Vegetation Recovery Patterns at Jeongseon Alpine Stadium, Mount Gariwang, in the Republic of Korea, After the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics

This study assessed vegetation recovery at Jeongseon Alpine Stadium, Mt. Gariwang, 5 years after the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics to aid in restoration planning. A total of 50 quadrats were surveyed across undisturbed areas, forest edges, and damaged areas at different altitudes. Species occurrences were recorded using a tabulation method to identify characteristic and differential species based on disturbance type. Importance value analysis showed that tree layers were present only in undisturbed areas at all altitudes, while shade-intolerant species, such as Amur choke cherry (P. glandulifolia), had high importance in the subtree layer in low-altitude damaged areas and mid-altitude forest edges. Species diversity was higher in forest edges at medium and high altitudes, whereas control areas exhibited higher diversity at low altitudes. DCA ordination revealed distinct community groupings based on altitude and disturbance type, indicating community heterogeneity. The study found rapid vegetation recovery in damaged areas and forest edges, driven by shade-intolerant species. Restoration efforts should prioritize these species to support successful recovery.