Until the 1940s, based on the abundance and good quality of local bamboo resources, the bamboo industry in the south of Shiga Prefecture had developed as a producing center of the material bamboo and bleached bamboo. Material bamboo was used for processing and industrial materials. Bleached bamboo was made of material bamboo of good quality, which was used for landscape gardening and building materials. In the 1950s, however, the production of material bamboo and bleached bamboo decreased and the quality degraded because of the advent of substitutes and the rejuvenation by flowering of Phyllostachys bambusoides. Many producers dropped out and survivors were urged to take some measures. Since the late 1960s, some of the bleached bamboo producers which had close relations with bamboo factors in Kyoto, have begun to produce finished bamboo products for landscape gardening and building. The reason why they could do so was that they were offered production know-how by the bamboo factors in Kyoto. After that, they started to sell their products to the whole country through factors not only in Kyoto but also in Wakayama and Aichi. They almost depended on the bamboo resources outside the Shiga Prefecture because the quality of local bamboo resources had degraded. On the other hand, a few of the material bamboo producers survived by producing divided bamboo for lathing materials. It developed as the producing center of bamboo products for landscape gardening and building. Its base was shifted from the dependence on the local bamboo resources of good quality to the production know-how acquired from the Kyoto factors.

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The purpose of this study is to analyze the quantitative effect of forest productivity (site quality) on silvicultural investment profitability using the IRR (internal rate of return) as the index to compare the level of profitability. The analysis model consisted of the following equation: i=φ(c, l, p, s, y) where: i; IRR, c; reforestation cost, l; logging cost, p; timber price, s; site index, y; cutting period. The factor of forest productivity had a significant effect on the silvicultural investment profitability especially at the short cuttng period. These results can furnish more effective information for long term forest management decision making.

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Stand structure and dynamics of broad-leaved secondary forests in western Japan were studied at the Hiruzen Experiment Forest of Tottori University. Within the ten plots, total 0.85 ha, forty species of eighteen families (DBH>=4cm) were found. The deciduous broad-leaved trees in the family Fagaceae were primarily dominant, with 61.2% comprising the total basal area. They were found in the upper classes in DBH and height distribution. Over half of the dominance was comprised of Quercus serrata and Q. mongolica var. grosseserrata. The sprout index (sprout/main stem) was higher for Styrax japonica, Ilex pedunculosa and Ilex macropoda, and lower for the species of Fagaceae. The DBH-height relationship was well fitted to the hyperbolic equation (1/H=1/AD^h+1/H^*). The parameter h for all trees (1.207) was lower than that for only main stems (1.345). Species diversity (H'), calculated on the basal area of each species, was dependent on the number of species and the forest development. H' was 3.432 for all trees. Almost all secondary forests in the Hiruzen Experiment Forest were assessed to the stem exclusion stage and the understory reinitiation stage of forest stand development.

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We studied the regeneration pattern and dynamics of a deciduous broad-leaved forest after selective cutting for charcoal and firewood in Mt. Daisen, southwestern Japan. All plots were classified to three types by cluster analysis based on relative basal area: Fc type, dominated by Fagus crenata; FQ type, dominated by F. crenata with Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata; and Mix type, dominated by other species without F. crenata. As the dominance of F. crenata became higher, species diversity became lower and the number of species decreased. Although the stand structure of Mix and FQ types had various patterns, the seedlings and saplings of F. crenata was highly dominant on the forest floors even where Sasa was present or absent. The result suggested that the stand will become higher in dominance of F. crenata where there is little regenerations of other species.

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[in Japanese]

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In recent years, the exchange between mountain village and urban has been promoted with discovering of nature contact. In KISA, in the north eastern part of Hiroshima prefecture, the forest recreation area "TOMISINO-SATO" has been opened. This area is so small in scale and in lonely place, and user has been increased in number. We studied on the present conditions of the forest recreation use and the promotion of exchange between the rural communties and urban.

