• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.44-54
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• 1992

A survey of subalpine zone (altitude is 1, 440-1, 700m) in Mt. Halla, was conducted using 37 sampling plots of l00$m^2$ size. The classification by TWINSPAN and RA. DCA ordination were applied to the study area in order to classify them based on woody plants and environmental variables. And to investigate vegetation deterioration by livestock's and user's impact on subalpine zone, seventeen plots were set up. By TWINSPAN techniques, the plant community were divided into five groups by the altitude. The dividing groups are Abies koreana-Taxus cuspidata community, Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense-Rh. mucronulatum var. ciliatum-Sasa quelpaertensis community, Ilex crenata- Elaeagnus umbellata-S. quelpaertensis community, Rh. yedoense var. poukhallense-Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii-Rh. mucronulatum var. ciliatum community and Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum-J. chinensis var. sargentii community. The species divirsity of plant community were decreased severely by livestock's and user's impact.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 1991

The character and differential species of Abies koreana community, a subalpine coniferous forest, on Mt. Hall a and its vegetation unit were reviewed, based on literature published up to date. Song and Nakanish (1985a) originally described Saso-Abietetum koreanae Song et Nakanishi 1985 for the community. At that time, we were fully justified in establishing the nomenclature. Nevertheless, against this nomenclature, Yim and Kim (1990) made a objection, and it was renamed as what is called Saso quelpaertensi-Abietetum koreanae (Song et Nakanishi) corr. Yim et Kim 1990. In their previous study(Yim et al., 1990) being the root of the nomenclature, however, they did not study on the full layers containing the moss layer of bryophyte and lichen for the stratification of the Abies koreana community, in spite of the importance of the species of moss layer for the selection of character and differential species of vegetation units belonging to Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. 1939, and also the floristic composition from their study was not compared with that of the vegetation units of the subalpine coniferous forests in Korea Peninsula, Japan, Maritime Province of Siberia and Northeast China. Among the four character species selected by them, it is clear that Maianthemum bifolim and Lonicera maackii are species no having the characteristic value from the phytosociological viewpoint. Besides, Sasa quelpaerthensis described in their nomenclature is a synonym of S. palmata (Suzuki, 1978). Therefore, their nomenclature is invalid and comes under a contravention (Infringement of Priority) to the Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Barkman et al., 1986). Saso-Abietetum koreanae was amply justified also by author's recent study (Song, 1991)examined throughout the range of subalpine coniferous forest in Korea. With the discussion of justification of Saso-Abietetum koreanae, a association discussion was brought in the present review.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2017

Vegetation and landscape characteristics at the three highest summits of Republic of Korea, i.e. Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, are analyzed on the basis of species composition, physiognomy, vegetation distribution and structure of alpine plants, along with landform, geology, soil and habitat conditions. Dominant high mountain plants at three alpine and subalpine belts contain deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum (31.6%), and evergreen coniferous small tree, Pinus pumila (26.3%) at Seoraksan, deciduous broadleaved tree, Betula ermanii (35.3%), evergreen coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis (23.5%) at Jirisan, and evergreen coniferous tree, Abies koreana (22.6%), deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii (19.4%) at Hallasan, respectively. Presence of diverse landscapes at the peak of Seoraksan, such as shrubland, grassland, dry land along with rocky areas, and open land may be the result of hostile local climate and geology. High proportion of grassland and wetland at the top of Jirisan may related to gneiss-based gentle topography and well developed soil deposits, which are beneficial to keep the moisture content high. Occurrence of grassland, shrubland, dry land, conifer vegetation, and rocky area at the summit of Hallasan may due to higher elevation, unique local climate, as well as volcanic origin geology and soil substrates. Presences of diverse boreal plant species with various physiognomy at alpine and subalpine belts, and wide range of landscapes, including rocky, grassland, shrubland, wetland, and conifer woodland, provide decisive clues to understand the natural history of Korea, and can be employed as an relevant environmental indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.220-225
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• 2020

Bowlesia incana Ruiz & Pav., a new invasive alien plant in Korea, was found in Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City. This species is characterized as being similar to the genera Hydrocotyle Tourn. ex L. and Centella L. However, it differs morphologically from these two genera in leaves, flowers, and fruits, as well as stellate pubescence growing on the whole plant. In Korea, Bowlesia incana Ruiz & Pav. is recorded for the first time in this study. A morphological description, distribution map, and illustrations based on the Korean materials collected are presented.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2017

