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2026 Vol.53, Issue 1 Preview Page

Plant & Forest

Effects of natural and planting regeneration on soil properties, forest productivity and economic feasibility 20 years after a forest fire in Goseong
Si Ho Han12
,
Ji Young An3
,
Woo Bin Youn2
,
Byung Bae Park2*
1Kasuya Research Forest, Kyushu University, Sasaguri, Fukuoka 8112415, Japan
2Department of Environment and Forest Resources, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
3Division of Environmental and Forest Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52725, Korea
*Corresponding Author
1 March 2026. pp. 35-50
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Abstract

The large-scale forest fires in Goseong and Korea’s eastern coastal region in 1996 and 2000 caused extensive ecological and socio-economic damage. In response, natural regeneration (NAT) and planting regeneration (PLT) were applied, and permanent plots were established to monitor long-term changes. This study evaluated soil properties, forest productivity, and economic feasibility 20 years after the fire. Soil analyses across three depths (0 - 30 cm) showed that NAT maintained higher pH (6.0), organic matter (2.5%), and nitrogen (0.06%), while PLT had greater bulk density (1.4 g·cm-3), available phosphorus (14.4 mg·kg-1), and cation exchange capacity (CEC; 14.9 cmolc·kg-1). Compared with immediate post-fire conditions, soil fertility partially recovered, with increases in pH (+11%), available phosphorus (+188%), and CEC (+44%), but declines in organic matter (-22%) and nitrogen (-42%). Forest structure also differed that NAT supported higher tree density and seven hardwood species, whereas PLT promoted faster growth, larger diameter at breast height (DBH), and greater leaf biomass. Total aboveground biomass did not differ significantly between NAT and PLT (p = 0.565), despite contrasting stand structure and biomass allocation. Economic evaluation over a 50-year rotation revealed a benefit–cost ratio of 1.24 for PLT, which was more than double that of NAT (0.58). These results indicate that planting regeneration enhances tree growth and economic returns, while NAT sustains soil fertility and species diversity. A complementary approach that integrates both methods may therefore guide more effective regeneration strategies and long-term forest management planning after large-scale fires.

Keywords
annual DBH growth
benefit–cost analysis
ecological regeneration
species diversity
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Information
  • Publisher :Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University
  • Publisher(Ko) :충남대학교 농업과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
  • Journal Title(Ko) :농업과학연구
  • Volume : 53
  • No :1
  • Pages :35-50
  • Received Date : 2025-09-28
  • Revised Date : 2026-02-03
  • Accepted Date : 2026-02-05
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7744/kjoas.530104
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