Abstract
The treefall mounds and pits resulting from uprooting caused by strong winds is an indispensable microtopography for the regeneration of many tree species through improved light conditions and mineral soil exposure. These microtopographies are expected to become more important because global warming is predicted to increase windstorm frequency. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of mounds and pits that contribute to the early establishment of major tree species in a natural mixed forest of northern Japan. The 39 tip-up mounds caused simultaneously by a strong typhoon in September 2004 were selected. In 2006, light intensity and soil moisture contents were measured in each mound and pit. Seedlings of all tree species were counted, and in 2014, the height of saplings was measured. The initial seedling density, regardless of tree species, was significantly higher in the pits than on the mound, but the density at the 10-th growing season decreased significantly in the pits and was comparable between the two locations. Intense light conditions favor regeneration of Betula sp. (Betula platyphylla and B. ermanii). In contrast, for Abies sachalinensis and Picea glehnii, the light intensity had a negative effect, so it was concluded that regeneration of conifers would be limited under the condition where strong winds form large gaps.
Highlights
In forest ecosystems, natural disturbances drive the dynamics of forest communities and populations [1]
Light intensity was significantly higher in the mounds than pits, while soil moisture content was higher on pits than mounds (Table 2)
Light intensity was significantly higher in the pits, but there was no significant difference in soil moisture content comparing the values in the pits with the undisturbed ground
Summary
In forest ecosystems, natural disturbances drive the dynamics of forest communities and populations [1]. Strong winds, one of the major natural disturbance events, bring treefalls, including trunk breakage and uprooting. Tip-up mounds formed by uprooting provide important new microtopography for tree regeneration by significantly changing the environmental characteristics of the forest floor, such as improved light conditions and exposure of mineral soils [2]. The land undulations due to uprooting affect light and soil characteristics greatly, and the resources supplied differ greatly between convex mounds and concave pits [7,8]. Light intensity is higher than pits on spatially elevated mounds, and soil moisture content is higher in pits than mounds [9,10,11]
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