• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.111 no.2
• /
• pp.302-310
• /
• 2022

Here we aimed to classify the major coniferous tree species (Pinus densiflora, Pinus koraiensis, and Larix kaempferi) by tree measurement information and machine learning algorithms to establish an efficient forest management plan. We used national forest monitoring information amassed over nine years for the measurement information of trees, and random forest (RF), XGBoost (XGB), and light GBM (LGBM) as machine learning algorithms. We compared and evaluated the accuracy of the algorithm through performance evaluation using the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score of the algorithm. The RF algorithm had the highest performance evaluation score for all tree species, and highest scores for Pinus densiflora, with an accuracy of about 65%, a precision of about 72%, a recall of about 60%, and an F1 score of about 66%. The classification accuracy for the dominant trees was higher than about 80% in the crown classes, but that of the co-dominant trees, the intermediate trees, and the overtopper trees was evaluated as low. We consider that the results of this study can be used as reference data for decision-making in the selection of thinning trees for forest management.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.385-392
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plantation thinning on physical and mechanical properties of Larix kaempferi. Tree samples were obtained from unthinned, moderately, heavily thinned plantations where located in Kwangryung forest research stand. The effects of different thinning methods on the bending and parallel to grain compressive strengths of Larix kaempferi were explored. Average latewood ratio with various thinning treatments revealed the trend of unthinning < moderate thinning < heavy thinning treatment. Average annual ring width with various thinning treatments showed the trend of unthinning < moderate thinning or heavy thinning treatment. Average bending and parallel to grain compressive strengths with various thinning treatments revealed the trend of unthinning > moderate thinning > heavy thinning treatment. This indicates that thinning treatment reduces average bending and parallel to grain compressive strength properties.

• Journal of People, Plants, and Environment
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.629-638
• /
• 2021

Background and objective: This study was conducted to develop diameter growth models for thinned Quercus glauca Thunb. (QGT) stands to inform production goals for treatment and provide the information necessary for the systematic management of this stands. Methods: This study was conducted on QGT stands, of which initial thinning was completed in 2013 to develop a treatment system. To analyze the tree growth and trait response for each thinning treatment, forestry surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2021, and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was executed. In addition, non-linear least squares regression of the PROC NLIN procedure was used to develop an optimal diameter growth model. Results: Based on growth and trait analyses, the height and height-to-diameter (H/D) ratio were not different according to treatment plot (p > .05). For the diameter of basal height (DBH), the heavy thinning (HT) treatment plot was significantly larger than the control plot (p < .05). As a result of the development of diameter growth models by treatment plot, the mean squared error (MSE) of the Gompertz polymorphic equation (control: 2.2381, light thinning: 0.8478, and heavy thinning: 0.8679) was the lowest in all treatment plots, and the Shapiro-Wilk statistic was found to follow a normal distribution (p > .95), so it was selected as an equation fit for the diameter growth model. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide basic data for the systematic management of Quercus glauca Thunb. stands. It is necessary to construct permanent sample plots (PSP) that consider stand status, location conditions, and climatic environments.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.199-213
• /
• 2016

This study aimed to analyze the vegetation characteristics of the coastal forests and to figure out if there is possibilities to develop the forests into mixed stand multistory forests and to suggest some sound management practices. The vegetat- ion structure and flora of four sites; Kijipo, Chunjangdae, Janghang and Kusipo in the west coastal forests in Korea were investigated and analyzed in the present study. In the every site, Pinus thunbergii was dominating the tree layer in the forests. And P. densiflora, Robinia pseudoacacia, Quercus serrata, Prunus sargentii var. sargentii, Q. acutissima and Castanea crenata were dominating the subtree layers in some sites. P. thunbergii stands in four sites would maintain for a while since the populat- ion density of middle aged group is higher than those of young and old groups. According to the geographical location conditions, there is a possibility that the coastal forests in Kusipo site would progress into oak tree stands in the long run. The biodiversity was quite high to have 205 taxa in the study sites. To induce the coastal forests into multistory forests, P. thunbergii stands need to be thinned. And then creating the environment including making some pathways and site usage rest-riction is needed to let new diverse plants could come in and grow for a success-ful multistory forests.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.101 no.4
• /
• pp.592-598
• /
• 2012

Forest stand yield and its changes along with 10 thinning scenarios were estimated using a forest stand yield model for six major tree species in Korea, such as Pinus densiflora in Gangwon province, Pinus densiflora in other regions, Pinus koraiensis, Larix leptolepis, Quercus acutissima Carruth, Quercus mongolica. The 10 thinning scenarios were generated based on a number of constraints and assumptions. For instance, it was assumed that thinning is implemented between 15 years and 40 years with 5 year period and its duration should be at least 10 years. Also, the overall removal rate from the thinning treatments was assumed to be not greater than 60%. Under the 10 scenarios, the overall stand yield volumes from thinning and final harvesting were estimated for each species and site index. The results showed that highest yield volumes were obtained for Pinus densiflora in Gangwon province, Pinus koraiensis and Quercus mongolica when 30% of basal areas were thinned at 20 and 40 years, while highest yield volumes were obtained for Pinus densiflora in other regions and Larix leptolepis when 20% of basal areas were thinned at 20, 30 and 40 years. Those two scenarios gave the same amount of highest yield volume for Quercus acutissima Carruth. Also the results indicated that thinning treatment is effective to increase overall stand yield volume and its effects are larger with a higher site index. The largest thinning effects were found in Pinus densiflora in Gangwon province (28%) and Larix leptolepis (25%), while limited in Pinus koraiensis (12%). The forest stand yield model, used in this research, could be an effective tool for estimating the stand dynamics with various thinning treatments, but it could be improved in a further research that validates its applicability in the field.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2008

