Abstract
We studied the vegetation and number of individual trees over 6 years on a slope in Akashi National Park, Kobe, which was logged and subsequently revegetated using forest topsoil in 2007. In the first year, vegetative cover was 95%, with Persicaria lapathifolia var. lapathifolia, an annual herbaceous species, dominating. Solidago altissima, Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii and Miscanthus sinensis, perennial herbaceous species, and Pueraria lobata, a woody vine, dominated from year 2 to year 6. Although the number of individual trees was relatively high in the first year (2.2 individuals/m2) , that number decreased with each passing year, eventually reaching 1.3 individuals/m2. On our study slope, many individuals did not thrive and fewer established after year 2 due to the growth of herbaceous plant species; these grew densely to 2 m in height beginning in year 1. Our study site is located in an urban area, and the seeds of S. altissima disperse widely in nearby habitats. When attempting to revegetate in this type of area using top soil from forests, assessing the appropriate methods of revegetation via preliminary surveys and evaluating how management of vegetation should be conducted in early stages after greening is important.
