• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.613-626
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• 2014

Seaweeds were identified after qualitative sampling at 14 stations of Dokdo coasts from May to July 2013 and seaweeds and animals inhabiting 23 Eisenia bicyclis plants were examined to evaluate its ecological role. Biomass was calculated by using regression between stipe length and weight of E. bicyclis. A total of 128 species were identified, including 18 green, 35 brown, and 75 red algae. Coarsely branched form was dominant functional group occupying 47.66% and 91 species (71.09%) were in ESG I group, growing in stable environmental coast. Also, R/P, C/P, and (R+C)/P were 2.14, 0.51, and 2.66, respectively showing temperate and mixed flora. Biomass and density of E.bicyclis were $23.74kg\;m^{-2}$ and 64 fronds $m^{-2}$. Twelve seaweeds and 83 animal species (15 Annelida, 25 Mollusca, 34 Arthropoda, 3 Echinodermata, and 6 others) were observed from 23 holdfasts and Ericthonius pugnax was dominant taxon having 538 (43.11%) of 1,248 animal individuals. These results indicate that E.bicyclis is a keystone species showing very important ecological role. In conclusion, the number of seaweeds increased because of intensive research and dominance of coarsely branched form and ESG I group seaweeds, representing that environmental condition of Dokdo is still intact.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.530-536
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• 2006

Hardwood cutting propagation and early growth characteristics were investigated in order to develop the method of cutting propagation and to find out growth characteristics in the low altitude for in situ and ex situ conservation of Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum K. Koch, which is typical arctic alpine plants on Mt. Halla. The growth of roots and shoots was different depending on hormone concentrations or soil conditions. The survival rate, rooting rate, root growth, number of root and shoot growth increased with treatment of 100 mg/l or 500 mg/l NAA. Consequently, optimum condition of hardwood cutting was at treatment with 100 mg/l or 500 mg/l NAA. When plantlets from hardwood cuttings were exposed to the field condition, after 7 months survival rate was 73.3% without shading while $91.1{\sim}94.4%$ at shading conditions. In the green house, however, survival rate of plantlets were $95.6{\sim}97.8%$ without shading. The growth of plantlets was different depending on sites and shading conditions. Particularly, the best growth was obtained when the plantlets were grown in shading conditions. It indicates that relative humidity and light intensity are correlated with the growth in the low altitude area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.333-345
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• 2009

Carpinus laxiflora communities are known as the climax forest community of the temperate zone of Korea. There are three Carpinus laxiflora communities in Seoul. The purpose of this research is to analyze the characteristics of Carpinus laxiflora communities of Seoul and supply basic data for establishing of a management plan. The research sites are Sahmyook University, Mountain Dobong and Jinkwandong. This study considers investigation and the analysis of communities structure, soil characteristics and the growth increment of trees. As the result of study, we could know that the growth increment of the Carpinus laxiflora trees of Seoul is decreasing recently because of soil acidification and so on. Also the vegetation disturbance is increasing because of naturalized plant. Oak wilt disease has appeared in the oak forest around Sahmyook University that is the largest Carpinus laxiflora communities area in Seoul. For that reason the open gap was appeared in forest, and the spread of naturalized plants has been increasing in the gap. Furthermore, the Carpinus laxiflora trees are affected by the Platypus koryoensis which is a kind of oak wilt disease. And so, Unless there is a specific management plan, the survival of Carpinus laxiflora communities are uncertain in Seoul. Therefore the management plan of Carpinus laxiflora communities is necessary such as precise investigation, annual monitoring, etc. For the conservation of the Carpinus laxiflora communities, it is necessary to establish the management plan of the biodiversity for Seoul area.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2003

Various extracts of higher plants have been used in traditional medicine systems for centuries. While tropical and sub-tropical plants have received considerable attention from the researchers for evaluation of their bioactivity, temeperate plants have always been neglected somewhat. Similarly, seeds of the plants have not been considered seriously compared to other plant parts, e.g. leaves, stems, roots, flowers, etc. as a potential source for biologically active compounds. As part of our on-going evaluation of the extracts of the seeds of temperate plants, especially from Scotland, for biological activity, Achillea millefolium, Angelica sylvestris and Phleum pratense have been chosen for the present study. Both A. millefolium and A. sylvestris are well known for their traditional medicinal uses in Europe and also in the orient, but there is no report on any medicinal properties of P. pratense available to date. Extracts of the seeds of these plants have been assessed for their antioxidant and antibacterial potential and also for general toxicity. Both DCM and MeOH extracts of A. millefolium showed the most significant broad spectrum antibacterial activity among the three plants and inhibited the growth of almost all test strains of bacteria. The DCM extracts of all three species were active against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Citrobacter freundii $(MIC=6.25{\times}10^{-1}\;mg/mL)$. While the MeOH extracts of A. millefolium and P. pratense were active against C. freundii, that of P. pratense was also active against MRSA. The MeOH extract of A. sylvestris did not show any antibacterial activity against any of the eight bacterial strains at test concentrations. The MeOH extract of P. pratense showed the most prominent antioxidant activity $(IC_{50}=145\;{\mu}g/ml)$ and there was no antioxidant activity observed with the DCM extract of A. millefolium. The DCM extract of P. pratense was the most toxic $(LC_{50}=20\;{\mu}g/ml)$ among the extracts.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.558-570
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• 2009

