Castanopsis cuspidata dominated coppices in southern Miyazaki Prefecture

Abstract

The Castanopsis cuspidata dominated coppices in southern Miyazaki Prefecture were investigated from the phytosociological viewpoint, in order to clarify the species composition, layering structure and species diversity .The frequent species, except Castanopsis cuspidata, are Que reus glauca, Camellia japonica, Eurya japonica, Ligustrum japonic urn ,Trachelospermum asiaticum and so. The number of specie sexpected in 100 m2 of the coppices are approximately 35-40 species and 25-30 species for all occurring species and component species of lucidophyllous forest, respectively .The coppices have characteristi cspecies composition and life form spectra different from those of the published secondary forest associations which are mainly distributed in Castanopsis forest zone.