• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.172-186
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• 2017

The effects of application of fuel-reduction treatment in wildfire management has not been tested in dry forests of Ghana. Therefore, the short-term ecological effects of prescribed burning and hand thinning treatments followed by experimental wildfire were investigated in degraded forests and Tectona grandis forest plantations in two forest reserves of different levels of dryness in Ghana. The results showed that more trees were killed in prescribed burning (average of 41% in degraded forest and 18% in plantations) than hand thinning (7.2% in degraded forests and 8% in plantation). More tree seedlings were also killed in prescribed burning (72%) than hand thinning (47%). The mortality of trees and seedlings were greater in Worobong South forest, a less dry forest reserve than the Afram Headwaters forest, a drier forest reserve. Fuel treatment especially prescribed burning compared to the control reduced wildfire effects on forest canopy particularly in the less dry forest and tree mortality especially in the drier forest. Prescribed burning temporarily increased pH, exchangeable potassium (52%) and available phosphorus (82%) in the surface soils of the entire plots. The two fuel treatment methods did not have much influence on basal area, organic matter and total nitrogen. Nevertheless, they were able to reduce the adverse wildfire effects on soil pH, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorus, organic matter and total nitrogen concentrations. Fuel treatments therefore have potential application in dry forest management in Ghana due to their ability to retain important forest ecological traits after a wildfire incidence.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.2
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• pp.302-310
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• 2022

Here we aimed to classify the major coniferous tree species (Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix kaempferi) by tree measurement information and machine learning algorithms to establish an efficient forest management plan. We used national forest monitoring information amassed over nine years for the measurement information of trees, and random forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), and light GBM (LGBM) as machine learning algorithms. We compared and evaluated the accuracy of the algorithm through performance evaluation using the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score of the algorithm. The RF algorithm had the highest performance evaluation score for all tree species, and highest scores for Pinus densiflora, with an accuracy of about 65%, a precision of about 72%, a recall of about 60%, and an F1 score of about 66%. The classification accuracy for the dominant trees was higher than about 80% in the crown classes, but that of the co-dominant trees, the intermediate trees, and the overtopper trees was evaluated as low. We consider that the results of this study can be used as reference data for decision-making in the selection of thinning trees for forest management.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.580-589
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• 2015

The artificially grown forests of larch, planted in accordance with the nationwide afforestation policy in the 1970s, are located inside national parks. This study intended to induce a forestation system by which the forests develop into an ecologically healthy and broadleaved ecosystem with broad species diversity. For this, the aspects of natural regeneration of broadleaves from 2010 to 2013 after thinning by density (30%, 50%, and 70%) in 2009 were surveyed using the larch forest in the Woljeong Temple region inside Odaesan National Park. There were no trees that were larger than 2 cm in in diameter at breast height among the trees recently introduced between 2012 and 2013. A significant number of herbs have been introduced to the subsurface alongside young arboreal trees species such as Bumalda bladdernut, Acer triflorum, Cornus controversa etc and shrubs. However, many woody species did not survive the competition with herbs and repeated withering and regeneration. The number of woody species generated within the 30% cutting area was 440 species in 2013 and this figure has been increasing twofold each year. The number of woody plants within the 50% cutting area also showed an upward tendency and most plants did not survive in the competition with herbs and Sasa borealis and withered in only 1 ~ 2 years after generation. Unlike other thinning areas, the 70% cutting area showed 608 broadleaved trees, reflecting a decrease from 748 trees in 2012. This appeared to be attributed to the luxuriance of S. borealis and the sharp increase of fatsia following the inflow of total sunlight to the forest floor. Herbs were hardly generated due to the influence of S. borealis. Regarding the density for thinning at 50% or upper height, the forest treatment division shall maintain a proper density in the course of inducing artificial forestation of larch into natural broadleaved forests considering the luxuriance of sasa borealis and herbs due to the inflow of total sunlight to the forest floor.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.66-80
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• 1997

Pinus koraiensis is one of the major speciese which have been recently planted for ten years and consists of 31% of total plantation. Presently young stand less than 30 years consists of 87% of total forest, but tending thinning of it is hardly carried out and the desirable direction for the thinning is not established yet. The objective of the study is to introduce the optimum thinning plan and thinning method through the long-run experiment of tending thinning for the Pinus koraiensis stand. The experiments carry out to interprete its growth model on the subject of two thinning experimental plots and yield table of Pinus koraiensis. As the basic step for understanding the thinning process, a theoretical growth model which is suitable to express the growth process is required. For that purpose, three growth functions (Mitscherlich, 4 parameter Richards, 3 parameter Richards) are applied to the diameter growth of the sample trees which are taken in the two plots. The results show that 3 parameter Richards is the most suitable. It is also verified that the diameter growth, the height growth, and the decrease in the number of stocks can be estimated by this function. To estimate the growth change of single tree, growth model including parameter h which is related to the occupation area of single tree are introduced. The parameter h can be estimated by using the data of the diameter growth obtained from the established experimental plots. Therefore, if both verification and modification of the usefulness of the model suggested is made, equations which tell about the thinning effects could be drived by estimating the growth process of single tree in advance.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

