Population structure and regeneration of Himalayan endemic Larix species in three high-altitude valleys in Nepal Himalaya

Dhamala, Man Kumar,Aryal, Prakash Chandra,Suwal, Madan Krishna,Bhatta, Sijar,Bhuju, Dinesh Raj The Ecological Society of Korea 2020 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.44 No.3

Background: The Himalayan forests are of great importance to sustain the nature and community resource demands. These forests are facing pressures both from anthropogenic activities and ongoing global climatic changes. Poor natural regeneration has been considered a major problem in mountainous forests. To understand the population structure and regeneration status of Larix (Larix griffithiana and Larix himalaica), we conducted systematic vegetation surveys in three high-altitude valleys namely Ghunsa (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, KCA), Langtang (Langtang National Park, LNP), and Tsum (Manaslu Conservation Area, MCA) in Nepal Himalaya. The average values of diameter at breast height (DBH), height, and sapling height were compared for three sites and two species using Kruskal-Wallis test. Population structure was assessed in terms of proportion of seedlings, saplings, and trees. Regeneration was analyzed using graphical representation of frequencies of seedlings, saplings, and trees in histograms. Results: The results showed that the population structure of Larix in terms of the proportion of seedling, sapling, and tree varied greatly in the three study areas. KCA had the highest record of seedling, sapling, and tree compared to other two sites. Seedlings were the least among three forms and many plots were without seedlings. We found no seedling in MCA study plots. The plot level average DBH variation among sites was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 7.813, df = 2, p = 0.02) as was between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 5.9829, df = 1, p = 0.014). Similarly, the variation in average tree height was significant (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 134.23, df = 2, p < 0.001) among sites as well as between species (Kruskal-Wallis χ² = 128.01, df = 1, p < 0.001). All the sites showed reverse J-shaped curve but more pronounced for KCA and MCA. In comparing the two species, Larix griffithiana has clear reverse J-shaped diameter distribution but not Larix himalaica. Conclusion: The varied responses of Larix manifested through regeneration status from spatially distinct areas show that regeneration limitations might be more pronounced in the future. In all the three studied valleys, regeneration of Larix is found to be problematic and specifically for Larix griffithiana in MCA and Larix himalaica in LNP. To address the issues of disturbances, especially serious in LNP, management interventions are recommended to sustain the unique Himalayan endemic conifer.

아고산 침엽수림 분포 면적의 20년간 변화 분석

김은숙,이지선,박고은,임종환 한국산림과학회 2019 한국산림과학회지 Vol.108 No.1

The purpose of this study is to identify the long-term area changes in the subalpine coniferous forests in Korea in order to understand the changes in the subalpine forest ecosystems vulnerable to climate change. We analyzed 20 years of time-series Landsat satellite images (mid 1990s, mid 2010s) for change detection of coniferous forests and compared with the long term changes of climate information to identify their relationship in the study area. As a result, the area of coniferous forests in the study region decreased by 25% over 20 years. The regions with largest changes are Seoraksan, Baegunsan-Hambaeksan-Jangsan, Jirisan, and Hallasan. The region with the largest decrease in area was Baegunsan (reduced area: 542 ha), and the region with large decrease in area and the largest rate of decrease was Hallasan (rate of decrease: 33.3%). As the Jeju region has the most rapid temperature rise, it is projected that Hallasan is the most vulnerable forest ecosystem affected by climate change. The result of this study shows that from a long-term perspective the overall coniferous forests in the subalpine region are declining, but the trend varies in each region. This national and long-term information on the change of coniferous forests in the subalpine region can be utilized as baseline data for the detailed survey of endangered subalpine coniferous trees in the future. 본 연구는 기후변화로 점차 취약해지고 있는 아고산 산림생태계의 변화 및 쇠퇴 실태를 파악하기 위해 전국 아고 산 지역 침엽수림의 장기 면적 변화를 파악하는 것을 주요 목적으로 하였다. 1990년대 중반 이후 20년간의 침엽수림 면적 변화 탐지를 위해 시계열 Landsat 위성영상을 분석하였고, 침엽수림 면적과 기후정보의 장기적 변화를 함께 비교하였다. 그 결과, 전체 분석대상지에서 침엽수림의 면적은 20년 동안 약 25 % 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 면적과 변화율의 측면에서 큰 변화가 있었던 지역은 설악산, 백운산-함백산-장산, 지리산, 한라산 등이었다. 이 중 감소면적이 가장 큰 지역은 백운산 지역이었으며(감소면적 542 ha), 침엽수림이 대면적으로 집단화되어 있으면서 감소율이 가장 큰 지역은 한라산이었다(감소 율 33.3 %). 제주 지역은 타 지역보다 온도상승이 가장 가파르게 진행되고 있어 한라산이 기후변화 압력에 의한 산림생태 계 취약성이 가장 높을 것으로 추정된다. 본 연구결과는 장기적인 관점에서 전체적으로 아고산대 산림지역의 임상이 침엽 수림이 감소하는 방향으로 변화하고 있으나 그 추세는 각 지역별로 정도의 차이가 있다는 것을 보여주었다. 본 연구의 전 국적이고 장기적인 아고산 지역 침엽수림 변화 정보는 향후 지역별로 수행될 상세한 멸종위기 아고산 침엽수 정밀실태조 사 수행을 위한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있다.

