Evaluation of early-stage natural seedling regeneration in a red pine artificial forest to balance the conservation of raptor habitat and forestry

Abstract

The goal of the 2014 management plan “The Forest of Accipiter gentilis, Daisen, Tottori Prefecture” was to achieve a long-term balance between the nesting environment for birds of prey and timber productivity by renewing natural seedlings in red pine forests via small-scale clear-cutting. In this study, we conducted tree-by-tree and vegetation surveys of Japanese red pine seedlings and young trees in the renewal operation area to evaluate the renewal of natural seedlings. It was determined that a sufficient number of seedlings had germinated in the target area, permitting adequate renewal. In addition, five years of undergrowth cutting had suppressed the undergrowth, and young red pine trees were growing at a sufficient density.