The Holocene Hypsithermal Interval(or climatic optimum) was the warmest post-glacial period: temperatures rose to as much as 1-4 o C above present temperatures. We hypothesize that southern plants expanded northward and upward during the Hypsithermal Interval. The Hypsithermal relict populations are defined as populations which distribute mainly in Is. Cheju and Southern subregions and have populations of short-distance dispersion separated by more than 100 km from the nearest distribution. The Hypsithermal relict species were identified and their distributions were mapped based on botanical floras and checklist, herbaria specimens, ecological studies, and field surveys of selected species. Evaluation of the hypothesis was based on reviews of published pollen stratigraphic and paleoecological studies. The results showed that the Holocene Hypsithermal relicts such as Corylopsis coreana Uyeki, Carpinus turczaninowii Hance, Stewartia koreana Nakai ex Rehder were expanded northward during the Holocene Hypsithermal Interval.

Five taxa of the genus Ajuga L. (Lamiaceae) were known previously in Korea which were mainly distributed in lowland and lower montane areas at 50-1000 m elevation. We report an unrecorded taxon of the genus Ajuga in Korea, namely Ajuga nipponensis Makino. This taxon was discovered at Is. Nok, Boryeong-si, in Chungcheongnam Province. A. nipponensis is found to be distributed along roadsides near villages of the island. A. nipponensis was distinguishable from other Ajuga in Korea by following combination of characters: Stems erect or procumbent, arranged in a dense cluster, corolla whitish-pale pink, 10-12 mm long. This taxon was named 'Bun-hong-kkot-jo-gae-na-mul' in Korean based on color of the corolla. The key to the genus Ajuga in Korea is also provided.

-This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Mt. Byeollipsan (Ganghwa-gun). The vascular plants from 13 field surveys were revealed to total of 574 taxa; 116 families, 355 genera, 505 species, 8 subspecies, 52 varieties, 7 forms and 2 hybrids. A high plant diversity were Asteraceae (12.3%), Poaceae (10.6%), Cyperaceae (6.1%), Fabaceae (4.5%) and Rosaceae (4.2%) in regular order. The seven taxa of Korean endemic plants such as Clematis brachyura, Viola seoulensis, Populus × tomentiglandulosa, Salix koriyanagi, Ajuga multiflora f. rosea, Hemerocallis hakuunensis and Polygonatum infundiflorum were collected. The red data of vascular plants according to IUCN valuation basis were examined five taxa; Least Concern (LC) species of both Phacelurus latifolius and Belamcanda chinensis, Not Evaluate (NE) species of Lithospermum arvense, Scorzonera austriaca ssp. glabra and Polygonatum infundiflorum. The floristic regional indicator plants found in this area were 34 taxa comprising one taxa of degree IV, six taxa of degree III, 11 taxa of degree II, and 16 taxa of degree I. In addition, the naturalized plants were identified as 46 taxa and the percent of naturalized index (NI) was 8.0%, Urbanization Index (UI) was 14.3%, respectively.

This study was carried out to investigate flora of Golji stream watershed in Gangwon province. The vascular plants which were collected in 11 times (from May 2012 to Nov. 2013) were identified as 825 taxa in total, including 124 families, 420 genera, 730 species, 8 subspecies, 78 varieties, 6 forms and 3 hybrids. In the flora of this area, Korean endemic species were 34 taxa, red list of vascular plants according to IUCN valuation basis were 34 taxa and 165 taxa of specially designated floristic regional indicator plants by the Ministry of Environment. Among those species investigated in this survey, 101 taxa were identified as specific species bio-geographically as compared to flora of other terrestrial regions; 37 of calcicolous plants, 64 with distribution in the northern part of the Korean peninsula. 34 aquatic taxa and 69 naturalized plants were recorded in the investigated area.

-This study was carried out to investigate the flora of Baengnyeongdo (Isl.). The vascular plants which were collected in 5 times (from Aug. 2011 and Nov. 2012) were identified as 732 taxa in total, including 124 families, 411 genera, 647 species, 8 subspecies, 68 varieties, 7 forms and 2 hybrids. 193 of these taxa were first records for the region. In the flora of this area, the endangered plants designated and protected by the wildlife protection law, the Ministry of Environment, Korea were counted to two taxa. Korean endemics plants numbered 8 taxa, and 78 taxa of specially designated floristic regional indicator plants by the Ministry of Environment. And rare plants were identified as 20 taxa. Based on the list of southern and northern limit of distribution plants, 30 taxa and 43 taxa of halophytes were recorded in the investigated area. The naturalized plants were identified as 92 taxa, and their naturalization ratio were found to be 12.5%, respectively.