Change of decay hazard index (Scheffer index) for exterior above-ground wood in Korea

Abstract

This research was performed to investigate the effect of recent climate changes on wood decay hazard index (Scheffer index) in Korea. The index was determined using a climate data of 58 different locations obtained from the website of Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), and the wood decay hazard index was determined at the intervals of 10 years. Most of regions in Korea except Juju island showed wood decay hazard index values between 35 and 65, considered to be moderate decay hazard zones. But in recent 10 years (2003∼2012), the wood decay hazard index was rapidly increased, resulting in showing many high decay hazard regions. The trend may be explained by the increase of temperature and precipitation. The recent climate change of Korea turning into the weather of subtropical region may explain the increase of wood decay hazard index.