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- KOREAN
- P-ISSN2287-8327
- E-ISSN2288-1220
- SCOPUS, KCI
ISSN : 2287-8327
Vol.32 No.2
Abstract
Soil CO2 efflux can vary markedly in magnitude over both time and space, and understanding this variation is crucial for the correct measurement of CO2 efflux in ecological studies. Although considerable research has quantified temporal variability in this flux, comparatively little effort has focused on its spatial variability. To account for spatial heterogeneity, we must be able to determine the number of sampling points required to adequately estimate soil CO2 efflux in a target ecosystem. In this paper, we report the results of a study of the number of sampling points required for estimating soil CO2 efflux using a closed-dynamic chamber in young and old Japanese cedar plantations in central Japan. The spatial heterogeneity in soil CO2 efflux was significantly higher in the mature plantation than in the young stand. In the young plantation, 95% of samples of 9 randomly-chosen flux measurements from a population of 16 measurements made using 72-cm2 chambers produced flux estimates within 20% of the full-population mean. In the mature plantation, 20 sampling points are required to achieve means within ± 20% of the full-population mean (15 measurements) for 95% of the sample dates. Variation in soil temperature and moisture could not explain the observed spatial variation in soil CO2 efflux, even though both parameters are a good predictor of temporal variation in CO2 efflux. Our results and those of previous studies suggest that, on average, approximately 46 sampling points are required to estimate the mean and variance of soil CO2 flux in temperate and boreal forests to a precision of ± 10% at the 95% confidence level, and 12 points are required to achieve a precision of ± 20%.
Abstract
The species composition of the parasitoid complex and the degree of parasitism by each species were analyzed for gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) populations in the increasing phase. Total of 7,826 mid-late instar larvae and pupae were collected and reared from two collection sites in Gangwon vince, Korea. Two tachinid flies (Blepharipa schineri and Parasetigena silvestris), and the ichneumonid wasp (Coccygomimus disparis) were the most abundant parasitoids, in the order of decreasing importance. Other parasitoids occurring included Coteisa melanoscelus, Cotesia scheaferi, Glyptapanteles liparidis, a lasus, and Exorista spp. The low incidence of the NPVirus is hypothesized to be an important factor in determining degree of parasitism rate by P. silvestris and B. schineri, and their relative dominance in the parasitoid complex.
Abstract
We conducted a landscape analysis to investigate the possibility of adverse effects of anthropogenic light sources, such as roads and residential ildings, on Lethocerus deyrollei on Jeju Island. Wetlands inhabited by L. deyrollei had fewer anthropogenic structures within a 3 km radius that had the potential to produce artificial light at night than wetlands not inhabited by L. deyrollei. In particular, the presence of artificial lights within a 1 km radius appears to reduce the probability of inhabitation by L. deyrollei. Our results suggest that artificial light sources may be critical determinants of L. deyrollei inhabitation patterns in a landscape, and that habitats that have a buffer area of at least 600～700 m radius free from residential buildings are the most appropriate habitats for L. deyrollei.
Abstract
Pinus thunbergii plantations in Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea, are of low ecological quality, with arrested succession and a high proportion of ruderal species. To improve the quality of the habitat, we created canopy gaps (～ 42 m2) and monitored changes in abiotic (light availability, canopy openness) and biotic (survival and growth of seedlings and understory communities) variables in 2007 and 2008 in plots that had received one of five types of treatment: cutting of canopy trees and removal of the understory (CU), cutting of canopy trees only (C), girdling of canopy trees and removal of the understory (GU), girdling of canopy trees (G) or control. Each treatment was applied to three replicate plots. Abiotic variables did not significantly differ among treatments. Survival rates of target species were slightly lower in the CU, G and control conditions. Based on logistic regression analysis, the only significant growth factor affecting survival was height growth. Positive effects of seedling height and leaf area growth on survival were also detected, but did not reach statistical significance. In treatment G, gradual improvement of overstory conditions and mitigation of competition by limitation of disturbance to the understory community were likely to have promoted seedling growth. There were no significant effects of gap treatments on changes in species abundance (cover and richness) and composition of understory between the study years. This result implies that the small gaps created in our study may be below the threshold size to affect understory growth. However, the results of this study are based on a short-term investigation of only two years. Long-term research is strongly recommended to clarify the effects of gap treatment on plant communities in afforested areas.
