Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/44672

KEYWORDS : birch;larch;distribution;re-vegetation;northeast Asia

Re-vegetation is urgently needed to increase the carbon sink for moderating atmospheric CO2 by forest ecosystem, especially northeastern part of Asia with large population. We partly plant fast-growing species, such as birch (Betula spp.), larch (Larix spp.) and poplar (Populus spp.) in northeastern China. Especially, birch species are used for sap production; larch and its hybrid (F1) are promising species for timber production and increasing the carbon sink. For understanding these afforestation materials, we review the distribution of birch and larch species in China and northern Japan. They have deciduous leaf habit and typical light-demanding traits and are found in cool temperate climate regions. They can survive in infertile soil conditions and withstand drought even in the steeper slop. Both genera are considered as pioneer of secondary vegetation after disturbances. We mainly discuss on the growth habitat of birch and larch from the view point of taxonomy and their distribution, expecting to give some guidance for the potential plantation place of the two genera.