Abstract
Regeneration traits of four dominant species were studied during a decade in a cool-temperate conifer-hardwood mixed forest, northern Japan. Dominant species were three canopy species (Tilia japonica, Acer mono and Abies sachalinensis) and a subcanopy species Prunus ssiori. Regeneration traits differed among the four dominant species. The regeneration of a conifer Abies sachalinensis largely depends on major disturbances because its size structure was a bell-shaped pattern. The growth rate of the sub-canopy species Prunus ssiori increased faster with tree size than the other three species, and therefore, this species can reach reproductive stage faster. Although the number of recruits of Tilia japonica was less than the other three dominant species, about one-fourth of Tilia japonica regenerated by the sprouts. Thus, vegetative reproduction is important for the regeneration of Tilia japonica. On the contrary, many recruits were observed in Acer mono, and its recruits and saplings concentrated in canopy gaps, suggesting that the regeneration of Acer mono restricted to canopy gaps. Thus, clear differences in the regeneration traits were recognized in the four dominant species. This study suggests that the species-specific regeneration traits contribute to the species coexistence of the four dominant species through different regeneration niches.
Highlights
Regeneration traits of four dominant species were studied during a decade in a cool-temperate conifer-hardwood mixed forest, northern Japan
This study suggests that the species-specific regeneration traits contribute to the species coexistence of the four dominant species through different regeneration niches
This study examined the effects of diameter at breast height (DBH), growth rate and competition on the tree mortality
Summary
All species in a conifer-hardwood mixed forest do not always depend on major disturbances for their regeneration. Coexistence mechanism in conifer-hardwood mixed forests cannot be adequately explained by major disturbances alone. In equilibrium conditions without major disturbances, tree competition is important role in structuring force of community through interspecific differences in density-dependent demographic rates (recruitment, growth and mortality), i.e., higher growth and recruitment rates and lower mortality in less crowded conditions, and vice versa in more crowded conditions [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]. Tree competition (or canopy cover) largely influences the regeneration dynamics through the density-dependent demographic rates. Dominate in a cool-temperate conifer-hardwood mixed forest in northern Japan [21]. This study analyzes the population structure and dynamics of the four most dominant species based on size structure, gap regeneration and tree competition by using the 10-year data of permanent plots to examine how regeneration traits differ among the four most dominant species
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