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate litterfall dynamics in three adjacent coniferous tree plantations (larch: Larix leptolepis; red pine: Pinus densiflora; rigitaeda pine: P. rigitaeda) planted in the same year (1963), and growing under similar environmental conditions in the Sambong Exhibition Forests, Hamyanggun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Litter was collected monthly between July 2006 and June 2008. Needle, broad leaf and total litter inputs followed a similar monthly pattern in the three coniferous plantations. The amounts of needles, flowers, and miscellaneous litter were significantly lower in the larch than in the two pine plantations, while branch litter was significantly higher in the larch than in the two pine plantations. Average total litterfall for two years was significantly higher for the pine (5,475 kg ha-1 yr-1 for red pine and 5,290 kg ha-1 yr-1 for rigitaeda pine) plantations than for the larch (3,953 kg ha-1 yr-1) plantation. Needle litter comprised about 73.1% of total litterfall for the rigitaeda pine, 70.8% for the red pine and 62.9% for the larch plantations. Our results demonstrate that litterfall inputs can be affected by tree species.
Abstract
We investigated colonization and extinction patterns in a metapopulation of the gold-spotted pond frog (Rana plancyi chosenica) near the Korea National University of Education, Chungbuk, Korea, by surveying the frogs in the nine occupied habitat patches in the study area four times per breeding season for three years (2006～2008) and recording whether the patches were occupied by frogs as well as how many frogs were calling in the patches. We then developed five a priori year-specific models using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The models predicted that: 1) probabilities of colonization and local extinction of the frogs were better explained by year-dependent models than by constant models, 2) there are high local extinction and low colonization probabilities, 3) approximately 31% number of patches will be occupied at equilibrium, and 4) that considerable variation in occupation rate should occur over a 30-year period, due to demographic stochasticity (in our model, the occupation rate ranged from 0.222 to 0.889). Our results suggest that colonization is important in this metapopulation system, which is governed by mainly stochastic components, and that more constructive conservation effects are needed to increase local colonization rates.
Abstract
Tree-ring width analysis has been used to assess the effects of air pollution on tree growth around industrial complexes. Our study was conducted to elucidate the effect of air pollutants on annual ring growth in black pines (Pinus thunbergii) of age 41～48 years around Ulsan Metropolitan City. The growth data were analyzed by multiple regression and the results are as follows: 1. The annual ring increment of black pines increased with tree age until age 40 years and then decreased gradually after age 40 years. 2. The increment of annual ring width of black pines was affected more by precipitation and evapotranspiration than air temperature. An annual ring decline appeared in the years 1968～1983, when annual ring indices below zero were observed. Decreased annual ring growth during this period may have been due to air pollution. 3. The heavy metal with the strongest effect on annual ring growth of black pines in the experimental stand was lead (Pb). The concentration of lead in the stand was estimated as over 6 ppm. 4. The technique of tree-ring width analysis may be useful for estimation of the extent of pollution in forest areas near industrial complexes.
