Pattern and process in MAEUL, a traditional Korean rural landscape

Land-use changes due to the socio-economic environment influence landscape patterns and processes, which affecthabitats and biodiversity. This study considers the effects of such land-use changes, particularly on the traditional rural“Maeul” forested landscape, by analyzing landscape structure and vegetation changes. Three study areas were examinedthat have seen their populations decrease and age over the last few decades. Five types of plant life-forms (Raunkierlife-forms) were distinguished to investigate ecosystem function. Principle component analysis was used to understandvegetation dynamics and community characteristics based on a vegetation similarity index. Ordination analysis transformedspecies-coverage data was introduced to clarify vegetation dynamics. Landscape indices, such as area metrics,edge metrics, and shape metrics, showed that spatial heterogeneity has increased over time in all areas. Pinus densiflorawas the main land-use plant type in all study areas but decreased over time, whereas Quercus spp. increased. Over adecade, P. densiflora communities shifted to deciduous oak and plantation. These findings indicate that the impact ofhuman activities on the Maeul landscape is twofold. While forestry activities caused heavy disturbances, the abandonmentof traditional human activities has led to natural succession. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the type andintensity of these human impacts on landscape heterogeneity relate differently to vegetation succession. This reflectsthe cause and consequence of patch dynamics. We discuss an approach for sustainable landscape planning and managementof the Maeul landscape based on traditional management.