• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.3
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• pp.439-445
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• 2014

In this study, we developed a dynamic stand yield model to estimate the baseline carbon stock, which is essentially required for a forest carbon offset project based on forest management. For developing the yield model, the data was acquired from the databases of the $5^{th}$ National Forest Inventory. The model was validated by comparing its estimations with field measurements that were conducted from 4 study sites (14 plots with thinning treatments) located in Hong-chun, Hoeng-sung, Yang-yang Daechi and Yang-yang Jungja. The difference between the estimations and the field measurements was less than 5%. Using the dynamic stand yield model, we estimated the changes in stand yield volume and carbon stocks for each species according to the baseline scenarios. As the results, we found that baseline carbon stock was the highest at Quercus acutissima stand (83.01tC/ha), while the lowest at Pinus rigida stand (32.17tC/ha) and Pinus densiflora stand of central region (39.09tC/ha). Hence, a project provider could get more carbon emission credits from an improved forest management project when considering the project with Pinus rigida stand or Pinus densiflora stand (central region). The baseline carbon stock and the dynamic stand yield model developed from this study would be useful for designing carbon offset projects based on improved forest management.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2016

Since 2013, the forest carbon offest scheme is operated by 'ACT ON THE MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF CARBON SINK'. Most of projects account for afforestation, reforestation and restoration. This study analyzed what is affected to pricing factors for the registered 71 project of forest carbon offset in Korea Forest Service. The purpose of this study is to introduce information on the business plans of forest carbon offset scheme and aid to understand the process from registration to issuing offset credits. Also it is meaningful to proposing a policy for price competitiveness and how to enable forest carbon offset schemes to produce activation by measuring the factors that affect the forest carbon offset scheme. The results showed forest carbon credit price is 92,827 won per ton on average, it could see less price-competitive than emission rights market when compared with the price.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2013

The carbon-offset mechanism based on forest management has been recognized as a meaningful tool to sequestrate carbons already existing in the atmosphere. Thus, with an emphasis on the forest-originated carbon-offset mechanism, the accurate measurement of the carbon stock in forests has become important, as carbon credits should be issued proportionally with forest carbon stocks. Various remote sensing techniques have already been developed for measuring forest carbon stocks. Yet, despite the efficiency of remote sensing techniques, the final accuracy of their carbon stock estimations is disputable. Therefore, minimizing the uncertainty embedded in the application of remote sensing techniques is important to prevent questions over the carbon stock evaluation for issuing carbon credits. Accordingly, this study reviews the overall procedures of carbon stock evaluation-related remote sensing techniques and identifies the problematic technical issues when measuring the carbon stock. The procedures are sub-divided into four stages: the characteristics of the remote sensing sensor, data preparation, data analysis, and evaluation. Depending on the choice of technique, there are many disputable issues in each stage, resulting in quite different results for the final carbon stock evaluation. Thus, the establishment of detailed standards for each stageis urgently needed. From a policy-making perspective, the top priority should be given to establishinga standard sampling technique and enhancing the statistical analysis tools.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.161-182
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• 2019

