• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.588-592
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• 2012

To examine the reason of empty samara production of Chinese elm, Ulmus parviflora, twenty two planted trees in Wonju-si were monitered for three years in terms of their flowering, pollinatiom system and samara characteristics. Inflorescences with bisexual flowers of Chinese elm are developed in the leaf axils on the twigs. Dichogamous flowers are varied with protogynuous and protandrous flower, and stamens in some bisexual flowers are developed in seperated time on a inflorescence or a tree. It is revealed newly that the flower of Chinese elm is out-crossed and partially insect(Apis mellifera) pollinated. The ratios of sound samara are significantly differed among years, the heighest values 65.5% were shown in 2009, lowered 42.9% in 2010, and the lowest 37.5% in 2011. This result might be affected by mean daily precipitation and number of rainy days during the flowering date, and lower temperature during the floral initiation stage, especially in 2011. These findings suggest that Chinese elm has self-incompatibility strategy and much pollination failure resulted in a production of much empty samaras. Further researches on the empty-seed production strategies and pollination system of major tree species might be needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2013

To examine the proportion of secondary seed dispersion by wildlife and to identify the related wildlife, We measured seed removal rates and related wildlife at the natural mixed broadleaved forest in mountain Jungwang, Pyeungchang-gun in middle part of Korean peninsula, seed-tray contained four kind of tree seeds were setted from mid-september to late-October for three years. Mean seed removal rates(MSRR) of acorn(Q. mongolica)is shown the highest values 87.2%, next MSRR of samara(A. pseudosieboldianum) does 33.1%, MSRR of samara(A. pictum subsp. mono) does 29.2%. and then SRR of samara(A. mandshuricum) does only 13.6%. Acorns are removed more faster than samaras. Among the related wildlife, Siberian chipmunks most freqently visit seed tray, and ordered Korean squirrel, Wild boar, and Yellow-throated marten. Most secondary dispersed acorns might be consumed by Wild boar, and small portions does comsumed or scatter-hoarded by rodents. Most secondary dispersed samaras might be consumed by rodents, and small portions does scatter-hoarded by rodents. A few sound seeds are remained on the forest floor in late October owing to the seed consunption and seed hoarding by wildlife. We observe seedling establishment of four broadleaved tree species. From these results, We proved Wild boar is seed comsummer, and rodents are seed consummer and seed disperser. Further studies on secondary seed dispersion, seed consumption and hoarding and related wildlife should be needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.358-364
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• 2011

To examine the possibility of natural regeneration of six Acer species in broadleaved mixed forest in Korean peninsula, samples of six Acer species' samaras were collected at several seed sources from September to October 2009 and 2010, and seed morphological characteristics and viability were studied using cutting method. Inflorescense type of Acer mandshuricum(AM), A. pseudosieboldianum(APS) and A. palmatum(AP) is corymb, that of A. pictum subsp. mono(APSM) and A. okamotoanum(AO) is flat-topped panicle, and that of A. ukurunduense(AU) is raceme. Number of seed-set per inflorescense proves the highest value 38.5 sets in AU and the lowest value 2.4 sets in APS. Diameter of the seeds proves highest value 13.5mm in AO, and the lowest value 4.7mm in APS. Angles between the wings proves the highest values $130.05^{\circ}$ in APS, and the lowest value $48.60^{\circ}$ in AU. Air dry weight of 20 seed-sets proves highest value 3,900mg, in AO, and the lowest value 404mg in AU. Viable seed ratio of AP proves 50%, and that of AU does 43.2%. Those of other four species ranges 8.6~22.2%. Considering postdispersal seed predators and disturbance of litter, viable seeds of APSM, AO, AM, and APS supplied in the natural forest in Korea might be insufficient for seedling establishment. This study showed that sound viable seed supply might be key factors of natural regeneration of major Acer species in Korea. The openings made by insect pests were observed on the seed-coat of APSM, AM, AU, and APS samara, and Bradybatus sharpi were observed in the samaras of APSM and AO. Further study on the seed insect fauna, pre- and post-dispersal seed viability, and annual variation on these factor should be needed.