• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.150-158
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• 2019

Exotic conifer trees have been extensively planted in southern China because of their high apparent growth and yield. These fast-growing plantations are expected to persist as a considerable potential for temporary and long-term carbon sink to offset greenhouse gas emissions. However, information on the carbon storage across different age ranges in exotic pine plantations is often lacking. We first estimated the ecosystem carbon storage across different age ranges of exotic pine plantations in China by quantifying above- and below-ground ecosystem carbon pools. The carbon storage of each tree component of exotic pine (Pinus elliottii) increased significantly with increasing age in Duchang and Yiyang areas. The stem carbon storage except <10 years in Ji'an areas was the largest component among all other components, which accounts for about 50% of the total carbon storage followed by roots (~28%), branches (~18%), and foliage (~9%). The mean total tree carbon storage of slash pine plantations for <10, 10-20 and 20-30 years across three study areas was 3.69, 13.91 and $20.57Mg\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. The carbon stocks in understory and forest floor were age-independent. Total tree and soil were two dominant carbon pools in slash pine plantations at all age sequences. The carbon contribution of aboveground ecosystem increased with increasing age, while that of belowground ecosystem declined. The mean total ecosystem carbon storage of slash pine plantations for <10, 10-20 and 20-30 years across China was 30.26, 98.66 and $98.89Mg\;ha^{-1}$, respectively. Although subtropical climate in China was suitable for slash pine growth, the mean total carbon stocks in slash pine plantations at all age sequences from China were lower than that values reported in American slash pine plantations.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.347-354
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• 2022

Since the era of the 4th industrial revolution has been ripe, the use of artificial intelligence(AI) based on massive data is beginning to be actively applied in various fields. However, as the process of analyzing forest species is carried out manually, many errors are occurring. Therefore, in this paper, about 60,000 pieces of AI learning data were automatically analyzed for pine, larch, conifer, and broadleaf trees of aerial photographs and pseudo images in the metropolitan area, and an AI model was developed to distinguish tree species. Through this, it is expected to increase in work efficiency by using the tree species division image as basic data when producing forest change detection and forest field topics.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.254-257
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• 2022

Wolfiporia cocos is a wood-decay brown rot fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae. While the fungus grows, the sclerotium body of the strain, dubbed Bokryeong in Korean, is formed around the roots of conifer trees. The dried sclerotium has been widely used as a key component of many medicinal recipes in East Asia. Wolfiporia cocos strain KMCC03342 is the reference strain registered and maintained by the Korea Seed and Variety Service for commercial uses. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence of W. cocos KMCC03342 using a hybrid assembly technique combining both short- and long-read sequences. The genome has a total length of 55.5 Mb comprised of 343 contigs with N50 of 332 kb and 95.8% BUSCO completeness. The GC ratio was 52.2%. We predicted 14,296 protein-coding gene models based on ab initio gene prediction and evidence-based annotation procedure using RNAseq data. The annotated genome was predicted to have 19 terpene biosynthesis gene clusters, which was the same number as the previously sequenced W. cocos strain MD-104 genome but higher than Chinese W. cocos strains. The genome sequence and the predicted gene clusters allow us to study biosynthetic pathways for the active ingredients of W. cocos.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.196-206
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• 2020

Background: The Himalayan forests are of great importance to sustain the nature and community resource demands. These forests are facing pressures both from anthropogenic activities and ongoing global climatic changes. Poor natural regeneration has been considered a major problem in mountainous forests. To understand the population structure and regeneration status of Larix (Larix griffithiana and Larix himalaica), we conducted systematic vegetation surveys in three high-altitude valleys namely Ghunsa (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, KCA), Langtang (Langtang National Park, LNP), and Tsum (Manaslu Conservation Area, MCA) in Nepal Himalaya. The average values of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and sapling height were compared for three sites and two species using Kruskal-Wallis test. Population structure was assessed in terms of proportion of seedlings, saplings, and trees. Regeneration was analyzed using graphical representation of frequencies of seedlings, saplings, and trees in histograms. Results: The results showed that the population structure of Larix in terms of the proportion of seedling, sapling, and tree varied greatly in the three study areas. KCA had the highest record of seedling, sapling, and tree compared to other two sites. Seedlings were the least among three forms and many plots were without seedlings. We found no seedling in MCA study plots. The plot level average DBH variation among sites was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 7.813, df = 2, p = 0.02) as was between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 5.9829, df = 1, p = 0.014). Similarly, the variation in average tree height was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 134.23, df = 2, p < 0.001) among sites as well as between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 128.01, df = 1, p < 0.001). All the sites showed reverse J-shaped curve but more pronounced for KCA and MCA. In comparing the two species, Larix griffithiana has clear reverse J-shaped diameter distribution but not Larix himalaica. Conclusion: The varied responses of Larix manifested through regeneration status from spatially distinct areas show that regeneration limitations might be more pronounced in the future. In all the three studied valleys, regeneration of Larix is found to be problematic and specifically for Larix griffithiana in MCA and Larix himalaica in LNP. To address the issues of disturbances, especially serious in LNP, management interventions are recommended to sustain the unique Himalayan endemic conifer.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.661-670
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• 2017

