Vegetation structure and soil properties of mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forest in Mt. Horoiwa, eastern Hokkaido, Japan.

• Namikawa Kanji

  Biological Laboratory, Sapporo College, Hokkaido University of Education

• Kano Tomoko

  Biological Laboratory, Sapporo College, Hokkaido University of Education

• Ishikawa Yukio

  Department of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Hokkaido College, Senshu University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title

• 北海道東部幌岩山の針広混交林の植生構造とその形成要因としての土壌特性

Abstract

The vegetation structure and soil properties of mixed deciduous broadleaf/conifer forest were studied on Mt. Horoiwa (376 m altitude), eastern Hokkaido, Japan. 154 grids (1 ha : 100 m×100 m) were set out on an aerial photograph of the study area, and their vegetation was classified into three types by ratio of conifer ; broadleaf, mixed broadleaf/conifer and conifer forests. Further, the topography of the grids was categorized into ridge, valley and slope, and the aspect of slopes was determined in 8 directions. Broadleaf or mixed broadleaf/conifer forests and conifer forests were primarily distributed in valleys or on slopes facing north, north-east or east and on ridges or slopes facing south, south-west or west, respectively. In 18 quadrats, DBH of trees (over 2 m in height) were measured, and phytosociological measurements were carried out on the vascular plants on the forest floor (below 2 m in height). Two communities were recognized on the basis of similarity in relative dominance of trees, and on species composition of the forest floor : broadleaf-dominated forest and conifer-dominated forest. The former community was distributed on the slopes facing north, north-east or east ; the latter was on the slopes facing south, south-west or west. Soil types of the broadleaf-dominated and the conifer-dominated forests were identified to B_D type (mesic brownish forest soil) and B_B type (xeric brownish forest soil), respectively. Synthetic indices of habitat fertility were provided using the soil chemical properties of horizon A, which showed a tendency to become gradually reduced in xeric habitats (i.e., ridges or slopes facing south, south-west or west). Soil chemical properties showed clear differences between the two community types. In particular, a close relationship between the relative dominance of conifers (mainly Abies sachalinensis) and habitat fertility was recognized.

Journal

• Vegetation Science

  Vegetation Science 14 (2), 105-117, 1997

  The Society of Vegetation Science

Keywords

• broadleaf-dominated forest
• conifer-dominated forest
• mixed deciduous broadleaf
• conifer forest
• slope aspects
• soil chemical properties

Details

• CRID: 1390282679462916864
• NII Article ID: 110008145200
• NII Book ID: AA11347548
• DOI: 10.15031/vegsci.14.105
• ISSN: 21894809
• ISSN: 13422448
• Text Lang: ja
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • CiNii Articles
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed