SPATIO-TEMPORAL VEGETATION CHANGES SINCE AD 1454 USING HISTORICAL RECORDS

The vegetational and environmental history of the Korean Peninsula has been reconstructed by the use of historical records, which dates back to 1454, 1531, 1660's, 1760, 1842-1845, 1864, 1907 and 1931. Studied historical documents contain Sejongsillok Jiriji (1454), Shinzung Donggukyeojiseungram (1531), Donggukyeojiji (1660's), Yeojidoseo (1760), Yimwonsipyukji (1842-1845), Daedongjiji (1864), Zungbo Munheonbigo (1907), and Chosunilram (1931). Though huge data set on 1,251 individual plant species from 335 counties of the Korea Peninsula since 1454 are available from the eight historical records, only thirteen warmth-tolerant tree species and one herbaceous species, herein, are employed here for the present analysis. Fourteen species include large bamboo (Phyllostachys reticulata), small bamboo (Pseudosasa japonica), tea plant tree (Camellia sinensis), persimmon tree (Diospyros kaki), hardy orange tree (Poncirus trifoliata), ramie (Boehmeria frutescens), pomegrante tree (Punica grantum), citron tree (Citrus junos), torreya tree (Torreya nucifera), yellow dye tree (Textoria morbifera), tangerine (Citrus sinensis), silver magnolia tree (Machilus thunbergii), and plum tree (Prunus mume). Nine types of distributional pattern and four types of temporal change are, respectively, recognized from fourteen warmth-tolerant plants. The most widely distributed species which occurs at more than 100 counties was a persimmon. Species occurred more than 50 counties include a large bamboo, small bamboo and pomegranate. Tea plant and ramie are also commonly found more than 30 counties. Past geographical distribution of warmth-tolerant plants seems to be the result of both natural and anthropogenic environments.