抄録
The distribution of a plant species should be elucidated by studying the relation between enviromental conditions and the characteristics at various phases of the life-cycle of the species. This study focuses on the seed and seedling stage of Quercus variabilis BLUME. Some characteristics of Q.variabilis at the stages of seed-fall, germination, elongation and lignification of root, and growth of shoot, were given through field surveys and growth experiments controliing temperature and light. Using these results, probable growth pattern from the stage of seed-fall to that of seedling were given at various model sites, and a model pattern of the distribution of Q.variabilis presented on a temperature gradient. This model explains well the distribution of Q.variabilis in Japan and its reproduction of the succeeding generation of the population in some of the secondary forests.
