The effects of deer browsing on forest regeneration processes and diversity of tree communities in a mountainous region with heavy snowfall of Central Japan

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  • SAKAGUCHI, Shota
    Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Kyoto University
  • FUJIKI, Daisuke
    Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo/Wildlife Management Research Center, Hyogo Prefecture
  • INOUE, Mizuki
    Faculty of Bioresource Sciences, Department of Biological Environment, Akita Prefectural University
  • YAMASAKI, Michimasa
    Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Kyoto University
  • FUKUSHIMA, Keitaro
    Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University
  • TAKAYANAGI, Atsushi
    Graduate School of Agriculture, Division of Forest and Biomaterials Science, Kyoto University

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Other Title
  • ニホンジカが多雪地域の樹木個体群の更新過程・種多様性に及ぼす影響
  • ニホンジカ ガ タセツ チイキ ノ ジュモク コタイグン ノ コウシン カテイ ・ タネ タヨウセイ ニ オヨボス エイキョウ

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Abstract

Population structure of tree and shrub species within cool-temperate forests under high impacts of sika deer, Cervus nippon, was investigated in- and outside a deer exclosure fence over a five year period, Ashiu, Kyoto, Central Japan. The fixed plots were established in the Cryptomeria-dominated stands at ridgetop sites and Pterocarya-dominated stands at streamside sites. Size class distribution of the dominant tree species, Cryptomeria japonica var. radiacans and Fagus crenata, in the upper layer (> 130cm in height) displayed negative exponential class distributions both in the fenced and control plots. On the other hand, in the tree sapling and shrub species layer (50-130cm in height) , it was observed that the number of tree species decreased in the controls, except for the non-preferred species C. japonica var. radicans. The result would be most likely caused by severe deer browsing on tree saplings and shrubs. If deer browsing continues to be a selective force against many preferred species in this area, the ridgetop stands are projected to be mono-dominated by the C. japonica var. radicans. In streamside areas, deer overabundance could lead to the formation of steppe type vegetation consisting of unpalatable ferns and graminoids with scattered non-preferred trees, Pterostyrax hispida and Acer nipponicum. Deer exclosures such as a deer fence is shown to be effective in increasing plant species richness and stem density of tree species in the lower layer. However, the regenerated community within the deer fences differed from climatic climax vegetation of this area by the high abundance of disturbance-dependent species. In order to examine whether climax understory community can fully recover after deer exclusion, it is necessary to continue monitoring the future vegetation changes in the exclosures. Overall, this study shows the paramount importance of controlling the density of deer population in Central Japan to maintain the mixed diverse conifer-broadleaf forest stands that are still characteristic of this area.

Journal

  • Forest Research, Kyoto

    Forest Research, Kyoto 78 57-69, 2012-09-28

    京都大学フィールド科学教育研究センター森林生物圏部門

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