Budget and distribution of organic carbon in Taxus cuspidata forest in subalpine zone of Mt. Halla

Jang, Rae-Ha,Jeong, Heon-Mo,Lee, Eung-Pill,Cho, Kyu-Tae,You, Young-Han The Ecological Society of Korea 2017 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.41 No.1

Background: In order to investigate organic carbon distribution, carbon budget, and cycling of the subalpine forest, we studied biomass, organic carbon distribution, litter production, forest floor litter, accumulated soil organic carbon, and soil respiration in Taxus cuspidata forest in Halla National Park from February 2012 to November 2013. Biomass was calculated by using allometric equation and the value was converted to $CO_2$ stocks. Results: The amount of plant organic carbon was $13.60ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ in 2012 and $14.29ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ in 2013. And average organic carbon introduced to forest floor through litter production was $0.71ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$. Organic carbon distributed in forest floor litter layer was $0.73ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ on average and accumulated organic carbon in soil was $51.13ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ on average. In 2012, Amount of released $CO_2$ from soil to atmosphere was 10.93 ton $CO_2ha^{-1}year^{-1}$. Conclusions: The net ecosystem production based on the difference between net primary production of organic carbon and soil respiration was $-1.74ton\;C\;ha^{-1}year^{-1}$ releasing more carbon than it absorbed.

Budget and distribution of organic carbon in Taxus cuspidata forest in subalpine zone of Mt. Halla

장래하,정헌모,이응필,조규태,유영한 한국생태학회 2017 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.41 No.1

Background: In order to investigate organic carbon distribution, carbon budget, and cycling of the subalpine forest, we studied biomass, organic carbon distribution, litter production, forest floor litter, accumulated soil organic carbon, and soil respiration in Taxus cuspidata forest in Halla National Park from February 2012 to November 2013. Biomass was calculated by using allometric equation and the value was converted to CO2 stocks. Results: The amount of plant organic carbon was 13.60 ton C ha−1year−1 in 2012 and 14.29 ton C ha−1year−1 in 2013. And average organic carbon introduced to forest floor through litter production was 0.71 ton C ha−1year−1. Organic carbon distributed in forest floor litter layer was 0.73 ton C ha−1year−1 on average and accumulated organic carbon in soil was 51.13 ton C ha−1year−1 on average. In 2012, Amount of released CO2 from soil to atmosphere was 10.93 ton CO2 ha−1year−1. Conclusions: The net ecosystem production based on the difference between net primary production of organic carbon and soil respiration was −1.74 ton C ha−1yr−1 releasing more carbon than it absorbed.

한라산 구상나무림에 대한 식물사회학적 연구

김상준,곽애경,Kikuchik, T. 한국생태학회 1997 Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol.20 No.4

The floristic composition of the Korean-fir(Abies koreana Wilson) forest on Mt. Halla in Cheju Island, Korea, was described and some other phytosociological features were noted. The dense tree layer of the Abies koreana forest under consideration attained a height of no more than 5-7m. The shrub layer was 1.2-2m high and usually inconspicuous, while the herb layer, 0.3-0.5m high, was remarkable. The forest contained a number of species which are characteristic of the subalopine coniferous in Japan, particularly that in Hokkaido. Moreover, the specific synchronized regeneration called wave-regeneration was found in the forest on Mt. Halla at several sites even though the data on this phenomenon do not present in the present report.

덕유산 향적봉 및 중봉 아고산대의 산림식생유형분류와 임분 특성

한상학 ( Sang Hak Han ),한심희 ( Sim Hee Han ),윤충원 ( Chung Weon Yun ) 한국임학회 2016 한국산림과학회지 Vol.105 No.1

본 연구는 덕유산국립공원 향적봉 및 중봉 아고산대를 대상으로 총 48개소의 고정방형구를 설치하여 Z-M식물사회학적 방법으로 군락유형분류와 임분 구조를 분석하였던 바, 신갈나무군락군에서 군락단위로 가문비나무군락,까치박달군락, 피나무군락으로 분류되었으며 가문비나무군락은 물참대군, 백당나무군으로 세분되었다. 군단위로 물참대군은 복장나무소군과 까치밥나무소군으로 세분되었으며, 백당나무군은 각시원추리소군과 귀룽나무소군으로 세분되었다. 중요치를 분석한 결과, 교목층을 구성하는 주요 종으로는 신갈나무(23.9%), 구상나무(14.7%), 주목(10.2%), 가문나무(8.2%), 사스래나무(7.4%)로 나타났으며, 아교목층은 시닥나무(18.6%), 당단풍나무(18.4%), 신갈나무(8.9%)로 나타났으며, 관목층은 철쭉(20.7%), 당단풍나무(17.4%), 노린재나무(8.5%)로 나타났다. 식생단위 1의 지표종은 산수국,들메나무, 물참대와 같은 아고산의 적습한 계곡부 또는 전석지 환경을 선호하는 종들이 나타났다. 종다양도는 식생단위 1, 4, 5는 생육환경이 이질적이고 복잡하거나 국소적인 교란이 있었을 것으로 사료된다. 가문비나무군락의 하위단위인 복장나무아군, 까치밥나무아군, 각시원추리아군, 귀룽나무아군의 식생단위 1, 2, 3, 4는 유사도 지수가 0.5이상으로 식생단위 간 유사도가 높은 경향으로 나타나, 식생단위 간 구성종의 차이가 크지 않은 것으로 판단된다. This study was conducted to classify forest vegetation structure and stand feature of Mt. Deogyusan National Park from Hyangjeukbong to Jungbong, 48 plots were surveyed. The type classification of the vegetation structure was performed with Z-M phytosociological method. As a result, Quercus mongolica community group was classified into the Picea jezoensis community, Carpinus cordata community and Tilia amurensis community in community unit. P. jezoensis community was subdivided into Deutzia glabrata group and Viburnum opulus var. calvescens group in group unit. D. glabrata group was subdivided into Acer mandshuricum subgroup and Ribes mandshuricum subgroup and V. opulus var. calvescens group was subdivided into Hemerocallis dumortieri subgroup and Prunus padus subgroup in subgroup unit. In the result of estimating the importance value, it constituted Q. mongolica (23.9%), Abies koreana (14.7%), Taxus cuspidata (10.2%), P. jezoensis (8.2%) and Betula ermanii (7.4%) in tree layer. It constituted Acer komarovii (18.6%), Acer pseudosieboldianum (18.4%) and Q. mongolica (8.9%) in subtree layer. It constituted Rhododendron schlippenbachii (20.7%), A. pseudosieboldianum (17.4%) and Symplocos chinensis (8.5%) in shrub layer. Indicator species analysis of vegetation unit 1 was consisted of Hydrangea serrata, Fraxinus mandshurica and D. glabrata that species prefer moist valley in subalpine or rocks. In the results of analyzing the species diversity, vegetation unit 1, 4 and 5 represented that there were different and complex local distributions. As in the similarity between the vegetation units, the vegetation units 1, 2, 3 and 4 represented high with 0.5 or above. It represented that there wasn’t no differences on composition species in vegetation units.

지리산 기후변화 취약수종 분포지의 산림식생 유형 및 희귀-특산식물 분포 특성

김지동 ( Ji Dong Kim ),박고은 ( Go Eun Park ),임종환 ( Jong-hwan Lim ),윤충원 ( Chung Weon Yun ) 한국산림과학회(구 한국임학회) 2018 한국산림과학회지 Vol.107 No.2

