Elevational distribution ranges of vascular plant species in the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea

Abstract

The climate is changing rapidly, and this may pose a major threat to global biodiversity. One of the most distinctive consequences of climate change is the poleward and/or upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with increasing temperatures, resulting in a change of species composition and community structure in the forest ecosystems. The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests from the lowland to the subalpine zone in South Korea and is therefore recognized as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients through field surveys in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of a total of 873 taxa of vascular plants with 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids. A total of 12 conifers were recorded along the elevational gradient. The distribution ranges of Abies koreana, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Thuja koraiensis were limited to over 1000 m above sea level. We also identified 21 broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone. A total of 45 Korean endemic plant species were observed, and of these, 15 taxa (including Aconitum chiisanense and Hanabusaya asiatica) showed a narrow distribution range in the subalpine zone. Our study provides valuable information on the current elevational distribution ranges of vascular plants in the six national parks of South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for vertical shifts under future climate change.

Background

In the past 130 years, the average global temperature has risen by approximately 0.85 °C, and by 2100, it is likely to increase by 1.9–5.2 °C, depending on the level of greenhouse gas emissions (National Institute of Meteorological Sciences 2019). Species faced with climate change are responding in several different ways, a movement/shift to more suitable habitats, persistence in situ, or a combination of these processes (Dawson et al. 2011; Cahill et al. 2014). One of the most distinctive consequences to climate change is the poleward and/or the upward shift of species distribution ranges associated with warming temperatures (Lenoir et al. 2008; VanDerWal et al. 2012). Using a meta-analysis, Chen et al. (2011) estimated that the species distribution has recently shifted to higher elevations at a median rate of 11.0 m/decade and to higher latitudes at a median rate of 16.9 km/decade. This speed is about 2–3 times faster than a previous study (6.1 km/decade northward and 6.1 m/decade upward) by Parmesan and Yohe (2003). The velocity of future climate change is expected to be high (Loarie et al. 2009) and may largely outpace the potential of species to adapt (Jump and Peñuelas 2005). This induces subsequent reactions such as elevated mortality and reproductive decline in climate-sensitive species and ecosystems, leading to the extinction of local population that can no longer move to habitats with suitable climate conditions (e.g., alpine species) (Kong et al. 2014; Wiens 2016; Conlisk et al. 2017).

South Korea is surrounded by the sea on three sides, a mostly mountainous terrain covers 64% of its land area, and it experiences diverse patterns of climate from a cold continental climate to a warm oceanic climate (Yi 2011). These traits provide excellent conditions for high biodiversity. The average temperature in South Korea has risen 1.8 °C over the past 100 years, exceeding the global average rate, and is expected to increase by 0.63 °C every 10 years to 2100 under the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario (National Institute of Meteorological Sciences 2019). Species distribution ranges and community structure in the forest ecosystems of South Korea are already shifting under climate warming (Kong 2001; Kim 2016; Lee and Kwon 2017). For example, 57 evergreen broad-leaved trees such as Elaeagnus macrophllya and Machilus thunbergii moved over 14–74 km to higher latitudes over ~ 60 years (Yun et al. 2011). The area of the subalpine coniferous forest has decreased by 25% (from 9327 to 6990 ha) over 20 years (Kim et al. 2019). If the average temperature rises by 1 °C over the next 100 years in South Korea, the climate zone will move approximately 150 km northward and 150 m upward (Kong 2007). Studies on changes in species’ distribution ranges under future climate change have forecasted the expansion of potential habitats for the evergreen broad-leaved trees (e.g., Camellia japonica) and the contraction of potential habitats for the subalpine plant species (e.g., Abies holophylla, Taxus cuspidate, and Betula ermanii) as temperature rises (Park et al. 2016; Adhikari et al. 2018).

