Potentials of LTER on Mt. Hallasan National Park in Korea

Kim, Eun-Shik and Young-sun Kim

Kookmin University, College of Forest Science, Department of Forest Resources, Korea

Abstract

An ecosystem perspective of studies on biodiversity conservation is presented related to long-term changes of human interference, natural disturbances, and environmental changes on a high-altitude mountain in Cheju Island, Korea. Discussion will be focused on recent change of forest vegetation due to forest succession, increased number of roe deers (Capreolus capreolus bedfordi Thomas), and the competition among tree seedlings and plant species of vegetation covers related to biodiversity conservation. As another important issue in the forest is the decline and the regeneration of Korean fir forests, the authors present radial growth patterns of Korean fir trees and related environmental factors. Trends of long-term changes of such climatic factors as temperature and precipitation are presented and the potential effects of such anthropogenic factors as air pollutants and rain acidity on vegetation will be discussed. After a hypothesis on the dynamics of forest stands including Korean firs (Abies koreana Wilson) is proposed in view of the development of biodiversity conservation for the forest ecosystems, the potentials of Long-Term Ecological Research on Mt. Hallasan National Park will be further discussed during the field trip to the National Park.