Earticle

This study examined the properties of forest soils developed from aeolian parent materials in Yangbo-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. The soil depth (solum) ranged from approximately 70 to 120 cm, and coarse fragments (＞2 mm) were either absent or accounted for less than 5% in all soil profiles. Soil colors were predominantly yellowish brown or yellowish red, while relatively well-developed profiles were identified as brown or dark brown. The soil structure in the A horizon was crumb, whereas the B horizon generally exhibited a subangular blocky structure. The sand content ranged from 32% to 44% in the A horizon and from 40% to 66% in the B horizon, suggesting that the soils were formed and developed from wind-blown materials transported over short distances. The bulk density of the A horizon ranged from 0.58 to 0.76 g cm-3, which was lower than that of typical forest soils in Korea, whereas the B horizon showed higher values ranging from 1.10 to 1.37 g cm-3. Soil pH ranged from 4.53 to 5.06 in the A horizon and from 4.71 to 5.29 in the B horizon, which falls within the general range of Korean loess-derived soils. The organic carbon content was up to 4.4% in the A horizon and less than 1% in the B horizon. Total nitrogen content was up to 0.38% in the A horizon and less than 0.09% in the B horizon. Exchangeable cation contents were generally low in all soil profiles. In the A horizon, exchangeable calcium and magnesium were 0.69 cmolc kg-1 and 0.17 cmolc kg-1 or lower, respectively, which were lower than those in typical forest soils in Korea. These results suggest that further research is needed to incorporate aeolian soils into the depositional classification of forest soils in Korea and to compare their characteristics with those of other depositional soil types.

Internal defects in trees compromise their capacity to perform ecological functions and maintain forest diversity. Therefore, monitoring the health condition of trees is important for the effective and sustainable management of forest and urban trees. In this study, a four-point electrical resistivity (ER) method was implemented to examine the health condition of Terminalia mantaly H. Perrier. Twenty standing samples of Terminalia mantaly with different trunk diameters were selected for this study. The electrical resistivities of the samples were measured using the four-point ER method, and the electrical resistance tomograms of the sampled trees were also produced to confirm the electrical resistivity measurements. A steady increase in ER from sapwood to heartwood was observed in healthy trees. However, unhealthy trees displayed resistivity anomaly, with decayed and hollowed trees exhibiting resistivity values six times lower and higher than those of healthy trees with similar diameters, respectively. Electrical resistance tomograms confirmed the results of the four-point ER technique. The outcome of this research would enhance efficient management practices and health condition evaluation of tree plantations in both forest and urban areas.

Timber harvesting causes substantial changes in forest soil microenvironmental conditions, yet the long-term effects on soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes remain poorly understood, particularly in Korean mixed forests. This study investigated the effects of timber harvesting on soil temperature, moisture, CO2 efflux, and CH4 uptake over a three-year monitoring period at the Kangwon National University Experimental Forest. A total of 19 harvested plots and 14 non-harvested control plots were established on the same slope. Soil GHG fluxes were measured monthly using a static closed chamber method, and linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) were applied to evaluate treatment effects over time. Harvesting significantly elevated soil temperature and moisture at the harvested site relative to the reference site throughout the monitoring period, though the effect on soil temperature was inconsistent, whereas elevated moisture persisted across all three years. Normalized soil CO2 efflux was consistently higher at the harvested site than at the reference site, with annual relative differences of approximately 60%, 49%, and 35% in 2023, 2024, and 2025, respectively. Conversely, soil CH4 uptake was suppressed at the harvested site compared with the reference site, with relative suppression declining from 17% in 2023 to 9% in 2025. Soil CO2 efflux was primarily regulated by soil temperature, whereas CH4 uptake showed stronger dependence on soil moisture. The diminishing magnitude of treatment differences over time implies an ongoing recovery of soil microenvironmental conditions at the harvested site. These findings demonstrate that timber harvesting reorganizes soil temperature and moisture regimes in ways that generate divergent and persistent responses in CO2 efflux and CH4 uptake, underscoring the importance of long-term monitoring for evaluating post-harvest soil carbon dynamics.

