Vegetational history of the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

1 The vegetational and environmental history of the Korean Peninsula has been reconstructed by the use of both macrofossils and pollen data. These data were analysed within the time‐frame between the Permian and the present day. 2 The continuous appearances of presently occurring conifers and dicotyledons since the Cretaceous indicate both the absence of catastrophic environmental changes in the past, and a degree of long‐term climatic continuity. There were, however, climatic fluctuations occurring within the full time‐frame considered. 3 The presence of a relatively rich flora in both the Oligocene and Miocene suggests the existence of a warm climate. The removal of the Tertiary and Quaternary conifers from the Holocene deposits and the continued survival of cryophilous conifers since the later Pleistocene may be due to climatic deterioration. 4 Overall, an analysis on the vegetational history seems to provide information for the better understanding of the present vegetation as well as providing data on environmental change in the region.

Responses of the upriver valley sediment to Holocene environmental changes in the Paju area of Korea

“…These climatic conditions may have caused increased river discharge and higher sediment loads during the Holocene Climate Optimum. Several previous studies have inferred warm and wet conditions and dense forest cover during the middle Holocene in Korea based on pollen data (Chang and Kim, 1982;Yoon, 1997;Choi, 1998;Yi et al, 1999Yi et al, , 2005Kong, 2000;Fujiki and Yasuda, 2004;Choi et al, 2005). Additionally, dense forests with trees and shrubs covering the hills around the study area likely existed during the Holocene Climate Optimum.…”

Phytocoenosen and Distribution of a Wild Tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) Population in South Korea

“…한편 우리나라에서 차나무 출현 지역은 고문헌 정보를 토대 로 정리된 바 있다 (Lee, 1977;Kong, 2003 Kim et al, 2007;Kim et al, 2008;Oh, 2008;Oh et al, 2008) (Ohno, 1985;Suzuki, 1985). …”

Lithofacies and architecture of a basinwide tuff unit in the Miocene Eoil Basin, SE Korea: Modes of pyroclastic sedimentation, changes in eruption style, and implications for basin configuration

“…The Paljori Tuff is mostly intercalated within braided-stream conglomerates, suggesting that the tuff was deposited in a gravelly braided-stream environment with ephemeral streams and fl oodplains in lowlands (Miall, 1977;Allen, 1981). Hydraulic remobilization of pyroclasts was probably an active process during the deposition of the tuff because of the nature of the depositional setting and the warm and humid climatic conditions during the early Miocene in SE Korea (Chun, 1996;Woo, 1997;Kong, 2000). The tuff has not been dated, but its age is estimated to be between 18 and 24 Ma based on isotopic ages of the underlying and overlying volcanic rocks (Lee et al, 1992;Kim et al, 2005).…”

“…9A). The phreatomagmatic eruption was probably facilitated by "wet" eruptive conditions in the vent site caused in part by the humid climate in SE Korea during the early Miocene (Chun, 1996;Woo, 1997;Kong, 2000).…”