放牧を導入した耕作放棄地における優占野草種の動態 : アンケート調査の結果  [in Japanese] Dynamics of Dominant Wild Plants after Introduction of Cattle Grazing onto Abandoned Cultivated Lands : A questionnaire-based study  [in Japanese]

In Japan, there has been an increase in the use of abandoned cultivated lands for cattle grazing. It is important to clarify plant succession on these lands for assessment of the sustainability of grazing. We investigated the dynamics of dominant wild plants after the introduction of grazing onto the abandoned lands in western Japan using questionnaires. The main plants before the introduction of grazing were paddy field weeds, Miscanthus sinensis, and Solidago altissima in the order of frequency. The abandoned lands most frequently became dominated by Zoysia japonica after introduction of grazing. In a few cases M. sinensis or S. altissima remained dominant after 4 or more years of grazing. Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii remained dominant in most of the cases, even 10 or more years after grazing in several cases. Paddy field weeds declined within 1 year after grazing in some cases ; however, they did remain dominant for longer periods in several cases. Dwarf bamboo was found to be dominant for 10 or more years after grazing in several cases, while it did not become dominant. Most of the Pueraria lobata that were dominant before introduction of grazing became nondominant after introduction of grazing.