• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.40-53
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• 2021

The level of soil organic carbon (SOC) fluctuates in different types of forest stands: this variation can be attributed to differences in tree species, and the variables associated with soil, climate, and topographical features. The present review evaluates the level of SOC in different types of forest stands to determine the factors responsible for the observed variation. Mixed stands have the highest amount of SOC, while coniferous (both deciduous-coniferous and evergreen-coniferous) stands have greater SOC concentrations than deciduous (broadleaved) and evergreen (broadleaved) tree stands. There was a significant negative correlation between SOC and mean annual temperature (MAT) and sand composition, in all types of forest stands. In contrast, the silt fraction has a positive correlation with SOC, in all types of tree stands. Variation in SOC under different types of forest stands in different landscapes can be due to differences in MAT, and the sand and silt fraction of soil apart from the type of forests.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2000

When interpreting change over time in forest ecosystems, distinguishing the effects of forest succession from the effects of environmental stress can be difficult. The result may be a simplistic interpretation. citing a specific successional or environmental cause of forest change when both types may be occurring. We present two case studies of changes in the forest floor in northern hardwoods. First, the belief that 50% of soil organic matter is lost in the first 20 years after logging was based on a study comparing northern hardwood stands of different ages. We resampled a series of 13 such stands after an interval of 15 years, and found that the young stands were not, in fact. losing organic matter as rapidly as predicted from the original chronosequence study. The pattern of higher organic matter content in the forest floors of older stands compared to young stands could be equally well explained by changes in logging practices over the last century as by the aging of the stand. The observed pattern of forest floor organic matter as a function of stand age was previously interpreted as a successional pattern, ignoring changes in treatment history. In the second case study, observed losses of base cations from the forest floor were attributed to cation depletion caused by acid rain and declining calcium deposition. We found that young stands were gaining base cations in the forest floor; losses of base cations were restricted to older stands. Differences in litter chemistry in stands of different ages may explain some of the pattern in cation gains and losses. In this case, the contribution of successional processes to cation loss had been overlooked in favor of environmental stress as the dominant mechanism behind the observed changes. Studies of environmental stress use repeated measures over time. but often don't consider stand age as a factor. Studies of successional change often assume that environmental factors remain constant. We were able to consider both forest succession and external factors because we repeatedly sampled stands of different ages.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.4
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• pp.530-537
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• 2022

This study was conducted to compare the physical and chemical properties of soils in Quercus acutissima, Q. mongolica, Q. serrata, and Q. variabilis stands. A total of 423 plots (Q. acutissima 72 plots, Q. mongolica 150 plots, Q. serrata 97 plots, and Q. variabilis: 104 plots) were examined to determine the soil properties of A and B horizons throughout the country. The physical and chemical properties of soils were significantly different among the four different Quercus spp. stands. The sand content in both horizons was significantly higher in Q. acutissima stands than in the other three oak stands, whereas the clay content was lowest among the four stands. The soils in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands were more acidified than those in Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis stands. The concentrations of organic carbon and total nitrogen in both soil depths were significantly higher in Q. mongolica stands than in Q. serrata, Q. variabilis, and Q. acutissima stands. The content of available phosphorus was significantly higher in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands than in Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis stands; whereas the contents of exchangeable potassium, calcium, and magnesium were lower in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands than in Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis stands. The cation exchange capacity was highest in Q. mongolica stands, followed by that in Q. serrata, Q. variabilis, and Q. acutissima stands. These data indicate the need to design a nutrient management plan to enhance the low soil pH and exchangeable cation in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata stands.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.237-247
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• 2009

This study was conducted to determine the carbon (C) contents in different mixed stands of P. dens if/ora and deciduous oak species in Gwangneung, central Korea. Five mixed stands with different ratios of P. densiflora and deciduous oak species were chosen based on the basal area of all trees ${\geq}\;5cm$ DBH: pure P. densiflora (P100D0), 70% P. densiflora + 30% deciduous oak species (P70D30), 44% P. densiflora + 56% deciduous oak species (P50D50), 37% P. densiflora + 63% deciduous oak species (P40D60), and 10% P. densiflora + 90% deciduous oak species (P10D90). Total C contents in the overstory (aboveground and belowground) vegetation were higher in the mixed stands (P70D30, P50D50, P40D60) than in the pure stands (P100D0, P10D90). Moreover, except for P40D60, C contents of forest floor (litter and coarse woody debris) were larger in the mixed stands (P70D30, P50D50) than in the pure stands. However, total soil C contents up to 30cm depth were highest in the pure deciduous oak stand than in the pure P. densiflora stand and mixed stands. Total ecosystem C contents (Mg/ha) were 163.3 for P100D0, 152.3 for P70D30, 188.8 for P50D50, 160.2 for P40D60, and 150.4 for P10D90, respectively. These differences in total ecosystem C contents among the different mixed stands for P. densiflora and deciduous oak species within the study stands were attributed by the differences in vegetation development and forest management practices. Among the five study stands, the total ecosystem C contents were maximized in the 1:1 mixed ratio of P. densiflora and deciduous oak species (P50D50).

