Regeneration Traits of Four Dominant Species in a Cool-Temperate Conifer-Hardwood Mixed Forest, Northern Japan ()
ABSTRACT
Regeneration traits of four dominant species were
studied during a decade in a cool-temperate conifer-hardwood mixed forest,
northern Japan. Dominant species were three canopy species (Tilia japonica, Acer mono and Abies sachalinensis) and a subcanopy species Prunus
ssiori. Regeneration traits
differed among the four dominant species. The regeneration of a conifer Abies sachalinensis largely depends on major disturbances
because its size structure was a bell-shaped pattern. The growth rate of the
sub-canopy species Prunus ssiori increased faster with tree size than the
other three species, and therefore, this species can reach reproductive stage
faster. Although the number of recruits of Tilia japonica was less
than the other three dominant species, about one-fourth of Tilia japonica regenerated by the sprouts. Thus, vegetative reproduction is important
for the regeneration of Tilia
japonica. On the contrary, many
recruits were observed in Acer mono, and its recruits and saplings concentrated
in canopy gaps, suggesting that the regeneration of Acer mono restricted to
canopy gaps. Thus, clear differences in the regeneration traits were recognized
in the four dominant species. This study suggests that the species-specific
regeneration traits contribute to the species coexistence of the four dominant
species through different regeneration niches.
Share and Cite:
Takahashi, K. (2017) Regeneration Traits of Four Dominant Species in a Cool-Temperate Conifer-Hardwood Mixed Forest, Northern Japan.
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
8, 3313-3323. doi:
10.4236/ajps.2017.813223.