THE VEGETATIONAL HISTORY OF THE SUBALPINE ZONE IN NORTHEAST JAPAN. : I. THE AZUMA MOUNTAINS

Abstract

Pollen analyses were made on materials collected from the moors of the Azuma Mountains in order to clarify the vegetational history in the subalpine zone of this mountain range. It was suggested that the subalpine zone of this area was widely covered by meadow from 7500-7000 to 3000-2500 years ago. After that, the meadow was replaced by Abies mariesii forest. Thus, the modern subalpine coniferous forest zone is considered to be only about 2500-3000 years old.