• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.275-283
• /
• 2017

Objective: An experiment was conducted to investigate the environment of the deep litter system and provided theoretical basis for production. Methods: The bedding samples were obtained from a pig breeding farm and series measurements associated with gases concentrations and the bacterial diversity as well as the quantity of Escherichia coli, Lactobacilli, Methanogens were performed in this paper. Results: The concentrations of $CO_2$, $CH_4$, and $NH_3$ in the deep litter system increased with the increasing of depth while the $N_2O$ concentrations increased fiercely from the 0 cm to the -10 cm depth but then decreased beneath the -10 cm depth. Meanwhile, the Shannon index, the dominance index as well as the evenness index at the -20 cm layer was significantly different from the other layers (p<0.05). On the other hand, the quantity of Escherichia coli reached the highest value at the surface beddings and there was a significant drop at the -20 cm layer with the increasing depth. The Lactobacilli numbers increased with the depth from 0 cm to -15 cm and then decreased significantly under the -20 cm depth. The expression of Methanogens reached its largest value at the depth of -35 cm. Conclusion: The upper layers (0 cm to -5 cm) of this system were aerobic, the middle layers (-10 cm to -20 cm) were micro-aerobic, while that the bottom layers (below -20 cm depth) were anaerobic. In addition, from a standpoint of increasing the nitrification pathway and inhibiting the denitrification pathway, it should be advised that the deep litter system should be kept aerobic.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.210-218
• /
• 2018

Background: Soil respiration (Rs) is a major factor of the absorption and accumulation of carbon through photosynthesis in the ecosystem carbon cycle. This directly affects the amount of net ecosystem productivity, which affects the stability and sustainability of the ecosystem. Understanding the characteristics of Rs is indispensable to scientifically understand the carbon cycle of ecosystems. It is very important to study Rs characteristics through analysis of environmental factors closely related to Rs. Rs is affected by various environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, litter supply, organic matter content, dominant plant species, and soil disturbance. This study was conducted to analyze the effects of micro-topographical differences on Rs in forest vegetation by measuring the Rs on the ridge and southern slope sites of the broadly established Quercus mongolica forest in the central Korean area. Method: Rs, Ts, and soil moisture data were collected at the southern slope and ridge of the Q. mongolica forest in the Mt. Jeombong area in order to investigate the effects of topographical differences on Rs. Rs was collected by the closed chamber method, and data collection was performed from May 2011 to October 2013, except Winter seasons from November to April or May. For collecting the raw data of Rs in the field, acrylic collars were placed at the ridge and southern slope of the forest. The accumulated surface litter and the soil organic matter content (SOMC) were measured to a 5 cm depth. Based on these data, the Rs characteristics of the slope and ridge were analyzed. Results: Rs showed a distinct seasonal variation pattern in both the ridge and southern slope sites. In addition, Rs showed a distinct seasonal variation with high and low Ts changes. The average Rs measurements for the two sites, except for the Winter periods that were not measured, were $550.1\;mg\;CO_2m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at the ridge site and $289.4\;mg\;CO_2m^{-2}h^{-1}$ at the southern slope, a difference of 52.6%. There was no significant difference in the Rs difference between slopes except for the first half of 2013, and both sites showed a tendency to increase exponentially as Ts increased. In addition, although the correlation is low, the difference in Rs between sites tended to increase as Ts increased. SMC showed a large fluctuation at the southern slope site relative to the ridge site, as while it was very low in 2013, it was high in 2011 and 2012. The accumulated litter of the soil surface and the SOMC at the depth range of 0~5 cm were $874g\;m^{-2}$ and 23.3% at the ridge site, and $396g\;m^{-2}$ and 19.9% at the southern slope site. Conclusions: In this study, Rs was measured for the ridge and southern slope sites, which have two different results where the surface litter layer is disturbed by strong winds. The southern slope site shows that the litter layer formed in autumn due to strong winds almost disappeared, and while in the ridge site, it became thick due to the transfer of litter from the southern slope site. The mean Rs was about two times higher in the ridge site compared to that in the southern slope site. The Rs difference seems to be due to the difference in the amount of litter accumulated on the soil surface. As a result, the litter layer supplied to the soil surface is disturbed due to the micro-topographical difference, as the slope and the change of the community structure due to the plant season cause heterogeneity of the litter layer development, which in turn affects SMC and Rs. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce and understand these micro-topographical features and mechanisms when quantifying and analyzing the Rs of an ecosystem.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.69 no.1
• /
• pp.13-18
• /
• 1985