The Baekdudaegan is a mountain range which runs through most of the length of the Korean Peninsula, and 86% of the total area (275,077 ha) is designated as a protected area (i.e., the Baekdudaegan Mountain Reserve) (Baekdudaegan National Arboretum 2019). The Baekdudaegan mountain range connects most forests in South Korea and includes the southern, central, and northern temperate zones (Yi 2011; Korea Forest Service 2015). In particular, it is also a major glacial refugium at the Last Glacial Maximum for the boreal and temperate flora of northeastern Asia (Chung et al. 2018). Thus, the Baekdudaegan is well known as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in South Korea, containing a total of 1867 taxa of vascular plants with 136 families and 566 genera (Korea Forest Service 2015). Contemporary plant range shifts are most frequently reported from mountainous regions, with elevational shifts being the most commonly documented response to increasing temperatures (Jump et al. 2009). The Baekdudaegan is divided into four vegetation zones along an elevational gradient: temperate deciduous broad-leaved and pine forests below 550 m above sea level (a.s.l.), deciduous broad-leaved and coniferous mixed forests between 550 and 1100 m, subalpine coniferous forest between 1100 and 1600 m, and dwarf subalpine forest above 1600 m (Kong 2007; Lee and Chun 2016). In response to climate change, mountain plants on the Baekdudaegan are expected to migrate to higher elevations than their currently occupied location. Previous studies have focused on vegetation structure and species composition of the forest ecosystem in the Baekdudaegan range (Kim et al. 2018; Hwang et al. 2020). However, data describing only the fact that a species is present, without information on its latitudinal and elevational distribution ranges, are insufficient to understand the shift in species’ response to future climate change. The Baekdudaegan includes three horizontal areas of the Korean Peninsula and wide elevational gradients (that enable vertical shifts in plant location) from the lowland to the subalpine zone. Therefore, the Baekdudaegan Mountains are a key place to identify the shifts and/or movement in the response of species to future climate change in South Korea.

This study was conducted to understand the distribution range of vascular plants along elevational gradients in the six national parks on the Baekdudaegan mountain range. Elevation often connotes local temperature and precipitation features and has long been considered an important determinant of species distribution in mountain habitats (Körner 2007). Thus, we have been constantly investigating the elevational distribution of vascular plants in the national parks through field surveys: Mts. Jirisan (Yun et al. 2010), Seoraksan (Yun et al. 2012), Deogyusan (Kim et al. 2015a), Odaesan (An et al. 2017), Taebaeksan (An et al. 2019), and Sobaeksan (Park et al. 2020). Here, we constructed a dataset on the upper and lower distribution limits of the vascular plants in the Baekdudaegan that integrates these survey data. The discussion then focuses on the elevational ranges of the conifers, broad-leaved trees in the subalpine zone, and Korean endemic plants and their vulnerability to climate change.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted in the six national parks belonging to the Baekdudaegan mountain range in South Korea (Fig. 1a). The survey route of each site was as follows (Fig. 1b–g): Seoraksan National Park (SR, hereafter) is about 5.0 km from Osaekgyo (345 m a.s.l.) to Daecheongbong (1708 m). Odaesan National Park (OD, hereafter) is about 4.8 km from the auto-campsite (800 m) to the top of the Gyebangsan (1577 m). Taebaeksan National Park (TB, hereafter) is about 3.7 km from the Baekdansa Ticket Booth (874 m) to Cheonjedan (1560 m). Sobaeksan National Park (SB, hereafter) is about 5.5 km from the Samga Information Booth (400 m) to Birobong (1439 m). Deogyusan National Park (DG, hereafter) is 3.6 km from Deogsangyo (650 m) to the top of the Namdeogyusan (1507 m). Jirisan National Park (JR, hereafter) is about 5.3 km from Jungsangyo (348 m) to Jangteumok (1653 m). The survey route in the five sites (SR, OD, SB, DG, and JR) was selected on a south-facing slope. In TB, a north-facing slope was selected because a south-facing slope could not be accessed from a trail.

