• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.243-256
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• 2007

The purpose of this paper is aimed at identifying the planting condition of greenbelt axis covering forests located at Sinhyeon-eup, Geoje-si and also establishing improvement plans for the ecological organization. The study was executed with buffer green space designed to mitigate noise, which is located at a halfway point linking Mt. Yukkyo(altitude of 50m) and Mt. Jungmae(altitude of 131m). The number of the biotope patterns was classified into 17 in total: the two are urbanized districts such as a townified district and streets and another 15 are greenbelts and open space such as forest biotope, inland water biotope, and landscaping tree plantations biotope. According to the analysis of biotope types, it was estimated that the making use of already established buffer greens as a linking medium with a foothold of Mt. Yukkyo and Jungmae, whose natural eco-system is well suited for habitation of living organism, is the one and only way to the influx of living organism into the downtown area. The green coverage rate of the base green area, sub-base green area and linkage green area was 160.29%, 128.37% and 44.37% respectively; the green capacity coefficient(i.e. GVZ[$Gr{\ddot{u}}nvolumezahl$]) for base green area, sub-base green area and linkage green area was $4.04m^3/m^2,\;3.95m^3/m^2\;and\;0.65m^3/m^2$ respectively. The base green area has constituted multi-layered vegetation structure and thus played a role as habitats for living organism and supply centre of species, whereas the sub-base green area has destroyed lower layer vegetation, and the linkage green area was in bad shape due to the lack of planting volume and damage of the shrub layer. Accordingly, this research paper intended to suggest detailed implementation plans for the improvement in landscape for city dwellers' use and relaxation; in other words, this paper focused on ecological build-up for the Influx of wild birds into the downtown area for the promotion of bio-diversity of species through the linkage of base green areas and the fostering of nature observing trails for citizens as well as the connecting of green areas through the build-up of roadside greens to make these green areas to be efficiently used as corridors for the influx of wild birds and bio-organism habitation and for citizens' using space.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-67
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• 2020

Pinus densiflora is the most widely distributed tree species in South Korea. Its ecological and socio-cultural attributes makes it one of the most important tree species in S. Korea. In recent times however, the distribution of P. densiflora has been affected by dieback. This phenomenon has largely been attributed to climate change. This study was conducted to investigate the responses of growth and physiology of P. densiflora to drought and nitrogen fertiliz ation according to the RCP 8.5 scenario. A Temperature Gradient Chamber (TGC) and CO₂. Temperature Gradient Chamber (CTGC) were used to simulate climate change conditions. The treatments were established with temperature (control versus +3 and +5℃; aCeT) and CO₂ (control: aCaT versus x1.6 and x2.2; eCeT), watering(control versus drought), fertilization(control versus fertilized). Net photosynthesis (P_n), stomatal conductance (g_s), biomass and relative soil volumetric water content (VWC) were measured to examine physiological responses and growth. Relative soil VWC in aCeT significantly decreased after the onset of drought. P_n and g_s in both aCeT and eCeT with fertiliz ation were high before drought but decreased rapidly after 7 days under drought because nitrogen fertilization effect did not last long. The fastest mortality was 46 days in aCeT and the longest survival was 56 days in eCeT after the onset of drought. Total and partial biomass (leaf, stem and root) in both aCeT and eCeT with fertiliz ation were significantly high, but significantly low in aCeT. The results of the study are helpful in addressing P. densiflora vulnerability to climate change by highlighting physiological responses related to carbon allocation under differing simulated environmental stressors.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.384-395
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• 2018

This study was carried out to investigate the environment factors including community structure and soil characteristics in the wild habitats of Cephalotaxus koreana, and offers the basic information for habitats conservation and restoration. Most of the wild habitats were located at altitudes between 148~835 m with inclinations ranged as $12{\sim}32^{\circ}$. The average soil pH was 4.7~5.9, soil organic matter was 5.72~15.99%, cation exchange capacity was $14.1{\sim}19.9cmolc/kg^{-1}$ and exchangeable $K^+$, $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$ was 0.25~0.48 cmolc/kg, 0.79~6.68 cmolc/kg, 0.31~1.73 cmolc/kg, respectively. The dominant species of tree layer were found to be dominated by Quercus dentata in Jekbo-san (C1), Acer pictum in Bogae-san (C2), Acer pseudosieboldianum in Geumwon-san (C3), Q. serrata in Jiri-san (C4), Zelkova serrata in Baegun-san (C5), and Q. acutissima in Duryun-san (C6). The Species diversity (H') was 0.854~1.234, evenness (J') was 0.654~0.993, and dominance (D) was found to be 0.067~0.346. Correlation coefficients analysis based on environmental factors, community structure and value of species diversity shows that growth of Cephalotaxus koreana is correlated with species diversity and evenness. This result show that Cephalotaxus koreana habitats located in mature stands.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.378-401
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• 2019