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We obtained the views on greens from the inhabitants living in a urbanization promotion area of Tottori City where a greening plan was carrying on. This greening plan was intended to provide Tottori prefecture government and Tottori City with useful information for establishing their greening plan for urban amenity in future. A total of 2857 questionnaires was distributed among families and individuals in this area, and 2044 were completed. The results of survey indicated that greens which gave them the highest satisfaction were those of high quality and having a positive mental effects. On the other hand, they had a big dissatisfaction with the low management level and the small scale of greens. Their demands for improvement of both quality of greens and their management were very high. For the satisfactory greening plan, one should pay attention not only to the quality of greens and their mental effects but also the management level after the greening.

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Two methods for eliminating soil microarthropods from intact and thick soil microcosm were examined. Two levels of microwaving, low and high temperature, and deep-freezing using dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) had been applied. Just after microwave oven defaunation, soil respiration rate decreased, and then it increased after reinoculation of microorganisms by soil suspension in both high and low temperature treatments. Respiration rate increased also after deep-freezing. Changes in weight of microwaved core with both high (P<0.01) and low (P<0.05) temperature treatments were lower than those of control on the 23th day after reinoculation. Both methods showed effective defaunation of intact soil microcosm.

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The ion composition of rain, which had been collected from September in 1993 to March in 1996 at Kansai research center, Forestry and Forest Product Research Institute in Kyoto city, was investigated. Monthly ion composition showed that Ca^<2+>, Na^+ and H^+ occupied 80% of total cations accompanied by NH_4^+, Mg^<2+> and K^+ and SO_4^<2->, NO_3^- and Cl^- occupied 98% of total anions. It was observed that Na^+, Mg^<2+> and Cl^- contents increased in winter season and NH_4^+, NO_3^- and NO_2^- contents increased in summer season. Comparing monthly precipitation with monthly ion composition, the monthly ion composition was almost constant in the month of much rain as a result of the increase of H^+ and SO_4^<2-> contents and the decrease of the other ion contents with increasing monthly precipitation.

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The purpose of this work was to investigate the relation between water quality and discharge at rain using an automatic water quality observation equipment in a small mountain stream. Our study area was a tributary of the river Yotsugo in Shiga town, Shiga prefecture. We made two types of investigation. The first (1996.4.4〜6.30) was observed for three months. The interval of the measurement was once an hour. The second(1996.7.7〜7.8)was observed for one day. The interval was once every ten minutes. Results of these investigations were:(1) When discharge increased water temperature rose in accordance with discharge. (2) Some sudden rise of turbidity caused by rain and some kinds of TB-Q hysteresises were found. (3) At least 10 minutes were preferable at measurement interval because the water quality changed in a short time.

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Water holding capacities (WHC) of a small experimental watershed (1.6ha) located in Kitadani National Forest, Yamashiro, Kyoto, were estimated on the basis of soil depth and soil pore content. The watershed area was meshed (5m x 5m), and at each meshed area soil depth and soil types, of which pore content was analyzed beforehand, were determined. WHC of each meshed area were graded 6 ranks; 0mm (bare rocky hillside), less than 30mm, 30-100mm, 100-200mm, 200-300mm, and over 300mm. The distribution frequency of the meshed area classified into 100-200mm was the highest, and average WHC of this watershed was estimated as 124mm. Soil water content rapidly decreased after rainfall by discharge until reaching moisture of field capacity (-4.9kPa), and further decreased gradually to the moisture of rupture of capillary bond (-49kPa). WHC of small size pore (-49kPa ^<--> 4.9kPa) had major contribution to water conservation in a watershed. Soil water content decreased less than moisture of rupture of capillary bond since mid-July to early September.

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The stand structure and its growth in recent 10 years of a Keyaki (upper story, 83year-old) and Sugi (lower story, 64year-old) mixed multi-storied forest in Aki region, Kochi prefecture, were analyzed, and an appropriate treatment in future for harvesting Keyaki wood for a furniture material was proposed. The growth of Sugi both in tree height and stem diameter exceeded Keyaki. The growth of Keyaki was declining, and judging from the recent decreasing tendency in differences in sizes between two species, the competition between them was predicted to become severe in near future. It is recommended, therefore, to harvest Keyaki wood of a proper sizes for furniture, an intense thinning of keyaki should be needed in near future. For this thinning practice, the lowest branch height from ground (length of clear bole) and a stem diameter will be the most important indicators of selecting the individual trees to be thinned.

