Classification of Forest Types and Estimation of Succession Index in the Natural Forest of Jirisan(Mt.)

Abstract

Abstract: On the basis of vegetation data by point quarter sampling method, the natural forest of Jirisan(Mt.)was classified into eight forest types by cluster analysis. They were Quercus mogolica forest type, Fraxinusmandshurica – Betula costata forest type, Mixed mesophytic forest type, Abies koreana forest type, Carpinuslaxiflora forest type, Quercus serrata forest type, Pinus densiflora forest type, and Quercus variabilis foresttype. Then, succession index was estimated for each forest type so as to evaluate succession processcomparatively among forest types. The results showed that Carpinus laxiflora forest type had highest successionindex of 219.7, followed by Mixed mesophytic forest type with little difference of the index of 218.3. Pinusdensiflora forest type had lowest index. Succession indices were hardly correlated with species diversity indicesof forest types. We presumed that the higher value of succession index a forest type had, the closer toward theclimax forest. However, the estimated index was not supposed to be absolute level of successional stage, but itcould play a role of comparative assessment in the position of the seral stage among forest types.Key words: forest type classification, forest succession, Jirisan, succession index, species diversity