Heatwaves are increasingly recognized as a critical climate hazard, yet vulnerability assessments have largely focused on urban areas, potentially overlooking risks in mountainous and rural regions. This study aims to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity of heatwave vulnerability in a forest-dominated rural area, using Jeongseon County, South Korea, as a case study. A vulnerability assessment framework based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changewas applied, integrating exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Thermal exposure was represented by satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST), while sensitivity was characterized by demographic and physical indicators, including the proportion of elderly population, aged buildings, and impervious surfaces. Adaptive capacity was assessed using accessibility to cooling shelters and green spaces. All variables were standardized and combined to construct a heatwave vulnerability index (HVI). The results reveal that heatwave vulnerability in the study area is characterized by a widespread distribution of moderate vulnerability rather than isolated extreme hotspots. Thermal exposure was generally lower in forested areas but higher in settlement centers, where localized heat accumulation occurred. Sensitivity exhibited spatial differentiation, with demographic factors dominating in mountainous rural areas and built-environment characteristics playing a greater role in settlement centers. Adaptive capacity showed a spatial imbalance, with widespread access to green spaces but limited accessibility to cooling infrastructure in remote areas. These findings suggest that heatwave vulnerability in mountainous rural regions is shaped by complex interactions among environmental, socio-demographic, and infrastructural factors. Notably, areas perceived as climatically safe may still exhibit high vulnerability due to structural and spatial constraints. This study contributes by extending heatwave vulnerability assessment beyond urban contexts and by presenting a transferable framework applicable to data-scarce regions. The results highlight the need for spatially integrated and context-specific adaptation strategies that address both widespread moderate vulnerability and localized high-risk areas.

The increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions driven by climate change has elevated the advancement of wildfire response technologies to a national priority. This study analyzes the current status of South Korea’s wildfire management technology from a technical perspective and, by comparing it with technology adoption cases in major developed countries—namely the United States, Canada, the European Union (EU), Australia, and Japan—aims to identify strengths and areas for improvement in Korea’s wildfire management system. The comparative analysis employed a four-layer technological framework consisting of: (1) satellite-based technologies, (2) drones and robots, (3) ground sensors and cameras, and (4) AI, prediction, and digital twins. In-depth interviews were also conducted with 40 wildfire field experts to collect and analyze field-centered technical improvement needs. The findings indicate that South Korea has high technological maturity in ICT platforms, AI-based ground monitoring, and predictive modeling; however, technological gaps with leading nations remain of wildfire-dedicated satellites and nationwide integrated operation of autonomous and swarm drone and robot systems. In-depth interviews with field experts identified limited accessibility in mountainous terrain and confusion in communication among response agencies as key constraints. Based on these findings, this study proposes five policy directions: establishing an integrated public-private satellite data service, building a nationwide wildfire detection sensor and AI camera-drone integrated operation system, developing a Korea-type wildfire digital twin, formulating a pre- and early-stage wildfire proactive response strategy, and expanding mountainous terrain-specialized robotic operations. The results are expected to provide directional guidance for advancing South Korea’s wildfire management technological framework in an evolving disaster environment and to lay the groundwork for future international cooperation and technology export.

The study assessed the adoption of agroforestry farming practices among rural farmers in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 140 respondents from fourteen farming communities. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and oral interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a four-point Likert scale, an Adoption Index, and a binary logit regression model. The results showed that the respondents had an average age of 43 years. About 78% were men with most of them (92%) married. Results showed that farmers had a relatively high level of awareness of common agroforestry practices, particularly home gardening (mean=3.6), multipurpose trees (3.4), scattered trees on farmlands (3.4), live fencing (3.1), and taungya (3.0). However, awareness of aquaforestry and silvopasture was very low, with mean scores of 1.9 each. Adoption levels varied across practices, with home gardens (84.0%), taungya (73.0%), scattered trees on farmlands (69.0%), and alley farming (67.0%) being the most widely adopted. The mean adoption index was 45.8%, indicating a moderate level of adoption overall. The logit regression results revealed that education (p＜0.01), income (p＜0.05), membership of farmers’ associations (p＜0.05), land tenure security (p＜0.05), and extension contact (p＜0.05) significantly influenced agroforestry adoption, while age and household size were not significant. Major constraints to adoption included land and tree tenure insecurity (84.3%), long gestation period of trees (73.6%), limited technical knowledge (69.3%), low awareness of benefits (65.7%), and high establishment costs (61.4%). The study concludes that although agroforestry practices are present in Akamkpa, adoption remains moderate and strongly influenced by socioeconomic and institutional factors. Strengthening extension services, improving tenure security and enhancing farmer training are essential for scaling up sustainable agroforestry systems in the study area.

