• Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2003

To obtain the basic data for monitoring and the conservation of native plant species at the sub-alpine zone Jongseogdae in Jirisan (Mt.).40 plots(5m${\times}$5m) set up by random sampling method and the distribution of native shrub and herb species at the subalpine zone was surveyed. Leading shrub species at the subalpine zone of Jongseogdae were Tripterygium regelii with IP value of 23.45% : followed by Lespedeza maximowiczii, Symplocos chinensis for. pilosa and Lespedeza tomentella. Dominant species at the subalpine zone were Lysimachia clethroides, Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Synurus deltoides, Veratrum maackii var. japonicum, Hemerocallis fulva and Astilbe chinensis var. davidii. Rhododendron tschonoskii recorded from the rare and endangered species list of the Korea Forest Service distributed among the rocks on the top of Jongseogdae. The long-term sustainable habitat monitoring might be required to conserve this subalpine zone.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.237-245
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• 1990

Ninety six plant species recorded at the alpine tundra zone on the Paektusan (Zhu and Rowe, 1987) were examined on the floras of alpine and subalpine zones in Korea. Among the 96 species, 59(61%), 47(49%) and 51(53%) species in the alpine zone of Kwanmobong, Turyusan and Puksubaeksan were recognized respectively, and 24(25%), 21(22%), 11(11%) and 16(17%) species in the subalpine zone of Myohyangsan, Kumgangsan, Soraksan, Chirisan and Hallasan respectively. The similarities between the alpine tundra zone of Paektusan and the alpine zones of other mountains in Korea showed high values than the values compared with subalpine zones.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.390-399
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• 2019

Background: The Northern Hemisphere forest ecosystem is a major sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide, and the subalpine zone stores large amounts of carbon; however, their magnitude and distribution of stored carbon are still unclear. Results: To clarify the carbon distribution and carbon budget in the subalpine zone at volcanic Jeju Island, Korea, we report the C stock and changes therein owing to vegetation form, litter production, forest floor, and soil, and soil respiration between 2014 and 2016, for three subalpine forest ecosystems, namely, Abies koreana forest, Taxus cuspidata forest, and Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii forest. Organic carbon distribution of vegetation and NPP were bigger in the A. koreana forest than in the other two forests. However, the amount of soil organic carbon distribution was the highest in the J. chinensis var. sargentii forest. Compared to the amount of organic carbon distribution (AOCD) of aboveground vegetation (57.15 t C ha^-1) on the subalpine-alpine forest in India, AOCD of vegetation in the subalpine forest in Mt. Halla was below 50%, but AOCD of soil in Mt. Halla was higher. We also compared our results of organic carbon budget in subalpine forest at volcanic island with data synthesized from subalpine forests in various countries. Conclusions: The subalpine forest is a carbon reservoir that stores a large amount of organic carbon in the forest soils and is expected to provide a high level of ecosystem services.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.331-337
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• 2000

Fourteen different taxa of dictyostelid cellular slime molds were recovered from the alpine and subalpine zone in Mt. Paektu. In subalpine zone, six species were recovered : Dictyostelium minutum, D. brefeldianum, D. crassicaule, D. capitatum, Polysphondylium solitarium and P. pallidum. One of these species which were isolated from the soils of Larix olgensis community exhibited several distinctive features which differed from the published species. This species was designated as a new species, Polysphondylium solitarium Kang et Chang, sp. nov. When cultivated at 22~24$^{\circ}C$ on low-nutrient agar media with Escherichia coli, Polysphondylium solitarium is distinguishable from other species by the following combination of features: (ⅰ) the sorocarps with vinaceous pigmentation; (ⅱ) pseudoplasmodia radial. usually centralized and rarely subdivided; (ⅲ) the various number of whorls; (ⅳ) the spores with unconsolidated and nonconspicuous polar granules. Also, we confirmed this new species by analyzing ribosomal DNA (ITS1, ITS2 and 5.8s DNA) sequences of P. solitarium and P. violaceum.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.87 no.3
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• pp.366-371
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• 1998

To investigate the structure of Korean native species, Abies koreana forest in subalpine zone of Mt. Halla, 20 plots ($10{\times}10m$) set up with random sampling method were surveyed. The forest on subalpine zone in Mt. Halla was Abies koreana - Taxus cuspidata - Sasa quelpaertensis community. High positive correlations were shown between Quercus ${\times}$ grosseserrata and Carpinus laxiflora; Carpinus laxiflora and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, Ilex crenata; Taxus cuspidata and Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, Prunus padus, and high negative correlations were shown between Abies koreana and Quercus ${\times}$ grosseserrata; Abies koreana and Acer pseudo-sieboldianum; Sasa quelpaertensis and Prunes sargentii. Vigor of Abies koreana was depressed, 8.11% of total number of Abies koreana investigated were dead. DBH of dead individuals ranged mainly 10-30 cm.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2021

