• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.699-709
• /
• 2019

Various health and social issues related to the elderly are emerging in line with the rapid aging of the population. In particular, dementia currently has a prevalence of about 10 percent of the elderly population in South Korea, which increases financial and social burdens to not only individual patients but also their caring family. To assess the effects of participating in the forest therapy programs for dementia prevention, this study recruited participants aged 50 and above and tested their depression (Korean form of Geriatric Depression Scale; KGDS) and stress response (Modified form of Stress Response Inventory; SRI-MF), which are emotional aspects of dementia. As a result, KGDS showed a significant decrease of 3.2 points from 8.4 to 5.2 points, and SRI-MF showed a significant decrease of 7.2 points from 40 to 32.8 points, indicating a statistically significant improvement in both. In addition, participants with minor depression and high level of stress in the pretest showed statistically significant improvements in the SRI-MF for men, and the KGDS and SRI-MF for women. Furthermore, there were statistically significant improvements in KGDS for participants in their 60s and in SRI-MF for those in their 70s in terms of age, and in both KGDS and SRI-MF for participants with chronic diseases and in KGDS for participants without chronic diseases. This study confirmed the effects of forest therapy on the prevention of the emotional aspects of dementia and laid the groundwork for increasing the applicability of forest therapy by obtaining a place for dementia prevention as a field of forest therapy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.82 no.2
• /
• pp.207-219
• /
• 1993

The study was conducted to discuss the theory and practical application of point sampling method using Spiegel Relaskop that can reduce time and expenses with efficiency in field work for stand inventory. An example of the analysis for real data was given to help practical foresters easily compute basal area, number of trees and volume per hectare even though the theory of point sampling technique is relatively difficult. Also, a SAS program for personal computer and the handling methods of pocket calculator were provided to easily use the point sampling technique in data analysis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.97 no.6
• /
• pp.627-633
• /
• 2008

This study was conducted to estimate volume growth rates for major Quercus species distributed in Korea, and based on the data collected from the 5th National Forest Inventory. Volume growth rates were estimated by each age class for each species, and their similarity or distinction was statistically analyzed. It was also intended to compare the resulted volume growth rates with the existing growth rates, and to develope a volume growth rate estimation model for the Quercus species. Six major Quercus species were considered in this study; Quercus acutissima, Quercus aliena, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis, Quercus dentata, and Quercus mongolica. Based on the data collected from the 5th National Forest Inventory, the diameter growth rates and the height growth rates were estimated for each species, and then the volume growth rates were estimated with the given diameter and height growth rates. To examine the distinction between species or age classes, statistical analyses such as ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test were applied. The results indicated that the volume growth rate was 10% in the age class II, 6% in the age class III, and lower in the subsequent classes. In addition, the volume growth rates of Quercus acutissima, Quercus aliena, and Quercus serrata were relatively high compared to those of Quercus variabilis, Quercus dentata, and Quercus mongolica. According to their growth rates, the six Quercus species were classified into two groups; high-growth-rate group and low-growth-rate group. Statistical analysis conducted to examine the difference between and within the groups showed that there is no significant difference within groups, while significant between groups. Based on the results, volume growth rate estimation model were finally developed for each group. The classification of the Quercus species suggested in this study was not the same with that of existing volume growth estimation. Thus, it is necessary to improve the existing volume growth rate or its estimation system.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.104 no.4
• /
• pp.657-667
• /
• 2015

This study examined the effectiveness of 'Forest Therapy (FT)' from the biological, neurocognitive and psychosocial perspectives. Adolescents who were classified as potential internet addicts took part in a FT program for two (once or twice) or three days. Before and after participating the program, Serum Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Comprehensive Attention Test (CAT), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were measured. It was found that FT led to positive consequences, indicated by increased serum BDNF, improved CAT performance, reduced internet use desire, greater resilience, and better social relationship. In addition, FT was partially effective in alleviating state anxiety level, when the participants were classified in accordance with FT exposure lengths. Overall, this study provides evidence that FT reduces symptoms related to internet addiction and promotes various qualities required for well-being.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.17-28
• /
• 2022

We evaluated the effect of CO₂ offsetting by estimating changes in carbon uptake under various forest management scenarios and proposed forest management strategies to achieve carbon neutrality. Paju and Goseong, which have relatively large forest areas but different industrial characteristics, were selected for the study sites. The current state of forest distribution was analyzed using forest type maps and aerial photographs, and the amount of carbon uptake was calculated using the equation presented by the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and the national emission/absorption coefficients from the Korea National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. As of 2015, the forest carbon absorption in Paju and Goseong was 49,931 t/yr and 94,225 t/yr, respectively, and the annual carbon absorption per unit area was 2.28 t/ha/yr and 2.16 t/ha/yr. Under the forest management scenarios, the annual maximum carbon absorption per unit area is estimated to increase to 5.68 t/ha/yr in Paju and 4.22 t/ha/yr in Goseong, and this absorption would increase further if urban forests were additionally created. Even if the current forests of Paju and Goseong are maintained as they are, emissions from electricity use can be sufficiently offset. However, by applying appropriate forest management strategies, emissions from sectors other than electricity use could be offset. This study can be applied to the establishment of carbon absorption strategies in the forest sector to achieve carbon neutrality.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.84 no.4
• /
• pp.456-464
• /
• 1995

