Abstract
We surveyed the profiles of Andosols (volcanic ash soils), measured hydraulic conductivity and amounts of water-stable aggregates of soil, and observed soil micromorphology with a microscope in experimental successional stands which were established at Sugadaira Montane Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Central Japan. In 6-to 10-year-old successional stands, dominated by Artemisia princeps, we observed development of crumb structure and increase in the amounts of soil aggregates over 2mm, in mean weight diameter, and in hydraulic conductivity. Succession resulted in a change in soil microstructure from subangular blocky to crumb structure. These results suggest that the structure of volcanic ash soils develops in a few years during secondary succession.
