2004 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 97-110
The distribution of Heritiera littoralis in Nansei-Shoto was examined in a field survey (1996-2001) and literature search. The field survey confirmed the distribution of H. littoralis in Okinawatou, Isigakijima, Iriomotejima, and Taketomijima, and it has also been reported in Amamioshima, Ukeshima, Miyakojima, Irabujima, and Haterumajima. H. littoralis was confirmed at 69 sites in this study, and for the first time in 38 of these. Populations at three sites were confirmed to have become locally extinct between 1926 and now. Most of the H. littoralis stands were in floodplains in downstream regions (29 sites), but some stands were along the seashore (7 sites) or in landslide patches and streambeds in upstream regions where rocks and gravels were deposited (6 sites). In all cases, H. littoralis habitat consisted of sites submerged by flowing water including spring water seeping out from the soil, stream water and tidal water.
