• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2014

Fine root distribution was investigated in Pinus densiflora stands using soil core sampling and minirhizotrons, and conversion factors and regression equations were developed for converting minirhizotron data into fine root biomass. Fine root biomass was measured by soil core sampling from October, 2012 to September, 2013 once a month except for the winter, and surface area of fine roots was estimated by minirhizotrons from May to August, 2013 once a month. Fine root biomass and surface area were significantly higher in the upper soil layers than in the lower soil layers. Fine root biomass showed seasonal patterns; the mean fine root biomass ($kg{\cdot}ha^{-1}$) in summer (3,762.4) and spring (3,398.0) was significantly higher than that in autumn (2,551.6). Vertical and seasonal patterns of fine root biomass might be related to the soil bulk density, nutrient content and temperature with soil depth, and seasonal changes of soil and air temperature. Conversion factors (CF) between fine root surface area from minirhizotron data and fine root biomass from soil core sampling were developed for the three soil depths. Then a linear regression equation was developed between the predicted fine root biomass using CF and the measured fine root biomass (y = 79.7 + 0.93x, $R^2=0.81$). We expect to estimate the long-term dynamics of fine roots using CF and regression equation for P. densiflora forests in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.187-196
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• 2010

A total of 10 islands (Kumodo and Komundo in Yeosu City; Oinarodo in Goheung County; Chongsando, Soando, and Pogildo in Wando County; Chodo in Jindo County; Uido, Huksando, and Hongdo in Shinan County) were surveyed to confirm distribution of naturalized plants from June 2006 to December 2008. A total of 100 naturalized plants taxa from 25 families were recorded. The highest number of naturalized plant species (82 taxa) was recorded on Oinarodo, while the lowest number was recorded on Hongdo (42 taxa) and on Uido (34 taxa). A total of 26 naturalized species taxa (such as Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne, Bromus unioloides, Rumex obtusifolius, Chenopodium album, Phytolacca americana, Barbarea vulgaris, Lepidium apetalum, Robinia pseudo-acacia, Trifolium repens, Erigeron annuus, Erigeron canadensis, Senecio vulgaris, Xanthium strumarium) was recorded in all study areas. Distribution of naturalized plants were categorized into 7 habitat types based on ecological traits: afforested land, beach, port, and vacant land, road boundary, road cut and slope area, waste arable land, landfill area, and wetland. Systematic management is required to conserve unique landscape, species diversity, vegetation and ecosystem of Dadohae National Park. In order to manage the naturalized plants in Dadohae National Park, basic surveys are most needed to understand distribution and dispersal of naturalized plants communities based on ecological features of each habitat type.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2010

Stand structure and spatial associations of the dominant tree species in Quercus mongolica stands were investigated to understand interspecific relationships and the persistent dominance of Q. mongolica. We examined the species composition, DBH (diameter at breast height) distribution, and spatial distribution of trees (${\geq}\;2.5\;cm$ DBH) in two permanent $100\;m\;{\times}\;100\;m$ plots in Q. mongolica-dominant stands on the western part of Mt. Jiri. Ripley's K-function was used to characterize the spatial patterns and associations of dominant tree species. Q. mongolica showed a continuous and reverse-J shaped DBH distribution with clumped spatial distribution in both study sites. Q. mongolica and Abies koreana exhibited a negative association implying potential interspecific competition. The positive spatial association between Q. mongolica and Alnus hirsuta var. sibirica and Fraxinus sieboldiana were affected by site characteristics: limited habitat conditions with a large proportion of rock surface. Our results suggest that interactions among species were complex and ranged from positive to negative. Differences in stand and site characteristics and regeneration mechanisms among the species play an important role in regulating their spatial distribution patterns, while competition between individuals also contributes to spatial patterning of these communities. The high density and the early developmental stage of spatial distribution and structural characteristics of Q. mongolica and the relatively low importance values of other species in the stands imply that Q. mongolica will remain dominant in the study sites in the near future.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2015

