• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.120-127
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• 2018

Background: Cakile edentula (Bigelow) Hook. is a successful invader that has been propagating globally. In Korea, Cakile edentula was found in 2008 for the first time, in the east coast of Korean peninsula. Based on site surveys conducted thereafter, Cakile edentula has propagated in the east coast from Goseong to Jeongdongjin, Gangneung and in the west coast of city of Hwaseong of Gyeonggi-do Province, and Taeangun County of Chungcheongnam-do Province. Results: Cakile edentula has infiltrated into four different vegetation communities (syntaxa) (Calystegio soldanellaeSalsoletum komarovii Ohba, Miyawakiet Tx.1967; Elymo-caricetum Kobomugi Miyawaki 1967; Carex pumila; and Calystegia soldanella) belonging to phytosociological classes of saltwort (barilla) and coastal glehnia. Cakile edentula competes with dominant species such as the saltwort (barilla) and beach morning glory, causing qualitative changes in species composition. It also affects local ecosystems through its competition with indigenous species, causing destruction of the traditional landscape. Conclusions: However, competition of Cakile edentula with indigenous species and the resulting replacement of such species are limitedly reported. Potential competitors with Cakile edentula have not been found yet. In Northeast Asia, qualitative changes realized in local ecosystems due to invasion of Cakile edentula are significantly noticeable. These necessitate proper controls for this invasive alien species to protect and preserve coastal dune areas.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.329-341
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• 2023

We surveyed the vegetation of an ecological landscape preservation area (legally protected conservation areas or national parks) and the surrounding areas of Mt. Cheonggye, Republic of Korea, to explore the conservation implications for preservation areas and surrounding transition areas. We calculated diversity indices to identify the properties of the preservation and surrounding areas that are relevant to conservation efforts. We then compared the plant community composition between the areas using field and quadrat surveys in the preservation and surrounding areas. The cover of the dominant species in all tree and herb layers was markedly higher in the preservation area than in the peripheral zones. The species richness indices were significantly higher in the preservation area than in the peripheral zones. Ordination using detrended canonical correspondence analyses showed that the cover of the dominant tree species and rocks could explain the distribution of plant species in the Cartesian space of the ordination. Our results demonstrate that physiognomically designated protected areas match well with ecological data based on diversity indices and ordination analyses and that disturbances in the areas surrounding the ecological landscape of preservation areas can have considerable impacts on plant diversity indices. Hence, the preservation and management of surrounding areas are essential conservation elements for protecting the entire ecological landscape of preservation areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.61-67
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil covering and vegetation base materials implementation on the growth of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya Miq. in abandoned coal mine land. We compared the biomass of L. cyrtobotrya at the study plots of four different soil covering depth (control, 10cm, 20cm, and 30cm) and four different compounds of vegetation base materials composed of soil conditioner (S), erosion control (E), and peat moss (P) (control, S+P, E+P, and S+E+P). The result showed that the biomass of L. cyrtobotrya was higher in the study plots implemented with soil covering than control plot, although the increase in biomass was not constant with soil covering depth. In case of the vegetation base materials treatments, the biomass was highest in S+E+P plot, and S+P and E+P plots showed higher biomass than control plot.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.182-190
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• 2017

