open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/20443

Spatial variation in tree seedling density after the site preparation for planting in a cleared coniferous plantation in Hokkaido, northern Japan

英語

Tree species

2007-02

Springer

Journal of Forest Research

12(1)

57-62

To 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.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com

1341-6979

1610-7403