The vascular plants in Jeju composed of 21 families 62 genera, 190 species, 7 varieties with 197 taxa in Pteridophyta, 3 families 5 genera, 7 species, 3 forma with 10 taxa in gymnosperm (Coniferophyta) and 143 families 703 genera, 1,622 species, 114 varieties and 47 forma with 1,783 taxa in Endospermae. The total number of taxa was 1,990 consisting 167 families, 770 genera, 1,818 species, 121 varieties and 50 forma. Three families, 4 genera 4 species and 1 variety in Pteridophyta and 1 family, 1 genus I species, 1 forma of Coniferophyta were endemic to Jeju. Five families, 8 genera and 8 species in the Monocotyledonae of Endospermae and 23 families, 32 genera, 21 species, 16 varieties and 7 forma and 44 taxa in Cholipetalae, and 9 families, 24 genera, 12 species, 13 varieties and 7 forma, total 32 taxa in Sympetalae were endemic to Jeju. Total 90 taxa with 41 families, 69 genera, 46 species, 29 varieties and 15 forma were drawn up as endemic plants in Jeju. As the numbers show on, Jeju has more biodiversity especially plant diversity than any other places in Korea. It was an important region in regard to geographical position. The rarity on plants from Jeju has been assessed based on the IUCN red list categories and criteria at both regional and global levels. There was one species in each extinct (EX) and extinct in the Wild (EW). The EX and EW species were Rhododendron saisiuense Nakai (Ericaceae) and Asplenium antiquum Makino (Aspleniaceae), respectively. Three taxa, Rhododendron dauricum L. (Ericaceae), Lycopodium sieboldii Miq., and Lycopodiella cernua (L.) Serm (Lycopodiaceae) were species that is extinct in the region (RE). Sixty-one taxa were critically endangered (CR), 13 were endangered (EN), and 83 were vulnerable (VU) at regional level. The taxa listed on a Red List corresponds 26.9% of total taxa in Jeju. At global level, there were 19 taxa in CR, 4 in EN, and 1 in VU (Vulnerable) as the category of threat. The rest taxa (133 taxa) were classified as Least Concern (LC). According to the results of the assessment, conservation measures must be taken for total of 157 species that were categorized in threaten including one of EX, one of EW and three extinct in the region immediately. Of 157 species, 61 were CR, 13 are EN and 83 were VU.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2014

Effects of elevated $CO_2$ on leaf phenology of Quercus acutissima were examined using open-top chambers, which had ambient and elevated $CO_2$ concentrations (ambient ${\times}1.4$, ambient ${\times}1.8$). To analyze the effect of chamber, non-treatment block was established near outside of the chambers. In 2013, budburst, leaf unfolding, coloring, and shedding were surveyed, and spring phenology was surveyed in 2014. Thermal sum (base temperature $+5^{\circ}C$) of each phenological event occurred was recorded. In addition, bud samples were collected and analyzed for carbohydrate contents in March 2014. Elevated $CO_2$ concentration advanced budburst and leaf unfolding, and delayed shedding in 2013. However, in 2014, the temperature of the spring season was high, and there was no significant effect of elevated $CO_2$ concentration on spring phenology. Carbohydrates content, such as starch, total non-structural carbohydrate and total soluble sugar, were significantly increased in response to elevated $CO_2$ concentration. It has been proposed that elevated $CO_2$ concentration could extend the growing season of temperate species with increased possibility of frost damage due to early bud opening and leaf unfolding. However, our analysis showed that the increased carbohydrate concentration in bud under elevated $CO_2$ would reduce the possibility of early spring frost damage by acting as cryoprotectant.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2016

Carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) gases concentration in atmosphere has been growing since preindustrial times. By sequestering a large amount of atmospheric carbon (C), terrestrial ecosystems are thought to offer a mitigation strategy for reducing global warming. Woody agro-ecosystems such as fruit tree are among the least quantified and most uncertain elements in the terrestrial carbon cycle. $CO_2$ and energy fluxes were measured by the eddy covariance method on a 15-year old apple orchard of South Korea in 2006. Environmental parameters (net radiation, precipitation, etc.) were measured along with fluxes. The results showed that during late June, the ability to sequestrate C was significant at an apple orchard ecosystem and it reached on the peak of $-6.5g\;C\;m^{-2}\;d^{-1}$. We found that in the apple orchard, the daily average of net ecosystem exchange of $CO_2$ (NEE) and cumulative NEE on a yearly basis were $-1.1g\;C\;m^{-2}$ and $-396.9g\;C\;m^{-2}$, respectively. These results reveal that there is high carbon sequestration in the apple orchard of South Korea, which is the same magnitude with repect to that of a natural forested ecosystem of the same biome rank (temperate-humid deciduous forest).

