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Project Goal: forest management considering succession and hydrology
Current Stage: funding decided
Project Goal: improve forest resilience using native seeds
Current Stage: analysing
Invasive alien species (IAS) not only displace nearby indigenous plants and lead to habitat simplification but also cause severe economic damage by invading arable lands. IAS invasion processes involve external forces such as species characteristics, IAS assemblage traits, environmental conditions, and inter-species interactions. In this study, we analyzed the invasion processes associated with the introduction and spread of Ageratina altissima, a representative invasive plant species in South Korea. We investigated 197 vegetation quadrats (2 × 20 m) in regions bordering 47 forests in southern Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. A total of 23 environmental variables were considered, which encompassed vegetation, topography, land use, and landscape ecology indices. The model was divided into an edge and an interior model and analyzed using logistic regression and a decision tree (DT) model. The occurrence of Ageratina altissima was confirmed in 61 sites out of a total of 197. According to our analysis, Ageratina altissima easily invaded forest edges with low density. The likelihood of its occurrence increased with lower elevation and gentler slope. In contrast, the spread of Ageratina altissima in the forest interior, especially based on seed spread and permeability, was favored by a lower elevation and gentler slopes. The analysis of Ageratina altissima settlement processes in forest edges coupled with the DT model demonstrated that land characteristics, such as the proximity to urbanized areas and the number of shrub and tree species, play a pivotal role in IAS settlement. In the forest interior, Ageratina altissima did not occur in 68 of the 71 sites where the soil drainage was under 2.5%, and it was confirmed that the tree canopy area had a significant impact on forest spread. Based on these results, it can be assumed that Ageratina altissima has spread in South Korean forests in much the same way as other naturalized species. Therefore, vegetation management strategies for naturalized species should be developed in parallel with land use management policy in regions surrounding forest edges to successfully manage and control Ageratina altissima invasion.
Eunyoung Kim; Jaeyong Choi; Wonkyong Song. Introduction and Spread of the Invasive Alien Species Ageratina altissima in a Disturbed Forest Ecosystem. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6152 .
AMA StyleEunyoung Kim, Jaeyong Choi, Wonkyong Song. Introduction and Spread of the Invasive Alien Species Ageratina altissima in a Disturbed Forest Ecosystem. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):6152.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEunyoung Kim; Jaeyong Choi; Wonkyong Song. 2021. "Introduction and Spread of the Invasive Alien Species Ageratina altissima in a Disturbed Forest Ecosystem." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 6152.
Climate change is recognized as a major threat to global biodiversity and has already caused extensive regional extinction. In particular danger are the plant habitats in subalpine zones, which are more vulnerable to climate change. Evergreen coniferous trees in South Korean subalpine zones are currently designated as a species that need special care given their conservation value, but the reason for their decline and its seriousness remains unclear. This research estimates the potential land suitability (LS) of the subalpine zones in South Korea for six coniferous species vulnerable to climate change in the current time (1970–2000) and two future periods, the 2050s (2041–2060) and the 2070s (2061–2080). We analyze the ensemble-averaged loss of currently suitable habitats in the future, using nine species distribution models (SDMs). Korean arborvitae (Thuja koraiensis) and Khingan fir (Abies nephrolepis) are two species expected to experience significant habitat losses in 2050 (−59.5% under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 to −65.9% under RCP 8.5 and −56.3% under RCP 4.5 to −57.7% under RCP 8.5, respectively). High extinction risks are estimated for these species, due to the difficulty of finding other suitable habitats with high LS. The current habitat of Korean fir (Abies koreana), listed as a threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, is expected to decrease by −23.9% (RCP 4.5) to −28.4% (RCP 8.5) and −36.5% (RCP 4.5) to −36.7% (RCP 8.5) in the 2050s and 2070s, respectively. Still, its suitable habitats are also estimated to expand geographically toward the northern part of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. In the context of forest management and adaptation planning, the multi-model ensemble approach to mapping future shifts in the range of subalpine tree species under climate change provides robust information about the potential distribution of threatened and endanger
Sanghyuk Lee; Huicheul Jung; Jaeyong Choi. Projecting the Impact of Climate Change on the Spatial Distribution of Six Subalpine Tree Species in South Korea Using a Multi-Model Ensemble Approach. Forests 2020, 12, 37 .
