Abstract
Dynamics of a bryophytes community was studied in a large scale disturbed area located in a subalpine coniferous forest on south flank of Mt. Fuji, Central Japan, which was damaged by Typhoon No.17 in 1996. Study sites were established in three different disturbance regimes: wind damaged (disturbed), closed canopy (undisturbed), and transitional stand. Both dominant species and subdominant species were investigated in 120 plots at each stand. Three species groups were classified based upon frequency of the bryophytes in each stand along disturbance gradient. Species of Type A showed higher frequency in the undisturbed stand. Species of Type B showed higher frequency in the transitional stand. Species of Type C showed higher frequency in the disturbed stand. However, most species observed in the disturbed and transitional stands were also found in the undisturbed stand. Consequently, it is suggested that the bryophytes composition in the disturbed and transitional stands originated from the species in the undisturbed stand. Therefore the existing bryophyte communities in the disturbed and transitional stands were caused by gradual change of dominant species, and not by invasion of pioneer species. Compared with the marked and extreme change in higher plant communities in the early stages after disturbance, changes in bryophyte communities were not so extreme but rather steady.