The objectives of this study were to (a) describe and quantify the socio-psychological outcomes of forest recreationist, (b) to describe the setting attributes facilitating the outcomes, and (c) to identify which attributes were most important to visitors. During the spring of 1995, 426 visitors from the Worak-san National Park selected for this study. This study identified nine resource attributes (physical, social and managerial), and twelve socio-psychological outcomes on the forest reccreation values. This study also determined that a significant linear relationship exists between resource attributes and visitors' experience outcomes. Use of information on the socio-psychological outcomes sought by recreationists is discussed. Such information would aid in the developing recreation inventory, selecting management tools and techniques, and in the differential economic valuation of recreation resources.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2010

Species diversity is one of the most important specifications of biological societies. Diversity of organisms, measurement of variety and examination of those hypotheses that are about reasons of diversity are such as affairs that have been desired by the ecologists for a long time. In this research, diversity of plant species in forest region, numbers of 60 sample plots in 256.00 square meters have been considered in random - systematic inventory was considered. In each sample plot, four micro-plots in 2.25 square meters in order to study on herbal cover, were executed that totally 240 micro-plots were considered. At each plot six diversity indices in relation to physiographic factors (slope, geographical aspect and altitude from the sea level) were studied. The results indicate that species diversity is more in the northern direction and also species diversity in slops less than 30% has the most amounts. Factor of altitude from the sea level did not have meaningful relation with species diversity. Through study on correlation of the numbers of species in sample plots with indices and also process and role of indices in different processors of analysis, Simpson's reciprocal index was suggested as suitable index in this type of studies.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.112 no.1
• /
• pp.71-82
• /
• 2023

Forest biomass is used as a representative indicator of forest size, maturity, and productivity. Therefore, quantitative evaluation is important for management and harvest as well as the evaluation of ecosystem functions and services including CO₂ absorption. The allometric equation is a widely used method for estimating the value of each component through the relative growth rate of plants. Recently, studies indicated that the relative growth of trees is changing because of the increased CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere and the resulting climate change, raising the need to review the previously developed relative growth models and coefficients. In this study, the height-diameter at breast height (DBH) relationships of four major tree species in Korea [(Pinus densiflora (PD), Larix kaempferi (LK), Quercus variabilis (QV), and Quercus mongolica (QM)] were analyzed using the 5th-7th National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. Furthermore, these results were compared with the present yield table from the National Institute for Forest Science. This analysis revealed that the expected height for the same DBH increased as the NFI progressed. For example, in model analysis, the expected heights for PD, LK, QV, and QM for DBH of 25 cm were 12.48, 19.17, 14.47, and 13.19 m, respectively, in the 5th NFI data. In the 7th NFI data, these values were estimated as 13.61 (+9.1%), 21.58 (+12.7%), 15.76 (+8.9%), and 13.93 m (+5.6%), respectively. These results indicate that the major tree species in South Korean forests currently are more vigorous in height growth than in diameter growth when compared to the height-DBH development trends by tree species identified through past survey data.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Geographic Information Studies
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.236-256
• /
• 2011

Forest carbon stocks change due to land use change is an important data required by UNFCCC(United Nations framework convention on climate change). Spatially explicit estimation of forest carbon stocks based on IPCC GPG(intergovernmental panel on climate change good practice guidance) tier 3 gives high reliability. But a current estimation which was aggregated from NFI data doesn't have detail forest carbon stocks by polygon or cell. In order to improve an estimation remote sensing and GIS have been used especially in Europe and North America. We divided research trends in main countries into 4 categories such as remote sensing, GIS, geostatistics and environmental modeling considering spatial heterogeneity. The easiest way to apply is combination NFI data with forest type map based on GIS. Considering especially complicated forest structure of Korea, geostatistics is useful to estimate local variation of forest carbon. In addition, fine scale image is good for verification of forest carbon stocks and determination of CDM site. Related domestic researches are still on initial status and forest carbon stocks are mainly estimated using k-nearest neighbor(k-NN). In order to select suitable method for forest in Korea, an applicability of diverse spatial data and algorithm must be considered. Also the comparison between methods is required.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.119-129
• /
• 2010

The joint use of remotely sensed data and field measurements has been widely used to estimate aboveground carbon stock in many countries. Recently, Korea Forest Research Institute has developed new carbon emission factors for kind of tree, thus more accurate estimate is possible. In this study, the aboveground carbon stock of Danyang area in South Korea was estimated using k-Nearest Neighbor(kNN) algorithm with the 5th National Forest Inventory(NFI) data. Considering the spectral response of forested area under the climate condition in Korea peninsular which has 4 distinct seasons, Landsat TM seasonal satellite images were collected. As a result, the estimated total carbon stock of Danyang area was ranged from 3542768.49tonC to 3329037.51tonC but seasonal trends were not found.