• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.6 s.117
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• pp.657-669
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• 2006

Rates and processes of bare patch denudation were observed at Janggumokoreum(1,710m) and Minoruem(1,600m) in order to clarify some characteristics of turf exfoliation in the subalpine grassland of Mt. Halla. The bare patches have marginal terrace fronts with a maximum height of 85 cm. The terrace risers usually develop an overhanging edge 2 to 38 cm long that eventually hangs down and protects the riser beneath. The patches are largely covered with angular pebbles and cobbles. The mean rate of riser retreat for the period 2002-2004 is 39.2 mm, equivalent to 19.6 mm/yr. However, there is a disparity of the rate of riser retreat at individual sites. The maximum rate is 131 mm measured at Janggumokoreum patch while the minimum rate is 0 mm at Minoreum patch. The rate of riser retreat also varies with seasons. The thawing season of April exhibits a maximum rate of retreat. The freezing season of October and November and the rainy season of June and July show relatively high rates of retreat. Several Processes such as frost action, aeolian deflation, rainwash, rainsplash and fauna activity cause the denudation of bare patches. In particular, the needle ire action which is combined with rainwash or deflation plays a primary role in turf exfoliation due to the diurnal freeze-thaw cycles occurred over 100 days, melted snow and strong wind in the subalpine zone of Mt. Halla. Rainwash is also an important contributing process in the rainy season because Mt. Halla has the highest precipitation in Korea. By contrast, rainsplash erosion has a minor effect on the bare patch denudation due to the overhanging edge of terrace risers. Recent increase in roe deer appears to be responsible for turf destruction.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-317
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• 1995

The bryophyte communities on the forest floor of the mixed coniferous, deciduous broad-leaf forest and the evergreen coniferous forest of cool temperate and subalpine zones in Chiri Mountains with the highest peak (Cheonwangbong 1915 m) in south-central part of the Korean Peninsula were investigated from the phytosociology viewpoint. As a result, five bryophyte communities were recognized, considering the species composition of vascular vegetation; A. Sasamorpha borealis-Abies koreana/Dicranum scoparium-Plagiothecium silvaticum community, B. Bosta minor-Abies koreana/Anomodon rugelii-Plagiomnium cuspidatum community, C. Abies koreana/Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Entodon rubicundus community, D. Abies koreana-Picea jezoensis/Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Thuidium kanedae community, E. Abies koreana-Pieea jezoensis/Hylocomium splendens-Pleurozium sehreberi community. Among these, the communities A, B, C and D were distributed in the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaf forest of lower altitudes (1200 to 1700 m) and characterized by the elements of the cool temperate zone. They were confimled as synusies belonging to the Fraxino-Abietetum koreanae Song 1988. The community E was distributed in higher altitudes (1700 m to near the summit) and characterized by the species group of the holarctic elements, e.g. Hyloeomium splendens, Pleurozium sehreberi, Dieranum majus, etc. limited in subarctic; subalpine and arctic; alpine zones. The community E was confirmed as a synusie of the Abieti koreanae-Piceetum jezoensis Song 1991 belonging the Vaecinio-Pieeetea Br.-BI. 1939. Up to date many investigator have described the coniferous forest distibuted above 1200 m in Chiri mountauns as the forest vegetation of subalpine zone. However, from the results of the present study, the boundary of the mixed forest and the true subalpine coniferous forest was elucidated to be ca. 1700 m phytosociologically. Species richness was highest in the community E, and the other four communities showed a similar species richness. Among the species diversity indices, H' and D were high in the communities Band E, low in the communities A and C, and medium in the community D. The values of J' decreased with the increase in altitudes and the community E showed the lowest value. The result of Bray-Curtis ordination revealed that the diversity analysis and the division of the above two forest zones are justifiable. The taxa of the bryophyte communities were composed of 25 families, 46 genera, 73 species, 1 subspecies and 2 varieties.

• Journal of The Geomorphological Association of Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.95-107
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• 2013

In order to examine the temperature regime responsible for periglacial processes, air and ground temperatures were monitored from October 2010 to May 2011 at a subalpine bare patch (1,710m asl) of Mt. Halla. Four thermistor sensor probes were installed at 55 cm above a ground surface and depths of 2 cm, 10 cm, and 20 cm, respectively. A mean air temperature is $-0.1^{\circ}C$, while mean ground temperatures are $1.8^{\circ}C$ at 2 cm, $2.6^{\circ}C$ at 10 cm and $3.2^{\circ}C$ at 20 cm deep. A mean monthly ground temperature at 2 cm deep demonstrates below $0^{\circ}C$ successively from January to March, while those at 10 cm and 20 cm deep show no sub-zero temperature. A total of 72 freeze-thaw cycle was observed in air temperature. However, the numbers in ground temperature reduced into 17 at 2 cm, 8 at 10 cm, and 3 at 20 cm deep. The cycles of air temperature and ground temperature at 2 cm deep mostly fluctuated diurnally, while those of ground temperature at 10 cm and 20 cm deep exhibited a several-daily oscillation. Snow cover over 55 cm high remained from January to early April, and it seemed to disappear completely on April 16. A seasonal frost of at least 2 cm thick was formed on late December and the isotherm of $0^{\circ}C$ descended slowly into 10 cm deep on late March to early April due to the insulating snow cover. It showed the maximum freezing depth of 20 cm on April 7 to 14 and then thawed rapidly so that the frozen ground did not longer after April 17. Periglacial processes are predominant during a freezing period than a thawing period when the ground surface is still covered with snow. The periglacial mass movement in the subalpine zone of Mt. Halla is mainly generated by frost creep in terms of the occurrence depth of diurnal freeze-thaw cycle and the maximum freezing depth of ground.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.21 no.5_2
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• pp.519-529
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• 1998

