Graduate students in forestry and environmental studies publish in internationally renowned academic journals/Develop evaluation indicators and control mechanisms for the benefits of forests
- 25.05.13 / 이정민
Lee Min-ki (left), Department of Forest Resources, Graduate School, and Lee Yong-joo (right), Department of Climate Technology Convergence, Graduate School
Lee Min-ki, a doctoral student in the Department of Forest Resources, Graduate School, and Lee Yong-joo, a doctoral student in the Department of Climate Technology Convergence, Graduate School, have quantified the various functions and services of Korea's forest ecosystems into a single measurable indicator (multifunctionality, ecosystem multifunctionality) and identified the key factors that promote it. This study is the first case in Korea to analyze the diverse and beneficial functions of forest ecosystems using domestic forest data, and it was published in the international journal Journal of Environmental Management (IF=8.0) on May 1.
The two students utilized national forest data from the National Forest Health Survey to integrate various functions of forests, such as carbon storage, disaster prevention, and water supply, into a single ecosystem multifunctionality index. This study developed a methodology to objectively quantify forest multifunctionality while elucidating the complex mechanisms linking biodiversity, tree traits, and environmental factors that influence multifunctionality, thereby proposing ecosystem management strategies to enhance the diverse benefits forests provide.
The first author of the paper, Ph.D. candidate Min-Ki Lee, emphasized, “Forest multifunctionality is not simply determined by the number of trees or their area, but by the biodiversity and structural complexity within the forest, as well as the interactions between environmental factors. Depending on how forests are designed and managed, we can obtain more benefits from natural ecosystems.”
In particular, the ecosystem multifunctionality index is expected to provide a paradigm for redefining ecosystem functions and services at the national and regional levels by serving as a universal indicator that can comprehensively evaluate various forest ecosystems (e.g., restoration effectiveness, ecosystem sustainability, and quality). Currently, the Forest Service and the National Institute of Forest Science are showing great interest in this research and are preparing a national-level research project to evaluate multifunctionality.
Professor Lee Chang-bae, the students' advisor, stated, “The ability to quantify the ecological functions and services provided by forests into a single indicator holds significant meaning and practical value. We will strive to ensure that this research is effectively utilized in the development of national policies that connect carbon neutrality, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the well-being and quality of life of humans in the era of climate crisis.”
This research was conducted with support from the Forestry Agency and the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute's Landslide Integrated Management Specialized Human Resources Training Center and the Carbon Sink Specialized Graduate School Program.
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Graduate students in forestry and environmental studies publish in internationally renowned academic journals/Develop evaluation indicators and control mechanisms for the benefits of forests |
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Lee Min-ki (left), Department of Forest Resources, Graduate School, and Lee Yong-joo (right), Department of Climate Technology Convergence, Graduate School
Lee Min-ki, a doctoral student in the Department of Forest Resources, Graduate School, and Lee Yong-joo, a doctoral student in the Department of Climate Technology Convergence, Graduate School, have quantified the various functions and services of Korea's forest ecosystems into a single measurable indicator (multifunctionality, ecosystem multifunctionality) and identified the key factors that promote it. This study is the first case in Korea to analyze the diverse and beneficial functions of forest ecosystems using domestic forest data, and it was published in the international journal Journal of Environmental Management (IF=8.0) on May 1.
The two students utilized national forest data from the National Forest Health Survey to integrate various functions of forests, such as carbon storage, disaster prevention, and water supply, into a single ecosystem multifunctionality index. This study developed a methodology to objectively quantify forest multifunctionality while elucidating the complex mechanisms linking biodiversity, tree traits, and environmental factors that influence multifunctionality, thereby proposing ecosystem management strategies to enhance the diverse benefits forests provide.
The first author of the paper, Ph.D. candidate Min-Ki Lee, emphasized, “Forest multifunctionality is not simply determined by the number of trees or their area, but by the biodiversity and structural complexity within the forest, as well as the interactions between environmental factors. Depending on how forests are designed and managed, we can obtain more benefits from natural ecosystems.”
In particular, the ecosystem multifunctionality index is expected to provide a paradigm for redefining ecosystem functions and services at the national and regional levels by serving as a universal indicator that can comprehensively evaluate various forest ecosystems (e.g., restoration effectiveness, ecosystem sustainability, and quality). Currently, the Forest Service and the National Institute of Forest Science are showing great interest in this research and are preparing a national-level research project to evaluate multifunctionality.
Professor Lee Chang-bae, the students' advisor, stated, “The ability to quantify the ecological functions and services provided by forests into a single indicator holds significant meaning and practical value. We will strive to ensure that this research is effectively utilized in the development of national policies that connect carbon neutrality, biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the well-being and quality of life of humans in the era of climate crisis.”
This research was conducted with support from the Forestry Agency and the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute's Landslide Integrated Management Specialized Human Resources Training Center and the Carbon Sink Specialized Graduate School Program.
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