This study was conducted in an effort to provide important clues pertaining to the conservation and restoration of Aporia crataegi by identifying the spatial distribution characteristics of the current habitats, prospective habitats, and future habitats of A. crataegi in accordance with climate changes. To determine the distribution of A. crataegi, data from a total of 36 collecting points throughout South Korea, North Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, and Russia are used. The spatial distributions of the data were examined through MaxEnt modeling. The distribution probability rates exceeded 75% at 18 locations among the 36 species occurrence locations, with Gangwon province showing the highest distribution probability in South Korea. The precision of the MaxEnt model was remarkably high, with an AUC value of 0.982. The variables that affect the potential distribution of A. crataegi by more than 10% are the degree of temperature seasonality, the amount of precipitation in the warmest quarter, the annual mean temperature, and the amount of precipitation in the driest month, in that order of importance. It was found that the future potential distribution area of A. crataegi continuously moves northward over time up to 2070s. In addition, the area of the potential distribution showing a habitable probability rate that exceeds 75% in northeast Asia was $28,492km^2$, where the area of potential distribution in the north part of Korean peninsula was $20.404km^2$ in size. Thus, it is anticipated that the most important future habitats of A. crataegi in the northeast Asia will be North and South Hamgyeong provinces and Ryanggang province near Mt. Baekdoosan in the northern area of the Korean peninsula.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.313-327
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• 2021

Background: Citizen science is becoming a mainstream approach of baseline data collection to monitor biodiversity and climate change. Dragonflies (Odonata) have been ranked as the highest priority group in biodiversity monitoring for global warming. Ischnura senegalensis Rambur has been designated a biological indicator of climate change and is being monitored by the citizen science project "Korean Biodiversity Observation Network." This study has been performed to understand changes in the distribution range of I. senegalensis in response to climate change using citizen science data in South Korea. Results: We constructed a dataset of 397 distribution records for I. senegalensis, ranging from 1980 to 2020. The number of records sharply increased over time and space, and in particular, citizen science monitoring data accounted for the greatest proportion (58.7%) and covered the widest geographical range. This species was only distributed in the southern provinces until 2010 but was recorded in the higher latitudes such as Gangwon-do, Incheon, Seoul, and Gyeonggi-do (max. Paju-si, 37.70° latitude) by 2020. A species distribution model showed that the annual mean temperature (Bio1; 63.2%) and the maximum temperature of the warmest month (Bio5; 16.7%) were the most critical factors influencing its distribution. Future climate change scenarios have predicted an increase in suitable habitats for this species. Conclusions: This study is the first to show the northward expansion in the distribution range of I. senegalensis in response to climate warming in South Korea over the past 40 years. In particular, citizen science was crucial in supplying critical baseline data to detect the distribution change toward higher latitudes. Our results provide new insights on the value of citizen science as a tool for detecting the impact of climate change on ecosystems in South Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.365-370
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• 2001

The vegetation of the Khogno Khan Natural Reserve of the central Mongolia was studied in terms of the Zurich-Montpellier School's method. Twenty plant communities were identified from the three different landscape types such as mountain areas(63%), plains(32%), and wetlands(5%). Actual vegetation map using five vegetation domains was accomplished in order to understand the spatial distribution of regional vegetation. Steppe vegetation of 88% vegetation cover to the whole area is representative, which is composed of a matrix of landscape. The birch-aspen forests and the elm bush forests are relics as a patch distribution. It is recognized that the whole territory of protected area be under the effects of severe grazing from the phytosociological viewpoint.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 1989

This study was objected to figure out the soil microarthropod fauna in forests with different flora, and to elucidate how environmental factors affect the diversity of soil microarthropods. Relationships between the distribution density of soil microarthropods and environmental factors were correlated positively with organic matter and C/N ratio. By the calculation of the contribution coefficients, organic matter, amount of precipitation, C/N ratio, and soil moisture were found to be major environmental factors that affect the distribution of soil microarthropods.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 1990

The vertical distribution and seasonal fluctuation of soil microarthropods in the forests with different flora were investigated in this study. soil micrarthropods were concentrated as much as 71.8% in the first layer subsoil (0-5cm), 22.3% in the second layer subsoil (5-10cm), and 5.9% in the third layer subsoil (10-15cm) in the decreasing order. The population density in the first layer decreased slightly in winter while that of the second layer increased. However, the density in the first layer bounced back in the following spring. Seasonal fluctuations of population density were revealed "Two peak-Two valley type", that is, the densities were high in fall and spring, and low in winter and summer.nd summer.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 1990

The airborne pollens were investigated by 11 pollen traps in Seoul from September to November, 1986 and from March to May, 1987. There were 25 families and 36 genera of which pollens were observed, the amount of airborne pollens was most in May, and least in November. Distribution patterns of ariborne pollens were that of herbs, such as Ambrosia, Artemisia, Humulus, and persicaria in fall, and that of trees, such as Alnus, Salix, Corylus, Pinus, Platanus Betula, and Quercus in spring. From the viewpoint of regional distribution, pollens were much observed at a residential section and an industrial area in fall, and at a park region in spring.