• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.570-579
• /
• 2015

Lindera sericea, which belongs to genus Lindera in the Lauraceae family, is labeled under Least Concerned (LC) among Korean rare plants, floristics specific species IV grade and also flagpole species of the Mudeung National Park. It is distributed in Mt. Mudeung, Mt. Cheonbong and Mt. Chogye within gradients from $12^{\circ}$ to $51^{\circ}$. The slope area is from northeast to northwest sides and the altitude range of distribution site is between 220 m and 533 m. The vascular plants in the quadrate where Lindera sericea were studied were identified as a total of 72 taxa; 37 families, 54 genera, 66 species, 5 variants and 1 forma. Among the floristics specific species, IV grade species was Lindera sericea and III grade species were Stewartia pseudocamellia and Acer palmatum. Korean endemic species were Stewartia pseudocamellia and Carex okamotoi. As for the vegetation group, Quercus mongolica and Q. serratak - Lindera sericea, Styrax japonicus populations were found in Mt. Mudeung area where Lindera sericea appeared, Stewartia pseudocamellia-Lindera sericea and Sasa borealis populations were found in Mt. Cheonbong areas, Carpinus laxiflora - Lindera sericea and Sasa borealis populations were found in Mt. Chogye area, and Stewartia pseudocamellia-Lindera sericea and Sasa borealis populations were found in Songgwangsa area. A total number of 662 Lindera sericea individuals were examined. The number of trees with 1 trunk including younger individuals was 353 (53.32%), and the number of trees with 2 to 5 stems was 270 (40.79%). The number of trees with the greatest number of sprouts was 27. Of 662 trees in total, the total number of sprouts was 1,198. Among these, 699 trees (58.34%) were between 50 cm and 150 cm in height. The tallest tree was 585 cm. The most common root-collar diameter of sprouts (992, 82.81%) was under 1 cm, followed by the sprouts with collar diameter from 1.0 to 1.5 cm(156, 13.2%). Among them, the largest root-collar diameter was 3.2 cm. This Lindera sericea specimen had the tallest trunk (565 cm) which was torn lengthwise on one side. Its root and breast parts were decayed by 50% and 25 respectively. Some branches of the three trunks that were more than 4 m in length were dead in the apical portion. Therefore, it is proposed that the Korean Lindera sericea maintains an apical dominance tree type while showing morphological adaptation as a typical shrub because it autonomously decays some branches and trunks over a certain height while increasing the number of its sprouts.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.169-177
• /
• 2024

This study investigated whether population dynamic analysis based on the height characteristics of Abies nephrolepis was feasible. It was necessary because existing population dynamic analyses based on age and diameter at breast height (DBH) made it difficult to reflect the slow growth characteristics of Abies nephrolepis in harsh environments of high altitudes. The limitations of population dynamics analysis based on the age and DBH distribution of Abies nephrolepis in Seoraksan, Odaesan, and Taebaeksan National Parks, where Abies nephrolepis populations are representative, were verified, and the characteristics of height growth were investigated to comprehensively analyze whether a vertical structure based on height could reveal the population dynamics. The result of this study showed some limitations in understanding the population dynamics of Abies nephrolepis based on age distribution due to practical difficulties in sampling all trees and variations in age distribution within the same community depending on factors such as light conditions. Moreover, it was challenging to differentiate the distribution of DBH classes at fine levels, making it difficult to reflect the rapid growth characteristics of Abies nephrolepis when light conditions become suitable after prolonged stays in smaller DBH classes under shade conditions. However, a comprehensive analysis of the height characteristics of Abies nephrolepis revealed that the density corresponding to the population dynamic characteristics of Abies was high and adequately reflected the predominant tree death at similar height stages, as well as the U-shaped population dynamics at the lower stratum. Moreover, it was possible to identify a transition point in height values under shaded conditions, where the annual growth of Abies nephrolepis individuals in the lower stratum increases significantly, indicating that Abies nephrolepis individuals can escape from competition with other shrubs and undergo vigorous growth only at this height level. Therefore, this study confirmed that a vertical structure based on height can be utilized to understand the population dynamics of Abies nephrolepis in high altitudes, and it is expected that future studies on height characteristics can intuitively reveal the maintenance status of Abies nephrolepis populations in the field.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.182-191
• /
• 2023

