Factors influencing early vegetation establishment following soil scarification in a mixed forest in northern Japan

2005 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiya Yoshida ◽  
Yoko Iga ◽  
Megumi Ozawa ◽  
Mahoko Noguchi ◽  
Hideaki Shibata
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Dwarf Bamboo ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Tall Tree ◽  
Northern Japan

Scarification is widely conducted in northern Japan to remove understory dwarf bamboo species in degraded forests for replacement with tree species. To explore ways to enhance species diversity and restoration of mixed forest at the treated site, we clarified the mechanisms that lead to compositional heterogeneity of plant species. We evaluated the relative importance of environmental factors (scarification properties, soil properties, light conditions, litter cover, and presence of canopy trees) for the demography of tall tree species (emergence, mortality, and growth) and whole vegetation structure (species diversity and composition) over the two growing seasons immediately following scarification. Of tall tree species, Betula spp. were dominant (60% in total density), followed by Abies sachalinensis (Fr. Schm.) Masters, Acer mono Maxim., and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Light intensity was an important factor, having mostly negative effects on the demography of these species. Soil factors (e.g., nitrogen content, moisture) affected the demography mainly of shade-intolerant or hygrophilous species. In general, extreme environmental conditions led to the dominance of grasses, forbs, and lianas rather than tall trees. Maintenance of canopy cover, which limits light and supplies seeds as well as litter, proved to be most important in promoting plant species diversification on the scarification site.

The Role of Fallen Logs in the Regeneration of Tree Species in Tasmanian Mixed Forest

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 745 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Kirkpatrick ◽  
H. J. A. McKenny
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Substrate Surface ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Root Competition ◽  
Tree Seedlings ◽  
Establishment Success ◽  
Moss Cover ◽  
Litter Cover

This study was designed to determine whether fallen logs were a more favourable habitat for tree species establishment than soil in moist eucalypt forest in Tasmania, whether establishment success on logs varied between two forests in contrasting environments, and whether surface and substrate qualities and light conditions were associated with establishment success. Data on tree and shrub species densities and heights by species, moss cover, litter cover, Blechnum wattsii cover, canopy cover, bulk density of the substrate, and substrate surface pH, nitrogen content and phosphorus content were obtained from paired soil and log quadrats. Tree seedlings were found to be significantly more abundant on fallen logs than on adjacent ground at both sites, with the differences being greater at the moister Tahune site than at Mount Field. At Tahune, logs significantly differed from adjacent soil in canopy cover, litter cover, moss cover Blechnum wattsii cover, pH and slope. At Mount Field, there were significant differences between logs and soil in litter cover, moss cover, pH, bulk density and nitrogen. Litter cover may be critical in explaining the superior establishment of trees on logs rather than soil in Tasmanian mixed forest, although the possible impacts of variations in bioturbation and root competition require further research.

scholarly journals Effects of Plant Species on the Physico-chemical Properties of Soil in Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
J. I. Amonum ◽  
S. A. Dawaki ◽  
G. Dachung
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Soil Properties ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Threatened Plant Species ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Sustainable Conservation ◽  
On Farm

This study was carried out to examine the effect of plant species on soil properties in the Falgore Game Reserve (FGR) in Kano State, Nigeria; with the aim to promote sustainable conservation and management of the game reserve and to encourage the use of multiple tree species on farmlands. Strata, systematic and random sampling techniques were employed in order to capture the variability of land cover. Composite samples of soil were randomly collected at a depth of 0-30cm from sample plots of 50 m × 50 m sizes at five points using soil auger. This experiment was replicated four times. The samples were thoroughly mixed and spread out on a dry floor to air dried under the roofed shade. The samples were packaged in polythene bags and taken to the biological science laboratory (Bayero University Kano, Nigeria) for preparation and analysis. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Correlation at p< 0.05. Based on this finding, shrubs and tree species diversity were found to be inversely related to soil total Nitrogen, N, % O.C and soil pH (H2O). The nitrogen content of the soil sample was more stable compared with the carbon content across the strata in the study area. The results of this finding revealed that plants species diversity have different effects on soil properties of FGR. Thus, it is recommended that conservation and restoration of threatened plant species should be encouraged for soil amendment. For easy adoption of plant species on farmlands, farmers should be enlightened more on the effects and environmental functions of trees on farm land.

scholarly journals Invasion of dwarf bamboo into alpine snow-meadows in northern Japan: pattern of expansion and impact on species diversity

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaku Kudo ◽  
Yukihiro Amagai ◽  
Buho Hoshino ◽  
Masami Kaneko
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Dwarf Bamboo ◽  
Northern Japan

scholarly journals Estimating tree species diversity in the savannah using NDVI and woody canopy cover

