• 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 Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.1
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• pp.19-41
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• 2016

This study examined the flora and community classification in the Forest Genetic Resources Reserves (FGRR) at Mt. Daeseng and Juparyeong to understand the degree of disturbance and the state of forest stand development within the Civilian Control Line (CCL) and to provide baseline data for preservation and management. Of the vascular plants dispersed throughout the study site, there were 98 families, 311 genera, 507 species, 6 subspecies, 65 varieties, and 10 forms, for a total of 588 taxa. Of these, 92 families, 290 genera, 459 species, 6 subspecies, 58 varieties, and 9 forms, for a total of 532 taxa of native plants, were determined to be dispersed around the FGRR at Mt. Daeseng, and 94 families, 259 genera, 364 species, 6 subspecies, 50 varieties, and 8 forms, for a total of 428 taxa of native plants, were confirmed to be dispersed around the FGRR at Juparyeong. There were 21 taxa of endemic Korean plants growing in the FGRR at Mt. Daeseng, with 14 taxa growing in the FGRR at Juparyeong. In terms of rare plants, 26 taxa were confirmed in the FGRR at Mt. Daeseng, and 10 taxa were confirmed in the FGRR at Juparyeong. A Cluster analysis was performed using vegetation data taken from 58 sample plots in each FGRR. The results showed a total of three representative community classifications from Mt. Daeseng: mixed mesophytic forest, Quercus mongolica-Acer pseudosieboldianum, and Quercus mongolica-Fraxinus rhynchophylla communities. Four representative community classifications were observed from Juparyeong: Quercus mongolica-broad leaved forest, Fraxinus rhynchophylla-broad leaved forest, Quercus mongolica, and Quercus communities. On the whole, the species diversity of the communities in Mt. Daeseng FGRR was greater than for the communities in Juparyeong FGRR. At Mt. Daeseng, the mixed mesophytic forest had the highest species diversity index at 1.590, while at Juparyeong, the Fraxinus rhynchophylla-broad leaved forest had the highest species diversity index at 1.319. These study results should serve as useful baseline data for future preservation and management of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and the surrounding area.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.235-250
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• 2023

This study was carried out to identify the vascular flora of Mt. Bonghwa in the Baekdudaegan Mountain range, located on the border between Namwon City and Jangsu Country in Jeollabuk Province and Hamyang Country in Gyeongsangnam Province and use them as basic data for the conservation of plant diversity and prevention of the spread of alien plants. Specimens deposited at the Herbarium of Korea National Arboretum (KH) were reexamined, and 15 field surveys were conducted from April 2020 to July 2023. The result revealed a total of 466 taxa, consisting of 97 families, 279 genera, 409 species, 16 subspecies, 32 varieties and 9 forms, Of which, eight taxa were endemic plants, and one taxon, Aconitum coreanum (H.Lév.), belonged to the vulnerable (VU) on the national red list species. Moreover, there were 57 floristic target species, including 1 taxon of grade V, 9 taxa of grade III, 14 taxa of grade II, and 33 taxa of grade I, whereas there were 24 taxa of alien plants and 1 taxon of ecosystem disturbance species. In the usefulness survey, 353 taxa were for food, 3 for textiles, 71 for medicinal use, 21 for ornamental use, 108 for pasture use, 2 for industrial use, 7 for miscellaneous use, and 11 for timber plants.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 2012

The distribution, vegetation characteristics and an assessment of the conservation status of the Korea endemic species Coreanomecon hylomeconoides Nakai were investigated to collect biological basic data to formulate a conservation strategy. According to the distribution map of C. hylomeconoides based on the literature, specimen information, and local field surveys, natural populations of C. hylomeconoides are intensively distributed in the Southern regions of the peninsula, around Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollanan-do. C. hylomeconoides was distributed in the middle and low slope adjacent to a valley. The altitude ranged from 227 m to 744 m, with inclinations of $5-10^{\circ}$. As a result of a vegetation survey within natural populations, a total of 238 taxa were identified from 29 quadrates in 8 natural populations. The importance value of C. hylomeconoides is 25.34% based on the coverage and frequency of the herbaceous layer with in the populations. The species diversity of the occurrence of the species in 8 natural populations was 1.52, while the averages of species evenness and the dominance values were calculated to be 0.83 and 0.17, respectively. As a result of assessing the conservation status through IUCN Red List criteria, C. hylomeconoides was evaluated as Near Threatened (NT). Conservation strategies are also discussed for the sustainable conservation of C. hylomeconoides.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2005

The vegetation of Bijin and Yongcho Islets was investigated from February 1, 2000 to March 30, 2002, and forest structure was constructed. Vascular plants of this area consisted of 12 forms, 59 varieties, 476 species, 352 genera, 112 families and 37 orders. Among them, 37 species (6.8% out of the total 547 taxa) of evergreen broad leaved trees, 36 species (6.6% out of the total 547 taxa and 19.7% out of the total naturalized plants in Korea) of naturalized plants, 6 species of endemic plants and 41 species of cultivated plants were observed. Rare and endangered plants include 1 taxa: Crypsinus hastatus ('98-4). The vegetation in this study area was classified into 9 communities (Pinus thunbergii, Castanopsis cuspidata var thunbergii Camellia japonica, Neolitsea sericea, Machilus thunbergii, Quercus variabilis, Carpinus coreana, Platycarya strobilacea, Miscanthus sinensis var. purpurascens) and 1 afforestation (Alnus firma).

