Vegetation of the UOEH Campus and Its Surrounding Area with Reference to Conservation of Campus Environment

Abstract

The Kitakyushu City area, in which the University of Occupational and Envionmental Health, Japan (UOEH) campus lies, is situated in the region of the evergreen broad-leaf, or laurel-leaf, forests. Our studies on relict forest stands revealed that the original forest communities in the area were Cyrtomio-Litseetum japonicae and Euonymo-Pittos-poretum tobirae in the coastl area, Arisemato ringentis-Machiletum thunbergii in the bottomland, Symploco-Castanopsietum sieboldii and Ardisio-Castanopsietum sieboldii in. foothill area, and Distylio-Cyclobalanopsietum stenophyllae, Actinodaphnetum lancifoliae and Skimmio-Cyclobalanopsietum acutae on the mountain slopes. The secondary forests in the area are Castanopsis-Cyclobalanopsis coppice of sprout origin, red-pine forest and deciduous forests of various dominants. The original forest on the UOEH campus is assumed to be Symploco-Castanopsietum sieboldii, an evergreen broad-leaf forest, some 25m high and 1m dbh in canopy trees. The secondary forest on the campus is dominated by Quercus serrata, accompanied by Rhus succedanea, Platycarya strobilacea and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieholdii. A small wetland near the north gate is dominated by Typha angustata. Slopes on the campus, which were created by cutting-off or filling-up of the ground, are invaded by Miscanthus sinensis, Solidago altissima (alien) and many other herbaceous plants. One hundred and thirty-six species of flowering plants and eight species of ferns were recorded from the campus. Conservation problems are discussed from the standpoint of vegetation science.