• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.277-285
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• 2019

This study was conducted to understand the growth characteristics of Picea jezoensis that was one of representative subalpine species in Korea, in the light of the effects of wind and micro-topography in its habitats on Mt. Deogyu, Korea. The prevailing wind directions were southwest and west at the study sites. We randomly selected P. jezoensis (height ≥ 1.5 m) on windward, intermediate, and leeward slopes and measured diameter at breast height (DBH), height, crown length by 8 directions in upper, middle and lower sectors of the crown. We examined the micro-topography of P. jezoensis stood on and classified it into 3 types: type 1 was mounded and fully exposed to surrounding environments without neighboring trees; type 2 was somewhat wind-protected by surrounding rocks, but no neighboring vegetation; type 3 was on gentle slope or flat where P. jezoensis grew with neighboring trees or shrubs. The ratios of height to DBH, and estimated crown growth to actual crown growth (hereafter crown growth ratio) were compared among the three types of micro-topography on windward, intermediate and leeward sites. The height growth per DBH and crown growth ratio in the upper and middle crowns were the smallest on the windward site, and the highest on the leeward site (p < 0.01). The crown growth ratio on type 1 on the windward site was only 46% of that on type 3 on the leeward site. Although on the same windward slope, trees on type 1 had more deformed crown shapes than that on Type 3, showing asymmetric crown cross-sectional areas. Wind and micro-topography played critical roles on the crown growth of P. jezoensis.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.698-707
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• 2010

The Late Pleistocene pollen record from the Poil-dong, Uiwang, Kyunggi-do, reveals that mixed coniferous and deciduous broadleaved forests were spread along with herb and fern understory. Palynofloral changes reflect climate fluctuations. From ca. 43,100 to 41,900 cal. yr BP, a mixed coniferous and deciduous broadleaved forest combined with open grassland occupied the study area, which indicates cooler condition than today. During the period of ca. 41,900-41,200 cal. yr BP, along with fern understory a decrease in subalpine conifers and an increase in temperate deciduous broadleaved trees suggest a climatic amelioration. A climatic deterioration, as evidenced by an increase in subalpine conifers and a decrease in the density of vegetation cover, occurred from ca. 41,200 to 39,700 cal. yr BP.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1998

To investigate the structure and the conservation strategy of Taxus cuspidata forest at Janggunbong area in Taebaeksan, 18 plots(20m$\times $20m) set up with random sampling method were surveyed. Major woody species growing with Taxus cuspidata were Acer pseudo- sieboldianum, Euonymus macroptera, Prunus padus, Abies nephrolepis. High positive correlations was proved between abies nephrolepis and Pinus doraiensis, Betula ermanii and Magnolia sieboldii, and high negative correlations was proved between Acer pseudo- sieboldianum and Tripterygium regelii, Weigela subsessilis and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes, Taxus cuspidata and Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes. Species diversity(H') of investigated area was calculated 2.3015(0.9991) and this value was relatively lower than that of other subalpine forest. Taxus cuspidata trees were severely stressed and vigor-lossed and 8.22% of surveyed Tacus cuspidata trees were dead tree. Dead trees were distributed mainly in 20~60cm DBH class and a few seedlings of Taxus cuspidata were observed. To conserve Taxus cuspidata forest at Janggunbong area in Taebaeksan, intensive research, prescription on the decline of Taxus cuspidata and proper forest management were needed.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2009

For the proper tree management of Taxus cuspidata, distributed in the High 1 Ski Slope construction area in Baekwoonsan, Jeungsun-gun, Kangwon-do, the growing states of 323 trees(including transplanted 57trees) are investigated. Tree height, rootcollar diameter, D.B.H., stem condition, apical shoot, dead branch, needle growth condition, 2-year-old needle loss, root condition, tree form are investigated. Taxus cuspidata are mainly growing at the sites, high elevated mountain ridge or slopes facing north. Growing states of Taxus cuspidata, distributed in Baekwoonsan are relatively better than those of Taxus cuspidata and Abies koreana at other subalpine zone in Korea. Damaged trees are mainly due to root-removal through transplanting, root-damages by raising the ground level and digging. Several methods of Taxus cuspidata conservation were suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.41 no.1 s.112
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• pp.73-93
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• 2006

Despite of ecological and landscape importances and public popularity of Pinaceae, not much scientific informations are known about Korean Pinaceae. Present work aims to understand the biogeography of Korean native Pinaceae, i.e., taxonomy, phylogeny, origin, life form, distribution, dispersal and migration. Korean native Pinaceae consists of five genera and sixteen species. Pinus is systematically closely related to Picea and Larix, but Abies is related to Tsuga. Boreal conifers which have migrated from NE Asia during the Pleistocene glacial epochs successfully survived, but now confined to the alpine and subalpine belts of the Korean Peninsula mainly due to climate warming since the Holocene. Species, such as Picea pungsanensis and Abies koreana have gradually adapted to local environment, and later became an endemic species of Korea. Disjunctive distribution of Pinus parviflora and Tsuga sieboldii are also indicatives of climate change of the Pleistocene. Major dispersal agent of pine trees with winged seed is wind, but wingless pine tree seeds seem to dispersed by birds and rodents. Pine trees with bigger wings are easily dispersed by wind, and now show broader distribution. Species of Pinaceae with disjunctive distribution on the alpine and subalpine belts of both North and South Korea seems to be more vulnerable to global warming.

• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.198-206
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the damage caused by rodents in the area around Seseokpyeongjeon in Jirisan National Park and identify suspected perpetrating species by analyzing rodent excrement found near the damaged trees. Damaged trees were surveyed regardless of species of trees in the exploration trail in the target site where visual observation was possible. Sequencing analysis of mitochondrial DNA Cyt-b was performed on rodent excrement around the damaged trees to identify the perpetrating species. A total of 52 trees were damaged by rodents, and they were all identified to be Korean Fir (Abies koreana) and were concentrated in places where Korean Fir formed communities with high density. A total of 40 Korean Fir over 1.5 meters high were surveyed, and only the affected branches, not the whole tree, were found to be withered in 39 of them. A total of 12 Korean Fir under 1.5 meters high were surveyed, and 7 of which were found to have been completely withered, indicating that relatively young trees were more vulnerable to withering. The genetic sequencing analysis of excrement confirmed that the species that perpetrated the Korean Fir was Craseomys regulus.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.111 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2022

Data from an investigation of vulnerable conifer species in the subalpine zone in Korea obtained by the Korea Forest Service in 2017-2018 and monitoring research conducted by the National Institute of Forest Science since 2014 were used to analyze the status of distribution and growing condition of three major conifer species (Abies nephrolepis, Abies koreana, and Picea jezoensis) in the subalpine zone in the Baekdudaegan protected area. The distribution area of the studied species in the Baekdudaegan protected area was ca. 74% (8,035 ha) of the total distribution area in Korea, indicating that Baekdudaegan is a core area for conservation and restoration of subalpine conifer species. From decline index [A. nephrolepis in Mt. Taebaeksan and Mt. Deogyusan increased by 77.3% and 29.6%, respectively; A. koreana in Mt. Jirisan (Chunwangbong Peak) increased by 45.2% in four years; and P. jezoensis in Mt. Jirisan (Chunwangbong Peak) increased by 47.8% in two years] and seedling frequency (lower frequency of newly recruited seedlings than dead seedlings) results, the studied species are expected to face difficulties in sustainability. In contrast, at Mt. Seseoksan and Chunwangbong Peak in Mt. Jirisan, the health of trees and seedling frequency showed a partial tendency to recover and increase. In addition, we identified the relationship between the decline index and seedling frequency. These results will support the implementation of conservation strategies for vulnerable conifer species in the subalpine zone.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.135-145
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• 2014

The mountain forest vegetation of Gyebangsan (1,577 m) in Odaesan National Park is classified into deciduous broad-leaved forest, mountain valley forest, coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous forest, subalpine deciduous forest, plantation forest, and other vegetation which includes Actinidia argute community and agricultural land. As for the number of communities distributed in the each forest vegetation which were categorized by the physiognomy classification, deciduous broad-leaved forest had 33 communities, mountain valley forest 41 communities, coniferous forest 8 communities, subalpine coniferous forest 4 communities, subalpine deciduous forest 2 communities, plantation forest 6 communities and other vegetation 4 communities. Regarding the distribution rate of communities in the vegetation, in the deciduous broad-leaved forest. Quercus mongolica community accounted for 80.226% with $30,909,942.967m^2$, followed by Quercus variabilis community of 2.771% with $1,067,479.335m^2$. 55.463% of deciduous broad-leaved forest in the Gyebangsan had Quercus mongolica as a dominant or second dominant species. In the mountain valley forest, Fraxinus rhynchophylla - Juglans mandshurica community accounted for 10.955%. And there were ten mixed communities having Fraxinus rhynchophylla and upper layer at a similar level of coverage, taking up 32.776%. In the coniferous forest, Pinus densiflora and the community living with Pinus densiflora accounted for 100%, showing that the coniferous forest has the community with Pinus densiflora as a dominant species at upper layer. For other vegetation, subalpine coniferous forest had a total of four communities including Abies holophylla - Quercus mongolica community, and accounted for 4.980% of vegetation area of Odaesan National Park. Two communities including Betula ermani - Cornus controversa community were found in the subalpine deciduous forest, taking up 0.006% of total vegetation area of Odaesan National Park. Regarding plantation forest, Larix leptolepis was planted the most with 51.652%, followed by Betula platyphylla var. japonica with 38.975%, and Pinus koraiensis with 7.969%. These three species combined accounted for 98.565%. In conclusion, the forest vegetation found in the Gyebangsan of Odaesan National Park has Quercus mongolica as a dominant species at the top layer. A lot of other communities related with this species are expected to be quickly replaced due to vegetation succession and climatic causes. Therefore, Quercus mongolica is expected to become the main species in the deciduous broad-leaved forest, Fraxinus rhynchophylla, Juglans mandshurica and Fraxinus mandshurica in the mountain valley forest. Around the border line between deciduous broad-leaved forest and mountain valley forest, highly humid valley area is expected to be quickly taken up by Cornus controversa and Fraxinus mandshurica, and the slope area by Quercus mongolica. However, in the subalpine coniferous forest, the distribution rate of deciduous broad-leaved trees is expected to increase due to climate warming.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.75-91
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• 1993

