Initial transition of understory vegetation by trench-type micro-landform creation in a reclaimed suburban forest. -With particular reference to ferns-

Abstract

Migration of ferns into six small trenches was monitored for three years in the Natural and Cultural Gardens in Expo '70 Commemorative Park, Suita City, Osaka, Japan. The results showed that ferns migrated into all trenches after three years and that fern migration can be promoted by the development of trenches. The dominant species changed to ferns in the damp evergreen broad-leaved forest stands. However, species composition scarcely changed in the moist, deciduous broad-leaved forest indicating that high-soil water content and the evergreen broad-leaved forest type may be preferable for promoting fern migration. In addition, a preference for a north-facing slope was indicated.