Print PageBeta diversity of vascular plants of the mountain forests at Mt. Jiri National park in Korea, was studied based on data collected from 27 sample plots at nine sites. The sites were chosen systematically about 100-m intervals of altitude; with 3 plots surveyed at each altitude, plot dimensions of 20x20 m, with 27 plots sampled in total. For the shrub survey, four 5x5 m subplots were sampled in each plot, the species and number of stems was recorded. We estimated density, cover, and measured height and crown width of herbs by species in four 1x1 m subplots of each plot; if possible, species were recorded on site, otherwise, specimens were taken back for later identification.
Results/Conclusions
There were a total of 201 vascular plant, 80 herbage, 81 shrub, and 49 tree species. The plant richness of vegetation types showed a bimodal pattern along altitude, one from middle ranges of Mt. Jiri and the other from Quercus mongolica-Abies koreana community containing rich soils. The beta diversity varied with altitudinal changes, functional groups, herbs, shrub and tree, showed markedly same patterns with respect to altitude, and thus had similar species turnover patterns to total species. Significant interactions between altitude and local environmental factors were present for several groups. Patterns in local species richness result from the action of two opposing forces: declining species total diversity and decreasing intensity of competition with altitude. This study provides insights into plant diversity conservation of Mt. Jiri National Park.
