Fate of transplanted Solidago virgaurea subsp. asiatica and Lilium leichtlini at the top of Mt. Jimba for three years

Abstract

Seedling transplantation is a major technique for reintroducing plant species into restoration sites. This study aimed to clarify the establishment of transplanted individuals of two grassland species. Sown Solidago virgaurea subsp. asiatica and Lilium leichtlini were grown for three months. Then, eighty individuals of the two species were transplanted on two slopes (with bare ground and with existing grassland) at the top of Mt. Jimba in 2021. Survival rates in S. virgaurea subsp. asiatica and L. leichtlini were 80 % and 60 % in 2023, respectively, suggesting generally successful restoration outcomes. The difference in the survival rate between the two species would be due to the differences in the light requirements. The survival rate of S. virgaurea subsp. asiatica sharply decreased on bare ground in 2023. One possible reason is the dominance of Oenothera biennis L. This suggests the importance of introducing desirable dominant species in such restoration sites.