Mapping tree species diversity and networks enhances the understanding of ecological dynamics and supports effective biodiversity conservation and forest management. In this study, we investigated tree species distribution, richness, beta diversity and ecological centers were analyzed using NFI-7 data surveyed between 2016 to 2020 in South Korea. The coexistence species networks were analyzed using the Jaccard similarity index and ecological hub locations were examined corresponding to NFI grid centers and Korean administrative boundaries. We observed the heterogeneity in tree species distribution. Species Korean red pine ( Pinus densiflora ) dominated (22.49%) the Korean forest and Korean mountain cherry ( Prunus maximowiczii Rupr ) observed as the highly spatially autocorrelated (Moran’s I = 0.327; p 0.91) in South Korea. • Findings inform biodiversity monitoring, conservation planning, and sustainable forest management.
Dhakal et al. (Wed,) studied this question.