This study generated a list of plants in eight sections from the Baekdansa ticket office (874m) to Cheonjedan (1,560m) divided in the interval of 100m above sea level to examine the species diversity patterns and distribution changes of the vascular plants at different altitudes in Taebaeksan National Park. Four site surveys found a total of 385 taxa: 89 families, 240 genera, 345 species, 5 subspecies, 34 varieties, and 1 form. A result of analyzing the change of species diversity along elevational gradients showed that it decreased with increasing elevation and then increased from a certain section. A result of analyzing habitat affinity types showed that the proportion of forest species increased with increasing elevation. On the other hand, the ruderal species appeared at a high rate in the artificial interference section. A result of comparing the proportion of woody and herb plants showed that the woody plants gradually increased with elevation and rapidly decreased in the artificial interference section. On the other hand, the herb plants showed the opposite trend. A result of analyzing the change of distribution of species according to altitude with the DCA technique showed that the vascular plants were divided into three groups according to the elevation in order on the I axis with the boundaries at 900m and 1,300m above sea level. The arrangement of each stand from right to left along the altitude on the I axis with a significant correlation with warmth index (WI) confirmed that the temperature change along the altitude could affect the distribution of vascular plants, composition, and diversity. Therefore, the continuous monitoring is necessary to confirm ecological and environmental characteristics of vegetation, distribution ranges, changes of habitat. We expect that the results of this study will be used as the basic data for establishing the measurement measures related to the preservation of biodiversity and climate change.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.78-99
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• 2020

The Buddha triad and 16 Arhat statues carved on the rock surface at Seongbulsa temple is the only domestic remaining example of all 16 Arhats, so its academic value is very high. However, it is severely damaged and so required a stability evaluation through study of digital documentation and precise diagnosis for the purpose of comprehensive conservation. This process established that the Buddha statues were of similar scale, while the Arhats showed a wide variety of sizes, and the two kith and kin in the volume were larger than the Arhats. It was estimated that the statues of food for Buddha are similar to the Arhat statues, and most of the statues are well-formed. The rock used to carve the Buddha statues is banded gneiss with distinct foliation, alternating between white bands of quartz and feldspar and black bands composed of biotite. The Buddha statues have been damaged by physical weathering, discoloration, and biological contamination. In damage evaluations, joint (3.6 crack index), peeling (5.2%), exfoliation (1.7%), and falling off (0.1%) were observed on the rock surface of the Buddha statues. In particular, due to severe biological weathering, stage 9 and 10 biological coverage of the rock surface accounted for 57.5% of the total area, and stages 5 to 8 also accounted for a high share at 22.3%. The discoloration factors were shown to be dark brown and white with Fe, Ca, and S, and a large amount of C detected in the blackened contaminants, and the damage weight high in all areas. Discontinuities in different directions were identified in the rock surface. Analysis of potential rock failure types indicated that there is a possibility of plane and toppling failure, but wedge failure is unlikely to occur. The mean ultrasonic velocity of the main rock surface was 2,463m/sec, the lower part of the left side with a large number of joints was relatively low, and the highly weathered (HW) type to the completely weathered (CW) type concentrated distribution, showing weak properties. For the Buddha statues, conservation treatment is required for about 14.9% of micro cracks and 58.9% of exfoliation cracks. In addition, in order to improve the conservation environment of the Buddha statues, maintenance of drainage and ground preparations for the rock surface gradient and plants are necessary, and protection facilities should be reviewed for long-term conservation and management purposes.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.24-37
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• 2021

