Characteristics of Soil Environment in Abies nephrolepis Community

This study was conducted to prepare basic data for future conservation and restoration by analyzing the characteristics of the soil environment targeting the subalpine Abies nephrolepis community, which is declining due to recent climate change. For the Seoraksan, Odaesan, and Taebaeksan National Parks where Abies nephrolepis communities are distributed, 42 soil samples were collected from a total of 10 locations to analyze the physical and chemical properties of the soil. As a result of the analysis, the soil depth was varied depending on the rock field and the region where the soil depth was maintained. Most of them were loam and sandy loam with a high sand ratio, and the bulk density was also low, indicating that soil drainage and air permeability affect the location of Abies nephrolepis. Soil acidity was lower than the average soil acidity of domestic forest soils, which was judged to be due to the slow decomposition rate of fallen leaves and branches and accumulation of organic acids due to the cold and humid climate in the subalpine region. On the other hand, the organic matter content, total nitrogen content, and cation exchange capacity were higher than the domestic forest soil average. Available phosphate was found to be lower than the domestic average in some regions, and sodium, magnesium, and calcium concentrations were lower than the domestic average for exchangeable cation except potassium. Through the results of this study, information on the soil environment where Abies nephrolepis community is located has been established, and it can be used as basic data for comparative observation of soil environment changes according to the succession of Abies nephrolepis communities in the future, and preparing restoration and management plans.