우리나라의 아고산대는 기후변화에 지역적 취약성을 띄는 지역으로, 아고산대의 산림식생은 기후변화에 따른 영향을 관찰할 수 있는 중요한 기초지표 중 하나이다. 본 연구는 지리산 아고산대의 기후변화 취약수종 분포지의 산림식생을 대상으로 하여 식물사회학적 식생 유형 및 희귀-특산식물 분포 특성에 대해 구명하였다. 2015년 3월부터 10월까지 37개소에서 식생조사를 실시하였고, 식물사회학적 식생유형 분류를 통해 종조성을 파악하고, 종의 우점도를 파악하기 위해 중요치를 이용하여 식생유형별 층위구조를 분석하였다. 그 결과 식생유형분류체계는 8개 종군유형과 5개의 식생단위로 구분되었다. 산림청 지정 특산식물은 9분류군, 희귀식물은 17분류군이 출현하였고, 북방계식물의 비율은 41.2%이며, 식생단위별 해발고도가 증가함에 따라 희귀-특산식물도 함께 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 중요치 분석 결과, 구상나무는 모든 식생단위에서 평균상대우점치가 높게 나타났다. 또한 층위별로 보았을 때 식생단위 1을 제외한 단위들에서는 신갈나무, 당단풍나무 등의 수종과 경쟁관계에 놓여 있는 것으로 판단되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 기후변화로 인한 아고산대 산림식생의 변화를 이해하기 위한 기초 자료 뿐만 아니라 식생학적 접근을 통한 장기 모니터링의 기초지표로 활용될 것으로 판단되었다. Subalpine zone is geographically vulnerable to climate change. Forest vegetation in this zone is one of the important basic indicator to observe the influence of climate change. This study was conducting phytosociological community classification and endemic-rare plants investigation based on vulnerable species to climate change at the subalpine zone, Mt. Jiri. Vegetation data were collected by 37 quadrate plots from March to October, 2015. In order to understand the species composition of plant sociological vegetation types and the ecological impacts of species, we analyzed the layer structure of vegetation type using important values. Vegetation type was classified into eight species groups and five vegetation units. The vegetation types can be suggested as an indicator on the change of species composition according to the future climate change. There were 9 taxa endemic plants and 17 taxa rare plants designated by KFS(Korea Forest Service) where 41.2% of them were the northern plant. Endemic-rare plants increased as the altitude of vegetation unit increase. Importance value analysis showed that the mean importance value of Abies koreana was highest of all vegetation units. Based on analysis of each layer, all units except vegetation unit 1 were considered to be in competition with the species such as Quercus mongolica and Acer pseudosieboldianum. The results of this study can be a basic data to understand the new patterns caused by climate change. In addition, it can be a basic indicator of long-term monitoring through vegetation science approach.

설악산 대청봉일대 산림식생의 식물사회학적 군락유형 및 관속 식물상 특성

김지동 ( Ji Dong Kim ),박고은 ( Go Eun Park ),임종환 ( Jong-hwan Lim ),윤충원 ( Chung Weon Yun ) 한국임학회 2017 한국산림과학회지 Vol.106 No.2

기후변화에 취약한 한반도 아고산대는 한대성 북방계식물의 서식처이다. 본 연구는 아고산대 산림의 군집생태학적접근을 통한 복원 및 관리방안의 기초자료 제공목적으로 설악산 대청봉 일대 산림식생의 군집구조 및 식물상을 구명하였다. 2016년 5월부터 10월까지 31개소의 식생조사를 실시하였고, 식물사회학적 식생유형분류, 중요치, CCA를 분석하였다. 그 결과 식생유형분류체계는 분비나무군락에서 군단위로 눈잣나무군, 만병초군, 바디나물군, 이상 총 3개의 식생유형(VU)으로 분류되었다. 식별종군으로는 눈측백 식별종군, 자주솜대 식별종군을 포함하여 총 7개 종군유형으로 분류되었다. 평균상대우점치 분석(MIP) 결과, VU 1의 MIP는 잣나무(24.1), 분비나무(23.6), 사스래나무(10.5) 등, VU 2의 MIP는 잣나무(26.2), 분비나무(20.8), 사스래나무(10.5) 등, VU 3의 MIP는 잣나무(22.2), 분비나무(16.4), 사스래나무(13.5) 등의 순이었다. 층위별 주요 경쟁수종인 잣나무와 분비나무의 중요치는 VU 1의 교목층에서 잣나무가 46.7, 분비나무는 26.1로 잣나무가 우세하나 아교목층, 관목층, 초본층에서는 분비나무의 중요치가 잣나무에 비해 높았고, VU 2와 VU 3에서도 교목층은 잣나무의 중요치가 높았지만 아교목층 이하에서는 낮은 값을 나타냈다. CCA ordination 분석 결과, 눈잣나무군은 해발고, 바디나물군은 출현종수와 다소 정의 상관관계를 가지는 것으로 나타났다. 산림청 지정 특산식물은 11분류군, 희귀식물은 24분류군으로 북방계 식물의 비율이 62.5%로 나타났다. 결론적으로 본 연구에서 분류된 3개의 식생단위와 분비나무 및 잣나무의 층위별 중요치 변화에 대한 식생학적 접근의 장기 모니터링이 필요하고, 희귀특산식물에 대한 개체군 및 군집생태학적 관리가 필요할 것으로 사료되었다. The subalpine zone which is vulnerable to climate change could be functioning as a habitat for northern plant species especially in the Korean peninsula. In this study, classification of phytosociological community type and investigation on flora of vascular plants of Daecheongbong area in Mt. Seorak were carried out in order to provide a basic information for an ecological restoration and management of the vegetation through community ecological approach. Vegetation data were collected from 31 of quadrates from May to October, 2016. We analyzed vegetation types with phytosociological method, importance value with Curtis & McIntosh method, CCA using PC-ORD program tool, and flora of vascular plants. As a result, the forest vegetation was classified into Abies nephrolepis community. The community was divided 3 groups such as Pinus pumila group, Rhododendron brachycarpum group and Angelica decursiva group. Therefore, the vegetation had 3 kinds of units. The differential species group, it was classified into total of 7 species group units including Thuja koraiensis and Smilacina bicolor differential species group. The mean importance percentage (MIP) in VU 1 was shown Pinus koraiensis (24.1), A. nephrolepis (23.6) and Betula ermanii (10.5), and in VU 2, it was P. koraiensis (26.2), A. nephrolepis (20.8) and B. ermanii (10.5), and in VU 3, it was P. koraiensis (22.2), A. nephrolepis (16.4), B. ermanii (13.5) in the order, respectively. As for importance values of P. koraiensis and A. nephrolepis representative competition species, were different at each layers. The former (46.7) was higher than the latter (26.1) in tree layer, but the latter was higher than the former in subtree and, shrub and herb layers of VU 1. VU 2 and VU 3 also indicated the same tendency. P. pumila group and A. decursiva group were shown to have positive correlation with altitude and present species, respectively. The designated as the endemic plant was 11 taxa and, as the rare plant 24 taxa and 62.5% of vascular plant was northern plant species. It is necessary to continue further long-term monitoring of 3 vegetation units, IV of main competition species (P. koraiensis and A. nephrolepis) with stratum and main specific species (rare plants and endemic plants) considering vegetation science and, population and community ecology approaches.

