• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.106 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2017

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between tree-ring growth of Pinus densiflora and climate factors based on national forest inventory(NFI) data. Annual tree-ring growth data of P. densiflora collected by the $5^{th}$ NFI were first organized to analyze yearly growth patterns of the species. Yearly growing degree days and standard precipitation index based on daily mean temperature and precipitation data from 1951 to 2010 were calculated. Using the information, yearly temperature effect index(TEI) and precipitation effect index(PEI) were estimated to analyze the effect of climate conditions on the tree-ring growth of the species. A tree-ring growth estimation equation appropriate for P. densiflora was then developed by using the TEI and PEI as independent variables. The tree-ring growth estimation equation was finally applied to the climate change scenarios of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for predicting the changes in tree-ring growth of P. densiflora from 2011 to 2100. The results indicate that tree-ring growth of P. densiflora is predicted to be decreased over time when the tree-ring growth estimation equation is applied to the climate change scenarios of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. It is predicted that the decrease of tree-ring growth over time is relatively small when RCP 4.5 is applied. On the other hand, the steep decrease of tree-ring growth was found in the application of RCP 8.5, especially after the year of 2050. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable information necessary for estimating local growth characteristics of P. densiflora and for predicting changes in tree-ring growth patterns caused by climates change.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.94 no.6
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• pp.441-445
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• 2005

Researches on estimating national-scaled forest biomass are being carried out to quantify the carbon stock of forests with the Kyoto Protocol. In general, estimates of national-scaled forest biomass are based on forest inventory data which provides estimates of forest area, stem volume, and growth of stem by age classes. Estimates of forest biomass are, however, obtained by converting stem volumes to dry weight with stem density and thereafter to whole tree biomass with biomass expansion factors (ratios of whole tree dry weight to stem dry weight). Pinus densiflora is widely distributed and one of the most economically important timber species in Korea. The species are largely grouped into two ecotypes of Geumgang and Jungbu. Stems of Geumgang type trees are straight and high compared to those of Jungbu type trees. The objective of this study was to determine and compare stem density and biomass expansion factors fore two ecotypes of Pinus densiflora according to stand age. Stem density of both ecotypes of Pinus densora increased and biomass expansion factors of them decreased with increasing tree age. In he same age class, stem density and biomass expansion factor of Geungang type Pinus densiflora were lower than those of Jungbu type Pinus densiflora. There were statistically significant differences in stem density and biomass expansion factors between Geumgang type and Jungbu type Pinus densiflora in 0-20-year-old stands and 40-60-year-old stands. Our results suggested that the reliability of the national forest biomass inventory could be improved by applying the ecotype- and age-dependent stem density and biomass expansion factors.

• 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 Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.105 no.3
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• pp.351-359
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• 2016

This study was conducted to analyze the effect of climate change on the tree-ring growth of Pinus koraiensis in Korea. Annual tree-ring growth data of P. koraiensis collected by the $5^{th}$ National Forest Inventory were first organized to analyze yearly growth patterns of the species. When tree-ring growth data were analyzed through cluster analysis based on similarity of climatic conditions, five clusters were identified. Yearly growing degree days and standard precipitation index based on daily mean temperature and precipitation data from 1951 to 2010 were calculated by cluster. Using the information, yearly temperature effect index(TEI) and precipitation effect index(PEI) by cluster were estimated to analyze the effect of climatic conditions on the growth of the species. Tree-ring growth estimation equations by cluster were developed by using the product of yearly TEI and PEI as independent variable. The tree-ring growth estimation equations were applied to the climate change scenarios of RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for predicting the changes in tree-ring growth by cluster of P. koraiensis from 2011 to 2100. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable information necessary for estimating local growth characteristics of P. koraiensis and for predicting changes in tree-ring growth patterns caused by climate change.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.109 no.3
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• pp.300-312
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• 2020