AMA StyleSanghyuk Lee, Huicheul Jung, Jaeyong Choi. Projecting the Impact of Climate Change on the Spatial Distribution of Six Subalpine Tree Species in South Korea Using a Multi-Model Ensemble Approach. Forests. 2020; 12 (1):37.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSanghyuk Lee; Huicheul Jung; Jaeyong Choi. 2020. "Projecting the Impact of Climate Change on the Spatial Distribution of Six Subalpine Tree Species in South Korea Using a Multi-Model Ensemble Approach." Forests 12, no. 1: 37.
The consistent demand for development of forest lands in South Korea has resulted in the need for a new approach to estimate environmental impacts in order to sustainably manage forests. In this study, two types of development were selected: golf courses and industrial complexes. Using FRAGSTATS ver. 4.2 (University of Massachussetts, Amherst, MA, USA), the fragmentation effects of each development type were analyzed based on forest area within project sites and buffer zones ranging up to 2000 m. Each type had representative landscape metrics reflecting the average impact ranges by forest area: “Number of Patches”, “Patch Density” and “Total Edge Length” for golf courses; “Number of Patches”, “Patch Density” and “Connectance Index” for industrial complexes. Golf courses with the smallest forest area had a larger impact range than those with larger forest areas. For industrial complexes, the impact range increased with forest area. Although individual sites exhibited some variation in impact range, they were generally consistent with the overall patterns observed. Investigating tree growth by buffer zone showed the ecological effect of development. To comprehensively manage development of forest lands, further research on other development types is needed. These results could be useful for creating a decision-making system with regard to development on forest lands.
Jaeyong Choi; Sanghyuk Lee; Seung Yong Ji; Jong-Chul Jeong; Peter Sang-Hoon Lee. Landscape Analysis to Assess the Impact of Development Projects on Forests. Sustainability 2016, 8, 1012 .
AMA StyleJaeyong Choi, Sanghyuk Lee, Seung Yong Ji, Jong-Chul Jeong, Peter Sang-Hoon Lee. Landscape Analysis to Assess the Impact of Development Projects on Forests. Sustainability. 2016; 8 (10):1012.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaeyong Choi; Sanghyuk Lee; Seung Yong Ji; Jong-Chul Jeong; Peter Sang-Hoon Lee. 2016. "Landscape Analysis to Assess the Impact of Development Projects on Forests." Sustainability 8, no. 10: 1012.
In a forested area located in the Suji District of Yongin City, Gyunggi Province, South Korea, the relationship between development and forest-patch characteristics and that between development and bird biodiversity were observed and analyzed. As four development projects progressed over a 13-year period (1990–2003), Landsat images showed how a continuous forest was reduced and fragmented and how isolated forests either shrank or disappeared. The ratio of the edge area to the forested area changed also and reflected the stages of the four development projects. A single continuous forest patch was studied, and it showed fragmentation and a reduction in size over time associated with the development projects. The effect of the later developments on adjacent forested areas was much greater than the effect of the initial development. As expected, the initial development affected the forested area near the initial development, but the later developments also significantly affected the same area near the initial development. Bird population characteristics—numbers of individuals and species (biodiversity)—were analyzed using field observations at nine sites in both continuous and isolated forest areas. A gradient of decreasing bird species and the number of individuals was established by an analysis of observations made in the interior, intermediate, and edge areas of the continuous forest. Whereas both the isolated forest and the interior areas of the continuous forest studied had similar numbers of individual birds, the isolated forest areas and the edge areas of the continuous forest showed significantly lower biodiversity than the interior areas studied. The results show that developments cause not only the forest loss, fragmentation, and expansion of the edge area but also a lowering of bird diversity; especially, the later developments have been under more pressure to develop the surrounding area. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the edge area, which is vulnerable to development, to minimize the effects of development.
