Pits and rocky microsites in a subalpine forest stand facilitate regeneration of spruce saplings by suppressing dwarf bamboo growth inside a deer-proof fence |
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Authors: | Hiromitsu Kisanuki Arisa Nakai Akiko Nadamoto Masako Wakino |
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Institution: | (1) Graduate School of Bioresources, Mie University, Kurimamachiya-cho 1577, Tsu Mie, 514-8507, Japan;(2) Present address: Aichi Prefectural Forestry Institute, Shinshiro, Aichi, Japan |
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Abstract: | We determined patterns of microsite suppression in dwarf bamboo Sasa nipponica when grazing deer were absent. This bamboo species is able to outcompete Hondo spruce (Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis) saplings under many environmental circumstances. We set up two 10 × 100 m plots inside a deer-proof fence within a subalpine
forest on Mt. Ohdaigahara, central Japan, and two similarly sized plots outside the fence. Within the plots, we surveyed microsites
where spruce saplings grew. We measured height and shoot elongation of all spruce saplings, and culm height and cover ratios
of dwarf bamboo growing around each spruce sapling. Spruce sapling density and average height were higher inside the deer-proof
fence than outside, as were bamboo height and cover. Thus, there was a negative effect of deer browsing on vegetation parameters
outside the fence and a suppression of the negative effect of bamboo on spruce sapling growth inside the fence. Spruce sapling
height was higher in tree-fall pits than in other microsites inside the fence, whereas both dwarf bamboo height and cover
were lower in pits and rocky sites than elsewhere. In soil and collar microsites, spruce sapling shoot growth was lower and
bamboo height and cover were higher than in pits and rocky sites. Inside the fence, dwarf bamboo cover was high, but pits
and rocks suppressed its growth, allowing spruce saplings to flourish. To restore heavily damaged spruce forests with advanced
saplings, it will be necessary to construct deer-proof fences and create and maintain microsites with pits and rocks. |
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