2024-03-29T09:38:51Zhttps://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace-oai/requestoai:eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp:2115/204432022-11-17T02:08:08Zhdl_2115_20046hdl_2115_138Spatial variation in tree seedling density after the site preparation for planting in a cleared coniferous plantation in Hokkaido, northern JapanShin, ChangSeobShibuya, MasatoCleared siteOccurrence frequencySeed dispersalSeedling densityTree species653To study spatial variation in natural tree seedling density and the relationship between variation in seedling density and seed dispersal mode at a cleared site, we surveyed natural tree seedlings after the site preparation for planting in a coniferous plantation cleared by a typhoon disturbance in 2004. The site was located near Sikotsuko Lake, Hokkaido, northern Japan. Twenty-five tree seedling species were found and the mean seedling density was 9.8 seedlings/m2. Seedlings of non-animal-dispersed species (7.2 seedlings/m2) were approximately five times more abundant than those of animal-dispersed species (1.4 seedlings/m2), and 87% of all seedlings were current. The seedling density of non-animal-dispersed species (almost all: wind-dispersedl) decreased with distance from a natural forest; however, this trend did not hold for animal-dispersed species (almost all: bird-dispersed). The spatial variation in seedling density was lower in animal-dispersed species than in non-animal-dispersed species. Seed dispersal patterns and the viability duration of buried seeds likely affected the variation in seedling density by seed dispersal mode.SpringerJournal Articleapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/2115/20443https://eprints.lib.hokudai.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2115/20443/1/Shin-Shibuya_JFR.pdf1341-69791610-7403Journal of Forest Research12157622007-02enginfo:doi/10.1007/s10310-006-0240-9The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comauthor