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 ◽  
pp. 106-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabelo Madonsela ◽  
Moses Azong Cho ◽  
Abel Ramoelo ◽  
Onisimo Mutanga ◽  
Laven Naidoo
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Species Diversity

scholarly journals Forest Structure and Composition under Contrasting Precipitation Regimes in the High Mountains, Western Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7510
Author(s):  
Kishor Prasad Bhatta ◽  
Anisha Aryal ◽  
Himlal Baral ◽  
Sujan Khanal ◽  
Amul Kumar Acharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Forest Structure ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
High Mountains ◽  
Precipitation Region ◽  
Precipitation Regimes ◽  
High Precipitation ◽  
Low Precipitation

The high mountains stretch over 20.4% of Nepal’s land surface with diverse climatic conditions and associated vegetation types. An understanding of tree species and forest structural pattern variations across different climatic regions is crucial for mountain ecology. This study strived to carry out a comparative evaluation of species diversity, main stand variables, and canopy cover of forests with contrasting precipitation conditions in the Annapurna range. Firstly, climate data provided by CHELSA version 1.2, were used to identify distinct precipitation regimes. Lamjung and Mustang were selected as two contrasting precipitation regions, and have average annual precipitation of 2965 mm and 723 mm, respectively. Stratified random sampling was used to study 16 plots, each measuring 500 m2 and near the tree line at an elevation range of 3000 to 4000 m across different precipitation conditions. In total, 870 trees were identified and measured. Five hemispherical photos using a fisheye lens were taken in each plot for recording and analyzing canopy cover. Margalef’s index was used to measure species richness, while two diversity indices: the Shannon–Wiener Index and Simpson Index were used for species diversity. Dominant tree species in both study regions were identified through the Important Value Index (IVI). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was employed to determine the differences in forest structure and composition variables between the two precipitation regimes. In total, 13 species were recorded with broadleaved species predominating in the high precipitation region and coniferous species in the low precipitation region. Higher species richness and species diversity were recorded in the low precipitation region, whereas the main stand variables: basal area and stem density were found to be higher in the high precipitation region. Overall, an inverse J-shaped diameter distribution was found in both precipitation regions signifying uneven-aged forest. A higher proportion of leaning and buttressed trees were recorded in the high precipitation region. However, similar forest canopy cover conditions (>90%) were observed in both study regions. The findings of this research provide a comprehensive narrative of tree species and forest structure across distinct precipitation regimes, which can be crucial to administrators and local people for the sustainable management of resources in this complex region.

scholarly journals Assessment of tree species diversity and above-ground biomass in two disturbed tropical dry evergreen forests of Coromandel coast of India

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 981-992
Author(s):  
Elumalai Pandian ◽  
Narayanaswamy Parthasarathy ◽  
Balaraman Tamil Selvan
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Woody Plants ◽  
Carbon Stock ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Tree Species Diversity ◽  
Evergreen Forests ◽  
Coromandel Coast

The tree diversity and carbon stock of all woody plants were investigated in two-hectare square plots (100 m x 100 m) were established in Suryanpet (SP) and Velleripet (VP) which is tropical dry evergreen forest (TDEF) sites on the Coromandel Coast of peninsular India. All trees ? 10 cm girth at breast height measured at 1.3 m from the rooting point were enumerated. A total of 35 tree species (? 10 cm gbh) belonging to 34 genera and 23 families were recorded in tropical dry evergreen forests. Tree species richness in 27 (dominant species Dimorphocalyx glabellus Thw.) and 18 (dominant species Strychnos nux-vomica L.) in SP and VP respectively. A total density of woody plants 671 and 1154 individuals in SP and VP respectively. The basal area of trees in the two study sites SP (40.70 m2 ha-1) and VP (45.46 m2 ha-1). Most abundant families are Loganiaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Rutaceae and its family index value (FIV) is 56.14, 39.12 and 21.40 respectively. The aboveground biomass (AGB) of trees totaled in site SP (405.3 Mg ha-1) and VP (721.3 Mg ha-1). The extent of tree species diversity and estimated carbon stock of the TDEF sites, which provides the baseline data on the floristic structure and diversity of this forest for better management and conservation.

scholarly journals Empirical Approach for Modelling Tree Phenology in Mixed Forests Using Remote Sensing

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3015
Author(s):  
Koffi Dodji Noumonvi ◽  
Gal Oblišar ◽  
Ana Žust ◽  
Urša Vilhar
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Fagus Sylvatica ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Vegetation Indices ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Mixed Forests

