Factors Affecting Changes in a Landscape Structure Dominated by Both Primary and Coppice Forests in the Fagus crenata Forest Region of Central Japan

Abstract

In order to clarify the effects of both the social and natural environment on the changes in landscape structure we analyzed landscape elements using aerial photographs taken in different years in the primary and coppice forests in the Fagus crenata forest region of central Japan. The present landscape diversity calculated by Shannon's diversity index (H′) appeared to be higher than that observed in photographs from the earlier year. The site with no residential areas and dominated by primary forests had a lower level of landscape diversity than the site which included some residential areas and coppice forests. These results show that the intensity of human activities contributes to changes in landscape diversity. The landscape diversity on private land was higher than that in the national forest, and the changes in landscape structure in the national forest were different from those seen on private land. This suggests that land ownership significantly affects the changes in landscape structure. Topographic factors also affect the changes in landscape structure. Consequently, not only the natural environment (topography), but also the social environment (intensity of human activity and land ownership) strongly influence the changes in landscape structure.