• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.4
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• pp.401-413
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• 2016

Forest resources utilization and variable disturbance history have been affected the rarity and conservation value of forest relict trees, which served as habitat for forest biodiversity, important carbon stock and cultural role include human and natural history in South Korea. This study was conducted to establish the baseline data for forest resources conservation by clarifying species diversity, spatial distribution and ecological characteristics (individual and habitat) of forest relict trees (DBH > 300 cm) based on the data getting from mountain trail, high resolution aerial photos and field professionals and field survey. As results, 54 taxa (18 family 32 genus 48 species 1 subspecies 3 variety and 2 form) as about 22% of tree species in Korea was identified in the field. 837 individuals of forest relict trees were observed and the majority of the trees was in Pinaceae, deciduous Fagaceae and Rosaceae, which families are abundant in population diversity. High elevation area was important to relict trees as mean altitudinal distribution was 1,200 m a.s.l as likely affected by human activity gradients and mid-steep slope and North aspect was important environment for the trees remain. Many individuals exhibited 'damage larger branch' (55.6%) and consequent relatively lower mean canopy coverages (below 80%). Synthetically, present diversity and abundance of relict forest trees in South Korea were the result of complex process among climate variation, local weather and biological factors and the trees of big and old were estimated to important forest biodiversity elements. In the future, clarifying the role and function of relict trees in forest ecosystem, in- and ex- situ programmes for important trees and habitat, and activities for building the background of conservation policy such as "Guideline for identifying and measurement of forest relict trees".

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2016

Leaf chlorophyll content provides valuable information about physiological status of plants. However, fewer studies have investigated the difference in chlorophyll concentration in leaves of tropical afforestation tree species. Therefore, this study examines the difference in foliar chlorophyll contents of six tropical afforestation tree species namely: Tectona grandis, Pentaclethra macrophylla, Piptademiastrum africanum, Azadirachta indica, Brachystegia eurycoma and Gmelina arborea found in the relict forest in Umudike, South east, Nigeria. A single factor experiment in a completely randomised design in three replicates was employed to analyse the rate of leaf chlorophyll contents. Fisher's least significant different was used to test for significance in mean difference in foliar chlorophyll contents between tree species at 95% confidence interval using analysis of variance. The results of this study showed a significant difference in foliar chlorophyll concentration between the tree species with Tectona grandis having a higher chlorophyll concentration than other trees this could be as a result of its higher vegetative activity which increases its primary productivity followed by Pentaclethra macrophylla while Azadirachta indica having least the chlorophyll concentration. The study further revealed that other indigenous tree species like Piptademiastrum africanum and Brachystegia eurycoma have higher chlorophyll concentration. Further studies should be carry out to examine factors that have contributed informed the differences in the chlorophyll concentration of these trees species, thus this would broaden the understanding of their physiological status and equally encourage there conservation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.1
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• pp.95-104
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• 2011

Distribution types of native conifers (Juniperus chinensis, Pinus parviflora, Tusga sieboldii and Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia) were studied by phytosociological investigation and ZM method in Ulleung Island, South Korea. Two main types were divided maritime vegetation (Juniperus chinensis forest) and mountain vegetation (Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia forest and Pinus parviflora-Tusga sieboldii forest). The former was divided into sea cliff distribution (J-SC) and sea ridge distribution (J-SR) type. The latter was classified 7 distribution types; Taxus cuspidata var. latifolia forest was rock distribution (Ta-R) and mountain slope distribution (Ta-MS) type, and Pinus parviflora-Tusga sieboldii forest was rock distribution (P T-R), upper and ridge distribution (P T-UR, 3 units sub-types:1sub, 2sub, 3sub), and Mountain slope distribution (P T-MS) type. It was considered that J-SC, Ta- R, and P T-R were maintained by topographic climax, but J-SR, Ta-MS, P T-UR and P T-MS were the process of vegetation succession. Distribution types of topographic climax are entrusted to process of vegetation succession. Types in the process of vegetation succession will be needed tending of forest to promote saplings growth and seedlings germination. Especially in order to restore Tsuga sieboldii forest should be afforest and make forest gap because It is mid shade tolerant tree and purity percentage of its seed is 1~2%. It was considered that the composition of group mixture forest constituted Pinus parviflora, Tsuga sieboldii, Taxus cuspidata, Camellia japonica, Machilus thunbergii and Acer okamotoanum, etc. will be able to restore native vegetation, after take the form of forest gap by strong thinning and pruning of Pinus thunbergii forest.