Characteristics of vegetation according to the micro-climatic conditions of a lava pit on Jeju Island

Vegetation characteristics on Jeju Island's Geomunoreum lava tube system vary significantly with microclimatic conditions. The study found that areas with stable temperature and humidity, such as the lower pit (plot 3) and outer flattening-out regions (plots 6 and 7), exhibit simpler vegetation structures with high mortality and low growth rates in the former, while the latter shows diverse competing species and high growth rates. Midpoint areas (plots 2 and 4) display transitions in dominant tree species but stable shrub and subtree layers. Higher areas (plots 1 and 5) show frequent changes across all vegetation layers. These patterns differ from other lava pits on the island, highlighting the unique microclimatic influence on vegetation structure and dynamics.

Park, E.-H., Yang, J.-E., Park, M., Kwak, S., Lee, B., & Seol, A. (2023). Characteristics of vegetation according to the micro-climatic conditions of a lava pit on Jeju Island. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu23-11142