilization to revise and establish new wood utilization promotion policy such as 'forest carbon offset scheme', and 'carbon storage labeling system of HWP'.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.165-176
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• 2022

To raise awareness of carbon reduction in climate change, the Korea Forest Service has developed and adopted a forest carbon offset program, which aims to reduce carbon levels based on forest management. However, to maintain the forest carbon offset program, challenges such as the lack of a forest monitoring system to manage and maintain the program, must be faced. In this context, we investigated the limitations of conducting forest carbon offset programs using a number of interview techniques, including in-depth interview and questionnaire survey methods. The questionnaire surveys were developed based on the results of a literature review along with a preinterview and in-depth survey of the people in charge of the forest carbon offset program. The Irving Seidman technique was adopted for the in-depth interviews. Additionally, descriptive and frequency analyses were conducted to identify the characteristics of perception. Lastly, logistic regression was used to identify the limiting factors that affect the willingness to perform forest carbon offset monitoring activity. Results showed that the project managers or people in charge of the forest carbon offset program lacked expertise in forest carbon offset programs, which negatively affected their willingness to perform monitoring activity. Additionally, the study revealed a number of limiting factors that hindered the monitoring of forest carbon offset projects. Improving understanding using the approaches presented in this study may contribute to increasing the benefits associated with the forest carbon offset program in South Korea.