Abstract
We investigated determinants of litter movement on the forest floor where the understory had declined because of deer grazing pressure and where the understory had recovered because of deer-proof fencing. Three test plots (2 m × 5 m) with different understory cover percentages were set on the beech forest slope. Litter movement was monitored. Therefore, in spring, in summer, and in autumn separately, multiple regression analysis was conducted on each test plot to assess environmental factors affecting litter movement. Major factors found for the test plot with the most forest floor vegetation, where forest floor vegetation had recovered in deer-proof fences, were rainfall in spring, maximum instant forest wind speed in summer, and maximum of 30-min rainfall in autumn. Major factors that were found in the test plot with the second largest forest floor vegetation in deer-proof fences were maximum instant forest wind speed during spring-summer, and average wind speed in autumn. Factors found for the test plot outside deer-proof fences were the average wind speed in spring, maximum instant forest wind speed in summer, and the understory cover percentage in autumn. Litter movement mechanisms vary depending on the state of coverage of the ground surface in the broad-leaved tree forest where the understory has declined because of deer grazing pressure.
