Abstract
We found a new population of an endangered species, Pinus armandii var. amamiana, in the Kinari National Forest along the Waseda River on Tanega-shima Island in southwestern Japan. This population is a 43-year-old secondary forest. A 2-ha area contained 138 surviving P. armandii var. amamiana trees over 2.0m tall, although no seedlings were found. The calculated population density of 69 trees/ha is the highest yet reported. Previously, an estimated 100 P. armandii var. amamiana trees were thought to exist on Tanega-shima Island, but based on this new evidence, the number should be revised. Some dead P. thunbergii and P. armandii var. amamiana trees, which were probably damaged by pine wilt disease, were found in and near this population. We have submitted an appeal to the Kyushu Regional Forest Office of the Forestry Agency, with the aim of establishing a new Protected Forest to preserve the genetic resources within the Kinari National Forest on Tanega-shima Island. We also suggest that measures be taken to counter pine wilt disease in and near this population.
