The distribution of native herbaceous and woody plants in different forest stand types planted 33 years ago in Obihiro no Mori, an Urban Park

Abstract

To understand the establishment of an artificial urban forest the distribution of native herbaceous and woody plants in coniferous, broad-leaved and mixed stand types was studied. In coniferous stands and a coniferous area of mixed stands there were low-light conditions year-round and no specific species, such as Sasa nipponica, was dominant, but native herbaceous and woody plants were found to grow better. Brighter light conditions in the spring in broad-leaved stands and the broad-leaved area of mixed stands led to S. nipponica dominating and several native herbaceous species growing better as well, possibly suppressing the growth of woody plants.