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.201-211
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the vascular plants which can be an indicator of environmental change in Seseok of Jirisan National Park. The purpose of this study was to find out the basic information for the subalpine species. This study showed that the area had a total 295 taxa including 63 families, 177 genus, 252 species, 2 subspecies, 36 variants 5 forms and Pte-Q was 1.7. Among them, Korea endemic plants were 15 taxa such as Abies koreana. Rare plants were 14 taxa such as Viola diamantiaca. Naturalized plants consisted of 5 taxa such as Rumex crispus. The floristic regional indicator plants found in surveyed area were 72 taxa comprising 3 taxa of grade V, 7 taxa of grade IV and 24 taxa of grade III. In summary, The subalpine plants of the survey region consisted of 37 taxa including Abies koreana and Gymnadenia cucullata. As rare plants distributed in subalpine zone respond sensitively to climate change, accuracy distribution range, environmental characteristics of habitat and population dynamics of rare plants should be evaluated quantitatively.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.321-328
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• 2002

In order to provide the basic information for restoration of vegetation, conservation of rare species and maintenance of biodiversity, changes of site factors and vegetation by human trampling disturbance were investigated at the subalpine zone near the peak of Mt. Sorak in Korea. The destructed vegetation was found mainly in the southern parts with gentle slope in this study area. Height and coverage of vegetation and the species diversity decreased, and the community structure depended on trampling strength. Soil moisture, organic matter contents and litter thickness in the site with destructed vegetation by human trampling showed lower values than in the undisturbed site. Soil depth decreased, and gravel exposure on the ground surface increased by soil erosion responded to trampling strength.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.119-129
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• 1999

The bryophyte communities on the forest floor of the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaf forest and the evergreen coniferous forest of cool temperate and subalpine zones in Mts. Taebaek, Odae and Sulak of Tabaek Range were investigated from. the numerical and phytosociological viewpoints. As a result, four bryophyte communities were recognized there, considering the species composition of vascular vegetation; A. Thuja koraiensis-Abies nephrolepis/Taxus caespitosa-Pinus pumila/Hylocomium splendens-Pleurozium schreberi community, B: Sasamorpha borealis-Abies nephrolepis/Plagiomnium cuspidatum- Aulacomnium heterostichum community, C. Abies holophylla-Abies nephrolepis/Thuidium recognitum-Trachycystis immarginata cristatus community, D. Meehania urticifolia-Abies nephrolepis/Hylocomiopsis ovicarpa-Taxiphyllum aomoriense community. Among these, the community A was distributed in higher altitudes and characterized by the species group of the holarctic elements, e.g. Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum majus, etc. limited in subarctic; subalpine and arctic; alpine zones and was confirmed as synusies of the Thujo-Abietetum nephrolepidis Song 1991 and Taxo-Pinetum pumilae Song 1985 belonging the Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. 1939. In contrast the communities B, C and D were distributed in the mixed coniferous and deciduous broad-leaf forest of lower altitudes and characterized by the elements of the cool temperate; montane zone. They were confirmed as synusies belonging to the Corylo-Quercetum mongolicae Song 1988. By the result of the numerical syntaxonomical analysis such as cluster analysis, interspecific association, PCA, the communities were largely divided into the two types. The two types coincided with the community units or the diagnostic species of the bryophyte communities of the subalpine zone and the montane zone, respectively. Also the analysis revealed that the division of the above two forest zones are justifiable. Up to date many investigator have described the coniferous forest distibuted above 1000m in Taebaek mountains as the forest vegetation of subalpine zone. However, from the results of the present study, the boundary of the mixed forest and the true subalpine coniferous forest was elucidated to be ca. 1,500 m phytosociologically. Species richness was the highest in the community A, and the other four communities showed a similar species richness.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2001

We have analyzed the pollen sequence since the end of Last Glacial Maximum at Yugawanuma moor The Yugawanuma moor($39^{\circ}15'N$, $140^{\circ}45'E$) is situated in an closed depression of an old landslide about 590m a.s.l. near the boundary between Iwate and Akita Prefecture. The main results are as follows : Five forest zones have been distinguished. \circled1 Y-I zone : Pinus-Picea-Betula zone (the subalpine forest.the end of the Last Glacial Maximum), \circled2 Y-II : Betula zone (the subalpine forest.the Late Glacial), \circled3 Y-III : Quercus-Betula-Ulmus/Zelkova zone (the lower subalpine or the upper montane forest.R I), \circled4 Y-IV : Fagus zone (the cool temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest.R II), \circled5 Y-V : Fagus-Quercus-Cryptomeria zone (the mixed forest conifer and deciduous broad-leaved forest.R III).