아고산 지역 상록침엽수림의 종조성과 구조

조현제 ( Hyun Je Cho ),배관호 ( Kwan Ho Bae ),이창석 ( Chang Seok Lee ),이충화 ( Choong Hwa Lee ) 한국산림과학회 2004 한국산림과학회지 Vol.93 No.5

An analysis of species composition and structure of the evergreen coniferous forest vegetation of the subalpine area, South Korea, combining the Braun-Blanquet approach with numerical syntaxonomical analyses(TWINSPAN and correspondence analysis) is presented. Two main vegetation types(Betula ermanii-Rhododendron schlippenbachii-type and Taxus cuspidata-Meehania urificifolia-type) have been distinguished and typified ten vegetation units. The relationships of the vegetation units to complex environmental gradient are controlled primarily by the attitudinal gradient and micro-topographic conditions.

A rapid assessment of avifauna at high-altitude habitats in Natmataung National Park, Myanmar

Han-kyu Kim,Min-su Jeong,Woo-shin Lee,Jong-in Choi 한국조류학회II 2016 한국조류학회지 Vol.23 No.1

Natmataung National Park is a national park of Myanmar which is located in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, and has a high diversity of fauna and flora, representing the high-altitude (above 2000m asl) ecosystems of tropical South and Southeast Asia. In spite of its significance in global and local biodiversity conservation, its remote location and rugged landscape, together with limited resources, have hampered frequent surveys and recordings of biodiversity of the region. Thus, quick and relatively simple methods are required to record the biodiversity of those areas that present logistical difficulties. During our visit to the Natmataung National Park, we used the MacKinnon list method to record and assess the status of avian communities of montane and sub-alpine habitats. From April 5 to 7, 2014, we recorded 65 species and 333 individuals of birds from three different altitudinal habitats, including pine forests, evergreen oak forests, and sub-alpine rhododendron shrublands. Bird communities had distinct species composition in each habitat type. Our survey found that these high-altitude eco-zones of Natmataung National Parks were rich in alpha diversity of birds, and also supported range-restricted endemic species (i.e. Burmese Bushtit Aegithalos sharpei, Chin Hills Wren-Babbler Spelaeornis oatesi, and Mount Victoria Babax Babax woodi), as well as some threatened species including White-browed Nuthatch (Sitta victoriae) and Blyth’s Tragopan. We suggest that meticulous monitoring, together with conservation and management schemes, should be conducted to protect the rare and fragile populations of species that are only found in this area. Rapid assessment tools could be applied to assess the status of avifauna of such remote areas to compile essential information with greater efficiency.