Evaluation of Forest Ecosystem Health Using Stand Structure Analysis in Korean Nut-pine Plantations

Chae Jung-Woo 1 ,Yun Chung-Weon2, Kim Hye-Jin2, Joo Sung-Hyun3

1Gyeonggi-do Forest Environment Research Center, Osan 447-290, Korea

2Department of forest resources, Kongju National University, Yesan 340-702, Korea.

3Department of forestry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Korea.

Korean Nut-pine(Pinus koraiensis Siebold. et Zucc.) is not only native plant resources of Korea but also tree for major profits in the central cool temperate zone of Korea. At this point that productivity of planted Korean Nut-pine forest is being reduced due to the climate change and ecological transition of forest, It is important to understand the current condition of forest. In this study, forest ecosystem health was evaluated by stand structure analysis in Korean Nut-pine forest in Gapyeong county. Measurement of the diameter was performed to analyze the stand structure. Vegetation surveys were applied by the method of phytosociological and total estimation method of Braun-Blanquet(1964). The result of diameter measurement was that the gross average basal area was 74.1±3.4㎡/㏊. The average stem density was 512.0±26.6ea/㏊. The average DBH was 43.2±1.3㎝. The average height of the tree was 17.2±0.3m(7.5∼24.0m). The results of crown class research were dominant type of 176±32ea/㏊, co-dominant type of 240±25ea/㏊, intermediate type of 70±13ea/㏊, open grown type of 6±4ea/㏊ and suppressed type of 12±4ea/㏊. The canopy vitality types were normal condition of 74±15ea/㏊, light decline of 324±18ea/㏊, rather serious decline of 104±17ea/㏊, serious decline of 4±3ea/㏊ and withered status of 6±4ea/㏊.

This study was carried out with the support of 'Forest Science & Technology Projects (Project No. S121213l140120)' provided by Korea Forest Service and Forest Ecosystem Research Project provided by Gyeonggi-do Forest Environment Research Center.