This study was carried out to identify the distribution and growth characteristics and evaluate the conservation status of the Michelia compressa Maxim., a rare and endangered wild plant II, in the habitats in Korea. A total of 314 individuals were found in the natural habitats of Heuksan Island and Jeju Island and were divided into four populations. About 45.9% (144 individuals) were distributed in the range of 401m~500m above sea level. The average height of trees was 2.7(±4.8)m, the diameter at breast height was 12.6(±13.9)cm, and the number of branches was 1.0(±0.5) on average. 54.3% of the sapling individuals of M. compressa were distributed within a radius of 30 m from the mother tree, 25.8% were distributed between 31 m through 40 m, and most (90.1%) were distributed within a radius of 60 m. The fact that sapling individuals of M. compressa are not identified even around some mature individuals and appear only in extremely limited areas is estimated to be closely related to the growth conditions as well as the environment of the natural habitats. The dispersal of M. compressa is presumed to be related to the birds and natural seedlings because water puddles, a resting place for birds beyond the range of natural seedlings, characterize its habitats. The IUCN Red List evaluation criteria at the regional and national level of M. compressa corresponds to the Critically Endangered category, and the domestic population under the category of "CR B2ab(v); C2a(i); D."

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.635-653
• /
• 2012

Vascular plants of Oruem in region of Jeju-City were investigated 454 taxa totally; 116 families, 301 genera, 359 species, 3 subspecies, 78 varieties and 14 forms. In the studied Oruems in region of Jeju-City within altitude 800m, evergreen tree forests does not range and a lot of Pines thunbergii forest and Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa plantation forest were. The endemic species of Oruem in region of Jeju-City were 14 taxa such as Asarum maculatum, Hepatica insularis, Cardamine glechomifolia etc. The floristics degree categorized by the specific distribution of plant species were total 116 Taxa, that is, V grade species Magnolia kobus, Aconitum japonicum subsp. napiforme, Ligularia taquetii etc, 6 kinds be, IV grade species Rubus ribisoideus, Ligustrum salicinum, Carex macrandrolepis etc, 16 kinds be, III grade species Illicium anisatum, Hydrangea petiolaris, Rubus schizostylus etc, 37 kinds be, II grade species Pseudostellaria coreana, potentilla dickinsii, Euonymus pauciflorus etc, 6 kinds and I grade species Sphenomeris chinensis, Pteris multifida, Machilus thunbergii etc, be. 51 kinds were confirmed. Rare and Endemic Plant Species of Korea Forest Service were 11 taxa such as Asarum maculatum, Aconitum japonicum subsp. napiforme and Magnolia kobus etc. Naturalized plant were confirmed 31 taxons with Rumex acetosella, Hypochaeris radicata and Sisyrinchium atlanticum etc.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.223-236
• /
• 2003

The vegetation in this study area was divided into 10 plant communities: Pinus thunbergii, P. densiflora, Quercus acutissima, Q. mongolica, Q. serratea, Q. variabilis, Q. aliena, Q. dentata, Carpinus coreana, Betula davurica and 3 afforestations; Pinus rigida, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Castanea crenata. The dominant species in each stratum as determined by R-NCD appeared to be Q. acutissima, P. densiflora, Platycarya strobilacea, Sorbus alnifolia and Q. aliena in the tree-2 layer, Rhododendron mucronulatum, P. strobilacea, Q. serrata, Q. aliena and Q. acutissima in the shrub layer, and Carex lanceolata, C. humilis, R. mucronulatum, Mischanthus sinensis var. purpurascens and Oplismenus undulatifolius in the herb layer. The distribution of diameter at breast height(DBH) showed the highest percentage (56%) in the range of 2∼10㎝ in the study area and it was investigated as being in the restoration phase after disturbance. The average of the age of trees was under 40-years-od. The pH of soil collected at each site appeared to be within the range between 4.53 and 5.10(the average of 4.73) in each community, organic matters appeared higher than the value in Q. mongolica, P. rigida, C. crenata communities compared to P. thunbergii, P. densiflora communities. And soil organic matters and total nitrogen were highly correlated with their contents.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.241-253
• /
• 2000

