Relationships between species composition of beech (Fagus crenata) forests and the climate or geology on the Pacific side of central Honshu, Japan

Abstract

Species composing of the beech forests and their habitats were investigated on the Pacific side of central Honshu, Japan. Three associations, 1 community, 7 subassociations, and 2 subcommunities were distinguished in the area investigated. Habitats of Sasamorpho-Fagetum crenatae and the Ainsliaea acerifolia var. subapoda-Fagus crenata community were found on Mesozoic geology, and Corno-Fagetum crenatae and Hydrangeo-Fagetum crenatae on Neogene or Quaternary ones. Furthermore, the former two types were characterized by cold an inland climate with small amount of precipitation. The latter two were characterized by a coastal climate with warm temperature and high precipitation. Thus, each association was characterized by its own climatic factors as well as a geologic one. Differentiations of subassociations in the Ainsliaea acerifolia var. subapoda-Fagus crenata community and Corno-Fagetum crenatae which has a large distribution area were also corresponded with climatic factors such as temperature. However, differentiations of subassociations in Sasamorpho-Fagetum crenatae and Hydrangeo-Fagetum crenatae depended on local edaphic conditions.