Abstract
We examined a revegetation method for a cut slope in forest using natural plant dispersal from the surrounding vegetation. Six plots in a artificial cut slope on bedrock (inclination: 68°E, aspect:S 45° approximately 150 m above sea level) in Tochigi, Japan, were treated with various types of netting and fertilizer to promote the plant invasion. We surveyed the plant communities (coverage, species composition, height of individual trees etc.) and seed rain on the cut slope, and the plant community above the artificial slope. Coverage ratios of fertilized sites were higher than non-fertilized sites and non-established site in every year. Coverage ratios of fertilized sites exceeded 40% after 5 years; in contrast, coverage ratios of other sites were approximately 10%. We concluded that the application of fertilizer was essential for the success of this natural revegetation method. The revegetation method using biodegradable netting with fertilizer and water-retention material was the most effective. The resulting plant community consisted of 29 species/5m2, including seven tree species with a density of 21.6 trees/m2. The five species with the highest summed dominance ratios (SDR2) were Miscanthus sinensis (perennial herb), Clethra barbinervis (tree), Lepisorus thunbergianus (fern), Dryopteris erythrosora (fern), and Pinus densiflora (tree). On the other hand, fern species were appeared only fertilized sites. It suggests that fertilizer might be an essential treatment to introduce fern species on artificial cut slope