The degree to which microenvironmental factors are linked to spatial patterns of vegetational factors within ecosystems has important consequences for our understanding of how ecosytems are structured and for conservation of rare species in ecosystems. We studied this relationships between the spatial patterns of microenvironmental factors and vegetational factors in temperate hardwood forest in Mt. Jumbong Biological Reserve Area, Korea. To do this, environmental and vegetational factors from 196 micropoints in a 0.49 ha plot were investigated. Most of all environmental factors and vegetational factors showed the variations among micropoints. Microtopographic factors, litter depth, soil moisture content and relative light intensity at this site were spatially dependent at a scale of 14∼62 m. Coverage of tree and shrub layer and species diversity of herb layer in autumn were spatially dependent at a scale of < 15 m. Species richness and species diversity of herb layer in spring and species richness of herb layer in autumn were spatially dependent at a scale of 28∼48 m. Multiple regression analysis showed that spatial patterns of species richness and species diversity of herb layer in spring and autumn were affected by litter depth, slope, subtree layer, shrub, Sasa borealis etc. The best predictor for the spatial patterns of species richness and species diversity of herb layer at this site was the spatial pattern of litter depth. Species richness and species diversity of herb layer showed strongly negative correlation with litter depth. We estimate that the spatial pattern of litter depth at this site were affected by direction of wind, microtopography and spatial pattern of shrub layer.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.105 no.3
• /
• pp.309-314
• /
• 2016

A locally adapted plant population under harsh environmental changes might survive for a long generation through maintaining proper level of genetic diversity. When it happens losing the genetic diversity too much fast, the population could be declining and probably become extinct. An isolated small population of Populus davidiana was investigated to study out the genetic diversity and the fine-scale spatial genetic structure. The estimated number of adult trees in the population of Mt. Worak, South Korea, was 350 in the total area of $14,000m^2$. The number of adults in a study plot ($70m{\times}70m$) was 123. The average age was 16-year-old and a 32-year-old tree was the oldest. The distribution of individuals was slightly aggregated in the plot. Sixty-one among the 123 individuals were randomly sampled to estimate genetic variation using AFLP markers. One hundred fifty-one (77%) of total 196 amplicons were polymorphic from six AFLP primer combinations. The average number of loci per primer combination was 32.7 (S.D.=7.2). Expected heterozygosity ($H_e$) and Shannon's diversity index (S.I.) were 0.154 and 0.254, respectively. These values were extremely lower than those of other P. davidiana populations in South Korea. Genetic patchiness was showed within 21 meters by spatial autocorrelation analysis and the isolated small size of population might be mainly attributed to the formation of such small patch size.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 1993

Vegetational data obtained from 15 quadrats of Mt. Daeam area were analysed by applying two multivariate methods : two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN) for classification and detrended canonical correspondence analysis(DCCA) for ordination. The dominant tree species were Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, Betula costata, and Acer mono in descending order. The pH ranges were 5.0 to 5.5 in the 15 sites near bog and 5.3 to 5.4 in the 3 sites within bog. The forest communities in Mt. Daeam were classified into Quercus mongolica-Acer mono, Quercus mongolica-Prunus sargentii, Quercus mongolica-Abies nephrolepis-Acer tschonoskii var, rubripes, and Quercus mongolica-Abies nephrolepis-Betula costata according to the TWINSPAN. The relationships between the distribution of dominant species of forest vegetation and soil in the forest of Mt. Daeam were investigated by analyzing soil nutrition gradient. Quercus mongolica-Prunus sargentii forests were distributed in the good sites in nutrition levels of total nitrogen, cation exchange capacity, $Mg^{+{+}}$ and $Ca^{+{+}}$ but Quercus mongolica-Abies nephrolepis-Betula costata forests in the poor sites in the nutrition levels.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.793-799
• /
• 2016