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 2022

This study was conducted to examine litter inputs and litter decomposition rates following thinning, which is among the most important forest management activities that enhance the beneficial functions in Korean forests. Litter inputs and litter decomposition rates following a 2-year elapse from thinning in Pinus densiflora and following a 7-year elapse from thinning in Quercus variabilis stands were measured for 2 years from 16 sites in three regions (Sancheong-gun, Uiryeong-gun, and Jinju-si) in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Annual needle litter inputs in P. densiflora stands were significantly decreased following thinning, whereas annual broadleaved leaf litter inputs in Q. variabilis stands were not significantly different between thinned and unthinned treatments. The annual mean total litter inputs in both tree species were significantly lower in the thinned (P. densiflora: 3,653 kg ha^-1 year^-1; Q. variabilis: 4,963 kg ha^-1 year^-1) compared to the unthinned stands (P. densiflora: 5,138 kg ha^-1 year^-1; Q. variabilis: 5,997 kg ha^-1 year^-1) during the study period. The mass loss rates from decomposing needle litter in P. densiflora stands were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the thinned stands than in the unthinned stands for two sampling dates of the eight included in the study, whereas the decomposition rates from decomposing leaf litter in Q. variabilis stands were not affected by thinning. The results indicate that thinning effects on total litter inputs remained clear following a 2-year elapse from thinning in P. densiflora stands and following a 7-year elapse from thinning in Q. variabilis stands.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 1970

Pinus densiflora stands are common secondary forest communities on infertile soils in Korea. The stands are results of long severe past biotic pressure such as cutting, burning and grazing. These could be regarded as biotic climax in Korea. Because of their prevalent occurrence, relatively simple species and age composition, and their domestic economic importance, study of their distributional patterns may give some basic knowledge for better utilization of land resources in Korea. To detect distributional patterns and interspecific associations ten pine stands, each of which was homogenious with respect to topography and physiognomy, were subjectively selected from pine stands in Kyunggi Province near Seoul in 1969 and were made object of this study. Four contiguous systematic samples of count for trees, shrubs and seedlings from belt transects were collected from homogeneous areas within ten natural pine stands. The belt transect was 64m or 128m in length, and 1m, 2m or 4m in width. Basic units within the transect ranged from 64 to 256. The data from the contiguous transects were analysed in terms of multiple split-plot experiment. Departure from randomness of stem distribution, i.e., pattern, was tested in terms of variance mean ratio. For the detection of association between species, correlation coefficient was calculated for different block sizes. The values of ${\gamma}$ were tested by the usual t-test. Fine trees within one of the stands showed significant regular distribution through out the blocks. Within other eight stands pines were randomly distributed at basic unit with 4$\times$4m, 2$\times$2m, 2$\times$1m and 1$\times$1m. One significantly clumped distribution at basic unit 2$\times$2m, however, was observed from one of the pine stands. These randomly distributed groups were themselves significantly regularly distributed throughout the blocks for four pine stands. For the other four pine stands, in addition to the random distribution at the basie unit(the primary random group), randomly distributed groups with 32m dimension(the secondary random groups) were also observed. Both the primary and the secondary random groups were significantly regularly distributed at the rest of blocks. Pine seedlings were not distributed randomly thoughout the blocks. Within three of the ten stands they were contagiously distributed. Important shrub species underneath pines such as Querus serrata, Q. acutissima, Leapedeza intermedia, Rhododendron Yedoense var. poukhanenae, Juniperus utilis, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum shnwed consistently similar distributional pattern with the pine at each stand. The shrub species pairs; Rhododendron Yedoense var. poukhanenae/Quercus serrata, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum/Lespedeza intermedia were significantly negatively associated from 1m to 4m dimensional block sizes but became significantly positively associated from 8m sized blocks on. On the other hand the shrub species pairs; Lespedeza intermedia/Robinia Pseudoacacia, and Lespedeza bicolor var, japonica/Lespedeza intermedia were also significnalty negatively associated from 1m to 8m sized blocks but became significantly positively associated from 16m sized blocks on. The associational pattern between Rhododendron mucronul tun var. poukhanenae and Lespedeza intermedia was not consistent throughout the stands. In some stands negative associations were observed throughout the blocks except NS 32. From these observatons micro-edaphic variation within the pine stands seems not to be great enough to cause distributinal difference of pine trees within the ten pine stands. Among each species and pine seedings, however, the edaphic variation within the pine stands may be great enought to cause distributional variation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.85 no.4
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• pp.656-666
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• 1996