Forest soils mixed with organic matters (green needle, flesh needle litter and needle litter in F layer of Pinus koraiensis, and green leaf of Quercus dentata and Q. variabilis) were incubated under a constant $30^{\circ}C({\pm}1)$ for 53 days to measure the changes of inorganic nitrogen and $CO_2$ evolution rate. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1) In the early incubation period the amounts of total inorganic nitrogen in soils by mixture of organic matters decreased rapidly because of immobilization by microbial uptake, and thereafter their amounts increased with further incubation. 2) The rate of immobilization of organic nitrogen in mixed organic matters was the highest in green needle among green needle, flesh needle litter and needle litter in F layer of P. koraiensis, but lower than that of green leaf of Q. variabilis and Q. dentata. 3) The rates of $CO_2$ evolution from soils mixed with organic matters increased sharply in the early time, and then decreased slowly with increasing time. The order of the $CO_2$ evolution rate was green leaf of Q. variabilis > green leaf of Q. dentata > green needle of P. koraiensis > flesh needle litter of P. koraiensis > needle litter of P. koraiensis in F layer from the largest to the least. 4) Nitrate nitrogen concentrations showed a tendency to increase throughout incubation time, so that their concentrations after 53 days were higher than that of ammonium nitrogen.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.163-169
• /
• 1985

The composition rates of litters were studied at Camellia japonica forests in Koje-Do and Haenam, and at Quercus acuta, Quercus acutissima, Cryptomeria japonica, and Chamaecyparis abtusa forests in Haenam. Total amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and sodium in litter samples were measured and the relation between these amounts and decomposition rate was studied. Annual litter production were rarely different at each forest in Haenam. The amount of accumulated organic matter was about 4 times greater at C. japonica forest in Koje-Do than at the C. japonica forest in Haenam. These amounts were 5, 282.1 $\pm$ 1, 026.03g/m2 in Koje-Do and 1, 420.7 $\pm$ 384.77g/$m^2$ in haenam. The decomposition rate were rarely differnet at each forest in Haenam, but the rates showed great difference at C. japonica foreests in Koje-Do and Haenam. The rates were 0.093 and 0.313 at C. japonica forests in Koje-Do and in Haenam respectively. The sodium contents were 0.472% and 0.229% on L layer and on Css layer of C. japonica forest in Koje-Do, while they were 0.034% and 0.043% on L layer, and on Css layer of C. jpaonica forest in Haenam. It is sugested that much difference in the salt contents in the forest floor was present from the results of sodium content measured at each site, and that the decomposition rate was affected by the much concentration of salt in Koje-Do.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.265-270
• /
• 2005

In order to investigate the organic carbon distribution, net primary production, annual litter production, organic carbon in litter layer, soil organic carbon and soil respiration were studied in an oak forest, Kongju, Chungnam Province in Korea. Net primary production was estimated to 15.84 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$. The amount of carbon allocated to leaf and reproductive organ, branch, stem and root was 1.71, 4.03, 7.34, 2.76 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ respectively. Annual litter production was 5.21 $ton{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, which amounted to 2.35 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$. Average amount of organic carbon in litter layer (L+F) was 6.06 ton C/ha, and that of L layer decreased from winter through summer. Soil organic carbon decreased along the soil depth. Average amount of soil organic carbon in this oak forest was 165.19 ton C/ha. The amount of carbon evolved through soil respiration was 11.24 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$. Net amount of 4.60 ton $C{\cdot}ha^{-1}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$ was absorbed from the atmosphere by this oak forest.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.261-275
• /
• 1994

The annual ring widths of tree and the vertical distribution of fine roots were investigated at 33 sites of pitch pine forests in Seoul, its vicinity and rural areas. The annual ring widths among 16 - 20 year-old pitch pines in urban areas were significantly lower than those in rural areas. The annual ring widths for the latest 5 years (1985-1989) for the age class of 11-20, 21-30 and 31-40 year old pines increased in the following order for all the age classes: urban areas< suburbs

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.60 no.2
• /
• pp.3.1-3.9
• /
• 2018

Background: Poultry breeding has increased by 306% in Korea, inevitably increasing the production of manure which may contribute to environmental pollution. The nutrients (NP) in the manure are essential for crop cultivation and soil fertility when applied as compost. Excess nutrients from manure can be accumulated on the land and can lead to eutrophication. Therefore, a nutrient load on the finite land should be calculated. Methods: This study calculates the nutrient production from Korean poultry by investigating 11 broiler and 16 laying hen farms. The broiler manure was composted using deep litter composting while for layer deep litter composting, drying, and simple static pile were in practice. The effect of weight reduction and storing period during composting was checked. Three weight reduction cases of compost were constructed to calculate nutrient loading coefficients (NLCs) using data from; i) farm investigation, ii) theoretical P changes (${\Delta}P=0$), and iii) dry basis. Results: During farm investigation of broiler and layer with deep litter composting, there was a 68 and 21% N loss whereas 77 and 33% P loss was found, respectively. In case of layer composting, a loss of 10-56% N and a 52% P loss was observed. Drying manure increased the P concentrations therefore NLCs calculated using dry basis that showed quite higher reductions (67% N; 53% P). Nutrient loss from farm investigation was much higher than reported by Korean Ministry of Environment (ME). Conclusions: Nutrients in manure are decreased when undergo storing or composting process due to microbial action, drying, and leaching. The nutrient load applied to soil is less than the fresh manure, hence the livestock manure management and conservation of environment would be facilitated.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.104 no.4
• /
• pp.527-535
• /
• 2015