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.495-501
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of thinning on soil properties and seed productivity in the 25-year-old Cryptomeria japonica and 30-year-old Chamaecyparis obtusa seed orchards in which thinning had been performed 4 years prior to the study. To this end, soil properties, cone and seed characteristics, seed production (kg/ha), and nutrient contents in seeds and cones were studied by 4 different thinning intensities (0, 20, 40, and 60%). Soil properties were not significantly different between the two orchards. Meanwhile, electric conductivity, total nitrogen, and $K^+$ concentration in the soil of C. obtusa seed orchard were significantly different among 4 different thinning intensities (p<0.05), while only $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in the C. japonica seed orchard was different (p<0.05). In the C. obtusa seed orchard, cone productivity increased with the increase of thinning intensities (p<0.05), whereas that in the C. japonica seed orchard did not show any significant differences. Both of the two seed orchards showed a tendency that seeds become bigger and heavier with the increase of thinning intensities, but any significant differences were not found. Seed production (kg/ha) in the C. obtusa seed orchard significantly increased with the increase of thinning intensities, while that of the C. japonica seed orchard decreased. Nutrient contents in seeds and cones did not show any significant differences among different thinning intensities in both of the two seed orchards.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1257-1269
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• 2007

This study was performed to get more knowledge on the flora and their life form spectrum in the Hallasan Natural Reserve. The vascular plants include 83 species 35 genera 12 families of pteridophytes, 5 varieties 5 species 3 families of gymnosperm, 100 taxa in 2 varieties 98 species 58 genera 8 families of monocotyledon and 362 taxa in 3 forma 10 varieties 349 species 186 genera 65 families of dicotyledon in Hallasan Natural Reserve. The total of vascular plants is 550 taxa in 3 forma 11 varieties 536 species 284 genera 88 families. Among these, 204 species in total including 19 species of pteridophytes, 2 species of conifers, 45 species of monocotyledon and 138 species of dicotyledon are found only in the Hallasan Natural Reserve. The pteridophyte-quotient is 4.52 and floristic richness is 1.94. In the analysis of life form spectrum, there are 190 species (34.5%) of hemicryptophytes and 122 species (22.2%) of geophytes so that two life forms take large portions, 312 species (56.7%) of the vegetation in Hallasan Natural Reserve. Megaphanerophytes and microphanerophytes take 14.5% including 80 species followed by 83 species (15.1%) of nanophanerophytes, 42 species (7.6%) of chamaephytes, 29 species (5.3%) of therophytes, 24 species (4.4%) of hydrophytes and 18 species (3.3%) of epiphytes. According to the life form spectrum hemicryptophytes dominated high portions, which suggests Hallasan Natural Reserve has hemicryptophytic climate and similar to middle parts in the Korean Peninsular. The differences, however, were noticed by that it has more chamaephytes and less therophytes than that of the Peninsular and partially shows the characteristics of artic or subalpine climate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the changes understory vegetation composition (shrub and herb layers) in Mt. Gyebang as a northern-temperate deciduous broadleaf forest. Tracheophytes were 146 taxa, consisting 56 families, 93 genera, 124 species, 17 varieties, 3 forma, 2 sub-species and 1 unknown taxa in research subject area. As species area curve analysis, herbaceous layer and shrub species have been decreased over time. As a result of Mantel-test, basal area of upper layer affects to understory vegetation change (p<0.0001). Mean importance value was dominated Lindera obtusiloba (21.585%), Rhododendron schlippenbachii (19.774%) in the shrub layer, identified Sasa borealis (14.082%) and Lindera obtusiloba (7.921%) in the herb layer. According to NMS analysis of shrub layer, Species characterized by strong correlation have been reduced as time goes by. And it reports different species as an increasing in basal area of the upper layer. Herb layer plots of the NMS analysis, Rhododendron schlippenbachii and Rhododendron mucronulatum consistently were affected in shrub layer. In consequence of MRPP-test for changes in vegetation composition, It was analyzed that there are no significant differences for vegetation composition changes on shrub layer in 5-10 years. As a changes of vegetation composition on herb layer were analyzed significantly, composition change of herb layer species was larger than shrub layer species in understory vegetation.