Present situation of mass mortality of Oak trees and its effect on the carbon sequestration ability in the Kaisho Forest, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan

Abstract

Present situation of mass mortality of Oak trees by an ambrosia beetle was investigated in the Kaisho Forest, Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. In a permanent plot (20m x 20m) on a steep slope of about 30 degrees, 72% of Quercus serrata died by 2011 and 46% of total biomass in the plot changed to necromass. Mortality rates on gentle slopes were relatively low, which suggests that the soil water condition related to micro-topography affects the mortality rate. The infested rate by the ambrosia beetle decreased with decease in tree size.