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The dynamics and growth of Ubamegasi Oak (Quercus phillyraeoides A. GRAY) naturally regenerated seedlings were investigated three times over 2 growing seasons, i. e. in April and December 1993, and in December 1994. Most of the seedlings were distributed under the shade of mother trees. 93% of the seedlings counted in April 1993 survived in December 1993 and 85% in December 1994. Half of the current year old seedlings observed in December 1993 disappeared by next December. An abnormal desiccation in summer of 1994 appeared to cause the high mortality of newcomers. Survival rate was relatively low when seedling heights were under 30 cm. It was suggested that the young period up to 30 cm was the most serious for survival of Ubamegasi Oak seedlings. Shoot growth of seedlings was far slower than those of sprouts.

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The difference in growth and stem form between Sugi under Keyaki and Sugi in the neighboring uniform Sugi forest. The investigation field located in heavy snow region, and the average maximum snow depth ranges from 100cm to 150cm. In comparison with Sugi in the uniform forest, the growth of Sugi under Keyaki was poor, and also seventy percent of them were damaged by snow pressure. Judging from dendrological evidence, this damage occurred in 1983. It is well-known that there is a great risk of snow damage when the ratio of tree height and snow depth (H/S) is less than 2.5. In our case, the average height of Sugi under Keyaki was estimated to be 6m by stem analysis, and that of uniform forest 9.5m in 1983. Maximum snow depth was 270cm. H/S of the former, therefore was 2.2, and the latter 3.5. These results suggest Sugi under Keyaki could not grow enough to overcome the snow pressure damage. It should be noted that two-storied forest consisted of upper broad-leaved species like Keyaki and conifer in its under-story has a potential risk of destruction in the snowy region.

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Seed fall and seedling emergence were investigated in F. crenata BLUME forests in the Mt. Daisen and Mt. Hiruzen areas in the mast years of 1993 and 1995. The total number of fallen mature-seeds per m^2 from September to November in each stand was 229〜984 in 1993 and 444〜776 in 1995. The percentages of sound, underdeveloped, empty, insect-damaged and animal-damaged seeds of the fallen ones were 46.5〜57.9, 6.7〜14.3, 25.3〜26.2, 9.9〜11.8 and 0.3〜1.3 on the mean value of each mast year, respectively. The percentage of emerged seedlings to fallen sound-seeds was 7.4 in 1994 and 20.5 in 1996, on the average of each stand. The percentage of disappearance of sound seeds in the winter season of 1995 was 73 on the average. The number of fallen seeds and the percentages of germinated, rotted and disappeared seeds differed according to years and stands.

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In order to study the effects of shading on the growth of Torreya nucifera seedlings, two-year old seedlings were grown under different light conditions (artificial-shading) of 100, 52, 46, 14 and 7% in relative light intensity (RLI) for two growing periods. The growth of height and total dry weight of seedlings were promoted under the weakest shading (52% RLI), and were inhibited markedly under the heavy shading (7% RLI). The best growth of basal diameter was observed with both the seedlins grown under the weak shading (52% RLI) and the open (100% RLI), and decreased as RLI declined. These results suggest that Torreya nucifera is a shade-tolerant species. The portion of leaf in total weight of seedlings increased with increasing of RLI, whereas the portion of root decreased. Specific leaf area (SLA) increased as RLI decreased. As regards the efects of shading on the forms of the seedlings, crown-shape-index [CSI; tan^<-1> (A/L), where A is the depth of crown and B is the length of the longest branch] decreased only when grown under heavy shading (7% RLI).

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[in Japanese]

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We planted various sizes of S. psammophila cuttings in various ways to clarify the best method of planting. The methods we tested were, 1. Arch style (AS): bending the cuttings and planting both ends, 2. U-shape (US): bending the cuttings into a U-shape and planting the middle part, 3. Lying the cuttings on the ground (LG), 4. Covering both ends of the cuttings with soil (CE), 5. Covering the middle of the cuttings with soil (CM), 6. Total burial (TB), 7. Control (CO): planting by the ordinary method. (2) We planted cuttings 40, 100 or 180 cm in length to determine the optimal cutting size. The results of the tests were as follows; (1) The AS and CE cuttings produced roots not only at the bottom but also at the top ends, and the total number of roots per rooted cutting was equivalent to or more than that of CO cuttings. (2) 100% rooting rates were obtained. Irrespective of rooted cutting size, the longer the cutting, the greater the dry weights of roots or leaves, and the greater the mean root length were obtained. The arch style of planting is resistant to high wind and has certain advantages. Thus it appears that planting large cuttings in Arch style is the most desirable.

