Biodiversity & Ecology

English

Abstract: The Korean Forest Database (GIVD ID AS-00-001), with 2,207 relevés, covers the main gradients and composition of forests (partly non-forest vegetation) from the sealevel to highest peaks (Paektusan, Hallasan) of the Korean peninsula and neighbouring areas (Russia, China). Altogether, 44 principal studies published in Korean journals and monographs in the last 30 years were analysed. The occurrence of natural or semi-natural forest stands was a selection criterion to be included as a record into the database. The relevés were sampled using the standard Zürich-Montpellier methodology, with the Braun-Blanquet semi-quantitative scale. The mean species richness is about 30 species per relevé (moss layer excluded). A relevé area over 100 m² occurs in 36.5 % of relevés and the size of 400 m² in 20.6 %, respectively. The vertical distribution of the relevés mirrors the land topography, so 39.5 % were recorded below 500 m, 34.5 % were recorded in the belt 500–1,000 m, 14.9 % in the belt 1,000–1,500 m and 6.1 % of relevés come from the highest stands. The most frequent woody species presented are Quercus mongolica, Lindera obtusiloba, Acer pseudosieboldianum, Rhododendron schlippenbachii, R. mucronulatum, and Pinus densiflora. Among the most frequent herb species occur Carex siderosticta, Disporum smilacinum, Aster scaber, Carex lanceolata, Artemisia keiskeana, and Ainsliaea acerifolia. All relevés are georeferrenced in the WGS84 coordinate system, more or less precise. The study was funded by research grant nr. 206/05/0119 of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic, and the research grant nr. IAA600050802 of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. This work was supported as a long-term research development project no. RVO 67985939 and the International Research Cooperation Program (Nr. F01-2009-000-10022-0) funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea.