• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2018

Background: Sasa borealis (Hack.) Makino, a clonal dwarf bamboo, is widespread in Korean forests. Although S. borealis is native to that country, its growth habit can cause considerable harm when occupying particular areas where it dominates and influences those forested communities. However, few reports have described the extent of its inhibitory effects on the vigor of co-existing plant species. Therefore, we investigated the distribution, abundance, and diversity of other plant species in the communities where this plant occurs in the east-central forests on the Korean Peninsula. Results: S. borealis was most commonly found at an elevational range of 800 to 1,200 m, on gentle, usually lower, and near valley northern slopes. Out of the 13 forest communities based on 447 forest stands that we surveyed, S. borealis was detected in eight communities, mostly where Quercus mongolica dominates. In particular, it was more common in late-successional mixed stands of Q. mongolica, other deciduous species, and the coniferous Abies holophylla. Because of their ability to expand rapidly in the forest, this plant covered more than 50% of the surface in most of our research plots. Species diversity declined significantly (F = 78.7, p = 0.000) as the abundance of S. borealis increased in the herb stratum. The same trend was noted for the total number of species (F = 18.1, p = 0.000) and species evenness (F = 91.5, p = 0.000). Conclusions: These findings clearly demonstrate that S. borealis is a weed pest and severely hinders species diversity. Authorities should be implementing various measures for ecological control to take advantage of declining chance after the recent synchronized massive flowering of S. borealis.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.343-349
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• 2010

In Korea, man-caused forest fires are known originate primarily in coniferous forests. We have hypothesized that the vulnerability of Pinus densiflora forests is principally a consequence of the ignition characteristics of the species. To assess this hypothesis, we conducted two combustion experiments using fallen leaves with a reference species, Quercus variabilis. In the first experiments, in which a cigarette was employed as a primary heat source for the initiation of a forest fire, the Pinus leaves caught fire significantly faster (1'1" at Pinus, 1'31" at Quercus, P < 0.001), and ignition proceeded normally. Quercus leaves, on the other hand, caught fire but did not ignite successfully. In the second set of experiments utilizing different moisture contents and fuel loads, the maximum flame temperature of the Pinus leaves was significantly higher ($421^{\circ}C$ at Pinus, $361^{\circ}C$ at Quercus, P < 0.001) and the combustion persisted for longer than in the Quercus leaves (8'8" at Pinus, 3'38" at Quercus, P < 0.001). The moisture contents of the leaves appeared to be a more important factor in the maximum temperature achieved, whereas the most important factor in burning time was the amount of fuel. Overall, these results support the assumption that Pinus leaves can be ignited even by low-heat sources such as cigarettes. Additionally, once ignited, Pinus leaves burn at a relatively high flame temperature and burn for a prolonged period, thus raising the possibility of frequent fire occurrences and spread into crown fires in forests of P. densiflora.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.418-422
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• 2022

α-pinene is a natural volatile organic compound secreted by coniferous trees to protect themselves from attacks by insects, microorganisms, and viruses. Recently, studies have reported that α-pinene possesses pharmacological effects on various biological reactions such as anxiolytic, sleep-enhancing, anti-nociceptive, and inflammatory activity. Thus, forest bathing has recently received great attention as a novel therapy for treating severe diseases as well as psychological issues. However, appropriate places and timings for effective therapies are still veiled, because on-site monitoring of α-pinene gas in forests is barely possible. Although portable chemosensors could allow real-time analysis of α-pinene gas in forests, the α-pinene sensing properties of chemosensors have never been reported thus far. Herein, we report for the first time, the α-pinene sensing properties of an oxide semiconductor gas sensor based on rhombohedral In₂O₃ (h-In₂O₃) nanoparticles prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal reaction. The h-In₂O₃ nanoparticle sensor showed a high response to α-pinene gas at ppm levels, even under humid conditions (for example, relative humidity of 50 %). The purpose of this research is to identify the potential of oxide semiconductor gas sensors for implementing portable devices that can detect α-pinene gas in forests in real-time.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.317-330
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• 2022

