1999 Volume 25 Issue 4 Pages 345-350
The relationship between the woody plant species richness and the size or shape, isolation distance of patches was investigated in 39 fragmented forest patches within the city matrix of Kyoto. Results showed significant correlation between the number of species and the size or shape index (Is) but low correlation with isoiation distance of patches from mountains. Correlation between Is and the number of species was significant in larger patches (>1ha) but insignificant in smaller ones (<lha). If the whole area of smaller patches is considered to be in edge environment, the edge width assumed to be about 30m. Therefore in this study, the factors of shape and size had a direct impact on the number of species and the floristic composition.