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Three-dimensional light distribution was investigated in a natural oak (Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata) stand in northern Hokkaido. Horizontal distribution of relative photon flux density (RPFD) varied with the layer. In the top layers, frequency distributions of RPFD had the negatively skewed shape. In the middle layers, frequency distributions of RPFD were positively skewed. Same tendency was observed in the bottom layers, but various light levels were also observed. Vertical trend of light distribution was conformed with spatial distribution of shoots. And, near the forest road or a tree fall gap, RPFD increased in the bottom layer.

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To clarify the stem properties of 29 plus-tree clones selected more than 40 years ago in Tottori Prefecture, various stem properties were determined with three typical trees having mean DBH (breast height diameter) and tree height of the individuals of each single clone. Seven properties were measured, namly heartwood diameter ratio, stem roundness ratio, eccentricity of stem, percentage of late wood, bark diameter ratio, stem form ratio, and tapering grade, giving, as mean value of 29 clones, 53%, 96%, 87%, 22%, 3.3% and 66 inorder. As for tapering grade, 27% of clones were classified into good tapering grade. The clonal differences were significant statistically in heartwood diameter ratio, percentage of late wood, bark diameter ratio, and stem form ratio. Heartwood diameter ratio increased proportionally with the increase of DBH (r=0.415^*). Percentage of late wood inversely related to the increase of DBH. The characterization and classification of 29 clones were made collectively with quantification III method.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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BAP (N^6-benzylaminopurine) was applied at six differential periods to a grafted clone of Japanese red pine to promote female flowering. A 3.0 ml volume of BAP solution (250mg/l) was sprayed fifteen times to the top of branches in stage I(Aug. 29-Sep. 29), II(Sep. 5-Oct. 5), III(Sep. 19-Oct. 13), IV(Sep. 28-Oct. 25), V(Oct. 4-Nov. 1) and VI(Oct. 17-Nov. 20), in 1995. In May 1996, lateral female and bisexual strobili were produced in the lower part of new shoots by BAP application at stage III, IV, V and VI. BAP application at stage IV gave the maximum production of lateral female and bisexual strobili, 1.68 strobili were produced per single new shoot on average. Seeds were obtained in 1994 and in 1995 from lateral seed cones that developed from lateral female and bisexual strobili induced by BAP application in 1992 and in 1993. All seeds were divided into full- or empty-seed according to their weight (heavy or light) and color of seed coat (black or white). The number of full-seed (heavy and black) was smaller than empty-seed (light and white); only 8.2% (in 1994) or 40.0% (in 1995) seeds were full. Such low percentages of full-seed suggested that the lateral female and bisexual strobili induced by BAP application were self-pollinated in the flowering stage since the mono-clone trees were only planted in a closed greenhouse. Germination rate of these full-seeds was 81.0% or 75.0% and no empty-seed germinated.

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Spray application of N^6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) at a concentration of 250mg/l was investigated with the biennial grafted Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) seedlings to obtain efficiently a large number of scions for grafting to select clones resitant to pine wood nematode from the candidate clones. 278 candidate clones (total 588 individuals) were BAP-sprayed 16 times during 8 weeks from 25 April to 16 June in 1994 twice a week. In December 1994, average 32.9 of new shoots per seedling, ranging 0-238, were obtained. A great clonal differences were found in new shoot induction by BAP, but a tendency that the increase in new shoots induction by BAP was always accompanied by the good growth of the grafted scions was found. Average length and diameter of the grafted scions were 21.0cm (4.5-53.0), and 8.0mm (15.0-3.0) at the end of the experiment. In spite of these clonal differences BAP seems to be very promising to obtain a large number of scions of Japanese red pine, and further investigations will be needed to overcome these clonal differences.

