This study investigated the flora, vegetation structure, and soil physicochemical characteristics of the subalpine ecosystem along the ridgeline of Mt. Balwangsan (1,458m a.s.l.) in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, South Korea, to provide baseline d...
This study investigated the flora, vegetation structure, and soil physicochemical characteristics of the subalpine ecosystem along the ridgeline of Mt. Balwangsan (1,458m a.s.l.) in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, South Korea, to provide baseline data for ecosystem conservation and management. From April 2023 to October 2024, a total of 35 plots (20 vegetation plots and 15 soil plots) were established to survey vascular plant composistion, species diversity, vegetation communities, soil properties, and root biomass. A total of 258 vascular plant taxa were identified, including 14 Korean endemic species, 5 rare taxa, and 99 phytogeographically important taxa, confirming the summit area as an important habitat for endemic and northern species. Vegetation was classified into five communities primarily dominated by Abies nephrolepis and Quercus mongolica, with a mean Shannon index of 2.36±0.75 and an evenness index of 0.87±0.17. Soils were classified as sandy loam; however, pronounced heterogeneity was observed in soil pH, organic matter content, and exchangeable cations, and cluster analysis categorized soils into four distinct groups. Certain soil groups overlapped with Abies-dominated stands, characterized by strong acidity and high organic matter content, whereas others corresponded to Quercus-dominated stands with higher silt–clay fractions and greater root biomass. This spatial correspondence indicates that the distribution of subalpine vegetation is closely associated with soil physicochemical characteristics. Overall, the results provide integrated ecological information that can support climate change adaptation strategies and restoration planning in the subalpine ecosystem of Mt. Balwangsan.