Influence of volcanic activity on vegetation succession and growth environment on the hillslope of Sakurajima Volcano in southern Kyushu,Japan

This study was conducted in order to examine the influence of long-term volcanic activity on vegetative succession and growth on the slope of Sakurajima in southern Kyushu, Japan. We investigated the vegetation, depth of the volcanic ash layer, and dry density and pH of the surface soil at six places on the north-northwestern slope, 2.3–3.4 km from the Minami-dake crater, where a layer of pumice stone was deposited by the Taisho eruption in 1914. The height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of the trees increased with increasing distance from the Minami-dake crater, as did the number of individuals and species, and basal area. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H′) demonstrates that vegetative succession is significantly affected by distance from the Minami-dake crater, as areas farther from the crater exhibited later seral stages. Comparison of the diversity index and species number of the crater region with that of the climax forest in Kagoshima indicates that vegetative growth alone cannot advance succession in the study area, as the local vegetative community is heavily influenced by the harsh environmental conditions associated with continual exposure to long-term volcanic activity. Seral stage, ash layer depth, dry density, and pH of the soil surface layer are governed by distance from the Minami-dake crater. The results of this study indicate that conditions for vegetative growth and succession improve with increasing distance from the source of constant volcanic activity. Thus, soil development is promoted by the acidification of the soil, which decreases the dry density and pH of the soil surface layer. The introduction of plant species resistant to volcanic ash and gas is recommended to promote soil development and improve the infiltration capacity of the soil.