Habitat characteristics of the fern Dryopteris kinkiensis growing on traditional masonry walls at the foot of the Higashiyama Mountains, Kyoto Basin

Abstract

We investigated the characteristics of the habitat of Dryopteris kinkiensis (a locally rare fern found in several areas in Japan) growing on traditional masonry walls made of Shirakawa-ishi stone (biotite granite) in the Kyoto Basin. Masonry walls made of other stones in the same area were used as control sites. The results showed that D. kinkiensis was significantly more present on the Shirakawa-ishi stone walls. Here, soil water content was relatively low, and the sky factor was intermediate, but their ranges were narrow. The growth probability was low in the sites that had been restored using mortar joints. Traditional Japanese masonry walls made of granite and other materials can contribute to the conservation of rare ferns. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to preserve these walls and leave room for the growth of ferns when repairing them.