The Effect of Typhoon Disturbance and Snow Pressure Stress on Clonal Structure of Cryptomeria japonica

Abstract

To determine the effect of disturbance on clonal structures of natural forest of Cryptomeria japonica, we have investigated spatial distribution and size structure of this species in two forests. We have set up two plots, the first one is disturbed by typhoon while another one is not affected by typhoon disturbance, and investigated the clonal structure using SSR markers. We found three types of clonal structure: (a) gathered and middle size ramets, (b) apart and different size ramets, and (c) many small ramets in line. The (a) and (b) are thought to be layering clones from withdrawn juvenile or bud by heavy snow pressure. The (c) were buds from an uprooted individual by typhoon disturbance. The result suggests that typhoon disturbance and snow pressure are one of the factors to form different clonal structures.