Reference Ecosystem Condition-Based Syntaxonomic Study for Ecological Restoration and Protection of Temperate Forests in South Korea

• Published in: Diversity (Basel) 2025-01, Vol.17 (1), p.40
• Main Authors: Kim, Minsu, Koo, Namin, Kim, A Reum, Lee, Kiwoong, Yun, Soon Jin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1424-2818; 1424-2818
• DOI: 10.3390/d17010040

To identify the reference ecosystem conditions of a damaged forest, we developed a community development scenario using a syntaxonomic approach. To facilitate this choice, we sought to provide a framework based on ecological theory, specifically on the relationship between vegetation and environmental properties. We identified forest composition species in 216 sample plots from Mt. Gariwang, a representative temperate deciduous forest in South Korea, and divided them into 13 species groups, including the Quercus mongolica Fisch.-Fraxinus rhynchophylla Hance community and eight vegetation types. In addition, nine major environmental properties that explain community composition, including elevation, were identified through multivariate analysis. A physiognomy map enabled the identification that the area must be large and the habitat must be continuous to help determine the reference ecosystem. In conclusion, plant–environmental interaction analysis is a valuable tool for identifying reference communities or source locations for seed migration in relation to various habitats. These reference ecosystems provide insights into the restoration of damaged areas and an overview of important considerations for restoring the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function.