Abstract
AbstractThe ecological significance of architectural patterns for saplings of Fagus crenata and Fagus japonica co‐occurring in a secondary oak forest were evaluated by comparing the size and shape of leaves, trunks and crowns. Fagus japonica saplings were different from F. crenata saplings in some architectural properties: (i) the leaf area and specific leaf area were larger; (ii) the ratio of sapling height to trunk length was lower, indicating greater leaning of the trunk; and (iii) the projection area of the crown was larger and the leaf area index lower indicating less mutual shading of leaves. These architectural features indicated that F. japonica saplings were more shade tolerant than F. crenata and F. crenata saplings were superior to F. japonica for growth in height and could, therefore, utilize sunlight in the upper layer. An erect trunk in F. crenata and a leaning trunk in F. japonica may be important characteristics associated with the regenerations patterns of each species; regeneration from seedlings under canopy gaps in the former and vegetative regeneration by sprouting in the latter.
Published Version
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