This study examined Platanus orientalis and Ulmus davidiana planted in downtown parks to identify the correlations among microclimatic factors such as temperature in the crown, air flow, and wind speed. For the field survey, measurements were taken at 1 hour intervals from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm in August. For the measurement of microclimatic factors, data on temperature, light intensity, air flow, and wind speed were collected using a quantum sensor (PAR Quantum Sensor SKP215), a precision thermometer (Pt1000-Sensor), and a combination anemometer (1467 G4 & HG4). The results of the analysis demonstrated that both Platanus orientalis and Ulmus davidiana, showed a greater cooling effect inside the crown as compared with the outside temperature. The cooling effect inside the crown was more evident with air flow and wind speed factors. With relation to wind, the inner temperature of the crown of Platanus orientalis decreased due to air flow while that of Ulmus davidiana decreased due to wind speed. With no wind, the average variation in temperature inside the crown was $-0.9^{\circ}C$ for Ulmus davidiana and $-0.958^{\circ}C$ for Platanus orientalis, indicating that Platanus orientalis was relatively more effective in lowering the temperature of the planting space than Ulmus davidiana. This study is significant because it shows that different tree species have different effects on the microclimate and that factors affecting the formation of the microclimate of trees may vary with species. Further studies on species other than broad leaf trees, such as evergreen trees and shrubs, are required in order to plan the distribution of landscaping trees that are effective in regulating the microclimate within urban green spaces.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.41 no.10
• /
• pp.290-301
• /
• 2017

Background: Forest edges create distinctive ecological space as adjacent constituents, which distinguish between different ecosystems or land use types. These edges are made by anthropogenic or natural disturbance and affects both abiotic and biotic factors gradually. This study was carried out to assess edge effects on disturbed landscape at the pine-dominated clear-cut area in a genetic resources reserve in Uljin-gun, eastern Korea. This study aims to estimate the distance of edge influence by analyzing changes of abiotic and biotic factors along the distance from forest edge. Further, we recommend forest management strategy for sustaining healthy forest landscapes by reducing effects of deforestation. Results: Distance of edge effect based on the abiotic factors varied from 8.2 to 33.0 m. The distances were the longest in $Mg^{2+}$ content and total nitrogen, $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$ contents, canopy openness, light intensity, air humidity, $Na^+$ content, and soil temperature followed. The result based on biotic factors varied from 6.8 to 29.5 m, coverage of tree species in the herb layer showed the longest distance and coverage of shrub plant in the herb layer, evenness, species diversity, total coverage of herb layer, and species richness followed. As the result of calculation of edge effect by synthesizing 26 factors measured in this study, the effect was shown from 11.0 m of the forest interior to 22.4 m of the open space. In the result of stand ordination, Rhododendron mucronulatum, R. schlippenbachii, and Fraxinus sieboldiana dominated arrangement of forest interior sites and Quercus mongolica, Vitis amurensis, and Rubus crataegifolius dominated spatial distribution of the open area plots. Conclusions: Forest interior habitat lies within the influence of both abiotic and biotic edge effects. Therefore, we need a forest management strategy to sustain the stability of the plant and further animal communities that depend on its stable conditions. For protecting forest interior, we recommend selective logging as a harvesting method for minimizing edge effects by anthropogenic disturbance. In fact, it was known that selective logging contributes to control light availability and wind regime, which are key factors affecting microclimate. In addition, ecological restoration applying protective planting for the remaining forest in the clear-cut area could contribute to prevent continuous disturbance in forest interior.