An Evaluation Model for Improving Biodiversity in Artificial Coniferous Forests Invaded by Broadleaf Trees

Yozo Yamada, Sayumi Kosaka

Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.

DOI: 10.4236/ojf.2013.34020                

Abstract

Increasing attention is being paid to the various functions of forests, especially the conservation of biodiversity. In Japan, 67% of national land is covered by forest, 41% of which is artificial forest (i.e., plantations). Therefore, efforts to conserve forest biodiversity should also target artificial forests. In this study, we investigated the increase in biodiversity resulting from broadleaf tree invasion of artificial coniferous forests. We examined diversity indices and combinations of indices to identify which ones can aid forest managers in evaluating forest diversity. We also studied classification according to the richness of diversity, which corresponded to the growth stages of Chamaecyparisobtusa and Cryptomeria japonica plantation forests. Moreover, we developed a model that will contribute to sustainable forest management and biodiversity over an entire area. The model, based on a specific rotation scenario in a geographic information system, is easy to use and presents spatial and temporal changes at sites visually.

Keywords

Artificial Forest; Invading Broadleaf Trees; Broadleaf Tree Diversity; Sustainable Forestry Management; Basin Scale

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Brockerhoff, E., Jactel, H., Parrotta, J., Quine, C., & Sayer J. (2008). Plantation forests and biodiversity: Oxymoron or opportunity? Biodiversity Conservation, 17, 925-951. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-008-9380-x [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[2]	Burslem, D. F. R. P. (2004). Plant diversity in forests. Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences, 1, 40-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-145160-7/00021-1 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[3]	Busing, R. T., & Garman, S. L. (2002). Promoting old-growth characteristics and long-term wood production in Douglas-fir forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 160, 161-175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00443-1 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[4]	Chubu Regional Forest Office (2011). Forest for people; National Forest. http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/chubu/introduction/gaiyou_kyoku/pamphlet/pdf/20110223kyoku-panhu.pdf
[5]	Ehrlich, P. R. (1996). Conservation in temperate forests: What do we need to know and do? Forest Ecology and Management, 85, 9-19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(96)03746-2 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[6]	El-Keblawy, A. (2005). Artificial forests as conservation sites for the native flora of the UAE. Forest Ecology and Management, 213, 288-296. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2005.03.058 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[7]	FAO (2012). Global forest resources assessment 2010. http://www.fao.org/forestry/fra/fra2010/en/
[8]	Fischer, J., Lindenmayer, D. B., & Manning, A. D. (2006). Biodiversity, ecosystem function, and resilience: Ten guiding principles for commodity production landscape. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 4, 80-86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2006)004[0080:BEFART]2.0.CO;2 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[9]	Forestry Agency (2012). Annual report on forest and forestry in Japan, fiscal year 2011.
[10]	Hartley, M. J. (2002). Rationale and methods for conserving biodiversity in plantation forests. Forest Ecology and Management, 155, 81-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(01)00549-7 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[11]	Kondoh, M. (2002). What determines the biodiversity pattern? Unifying “intermediate disturbance hypothesis” and “procuctively hypothesis”. Biological Science, 53, 195-203.
[12]	Kosaka, S., & Yamada, Y. (2013). Evaluation of broadleaf tree diversity at the basin scale: In case of artificial Chamaecyparisobtusa forests. Open Journal of Forestry, 3, 62-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojf.2013.32010 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[13]	Kupfer, J. A., Malanson, G. P., & Franklin, S. B. (2006). Not seeing the ocean for the islands: The mediating influence of matrix-based processes on forest fragmentation effects. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 15, 8-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-822X.2006.00204.x [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[14]	Lund, H., Dallmeier, F., & Alonso, A. (2004). Biodiversity in forests. Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences, 1, 33-40.
[15]	Mason, W. (2004). Multiple-use silviculture in temperate plantation forestry. Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences, 2, 859-865. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-145160-7/00225-8 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[16]	Montreal Process (2009). Criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests. 4th Edition, 29 p.
[17]	Noss, R. F. (1990). Indicators for monitoring biodiversity: A hierarchical approach. Conservation Biology, 4, 355-364. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.1990.tb00309.x [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
[18]	Yamaura, Y. (2007). Mitigating effects of broadleaved forest fragmentation on birds: Proposal of plantation matrix management. Journal of Japanese Forest Society, 89, 416-430. http://dx.doi.org/10.4005/jjfs.89.416 [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]