Background: In order to investigate organic carbon distribution, carbon budget, and cycling of the subalpine forest, we studied biomass, organic carbon distribution, litter production, forest floor litter, accumulated soil organic carbon, and soil respiration in Taxus cuspidata forest in Halla National Park from February 2012 to November 2013. Biomass was calculated by using allometric equation and the value was converted to $CO_2$ stocks. Results: The amount of plant organic carbon was $13.60ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ in 2012 and $14.29ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ in 2013. And average organic carbon introduced to forest floor through litter production was $0.71ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$. Organic carbon distributed in forest floor litter layer was $0.73ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ on average and accumulated organic carbon in soil was $51.13ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ on average. In 2012, Amount of released $CO_2$ from soil to atmosphere was 10.93 ton $CO_2ha^{-1}year^{-1}$. Conclusions: The net ecosystem production based on the difference between net primary production of organic carbon and soil respiration was $-1.74ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ releasing more carbon than it absorbed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2004

To investigate the vegetation structure of subalpine region from Hyangjeukbong to 2nd Deogyusan, 20 plots(100$m^2$) set up with random sampling method were surveyed. Three groups Quercus mongolica community, Betula ermanii - Picea jezoensis - Taxus cuspidata community, Taxus cuspidata - Qurecus mongolica - Betula ermanii community were classified by cluster analysis. Quercus mongolica, Taxus cuspidata and Betula ermanii were found as a major woody plant species in the subalpine region from Hyangjeukbong to 2nd Deogyusan. In this area, Korean endemic species, Abies koreana was distributed small amounts. In future, importance percentage of Abies koreana might be decreased, but that of Betula ermanii might be increased. High positive correlations was proved between Betula ermanii and Rhododendron schlippenbachii, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum ; Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes and Acer mono; Syringa velutina and Magnolia sieboldii and relatively high negative corrlations was proved between Betular ermani and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes ; Quercus mongolica and Acer mono; Abies koreana and Tripterygium regelii, Weigela subsessilis. Species diversity(H') of investigated groups were ranged 1.0316∼1.1776 and it was similar to those of the ridge area of the national parks in Baekdudaegan.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.107 no.2
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• pp.113-125
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• 2018

Subalpine zone is geographically vulnerable to climate change. Forest vegetation in this zone is one of the important basic indicator to observe the influence of climate change. This study was conducting phytosociological community classification and endemic-rare plants investigation based on vulnerable species to climate change at the subalpine zone, Mt. Jiri. Vegetation data were collected by 37 quadrate plots from March to October, 2015. In order to understand the species composition of plant sociological vegetation types and the ecological impacts of species, we analyzed the layer structure of vegetation type using important values. Vegetation type was classified into eight species groups and five vegetation units. The vegetation types can be suggested as an indicator on the change of species composition according to the future climate change. There were 9 taxa endemic plants and 17 taxa rare plants designated by KFS(Korea Forest Service) where 41.2% of them were the northern plant. Endemic-rare plants increased as the altitude of vegetation unit increase. Importance value analysis showed that the mean importance value of Abies koreana was highest of all vegetation units. Based on analysis of each layer, all units except vegetation unit 1 were considered to be in competition with the species such as Quercus mongolica and Acer pseudosieboldianum. The results of this study can be a basic data to understand the new patterns caused by climate change. In addition, it can be a basic indicator of long-term monitoring through vegetation science approach.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.236-243
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• 2013

Many plant species in subalpine regions are under threat of extinction as a result of climate change. In this study, the genetic diversity and geographic differentiation of three regions and six populations of Primula farinosa subsp. modesta (Bisset & Moore) Pax in Korea were assessed using the ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeat) marker. The average genetic diversity (P = 60.62, SI = 0.299, h = 0.190) was relatively lower than that of other long-lived perennials, even though it is a self-incompatible species. AMOVA analysis showed that 50% of the total genetic diversity was partitioned among regions and Bayesian cluster analysis showed some remarkable geographic trends that were structured into 2 or 3 regions, suggesting limited gene flow among regions. Considering the population fragmentation, low level genetic diversity, and high genetic differentiation, it is essential to establish in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for P. farinosa subsp. modesta.