The objective of this study is to analyze the flora and forest vegetation of trails with high visitor density at Molundae. Nine quadrats of 20 X 20m were selected for the survey. The survey was conducted from April to October 2010. The obtained results are summarized as follows.
Plot1, plot2, plot3, plot4, plot6, and plot7 were located at slopes of 5~20˚, 17~40m above sea level, and were formed with the colony of Japanese black pine(Pinus thunbergii Parl) and Japanese black pine(Pinus thunbergii Parl)-white oak(Quercus aliena Blume). Tree layer had the height of 8~20m, and the coverage of 50~70%, while subtree layer had the height of 3~8m,and the coverage 30~80%. On the other hand, shrub layer had the height of 2~4m, and the coverage of 10~30%, and herb had the height of 0.2~1m and coverage 5~20%.
Plot5, plot8, and plot9 were located at the summit areas of 57~78m above sea level, and 0˚slope. Japanese black pine(Pinus thunbergii Parl) formed a community there. Tree layer was 8~20m high, and covered 60~70%, of the area, and subtree layer was 6~8m high, and coverage 30~40%. Shrub layer had the height of 2~6m, and the coverage of 30%, while herb layer had the height 0.2~2m, and the coverage 20-80%.
Succession does not occur in the surveyed areas which have high visitor density. Artificially planted sawtooth oak(Quercus acutissima) trees were found to disturb succession and formation of multi-layer vegetation, resulting in the ecologically unstable forest. Therefore, the researcher suggested the strategy of managing the vegetation in the conclusion.
This study has the limit in that the plots selected for the survey reflected only part of various trails in the Molundae area. It is necessary to suggest the vegetation management plans by selecting more diverse trail areas in consideration of the visitor density and behaviors, and analyzing the changes in vegetation quantitatively in order to manage the vegetation in urban areas damaged by visitors more effectively.