Background: Baekdudaegan was designated in 2005 as a protected area to prevent destruction and conserve. However, there are many disturbed and destroyed areas. The total disturbed area amounts to $25.9km^2$ (0.94%), including $13.4km^2$ (0.49%) in the core area and $12.5km^2$ (0.45%) in the buffer area. This study aims to classify the vegetation types established in the disturbed areas and diagnose the current conditions for ecological restoration in the forest ecosystem. Methods: We surveyed the vegetation in the disturbed areas of Daegwallyeong and Chupungryeong and the surrounding natural areas. The survey conducted from July to September 2015 targeted a total of 54 quadrats by Braun-Blanquet method (Daegwallyeong, 22; Chupungryeong, 32). We also investigated the height and coverage of each layer. We classified the vegetation types based on the field data and analyzed the ratio of life form and the exotic plants, species richness, and vegetation index (Hcl). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated from rapideye satellite imagery in 2014 and 2015. Results: Vegetation types were classified into 11 groups according to the criteria that included successional sere or plantation at first, followed by developmental stage and origins. As a result of the analysis of the survey data, species richness, vegetation index (Hcl), ratio of tree plants, and the NDVI tended to increase, while the ratio of the exotic plants tended to decrease with the time since disturbance. These indicators had the classified values according to the vegetation types with time since the disturbance. Conclusions: These indicators can be effectively used to diagnose the conditions of the present vegetation in the disturbed area of the Baekdudaegan area. In addition, the NDVI might be effective for the diagnosis of the disturbed status instead of the human efforts based on the higher spatial resolution of satellite imagery. Appropriate diagnosis of the disturbed forests in the Baekdudaegan area considering the established vegetation types is essential for the elaboration of restoration plans. In addition, restoration target and level should be different according to the disturbed status of restoration site.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.220-229
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the forest community classification and vegetation structure in NYNRF(National Yonghyeon Natural Recreation Forest). We studied by 26 plots($20{\times}20m$) from April to September 2014. NYNRF were classified into the Quercus mongolica Community, Quercus variabilis community and Acer pictum community in the 3 community units. The Q. mongolica Community was subdivided into the Pinus densiflora group and Typical group and A. pictum community was also subdivided into the Euonymus sachalinensis group and Typical group. NYNRF were classified into 3 communities and 4 groups and 5 VU(vegetation units). According to the result of importance value analysis between vegetation units, VU 1 P. densiflora(65.1%), VU 2 Q. mongolica(73.6%), VU 3 Q. variabilis(75.1%), VU 4 E. sachalinensis(33.3%) and VU 5 Lindera erythrocarpa(27.1%) were highly showed in tree layer and VU 1 Rhododendron mucronulatum (19.3%), VU 2 Calamagrostis arundinacea (16.9%), VU 3 Indigofera kirilowii (75.1%), VU 4 and VU 5 Pseudostellaria heterophylla(each other 14.8% and 24.7%) were highly showed in herb layer. In INSPAN(INdicator SPecies ANalysis) of vegetation units, 33 species were analyzed significantly(p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.321-338
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• 2014

In the Natural Monument (No. 432) Jeju Sanghyo-dong Cymbidium kanran Habitat (39 ha), flora, vegetation diversity, stand structure, mirco-climate, canopy openness, light environment and soil temperature and moisture were quantified from Oct. 2013 to Feb. 2014. Compare to Seogwipo-si, daily mean temperature ($5.7^{\circ}C$) and moisture (75.8%) in study area were lower at $3.3^{\circ}C$ and 15%, respectively. Mean soil temperature and moisture were $16.5^{\circ}C$ and 37.3%, respectively, and mean litter layer depth (n = 81) was 4.3 cm. Mean canopy openness and light availability at forest floor were 15.5% and $8.5mol{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}day^{-1}$, respectively. Total of 22 species including vascular and bryophyte plants and 6 vegetation group were observed. Castanopsis siebildii was dominant species in study area, and density and basal area were 1,777 stem/ha and $90.3m^2/ha$.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.62-71
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• 2020

Understanding vegetation structure and the relationship with environmental factors has been crucial for restoration and conservation of riparian zones. In this study, we conducted field survey in a riparian zone of Namhan River in South Korea both before and after flooding in order to understand temporal and spatial variations of riparian vegetation. There were significant temporal and spatial variations in species composition, and distribution patterns of vegetation were different along a gradient of elevation above the water level. At low elevation, Zizania latifolia was dominant throughout the field survey periods, and Bidens frondosa began to grow late and dominated both in post-flooding 1 and 2. Prior to flooding, Scirpus radicans and Polygonum thunbergii were widely distributed at middle elevation, while Artemisia vulgaris, Phragmites australis, and Miscanthus sacchariflorus were dominant at high elevation. After flooding, P. thunbergii was dominant at middle elevation with most other species decreasing, and more invasive or pioneer plants, including Artemisia princeps, H. scandens, and Sicyos angulatus, were observed at high elevation. Species composition and distribution patterns were homogeneous at low elevation, whereas dynamic variations of vegetation were observed both temporally and spatially at higher elevations. Elevation and distance from the water front were the most principal factors governing vegetation structure. Furthermore, soil physicochemical properties were also found to determine species composition and distribution patterns. These results indicate that vegetation structure in the riparian zones is formed by the combined effects of hydrological regime and soil physicochemical properties, inherent characteristics of species, and interspecific competition. Understanding of temporal and spatial variations of riparian vegetation may provide useful insights into ecological restoration and conservation of the vegetation within the riparian zones.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.117-131
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• 2017

