Vegetation of the northern Korean Peninsula: classifi cation, ecology and distribution

This preliminary survey of North Korean vegetation is based on phytocoenological data obtained during the fi ve expeditions that took place between 1984 and 1990 (1181 relevés) by Czech and Slovak phytocoenologists. Field analyses and the classifi cation of vegetation were carried out using the Braun-Blanquet approach and methods of hierarchical numerical classifi cation. 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 l ittoralis, Lemnetea, Miscanthetea sinensis, Oryzetea sativae, Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Plantaginetea majoris, Potametea, Querco-Fagetea crenatae, Rhamno-Prunetea, Robinietea, Rosetea multiflorae, Salicetea sachalinensis, Salsoletea komarovii , Selaginello tamariscini-Potentil letea 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 infl uence and references used. The zonality of the forest vegetation in North Korea is briefl y characterised.