• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.31-42
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• 2013

This study was carried out to systematically maintain and manage the trails by assessing the types of deterioration and naturalness of trails located in Mt. Toham, Mt. Nam, Mt. Danseok and in the Mt. Gumi district of the Gyeongju National Park. The route length of Mt. Toham was 2.7km, 2.3km of Mt. Nam, 1.0km of Mt. Danseok and 2.7km of Mt. Gumi district. The numbers of measuring points in Mt. Toham were 37 units, 29 units of Mt. Nam, 16 units of Mt. Danseok and 40 units of Mt. Gumi district. In characteristics of physical environments, Mt. Danseok was the widest and Mt. Gumi was the narrowest in the width of trail. In the bared width of trail, Mt. Danseok was the widest and Mt. Gumi was the narrowest. In depth of erosion, Mt. Danseok was the deepest and Mt. Gumi was the shallowest. Mt. Danseok was the steepest and Mt. Nam was the gentlest in the longitudinal slope. In the results of analysing the types of deterioration, Mt. Toham were 10 types, 14 types of Mt. Nam, 11 types of Mt. Danseok and 9 types of Mt. Gumi district. The times of appearance of deterioration types in Mt. Toham were 69 times, 87 times of Mt. Nam, 67 times of Mt. Danseok and 71 times of Mt. Gumi district. The most common type was the exposure of root in 4 districts of Gyeongju National Park. In the results of assessing the naturalness, Mt. Toham was 2.1 score(II degree), 2.6 score(II degree) of Mt. Nam, 2.9 score(III degree) of Mt. Danseok and 2.0 score(II degree) of Mt. Gumi district. The average naturalness was 2.4 score and II degree.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.266-274
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to analyze the number of visitors to the top of Seoseokdae in Mudeungsan National Park, in which visitors are concentrated, and their visiting patterns, thereby suggesting measures to manage the visitors. The number of annual visitors and the numbers of regional and seasonal visitors to Mudeungsan National Park, which affect the concentration of visits to Seoseokdae were analyzed using the data produced by an automatic digitizing device. A field study was conducted to examine the number of seasonal and periodic visitors to Seoseokdae and their visiting patterns. In 2015, the number of visitors was 2,563,651 and 83.9% of the visitors visited via the Jeungsimsa and Wonhyosa area that is near Gwangju City. This area is close to the Seoseokdae area and it is easy to hike between the areas. Therefore, there was an influx of most visitors to Seoseokdae into the Jeungsimsa and Wonhyosa area. In terms of seasonal visitors, the largest number of visitors came in the fall, followed by the summer, spring, and winter in order. However, the seasonal differences were not notable. There was no statistically significant correlation between the number of visitors and meteorological factors. This result may have been because Gwangju citizens frequently visit Mudeungsan regardless of period and weather. Visitors can get to Seoseokdae via the trails into Wonhyosa and Jangbuljae. A slightly larger number of visitors used the trail into Jangbuljae in the fall and winter, whereas a larger number of visitors used the trail into Wonhyosa in the summer. In general, there is a large influx of visitors into Jangbuljae, a strategic visiting point. However, a slightly larger number of visitors may have chosen the trail into Wonhyosa in the summer because they could hike under the shade of trees. In the summer, visitors stayed in Seoseokdae for a short time with a low level of crowdedness. On the other hand, in the fall and winter, visitors stayed in the area longer because they had lunch and rested. During the time, the number of momentary maximum visitors peaked, causing extreme crowdedness. Therefore, some visitors showed the visiting pattern of entering the grassland outside the designate zone. Because this behavior can damage the grassland on the top of Seoseokdae, which can lead to soil erosion, intensive visitor management may be necessary.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.102 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2013

This study was carried out to evaluate degradation status of forest trails by analysis of soil physical and chemical properties in Mt. Jiri area of Gyeongnam province. Soil texture was loam in the forest area and sandy loam in the forest trails. Soil bulk density was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the forest trails (1.15 g/$cm^3$) than in the forest area (1.00 g/$cm^3$). The rates of pore space were lower in the forest trails (56.6%) than in the forest area (62.4%). Soil moisture content was significantly different (P>0.05) between the forest trails (13.3%) and the forest area (11.3%) Soil strength was higher at 5 cm of soil depth than at 10 cm of soil depth. It indicates that soil compaction by visitors could be affected at 5 cm of soil depth. Soil strength over 30 cm of soil depth was not significantly different between the forest trails and the forest areas. The content of organic matter, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable cations were lower in the forest trails compared with the optimum content of forest soils because of soil erosion with increasing visitors. These results indicate that it needs a counterplan to protect forest trails from overcrowded visitors.