Analysis of the Difference and Correlation by Altitude in the Species Number of Vascular Plants and Naturalized Plants in Korea

Analysis of the Difference and Correlation by Altitude in the Species Number of Vascular Plants and Naturalized Plants in Korea

Purpose: By analyzing 1,441 flora survey data of the 3rd to 5th data of the National Natural Environ-ment Survey, the differences by region and altitude were analyzed in the species number of vascular plants and naturalized plants distributed throughout Korea, and the naturalization index. This study aimed to reveal the correlation by altitude in the species number of vascular plants, the species number of naturalized plants, and the naturalization index. Method: This study utilized the flora survey data for 14 years from 2006 to 2019 in the 3rd to 5th National Natural Environment Survey. One-way ANOVA analysis was performed by region and altitude to examine the differences in the species number of vascular plants, the species number of naturalized plants, and the naturalization index. Researchers performed curvilinear estimation regression analysis to find the correlation, and SPSS Statistics 21 statistical program was used for statistical analysis. Results: There were differences by region and altitude in the species number of vascular plants, the species number of naturalized plants, and the naturalization index. The species number of vascular plants had a positive correlation with an increase in the number of species as the altitude increased. The species number of naturalized plants had a negative correlation with a decrease in the number of species as the altitude increased. The naturalization index had a negative correlation that decreased up to a certain altitude, increased after that point, and then decreased again. Conclusion: As for vascular plants, the higher the altitude, the greater the species number of vascular plants, and the lower the altitude, the fewer vascular plant species. Conversely, as for naturalized plants, the lower the altitude, the greater the species number of naturalized plants, and the higher the altitude, the fewer naturalized plant species. In addition, as for the naturalization index, the lower the altitude, the higher the naturalization index, and the higher the altitude, the lower the naturalization index. This study is expected to be utilized as basic data for managing naturalized plants.