Fig. 1

The six national parks surveyed in the Baekdudaegan mountain range. a Location of the six national parks. b The survey route of Seoraksan National Park. c The survey route of Odaesan National Park. d The survey route of Taebaeksan National Park. e The survey route of Sobaeksan National Park. f The survey route of Deogyusan National Park. g The survey route of Jirisan National Park

Field surveys were conducted over 10 years from May 2009 to September 2018 (Table 1). In particular, for JR (Yun et al. 2010), SR (Yun et al. 2012), and DG (Kim et al. 2015a), several taxa were updated in this study through supplementary surveys. The survey route was divided into elevation bands at 100-m intervals from 300 to 1700 m a.s.l. We recorded all vascular plants within of 5 m of both sides of the trail in each elevation band. Coordinates and elevation of species were measured using a GPS device (Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx) with the accuracy to within 10 m at a 95% confidence level. Collected plants were identified based on the flora guidebook (Lee 2003; Korean Fern Society 2005; Lee 2006; Kim and Kim 2011) and prepared as dry specimens. All voucher specimens were deposited at the Herbarium of the National Institute Biological Resources in Korea (KB).

Table 1 Survey description in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, South Korea

The vascular plants were listed according to the classification system by Cronquist (1981) and scientific names were referred to in the National List of Species of Korea (National Institute of Biological Resources 2019a). We also excluded several planting species (e.g., Ginkgo biloba and Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and cultivars (e.g., Saxifraga stolonifera and Lycoris radiata) but included artificial afforestation tree species from our database. Korean endemic plants were classified according to Nam et al. (2018).

Results and discussion

Quantifying plant species’ distributional ranges in their current condition is an essential step in identifying range shifts in response to future climate warming. This is the first study to reveal the elevational distribution of vascular plants through on-site surveys in the six major national parks belonging to the Baekdudaegan mountain range. We identified the upper and lower distribution limits of 873 taxa of vascular plants with a total of 117 families, 418 genera, 793 species, 14 subspecies, 62 varieties, two forms, and two hybrids (see Additional file 1). They included 43 taxa of Pteridophyta (14 families, 22 genera, 39 species, one subspecies, two varieties, and one hybrid), 12 taxa of Gymnospermae (four families, eight genera, and 12 species), 631 taxa of Dicotyledoneae (88 families, 303 genera, 572 species, 12 subspecies, 45 varieties, one form, and one hybrid), and 187 taxa of Monocotyledoneae (11 families, 85 genera, 170 species, one subspecies, 15 varieties, and one form) in Angiospermae.

Shifts in species distribution associated with warming temperatures occur in two processes: expansion at the cold-edges (higher latitudes and elevations) and contraction of warm-edges (lower latitudes and elevations) (Cahill et al. 2014; Wiens 2016). In case of plants in subalpine zones that must survive by upward shifts, local extinction may occur through the contraction of warm edges if the proper habitat for survival rapidly narrows as the temperature rises. Thus, we identified several taxa (e.g., Pinus pumila, Alnus mandshurica, and Hanabusaya asiatica) with limited distribution in the subalpine zone of cool and cold environments.

Distribution range of conifers

A total of 30 conifers belonging to 4 families and 10 genera are naturally distributed in South Korea (Kong 2004). Here, we recorded the distribution range of 12 conifer species belonging to four families and eight genera along the elevational gradient at each national park on the Baekdudaegan (Table 2). Pinus densiflora is the most widely distributed conifer species, with a range from the southern islands and coasts to the northern high mountains. It is a dominant species of coniferous forest and accounts for 25.9% of all forests in South Korea (Kong 2006; Korea Forest Service 2016). In our survey, P. densiflora was consistently observed at elevations ranging from 300 to 1600 m in SR, OD, TB, and SB of the northern province. In DG and JR in the southern province, it was observed below 800 m. Recently, the decline of pine forests has happened due to various disturbances such as insect pests, fires, and extreme climate, but mass death has also been reported, especially in the southern province (Chun and Lee 2013; Ko et al. 2014). The death rate of P. densiflora is known to increase by 1.01% for every 1 °C increase in winter temperatures (Kim et al. 2015b). The future distribution of P. densiflora is predicted to steadily decrease due to rising temperatures. In the 2070s, the distributional ranges of this species will be restricted to the Gangwon-do and Gyeongsang-do provinces (Cho et al. 2020). Warming is likely to induce change at the cold- and warm-edges where pine trees are currently distributed.

