Landscape ecological analysis of woodland changes in a mountain landscape in South Korea

Abstract

Recently, landscapes have undergone changes, and these changes in the size and isolation of woodland patches have negatively impacted biodiversity in mountain landscapes of rapidly developing urban regions in South Korea. However, little information is available on the extent of these changes in the mountain areas. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the changes and spatial characteristics of woodlands in a mountain landscape to provide information for biodiversity conservation planning. The results indicated that this landscape underwent significant and fundamental changes between 2002 and 2012 due to activities including new road construction, and residential and commercial developments. Large woodland patches (over 5 ha in size) were particularly vulnerable to disappearance and shrinkage because of urbanization. The selected landscape ecological metrics revealed a decrease in patch size between 5 ha and 9.9 ha (n=7) and over 10 ha (n=2). The area-weighted mean patch shape index (AWMPSI) decreased from 3.86 in 2002 to 3.30 in 2012. The mean nearest-neighbor distance (MND) increased from 70.4 m in 2002 to 75.9 m in 2012. Shannon Diversity Index (SHDI) of land cover decreased from 1.31 in 2002 to 1.22 in 2012. SHDI of woodland type also decreased from 0.24 in 2002 to 0.20 in 2012. The results of landscape ecological indices suggest that the woodlands were becoming smaller, simpler, and more isolated and homogenous. These spatial changes of the woodlands probably had adverse effects on biodiversity. For more information of landscape ecological conditions, a more comprehensive analysis based on more landscape ecological metrics is needed in future study.