Distinct seasons and diverse tree species characterize temperate deciduous forests in NE Asia, but large areas of deciduous forests have been converted to conifer plantations. This study was conducted to understand the effects of seasons and tree species on leaf litter decomposition in a temperate forest. Using the litterbag method, the decomposition rate and nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dynamics of Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), and their mixed leaf litter were compared for 24 months in a Mongolian oak stand, an adjacent Korean pine plantation, and a Mongolian oak-Korean pine mixed stand. The decomposition rates of all the leaf litter types followed a pattern of distinct seasonal changes: most leaf litter decomposition occurred during the summer. Tree species was less influential on the leaf litter decomposition. The decomposition rates among different leaf litter types within the same stand were not significantly different, indicating no mixed litter effect. The immobilization of leaf litter N and P lasted for 14 months. Mongolian OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 2562 oak leaf litter and Korean pine leaf litter showed different N and P contents and dynamics during the decomposition, and soil P2O5 was highest in the Korean pine plantation, suggesting effects of plantation on soil nutrient budget.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effect of urban morphology representing sky view factor (SVF) on urban microclimate and on human thermal responses. The physical environments and the changes in body temperatures as well as psychological responses were investigated in summer in Bucheon, Korea. The dry bulb temperature ranged from 31.5 °C at SVF 0.082 site to 35.7 °C at SVF 0.922 site. Most of the environmental elements were statistically correlated to the SVF: the dry bulb temperature R (2) = 0.602, UVB R (2) = 0.556 and the illumination level R (2) = 0.609. The mean skin temperature increased up to 36.0 °C at the SVF 0.940 site and decreased to 33.9 °C at the SVF 0.082 site. The mean skin temperature was statistically correlated to the SVF (p = 0.005). However, the core body temperature was not correlated to SVF because of time delay effect to the previously exposed thermal environment. In the investigation of thermal acceptability, only 5 % of subjects were dissatisfied with the road that was covered with plentiful trees; in contrast, approximately 50 % of subjects were dissatisfied with the road with poor solar obstacles in the summer. The thermal stress was affected by the urban morphology, and the plentiful urban greening improved thermal comfort.

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This study investigates how Abies holophylla was planted as a tree sacred to the gods by Japan during the late Chosun and Japanese colonial periods. This study surveyed the current conditions of old Abies holophylla geological information, year planted, and the relationship between Abies holophylla and traditional Japanese values. The reasons that Abies holophylla was considered a tree sacred to the gods are as follows. Firstly, trees are planted on the spaces between Iljumun and Numun in Buddhist temples of Korea in the same way as trees are planted on the roads for worship in traditional temples of Japan. Secondly, tree diameter at breast height ranged from 60cm to 100cm. This means that the Abies holophylla trees range in age from 70 years to 138 years, showing that the trees were planted at the period between the beginning of Japanese Buddhism(1877) and the Japanese Colonial Period (1945). Thirdly, conclusions regarding why the Abies holophylla were planted in Korean temples at the beginning of Japanese Buddhism will be drawn based on the records that Jingu-Kogo's Conquest of Silla was taken care of the Suwataisha as a tree sacred to the gods in Japanese tradition. The reason for which Abies holophylla was planted in Korean temples should be evaluated through the remnants of Japan in the past. The issue of the old Abies holophylla in Korean temples should be investigated and further discussed in depth.