• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.120-129
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• 2008

Removal rate of $NO_3-N$ and TN in a free water surface wetland system with litter layer on its bottom was compared with that without one. The system was established on floodplain in the down reach of the Gwangju Stream in 2001. Its dimensions were 31 meters in length and 12 meters in width. Water of the stream was funneled into it and its effluent was discharged back into the channel. Average litter layer of 9.6 cm was formed on its bottom in 2007. The layer and above-ground parts of reeds and cattails on the system were eliminated in Spring 2008. Volumes and water quality of inflow and outflow of the system were analyzed from May to November in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Inflow into the system both in 2007 and 2008 averaged approximately $40m^3/day$ and hydraulic residence time both in 2007 and 2008 was about 1.5 days. Average influent $NO_3-N$ concentration in 2007 and 2008 was 2.16 and 2.05 mg/L, respectively and influent TN concentration in 2007 and 2008 averaged 3.98 and 3.89 mg/L, respectively. With a 0.05 significance level, effluent temperatures, influent concentrations of $NO_3-N$ and TN, and stem numbers per square meter and height of the emergent plants showed no difference between the system with litter layer and without one. $NO_3-N$ removal in the system with litter layer and without it averaged 55.59 and 46.06%, respectively and TN retention averaged 57.24 and 48.97%, respectively. Both $NO_3-N$ and TN abatement rates in the system with litter layer were significantly high (p < 0.001) when compared with those without one. The wetland system having litter layer on its bottom was more efficient for $NO_3-N$ and TN retention than that without one.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2011

In order to better understand the role of litter layer on hydrological cycle in forest, we estimated the interception storage capacity of the litter layer at Gwangneung deciduous forest. We first made a thickness map of the litter layer at the study site based on field survey and then collected representative litter samples for the laboratory experiment. We constructed a measurement device consisting of sample tray, drain collector, tipping bucket, and a data logger. Using this device, we examined the relationship between the interception storage capacity ($C_i$) and the thickness (d) of the litter layer. For the range of d from 25 to 100 mm, there was a simple linear relationship between $C_i$ and d, which changed with the intensity of the simulated rain. The results were extrapolated to d smaller than 25 mm by considering that no interception occurs without litter layer. Overall, $C_i$ increased rapidly when d was low (< 25 mm) but the rate of increase decreased as d increased due to clumping. With an average thickness of 59 mm, the estimated $C_i$ at the site was 0.94 (${\pm}0.39$) mm. Such an interception storage capacity of the litter layer is comparable to that of the forest canopy, suggesting that the litter layer can play an important role in the forest water cycle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-122
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• 2009

Abatements of TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N in a horizontal subsurface-flow wetland with litter layer on its surface were compared with those without one. The wetland was constructed in 2001 on floodplain of the Gwangju Stream which flows through Gwangju City in Korea. Its dimensions were 29m in length, 9m in width and 0.65m in depth. A bottom layer of 45cm was filled with crushed granites (15~40mm in diameter) and a middle layer of 10cm had pea pebbles. An upper layer of 5cm contained coarse sands. Reeds (Phragmites australis) growing in natural wetlands were transplanted on its surface. Water of the stream was channelled into the wetland by gravity flow and its effluent was discharged back into the stream. Average Litter layer of 12.2cm was formed on its surface in 2007. The layer and above-ground parts of reeds were eliminated in April 2008. Volumes and water quality of influent and effluent of the wetland were analyzed from May to November in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Inflow into the wetland both in 2007 and 2008 averaged approximately 40$m^3$/day and hydraulic residence time both in 2007 and 2008 was about 1.5days. Influent TN concentration in 2007 and 2008 averaged 3.96 and 3.89mg/L, respectively and average influent ${NO_3}^-$-N concentration in 2007 and 2008 was 2.11 and 2.05mg/L, respectively. With a 0.05 significance level, influent concentrations of TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N, temperatures and pH of effluent, and heights and stem numbers of reeds showed no difference between the wetland with litter layer and without one. TN retention in the wetland with litter layer and without one averaged 64,76 and 54.69%, respectively and ${NO_3}^-$-N removal averaged 60.83 and 50.61%, respectively. Both TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N abatement rates in the wetland with litter layer were significantly high (TN abatement: p<0,001, ${NO_3}^-$-N abatement: p=0.001) when compared with those without one. The subsurface-flow wetland having litter layer on its surface was more efficient for TN and ${NO_3}^-$-N removal.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.175-186
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• 2010