Recently, the policy regarding climate change in Korea and overseas has been to promote the utilization of forest biomass to achieve net zero emissions. In addition, with the implementation of the unused forest biomass system in 2018, the size of the Korean market for manufacturing wood pellets and wood chips using unused forest biomass is rapidly expanding. Therefore, it is necessary to estimate the total amount of unused forest biomass that can be used as an energy source and to identify the capacity that can be continuously produced annually. In this study, we estimated the actual forest area that can be produced of logging residue and the potential amount of unused forest biomass resources based on GT (green ton). Using a forest functions classification map (1 : 25,000), 5th digital forest type map (1 : 25,000), and digital elevation model (DEM), the forest area with a slope of 30° or less and mountain ridges of 70% or less was estimated based on production forest and IV age class or more. The total forest area where unused forest biomass can be produced was estimated to be 1,453,047 ha. Based on GT, the total amount of unused forest biomass potential resources in Korea was estimated to be 117,741,436 tons. By forest type, coniferous forests were estimated to be 48,513,580 tons (41.2%), broad-leaved forests 27,419,391 tons (23.3%), and mixed forests 41,808,465 tons (35.5%). Data from this research analysis can be used as basic data to estimate commercial use of unused forest biomass.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.1
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• pp.147-151
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• 2014

This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of amphibian and reptile (herpetofauna) populations in a coniferous plantation and a deciduous forest from July to September 2013 in national forest, Hongcheon, Gangwon province, Korea. Coverage of understory, mid-story and overstory were more developed in a deciduous forest. We used line transect sampling method on a total of 4 transect lines, 2 lines in each forest type. Fifty two individuals of 4 amphibian species and 11 individuals of 3 reptile species were recorded. Mean observed number of herpetofauna species, individuals and species diversity index (H') were not significantly different between coniferous plantation and deciduous forest. This result related to ecological characteristics of herpetofauna. Habitats of herpetofauna were influenced on not only vertical structure of forests, but also climatic variables, thermoregulation and prey availability. The long-term monitoring and research on habitat preference and seasonal ecological traits of herpetofauna would be needed for conservation and management of herpetofauna in forest areas.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate colonization of ectomycorrhizal fungi(ECM) in roots of Abies koreana which is an endemic and endangered species in Korea. Roots of A. koreana were collected at Mt. Halla. ECM root tips were classified using morphotyping and identified using sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal rDNA. Total 8 species of ECM fungi were identified from roots of 11 seedlings of A. koreana : Cenococum geophilum, Russula brevipes, 2 species of Russula, 2 species of Thelephora, Cortinarius camphorates and 2 species of Helotiales. These species were known to be typical ectomycorrhizal fungi found in coniferous mature forests.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.216-224
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• 2021

Aim of this research was to classify forest types at Wando in Jeonnam Province and develop warm temperate forest management system with application of Remote Sensing and GIS. Another emphasis was given to the analysis of satellite images to compare forest type changes over 10 year periods from 2009 to 2019. We have accomplished this study by using ArcGIS Pro and ENVI. For this research, Landsat satellite images were obtained by means of terrestrial, airborne and satellite imagery. Based on the field survey data, all land uses and forest types were divided into 5 forest classes; Evergreen broad-leaved forest, Evergreen Coniferous forest, Deciduous broad-leaved forest, Mixed fores, and others. Supervised classification was carried out with a random forest classifier based on manually collected training polygons in ROI. Accuracy assessment of the different forest types and land-cover classifications was calculated based on the reference polygons. Comparison of forest changes over 10 year periods resulted in different vegetation biomass volumes, producing the loss of deciduous forests in 2019 probably due to the expansion of residential areas and rapid deforestation.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2001

Estimation of the annual net production, nitrogen (N) and base cation (BC＝K, Mg, Ca) uptake by stocked forests in South Korea has been done with national statistical data of forestry from 1995 to 1999. The annual net production of stems and branches was about 1.8 ton DM ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/. The net productivity of deciduous forests was higher than that of coniferous forests. Total net production of the stocked forests from the whole stocked area of South Korea of 6.246×10/sup 6/ ha, was about 1.13×10/sup 7 ton DM/yr, and the total harvested biomass obtained from timber production data in 1999, was estimated about 6.1×105 ton DM/yr that was equivalent to 98 kg DM ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/f. Net growth uptake of N and BC were 350 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ and 296 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ respectively, and the content of N and BC contained in the harvested biomass were 20 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ and 16 mol ha/sup -1/ yr/sup -1/ respectively. Net uptake of N was higher than that of BC. Total net uptake of N and BC from growth and harvest by stocked forests in South Korea were 2.309×10/sup 9/ mol/yr and 1.953×10/sup 9 mol/yr respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