The variation occurs at DNA and protein level in Euryale ferox due to the exposure of gamma irradiation was investigated in the present study. Variations which are generated by treatment of 50 and 100 Gy gamma irradiations were analysed by RAPD molecular marker and SDS-PAGE molecular techniques. In case of RAPD molecular study, total 41 Polymorphic bands observed using RAPD amplification using 13 primers with an average of 3 amplicon per primer. These polymorphic amplicons could be very useful for documentation of gamma irradiated variant plants. The phylogenetic tree based on UPGMA clustered into two main clusters. SDS-PAGE analysis of protein in irradiated plants AND the control produced band patterns varied from 18 kDa to 116 kDa. The 66 kDa and 45 kDa band was produced by gamma irradiated plants. The present syudy suggest that gamma irradiation could be applied as prominent mutagenic agents in E. ferox. RAPD molecular marker and protein profile as powerful techniques allows isolation of designated mutants in breeding of E. ferox for its genetic enhancement.

Tropical forests face degradation due to conventional logging practices. Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) offers a sustainable alternative, aligning with UN SDG 15: Life on Land. This study developed a scalable RIL classification system to evaluate logging sustainability in tropical rainforests using ten parameters, and a structured field sheet with clear instructions was created to guide concession evaluations. The parameters were scored on an ordinal scale of 0 to 2, summing to a maximum of 20. A minimum threshold of 14 distinguishes RIL from Conventional Harvesting (CH), categorizing operations into six levels: Conventional Harvesting (＜14), Beginning RIL (14), Level 1 RIL (15), Level 2 RIL (16), Level 3 RIL (17), or Complete RIL (18-20). Unlike binary compliance frameworks such as FAO standards, this system introduces graduated ordinal scoring, a six-level classification hierarchy, and a mobile application, advances absent across all prior frameworks including the carbon-focused RIL-C approach of Ellis et al. (2019) and the Grünberg et al. (2023) systematic review of logging sustainability criteria. A web application called RIL Scoring App was developed with React.js, ExpressJS, LocalStorage, and EmailJS, hosted at https://ril-scoring-app.netlify.app/. Field assessments in Cameroon’s Forest Management Units (FMUs 11-002, 11-005, 11-006), using nine operational parameters, yielded scores of 8-9/18, classifying all three as Conventional Harvesting. Statistical validity was confirmed through non-parametric tests showing no significant score differences across FMUs (Kruskal-Wallis: p=0.947; Friedman: p=0.717), and perfect Spearman correlation between FMU 11-002 and 11-006 (r=1.000) further validated scoring consistency. Critical gaps were identified in log suspension and logyard management, while logging map preparation and timber identification scored consistently high. Challenges including governance gaps and high training costs necessitate subsidised programs and policy reforms. By standardising RIL evaluation, this framework offers a scalable model to balance timber production with sustainable forest management.

This study evaluates the spatial accessibility and utilization equity of forest experience centers for young children in Gangwon Province using public data from the Korea Forest Service and the Ministry of Education. A total of 27 forest experience centers and 100 kindergartens were included in the analysis. The results showed that the mean distance to the nearest forest experience center was 8.71 km, and the Gini coefficient was 0.426, indicating a considerable level of spatial inequality. In addition, 63.0% of kindergartens had no accessible facility within a 5 km radius. Independent public kindergartens tended to have lower accessibility than private institutions, although the difference was not statistically significant. At the regional level, Wonju accounted for the highest demand, with approximately 34.4% of total enrolled children, yet only 3.1% of kindergartens were located within 5 km of a facility. In contrast, Cheorwon, Yangyang, and Pyeongchang showed no accessibility within this threshold. These results indicate a dual structure of supply–demand mismatch, characterized by insufficient provision in high-demand urban areas and accessibility blind spots in remote regions. This study proposes a public data-based analytical framework for assessing accessibility and equity, which can support decision-making for facility siting and allocation strategies.