Abstract
We investigated forest floor cover (FFC) and evidences of splash and wash erosion in different stand types (hinoki plantations, sugi plantations and broadleaved secondary forests) established on various micro-topographies in order to clarify the factors affecting the surface soil erosion. Low FFCs were observed in hinoki plantations and on lower-side slopes compared to the other stand types and micro topographies, respectively. Lower FFCs were also recorded in the stands where the evidence of splash or wash erosion was observed than in the non-evident stands, indicating a relationship between FFC and surface soil erosion. Generalized linear models explaining the occurrence of splash or wash erosion demonstrated a better fitting of the model with topographic factors in addition to FFC as explanatory variables, than the null model without topographic factors. These results suggested that the stability of FFC or the effectiveness of FFC in preventing surface soil erosion could be modified by topographic factors.
