• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.7-17
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• 2009

The objectives of this study were to analyze vegetation type and stand structure of the red pine (Pinus densiflora) in Kangwon northern region for stable and sustainable management forests. The pine forests in study sites were classified into 3 communities, 5 groups, and 2 subgroups, total 7 vegetation units. Species with constance degree of more than 61% were P. densiflora, Quercus mongolica, Lindera obtusiloba, Spodiopogon sibiricus, Atractylodes japonica, Rhododendron mucronulatum, and Carex humilis. They were showing different characteristics by pattern according to their growing district. In the importance value (I.V.) analysis of each layer, P. densiflora showed highly in tree layer while in other layers Quercus spp. was high. Especially, young P. densiflora tree hardly appeared in the herb layer, but broad-leaved trees and shrub species showed high I.V.. Furthermore, the annual ring growth of P. densiflora was reduced while that of Q. spp. increased. According to analysis of stand structures and annual ring growths, it is considered that appropriate silvicultual practice methods should be employed to remove rival broad-leaved species for maintenance of sustainable red pine forests considering the characteristics of each stand.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.87-89
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• 2003

Although a forest damage of large area due to air pollution has not yet been found in Korea, declines of Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.), the most common coniferous species, have been locally reported. To evaluate the effect of air pollution and acid deposition on the forests, SO$_2$ concentration, acid load, soil pH and tree decline were monitored for 13 years from 1988 to 2001 in Namsan, Doowang and Gyebangsan with the gradient of air pollution. During the study period, annual mean SO$_2$ concentration in Namsan, Doowang and Gyebangsan were 14 ppb, 13 ppb and 6 ppb, respectively. Annual mean acid loads in Namsan and Doowang were three to four times more than that in Gyebangsan. As respected, forest surface soils in Namsan and Doowang were acidified to pH 4.1 and 4.3, whereas that in Gyebangsan showed normal value as pH 5.4. On the other hand, decline degrees of Korean red pines in Namsan and Doowang in both 1996 and 2001 were higher than those in Gyebangsan. It is reasonable that the severer tree declines in Namsan and Doowang could be closely related with the higher air pollution, acid load, and the effects (possibly Ca deficit and Al toxicity) of soil acidification.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.04a
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• pp.119-119
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• 2019

Pinus densiflora, the Korean Red Pine, is the predominant tree species of the cool, temperate forests of northeast Asia, occurring in pure stands across Korea, Japan, and parts of northern China and Russia. Pinus densiflora leaves, pollen, and bark have been widely used for traditional medicine, or edible purposes. However, pine cones contain many bioactive phytochemicals, but they are rarely used as natural raw materials. This study was conducted to evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of pine cone extracts and its possbility of natural sources were evaluated. Pine cones were extracted with 80% methanol, concentrated and then partitioned with ethyl acetate, and the organic layer was used as a sample. The Pine cone Ethyl acetate Fraction (PEF) showed no toxicity to RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration of less than $50{\mu}g/ml$. PEF inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Also, It suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and transcription of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). These results suggest that pine cones can be used as an effective natural material for anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.347-356
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• 2007

The structure and dynamics of Korean red pine stands established in the riparian zone were studied in the Tsang stream in Mt. Seorak National Park, in east-central Korea. Pine stands were classified into four successional stages, the initial, establishing, competitive, and stabilizing stages, based on the age distribution of a dominant tree, Pinus densiflora, the vegetation stratification, and the microtopography of the riverine environment. The stages usually corresponded to disturbance frequencies, depending on the horizontal and vertical distances from the watercourse. Stands of the initial and establishing stages lacked tree or subtree layers, or both. As stands progressed through the developmental stages, soil particle size became finer and moisture retention capacity was improved. The stand ordination reflected the developmental stage, and the species ordination differentiated species specializing in relatively dry and wet habitats. The results of the analysis of vegetation dynamics provided ecological information which will be useful for understanding the developmental processes of vegetation established in riparian zones. Species diversity indices usually increased across developmental stages, following the typical pattern for successional processes. We discuss the importance and necessity of riparian vegetation in Korea, where most riparian forests have disappeared due to excessive human land use.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.6
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• pp.855-862
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to analyze vegetation types and stand structures of the red pine (Pinus densiflora) in Kangwon southern region for stable and sustainable forest management. The pine forests in study sites were classified into 4 communities, 2 groups, so total 6 vegetation units. Species with high constance degree were Quercus mongolica, Rhus trichocarpa, Lindera obtusiloba, Lespedeza maximowiczii, Quercus serrata, Spodiopogon sibiricus, Aster scaber and Fraxinus sieboldiana. In the importance value(I.V.) analysis of each layer, P. densiflora showed highly in tree layer while in other layers competitive broad-leaved species such as Quercus spp. were high. P. densiflora also showed large size of DBH, while broad-leaved species distributed middle and small DBH. The annual ring growths of P. densiflora and competitive broadleaved species were variable according to area, site condition, tree year and species, it is considered that appropriate silvicultual practice methods should be employed to remove rival broad-leaved species for maintenance of sustainable red pine forests considering the characteristics of each stand.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.265-270
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• 2017