This study compares the wind stability of Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr., Pinus koraiensis Sie. & Zucc. and Abies holophylla Maxim. to understand and inform wind risk management of these plantation trees at Daegwallyeong, Korea. Temporary square plots of $20m{\times}20m$ ($400m^2$) were laid out, and DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) and height for trees greater than 10 cm in DBH were measured by species. A total of 15 plots with 5 plots each in L. kaempferi, P. koraiensis and A. holophylla stands were sampled at random. Among the species, A. holophylla and P. koraiensis have comparatively lower h/d (Height/DBH) ratios than L. kaempferi. These results indicate that the former two species are more wind firm than the latter species. About 9% of the L. kaempferi trees have higher h/d ratios than the critical threshold limit 80. These trees are vulnerable to wind damage and should be removed in the next thinning regime. The analysis of variance detected a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the h/d ratios and Gini coefficient indicating species differences and DBH size variation, respectively. Gini coefficient was 16.4% in A. holophylla, 15.9% in P. koraiensis and 14% in L. kaempferi stands indicating limited DBH size variation. Lower h/d ratios are attributed to thinning in these stands and tree morphological differences. To increase wind firmness, low thinning should concentrate to remove trees with the h/d ratio above 80 coinciding at the time of stand distinction phase. Forest managers and practitioners should measure and maintain h/d ratios of trees below the critical threshold limit of 80 through stand density management. Variable density thinning approach should be tested to increase tree DBH sizes of the even-aged stands.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.1
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• pp.132-138
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• 2016

The objectives of this study were to infer the parameters of forest stand growth functions of STEMS for Cryptomeria japonica stands of Jeju Hannam Experimental Forest, Korea Forest Research Institute, and to investigate the effects of thinning regimes on the patterns of stand growth and carbon absorption. The forest stand growth functions for the potential diameter growth, modifier, crown ratio and mortality are the major ones composing the independent-tree/distance-free forest stand growth simulator, STEMS. The parameters were inferred using the sets of growth data obtained from stem analyses of 39 trees, chosen from 13 sample plots of the forest stands. The effects of thinning regimes on the patterns of stand growth and carbon absorption were investigated by simulating the stand growth patterns of the case study stand with 3 different thinning regimes: no-thinning, early thinning with low intensity and late thinning with high intensity using the simulator. According to the results of the analyses, the different thinning regimes cause significant effects on the growth patterns of average DBH, average height, diameter distribution and stand volume as well as the amount of carbon absorptions.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.17-23
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• 2003

As a fundamental study of developing sawdust board from thinning softwood logs from three species (Pinus densiflora S. et Z., Larix leptolepis G. and Pinus koraiensis S. et Z.), this study examined the effect of board density and resin content on physical and mechanical properties of sawdust board. As the board density increase, thickness swelling, bending strength, and Brinell hardness increased while water absorption decreased. With increasing the resin content, the bending strength and hardness increased while water absorption and thickness swelling decreased. The board made of L. leptolepis was slightly low in its water absorption, and the one made of P. koraiensis was a little high in its bending strength, while there was no definite difference between each kind of trees in their hardness values.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 1983

The structures of oak stands were studied in relation to their productivity. Three plots classified by the site quality following to altitude, were selected on the oak stand located at Naryongri Eunsanmyun Buyeogun. The site qualities of the stand studied were generally estimated to be moderate in respect to some soil physical and chemical properties. Quercus variabilis was dominant species in the vegetation composition of the stand studied. The crown densities of the stand were varied from 65.4% in plot I to 78.2% in plot III and the parts, occupied with oak trees, ranged from 44.4% in plot I to 65.9% in plot III in the density. In the contrast to crown density, the growing stocks of oak trees ranged from $3.937m^3$ in plot I (73.4% of plot total) to $2.075m^3$ in plot III (84.3% of plot total). The occupied ratios, measured by crown class, exhibited dissimilarity between crown projection area and volume, and also the ratios brought into different patterns by plot. Highly significant correlations were proved between crown projection areas and volumes of individual oak trees by plot, but not proved in the relations by crown class. The cumulative growth, current annual increment and mean annual increment displayed various patterns by plot and by crown class in the heights, D. B. H. s and volumes of oak trees. The maximum values of current annual increment of height were generally recorded in 10 to 20 years, earlier than those of D. B. H. The mean annual increment of height, D. B. H. and volume maintained similar levels after about 10 years and fluctuated irregularly. The crown projection area and volume following to thinning decreased in the order of the thinning methods of grade A < grade B < crown thinning$90m^3/ha$ in about 40 years in the productivity of volume of the oak stand studied.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1689-1699
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• 2016