Phenological events are good indicators of the effects of climate change, since phenological phases are sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. Although several national phenological networks monitor the phenology of different plant species, direct observations can only be conducted on individual trees, which cannot be easily extended over large and continuous areas. Remote sensing has often been applied to model phenology for large areas, focusing mostly on pure forests in which it is relatively easier to match vegetation indices with ground observations. In mixed forests, phenology modelling from remote sensing is often limited to land surface phenology, which consists of an overall phenology of all tree species present in a pixel. The potential of remote sensing for modelling the phenology of individual tree species in mixed forests remains underexplored. In this study, we applied the seasonal midpoint (SM) method with MODIS GPP to model the start of season (SOS) and the end of season (EOS) of six different tree species in Slovenian mixed forests. First, substitute locations were identified for each combination of observation station and plant species based on similar environmental conditions (aspect, slope, and altitude) and tree species of interest, and used to retrieve the remote sensing information used in the SM method after fitting the best of a Gaussian and two double logistic functions to each year of GPP time series. Then, the best thresholds were identified for SOS and EOS, and the results were validated using cross-validation. The results show clearly that the usual threshold of 0.5 is not best in most cases, especially for estimating the EOS. Despite the difficulty in modelling the phenology of different tree species in a mixed forest using remote sensing, it was possible to estimate SOS and EOS with moderate errors as low as <8 days (Fagus sylvatica and Tilia sp.) and <10 days (Fagus sylvatica and Populus tremula), respectively.

scholarly journals Investigating the Relationship between Tree Species Diversity and Landsat-8 Spectral Heterogeneity across Multiple Phenological Stages

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2467
Author(s):  
Sabelo Madonsela ◽  
Moses A. Cho ◽  
Abel Ramoelo ◽  
Onisimo Mutanga
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Plant Species Diversity ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Tree Species Diversity ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Species Diversity Indices ◽  
The Relationship

The emergence of the spectral variation hypothesis (SVH) has gained widespread attention in the remote sensing community as a method for deriving biodiversity information from remotely sensed data. SVH states that spectral heterogeneity on remotely sensed imagery reflects environmental heterogeneity, which in turn is associated with high species diversity and, therefore, could be useful for characterizing landscape biodiversity. However, the effect of phenology has received relatively less attention despite being an important variable influencing plant species spectral responses. The study investigated (i) the effect of phenology on the relationship between spectral heterogeneity and plant species diversity and (ii) explored spectral angle mapper (SAM), the coefficient of variation (CV) and their interaction effect in estimating species diversity. Stratified random sampling was adopted to survey all tree species with a diameter at breast height of > 10 cm in 90 × 90 m plots distributed throughout the study site. Tree species diversity was quantified by the Shannon diversity index (H′), Simpson index of diversity (D2) and species richness (S). SAM and CV were employed on Landsat-8 data to compute spectral heterogeneity. The study applied linear regression models to investigate the relationship between spectral heterogeneity metrics and species diversity indices across four phenological stages. The results showed that the end of the growing season was the most ideal phenological stage for estimating species diversity, following the SVH concept. During this period, SAM and species diversity indices (S, H′, D2) had an r2 of 0.14, 0.24, and 0.20, respectively, while CV had an r2 of 0.22, 0.22, and 0.25, respectively. The interaction of SAM and CV improved the relationship between the spectral data and H′ and D2 (from r2 of 0.24 and 0.25 to r2 of 0.32 and 0.28, respectively) at the end of the growing season. The two spectral heterogeneity metrics showed differential sensitivity to components of plant diversity. SAM had a high relationship with H′ followed by D2 and then a lower relationship with S throughout the different phenological stages. Meanwhile, CV had a higher relationship with D2 than other plant diversity indices and its relationship with S and H′ remained similar. Although the coefficient of determination was comparatively low, the relationship between spectral heterogeneity metrics and species diversity indices was statistically significant (p < 0.05) and this supports the assertion that SVH could be implemented to characterize plant species diversity. Importantly, the application of SVH should consider (i) the choice of spectral heterogeneity metric in line with the purpose of the SVH application since these metrics relate to components of species diversity differently and (ii) vegetation phenology, which affects the relationship that spectral heterogeneity has with plant species diversity.

scholarly journals Regeneration Dynamics on Treefall Mounds and Pits for 10 Years after a Windfall in a Natural Mixed Forest

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1064
Author(s):  
Toshiya Yoshida
Keyword(s):  
Light Intensity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Light Conditions ◽  
Soil Exposure ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Intense Light ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
Northern Japan

The treefall mounds and pits resulting from uprooting caused by strong winds is an indispensable microtopography for the regeneration of many tree species through improved light conditions and mineral soil exposure. These microtopographies are expected to become more important because global warming is predicted to increase windstorm frequency. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of mounds and pits that contribute to the early establishment of major tree species in a natural mixed forest of northern Japan. The 39 tip-up mounds caused simultaneously by a strong typhoon in September 2004 were selected. In 2006, light intensity and soil moisture contents were measured in each mound and pit. Seedlings of all tree species were counted, and in 2014, the height of saplings was measured. The initial seedling density, regardless of tree species, was significantly higher in the pits than on the mound, but the density at the 10-th growing season decreased significantly in the pits and was comparable between the two locations. Intense light conditions favor regeneration of Betula sp. (Betula platyphylla and B. ermanii). In contrast, for Abies sachalinensis and Picea glehnii, the light intensity had a negative effect, so it was concluded that regeneration of conifers would be limited under the condition where strong winds form large gaps.

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