This study was designed to evaluate changes in the terpene composition of 3 types of pines (Pinus densiflora, Pinus thunbergii and Pinus rigida), while decomposing their leaf litter. Needle litters were placed at two different organic layer depths, one on the surface and the other beneath the litter layer. Changes in the terpene composition of this litter were detected using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. Among the monoterpenes acquired from the fresh needles of P. densiflora and P. rigida, $\alpha$-pinene (12.05% and 19.87%, respectively) was the major one, followed by $\beta$-pinene (2.90% and 14.07%). However, from the needles of P. thunbergii, $\beta$-pinene (20.77%) was the major one, followed by $\alpha$-pinene (10.79%). Among the sesquiterpenes detected in P. densiflora, trans-caryophyllene (3.12%) was the highest composition compound, whereas germacrene-D (6.09%) for P. thunbergii and 1,6-cyclodecadiene (7.41%) and endo-1-bourbonanol (7.41%) for P. rigida were the highest content compounds. However, the total amounts of terpenes decreased sharply by 40-85.4% in all three types of pine needle after 90-120 days of the experiment. The concentration of each terpene differed during decomposition, and the majority of compounds disappeared from beneath the litter layer. It was determined that three types of reducing patterns of each compound appeared on the rate of loss of concentration during decomposition; one pattern decreasing sharply during the initial period, another pattern steadily or slowly decreasing, and a newly detected pattern at low concentration occurring during decomposition.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.91-105
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• 1998

This study was conducted to analyze oribatid mites communities in deciduous forests in Namsan and Kwangreung on which different levels of environmental stresses might press, and to select potential condidate of biological indicator species. In overall, pH was lower in soil than in litter layer. Also soil pH, total nitrate content and soluble sulfate content were significantly higher in Namsan than in Kwangreung (p<0.05). The flora in Namsan and Kwangreung deciduous forests were dominated by Quercus mongolica, and Carpinus laxiflora respectively. It indicated that Namsan was in the lower stage of the floral succession. The number of species of oribatid mites was significantly higher in Kwangreung (39 families, 65 genera and 114 species) than in Namsan (32 families, 53 genera and 89 species) (p<0.05). Common species found in two regions were 77 species. Mean density of oribatid mites was 1.8 times higher in Kwangreung than in Namsan and this difference came mainly from litter layer. Among correlation analyses between environmental factors and oribatid mites density and species number, only density was negatively correlated with fresh litter depth in Namsan litter layer (r=-0.89, p<0.05). The pH which was considered to affect distribution of oribatid mites didn't show significant results.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.211-218
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• 2007

This study was carried out to develop the technique for manufacturing activated carbon from livestock manure and to analyse it's odor absorptiveness. Each of layer manure(LM), litter from broiler house(BL) and litter from dairy barn(DL), compost from layer manure(LC) and pig manure(PC), and coconut shell(CS) was used as a raw material. Activated carbon by grinding the raw material, adding the coal tar as a binder, palletizing, drying, heating with $N_2$ gas at $400^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour, activating by reaction with steam at a temperature of $750^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. Moisture contents of raw material was 44.9% in layer compost, 71.9% in layer manure, 24.4% in broiler litter, 47% in pig manure compost and 33.9% in dairy litter. Volatile matter in layer compost, layer manure, broiler litter, pig manure compost and dairy litter was 18.8%, 31.0%, 49.8%, 22.3% and 11.6%, respectively. Surface area(BET) of activated carbon from layer compost, layer manure, broiler litter, pig manure compost, dairy litter and coconut shell was 259.8, 209.8, 63.5, 442.3, 812.9 and $1,040\;m^2/g$, respectively. Activated carbon made by livestock manure or litter were examined with scanning electron microscope, and micropore was a type of sponge like particles honeycombed with chambers. Pore size of activated carbon was ranged from 0.39 to $5.02\;{\AA}$, but coconut shell was $0.30\;{\AA}$. Iodine absorptiveness of activated carbon from livestock manure was $530{\sim}580mg/g$. But activated carbon made by coconut shell was 1000 mg/g. Each activated carbon could absorb odor compound very well. Absorptiveness of activated carbon from layer manure for hydrogen sulfide and trimethyl amino was 74.5% and 73.9% at the accumulated flux of 60,000 ml, but, in the case of ammonia was only 15.2% at the accumulated flux of 10,000 ml

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.241-253
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• 2000

