• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.123-127
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• 2009

Weight loss and nutrient dynamics of Quercus mongolica leaf litter during decomposition were investigated from December 2005 through August 2008 in Mt. Worak National Park as a part of National Long-Term Ecological Research Program in Korea. The decay constant (k) of Q. mongolica litter was 0.26. After 33 months decomposition, remaining weight of Q. mongolica litter was 49.3$\pm$4.4%. Initial C/N and C/P ratios of Q. mongolica litter were 43.3 and 2,032, respectively. C/N ratio in decomposing litter decreased rapidly from the beginning to nine months decomposition, and then showed more or less constant. C/P ratio increased to 2,407 after three months decomposition, and then decreased steadily thereafter. N and P concentration increased significantly during decomposition. N immobilization occurred from the beginning through 18 months decomposition, and mineralization occurred afterwards in decomposing litter. P immobilized significantly from fifteen months during decomposition. K concentration decreased rapidly from the beginning to six months decomposition. However it showed an increasing pattern during later stage of decomposition. Remaining K decreased rapidly during early stage of decomposition. There was no net K immobilization. Ca concentration increased from the beginning to twelve months decomposition, and then decreased rapidly till twenty one months elapsed. However, it increased again thereafter. Ca mineralization occurred from fifteen months. Mg concentration increased during decomposition. There was no Mg immobilization during litter decomposition. After 33 months decomposition, remaining N, P, K, Ca and Mg in Q. mongolica litter were 79.2, 110.9, 36.2, 52.7 and 74.4%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.82-87
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• 2009

In order to characterize the ecological traits of Quercus acutissima, Q. variabilis and Q. mongolica, which dominated in Korean mountain, we treated the sapling of the three oak species under the major environment factors (light, soil moisture and nutrient) with four gradient levels, for 8 months in glass house. Then we measured and analyzed the growth difference among them. The growth of Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis were increased with higher light intensity, but there is no apparent trend in Q. mongolica for light gradients. Q. mongolica did not show high reduction of growth, even in the lowest light intensity. Q. variabilis and Q. mongolica had a constant growth state to soil moisture treatment, but only Q. acutissima grew well in higher soil moisture gradient condition. All the growth of three oak species decreased with higher nutrient gradient condition. The growth reduction was increased in order of Q. variabilis, Q. mongolica and Q. acutissima. with increased nutrient gradient level. These results means that Q. mongolica, Q. acutissima and Q. variabilis have adaptation ability to shade, high moisture and low nutrient condition, respectively.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the ecological characteristics of forest cover types which were classified by cluster analysis in the natural forest of Sobaeksan on the basis of the vegetation data from the point-quarter sampling method. Recognized forest cover types were 1) Mixed mesophytic forest, 2) Taxus cuspidata forest, 3) Fraxinus rhynchophylla-Quercus mongolica forest, 4) Betula ermanii forest, 5) Pinus densiflora forest, 6) Quercus mongolica mixed forest, and 7) Quercus mongolica pure forest. For those of classified types, the species composition was expressed by importance value (IV) to describe the community floristically. The species diversity was quantified using the Shannon's diversity index. The results showed that the forest cover types were characteristically different from one another in growing species and compositional rates, depending upon the type which was formed by a number of similar vegetational sample points. Species diversity indices (H') of total and overstory both were the highest in the mixed mesophytic forest (3.530 and 2.880, respectively), and lowest in the Q. mongolica pure forest (2.122 and 0.000, respectively) with only one canopy species. The highest species diversity in the mixed mesophytic forest may due to the relatively high species richness and evenness in the forest cover types. The description on ecological characteristics were suggested to understand the formation and development of forest cover types in this study area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.330-343
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• 2002

