Effect of Snow Pressure on the Distribution of Subalpine Abies mariesii Forests in Northern Honshu Island, Japan

Abstract

The effect of the snow pressure on the distribution of A. mariesii forests on northern Honshu Island was examined by GIS-based analysis. A. mariesii forests prevailed in areas, where maximum snow depth is between 100 cm and 450 cm. In the snowy mountains where maximum snow depth exceeds 350 cm, the A. mariesii forest tends to be confined to relatively gentle slopes as snow depth increases. The future snowfall decrease projected by JMA RCM20 will accelerates the shift of A. mariesii forest to higher elevations in the Kitakami Mountains. On the other hand, release from extreme snow pressure on the relatively steep and snowy mountains on the Japan Sea side will not lead to extensive emergence of new A. mariesii forests because most of these mountains are significantly far from existing A. mariesii forests.