Studies on the Forest Vegetation on Mt. Tsurugi, Shikoku.

Abstract

(1) The forest vegetation on Mt. Tsurugi, Shikoku can be divided into two zones, viz., the deciduous forest zone (1200-1700m above sea-level) which is dominated by Fagus crenata climax forest, and the subalpine coniferous forest zone (above 1700m above sea-level) mainly occupied by Abies sikokiana climax forest. (2) In the deciduous forest zone Fagus crenata-Sasamorpha purpurascens association is developed as a climatic climax. The community dominated by Pterocarya rhoifolia, Acer mono var. eupictum, etc. is found along the streams. Tsuga sieboldii community and T. diversifolia-Pinus mayri community occur on shallow soils or rocky outcrops as the edaphic climax. Quercus crispula community is a secondary forest developed on the open area and migrates gradually into the Fogus crenata climax community. The pure forest of Abies homolepis is often found in the upper part of this forest zone. (3) The climatic climax forest of the upper part of the subalpine coniferous forest zone is Abies sikokiana community, and this community can be divided into two types, Abies-Sasa sociation and Abies-Bryophyta sociation. Tsuga diversifolia community occurs in the lower part of this forest zone. Betula shikokiana community represents a secondary forest throughout this forest zone.