Long‐term ecological research on Korean forest ecosystems: the current status and challenges

Abstract

The present study aims to monitor the long‐term changes in forest structure, productivity, nutrient cycling, and to accumulate ecological information on forest ecosystem in Korea. There are six long‐term ecological research sites and seven flux measurement sites in Korea. The Gwangneung experimental forest (GEF) located in the central cool‐temperate forest sub zone is known as a model site where many interdisciplinary researches have been ongoing actively since mid‐1990s over all other Korea long‐term ecological research sites (KLTER). Collected data and information through monitoring and investigation of changes in forest ecosystem have been stored in a database for analyses. The relative importance of tree species (%) of GEF was in the order Quercus serrata (20) = Euonymus oxyphyllus (20) > Carpinus laxiflora (12). The total biomass and basal area were 249.53 t ha−1 and 26.66 m2 ha−1, respectively. There were 136 taxa with 49 families, with 97 genera, 11 varieties, 3 forma, and 1 subspecies in 1 ha permanent plot. The increase in temperature has been estimated to have negative effects on tree growth. The litter decomposition rate was in the order Cornus controversa < C. cordata < C. laxiflora < Q. serrata. The average litterfall and soil respiration were 5803 kg ha−1 and 8600 kg C ha−1, respectively. Further, the GEF, a KLTER site tended to be almost carbon neutral with an annual growth average of 51,000 ± 78,000 kg ha−1. The data from six LTER sites are digitalized and classified to build data catalogs on the ecological information system. The information on stand dynamics and materials and energy budget in the forest ecosystem is utilized for impact assessment and the study of adaptation strategy for forest ecosystem to climate change.

Practical LAI Estimation with DHP Images in Complex Forest Structure with Rugged Terrain

“…This topographical feature has led to the formation of evergreen broad-leaved forests near the coastline and alpine plants near the summit of the mountain. Various habitats have developed according to altitude [21]. Three fisheye lenses were constructed in the Jeju experimental forest of National Institute of Forest Science (33°19′3.95″ N, 126°34′2.97″ E; 33°19′4.15″ N, 126°34′3.27″ E; 33°19′4.39″ N, 126°34′3.64″ E).…”

Effects of elevated temperature and abnormal precipitation on soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Pinus densiflora forest

“…For a leaf area index, we linearly interpolated 8-day leaf area index data collected from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (Myneni et al, 2015), to hourly time series. Soil temperature, litterfall, root death, soil carbon, mineralization, and nitrification were measured at the study site at different time periods from 2004 to 2009 (Lee et al, 2009;Yoon et al, 2015;Yun and Chun, 2018), which were used for model validation to increase confidence of the coupled model in exploring carbon and nitrogen dynamics under the ongoing climate change.…”

The Role of Forests in Climate Change Regarding Carbon, Nitrogen, and Water: A Case Study of Pinus densiflora

“…We performed simulations for 2006 to 2015 to evaluate the model performance. During the period, the observations of GPP, net ecosystem exchange (NEE), and soil temperature were available at the study site [29]. These observed variables were used for model validation to establish confidence in using the model to explore Pinus densiflora dynamics under climate change.…”