The growing stocks of young forests that are less than10 years of age have been excluded from the Korean forest resource statistics, despite the existence of standing trees; however, sustainable forest management and carbon removals in the forestry section require complete information regarding forest resources. This study developed a method to estimate the growing stocks for young forests from National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. After reviewing previous research on growth characteristics for young forests, we conducted stem analysis of major species, and examined stand characteristics by site index, based on real yield tables. Our statistical analysis results showed that there were few standing trees with diameters at breast height (DBH) above 6 cm in young stands, and that it would have taken 12 years, on average, to reach 6 cm DBH. This suggests that mean tree height by diameter should be assessed at the root, in order to assess growing stocks for young stands through the NFI. Moreover, the database system should be improved to differentiate tree species, since diverse shrubs, including trees, have been surveyed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.49-65
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• 2022

Since trees in the city are green assets that create a healthy environment for the city, systematic management of trees improves urban ecosystem services. The sporadic urban tree information centered on the site is vast, and it is difficult to manage the data, so efforts to increase efficiency are needed. This paper summarizes tree data inventory based on data constructed by Seoul Green Trust activists and constructs and discloses online database maps using Tableau Software. In order to verify the utilization of the map, we divided into consumer and supplier aspects to collect various opinions and reflect feedback to implement tree database maps for each area and species of Seoul Forest. As a result, the utilization value of tree database in urban parks was presented. The technical significance of this study is to systematically record the process of constructing and implementing a dashboard directly using the Mapbox platform and Tableau Software in the field of landscaping for the first time in Korea. In addition, the implications and supplements of landscape information were derived by collecting user opinions on the results. This can be used as an exploratory basis in the process of developing online-based services such as web and apps by utilizing landscaping tree information in the future. Although the visualization database currently constructed has limitations that ordinary users cannot interact in both directions because it utilizes business intelligence tools in terms of service provision it has affirmed both the database construction and its usability in web public format. In the future it is essential to investigate the assets of the trees in the city park and to build a database as a public asset of the city. The survey participants positively recognized that information is intuitively presented based on the map and responded that it is necessary to provide information on the overall urban assets such as small parks and roadside trees by using open source maps in the future.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2015

Forests contain a huge amount of carbon (C) and climate change could affect forest C dynamics. This study was conducted to predict the C dynamics of Pinus densiflora and Quercus variabilis forests, which are the most dominant needleleaf and broadleaf forests in Korea, using the Korean Forest Soil Carbon (KFSC) model under the two climate change scenarios (2012-2100; Constant Temperature (CT) scenario and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario). To construct simulation unit, the forest land areas for those two species in the 5th National Forest Inventory (NFI) data were sorted by administrative district and stand age class. The C pools were initialized at 2012, and any disturbance was not considered during the simulation period. Although the forest C stocks of two species generally increased over time, the forest C stocks under the RCP 8.5 scenario were less than those stocks under the CT scenario. The C stocks of P. densiflora forests increased from 260.4 Tg C in 2012 to 395.3 (CT scenario) or 384.1 Tg C (RCP 8.5 scenario) in 2100. For Q. variabilis forests, the C stocks increased from 124.4 Tg C in 2012 to 219.5 (CT scenario) or 204.7 (RCP 8.5 scenario) Tg C in 2100. Compared to 5th NFI data, the initial value of C stocks in dead organic matter C pools seemed valid. Accordingly, the annual C sequestration rates of the two species over the simulation period under the RCP 8.5 scenario (65.8 and $164.2g\;C\;m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$ for P. densiflora and Q. variabilis) were lower than those values under the CT scenario (71.1 and $193.5g\;C\;m^{-2}\;yr^{-1}$ for P. densiflora and Q. variabilis). We concluded that the C sequestration potential of P. densiflora and Q. variabilis forests could be decreased by climate change. Although there were uncertainties from parameters and model structure, this study could contribute to elucidating the C dynamics of South Korean forests in future.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 2021

Hornbeams (Carpinus spp.), which are widely distributed in South Korea, are recognized as one of the most abundant species at climax stage in the temperate forests. Although the distribution and vegetation structure of the C. laxiflora community have been reported, little ecological information of C. tschonoskii is available. Little effort was made to examine the distribution shift of these species under the future climate conditions. This study was conducted to predict potential shifts in the distribution of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii in 2050s and 2090s under the two sets of climate change scenarios, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The MaxEnt model was used to predict the spatial distribution of two species using the occurrence data derived from the 6th National Forest Inventory data as well as climate and topography data. It was found that the main factors for the distribution of C. laxiflora were elevation, temperature seasonality, and mean annual precipitation. The distribution of C. tschonoskii, was influenced by temperature seasonality, mean annual precipitation, and mean diurnal rang. It was projected that the total habitat area of the C. laxiflora could increase by 1.05% and 1.11% under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios, respectively. It was also predicted that the distributional area of C. tschonoskii could expand under the future climate conditions. These results highlighted that the climate change would have considerable impact on the spatial distribution of C. laxiflora and C. tschonoskii. These also suggested that ecological information derived from climate change impact assessment study can be used to develop proper forest management practices in response to climate change.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.220-256
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• 2022

