In order to determine the ecological characteristics of Quercus serrata and Q. aliena, which are potential
natural vegetation of riverine in Korea, we cultivated the seedlings of two oak species under light, soil moisture and
nutrient gradients from April to October in glasshouse. Then, we measured aboveground, belowground and total
plant biomass and analyzed the differences in growth between two oak species. The two oak species showed
decreasing growth with lower light intensity, but reduction in growth of Q. aliena was greater than that of Q.
serrata. Q. serrata and Q. aliena had a constant growth state under soil moisture gradients, but Q. aliena grew well
more than Q. serrata in lower soil moisture gradient. As soil nutrient availability decreased, the growth of Q. aliena
was greater than Q. serrata. These results mean that the growth of two oak species is not affected by soil moisture,
but the part of growth in Q. serrata may be positively affected in lower soil moisture condition. Also, Q. serrata
has strong shade tolerance and the ability to adapt high nutrient condition relative to Q. aliena. Thus, Q. serrata and
Q. aliena will be advantageous for the growth in stream ecosystem due to high light availability, but Q. serrata will
be distributed near the lowlands by the water environment. Also, because the two oak species need high soil
nutrient, it is important to preserve herbaceous vegetation to prevent nutrients that flowed in the streams.