Factors influencing early vegetation development on soil-scarified sites in a northern Japanese mixed forest

Abstract

We investigated early vegetation development following soil-scarification, a kind of site preparation for tree seedling establishment conducted in forests with heavy understory coverage of dwarf bamboo species. During the two growing seasons, 75 stems per square meter of tall-tree seedlings, were appeared with birch as a dominant composition. The predominant factor influencing seedling establishment, mortality, growth, and whole species diversity were found to be light intensity. Also relative importance of factors representing soil condition, scarified intensity, and mother trees were discussed.