• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

We conduct economic analysis of the snow damage on sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) forest stands in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. We utilize a single tree and distant independent growth simulator called "Silv-Forest." With this growth simulator, we developed an optimization model by dynamic programming, called DP-Silv (Dynamic Programming Silv-Forest). The MS-PATH (multiple stage projection alternative technique) algorithm was embedded as a searching algorithm of dynamic programming. The height / DBH ratio was used to constrain the thinning regime for snow damage protection. The optimal rotation age turned out to be 65 years for the non-restricted case, while it was 50 years for the restricted case. The difference in NPV of these two cases as the induced costs ranged from 179,867 to 1,910,713yen/ha over the rotation age of 20 to 75 years. Under the optimal rotation of 65 years, the cost became 914,226 yen/ha. The estimated annual payment based on the difference in NPV, was from 9,869 yen/ha/yr to 85,900 yen/ha/yr. All in all, 10,000 yen/ha/yr to 20,000 yen/ha/yr seems to cover the payment from the rotation age of 35 to 75 years.

• Atmosphere
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.401-412
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• 2016

A 3D sonic anemometer has been installed at Yongpyong alpine slope since Oct. 23th 2014 to observe the slope winds and to analyze turbulent characteristics with the change in surface cover (grass and snow) and the synoptic wind strength. Eddy covariance method has been applied to calculate the turbulent quantity after coordinate transformation of a planar-fit rotation. We have carefully selected 3 good episodes in the winter season (23 October 2014 to 28 February 2015) for each category (9 days in total), such as grass and snow covers in case of weak synoptic wind condition, and grass cover of strong synoptic wind. The diurnal variations of the slope winds were well developed like the upslope wind in the daytime and downslope wind in the nighttime for both surface covers (grass and snow) in the weak synoptic forcing, when accordingly both heat and momentum fluxes significantly increased in the daytime and decreased in the nighttime. Meanwhile, diurnal variation of heat flux was not present on the snow cover probably in associated with significant fraction of sunlight reflection due to high albedo especially during the daytime in comparison to those on the grass cover. In the strong synoptic regime, the most dominant feature at Yongpyong, only the southeasterly downslope winds were steadily generated irrespective of day and night with significant increases in momentum flux and turbulent kinetic energy as well, which could suggest that local circulations are suppressed by the synoptic scale forcing. In spite of only one season analysis applied to the limited domain, this kind of an observation-based study will provide the basis for understanding of the local wind circulation in the complex mountain domain such as Gangwon in Korea.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 2011

This work is to elucidate in typological aspect main geomorphological processes in the morphogenetic system of Mongolian steppe zone. Its morphogenesis manifest interaction of intense gelifraction and active erosion either by slope run-off or by wind. Intense gelifraction owes both to cold temperature regime with great amplitude, and to moisture associated with snow fall. Erosion of material produced by gelifraction is assured by surface run-off of summer rainfall and spring eolian activities. The geomorphological landscape sculptured by such morphogenetic processes manifest low-relief smooth slopes. This feature reveals that intense gelifraction keeps abreast with removal of weathering product by surface run-off and wind.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.95-107
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• 2013

In order to examine the temperature regime responsible for periglacial processes, air and ground temperatures were monitored from October 2010 to May 2011 at a subalpine bare patch (1,710m asl) of Mt. Halla. Four thermistor sensor probes were installed at 55 cm above a ground surface and depths of 2 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm, respectively. A mean air temperature is $-0.1^{\circ}C$, while mean ground temperatures are $1.8^{\circ}C$ at 2 cm, $2.6^{\circ}C$ at 10 cm and $3.2^{\circ}C$ at 20 cm deep. A mean monthly ground temperature at 2 cm deep demonstrates below $0^{\circ}C$ successively from January to March, while those at 10 cm and 20 cm deep show no sub-zero temperature. A total of 72 freeze-thaw cycle was observed in air temperature. However, the numbers in ground temperature reduced into 17 at 2 cm, 8 at 10 cm, and 3 at 20 cm deep. The cycles of air temperature and ground temperature at 2 cm deep mostly fluctuated diurnally, while those of ground temperature at 10 cm and 20 cm deep exhibited a several-daily oscillation. Snow cover over 55 cm high remained from January to early April, and it seemed to disappear completely on April 16. A seasonal frost of at least 2 cm thick was formed on late December and the isotherm of $0^{\circ}C$ descended slowly into 10 cm deep on late March to early April due to the insulating snow cover. It showed the maximum freezing depth of 20 cm on April 7 to 14 and then thawed rapidly so that the frozen ground did not longer after April 17. Periglacial processes are predominant during a freezing period than a thawing period when the ground surface is still covered with snow. The periglacial mass movement in the subalpine zone of Mt. Halla is mainly generated by frost creep in terms of the occurrence depth of diurnal freeze-thaw cycle and the maximum freezing depth of ground.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.116-125
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• 2017

Alpine plants with a scarcity of pollinators in harsh environments have been believed to undergo selfing for reproductive assurance; however, contradictory evidence is also available. Snowmelt regimes in alpine areas function to change life history characteristics of alpine plants such as flowering time and duration; yet the effects of snowmelt regimes have never been tested in alpine plants in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the dichogamy, mating systems, and flowering characteristics of Megaleranthis saniculifolia populations [early and late snowmelt plots (ESP and LSP, respectively)] in a subalpine area of Sobaeksan Mountain in Korea. M. saniculifolia exhibited incomplete protogyny in that despite early maturation of pistils, maturation times of pistils and stamens within flowers were partly overlapped. Control and hand-outcrossing treatments produced significantly higher number of follicles and seeds per flower than autonomous and hand-selfing treatments. Based on the aggregate fruit set, the auto-fertility index (AI) and self-compatibility index (SI) were 0.33 and 0.50, respectively. Snowmelt occurred 10 days earlier in ESP than in LSP, thereby ESP and LSP showed distinct differences with regard to flower longevity and season, but showing no difference in peak flowering dates. We concluded that M. saniculifolia is an incomplete protogynous and largely outcrossing plant requiring pollinator service. Temporal variation in snowmelt time and subsequent changes in flowering characteristics under climate change may further threaten the population persistence of M. saniculifolia which has already been designated as endangered species in Korea.