The degree to which microenvironmental factors are linked to spatial patterns of vegetational factors within ecosystems has important consequences for our understanding of how ecosytems are structured and for conservation of rare species in ecosystems. We studied this relationships between the spatial patterns of microenvironmental factors and vegetational factors in temperate hardwood forest in Mt. Jumbong Biological Reserve Area, Korea. To do this, environmental and vegetational factors from 196 micropoints in a 0.49 ha plot were investigated. Most of all environmental factors and vegetational factors showed the variations among micropoints. Microtopographic factors, litter depth, soil moisture content and relative light intensity at this site were spatially dependent at a scale of 14∼62 m. Coverage of tree and shrub layer and species diversity of herb layer in autumn were spatially dependent at a scale of < 15 m. Species richness and species diversity of herb layer in spring and species richness of herb layer in autumn were spatially dependent at a scale of 28∼48 m. Multiple regression analysis showed that spatial patterns of species richness and species diversity of herb layer in spring and autumn were affected by litter depth, slope, subtree layer, shrub, Sasa borealis etc. The best predictor for the spatial patterns of species richness and species diversity of herb layer at this site was the spatial pattern of litter depth. Species richness and species diversity of herb layer showed strongly negative correlation with litter depth. We estimate that the spatial pattern of litter depth at this site were affected by direction of wind, microtopography and spatial pattern of shrub layer.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.163-163
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• 2003

The study area, Kwangneung Experiment Forest (KEF) is located on the west-central portion of Korean peninsula and belongs to a cool-temperate broadleaved forest zone. At the old-growth deciduous forest near Soribong-peak (533.1m) in KEF, we have established a permanent plot and a flux tower, and the site was registered as a KLTER site and also a KoFlux site. In this study, we aimed to present basic ecological characteristics and synthetic data of carbon budgets and flows, and some monitoring data which are essential for providing important parameters and validation data for the forest dynamics models or biogeochemical dynamics models to predict or interpolate spatially the changes in forest ecosystem structure and function. We made a stemmap of trees in 1 ha plot and analyzed forest stand structure and physical and chemical soil characteristics, and estimated carbon budgets by forest components (tree biomass, soils, litter and so on). Dominant tree species were Quercus serrata and Carpinus laxiflora, and accompanied by Q. aliena, Carpinus cordata, and so on. As a result of a field survey of the plot, density of the trees larger than 2cm in DBH was 1,473 trees per ha, total biomass 261.2 tons/ha, and basal area 28.0 m2/ha. Parent rock type is granite gneiss. Soil type is brown forest soil (alfisols in USDA system), and the depth is from 38 to 66cm. Soil texture is loam or sandy loam, and its pH was from 4.2 to 5.0 in the surface layer, and from 4.8 to 5.2 in the subsurface layer. Seasonal changes in LAI were measured by hemispherical photography at the l.2m height, and the maximum was 3.65. And the spatial distributions of volumetric soil moisture contents and LAIs of the plot were measured. Litterfall was collected in circular littertraps (collecting area： 0.25m2) and mass loss rates and nutrient release patterns in decomposing litter were estimated using the litterbag technique employing 30cm30cm nylon bags with l.5mm mesh size. Total annual litterfall was 5,627 kg/ha/year and leaf litter accounted for 61% of the litterfall. The leaf litter quantity was highest in Quercus serrata, followed by Carpinus laxiflora and C. cordata, etc. Mass loss from decomposing leaf litter was more rapid in C. laxiflora and C. cordata than in Q. serrata litter. About 77% of C. laxiflora and 84% of C. cordata litter disappeared, while about 48% in Q. serrata litter lost over two years. The carbon pool in living tree biomass including below ground biomass was 136 tons C/ha, and 5.6 tons C/ha is stored in the litter layer, and about 92.0 tons C/ha in the soil to the 30cm in depth. Totally more than about 233.6 tons C/ha was stored in DK site. And then we have drawn a schematic diagram of carbon budgets and flows in each compartment of the KEF site.

• The Korean Journal of Ecology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 1989

The action and growth of soil microorganisms were studied in accordance with the leachates from leaf litter over the time lapse, and soil properties and species compositions in studied area were investigated. The investigations of soil microorganisms were made through dividing into two groupsbacterial and fungal groups. The abundance of soil microorganisms showed high correlation with organic matter(0.98) and total nitrogen(0.97) of soil. The amount of soil microorganisms was found the highest in litter layer and the next were humus and A layer in order. The bacterial growth rate in leachates from leaf letter was increased continuously by two weeks. The fungal growth rate was increased only for one week and after then it was decreased abruptly.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.90 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 2001

This study was conducted to clarify the relationship between forest understory habitat and small rodents in the study sites of 500m, 800m and 1,100m a. s. l. of 6 areas in Mt. Chirisan National Park from July 1997 to August 1998. Coverage of understory vegetation and depth of litter layer were increased as the increase of altitude. Seventy seven individuals of Apodemus agrarius, A. peninsulae and Eothenomys regulus were captured in all study areas. There were significantly correlations among coverage of understory vegetation, depth of litter layer and number of captured small rodents. Increase of understory vegetation coverage and litter layer would provide the proper habitat condition for small rodents.