To investigate the vegetation structure of mountain ridge from Pijae to Doraegijae in Baekdudaegan, forty-three sites(size 500$m^2$) were set up and surveyed By using TWINSPAN classification. the plant community was divided into five groups, those are mixed forest on sub-alpine zone. Quercus mongolica - Acer pseudo-sieboldianum community, Q. mongolica-Pinus densiflora community, and Larix leptolepis forest. Quercus mongolica was found as a major woody plant species in the ridge area. And partly the subalpine zone in low elevation was occupied by deciduous tree species and mixed a few conifer such as Abies nephrolepis and Taxus cuspidata etc.. Species diversity index(Area 1,000$m^2$) in the showed calculated 2.0149~3.0139 and it was similar to those of the ridge area of the national parks in Beakdudaegan.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.229-240
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• 2020

Background: Genus Quercus is a successful group that has occupied the largest area of forest around the world including South Korea. The acorns are an important food source for both wild animals and humans. Although the reproductive characteristics of this genus are highly variable, it had been rarely studied in South Korea. Therefore, in Seoraksan and Odaesan National Parks (i) we measured the acorn production of Quercus mongolica, an overwhelmingly dominant species in South Korea, for 3 years (2017-2019), (ii) evaluated the spatial-temporal variation of acorn production, and (iii) analyzed the effects of oak- and site-related variables on the acorn production. Results: The annual acorn production of Q. mongolica increased 36 times from 1.2 g m-2 in 2017 to 43.2 g m-2 in 2018, and decreased to 16.7 g m-2 in 2019, resulting in an annual coefficient of variation of 104%. The coefficient of spatial variation was high and reached a maximum of 142%, and the tree size was the greatest influencing factor. That is, with an increase in tree size, acorn production increased significantly (2018 F = 16.3, p < 0.001; 2019 F = 8.2, p < 0.01). Elevation and slope also significantly affected the production in 2019. However, since elevation and tree size showed a positive correlation (r = 0.517, p < 0.001), the increase in acorn production with increasing elevation was possibly due to the effect of tree size. The acorn production of Odaesan for 3 years was 2.2 times greater than that of Seoraksan. This was presumed that there are more distribution of thick oak trees and more favorable site conditions such as deep soil A-layer depth, high organic matter, and slower slopes. Conclusion: As reported for other species of the genus Quercus, the acorn production of Q. mongolica showed large spatial and annual variations. The temporal variability was presumed to be a weather-influenced masting, while the spatial variability was mainly caused by oak tree size.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.275-279
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• 2018

Water status of intact plants has been optically estimated by measuring reflectance at the wavelengths 1,450 nm and 1,900 nm based on their signal strengths. Although another water band at 970 nm is considered to have very small signals, the band apparently lies within the detection range of inexpensive spectrometer and plain charge-coupled device (CCD) camera used in wild fire studies. However measurement of the reflectance at 970 nm has been rarely applied to estimate the water status of dead plant materials such as fallen branch, twig, and leaf. To test the possibility of applying water reflectance at 970 nm to estimate the water content (WC) in leaf litter, the reflectance in various WC values were measured in the leaf litter of three Quercus species (Q aliena, Q aliena, Q mongolica, and Quercus variabilis). The results showed that the WC in the leaf litter can be determined by reflectance water index (WI) in the three Quercus species ($WC=1,450{\times}WI-1,378.8$, r=0.865). However, there was no interaction effect in the relationship between WI and WC among the litter of the three Quercus species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.4
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• pp.605-612
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• 2014

This study was conducted to predict the changes of yearly productive area distribution for Quercus mongolica under climate change scenarios. For this, site index equations by ecoprovinces were first developed using environmental factors. Using the large data set from both a digital forest site map and a climatic map, a total of 48 environmental factors including 19 climatic variables were regressed on site index to develop site index equations. Two climate change scenarios, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, were then applied to the developed site index equations and the distribution of productive areas for Quercus mongolica were predicted from 2020 to 2100 years in 10-year intervals. The results from this study show that the distribution of productive areas for Quercus mongolica generally decreases as time passes. It was also found that the productive area distribution of Quercus mongolica is different over time under two climate change scenarios. The RCP 8.5 which is more extreme climate change scenario showed much more decreased distribution of productive areas than the RCP 4.5. It is expected that the study results on the amount and distribution of productive areas over time for Quercus mongolica under climate change scenarios could provide valuable information necessary for the policies of suitable species on a site.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.2
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• pp.226-235
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• 2012