50-year tree-ring ${\delta}^{18}O$ chronologies (1966~2015) for principle conifer tree species (Taxus cuspidata, Pinus koraiensis, Abies koreana) and Quercus mongolica at subalpine zone in Mt. Jiri were established. The establishing of tree-ring ${\delta}^{18}O$ chronologies for each tree species were fulfilled using four trees, which showed the good result in cross-dating. In the comparisons between tree-ring ${\delta}^{18}O$ chronologies within the same tree species all tree species showed reliable results statistically (p < 0.001), and they also showed EPS higher than 0.85. In addition to, the reliable correlations (p < 0.001) were verified between tree-ring ${\delta}^{18}O$ chronologies of four tree species, as well. In the response function analysis in order to investigate the relationships between tree-ring ${\delta}^{18}O$ chronologies and corresponding climatic factors, i.e., monthly precipitation and mean temperature, T. cuspidata showed a negative correlation with May precipitation (p < 0.05) and A. koreana showed a negative correlation with April precipitation (p < 0.05). If long tree-ring ${\delta}^{18}O$ chronologies of T. cuspidata and A. koreana will be established, it will be possible to reconstruct April and May precipitation in the past when we have no the meteorological data.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.302-306
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• 2016

There are various methods to evaluate tree vigor. Cambial electrical resistance represents tree vigor using the method of electrophysiological diagnosis. This study investigated the vigor of several tree species using Shigometer, and compared the differences among the species. The factors, such as foliation, trunk orientation and bark temperature, which affect electrical resistance were also investigated. The needle penetration into cambium was controlled to keep the depth consistent in order to minimize measurement error. Each of three trees were selected from Zelkova serrata, Ginkgo biloba, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Pinus koraiensis, and Liriodendron tulipifera. The electrical resistances were measured at 60 and 120 cm height of the stem in 4 directions from March until May 2011. The soil conditions in surrounding areas and tree stress responses were also measured. The results were analyzed for the relationship between electrical resistance and the affecting factors. The electrical resistance showed a relatively higher level before foliation until mid-March. The values started to decline from April and recorded a minimal level on May 11. The changes of soil moisture, soil electric conductivity, and tree stress responses during the measurement period showed a similar trend to that of electrical resistance. The Pinus koraiensis, an evergreen conifer, showed few changes on the electrical resistance values during the measurement period. Zelkova serrata, Ginkgo biloba, and Metasequoia glyptostroboides showed the highest bark temperatures and lowest electrical resistances at their south-facing stem. Shigometer can provide measures simple to assess tree vigor in the fields, and to the management of trees.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.79 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1990

The purpose of this study is to investigate the developmental process of plant community during the secondary succession through the analysis of floristic composition, life form etcectra in burned site, and the structure of forest stand before forest fire occurrence was estimated by the method of anatomical wood identification for dead trees in burned site, Cheisuk-bong in Mt. Chiri of Korea. Plant community before forest fire occurrence was estimated the high mountain conifer stand of the last successional stage to consist of Pinus koraiensis(75%), Abies koreana(15%) and Picea jezoensis(10%), and Betula costata was survived only one species after forest fire occurrence. The total number of plant species in the investigated area was 19 families and 23 species that was identified. The dominate species in burned site were Festuca ovina and Arrhenatherum elatius, Carex humilis, Ligularia fischeri etcectra in the investigated area flora. The life form of plant in burned site was the erect from 47.8%, the tufted from 30.4%, the branched and the prostrate from was both 8.7%, It was assumed that dominant species in the burned sites were Gramineae (Festuca ovina, Arrhenatherum elatius), Carex humilis ${\rightarrow}$Sorbus commixta, Rhododendron schrippenbachii, Sambucus williamsii var. coreana, Tripterygium regelii ${\rightarrow}$Acer pseudo-sieboldianum var. koreanum, Betula costata, Quercus mongolica${\rightarrow}$Pinaceae forest(Pinus koraiensis, Abies koreana, Picea jezoznsis).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.442-452
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• 2009