Structure and dynamics of Abies koreana community in Mt. Gaya were studied to provide the basic data for conservation of Abies koreana community, an endemic species in Korea. A. koreana community of this study site was composed of tree layer (4~7m), subtree layer (2~4m), shrub layer (1~2m), and herb layer (below 1m). The heights of tree and subtree layers were low. Floristic composition showed that this study site was subalpine and dry site. In frequency distribution diagram of diameter classes of major species consisting of A. koreana community, those of both A. koreana and other species showed reverse J-shaped types. From these results, it was estimated that A. koreana community of this site might be maintained continuously as a stable climax state like present state. In the spatal distribution diagram of major species, saplings of A. koreana were established under the canopy of A. koreana and Pinus koraiensis and under the dead tree of A. koreana. From these results, it was known that A. koreana saplings were recruited before the community was disturbed and regeneration was accomplished by advance regeneration pattern, in which these saplings established before occurrence of disturbance fill with open site originated from death of mature tree. Growth of annual rings was variable among individuals, it was estimated that such variation was originated in that growth of each individual relates to microclimatic conditions rather than macroclimatic ones. Ecological longevity of A. koreana in this study site estimated by disturbance types and age of dead trees was about 120 years.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-21
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• 1959

1. The plant communities on Mt. Sulak, a typical alpine mountain in central Korea was researched from the standpoint of ecological survey. 2. The plant on this mountain can largely be classified into 2 categories, the warm zone (below 1100m) and the frigid zone. The former is again classified into a broad-leaved tree formation and a needle-leved tree formation, and the latter is calssified into a broad-leaved tree formation and needle-leaved tree formation, and shrub formation. 3. The broad-leaved tree formation in the warm zone can largely be classified into a Carpinus laxiflora-syringa Palibiniana var. kanibayashi association(1), a Carpinus erosa-Acer Pseudo-sieboldianun association(2), and a Quercus mongolica- Tripterygium Regelii association(3). 4. The needle-leaved tree formation in the warm zone can also largely ben classified into a Pinus densiflora- Miscanthus sinensis association(4), Abies holophylla- Tripterygium regelii association(5), Pinus kordiensis- Rhododendron schlippenbachii association(6) In the association(4), the canopy of the Pinus densiflora is gradually being occupied by the Quercus mongolica which is one kind of broad-leaved trees. 5. We can fully see a DryoPteris type of the flour layer plant type in the association (3) and also see a Sasamorpha type in the association (5). 6. The broad-leaved tree formation in the frigid zone can largely be classified into Quercus mongolica- Rhododendron schlippenbachii association (8). The constituents of tree and subtree layers in (7) and (8) associations are similar to those association (3), but the constituents of the shrub layer are different from those of associtation (3) due to the difference in height. 7. The needle-leaved formation in the frigid zone can largely be classified into Thuja koraiensisRodgersia podophylla var. viritis association (9) and Abies nephrolepis-Acer tschonoskii var. rubripes asscciation (10). The species of alpine plants or subalpine plants are gradually increased in this formation. 8. The shrub formation can also largely be classified into a Rhododendron mucronulatum- Patrinia saniculaefolia association (11) and Pinus pumila associatio (12). Association (12) has largely developed on the windy place. Association (12) was burned due to the bombing during the Korean war, but now we recoginized there occurred an invasion of Tripterygium Regelii in such a place. 9. The herb layer species which constitute the shrub formation are mostly alpine or subalpine plants of small size, and their kinds are also very few. 10. The growth of the Moss layer is especially good because of the varied conditions of the habitat. The kinds which can easily be seen are the genus of Thunidium, Haplocladium, Brachythecium, Macromitrium, Holonitrium, Atrichum, Schwstchkeopsis, Grimmia, Hedwigia, Rhynchostegium and Mnium. 11. The genus of the Sphagnum densly grows like a mat at the acid and moisturous place above 1100m. The authors should express their thanks to father. Yang Kisup, Dean of Catholic Medical College, Prof. Yoon Doksuen, from their valuable advice. Thanks arealso due to Prof. Numata, Chiba University, Prof. Takagi, Nagoya University and Prof. Ando, Hiroshima University in Japan for his kind help and identification of Bryophytes.