Floristic composition and phytosociological studies in Mt. Gwaebyung and Galmi-Bong were investigated to classify forest vegetation and distribution of vascular plants. We investigated two study sites from April to September, 2011. Total 477 taxa with 93 families, 279 genera, 408 species, 4 subspecies, 56 varieties and 9 forms were distributed in Mt. Gwaebyung and Galmi-Bong. Korean endemic species were composed of 8 families with 11 genera and 11 species. The plant species which is designated as protected species by the Ministry of Environment, Korea was 2 families, 2 genera and 2 species. Also plant species which is designated by the Korea National Arboretum was 16 taxa with 13 families, 14 genera, 15 species and 1 variety. A naturalized plants were 17 taxa. The Naturalization index and Urbanization index were 3.6% and 5.3% respectively. Pteridophyta-calculation (Pte-Q) was 1.00. Life form spectra was $H-D_4-R_5-e$ type and the highest percentage of useful plant resources were medicinal plant (77.5%). The forest vegetation in Mt. Gwaebyung and Galmi-bong was classified into 1 order, 1 alliance and 4 communities; Rhododendro - Quercetalia mongoliaceae, Lindero-Quercion mongolicae, Quercus mongolica Typical Community, Pinus densiflora-Quercus mongolica Community, Larix kaempferi Community and Sasa borealis-Quercus mongolica Community.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.315-325
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• 2014

Valuation of ecosystem services through organic carbon distribution and cycling in the Quercus mongolica forest at Mt. Worak national park were investigated from May 2012 through April 2013. The amount of carbon allocated to above and below ground biomass was 81.94 and 20.53 ton C/ha. Amount of organic carbon in litter layer was 6.49 ton C/ha. Amount of organic carbon within 50 soil depth was 141.23 ton C $ha^{-1}$ $50cm-depth^{-1}$. Total amount of organic carbon in this Quercus mongolica forest was estimated to 250.19 ton C $ha^{-1}$. The estimated amount of won in this Quercus mongolica forest in terms of total organic carbon was about 5.27 million won $ha^{-1}$. The amount of carbon evolved through soil respiration was 7.31 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$. The amount of carbon evolved through microbial respiration and root respiration was 3.58 and 3.73 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$, respectively. The amount of organic carbon absorbed from the atmosphere of this Quercus mongolica forest was 1.61 ton C $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$ when estimated from the difference between net primary production and microbial respiration. This amount will come to about 33,000 won $ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$ in Korean currency.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.449-461
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• 2013

This study is contributed to examine the vegetation characteristics of the Quercus mongolica which are located in between two summits, hyangnobong and gitdaebaggybong, with dividing two regions(I, II). A total of 63 Quercus mongolica communities were enrolled in this survey. A~E, 5 communities were the result of analysed classification by TWINSPAN. Spatial distribution of the communities; 'A' community is concentrated at an altitude of about 1,300 meters in Mt. Taebaek(II region). 'B' and 'C' communities are concentrated at an altitude of between 700 and 1500 meters in Mt. Seorak and Odae(Iregion). 'D' and 'E' communities are concentrated at an altitude of below 1,100 meters in Mt. Cheongok and geumdaebong(II region), and also Mt. Seorak and Odae(Iregion). Arboral and shrub populations, maximum species diversity and height of arboral of each communities have a characteristic of decreasing according to increasing altitude gradually. And the result of studying on arboreal growth increment with up to 40-year-old trees, there is no special tendency with growth increment in the altitude of subnormal 1,100 meters, but there is a tendency that growth increment becomes lower in the altitude of more than 1,100 meters. In correlation analysis, it is -0.53 in the Quercus mongolica and Betula costata community at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, the correlation shows negative(-). It is +0.59 in the Quercus mongolica and Rubus crataegifolius community at an altitude of less than 1,000 meters, the correlation shows positive(+). And those are cognate trees with the correlation of Betula costata, Betula costata Trautv., Tripterygium regelii Sprague&Takeda., Acer barbinerve Maxim. With a summary of the results, the changes in the environment according to the elevation affect Quercus mongolica community.