Proposal of an evaluation procedure for vegetation of emersed botanical communities by species prioritization and application for reed plantation projects around Lake Biwa

Abstract

 Diversity indices like Shannon-Index cannot distinguish between native species and alien species which have a risk of damage to native ecosystems. This study aims to propose an evaluation procedure for vegetaion and apply to reed plantation projects around Lake Biwa. This evaluation procedure makes endangered species prior to alien species. This procedure was applied to vegetation of 132 plant communities on Lake Biwa shore and those ground level. Vegetation surveys were carried out from 2008 to 2010 and ground level surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2011. Main findings are as follows: 1) A new evaluation procedure for vegetation by prioritization was developed in emersed botanical communities. 2) The number of species observed in reed plantation fields was 39% of all species observed around Lake Biwa. 3) Ground level distribution of reed plantation fields were absolutely different from those of natural emersed plant communities.