Table 2 Distribution range of the conifers observed in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range

Conifers on subalpine and/or alpine regions are considered to be one of the most vulnerable species to climate change (Fragnière et al. 2015; Kim et al. 2019). In South Korea, the subalpine coniferous forests are mainly distributed along the Baekdudaegan, and the natural habitat area of subalpine conifers (including Abies koreana, A. nephrolepis, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, and Taxus cuspidata) reaches 71 km² (Park et al. 2019). In our study, the six subalpine conifers were identified as Abies koreana, A. nephrolepis, Picea jezoensis, Pinus pumila, Thuja koraiensis, and Taxus cuspidata (Table 2). Abies nephrolepis, which is a common coniferous tree species in the subalpine zone of the Baekdudaegan, was consistently observed at elevations ranging from 800 to 1700 m. The latitudinal and altitudinal distribution range of A. koreana was limited to above 1000 m in DG and JR of the southern province. In particular, Pinus pumila and Thuja koraiensis were observed only at the top of SR (1600–1700 m).

Recently, population declines caused by poor growth and mass deaths have occurred in the coniferous communities in the subalpine zone related to high temperatures and moisture stress in winter (Kim and Lee 2013; Koo and Kim 2020). For example, the distribution area of A. koreana in JR has decreased by 18% during the 27-year period since 1981 (262 to 216 ha), and the mortality rate has increased two to five times over the past decade (Kim and Lee 2013). In particular, declining trends were more concentrated in the lower elevation zone (Jump et al. 2009), and declines in the low-elevation, subalpine tree populations have outpaced growth in high-elevation populations due to warming (Conlisk et al. 2017). For example, the death rate of A. nephrolepis was highest at 1200–1400 m in elevation, and its vitality was highest above 1400 m (Lee 2013). However, the alpine species populations distributed at the mountain peak no longer have a niche that can shift to the leading edge of a cool and cold environment, and in our study, Pinus pumila and Thuja koraiensis were in this situation.

Broad-leaved trees on the subalpine zone in cold and cool environments

Rising temperatures and moisture stress have caused mass death in the populations of the trailing edges of Fagus spp. and Populus spp., and thus climate change is considered to be a crisis for broad-leaved tree species in cold environments (Geßler et al. 2007; Worrall et al. 2013). In this study, we identified 21 broad-leaved trees belonging to 11 families, 14 genera, one variety, and 20 species that are at the lower distribution limit above 1000 m a.s.l. (Table 3). Betula ermanii, which is a representative broad-leaved tree species in the subalpine zone of the Baekdudaegan range, was steadily observed at elevations ranging from 1000 to 1700 m in the six national parks. However, this species is predicted to decrease in the 2070s under the RCP 4.5 scenario, and the range of potential habitats will be in some areas of Gangwon-do, Mt. Jirisan, and Mt. Hallasan (National Institute of Biological Resources 2018). Betula ermanii, which is designated as a climate-sensitive biological indicator species (National Institute of Biological Resources 2019b), is considered to be a representative species of the two processes of distributional shift in response to global warming.

Table 3 Distribution range of the broad-leaved trees observed on the subalpine zone in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range

Several woody species have limited distribution in both latitudinal and altitudinal distribution ranges (Table 3). Elevational distribution ranges of Clematis fusca var. flabellata, Alnus mandshurica, Rhododendron brachycarpum, Rosa koreana, and Oplopanax elatus were very narrow over 1500 m in SR. Rhododendron tschonoskii and Rosa davurica were also observed only at high altitude in DG (1300–1500 m) and JR (1600–1700 m), respectively. The extreme environment (e.g., strong winds, severe annual ranges in temperature) of the subalpine zone and the biological traits (e.g., poor recruitment) are likely to interact with climate change, which will cause the local extinction of the remnant populations (Kong et al. 2014; Wiens 2016). Rhododendron brachycarpum grows naturally in the alpine zone over 1200 m in the Baekdudaegan (Lee and Shim 2011). In our survey, this species was only observed on mountain peaks in the SR (1600–1700 m). Current climatic conditions may have already restricted the productivity, which in turn limits the population size and total number of individuals. The habitats areas of R. brachycarpum have decreased dramatically due to the poor recruitment, over-collection, damage by insects, and unusual temperatures (Lee and Shim 2011) and are likely to be more threatened in the future. The most obvious factor inducing local extinction of a species is that of temperature exceeding the physiological tolerance (Cahill et al. 2013). In the case of Rhododendron tschonoskii, it is predicted that the distribution range of the species will be further reduced if the August maximum temperature average of DG rises by 0.6 °C from the current condition (Lee 2011). Remarkably, Rosa koreana is predicted to disappear if the August maximum temperature average of SR rises by 0.3 °C (Lee 2011).