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.155-167
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• 2007

This study was carried out to offer the raw data for environment conservation by surveying and analysing the flora distributed over Jinhae-si, and to present the frame for preparing the method of obtaining the bioresource in approach to plant resource. The period of survey was from May, 2005 to June, 2006, and the routes were A(Mt. Jangbok), B(Ahnmin hill) C(Mt. Hwa). The results as follows. The vascular plants were summarized as 447 taxa; 98 families, 286 genera, 394 species, 49 varieties, and 4 forma. The rare plants designated by Korea Forest Service were 2 taxa; Tricyrtis dilatata and Viola albida. The Korean endemic plants were 11 taxa; Tricyrtis dilatata, Salix caprea, Carpinus coreana, Melandryum seoulense, Clematis trichotoma, Thalictrum uchiyamai, Deutzia coreana, Spiraea prunifolia for. simpliciflora, Lespedeza maritima, Forsythia koreana and Weigela subsessilis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.2
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• pp.226-235
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• 2012

Floristic composition and phytosociological studies in Mt. Gwaebyung and Galmi-Bong were investigated to classify forest vegetation and distribution of vascular plants. We investigated two study sites from April to September, 2011. Total 477 taxa with 93 families, 279 genera, 408 species, 4 subspecies, 56 varieties and 9 forms were distributed in Mt. Gwaebyung and Galmi-Bong. Korean endemic species were composed of 8 families with 11 genera and 11 species. The plant species which is designated as protected species by the Ministry of Environment, Korea was 2 families, 2 genera and 2 species. Also plant species which is designated by the Korea National Arboretum was 16 taxa with 13 families, 14 genera, 15 species and 1 variety. A naturalized plants were 17 taxa. The Naturalization index and Urbanization index were 3.6% and 5.3% respectively. Pteridophyta-calculation (Pte-Q) was 1.00. Life form spectra was $H-D_4-R_5-e$ type and the highest percentage of useful plant resources were medicinal plant (77.5%). The forest vegetation in Mt. Gwaebyung and Galmi-bong was classified into 1 order, 1 alliance and 4 communities; Rhododendro - Quercetalia mongoliaceae, Lindero-Quercion mongolicae, Quercus mongolica Typical Community, Pinus densiflora-Quercus mongolica Community, Larix kaempferi Community and Sasa borealis-Quercus mongolica Community.

• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2009

Astilbe (Saxifragaceae) is a genus well known for its disjunctive distribution in Asia and eastern North America. In this study, we reconstructed a molecular phylogeny of the genus using the sequences of ITS regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA. A total of 17 species representing major lineage of Astilbe and closely related taxa were included in the phylogenetic analyses. We obtained a Bayesian phylogenetic tree in which Saxifragopsis was positioned as a sister group to Astilbe. The Japanese endemic species, A.platyphylla was the most basal lineage within the genus. This species is well known for its distinct morphological features such as unisexual flowers, apetaly, and calyx with 7-11 lobes. Two species, A. biternata, a New World representative of the genus, and A. rivularis widely distributed in S. Asia, branched off early in the evolution of Astilbe. The remaining species formed a strongly supported core clade, which diverged into two robust geographical lineages: the first ("Japonica" clade) of species distributed in Japan, Taiwan, and Philippines and the other ("Rubra" clade), of taxa in China and Korea. The ITS phylogeny indicates that the Bering land bridges were the major route for the origin and dispersal of A. biternata. The two Taiwanese taxa and A. philippinensis were found to derive from the Japanese member, as the genus advanced southwards. The ITS phylogeny suggests that apetaly originated independently at least two times within the genus. Our results do not support Engler's classification system of the genus based on the leaf type (simple vs. compound), but reaffirm Hara's taxonomic idea which primarily considered the features of calyx.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.48-62
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• 2012

This study was carried out to classify the folk plants in inland of northern region of Gangwon-do. According to the survey results from 35 places of 9 counties and cities from April to October, 2010, the folk plants in inland of northern region of Gangwon-do consisted of a total 261 taxa; 73 families, 185 genera, 225 species, 2 subspecies, 30 varieties, and 4 form. Among the investigated 261 taxa, 3 Korean endemic, 11 rare plants and 9 naturalized plants were also included. The use by usage of 261 taxa was: 378 times; Edible, 53 times; Medicinal, 8 times; Dye, 7 times; Ornamental, 6 times; Fuel, 5 times; Spice, 3 times; Aroma, 2 times; Nectar, 41 times; Others, respectively, so the edible use is the highest. The most useful part was the leaf, followed by whole plant and root. The consistency comparison between the scientific name and the local name were the highest in the 20's and the lowest in 80's.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2005

This study aims to investigate the flora of Mt. Gaya National Park, especially focused on the forested wetland vegetation of Danji-bong area. The flora of Mt. Gaya was investigated from April in 2003 to October in 2004. Vascular plants of this area consist of total 465 taxa, 4 hybrids, 12 forma, 75 varieties, 1 subspecies, 373 species, 268 genera, 91 families. It corresponds to 11.4% of totally 4,071 taxa appeared in Korea. Korean endemic plants were composed 11 families, 15 genera, 14 species, 1 variety and totaling 15 taxa. And also actual vegetation structures were analyzed the newly founded forested wetland and natural population Ajuga spectabilis on the Danji-bong area using the vegetation and the species composition by tree layer.