Background: Over the years, pine pollens have been excluded as an allergen due to its relatively large size, low protein content, and waxy hydrophobic layer, despite their abundance. However, recent studies suggest the possibilities of pine pollens being allergens, and it has been reported that allergy symptoms were highly prevalent in areas with considerably large pine forests and high possibility of exposure to the pollen. Therefore, we conducted a comparative analysis of the allergenicities of the pollens from the dominant species of Korean pines, red pine (Pinus densiflora), black pine (Pinus thunbergii), and pitch pine (Pinus rigida), in mice. Methods: The protein composition of the pollens from the three pine species was compared via sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The pine pollens and proteins extracted from the pollens were introduced to BALB/c mice by nasal inhalation and application to exposed skin and the IgE produced by the mice were extracted from blood and analyzed via ELISA. Results: SDS-PAGE showed differing protein compositions of the pollens of the three pine species. Analysis of blood IgE compositions showed a similar amount of IgE produced when pollens were applied to skin. In contrast, when mice inhaled the pollens, P. densiflora was shown to induce significantly more IgE production than those of the other two species. Conclusions: The experimental results demonstrate that the pollens of all three South Korean pine species induce IgE production, and this production was more pronounced when the pollens were inhaled than when they were applied to the skin. Of the three species, the pollen of P. densiflora was found to induce the highest level of IgE production.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.255-258
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• 2020

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which is transmitted by Monochamus alternatus and M. saltuarius, is a serious threat to coniferous forests in the Northern Hemisphere, including Korea. The efficacy of abamectin and emamectin benzoate for preventing the PWD in the field and its effect on the vectors Monochamus alternatus and M. saltuarius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were evaluated. An experimental plot was delimited, of which consists of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) forest in South Korea, and trunk injection trials were made with abamectin and emamectin benzoate. Branches of each tree were collected, and are subsequently subjected to the analysis of residues for both nematicides. Results obtained in this study showed that abamectin and emamectin benzoate showed over 90% mortality at the recommended concentration after 6 days and 8 days, respectively. Consequently, it was found that both insecticides have a higher effect on the susceptibility and persistence of two vectors of PWD, M. alternatus and M. saltuarius feeding on branches of the trees, and its application by trunk injection is confirmed as an option for pine wilt disease management programs in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.275-281
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• 2019

The pathological condition of excessive melanogenesis causing freckles, melasma, senile lentigo, pigmented acne scars, and cancer has a critical impact on the wellness of individuals. The mechanism of melanogenesis is related to the expression of melanogenic enzymes. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of pine cone (Pinus densiflora) extracts on melanogenesis. P. densiflora, the Korean Red Pine, is the predominant tree species in the cool, temperate forests of northeast Asia, occurring in pure stands across Korea, Japan, and parts of northern China and Russia. P. densiflora leaves, pollen, and bark have been widely used for traditional medicine, or edible purposes. However, pine cones are rarely used as natural raw materials, although they contain many bioactive phytochemicals. The pine cone ethyl acetate fraction (PEF) showed no toxicity to B16F10 cells at a concentration of less than $100{\mu}g/mL$. PEF inhibited the expression of microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related factors in B16F10 cells treated with 3-Isobutyl1-methylxanthine (IBMX). These results suggest that pine cones can be used as an effective natural melanogenesis inhibitory agent.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.281-285
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• 2007

We conducted research to determine the effects of forest tending works (FTW) on forest carbon (C) storage in Korean red pine forests by estimating changes in the quantity and distribution of stored organic C in an approximately 40-year-old red pine stand after FTW. We measured organic C storage (above- and belowground biomass C, forest floor C, and soil C at 50 cm depth) in the Hwangmaesan Soopkakkugi model forest in Sancheonggun, Gyeongsangnam-do before and after the forest was thinned from a density of 908 trees/ha to 367 trees/ha. The total C stored in tree biomass was 69.5 Mg C/ha before FTW and 38.6 Mg C/ha after FTW. The change in total C storage in tree biomass primarily resulted from the loss of 19.9 Mg C/ha stored in stem biomass after FTW. The total C pool in this red pine stand was 276 Mg C/ha before FTW and 245.1 Mg C/ha after FTW. Prior to FTW, 71.5% of the total C pool was stored in mineral soil, 25.2% in tree biomass, and 3.3% in the forest floor, where as after FTW 80.5% of the total C pool was stored in mineral soil, 15.7% in tree biomass and 3.7% in the forest floor. These results suggest that the development of site-specific tending techniques may be required to minimize the loss of tree biomass C storage capacity in red pine stands from FTW.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.101-105
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• 2007

Lammas growth, a rare phenomenon for Korean red pine (Pinus densiflora), occurred in 2006. Lammas shoots showed higher frequency and longer length in Seoul's hotter urban center than in urban boundary or suburban forest sites. Frequency and length showed a close correlation with urbanization density and vegetation cover expressed in NDVI. Air temperature in the late summer of 2006 was more than $1^{\circ}C$ higher than an average year. Of the predominant environmental signals that modulate bud flush, only temperature changed significantly during the year. Differences in temperature between the urban centers, urban boundaries and suburban forests correlated with varying land-use density. The rise in temperature likely spurred lammas growth of the Korean red pine. Symptoms of climate change are being detected throughout the world, and its consequences will be clearer in the future. Considerate interest in the responses of ecological systems to the variable changes is required to prepare for unforeseeable crises. Monitoring of diverse ecological phenomena at Long Term Ecological Research sites could offer harbingers of change.