Smoking has been known to exacerbate the initiation and propagation of oxidative stresses. Efforts have been made to reduce the smoking-induced oxidative stresses using commercial dietary supplements. Propolis is the resinous substance collected by bees from the leaf buds and bark of trees, especially poplar and conifer trees. In this trial, we examined whether a daily supplementation of 800 mg propolis can protect endogenous lymphocytic DNA damage and modulate antioxidative enzyme activities and the level of antioxidant vitamin in smokers using a placebo-controlled, doubleblinded cross-over trial. After two weeks of running-in period, 29 smokers (mean age 34.38 ${\pm}$ 1.73) received 6 tablets/day of either propolis or placebo pills for 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout period the subjects switched they pills for cross-over study. The degree of DNA damage (assessed by tail DNA, tail length and tail moment) was not significantly changed with propolis intake or placebo intake. Similarly, total antioxidant status (TAS) remained at the same level regardless of the treatment. Erythrocyte catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma vitamin C and tocopherol level did not differ before and after propolis treatment, and did not differ between treatments. Putting all these results together, we would suggest that it is still too early to claim that propolis possess antioxidative activities.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2009

From 2006 to 2008, natural habitat of Sparassis crispa were surveyed for investigating ecological conditions at sixteen different sites in Korea. The investigated sites showed very wide altitudinal distribution ranged from 240 meters to 1,100 meters above the sea level. In general, S. crispa showed distinct feature of heart-rot fungi as it occurs on soils around the stems of larch (Larix kaempferi) and Korean white pine (Pinus koraiensis). But it also could be found on stems or on the stumps of dead trees, which indicated that the fungus might have several invasion routes and capabilities to grow on various ecological conditions. All of the sixteen sites were pure stands consisted with conifers such as larch or Korean white pine. The dominant tree layer showed $15.3{\sim}38.0$ meters for tree heights, thicker than twenty centimeters for the diameter at breast height (DBH), and all of them were older than thirty years. Since the stands were pure stand, species diversity of trees in the sites was extremely low. While the dominant tree layer showed only pure coniferous stand, the co-dominant tree layer, shrub layer and herbaceous layer showed more diverse features with higher Shannon-Wiener (H') indices. Soil texture of thirteen sites among sixteen investigated sites were loamy soils, and the contents of organic matter in soil were more or less higher than general forest soils in Korea with $3.79{\sim}14.32%$. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) was also relatively higher than general forest soils with $16.1{\sim}27.2$ cmol+/kg. The data indicated that the cauliflower mushroom occurring sites were relatively fertile than general forest soils. The soils were acidic with pH ranged from 4.2 to 5.2, which were typical features for conifer stands in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.422-439
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• 2019

The rear edge population is considered to have low genetic diversity and high risk of extinction according to a highly isolated distribution. However, the rear edge population is observed to have persisted for an extended period despite the low genetic diversity. As such, it is necessary to understand the ecological process involved in the persistence of the population. Viola mirabilis L. in Korea is considered the rear edge population from the perspective of the worldwide distribution. We surveyed the distribution range of V. mirabilis, which shows the isolated distribution in the central area of Korea, to find out the factors of its persistence. Next, we investigated and accessed the vegetational pattern of habitats, soil environment, phenology, self-compatibility, population structure, and extinction risk factors observed in the distribution area. V. mirabilis was distributed in the understory of the deciduous forest, planted forest of the deciduous conifer and deciduous broad-leaved trees, shrubland, and grassland in the limestone area. We also observed the re-establishment of seedlings in the population, and most of them showed a stable population structure. For chasmogamous flowers, the visit by pollinators has a significantly positive relationship with the production of fruits. However, we found that the production of the cleistogamous flowers was more numerous in all studied populations and that only the cleistogamous flowers were produced despite a more substantial plant size in some populations. The plant size was more related to the production of the cleistogamous flowers than that of the chasmogamous flowers. Accordingly, the cleistogamous flowers significantly contributed to seedling recruitment in the population. We found that the production of the chasmogamous flowers and the cleistogamous flowers did not have a correlation with the factors of the soil analysis except for phosphoric acid. V. mirabilis showed the self-incompatibility characteristics most likely due to the production capability of the cleistogamous flowers. Potential extinction risk factors observed in the distribution area was included the development of limestone mine, the expansion of agricultural fields, and the construction of houses. Although V. mirabilis showed an isolated distribution in the limestone area in the Korean peninsula, it showed a diverse distribution in a wide habitat environment ranging from the grassland to the understory of the trees with relatively low canopy closure rate. Moreover, we concluded that the persistence of the population was possible if we can maintain the current state of multiple populations and stable population structure.