Aspen demand has increased recently in the Great Lakes region in the United States. Since aspen has moved into the region in late 1800's, its growing stock has increased so as to change forestry industry of the Lake States. Intensive timber harvesting and biomass removal may cause nutrient depletion, especially on nutrient-poor sites. Forest nutrients and nutrient cycling were investigated in aspen stands of 7-10, 27-33, and 41-42 year-old growing on sandy soils in Minnesota. Nutrients added to the aspen stands by atmospheric deposition and soil weathering were efficiently absorbed and stored in the tree biomass. Aboveground biomass increased from $24.4t{\cdot}ha^{-1}$ at young stands to $139.2t{\cdot}ha^{-1}$ at mature stands. Nutrients accumulated in the tree biomass showed same magnitude of difference. Nutrients added to the site through atmospheric deposition were in the order of Ca, N, K, Mg, and P. Annual litterfall was greater in older stands. However, the amount of nutrients returned by litterfall was not significantly different among stand ages due to the greater nutrient contents in the litterfall of young stands. Litter decomposition and nutrient release rates were greater at young stands than at older stands. Likewise, nutrient availability was higher in young aspen stands and became lower as the stands grew older. Nutrient leaching loss was minimal at all stand ages. Soil N mineralization was greater at young stands than at older stands. Nutrient cycling process was facilitated in young aspen stands with an increased level of available nutrients, Based on the estimations of nutrient balance and nutrient removal by harvesting, Ca was the most critical element which was likely to be depleted if aspen stands are intensively harvested with short rotations.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.95 no.1
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• pp.102-112
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• 2006

The change of species composition and stand structure along altitudinal gradients in different aged stands was studied in five natural stands located each at 400 m, 800 m, 1,000 m, and two at 1,300 m above sea level (asl) in the western part of Mt. Chiri in Korea. Trees larger than 2.5 cm DBH were inventoried in 3 to 8 $20m{\times}20m$ quadrats in each study site. Stand ages were estimated based on the ages of Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc. and Abies koreana Wilson, and used to analyze the changes in species composition and stand structure including diameter and height distributions. Species composition was changed along altitudinal gradients as P. densiflora dominated stands at 400 m asl while A. koreana dominated stands at 1,300 m asl. Major species of Quercus also changed along altitudinal gradients as Quercus variabilis Blume at 400 m asl, Quercus serrata Thunb. ex Murray at 800 m asl, and Quercus mongolica Fisch. ex Ledeb. at higher than 1,000 m asl. The diameter distribution did not show significant differences among stands of different altitudes. However, the height distributions of upper crown layers were significantly different among stands at below and above 1,000 m as) (P < 0.0001). Trees taller than 20 m rarely appeared in stands over 1,000 m asl. P. densiflora dominant stands at 400 m asl developed two clumped age groups as one in 30-40 ages and the other around 70 years old. Q. serrata dominant stands at 800 m asl, Q. mongolica dominant stands at 1,300 m asl and A. koreana dominant stands at 1,300 m asl were estimated to be around 30, 70, and over 140 years old after major disturbances, respectively. The diameter distribution with age structure indicated that P. densiflora at 1,300 m asl might be replaced by Q. mongolica, and Q. mongolica might be replaced by A. koreana and Pinus koraiensis later. A. koreana dominant stand seemed to stay its dominance quite long if the large disturbance would be absent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.36-45
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• 2010

To analyze the relationship between climatic factors (monthly mean temperature and total precipitation) and tree-ring growths of Quercus mongolica Fischer (Mongolian oak) with different topographic sites in Mt. Worak, more than 10 trees were selected from each of seven stands. Two cores from each tree were measured for ring width. After crossdating, each ring-width series was double standardized by fitting first a negative exponential or straight regression line and secondly a 60-year cubic spline. Seven stands were categorized in two groups using cluster analysis for tree-ring index patterns. Cluster I (four stands) was located in higher elevation (550-812 m) with aspects of east, west and northwest, and cluster II (three stands) was located in rather lower election (330-628 m) with aspects of north and northwest. The aspects of two clusters were not significantly different. Response-function analysis showed a significant positive response to March precipitation for both clusters. It indicates that moisture supply during early spring season is important to radial growth because the cambial growths of ring-porous species, such as Mongolian oak, start before leaf growth. Cluster II showed a positive response to the precipitation of middle and late growing season, too.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2000

The main purpose of this study is to obtain spatial image information toward forest thinning process in Larix forest stands. Thirteen different alternatives were simulated to visualize on the basis of actual thinning work photos. The options were illustrated as photos produced by photoshop program. Each alternatives were evaluated by forest visitor group with total 244 respondents after reliability test. Spatial images of 13 thinning photos were measured by 12 semantic differential scale as broad -narrow, ordered-tangled, friendly-unfriendly, monotonous-divers, dry-refreshing, relieved -stifling, healthy-sickly, uniform-scattered, dead-alive, opened-closed, bent-straight, and beautiful-ugly. In comparison with thinning stands and natural stands, thinning works were visual improvement effects of spatial images. Seemingly, this trend is due to definite form beauty, straight and clear length form of coniferous forest, As can be expected, slash and downwood were negatively related to improvement effects of spatial images. The 60% ratio of stem/ tree height and 450-950 trees/ha was positive in attraction of spatial images. Results indicate how to conduct forest thinning system for spatial images on Larix forest stands.