Abstract
Population dynamics of the oldest relic stand of Pinus densiflora for. erecta which remains as a status of patch in Sokwang-Ri area, Uljin-Gun, was studied to provide the basic data for conservation of the oldest pine stand in Korea. The upper slope site and ridge site including total 12 plots mainly represented Pinus densiflora for. erecta and Quercus mongolica. These two tree species showed reverse J-shaped distribution. From this information, it was concluded that intensive interspecific competition between two species could be occurring. Age distribution of P. densiflora for. erecta on the sites above middle slope area was indicated bi-modal type or tri-modal type which was known as an age structure of climax forest. Therefore, it was estimated that Pinus densiflora for. erecta population could be continuously maintained in the each patch above middle slope area. In the valley sites, hardwood species such as Q. mongolica, Q. variabilis, Styrax obassia and Acer pseudosieboldianum occupied most part of the under crown-cover area and their seedlings and saplings were developing into the closed upper layer crown because the height of upper layer crown reached about 35 meters and such a high crown height was more suitable for light utilization by plants of under layer. The growth patterns were mainly fluctuated for the entire life time of the oldest tree caused by frequent disturbance. And the initial growth curves of the mature trees and suppressed juvenile trees showed different tendencies along the sites.