Abstract
In order to elucidate the mechanisms affecting plant distributions in the reclaimed dredging area in the Gwangyang steelworks, in the Gwangyang Bay, Korea, we examined soil characteristics and plant distributions in four study sites and a control site in the study area. Desalination occurring along a gradient with increasing elevation, resulting in decrease of soil pH, EC, P, K, Cl, Ca, Mg, and salt and an increase in soil T-N, silt, clay contents. From site 1 (the lowest-elevation site) to site 5 (the highest-elevation site), halophytes decreased in abundance and nonhalophytes increased. The dominant species in each site were: Phragmites communis, Limonium tetragonum, and 12 additional species at site 1, Carex pumila, Suaeda japonica, and 15 additional species at site 2, Spergularia marina, Scirpus planiculmis, and 22 additional species at site 3, Miscantus sinensis, Lespedeza bicolor, and 26 additional species at site 4 and Pinus thunberii, Rhododendron mucronulatum, and 39 additional species at site 5, which resembled a naturally-occurring P. thinbergii community. Cluster analysis of the vegetation data matrix grouped the 35 plots into 5 major groups, and cluster analysis using the soil environment data matrix revealed 4 major groups. CCA of the floristic and environmental data matrix showed a positive relationship of SAR, EC, Na, Cl, and Ca, which are related to salt, in the 1st axis and 2nd axis, but negative relationships for altitude, organic contents, silt, and clay contents. Notably, plant species in the reclaimed dredging area that were separated along the 1st axis showed strong relationships with factors that related to salt. Long-term exposure to natural rainfall in the reclaimed dredging area changed the soil characteristics, such as salinity. This change in soil characteristics might alter the SAR, which affects plant survival strategies in a given habitat. These results strongly indicated that factors related to salt and elevation play important roles in determining the overall plant distribution in the reclaimed dredging area.
Abstract
Weight loss and nutrient dynamics of Quercus mongolica leaf litter during decomposition were investigated from December 2005 through August 2008 in Mt. Worak National Park as a part of National Long-Term Ecological Research Program in Korea. The decay constant (k) of Q. mongolica litter was 0.26. After 33 months decomposition, remaining weight of Q. mongolica litter was 49.3 ± 4.4%. Initial C/N and C/P ratios of Q. mongolica litter were 43.3 and 2,032, respectively. C/N ratio in decomposing litter decreased rapidly from the beginning to nine months decomposition, and then showed more or less constant. C/P ratio increased to 2,407 after three months decomposition, and then decreased steadily thereafter. N and P concentration increased significantly during decomposition. N immobilization occurred from the beginning through 18 months decomposition, and mineralization occurred afterwards in decomposing litter. P immobilized significantly from fifteen months during decomposition. K concentration decreased rapidly from the beginning to six months decomposition. However it showed an increasing pattern during later stage of decomposition. Remaining K decreased rapidly during early stage of decomposition. There was no net K immobilization. Ca concentration increased from the beginning to twelve months decomposition, and then decreased rapidly till twenty one months elapsed. However, it increased again thereafter. Ca mineralization occurred from fifteen months. Mg concentration increased during decomposition. There was no Mg immobilization during litter decomposition. After 33 months decomposition, remaining N, P, K, Ca and Mg in Q. mongolica litter were 79.2, 110.9, 36.2, 52.7 and 74.4%, respectively.
Abstract
We investigated the moth diversity on an island of southern sea of Korea. We collected moths at three sites on the island of Bogildo, Wando-gun, Jeonnam using a 22-watt ultraviolet light trap from May to October, 2008, and identified a total of 272 species and 948 individuals in 13 families. Species of Noctuidae was the most abundant, with 107 species and 318 individuals, followed by Geometridae (62 species and 147 individuals) and Pyralidae (53 species and 269 individuals). The graph of the estimated species richness in Chao 1 (432.25 ± 37.39) did not reach an asymptote, which suggests that more moth species could be identified on the island through further sampling. An arctiid moth, Miltochrista striata, was the most abundant species captured in this study. Monthly changes in moth species richness and abundance formed M-shaped curves, with peaks in early summer (June) and late summer (August). Cluster analysis of seven sites on three islands (Aphaedo Island, Sinan-gun, Oenarodo Island, Goheung-gun and Bogildo Island) divided the sites into two groups. Distances among sites and habitat types may play an important role in determining the similarities of moth faunas among sites.