The growth conditions of planted trees, invasion of nuisance herbaceous species, competition between species, and effects of erosion control were monitored over five years in a riparian greenspace in Gapyeong County that was established through multilayered and grouped ecological planting. Of 156 trees planted in the upper and middle layers, 5.8% died. This tree death was attributed to poor drainage or aeration in the rooting zone from the clay-added root ball and too deep planting as well as a small-sized root ball and scanty fine roots. Of all the trees, 21.6% grew poorly due to transplant stress in the first year after planting, but they started to grow vigorously in the third year. This good growth was largely associated with soil improvement before planting, selection of appropriate tree species based on growth ground, and control of dryness and invasive climbing plants through surface mulching and multilayered/grouped planting. Mixed planting of fast-growing species as temporary trees was desirable for accelerating planting effect and increasing planting density. Thinning of fast-growing trees was required in the fifth year after planting to avoid considerable competition with target species. To reduce the invasion of herbaceous and climbing plants that oppress normal growth of planted trees, higher density planting of trees (crown opening of about 15%), woodchip mulching to a 10-cm depth, and edge planting 2 m wide were more effective than lower density planting (crown opening of 70%), no surface mulching, and no edge planting, respectively. This reduction effect was especially great during the first three years after planting. Nuisance herbaceous plants rarely invaded higher density planting with woodchip mulching over the five years. Higher density planting or woodchip mulching also showed much greater erosion control through rainfall interception and buffering than lower density planting with no mulching did. Based on these results, desirable planting and management strategies are suggested to improve the functions of riparian greenspaces.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2001

In order to investigate the influence of increased seed production of Korean white pine(Pinus koraiensis S. et Z.), component of seeds, produced from trees in the thinned stand and the stem-pruned trees in the seed orchard, were analyzed. The results obtained were as follows: 1. General component analysis of seed There is no significant influence of thinning on the seed component in moisture content (thinned- 4.10%, unthinned- 3.74% ), ash (thinned- 2.95%, unthinned- 2.94%), crude lipid (thinned- 67.62%, unthinned- 71.94%), and crude protein (thinned- 17.27%, unthinned- 17.50%). There is no significant influence of stem-pruning on the seed component in moisture content (unpruned- 4.26%, 1m stem-pruned- 4.10%, and 2m stem-pruned- 3.99%), ash (unpruned- 2.08%, 1m stem-pruned- 2.09%, and 2m stem-pruned- 2.15%) crude lipid(unpruned- 68.59%, 1m stem-pruned- 69.52%, and 2m stem-pruned- 72.53%), and crude protein (unpruned- 18.13%, 1m stem-pruned- 17.96%, and 2m stem-pruned- 17.56%) 2. Fatty acid analysis Seeds of tree from thinned and unthinned stands contained two essential fatty acids, i.e., linoleic acid (18:2) (thinned- 54.92%, unthinned- 55.40%) and linolenic acid (18:3) (thinned- 0.19%, and unthinned- 0.23%). Over 94% of fatty acids consisted of linoleic acid (18:2)(55%), oleic acid (18:1) (32%), and palmitic acid (16:0)(7%). T-test showed difference of content at 1% significance level for palmitoleic acid (16:1), stearic acid (18:0) and 8.11, 14-eicosatrienoic acid (20:3) and at 5% for linolenic acid (18:3), but no significant difference for three major fatty acids mentioned above, between two types of trees. Thus thinning may give no influence in fatty acid content. Seeds of three types of trees contained two essential fatty acids, i.e., linoleic acid (18:2)(unpruned- 55.25%, 1m stem-pruned- 54.74%, and 2m stem-pruned- 55.00%), and linolenic acid (18:3)(0.21% for three kinds of trees). Linoleic acid (18:2)(55%), oleic acid (18:1) (32%), and palmitic acid (16:0)(6%) consisted of more than 93% of all fatty acid content. At 5% significance level in F-test, difference was observed in the content of palmitoleic acid (16:1) and 8.11, 14-eicosatrienoic acid (20:3), but not in three major types of fatty acids above mentioned. It is observed that stem-pruning gave no significant influence in fatty acid content in general.