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To improve Eurya japonica Thunberg genetically, wild types having desirable traits as an ornamental stuff for religious ceremony were investigated. 121 individuals of five-yearold wild-type seedlings grown for commercial purpose were surveyed and classified into four types by their tree form; Upright, Semi-upright, Semi-creeping, Creeping. Number of individuals in the four types was 31, 41, 29 and 20, respectively. Mean values of tree height, crown diameter, crown deflection and tree form ratio were 83cm, 94cm, 132% and 90. The color of current leader shoot was reddish purple or reddish green in the 75% individuals. And in the 52% individuals, current leaf margin was colored reddish purple or reddish green. Variations in leaf traits and leaf size were small, and 88% (leaf traits), and 92% (leaf size) of individuals were classified into the standard. Differences of tree height, crown diameter, tree form ratio, color of current leader shoot and color of current leaf margin were significant in 1% level among each type of tree form. Mathematical analysis with the method of quantification II with outside variable of tree form showed that the tree form of each type was distinguished clearly from another type.

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Variation in the leaf shape of Fagus crenata BLUME among provenances was investigated in 8, 12 and 18 years old plantations which were established in the Hiruzen experimental forest of Tottori University, using 30 seed sources from the Hokaido to the Kyushu district. Leaf size and leaf area tended to decrease with decreasing the latitude of seed sources from the Hokaido to the Kyushu district, while blade form index (length/width) tended to increase conversely with the decrease of latitude. As geographic cline in the leaf shape of F. crenata is recognized also in a plantation for provenance test, it is suggested that the geographic variation of leaf shape of F. crenata among provenances is due to the difference of genetic nature.

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[in Japanese]

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The Japanese pine sawyer, which emerges once a year and diapauses in its last instar in Japan, was reared under various thermal and photoperiodic conditions on an artificial diet in order to ascertain the effect of photoperiod on the chilling term. When reared at 25℃ LD10:14 for four months before two months chilling at 20℃ LD0:24, 20℃ LD10:14 and 20℃ LD16:8, all the beetles pupated at 25℃ LD16:8 after chilling. When kept at 25℃ LD16: 8 for four or seven months before the two months chilling at either 15℃ LD0:24, 15℃ LD10:14 and 15℃ LD16:8, there were no differences in the proportions of pupation between photoperiods. In comparison between the progenies from the different pairs, the lowest rate of pupation in chilling was shown at 15℃ LD10:14, but the other treatments showed lower rates at 15℃ LD0:24 or 15℃ LD16:8 also. From these results, photoperiod in the chilling term was thought not to affect the diapause termination of this beetle.

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Predation by insects on the larvae of the Japanese pine sawyer, the vector of pine wilt disease, was investigated in the field by a method comparing the proportions of empty pupal chambers from red pine bolts, in which oviposition had already been undertaken by the beetles, whether exposed or covered with double mesh cloths or lmm mesh cages in July, 1995. At Yasu, Shiga Prefecture, where the bolts were opened in December this year, the proportions of empty pupal chambers, in which the larvae must have been fed on by the predator, were very high from un-bagged bolts placed near the ridge of a hill where more red pine trees died than at the foot of the hill, and a maximum of 63.5% of the larvae in the pupal cambers were estimated to be fed on. But at Fushimi, Kyoto, where bolts were not opened until next April, the proportions of empty pupal chambers were very low at or near the site where many newly cut red pine bolts were laid on the floor regardless of the environment of the placement sites. As a result, predation might be affected by the amount of newly dead pine trees.

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The following 2 experiments were conducted to investigate the parastism of S. nipponica on S. japonicus and M. alternatus. 1. Experiment in the field cages: The cedar and pine bolts infested with S. japonicus and M. alternatus were set in the field cages. The adults of the parasitoid were released into the field cages. 2. Experiment in the stand: The adults of the parasitoid were released on the bark of the standing trees, which had been infested with S. japonicus and M. alternatus. The percentage parasitism on S. japonicus was 91% in Experiment 1, but that was only 10% in Experiment 2. The percentage of the empty pupal chambers of M. alternatus was 85% in Experiment 1, but that was 35% in Experiment 2.

