2015 Volume 78 Issue 5 Pages 663-666
To clarify the growth characteristics, recruitment, mortality and relative height growth rates of seedlings of Celtis sinensis, Aphananthe aspera, Zelkova serrata and Cinnamomum camphora, dominant species in the canopy layer of Tadasu-No-Mori forest, a large-scale mature urban forest in Kyoto city, we set up 1055 quadrats (1055m2) on the forest floor of this forest. There were differences in the growth characteristics among four species seedlings. Recruitment rates of A. aspera seedlings, native and original dominant species of this forest were relatively low. But low mortality and high growth rates were observed in this species. Although there were high recruitment rates in the C. sinensis seedlings, mortality rates were high and growth rates were low under the dark condition. It suggested that C. sinensis seedlings is more shade-intolerant than other three species. Recruitment rates of Z. serrata seedlings, anemochory species were slightly high only at high population densities of mother trees. Recruitment and growth rates of C. camphora seedlings were significant higher than other three species at high diffuse site factor more than 13.7%. It indicated that if large canopy gaps are created in this forest and understory light environments are improved, emergences and establishments of C. camphora, non-native species of this forest will be promoted.
