Analysis of similarity among national parks in Korea: A comparison of habitat composition and species presence–absence data (Lepidoptera, aquatic insects, and higher plants)

Abstract

A list of species of Lepidoptera, aquatic insects, and higher plant species inhabiting 22 National parks in Korea was compiled. A similarity analysis was performed to compare all National parks, and cladograms were constructed. In the case of higher plants, those inhabiting the Hallasan region were categorized as a separate group, while the plants living in National parks located near the southern and western coasts formed one group, and other terrestrial National parks were divided into two groups as follows: the Taebaek Mountain range/adjacent mountain group and the others group. Species of Lepidoptera, which appear to be related to plants, in the Hallasan, Taebaeksan, Taeanhaean, and Bukhansan mountains were each classified independently, and those in the Hallyeohaesang, Dadohaehaesang, Naejangsan, and Byeonsanbando in the southern and western parts of Korea were classified as a single group. In case of aquatic insects, those in the Hallasan, Taeanhaean, and Bukhansan region were categorized in independent groups, and other terrestrial National parks were placed in one group with high similarity. A similarity analysis was performed through a detailed classification of the habitats in National parks revealed that marine-coastal National parks particularly showed low similarity with other mountainous National parks. In addition, other terrestrial National parks were further grouped into large and small National parks. Comparing the subject map that divided Korea into climate, vegetation, and topography, some marine-coastal National park areas were confirmed to be distinguished from other areas. Furthermore, similarity analysis revealed that Gangwon-do and Baekdu-Daegan regions in Gyeongsangbuk-do were categorized into one group with high similarity.