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Preference of oviposition site in Trogossita japonica, the predator of the Japanese pine sawyer, Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), the vector of pine wilt disease, was investigated in field cages. The predator almost always oviposited under the inner bark of cut or broken twig stumps of red pine bolts (72.4% of all eggs), and only 27.6% were oviposited under the outer bark, and no eggs were seen under artificial wounds with a knife to the inner bark. It also preferred to oviposit in bolts containing larvae of M. alternatus over in those not containing them. From these results, it is thought that the predator oriented to odors from the dead pine, ascertained the presence of the host and then searched for suitable sites to oviposit, mainly under the inner bark of broken twig stumps.

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In Tottori Prefecture, some foresters cultivate ginseng radixes, Panax ginseng in woods. Some investigations had been carried out on the pests damaging the ginseng radixes and revealed that the larvae of a weevil, Dermatoxenus caesicollis seriously damaged the radixes. This study was carried out on the seasonal prevalence of adult emergence and the ovipositional characteristics of this weevil. The adults emerged from early May to late Octover. The number of adults was estimated to reach a peak in middle or late May by Petersen's method. The longevity of the adults fed on the leaves of Aralia cordata was 74.2±50.5 days(mean±SD). The female pasted the leaves by adhesive matter released from herself and laid eggs (960 on average, min.: 2, max.: 3911) in masses among them. The mean size of egg masses was 26.6 eggs(min.: 1, max: 186). The mean egg periods was 12.5 days. The hatchabilities were more than 90% in almost egg masses.

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Damage occurrences of saplings of Zelkova serrata, Betula grossa, and Quercus serrata caused by the Japanese hare (Lepus brachyrus) were examined at three stands in eastern Shimane Prefecture. Almost of all saplings of these trees were injured in the stands. Saplings were mainly browsed in B. grossa and Q. serrata, and were browsed and debarked together in Z. serrata by the hare. The damage occurred mainly in snowy season and a few after thawing of snow. One or two years after being damaged, coppice shoots grew, lateral branchs lengthened from the browsed stems of the trees, and the debarked parts of the stem were recovered with a callus.

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Selective feeding tests using the Japanese field vole (Microtus montebelli) were carried out on branch tips of broadleaved trees, Betula grossa, Quercus mongolia, Cornus controversa, Magnolia obovata, Phellodendron amurense, Fagus crenata, Acanthopanax sciadophylloides, Viburnum furcatum, Lindera umbellata, Acer micranthum, Prunus grayana and Sorbus commixta in outdoor pens on June and July, 1996. From the result, the vole preferred branch tips in order of tree species, S. commixta, P. grayana, A. sciadophylloides, V. furcatum, L. umbellata, A. micranthum, F. crenata, P. amurense, M. obovata, C. controversa, Q. mongolia, B. grossa and selective feeding by the vole was recognized among these tree species. In other words, S. commixta was most preferred among them and F. crenata, P. amurense, M. obovata and C. controversa were moderately. On the other hand, B. grossa was suffered quite little and many branch tips of this species were without any damage in such a feeding outdoor pen. Taking into account these results, it was strongly suggested that the herbivorous vole also has a important role in the regeneration of broadleaved trees in Japanese woodlands.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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In November 1990, following the straw checker-board work established in China, a small-scale checker-board work with Tatami mat was settled in the sands. It is consisted of 121 squared cells of 90 x 90cm and 30cm high framed by the Tatami mat segments. From the observation of seasonal recovery process of the vegetation in next year, following results were obtained. 1) In early summer the amount of grasses in the works was poorer than control because of sand deposit over 25cm depth in the works area, but exceeded control by mid-summer. 2) Recovery of the vegetation was greater nearby the side of Tatami mats. After 5years, in spite of the sand deposit more over 25cm above the mats, still this tendency of higher vegetation density in the chekerboard works was confirmed. Rhizomes and roots in the accumulated sand tended to concentrate towards Tatami mats. The results of monitoring sand surface temperature and moisture content at 10cm depth in the sand in summer 1991, and surveys organic contents in summer 1995 showed that the buried Tatami mat considerably influenced upon the spatial environment of the accumlated sands and made it suitable for recovery and retention of the vegetation.

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