Development of periglacial smooth slopes and plant communities on southwest facing slope of Damashidaira, Southern Japanese Alps

Abstract

In the alpine zone of Japanese island, Pinus pumila scrub, dwarf shrub heath, herbaceous plant vegetation, and alpine stony desert vegetation distribute on a slope. The purpose of this study is to clarify relation between the distribution of alpine plant comminuties and development of periglacial smooth slopes. This study was carried out on the southwest facing slope of Damashidaira, Southern Japanese Alps. In the result, I show that distribution of alpine plant comminuties are depended on development of periclacial smooth slopes since late glacial stage.