Dongkun Lee; Eunyoung Kim; Jaeyong Choi; Kyushik Oh. The effects of development on forest-patch characteristics and bird diversity in Suji, South Korea. Landscape and Ecological Engineering 2010, 6, 171 -179.
AMA StyleDongkun Lee, Eunyoung Kim, Jaeyong Choi, Kyushik Oh. The effects of development on forest-patch characteristics and bird diversity in Suji, South Korea. Landscape and Ecological Engineering. 2010; 6 (2):171-179.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDongkun Lee; Eunyoung Kim; Jaeyong Choi; Kyushik Oh. 2010. "The effects of development on forest-patch characteristics and bird diversity in Suji, South Korea." Landscape and Ecological Engineering 6, no. 2: 171-179.
There are currently a number of planned development projects that threaten environmental assets in the Northeast Asian region, especially between Korea and China. To solve those problems, both countries initiated environmental impact assessment (EIA) systems in the 1980s. However, the actual supporting policies and legislative actions were finally developed in recent years. Korea’s EIA Act was enacted in 1993 and then replaced by the Integrated Impact Assessment Act in 1999, and China adopted its independent law of EIAs in 2002 and enacted it in 2003. This study deals with the EIA systems in the two countries, focusing on golf course development, by comparing the differences and similarities between them in the following aspects: preparation of environmental impact statements (EISs), review process, approval procedure, and EIS contents. The aim of the study is to obtain a better understanding of the EIA systems in Korea and China, and to promote cooperation between the two countries related to any future potential environmental problems. The results show that EIA procedures and EIS contents in the two countries are relatively different. Specifically, although there are some limitations on technical analysis and survey experience in China, its EIA system is somewhat more advanced in legislative terms, requiring more advanced measures, such as screening and scoping. On the other hand, Korea’s legislation contains more specific and concrete requirements, a compulsory supplement system, and technical methods of surveying. However, Korea needs to reform its system to make the application of the law more flexible and reasonable. This paper not only proposes that the two EIA systems can be improved by adopting each other’s good points, but also provides some policy suggestions to improve each country’s EIA system.
Jaeyong Choi; Young Han Kwon. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Comparative study on the environmental impact assessment of golf course development between Korea and China. Landscape and Ecological Engineering 2006, 2, 21 -29.
AMA StyleJaeyong Choi, Young Han Kwon. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Comparative study on the environmental impact assessment of golf course development between Korea and China. Landscape and Ecological Engineering. 2006; 2 (1):21-29.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaeyong Choi; Young Han Kwon. 2006. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Comparative study on the environmental impact assessment of golf course development between Korea and China." Landscape and Ecological Engineering 2, no. 1: 21-29.
Kyushik Oh; Yeunwoo Jeong; Dongkun Lee; Wangkey Lee; Jaeyong Choi. Determining development density using the Urban Carrying Capacity Assessment System. Landscape and Urban Planning 2005, 73, 1 -15.
AMA StyleKyushik Oh, Yeunwoo Jeong, Dongkun Lee, Wangkey Lee, Jaeyong Choi. Determining development density using the Urban Carrying Capacity Assessment System. Landscape and Urban Planning. 2005; 73 (1):1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKyushik Oh; Yeunwoo Jeong; Dongkun Lee; Wangkey Lee; Jaeyong Choi. 2005. "Determining development density using the Urban Carrying Capacity Assessment System." Landscape and Urban Planning 73, no. 1: 1-15.
Jae-Yong Choi; Jun-Gyu Choi; Jun-Young Choi. Introductive Study to the Antarctic Environmental Impact Assessment in Korea. Ocean and Polar Research 2004, 26, 155 -163.
AMA StyleJae-Yong Choi, Jun-Gyu Choi, Jun-Young Choi. Introductive Study to the Antarctic Environmental Impact Assessment in Korea. Ocean and Polar Research. 2004; 26 (2):155-163.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJae-Yong Choi; Jun-Gyu Choi; Jun-Young Choi. 2004. "Introductive Study to the Antarctic Environmental Impact Assessment in Korea." Ocean and Polar Research 26, no. 2: 155-163.