The vegetation of alpine and subalpine zone from timber line, 2,000m altitude, to the upper area of Mt. Packtu were investigated by phytosociological method. The plant distribution along to the different altitudes shown as follows: Betula ermani community with Rhododendron redowskianum occupied dominantly at 2,000m area as patch forms, Rhododendron redowskianum community with Vaccinium uliginosum, at 2,180-2,200m area, both Vaccinium uliginosum and Rhododendron redowskianum community were compatible with each other at 2,243m area. Rhododendron redowskianum community at 2,250, Salix rotundifolia community, Erigeron thunbergii var. glabrata community, Dryas octopetala var. asiatica community and Carex atrata community were occurred frequently at 2,263m around Chonji Lake. Rhododendron aureum, Thunbergii coccinea and V accinium uliginosum showed higher cover degree than other species at 2,370m area, Phyllodoce coerulea-Rhododendron aureum community at 2,400m, Rhododendron redowskianum community at 2,470m, Rhododendron aureum community at 2,490m, Salix rotundifolia at 2,520m, Rhododendron redowskianum community at 2,580m, Dryas octopetala var. asiatica community, Salix rotundifolia, and bistorta achotensis etc. at 2,650 altitude area were settled as sparse, creeping shape on the surface soil and dwarf plants of about 15cm heights.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2002

The bryophyte communities on the forest floor of the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaved forest of cool temperate zone on Deongnyusan(1,616m) south-eastern part of the Korean Penninsula were investigated from the phytosociological viewpoint. As a result, a bryophyte community was recognized, considering the phytosociological unit of the forest: Sasamorpha borealis-Abies koreana / Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Thamnoblyum alopecurum community. This community was interpreted as a counterpart one of the Sasamorpha borealis-Abies koreana / Dicranum scoparium-Plagiothecium silvaticum community in the Jiri Mountains, but between the two communities, the species composition was somewhat different. The bryophyte community on the forest floor on Deongnyusan was confirmed as a synusie belonging to the Fraxino-Abietetum koreanae Song 1988. Up to date many investigators have described the coniferous forest distributed above 1,400m on Deongnysan as the forest vegetation of subarctic(=subalpine) zone. However, from the results of the present study, the forest vegetation, a mixed forest, was elucidated to be one of cool temperate zone. Species diversity of the terri-colous bryophyte community on Deongnyusan was very close to that of the communities of the similar type in the Jiri Mountains. The taxa of the bryophyte community was composed of 19 families,25 genera and 38 species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.2
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• pp.222-238
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• 2024

Coniferous species in subalpine ecosystems are known to be highly sensitive to climate change. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor community and population dynamics. This study monitored 37 plots within the distribution area of Abies koreana on Mt. Jirisan for a period of eight years. We analyzed the importance value, density of living stems, mortality rate, recruitment rate, basal area, DBH (diameter of breast height) class distribution, and tree health status. Our results showed changes in the importance value based on the tree stratum, with A. koreana decreasing by 3.6% and Tripterygium regelii increasing by 2.5% in the tree layer. Between 2015 and 2023, there were 149 dead trees/ha (17.99% mortality rate) and 12 living trees/ha (1.02% recruitment rate) of A. koreana. The decrease in basal area was attributed to a decrease in the number of living trees. Tree mortality occurred in all DBH classes, with a particularly high decline in the <10 cm class (65 trees/ha reduced). In terms of changes in tree health status, the population of alive standing (AS) type trees, initially consisting of 539 trees/ha, has been transformed into alive standing (AS), alive lean (AL), and death standing (DS), accounting for 69.7%, 0.5%, and 13.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, DS-type trees have transitioned into dead broken (DB) and dead fallen (DF) types. This phenomenon is believed to be caused by strong winds in the subalpine region that pull up the rootlets from the soil. Further research on this finding is recommended.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2000