It is important to measure the height of trees as an essential element for assessing the forest health in urban areas. Therefore, an automated method that can measure the height of individual tree as a three-dimensional forest information is needed in an extensive and dense forest. Since airborne LiDAR dataset is easy to analyze the tree height(z-coordinate) of forests, studies on individual tree height measurement could be performed as an assessment forest health. Especially in urban forests, that adversely affected by habitat fragmentation and isolation. So this study was analyzed to measure the height of individual trees for assessing the urban forests health, Furthermore to identify environmental factors that affect forest growth. The survey was conducted in the Mt. Bongseo located in Seobuk-gu. Cheonan-si(Middle Chungcheong Province). We segment the individual trees on coniferous by automatic method using the airborne LiDAR dataset of the two periods (year of 2016 and 2017) and to find out individual tree growth. Segmentation of individual trees was performed by using the watershed algorithm and the local maximum, and the tree growth was determined by the difference of the tree height according to the two periods. After we clarify the relationship between the environmental factors affecting the tree growth. The tree growth of Mt. Bongseo was about 20cm for a year, and it was analyzed to be lower than 23.9cm/year of the growth of the dominant species, Pinus rigida. This may have an adverse effect on the growth of isolated urban forests. It also determined different trees growth according to age, diameter and density class in the stock map, effective soil depth and drainage grade in the soil map. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the distance to the road and the solar radiation as an environmental factor affecting the tree growth. Since there is less correlation, it is necessary to determine other influencing factors affecting tree growth in urban forests besides anthropogenic influences. This study is the first data for the analysis of segmentation and the growth of the individual tree, and it can be used as a scientific data of the urban forest health assessment and management.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.289-300
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• 2013

Forest vegetation of Hyangjeokbong (1,614 m) in Deogyusan National Park is classified into mountain forest vegetation and flatland forest vegetation. Mountain forest vegetation is subdivided into deciduous broad-leaved forest, valley forest, coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, shrub forest, grassland forest, afforestation and etc., while riparian forest was found under the category of flatland forest vegetation. Including 122 communities of mountain forest vegetation and 2 communities of riparian forest, the total of 124 communities were researched; the distributed colonies classified by physiognomy classification are 42 communities deciduous broad-leaved forest, 37 communities of valley forest, 8 communities of coniferous forests, 6 communities of subalpine coniferous forest, 3 communities of shrub forest, 1 communities of grassland forest, 21 afforestation and 4 other communities. As for the distribution rate for surveyed main communities, Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis communities account for 47.02 percent of deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fraxinus mandshurica community takes up 57.48 percent of mountain valley forest, Pinus densiflora community holds 77.53 percent of mountain coniferous forest holds, and Taxus cuspidate-Abies koreana community takes up about 50 percent of subalpine coniferous forest. Mountain shrub forest and mountain grassland forest vegetation are concentrated mainly on the top of Hyangjeokbong and the ridge connecting the top and Jungbong. Meanwhile, riparian forest vegetation comprises 0.024% of the whole vegetation area in a study area. In conclusion, minority species consisting of Quercus mongolica, Quercus serrata, Quercus variabilis, Fraxinus mandshurica, Cornus controversa, Pinus densiflora, Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata are distributed as dominant species of the uppermost part in a forest vegetation region in Deogyusan National Park. In addition, because of vegetation succession and climate factors, numerous colonies formed by the two species are expected to be replaced by Quercus mongolica, Carpinus laxiflora and Fraxinus mandshurica which are climax species in the area. However, in respect of subalpine coniferous forest, the distribution rate of deciduous broad-leaved forest seems to increase gradually due to global warming and artificial disturbance.