With results from previous Korean studies on forest thinning, we conducted a meta-analysis on the effect of thinning on diameter at breast height (DBH) growth and carbon (C) stocks (tree, litter layer, coarse woody debris (CWD), and soils) in Korean forests. Thinning increased the DBH growth and the C stocks in soils by 39.2% and 12.8%, respectively, while it decreased the C stocks in tree by 30.9%. In contrast, thinning had no significant effect on the C stocks in litter layer and CWD. The DBH growth and the C stocks in tree showed significant correlations with thinning intensity and recovery time. The C stocks in litter layer correlated with recovery time while those in CWD and soils did not show significant correlation neither with thinning intensity nor with recovery time. Regression models of the DBH growth and the C stocks in tree were developed to quantify the effect of thinning intensity and recovery time. An integration of the regression model of the tree C stock into forest carbon models is expected to be essential to quantify the effect of thinning on the C stocks in litter layer, CWD, and soils. We also suggested expansion of study species, long-term and frequent monitoring, and investigation on understory vegetation in order to elucidate changes in Korean forests following thinning practices.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 1974

U-Reuk, a laureate musician in the days of King Jin-Heung, Silla Dynasty, built the Eui Rim Reservoir about 1,400 years ago. This was one of the oldest man-made reservoir. The embankment of the reservoir collapsed by the clumsy artificial drainage on August 19, 1972 when the heavy rainfall of 462 mm/day caused a dangerous overflow of the reservoir. The result of the study on the mystic ancient embankment techniques are as follows: 1. Sandy loam derived from the weathering of granite which is the most widely distributed rock type in the area, was used in the embankment. Large size logs (embankment core) of 30-50 cm in diameter were buried lengthwise along the embankment. 2. The six stocks of Pinus densiflora, 3 stocks of Quercus acutissima, 1 stock of Quercus variabilis and 1 stock of Popolus maximowiczii, altogether 11 stocks are identified. Forest types in the nearby area during the days of the reservoir construction seem to be includde a considerable number of Pinus densiflora, Quercus and Populus species. 3. The angle of repose of the earth materials is taken into account during the embankment. On top of the embankment double layers of clay (20-30 cm indepth) were spread and consolidated. Layer of litter of 20-40 cm in deep covered on the clay layer of the embankment completely, and another layer of clay was consolidated over the litter. Finally, a layer of stones of 10-30 cm in diameter and clay (yellow soil layer) toped the embankment. 4. At the lower part of the embankment clay layer was thicker and became thinner as it goes upwards. At every layer, soil was consolidated and burned. When embankment was completed, it was covered evenly with heavy clay, and finally it was topped with general soil. 5. The heavy clay layer on the inner slope of the embankment showed gray phenomena and litter remained raw humus layer. The clay layer functioned as rubber in the water, and raw humus layer prevented water from seepages. Thus, the embankment was solidly built in this way. 6. The ancient embankment techniques used soils conveyed from nearby area taking the angle of repose into account. Once embankment was completed, clay and litter layers were added to have a plasticity and to withstand the water pressure. 7. It is an excellent technique that the reservoir was constructed with least labor for maximum effects while the recent embankment techniques requires a large amount of labor.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.425-436
• /
• 2015

The carbon cycle came into the spotlight due to the climate change and forests are well-known for their capacity to store carbon amongst other terrestrial ecosystems. The annual organic carbon of litter production, forest floor litter layer, soil, aboveground and belowground part of plant, standing biomass, net primary production, uptake of organic carbon, soil respiration, etc. were measured in Mt. Worak in order to understand the production and carbon budget of Quercus serrata forest that are widely spread in the central and southern part of the Korean Peninsula. The total amount of organic carbon of Q. serrata forest during the study period (2010-2013) was 130.745 ton C ha^-1. The aboveground part of plant, belowground part of plant, forest floor litter layer, and organic carbon in soil was 50.041, 12.510, 4.075, and 64.119 ton C ha^-1, respectively. The total average of carbon fixation in plants from photosynthesis was 4.935 ton C ha^-1 yr^-1 and organic carbon released from soil respiration to microbial respiration was 3.972 ton C ha^-1 yr^-1. As a result, the net ecosystem production of Q. serrata forest estimated from carbon fixation and soil respiration was 0.963 ton C ha^-1 yr^-1. Therefore, it seems that Q. serrata forest can act as a sink that absorbs carbon from the atmosphere. The carbon uptake of Q. serrata forest was highest in stem of the plant and the research site had young forest which had many trees with small diameter at breast height (DBH). Consequentially, it seems that active matter production and vigorous carbon dioxide assimilation occurred in Q. serrata forest and these results have proven to be effective for Q. serrata forest to play a role as carbon storage and NEP.