This study was conducted to draw vegetation landscape elements in the ancient literature, investigate plant community structure, understand vegetation structure, and suggest reasonal conservation management methods. As a result of analyzing ancient literature, geomorphological landscapes in Guryong valley were canyon landscape and valley surrounded in Mt. Chiak. Plant landscape factors were as followed. Rhododendron spp. spread around valley. Also, Pinus densiflora communities were distributed in Guryong valley around. Especially, the entrance zones of Guryong valley were described as covered with Pinus densiflora and Whangchangkumpyo(黃腸禁標). Therefore, it was estimated that entry of Guryong valley was covered with Pinus densiflora community landscape. As for current vegetation result, the main vegetation was divided into mixed deciduous broad-leaved trees community and Pinus densiflora community. As a result of analysis by TWINSPAN for community classification, five communities(Deciduous broadleaved trees, Pinus densiflora, Pinus densiflora-Abies holophylla, Abies holophylla, and Pinus koraiensis community) were classified. To maintain historic plant landscape and conserve crucial resources, Pinus densiflora community was classified as concentrated conservation management area($105,472m^2$). To maintain Pinus densiflora landscape which has high historical and cultural value of Guryong valley, it was considered that active density control of lower layer vegetation would be necessary. Accordingly, to conserve P. densiflora landscape, Whangchangkumpyo(?腸禁標), that area was separated into Pinus densiflora lower layer forest management area($84,029m^2$) and Pinus densiflora seedling conservation management area($21,443m^2$). In understory of Pinus densiflora lower layer flora, the target tree species for elimination and management were Quercus serrata and Quercus mongolica. They were $4{\sim}6trees/100m^2$ and their average diameter was 7.1cm. To preserve Pinus densiflora seedlings, areas with Sasa borealis, the ground vegetation of Pinus densiflora community, rate of 80% or more should be selected as priority management areas and concentrated elimination and management of Sasa borealis should be implemented. Likewise, traditional Pinus densiflora forest is a historically cultural heritage to preserve with sustainable interest and survey. Efficient management method through systematic monitoring system should be made.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.896-907
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• 2016

The habitat characteristics of Aconitum austrokoreense Koidz. were investigated to provide basic data for conservation and restoration. The altitude ranged from 260m to 728m with inclinations of $4-39^{\circ}$. As a result of vegetation survey within natural populations, a total of 147 taxa were identified inside 20 quadrates in 7 natural habitats. The importance value of Aconitum austrokoreense was 23.0% based on the coverage and frequency of the herbaceous layer and sat is more dominant. Species diversity was 1.23, and dominace and evenness were found to be 0.22 and 0.77, respectively. The soil type were silty loam (four sites), sandy loam (two sites) and loam (one site). The average field organic matter was 7.83% and the total nitrogen and pH were 0.35, and 5.69. Correlation analysis between environmental factors and population characteristic showed the correlations between chlorophyll content and slope, flowering rate and soil humidity. Conservation on habitats conditions is important for stable maintenance the flora and the surrounding area including habitats has to be designated a protection area for habitats conservation.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.267-276
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• 2019

The Gonggeomji Reservoir is a historical irrigation facility built in the 8th century and designated as a wetland protected area by Ministry of Environment, Korea. In order to collect the baseline data necessary for developing a sustainable conservation strategy, we investigated the classification of actual vegetation, the vegetation distribution and the floristic structure of the vegetation in the Gonggeomji Wetland Protection Area. In the whole protection area, a total of 26 plant communities were classified including the wetland, riparian, grassland, forest, farmland, and orchard vegetation. According to the results of detrended correspondence analysis, the structure of wetland vegetation was mainly affected by water depth and human disturbance. In reservoir wetlands, floating vegetation such as Utricularia vulgaris var. japonica, Trapa japonica, and emergent vegetation such as Nelumbo nucifera, Typha spp. completely covered the water surface. Since 2014, the reservoir wetland has been terrestrialized with the expansion of emergent and hygrophytic plants. For the sustainable conservation and restoration of wetland protected areas, it is necessary to naturalize the topography and wetland vegetation, recovery the hydrologic system, and restore ecosystem connectivity from wetlands to forests.