Quantifying the amount of carbon pools in forest ecosystems enables to understand about various carbon pools in the forest ecosystem. Therefore, this study was conducted in the Chilimo dry afromontane forest to estimate the amount of carbon stored. The natural forest was stratified into three forest patches based on species composition, diversity, and structure. A total of 50 permanent sample plots of 20 m × 20 m (400 ㎡ ) each were established, laid out on transects of altitudinal gradients with a distance of 100 m between plots. The plots were measured twice in 2012 and 2017. Tree, deadwood, mineral soil, forest floor, and stump data were collected in the main plots, while shrubs, saplings, herbaceous plants, and seedling data were sampled inside subplots. Soil organic carbon (SOC %) was analyzed following Walkely, while Black's procedure and bulk density were estimated following the procedure of Blake (Methods of soil analysis, 1965). Aboveground biomass was calculated using the equation of Chave et al. (Glob Chang Biol_20:3177-3190, 2014). Data analysis was made using RStudio software. To analyze equality of means, we used ANOVA for multiple comparisons among elevation classes at α = 0.05. The aboveground carbon of the natural forest ranged from 148.30 ± 115.02 for high altitude to 100.14 ± 39.93 for middle altitude, was highest at 151.35 ± 108.98 t C ha^-1 for gentle slope, and was lowest at 88.01 ± 49.72 t C ha^-1 for middle slope. The mean stump carbon density 2.33 ± 1.64 t C ha^-1 was the highest for the middle slope, and 1.68 ± 1.21 t C ha^-1 was the lowest for the steep slope range. The highest 1.44 ± 2.21 t C ha^-1 deadwood carbon density was found under the middle slope range, and the lowest 0.21 ± 0.20 t C ha^-1 was found under the lowest slope range. The SOCD up to 1 m depth was highest at 295.96 ± 80.45 t C ha^-1 under the middle altitudinal gradient; however, it was lowest at 206.40 ± 65.59 t C ha^-1 under the lower altitudinal gradient. The mean ecosystem carbon stock density of the sampled plots in natural forests ranged from 221.89 to 819.44 t C ha^-1. There was a temporal variation in carbon pools along environmental and social factors. The highest carbon pool was contributed by SOC. We recommend forest carbon-related awareness creation for local people, and promotion of the local knowledge can be regarded as a possible option for sustainable forest management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.17-28
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• 2022

We evaluated the effect of CO₂ offsetting by estimating changes in carbon uptake under various forest management scenarios and proposed forest management strategies to achieve carbon neutrality. Paju and Goseong, which have relatively large forest areas but different industrial characteristics, were selected for the study sites. The current state of forest distribution was analyzed using forest type maps and aerial photographs, and the amount of carbon uptake was calculated using the equation presented by the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and the national emission/absorption coefficients from the Korea National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report. As of 2015, the forest carbon absorption in Paju and Goseong was 49,931 t/yr and 94,225 t/yr, respectively, and the annual carbon absorption per unit area was 2.28 t/ha/yr and 2.16 t/ha/yr. Under the forest management scenarios, the annual maximum carbon absorption per unit area is estimated to increase to 5.68 t/ha/yr in Paju and 4.22 t/ha/yr in Goseong, and this absorption would increase further if urban forests were additionally created. Even if the current forests of Paju and Goseong are maintained as they are, emissions from electricity use can be sufficiently offset. However, by applying appropriate forest management strategies, emissions from sectors other than electricity use could be offset. This study can be applied to the establishment of carbon absorption strategies in the forest sector to achieve carbon neutrality.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.116-127
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• 2021

Predicting carbon distribution of soil aggregates is difficult due to complexity in organo-mineral formation. This limits global warming mitigation through soil carbon sequestration. Therefore, knowledge of land use effect on carbon stabilization requires quantification of soil mineral cations. The study was conducted to quantify carbon and base cations on soil mineral fractions in Natural Forest, Plantation Forest and Farm Land. Five 0.09 ha were demarcated alternately along 500 m long transect with an interval of 50 m in Natural Forest (NF), Plantation Forest (PF) and Farm Land (FL). Soil samples were collected with soil cores at 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm depths in each plot. Soil core samples were oven-dried at 105℃ and soil bulk densities were computed. Sample (100 g) of each soil core was separated into >2.0, 2.0-1.0, 1.0-0.5, 0.5-0.05 and <0.05 mm aggregates using dry sieve procedure and proportion determined. Carbon concentration of soil aggregates was determined using Loss-on-ignition method. Mineral fractions of soil depths were obtained using dispersion, sequential extraction and sedimentation methods of composite soil samples and sieved into <0.05 and >0.05 mm fractions. Cation exchange capacity of two mineral fractions was measured using spectrophotometry method. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and ANOVA at α_0.05. Silt and sand particle size decreased while clay increased with increase in soil depth in NF and PF. Subsoil depth contained highest carbon stock in the PF. Carbon concentration increased with decrease in aggregate size in soil depths of NF and FL. Micro- (1-0.5, 0.5-0.05 and <0.05 mm) and macro-aggregates (>2.0 and 2-1.0 mm) were saturated with soil carbon in NF and FL, respectively. Cation exchange capacity of <0.05 mm was higher than >0.05 mm in soil depths of PF and FL. Fine silt (<0.05 mm) determine the cation exchange capacity in soil depths. Land use and mineral size influence the carbon and cation exchange capacity of Gambari Forest Reserve.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.499-506
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• 2016