This study was conducted to newly examine the original landscape of Buyongjeong(芙蓉亭) and Juhamnu(宙合樓) areas in Changdeokgung Palace(昌德宮), focusing on the modern period including the Korean Empire, and to derive useful research results for restoration and maintenance in the future. The study results can be summarized as follows. First, the artificial island in Buyongji(芙蓉池) was originally made up of a straight layer using well-trimmed processed stone. However, during the maintenance work in the 1960s and 1970s, the artificial island in Buyongji was transformed into a mixture of natural and processed stones. The handrail installed on the upper part of the artificial island in Buyongji is a unique facility that is hard to find similar cases. The handrail existed even during the Korean Empire, but was completely destroyed during the Japanese colonial period. Second, Chwibyeong(翠屛), which is currently located on the left and right of Eosumun(魚水門), is the result of a reproduction based on Northern bamboo in 2008. Although there is a view that sees the plant material of Eosumun Chwibyeong as Rigid-branch yew, the specific species is still vague. Looking at the related data and circumstances from various angles, at least in the modern era, it is highly probable that the Eosumun Chwibyeong was made of Chinese juniper like Donggwanwangmyo Shrine(東關王廟) and Guncheongung(乾淸宮) in Gyeongbokgung Palace(景福宮). Third, the backyard of Juhamnu was a space with no dense trees on top of a stone staircase-shaped structure. The stone stairway in the backyard of Juhamnu was maintained in a relatively open form, and it also functioned as a space to pass through the surrounding buildings. However, as large-scale planting work was carried out in the late 1980s, the backyard of Juhamnu was maintained in the same shape as a Terraced Flower Bed, and it was transformed into a closed space where many flowering plants were planted. Fourth, Yeonghwadang Namhaenggak(暎花堂 南行閣), which had a library function like Gyujanggak(奎章閣) and Gaeyuwa(皆有窩), was destroyed in the late 1900s and was difficult to understand in its original form. Based on modern photographs and sketch materials, this study confirmed the arrangement axis of Yeonghwadang Namhaenggak, and confirmed the shape and design features of the building. In addition, an estimated restoration map referring to 「Donggwoldo(東闕圖)」 and 「Donggwoldohyung(東闕圓形)」 was presented for the construction of basic data.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.102-111
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• 2022

Among protected areas, National Parks are rich in biodiversity, and the benefits of ecosystem services provided to human are higher than the others. Ecosystem service evaluation is being used to manage the value of national parks based on objective and scientific data. Ecosystem services are classified into four services: supporting, provisioning, regulating and cultural. The purpose of this study is to evaluate habitat quality among supporting services. Habitat Quality Model of InVEST was used to analyze. The coefficients of sensitivity and habitat initial value were reset by reflecting prior studies and the actual conditions of protected areas. Habitat quality of 21 national parks except Hallasan National Park was analyzed and mapped. The value of habitat quality was evaluated to be between 0 and 1, and the closer it is to 1, the more natural it is. As a result of habitat quality analysis, Seoraksan and Taebaeksan National Parks (0.90), Jirisan and Odaesan National Parks (0.89), and Sobaeksan National Park (0.88) were found to be the highest in the order. As a result of comparing the area and habitat quality of 18 national parks except for coastal-marine national parks, the larger the area, the higher the overall habitat quality. Comparing the value of habitat quality of each zone, the value of habitat quality was high in the order of the park nature preservation zone, the park nature environmental zone, the park cultural heritage zone, and the park village zone. Considering both the analysis of habitat quality and the legal regulations for each zone of use, it is judged that the more artificial acts are restricted, the higher the habitat quality. This study is meaningful in analyzing habitat quality of 21 National Parks by readjusting the parameters according to the situation of protected areas in Korea. It is expected to be easy to intuitively understand through accurate data and mapping, and will be useful in making policy decisions regarding the development and preservation of protected areas in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.112 no.3
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• pp.280-289
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• 2023

Diverse native tree species are distributed in Korean forests; however, information on their regeneration strategies is limited. This study analyzed seed rain from 2011 to 2013, seedling emergence, seedling survival, lifespan distribution, and the relationship between seedling mortality and herbaceous vegetation for 3 years, from 2012 to 2014, to understand the natural regeneration and early survival characteristics of Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance in natural broad-leaved forests. Seed rain and emerged seedling density significantly differed among the years (p < .05). An increase in seed rain was followed by an increase in seedling emergence in the following year. Seed rain in 2013 and seedling emergence in 2014 showed a significant correlation (p < .05), confirming the trait of F. rhynchophylla seeds that germinate in the following year after seed production. Seedlings emerged in late spring and early summer. Of the seedlings, 78% emerged in the early summer of 2014. Most seedlings died immediately after emergence. Of the seedlings that emerged in August 2012, 56% died within 2 months, and 38% of those that emerged in July 2014 died within 1 month. Shade and competition against ground vegetation chiefly affected the seedling survival of F. rhynchophylla. Fraxinus rhynchophylla showed mast seeding, with a large number of seed production in a particular year. A surge of seedling emergence followed in the early summer of the next year. However, most seedlings died in the same year of emergence. Fraxinus rhynchophylla has a high seedling mortality, but mast seeding and the resulting high seedling emergence produce a few survived seedlings, enabling the continuation of the F. rhynchophylla population. Efforts and research on the natural regeneration of native tree species are required to effectively manage natural forests in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.259-272
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• 2023

