• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2023

We analyzed the distribution area of debris slopes in Mudeungsan (Mt. Mudeung) National Park by comparing aerial photos of the past (1966) and the present (2017) and identified the vegetation characteristics that affect the change in the area of the debris slopes by investigating the vegetation status of the debris slopes and the surrounding areas. The area of debris slopes in Mt. Mudeung appears to have been reduced to a quarter of what it used to be. Debris slopes here have decreased at an average rate of 2.3 ha/yr over 51 years by vegetation covers. Notably, most of the small-area debris slopes in the low-inclination slopes disappeared due to active vegetation coverage. However, there are still west-facing, south-west-facing, south-facing, and large-area debris slopes remaining because the sun's radiant heat rapidly raises the surface temperature of rock blocks and dries moisture, making tree growth unfavorable. Because of these locational characteristics, the small-scale vegetation in the middle of Deoksan Stony Slope, which is the broadest area, showed distinct characteristics from the adjacent forest areas. Sunny places and tree species with excellent drying resistance were observed frequently in Deoksan Stony Slope. However, tree species with high hygropreference that grow well in valleys with good soil conditions also prevailed. In some of these places, the soil layer has been well developed due to the accumulation of fine materials and organic matter between the crevices of the rock blocks, which is likely to have provided favorable conditions for such tree species to settle and grow. At the top of Mt. Mudeung, on the other hand, the forest covered the debris slopes, where Mongolian oaks (Quercus mongolica) and royal azaleas (Rhododendron schlippenbachii), which typically grow in the highlands, prevailed. This area was considered favorable for the development of vegetation for the highlands because the density of rock blocks was lower than in Deoksan Stony Slope, and the soil was exposed. Moreover, ash trees (Fraxinus rhynchophylla) and Korean maple trees (Acer pseudosieboldianum) that commonly appear in the valley areas were dominant here. It is probably due to the increased moisture content in the soil, which resulted from creating a depressive landform with a concave shape that is easy to collect rainwater as rock blocks in some areas fell and piled up in the lower region. In conclusion, the area, density of the rock blocks, and distribution pattern of rock block slopes would have affected the vegetation development and species composition in the debris slope landform.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.41
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• pp.133-178
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• 2022

This study investigates if four propitious sites (四明堂, sa myeongdang) identified in Daesoon Jinrihoe's The Canonical Scripture correspond with the orthodox descriptions of dragon, energy hub, sand, and water (龍穴砂水, yong hyeol sa su) which are held by Fengshui as conditions necessary for that specific designation. In this study, these conditions, based on the shape of the site-formations, were observed via through on-site surveys and the application of the theories presented by traditional books on Fengshui. First, the dragon veins (龍脈, yongmaek) of the energy hub of the Five Immortals Playing Baduk (五仙圍碁穴 oseonwigi- hyeol) on Mount Hoemun in Sunchang consists of solid soil, is like a spiderweb, rises and lays prone, winds in every direction, and looks almost disconnected while actually remaining connected. Second, the Fengshui characteristics of the energy hub of Worship Held by Buddhist Monks from Abroad (胡僧禮佛穴, hoseungyebul- hyeol) on Mount Seungdal in Muan is that the branching feet (枝脚 jigak) support the mountain range by forming a valley to the left and right of the dragon veins that stretch from the peak of Mount Seungdal. Also, the direction-changing helm (橈棹 yodo) supports the mountain range solidly can be said to be well-developed. It is likewise noted that there is an excellent change in dragon veins in that exhibit curvature that spans being high, low, rising, and lying. This makes it appear as though the dragon is wriggling back and forth. Third, the state of the energy hub of Celestial Maidens Weaving Silk (仙女織錦穴, seonnyojikgeum-hyeol) on Sonryong Ridge in Jangseong County demonstrates overall harmony between mountain and water as it is near Mount Ju and Mount An and has a solid water outlet to which it is tightly fastened such that its energy does not leak out. Meanwhile, the positioning of its blue dragon of the east, red phoenix of the south, white tiger of the west, and black tortoise of the north is so intimate that its long flow can be said to be spinning. The Songryong Ridge area where energy hub was formed between soil and bedrock is the right land for a great favored location as it corresponds with Fengshui logic in an exemplary manner. Fourth, the Fengshui characteristics of the energy hub of Subjects Receiving the Imperial Command (群臣奉詔穴, gunshinbongjo-hyeol) at Baerye-jeon Field in Taein can be described as embracing the village snuggly as it centers around Mount Wangja, and its blue dragon and white tiger respond to each other. Additionally, a clear distinction between host and guest is noticeable in the positions of Mount Ju and Mount An. The flowing body of water in front of the village wraps around that village as a Horizontal Water Formation (橫水局, hoengsuguk), and vigorous vapor from the earth draws breath as the yin-yang energy of the landscape courses through the earth. As dragon veins, the range of the mountain, are like the blood vessels within the human body and the dragon is compared to the limbs, the energy hub of Subjects Receiving the Imperial Command at Baerye-jeon Field in Taein can be identified as a favored location that was formed directly by the sky and earth.