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2025 Vol.38, Issue 2 Preview Page

Research Article

Local Air Pollution Assessment Using Bryophytes as Bioindicators: A Case Study of Urban Development Forests and Biosphere Reserves

선태식물을 활용한 국지적 대기오염 평가 - 도심 개발 산림과 생물권 보전지역 사례 연구 -

Gyu Jin Hwang1
,
Ui Sang Jang2
황 규진1
,
장 의상2
1Senior Researcher, Natural Environmental Restoration Institute, Daejeon 34410, Korea
2Researcher, Natural Environmental Restoration Institute, Daejeon 34410, Korea
1자연환경복원연구원, 수석연구원
2자연환경복원연구원, 연구원
*Corresponding Author
1 April 2025. pp. 198-207
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Abstract

To assess local air pollution levels, bryophytes, which serve as bioindicators, were investigated in the surrounding forests of the urban development area in Uijeongbu City and the biosphere reserve area of Gwangneung Forest. Additionally, the Index of Atmosphere Purity (IAP) was analyzed. A total of 11 families and 16 taxa of bryophytes were identified at 21 survey sites in the study area. Sematophyllum subhumile was evaluated as a species resistant to air pollution due to its high dominance throughout the area. The IAP analysis resulted in values ranging from 7.0 to 43.2, with the Gwangneung Forest biosphere reserve area recording the highest values. The SO₂ concentration estimated based on the IAP index ranged from 0.013 to 0.030 ppm. The valley area of Gwangneung Forest, located east of Yongamsan Mountain and near Suribong, was identified as the cleanest area, as it harbored a diverse array of bryophytes. By overlaying the background concentrations and pollution-weighted concentrations of specific air pollutants analyzed through bryophytes, the local impacts on bryophytes can be predicted, allowing for the forecasting of changes in the bryophyte community in the region.

Keywords
Bioindicator
Biosphere reserves
Bryophyte
Index of Atmosphere Purity (IAP)
Local air pollution
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Information
  • Publisher :The Plant Resources Society of Korea
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국자원식물학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Plant Resources
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국자원식물학회지
  • Volume : 38
  • No :2
  • Pages :198-207
  • Received Date : 2024-12-11
  • Revised Date : 2025-01-24
  • Accepted Date : 2025-02-05
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7732/kjpr.2025.38.2.198
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