• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.401-414
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• 2017

Vegetation and landscape characteristics at the three highest summits of Republic of Korea, i.e. Seoraksan, Jirisan and Hallasan, are analyzed on the basis of species composition, physiognomy, vegetation distribution and structure of alpine plants, along with landform, geology, soil and habitat conditions. Dominant high mountain plants at three alpine and subalpine belts contain deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum (31.6%), and evergreen coniferous small tree, Pinus pumila (26.3%) at Seoraksan, deciduous broadleaved tree, Betula ermanii (35.3%), evergreen coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis (23.5%) at Jirisan, and evergreen coniferous tree, Abies koreana (22.6%), deciduous broadleaved shrub, Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii (19.4%) at Hallasan, respectively. Presence of diverse landscapes at the peak of Seoraksan, such as shrubland, grassland, dry land along with rocky areas, and open land may be the result of hostile local climate and geology. High proportion of grassland and wetland at the top of Jirisan may related to gneiss-based gentle topography and well developed soil deposits, which are beneficial to keep the moisture content high. Occurrence of grassland, shrubland, dry land, conifer vegetation, and rocky area at the summit of Hallasan may due to higher elevation, unique local climate, as well as volcanic origin geology and soil substrates. Presences of diverse boreal plant species with various physiognomy at alpine and subalpine belts, and wide range of landscapes, including rocky, grassland, shrubland, wetland, and conifer woodland, provide decisive clues to understand the natural history of Korea, and can be employed as an relevant environmental indicator of biodiversity and ecosystem stability.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.103-116
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• 2021

In this study, the characteristics of rural tourism image perceived by urban residents were analyzed through text analysis of blog data. In order to examine the images related to rural tourism, blog data written with the keyword "Gochang-gun travel" was used. LDA topic analysis, one of the text mining techniques, was used for the analysis. In the tourism image of Gochang-gun, 9 topics were derived, and 112 major places appeared. This was divided into 3 main activities and 5 object spaces through the review of keywords and the original text of blog data. As a result of the analysis, the traditional main resources of the region, Seonun mountain, Seonun temple, and Gochang-eup fortress, formed topic. On the other hand, world heritage such as dolmen and Ungok wetland did not appear as topic. In particular, the farms operated by the private sector form individual topics, and the theme farm can be seen as an important resource for tourism in Gochang-gun. Also, through the distribution of place keywords, it was possible to understand the characteristics of travel by region and the usage behavior of visitors. In the case of Gochang-gun, there was a phenomenon in which visitors were biased by region. This seems to be the result of Gochang-gun seeking to vitalize local tourism focusing on natural, ecological, and scenic resources. It is necessary to establish a plan for balanced regional development and develop other types of tourism resources. This study is different in that it identified the types and characteristics of rural tourism images in the region perceived by visitors, and the status of tourism at the regional level.

• Geomechanics and Engineering
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.389-397
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• 2021

Pile foundation is a typical form of bridge foundation and viaduct, and large-diameter rock-socketed piles are typically adopted in bridges with long span or high piers. To investigate the effect of a mountain slope with a deep overburden layer on the bearing characteristics of large-diameter rock-socketed piles, four centrifuge model tests of single piles on different slopes (0°, 15°, 30° and 45°) were carried out to investigate the effect of slope on the bearing characteristics of piles. In addition, three pile group tests with different slope (0°, 30° and 45°) were also performed to explore the effect of slope on the bearing characteristics of the pile group. The results of the single pile tests indicate that the slope with a deep overburden layer not only accelerates the drag force of the pile with the increasing slope, but also causes the bending moment to move down owing to the increase in the unsymmetrical pressure around the pile. As the slope increases from 0° to 45°, the drag force of the pile is significantly enlarged and the axial force of the pile reduces to beyond 12%. The position of the maximum bending moment of the pile shifts downward, while the magnitude becomes larger. Meanwhile, the slope results in the reduction in the shaft resistance of the pile, and the maximum value at the front side of the pile is 3.98% less than at its rear side at a 45° slope. The load-sharing ratio of the tip resistance of the pile is increased from 5.49% to 12.02%. The results of the pile group tests show that the increase in the slope enhances the uneven distribution of the pile top reaction and yields a larger bending moment and different settlements on the pile cap, which might cause safety issues to bridge structures.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2023

