Abstract
The forest structure and species composition of the Baekdudaegan region, which ranges from the Mt. Hwangnobong(1,296m) to the Mt. Jiri(1,915m), in South Korea, were studied by means of a field survey consisting of 818 plots. This phytosociological survey carried out combining the Braun-Blanquet method with numerical syntaxonomical analysis (cluster analysis) and six main vegetation-types (A1:Taxus cuspidata－Sorbus commixta-type,A2:Tiliaamurensis－Fraxinusrhynchophylla-type,B1:Fraxinusmandshurica－Cephalotaxus koreana-type, B2:Carpinus laxiflora－Rhus trichocarpa-type, C1:Pinus koraiensis－Vaccinium koreanum-type, and C2:Quercus dentata－Zanthoxylum schinifoliuma-type)distinguished. Each Vegetation-type were described in more detail (i) species composition based on relative importance values by plant species and diversity indices, and (ii) physiognomy based on ground cover by life-forms and tree height. Vegetation-type A1, A2 and B1 occurred mainly at elevations above 1,000m, and the B2, C1 and C2 was usually found at elevations below 1,000m. According to the micro-topography, vegetation-type A1, C1 and C2 were usually found in the upper part of slope and the B1 was found in the middle part of slope or valley. On the other hand the A2 and B2 were appearing in the transition zone between C and D, G and H, respectively. In floristics, the best represented family was Compositae with 107 species. Only 7 Fagaceae species were found but, coverwise it was the most important family. Another important family was inaceae, whereas Compositae, Roaceae, Liliaceae and Ranunculaceae contributed little to total cover, although represented by numerous species