Plant Community Types and Spatial Distribution of Forest Vegetation in 1st Grade Area of Ecology and Nature Map of Ulleung-do, Korea

Ulleung-do is an isolated volcanic island in the East Sea of Korea, characterized by unique topographical features and a maritime climate. These environmental conditions have fostered high biodiversity and distinct native vegetation, making the island ecologically significant. This study aims to systematically classify forest vegetation communities within the 1st grade zone of the Ecology and Nature Map of Ulleung-do and quantitatively analyze the spatial distribution of vegetation types across administrative regions. For this purpose, vegetation data from the 5th National Ecosystem Survey were comprehensively analyzed. The results classified forest vegetation into four major types: evergreen broad-leaved forest, deciduous broadleaved forest, evergreen coniferous forest, and valley forest (VF), with a total of 41 plant communities identified. Among them, VF accounted for the largest area, occupying 82.5% (28.97 km<sup>2</sup>) of the grade I zone, with the Acer <i>okamotoanum-Fagus multinervis</i> community and the Acer <i>okamotoanum</i> community being most dominant. Administratively, Ulleung-eup exhibited the highest diversity with 33 communities, while Buk-myeon included the largest area of the 1st grade zone. In contrast, Seo-myeon showed a more limited distribution of vegetation types. This study provides quantitative insights into the spatial structure and ecological characteristics of forest vegetation in Ulleung-do. The findings are expected to serve as foundational data for biodiversity conservation, environmental impact assessments, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable development planning on the island and in similar insular ecosystems.