This study was conducted to estimate carbon stock and uptake for Larix kaempferi Lamb., the single species, which is the most widely distributed one following Pinus densiflora, using data from 6th national forest inventory and forest type map of 1:5,000. Overall distribution area of Larix kaempferi in South Korea was shown as 272,800ha, in detail, Gangwon-do was the most widely distributed region with 39.6% (108,141 ha) of the whole forest area, and Gyeongsangbuk-do was 18.6%(50,839 ha), Chungcheongbuk-do was 15.1%(41,205ha) in order. As the results of analysis in carbon stock and uptake for each province, the values were high with Gyeonggi-do 109.0 tC/ha, $10.3tCO_2/ha/yr$, Gangwon-do 349.1 tC/ha, $9.7tCO_2/ha/yr$ in order, and Jeollabuk-do was the lowest with 78.3 tC/ha, $7.6tCO_2/ha/yr$. Also, the results of estimation in total carbon stocks and uptakes by year (1989~2015) were turned out that total carbon stocks and uptakes were 24,891 thousand tC, $2,428thousand\;tCO_2$ in 2015, increasing about 4.8 times and 3.8 times each compared with 5,238 thousand C/ha, $640thousand\;CO_2$ in 1989. Although forest area was decreased 26.6% with 371,884 ha in 1989 to 272,800 ha in 2015, carbon stocks and uptakes were increased in 2015 in that forest stock was increased 126% compared to 1989.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.101 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2012

Forests as carbon sinks and sources, play an important role in mitigating global climate change. Nonpermanence problem of forest carbon offset projects should be addressed practically and properly for obtaining credible forest carbon credits. This study aims to analyze major non-permanence approaches and their applicability for Korean forest carbon offset projects. Introduction of the buffer system, one of the most generally used non-permanence approaches, should be considered first for domestic forest carbon offset schemes. From the research survey, experts preferred the buffer system to other approaches such as forest certification, conservation easement, and longer conservation period. Standard development including a buffer system with a risk assessment tool is required to assure project participation and permanence of carbon credits.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2017

With the growing global concern about climate change, relationship between carbon stock density and tree species has become important for international climate change mitigation programmes. In this study, 150 Quadrats were laid down to assess the diversity, biomass and carbon stocks in each of the forest ranges (Barkot Range, Lachchiwala Range and Thano Range) of Dehra Dun Forest Division in Doon Valley, Western Himalaya, India. Community level carbon stock density was analyzed using Two Way Indicator Species Analysis. Species Richness and Shannon Weiner index was correlated with the carbon stocks of Doon Valley. Positive and weak relationship was found between the carbon stock density and Shannon Weiner Index, and between carbon stock density and Species Richness.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.289-296
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• 2003

The ecological process-based approach provides a detailed assessment of belowground compartment as one of the major compartment of carbon balance. Carbon net balance (NEP: net ecosystem production) in forest ecosystems by ecological process-based approach is determined by the balance between net primary production (NPP) of vegetation and heterotrophic respiration (HR) of soil (NEP=NPP-HR). Respiration due to soil heterotrophs is the difference between total soil respiration (SR) and root respiration (RR) (HR=SR-RR, NEP=NPP-(SR-RR)). If NEP is positive, it is a sink of carbon. This study assessed the forest carbon balance by ecological process-based approach included belowground compartment intensively. The case study in the Takayama Station, cool-temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest was reported. From the result, NEP was estimated approximately 1.2 t C $ha^{-1} yr^{-1}$ in 1996. Therefore, the study area as a whole was estimated to act as a sink of carbon. According to flux tower result, the net uptake rate of carbon was 1.1 t C $ha^{-1} yr^{-1}$.