The distribution of lucidophyllous forest dominated by Persea thunbergii (Machilus thunbergii) trees, which exhibited 4 or 5 on the Braun-blanquet's cover-abundance scale in the canopy layer, were studied in relation to ecological factors. In Japan, P. thunbergii forest was distributed in 224 localities from Kyushu to the Tohoku district. This forest was in a wide range from 1℃ to 11℃ of the mean temperature of the coldest month and was mostly within 300 m from the nearest coastline. In the Setouchi region, this forest was rarely found due to the small precipitation. At the northern limit of the lucidophyllous forest, this forest was developed. Especially, in the Hokuriku district, this forest was dominant in the coastal areas where evegreen oak species (Cyclobalanopsis spp. and Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii) could not grow due to the severe northwestern monsoon condition. In the region along the Pacific ocean, this forest was developed on small islands and peninsulas which were often struck by typhoons. This forest was more closely affected by the northwestern winter monsoon or typhoons with salt-spray than the edaphic factors. It appeared that this forest was a preclimax in the narrow coastal areas affected by sea wind, or the seral stage in the inland areas.
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