With increasing numbers of sika deer
Cervus nippon, primary forests have declined considerably since the 1980s on the Ohdaigahara Subalpine Plateau, central Japan. However, a comprehensive survey of the vegetation on the plateau has not been conducted since 1983. Therefore, in 2001, we surveyed the vegetation on the plateau in 197, 20×20-m quadrats, analyzed species composition using the phytosociological methodology, and generated a vegetation map. After 1983,
Carici-Piceetum jezoensis var.
hondoensis rhododendretosum quinquefolii and associated
Sasa nipponica extended their ranges in the eastern part of the plateau, whereas
Abieti homolepidis-Fagetum crenatae sasetosum borealis expanded in western areas. In the eastern region of the plateau,
Rhododendron quinquefolium, which was rarely browsed by sika deer, became prominent, the areas with few
P. jezoensis trees increased, and the forest floor became densely covered with
Sasa nipponica, which is highly tolerant of sika deer browsing. In the western region,
Sasamorpha borealis, which had previously covered the forest floor, was replaced by
Skimmia japonica, which is not preferred by sika deer.
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