Elevational range of Korean endemic plants, especially subalpine species

The endemic plant species comprised a total of 45 taxa from 23 families, 39 genera, 41 species, and four varieties in our study (Table 4), constituting 9.8% of the 459 Korean endemic plants (Nam et al. 2018). Aster koraiensis was observed at relatively low elevations ranging from 400 to 700 m in SB and JR. Stewartia koreana was observed consistently from the lowlands (600 m a.s.l.) to high altitudes (1500 m) in DG and JR. Weigela subsessilis was observed from the lowland (400 m) to the subalpine zone (1600 m) in the national parks, except for SR and TB. Of these, the lower limits of 15 taxa (including Pseudostellaria setulosa, Fraxinus chiisanensis, and Scrophularia koraiensis) were restricted to an elevation of 1000 m across the six national parks.

Table 4 Distribution range of the Korean endemic plant species observed in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan mountain range

Endemic species with relatively narrow niches may be especially vulnerable to extinction under a changing climate due to the enhanced difficulty they face in migrating to suitable new sites (Damschen et al. 2010). In general, plant species richness is known to show a pattern of decreasing or hump-shaped distribution with elevational increases, but in the case of endemic species, the ratio increases with altitude (Trigas et al. 2013). The warming amplification has an absolute influence on the survival of growing plant species, and the rate of warming is amplified with elevation (Mountain Research Initiative EDW Working Group 2015). For example, the annual average temperature of Banyabong Peak has increased by approximately 2.8 °C in 2019 compared to 2012, while that of the lowland (Namwon-si) rose about 1.1 °C. In our study, Aconitum chiisanense (1200–1700 m), Hanabusaya asiatica (1600–1700 m), and Saussurea diamantica (1000–1600 m) were only observed in the subalpine zone of SR. Iris odaesanensis (1500–1600 m in TB), Allium thubergii var. teretifolium (1300–1500 m in DG), Cimicifuga austrokoreana (1200–1500 m in JR), and Arabis columnaris (1600–1700 m in JR) also showed limited distribution in the subalpine zones in some national parks. Future climate change is likely to trigger a crisis for Korean endemic plants in the narrow habitat of the subalpine zone in high mountains, which may already be at the limits of their climatic tolerances.

Conclusions

This study reveals the elevational distribution ranges of 873 taxa of vascular plants in the six national parks of the Baekdudaegan range through field surveys that apply consistent methods such as survey routes and sections. We focused on conifers, broad-leaved trees, and Korean endemic plants that grow in a cool area over the subalpine zone. Plants that are distributed at high-altitude mountain peak (such as Pinus pumila, Thuja koraiensis, Alnus mandshurica, Rosa koreana, Oplopanax elatus, Hanabusaya asiatica, and Iris odaesanensis) no longer have a niche that can survive through a shift toward the leading edge of cool and cold environments. In order to conserve of the vulnerable plant species to climate change, it is urgently necessary to observe and analyze the patterns of mortality, regeneration, and phenology of the remnant populations at the mountaintops. Our surveys were conducted along one trail (south- or north-facing slope) in national parks. Thus, species distributed under the canopy away from the trail were not included in the list and/or more narrowly determined than their actual distribution ranges. To overcome these limitations, additional investigations should be conducted on other trails based on the consistent survey method in the Baekdudaegan range. In addition, since species’ distributions are affected by various environmental factors such as light, moisture, and soil, studies on environmental changes along the elevational gradients will improve the understanding of the vertical distribution of plants in the Baekdudaegan range. Our study provides valuable information on current plant species’ elevational distribution ranges in six national parks of the Baekdudaegan range, South Korea, which could serve as a baseline for comparison of the shifts in elevation under future climate change.