This study set up 49 survey areas with an area of about 400 square meters in Abies koreana natural habitat to identify the species composition and vegetation structure of the A. koreana forest in the Mt. Jiri Nation Park, conducted field surveys using phytosociological methods, and performed the cluster analysis using the Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWINSPAN) and Table manipulation. Subsequently, species composition analysis using the importance value, species diversity analysis, DBH analysis, sapling analysis, and similarity analysis was conducted by each cluster type. The cluster analysis classified the A. koreana forest in Mt. Jiri into five clusters, A, B, C, D, and E. The forest was divided into two clusters, Magnolia sieboldii-Dryopteris crassirhizoma-Sasa borealis and Betula ermanii-Solidago virgaurea-Calamagrostis arundinacea. The former was classified as type A and B by Cornus controversa-Hydrangea macrophylla, and the latter was classified as type E, a typical community, and a Sorbus commixta-Rhododendron mucronulatum cluster. And the S. commixta-R. mucronulatum cluster was divided into C type and D type by Picea jezoensis-Ligularia fischeri and Ainsliaea acerifolia. Through vegetation analysis, the importance value of A. koreana, Quercus mongolica, Acer pseudosieboldianum, Fraxinus sieboldiana, and B. ermanii was highly expressed in the A. koreana forest in Mt. Jiri. Regarding species diversity, the results were similar to those reported in other studies of A. koreana forests in Mt. Jiri. The analysis of diameter at breast height (DBH) showed that A. koreana dominated all layers, and the growth of saplings was also good, indicating that the dominance of A. koreana is expected to continue for a while. However, when considering the value of biodiversity that is expected to increase and threats caused by climate change, systematic preservation and management are required to respond to various threats based on continuous monitoring.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.4
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• pp.473-481
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• 2022

Environment-friendly harvesting is practiced to maintain ecosystem, landscape, and forest protection functions. The present study was conducted at Simgok-ri, Sinbuk-myeon, Pocheon, Gyeonngi-do, where a 41-50-year-old Japanese larch forest was harvested in an environment-friendly manner from 2017 to 2019. The dynamics of organic matter in this forest were investigated at three years after the harvest. Specifically, organic matter content was measured on the forest floor and in overstory biomass, litterfall, and soil up to 30 cm in depth from June 2020 to January 2021. Owing to the harvest, the amount of overstory biomass of the Japanese larch stands decreased from 142.22 to 44.20 t ha^-1. On the forest floor, the amount of organic matter was 32.87 t ha^-1 in the control plots and 23.34 t ha^-1 in the harvest plots. Annual litterfall was 4.43 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in the control plots and 1.16 t ha^-1 yr^-1 in the harvest plots. Soil bulk density in the B horizon was 0.97 g cm^-3 in the control plots and 1.06 g cm^-3 i n the harvest plots. Soil organic matter content was 11.5% in the control plots and 12.8% in the harvest plots. The total amount of soil organic matter did not differ significantly between the control plots (245.21 t ha^-1) and harvest plots (263.92 t ha^-1), although the amount of soil organic matter tended to be higher in the harvest plots. The total amount of organic matter in the forest was estimated to be 406.48 t ha^-1 in the control plots and 338.21 t ha^-1 in the harvest plots. In the harvest plots, the ratio of aboveground organic matter decreased to 13.1% and soil organic matter increased to 78.0%, indicating that the distribution of organic matter changed significantly in these plots. Overall, the carbon accumulated in aboveground biomass was substantially reduced by environment-friendly harvesting, whereas the soil carbon level increased, which played a role in mitigating the reduction of system carbon in the forest. These results highlight one possible resolution for forest management in terms of coping with climate change. However, given that only three years of environment-friendly harvesting data were analyzed, further research on the dynamics of organic matter and tree growth is needed.