The most important thing for conserving plant diversity in an area is to make an overall inventory of the plant species inhabiting the area. In particular, limestone areas are known for their high plant diversity and distribution of specific plants. Despite that, only a few have been designated as protected areas. This study investigated the vascular plants distributed in Goyangsan Mtn. and Munraesan Mtn., located in limestone areas of the central part of the Korean Peninsula. A field survey was conducted eight times from April to October 2021. As a result, we identified a total of 654 taxa comprising 113 families, 357 genera, 592 species, 15 subspecies, 44 varieties, and 3 formulas. They included four endangered wild plant species: Astilboides tabularis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Cypripedium macranthos, and Epilobium hirsutum. Endemic plants in Korea were identified as 32 taxa. Floristic target plants were identified as 168 taxa, specifically 5 taxa of grade V, 41 taxa of grade IV, and 36 taxa of grade III. The red data plants included 2 taxa as "Endangered (EN)", 7 taxa as "Vulnerable (VU)", and 7 taxa as "Near threatened (NT)". A total of 41 taxa of naturalized plants were identified, and 4 of them were invasive alien plants. The surveyed vicinity of Goyangsan Mtn. and Munraesan Mtn. showed high plant diversity and contained core habitats for distribution of an endangered wild plant, Astilboides tabularis,in the limestone area. Moreover, both mountains contained a small population of Cotoneaster integerrimus. These findings confirm that the area has conservation values. Therefore, we propose to identify areas with high plant diversity and designate them as special protected areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.57-67
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• 2014

The vigor condition of trees is an important indicator for the management of urban forested area. But difficulties in how to assess the tree vigor condition still remain. Previous efforts were limited in the 1) measurement of single indicator rather than using multiple indices, 2) purpose-oriented measurement such as for air-pollution effect or specific pathological symptom, and 3) ordinal-scale evaluations by field crews 4) despite human errors based on his/her experiences or prior knowledge. Therefore, this study attempted to develop a quantitative and objective methodology for assessing tree vigor condition, by measuring multiple modules and building the profile inventory. Furthermore, the possibility and limitations were discussed in terms of schematic frames describing tree vigor condition. The vigor condition of 56 flowering cherry plants in urban park were assessed by in-situ measurements of following eight items; growth of crown(Gc), growth of shoots, individual tree volume(Vol), plant area index, woody area index, leaf area index, leaf chlorophyll content(Lc) and leaf water content(Lw). For validation, these measurements were compared with the ranks of holistic tree vigor condition, which were visually assessed using a 4-point grading scale based on the expert's knowledge. As a result, the measures of each evaluation item successfully highlighted a variety of aspects in tree vigor condition, including the states of both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic parts. The variation in the results depending on evaluated parts was shown within an individual tree, even though the broad agreement among the results was found. The result of correlation analysis between the tested measurements and 4-point visual assessment, demonstrated that the state of water-stressed foliage of the season (Lw) or the development of plant materials since sapling phase (Vol) could be better viewed from the outer appearance of trees than other symptoms. But only based on the visual assessment, it may be difficult to detect the quality of photosynthesis (Lc) or the recent trend in growth of trees (Gc). To make this methodology simplified for the broad-scale application, the tested eight measurements could be integrated into two components by principal component analysis, which was labelled with 'the amount of plant materials' and 'vigor trend', respectively. In addition, the use of these quantitative and multi-scale indicators underlies the importance of assessing various aspects of tree vigor condition, taking into account the response(s) on different time and spatial scale of pressure(s) shown in each evaluated module. Future study should be advanced for various species at diverse developing stages and environment, and the application to wide areas at a periodic manner.