Long-term stand growth of an old-growth forest in Teshikaga, eastern Hokkaido

Abstract

The stand growth of an old-growth forest in Teshikaga, eastern Hokkaido (northern Japan), was monitored over 69 years. There was little change in stand volume throughout the period; growth and stand mortality were almost balanced. However, the number of broad-leaved trees increased and the diameter-at-breast height class distribution changed to an inverted J shape. These results suggest that, in old-growth forest stands, the species composition and stand type change despite long-term stability in terms of the overall stand volume.