We investigated Soil respiration in Bluepine forest of western Bhutan, in relation to soil temperature, moisture content and soil pH and it was aimed at establishing variability in space and time. The Bluepine forest thrives in the typical shallow dry valleys in the inter-montane Bhutan Himalaya, which is formed by ascending wind from the valley bottom, which carries moisture from the river away to the mountain ridges. Stratified random sampling was applied and the study site was classified into top, mid, low slope and further randomized sample of n=20 from 30 m×30 m from each altitude. The overall soil respiration mean for the forest was found 2248.17 CO₂ g yr^-1 and it is ~613.58 C g yr^-1. The RS from three sites showed a marginal variation amongst sites, lower slope (2,309 m) was 4.64 μ mol m^-2 s^-1, mid slope (2,631 m) was 6.78 μ mol m^-2 s^-1 and top slope (3,027 m) was 6.33 μ mol m^-2 s^-1 and mean of 5.92 μ mol m^-2 s^-1, SE=0.25 for the forest. Temporal distribution and variations were observed more pronounced than in the space variation. Soil respiration was found highest during March and lowest in September. Soil temperature had almost inverse trend against soil respiration and dropped a low in February and peak in July. The moisture in the soil changed across months with precipitation and pH remained almost consistent across the period. The soil respiration and soil temperature had significant relationship R²=-0.61, p=0.027 and other variables were found insignificant. Similar relationship are reported for dry season in a tropical forest soil respiration. Soil temperature was found to have most pronounced effect on the soil respiration of the forest under study.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.75-85
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• 2017

A method to estimate hourly temperature profiles on calm and clear nights was developed based on temporal changes of inversion height and strength. A meteorological temperature profiler (Model MTP5H, Kipp and Zonen) was installed on the rooftop of the Highland Agriculture Research Institute, located in Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. The hourly vertical distribution of air temperature was measured up to 600 m at intervals of 50 m from May 2007 to March 2008. Temperature and relative humidity data loggers (HOBO U23 Pro v2, Onset Computer Corporation, USA) were installed in the Jungdae-ri Valley, located between Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do and Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do. These loggers were used to archive measurements of weather data 1.5 m above the surface from October 3, 2014, to November 23, 2015. The inversion strength was determined using the difference between the temperature at the inversion height, which is the highest temperature in the profile, and the temperature at 100 m from the surface. Empirical equations for the changes of inversion height and strength were derived to express the development of temperature inversion on calm and clear nights. To estimate air temperature near the ground on a slope exposed to crops, the equation's parameters were modified using temperature distribution of the mountain slope obtained from the data loggers. Estimated hourly temperatures using the method were compared with observed temperatures at 19 weather sites located within three watersheds in the southern Jiri-mountain in 2015. The mean error (ME) and root mean square error (RMSE) of the hourly temperatures were $-0.69^{\circ}C$ and $1.61^{\circ}C$, respectively. Hourly temperatures were often underestimated from 2000 to 0100 LST the next day. When temperatures were estimated at 0600 LST using the existing model, ME and RMSE were $-0.86^{\circ}C$ and $1.72^{\circ}C$, respectively. The method proposed in this study resulted in a smaller error, e.g., ME of $-0.12^{\circ}C$ and RMSE of $1.34^{\circ}C$. The method could be improved further taking into account various weather conditions, which could reduce the estimation error.

• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.45-59
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• 2014

This study has been designed to collate distribution, morphology, petrology of columnar joint in South Korea. Reported columnar joint areas in South Korea are 68, until the present time. These can be divided into five group by geography and volcanic activity. 1) The 16 columnar joint areas are distributed in Hantangang region. The 15 areas in this region are composed of basaltic lava in the Quaternary period, and the other 1 area is composed of volcanic rocks in the Cretaceous period. 2) The 18 columnar joint areas are distributed in Jeju island. Most of them are composed of basaltic lava(alkali basalt and Hawaiite), and the Sanbangsan and Baegrokdam area are composed of trachyte in the Quaternary period. Colonnade, entablature and chisel mark of the columnar joint are typically occur in basaltic lava. 3) The 5 columnar joint areas are distributed into the Ulleung island and Dokdo including Guksubawi. These are consisted of relatively well-formed trachyte columns in the Quaternary period. 4) The 8 columnar joint areas are distributed into the Pohang, Gyeongju and Ulsan region and consist of the Tertiary period volcanic rock. It's shape are dome, radial, horizontal and vertical. The 4 columnar joint areas are reported in the Pyeongtaek and Asan city of Chungcheongnamdo and Gosung of Gangwondo. All of them are the Tertiary period basalt. 5) The 15 columnar joint areas are distributed into the west and south coast region. Those are consisted of various rock type(from basalt to dacite), various occurrences(lava flow to welded tuff), and various diameters(20 cm to several meters). The columnar joint of Mudeung mountain and Juwang mountain are welded tuff in the Cretaceous period. The columnar joint is distributed over a wide area in South Korea, 5 in Gangwondo, 13 in Gyeonggido, 2 in Chungnam, 14 in Gyeongbuk, 1 in Jeonbuk, 10 in Jeonnam, 5 in Gyeongnam, and 18 in Jeju. The columnar joints in South Korea can be arranged in order of formative period, 18 in the Cretaceous period, 12 in the Tertiary period, and 38 in the Quaternary period. By magma series, 36 are belong to alkaline series and 32 are belong to sub-alkaline series.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

This study sought to analyze changes in the vegetation structure and species diversity indices in the Abies koreana forest in the Yeongsil area of Hallasan Mountain and establish basic data for Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER). The results show that the number of woody plants per 1ha has increased by 804 (45.1%) from 1,781 to 2,585 individual plants, whereas the number of live A. koreana did not change much with 796 individual plants. The number of dead tree plants, however, jumped by 807 (82.2%) from 982 to 1,789 plants. With other tree species, the number of live individual plants increased by 807 (82.2%) from 982 to 1,789 plants, whereas the number of dead plants increased by 31 from 10 to 41 individual plants. Results of the average importance index analysis show that the number of A. koreana decreased, while the number of Weigela subsessilis, Rhododendron yedoense for. poukhanense, and Magnolia sieboldii increased. The species diversity index increased by 6.7% as per the maximum level in the upper layer and by 7.2% in the lower layer, respectively. Results of the stem morphology analysis show that the number of AS type was highest with 700 individual plants among A. koreana, while their distribution by type shifted from AS>AL>DS>DB to AS>DS>AL>DB. As for other species, the AS type was most abundant with 1,580 individual plants, while their distribution by type shifted from AL>AS>AF>AB to AS>AL>AB>AD. The number of newly sprouted tree plants has increased from 420 in 2014 to 453 in 2016. Of the individual plants that were alive in 2014, 23 were found dead and 33 individual plants younger than 3 years old have been newly added to the group. The number of deaths after 2014 was highest among the 2 years olds, whereas the number of 2 years olds that sprouted in 2014 was highest among the newly sprouted tree plant group. In the A. koreana forest in Yeongsil, the density of other species was rising rapidly with the exception of the dead and live A. koreana. The occurrence of new tree plants is decreasing rapidly, thereby confirming the rapid change in the area's vegetation structure. Therefore, there is a need for continuous long-term ecological research to monitor vegetation change. It can also be used as a basic data for efficient restoration research.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.35 no.3 s.99
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• pp.237-246
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• 2002