지리산국립공원의 아고산지대를 중심으로 분포하고 있는 한국특산종 구상나무의 생육현화과 구상나무림의 군집구조를 파악하여 앞으로의 구사나무림 관리의 기초자료를 마련하고자 구상나무가 생육하고 있는 지역에 42개의 방형구(20m$\times$20m)를 설치하여 식생을 조사하였다 분석한 결과 조사대상지는 세 개의 군집인 신갈나무-당단풍군집 구상나무-신갈나무군집 구상나무군집으로 분류되었다 수종간의 상관관계에서는 물들메나무와 함박꽃나무 함박꽃나무와 층층나무 구상나무와 잣나무 거제수나무와 노각나무 물들메나무와 말발도리 거제수나무와 물들메나무 거제수나무와 물갬나무 거제수나무와 함박꽃나무 철쭉과 회나무 주목과 미역줄나무 물갬나무와 노각나무, 잣나무와 마가목, 진달래와 명자순 명자순과 시닥나무, 가문비나무와 마가목 등의 수종들간에는 높은 정의 상관관계가 인정되었고 당단풍과 미역줄나무 등의 수종들간에는 높은 부의 상관관계가 인정되었다 본 조사지의 종다야도는 1.2389-1.2552으로 높게 나타났다 구상나무의 활력은 저조한 것으로 나타났으며 12.92%가 고사목이었다 생육현황표의 점수 평균은 13.88이었다.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 1999

덕유산의 향적봉과 남덕유산을 잇는 아고산지대(1.350~1.600m)에 분포하는 한국특산종 구상나무의 생육현황과 구상나무림의 군집구조를 정확히 파악하여 앞으로의 구상나무림 관리의 기초자료를 마련하고자, 구상나무가 분포하는 지역에 27개의 조사구(20m$\times$20m)를 설치하여 식생을 조사하였다. 덕유산 아고산지대 구상나무림의 종구성적 특성은 신갈나무 - 주목 - 구상나무군집이었다. 수종간의 상관관계에서는 주목과 병꽃나무; 호랑버들과 부게꽃나무; 백당나무와 호랑버들; 당단풍과 조릿대 등의 종들 간에는 높은 정의 상관이 인정되었고, 구상나무와 병꽃나무; 신갈나무와 노린재나무 등의 수종들 간에는 높은 부의 상관이 인정되었다. 해발고와 정의 상관이 인정된 것은 주목과 백당나무 등이었고, 부의 상관이 인정된 것은 쇠물푸레이었다. 구상나무의 활력이 저조한 것으로 나타났으며, 18.18%는 고사목이었다. 구상나무 고사목은 흉고직경 10~30cm 의 범위에 드는 것들이 대부분이었다. 생육현황표의 점수 평균은 11.73점이었고, 점수와 토심과는 고도의 부의 상관이 인정되었다.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.42-54
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• 2020

This study aimed to analyze the rate of increase and spread patterns of dead trees of the conifer (Abies koreana and others) in subalpine zones by using the high-resolution aerial images in Jirisan National Park around 10 years ago. Furthermore, factors affecting the death of conifer were identified by analyzing the altitude, topographical information, solar radiation, and moisture environment of the site where the dead trees are located. The number of dead trees per unit area increased by two to five times in the Banyabong peak, Yeongsinbong peak, and Cheonwangbong peak in Jirisan National Park over the past decade. The increase was about 2 times in the Banyabong peak, about 3.9 times in the Yeongsinbong peak, and about 5.2 times in the Cheonwangbong peak, indicating the most notable increase in the Cheonwangbong peak. It is estimated that dead trees commonly occurred in the environments where the soil moisture content was low due to the high slope, amount of evaporation was high due to strong solar radiation as the location faced south, and the soil was dry due to strong solar radiation and short rain retention time. In other words, dead conifer trees in subalpine zones were concentrated in dry location environments, and the tendency was the same more than ten years ago.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1999

The relationships between climate (monthly precipitation and temperatures) and tree-ring growth of Korean fir (Abies koreana) growing at subalpine (1,600∼l,700m) zone on the south slope, Joong-Bong and the north slope, Changgun-Bong in the Cheonwang-bong area in Chiri mountains in the southern Korea were analyzed. Two cores from each of 10∼12 trees were extracted. The relationship between tree-ring(standardized) chronologies and climate was analyzed by the response-function method. Climate variables could explain 45.9∼53.8% of total variance in the chronologies. The precipitation response function of Korean fir were similar at both sites in overall ; positive for March∼May and August, and negative for February and July. The south-slope fir of Joong-Bong possessed higher negative temperature response function for February and August than north-slope one. The positive response function for April temperature was significant for both sites. In contrary to other subalpine species (e.g., Pinus koraiensis and Taxus cuspidata) in South Korea, whose growths are positively correlated with temperature in most seasons, the growths of Korean fir trees in Mt. Chiri appeared to be mainly limited by the moisture regime of spring prior to the cambial growth and early growing season.