Vegetation of the northern Korean Peninsula: classification, ecology and distribution

This preliminary survey of North Korean vegetation is based on phytocoenological data obtained during the five expeditions that took place between 1984 and 1990 (1181 releves) by Czech and Slovak phytocoenologists. Field analyses and the classification of vegetation were carried out using the Braun-Blanquet approach and methods of hierarchical numerical classification. In the eleven synoptic tables, related to the eleven main groups of biotopes, all distinguished associations and communities are presented and compared. Individual vegetation units are syntaxonomically and nomenclaturally revised. Within the 20 classes (Asteretea tripolii, Bidentetea tripartitae, Cakiletea maritimae, Carici rupestris-Kobresietea bellardii, Glehnietea littoralis, Lemnetea, Miscanthetea sinensis, Oryzetea sativae, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Plantaginetea majoris, Potametea, Querco-Fagetea crenatae, Rhamno-Prunetea, Robinietea, Rosetea multiflorae, Salicetea sachalinensis, Salsoletea komarovii, Selaginello tamariscini-Potentilletea dickinsii, Stellarietea mediae, Vaccinio-Piceetea), 89 associations and communities are distinguished. Each unit is characterised by the correct name and short paragraphs on the diagnostic species, synmorphology, synecology, intra-association variability, distribution, human influence and references used. The zonality of the forest vegetation in North Korea is briefly characterised.