Tamjin Dam is built in the upper reaches of the Tamjin River which flows through the Janghung-gun and Gangjin-gun of the Jeollanamdo, Korea. In order to map out a preservation strategy of the fish community from dam construction, We studied the distribution of fish distribution and changes of the habitat environment. we found 49 fish species inhabiting in the downstream and upstream of the Tamjin Dam. Among them, migratory fish were two species sweet smelt, Plecoglossus altivelis and freshwater eel, Anguilla japonica. The Coreoperca kawamebari which designated as a species to be protected by The Ministry of Environment of Korea was also observed. After the dam construction, reservoir would be filled with water and running water system will change to standing water system. Then the habitat and spawning space for mountain torrent fish will be reduced and the migration of migratory fish to upstream will be blocked. Through our study, we proposed several ways to protect fish community. In order to preserve the reduced habitat and spawning area of mountain torrent fish, a fishway has been diagnosed to be built in the shallow reservoir in the entrance of the upriver. The establishment of artificial spawning ground on the riverside has been recommended. In addition, We propose a creation of a shelter for fresh water eel, Anguilla japonica in areas where the depth of the water is about l0m by laying rocks. Since it is difficult for a spawning ground to be formed naturally in the reservoir due to the year-round changes in water level, We suggested a floating spawning facility using an artificial fixture. In the downstream of the dam, a waterway-style habitat and spawning ground in the river and increasing the diversity and abundance of fish fauna in the Tamjin River. A low-cost and highly efficient operational fishway has been recommended so that migratory fish such as Plecoglossus altivelis (sweetfish) can migrate from the lower reaches to the upper reaches of the river.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.562-581
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• 2018

This study was designed to predict the changes in species richness of plants under the climate change in South Korea. The target species were selected based on the Plants Adaptable to Climate Change in the Korean Peninsula. Altogether, 89 species including 23 native plants, 30 northern plants, and 36 southern plants. We used the Species Distribution Model to predict the potential habitat of individual species under the climate change. We applied ten single-model algorithms and the pre-evaluation weighted ensemble method. And then, species richness was derived from the results of individual species. Two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) were used to simulate the species richness of plants in 2050 and 2070. The current species richness was predicted to be high in the national parks located in the Baekdudaegan mountain range in Gangwon Province and islands of the South Sea. The future species richness was predicted to be lower in the national park and the Baekdudaegan mountain range in Gangwon Province and to be higher for southern coastal regions. The average value of the current species richness showed that the national park area was higher than the whole area of South Korea. However, predicted species richness were not the difference between the national park area and the whole area of South Korea. The difference between current and future species richness of plants could be the disappearance of a large number of native and northern plants from South Korea. The additional reason could be the expansion of potential habitat of southern plants under climate change. However, if species dispersal to a suitable habitat was not achieved, the species richness will be reduced drastically. The results were different depending on whether species were dispersed or not. This study will be useful for the conservation planning, establishment of the protected area, restoration of biological species and strategies for adaptation of climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.549-556
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of spatial distribution of Korean fir (Abies koreana E. H. Wilson) in Mt. Hallasan for the past 10 years. We examined the distribution and crown density between 2006 and 2015 and analyzed the elevation, direction, and regional characteristics. The total area of Korean fir was 626.0ha in 2015, which declined by 112.3ha accounting for 15.2% for the past 10 years compared to 738.3ha in 2006. For the past 10 years, the area of moderately dense Korean fir with the crown density of 41% to 70% decreased by 72.6ha while the area of dense Korean fir with the crown density of 71% or more deceased by 21.3ha. The area with an elevation between 1,510m and 1,600m showed the largest change, accounting for 32.6% of the total declining area. Regarding the distribution by the direction, the area in the southeastern direction decreased by 23.4ha while the area in the southeast and northeast centered on the eastern direction decreased by 62.3ha, which accounted for 55.5% of the total area. Regarding the change of the distribution of Korean fir forest area by the region, the decrease of the area from the Jindallaebat to the top of the mountain was the largest at 84.6ha, or 71.8% of the total decreased area. The Yeongshil Trail area decreased by 25.3ha or 21.5% of the total while the Keundurewat area decreased by 8.0ha or 6.8%. On the contrary, the Bangaeoreum area increased by 5.6ha. The results indicate the large decrease of area of Korean fir forest centered on a particular location of Mt. Hallasan. Considering the changes according to the elevation, direction, and regional characteristics, it can be attributed to increasing frequency of abnormal climates such as typhoons and droughts.