The Effects of Weeding, Light and Trampling on Floor Vegetation in Recreation Forest

Abstract

In order to provide the visual and physical conditions necessary for recreational pursuits, we must carry on the periodical weeding as one of the forest management practices. But light and trampling other than weeding have an effect on the regrowth of vegetation too. Consequently, having regard for these factors, the frequency of weeding must be arranged for preparing a management programme.
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the reciprocal actions of the above three factors on the floor vegetation. For this research, the following data were recorded on thirty stands in three typical coppices in the Kanto Plains; relative light intensity, tree stand density, frequency of weeding, trampling intensity, biomass of every species or life form plants, and etc. These data were treated by the principal component analysis.
The results are follows. The total biomass in the forest floor mainly depends on the light intensity, whereas the floristic composition is largely governed by the frequency of weeding or the trampling intensity. Though the floor vegetation consists of the Arundinaria chino-type and the herb-type, the total biomass is controled by light condition on both types. When the light intensity is similar, the former type is formed under the less impact of the other two factors, while the latter type develops under the inverse condition. It has recognized that at least more than 17% relative light intensity is necessary for attaining to Arundinaria chinotype floorscape. But introduction of more frequent weedings (two or three times a year) could replace Arundinaria chino-type floorscape with herb-type one.