Development of pseudo-alpine zone and environmental condition in the area around the border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures.

Abstract

The area around the border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures is one of the heaviest snow regions. In this area, some mountains have coniferous forests, and some mountains have pseudo-alpine zone. Therefore, it is thought that there is boundary condition to divide the presence or absence of subalpine coniferous forest in this area. Thus, we clarified the relations between the distribution of the Abies Mariesii forest and the environmental conditions such as climate, topography, soil, and geohistory of the region. As a result, the following conditions which controlling alpine forest distribution become clear: 1.thick soil layer formed by long period ground surface stable; 2. gentle slope where the mechanical destruction by snow is low; 3. the location with low wind beaten level; 4. the location on the convex surface of short snow-covered period.