Abstract
The authors tried to categorize response pattern of understory plants to artificial shading in terms of life history strategy for vegetation management. An experimental plot located in Hokkaido University Tomakomai experimental forest, Hokkaido Prefecture, northern part of Japan. Phenological response of understory plants to artificial shading in broad-leaved deciduous forest was investigated in field plots over two growing seasons, 1996-1997. Two replicate plots were established for each of three treatments: early shading, late shading, and intact control. Foliage period, height and number of 8 species of herbaceous understory species were monitored non-destructively in the plots.
Changes in foliage period of Smilacina japonica, Maianthmum dilatatum and Trillium tschonoskii in early shading plot were significant shorted, but foliage period of Adonis ramosa in early shading plot was significant elonged. And Change in foliage period of Smilacina japonica and Maianthmum dilatatum in late shading plot were significant elongated. Changes in height of Adonis ramosa and Maianthmum dilatatum in early shading plot were significant heighten. Changes in absolute abundance of Adonis ramosa and Phryma leptostachya asiatica in early shading plots were significant decreased, and Phryma leptostachya asiatica in late shading plots was significant decreased.
