Geoecological analysis of the Korea alpine and subalpine plants and landscapes

摘要

Present work aims to designate the alpine and subalpine plants and landscapes, and also to analybe the species composition, physiognomy, attitudinal ranges as well as formation processes of Korean alpine and subalpine belts and their geoecology. The alpine and subalpine floras of Korean mountains are evidently descended from immigrants from NE Asia during the epochs of the Ice Age. These plants, which are very intolerant of competition in warm and mild climates, have been able to persist in alpine and subalpine belts thanks to their harsh climatic conditions, sterile soil, rugged topography and cryoturbation. Continuing works on the palaeoenvironment and thermal amplitude of alpine and subalpine elements on Korea high mountains may be enabled to understand better on the geoecology and natural history of the Korean Peninsula, as well as the structures, functions, mechanism and dynamics of alpine and subalpine plants and landscapes.