Progeny tests of Abies holophylla were established with 32 open-pollinated families at Hwaseong and Gangneung in 1994. Growth characteristics (height, DBH and volume index) were measured at the age of 15, showing that Gangneung site showed in general better performance than Hwaseong site. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the growth characteristics showed that there was a significant difference among families in Gangneung but not in Hwaseong, and Hwaseong site showed that DBH and volume index were statistically different among replications. At Gangneung site, family ${\times}$ replication interaction was significant in DBH and volume index. Based on the combined analysis of both sites, all characteristics except height showed highly significant differences between sites and among families. On the other hand, family ${\times}$ replication interaction was not significant, implying that growth pattern of families could be similar at Gangneung and Hwaseong. Individual heritabilities ($hi^2$) at Gangneung were 0.485 in height, 0.611 in DBH and 0.538 in volume index, and the values of $hi^2$ at Hwaseong were 0.121 in height, 0.054 in DBH and 0.080 in volume index, respectively. Based on both sites, $hi^2$ was estimated as 0.204 in height, 0.326 in DBH and 0.238 in volume index. Individual heritabilities (0.054~0.611) were lower than family heritabilities (0.089~0.723) for all growth characteristics. Realized gain was estimated to be 2.5% in height, 9.2% in DBH and 23.6% in volume. When inferior families (about 50% of all families) are genetically thinned from a seed orchard, genetic gain would be 9.55% in height, 17.0% in DBH and 46.8% in volume.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.85 no.3
• /
• pp.524-531
• /
• 1996

The objective of this study was to determine the important factors affecting the early natural regeneration of Pinus densiflora S. et Z. Seed germination, survival and height growth of the pine seedlings were examined at four experimental plots of P. densiflora forests including forest roadside. Plots I and III were thinned in 1992, plot II was treated with hexazinone in 1993 after seed tree method was applied in 1982 and 1989. Seedlings emerged after thinning and the rate of their emergence depended on forest floor conditions. Seedling survival was related with light conditions, herbaceous vegetation, and degrees of rainfall. More seedlings emerged in forest hauling roads than within the forest because soil scarification due to logging provided better conditions for seed germination and seedling growth. Seed supply was enough, but germination rate was very low in the forest compared with that in the greenhouse because micro-environments such as organic layer and herbaceous plant acted as limiting factors. Weed control was needed for 4 to 5 years until seedlings grew upto about 50cm in height which was similar to that of herbaceous plants. But 10-40% coverage of herbaceous vegetation was needed to protect small seedlings from heavy rain. Forest works such as thinning and logging, over 40% of light were important factors to help the pine regeneration. However, over 70% coverage of herbaceous vegetation, and heavy rain inhibited rather survival and growth of pine seedlings.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.97 no.6
• /
• pp.605-610
• /
• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the short-term (3 years) effect of thinning on aboveground carbon storage for 34-year-old (site 1) and 45-year-old (site 2) Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zuccarini) plantations with different diameter class and site quality located in Gwangneung experimental forest. Thinning was manually carried out in consideration of basal area in 2004 (site 1 : 30% and 60% of basal area removed and site 2 : 60% of basal area removed). In 2004 and 2007, DBH and tree height were measured to analyze the changes in carbon storage after thinning. In the sites of 60% of basal area removed, although the mean DBH of site 1 was higher than that of site 2, mean annual carbon storage increment in site 2 ($6.5Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$) was about 3 times higher than that in site 1 ($2.3Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$). The reason for this result was probably due to higher stem density and site quality in site 2 compared to site 1. In site 2, mean annual carbon storage increment in thinned plot ($6.5Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$) was about 1.3 times higher than that in control ($5.2Mg\;C\;ha^{-1}yr^{-1}$). The results suggest that the stem density and site quality may be much more related to the aboveground carbon storage compared to diameter class. In addition, it is needed to consider these two factors for determining whether thinning is a feasible management alternative for the increase in aboveground carbon sequestration.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.110 no.3
• /
• pp.341-354
• /
• 2021

A large part of Gapyeong is occupied by Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) and Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) plantations. Abies holophylla stands are scattered throughout Gapyeong, but little information on their distribution is available. This study explored the potential of succession from planted species to native A. holophylla in plantations. Trees were inventoried and regeneration of A. holoplhylla and stand management history were examined in Korean pine, Japanese larch, and A. holophylla-dominated stands. The importance percentage of A. holophylla was the highest among species with a range of 36.1% to 79.1% in all stands and the density of A. holophylla in understory (DBH <2 cm or <1.3 m height) ranged from 50 to 5,820 trees ha^-1. Non-metric multidimensional scaling classified stands into four types, AN, AP, AM, and P. The AN type showed a reverse J-shape DBH distribution, which was similar to that in natural A. holophylla stands. Both AP and AM types included Korean pine plantations with A. holophylla seed trees within stands. For AP, A. holophylla competed with planted species in overstory and deciduous broadleaved species in understory. The AM type was once thinned from below, thus stem density in the mid DBH classes was lower than upper or lower DBH classes. The P type consisted of plantations without A. holophylla seed trees. However, understory regeneration of A. holophylla was abundant through seed supply from A. holophylla in adjacent stands. Plantations with A. holophylla seed trees within or in adjacent stands showed vigorous natural regeneration of A. holophylla, highlighting the potential for succession from planted species to native A. holophylla in the Gapyeong area. Further studies can help develop techniques to restore plantations to native species-dominated natural stands using ecological succession.