Abies Veitchii Research Articles

Effects of mixedwood canopies on conifer advance regeneration in a subalpine old-growth forest in central Japan

:We investigated the effects of mixed conifer-deciduous canopies on the spatial patterns and growth of understorey saplings of dominant subalpine evergreen conifers. The distributions of Abies mariesii and of Abies veitchii saplings were significantly clumped at the microsites north of canopy trees of the deciduous Betula ermanii. Because irradiance comes from the south, such microsites experienced more light during the leafless period of B. ermanii, which improved the growth of Abies saplings. Moreover, the shading intensity of B. ermanii was less than that of conifers even in the season when the canopy was entirely closed. Therefore, the light conditions of such microsites appear to have a favourable influence on the growth and survival of Abies saplings, determining the spatial location of shade-tolerant Abies saplings in the understorey. Consequently, this study suggests that deciduous-canopy trees favour the advance regeneration of shade-tolerant conifers by providing the preferable growing microsites in the understorey of a mixedwood subalpine forest.

Edge Effects on Stand Structure and Regeneration in a Subalpine Coniferous Forest on Mt. Fuji, Japan, 30 Years after Road Construction

To evaluate edge effects in subalpine coniferous forest, I quantified stand structure characteristics in a plot that extended into the forest from a road that had been constructed approximately 30 yr previously on Mt. Fuji, in central Japan. The basal area of standing dead trees and the density of saplings in the plot were greater near the road. However, cluster analysis indicated that stand structure near the road edge was similar to that of gaps in the interior of the stand. Since edge effects may result from interactions among several variables, analyzing data sets that include several variables rather than a single variable is a promising approach for evaluating edge effects. In a multiple regression analysis, sapling densities of Tsuga diversifolia and Abies veitchii were strongly affected by the basal area of standing dead trees that had apparently died as a result of the construction. A. veitchii is more shade intolerant than the other two main species in the study plot, but it responds quickly to increased light availability. Although the plot is currently composed of T. diversifolia and A. mariesii, successful regeneration of A. veitchii may eventually change the species composition of this plot.

Effects of climate on the radial growth of tree species in the upper and lower distribution limits of an altitudinal ecotone on Mount Norikura, central Japan

Tree‐ring width chronologies were developed for Abies veitchii, Betula ermanii and Betula platyphylla var. japonica in their altitudinal ecotone (approximately 1600 m a.s.l.) on Mount Norikura, central Japan, to determine what climatic conditions affect the growth of tree species in the upper and lower distribution limits of an altitudinal ecotone. This altitude was the lower distribution limit for A. veitchii and B. ermanii in the subalpine zone, and was the upper distribution limit for B. platyphylla var. japonica in the montane zone on Mount Norikura. Tree‐ring widths of the two Betula species and A. veitchii were positively correlated with the August precipitation of the current and previous years, respectively. Precipitation in August (the hottest month) was reduced compared with other months during summer. Tree‐ring width of B. platyphylla var. japonica showed no correlation with temperatures in any month in its upper distribution limit. In contrast, tree‐ring widths of B. ermanii and A. veitchii were negatively correlated with the August temperatures of the current and previous years, respectively, at the lower distribution limit of these species. Therefore, the two Betula species and A. veitchii responded to climatic conditions of the current and previous years, respectively. The present study also suggests that a water deficit in August reduces growth of these three species in this altitudinal ecotone, irrespective of the upper or lower distribution limits, and that a high August temperature is more detrimental to the growth of A. veitchii and B. ermanii in their lower distribution limits. Thus, the three species with different altitudinal distributions examined in the present study responded differently to climatic conditions in this altitudinal ecotone on Mount Norikura.

Population structure and spatial patterns of major trees in a subalpine old-growth coniferous forest, central Japan

We investigated the population structure and spatial pattern of major trees in a subalpine old-growth coniferous forest stand in the Ontake Forest Reserve of central Japan to examine the coexistence strategies of different species. We mapped all stems ≥5 cm in diameter at breast height (dbh) on a 2 ha plot. The stand contained nine woody plant species and 1508 living stems with a combined basal area of 55.6 m 2 ha −1. The four major species were divided into two groups based on density and size/age structure. Group A ( Abies mariesii and Abies veitchii) had a lower maximum age and higher density than group B, as well as reverse J- or L-shaped dbh distribution of live stems. Species in group B ( Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis and Tsuga diversifolia) had very few stems in the understory, higher maximum ages than group A, and bell-shaped dbh distributions. Group B species may compensate for having fewer stems in the understory by having a longer lifespan, while species in group A may compensate for lower longevity by having numerous young stems in the understory. Canopy and understory stems of the four major coniferous species were patchily distributed throughout the plot. The distribution of canopy stems of species in group B was negatively associated with that of group A, but positively associated with understory stems in their own group. Similarly, the distribution of canopy stems of species in group A was negatively associated with that of understory stems of group B species. These results suggest species differences in favourable canopy and forest floor condition. Differences in life history strategies and site preferences may explain the coexistence of these species.

Ophiostomatoid Fungi Associated with Bark Beetles on Abies veitchii in Wave-regenerated Forests

Relationships between tree mortality and bark beetle infestation on Abies veitchii at the wave-regenerated forest in Mt. Asahi, Okuchichibu area were investigated. Most of the firs with green needles and newly developed current year's shoots in the dieback zone were heavily infested by bark beetles before the death of the trees. After heavy infestation of beetles, about half of the infested firs died within the year, and the other half died in the next year. When the species composition of bark beetles and associated ophiostomatoid fungi were investigated in Mt. Asahi and also at a typical wave-regenerated forest in Mt. Shimagare, Yatsugatake area, Cryphalus montanus and C. piceae were dominant beetle species for Mt. Asahi and Mt. Shimagare, respectively. Ophiostoma subalpinum and O. europhioides were dominant fungal species at both wave-generated forests. Because O. subalpinum was detected more frequently from deeper areas of sapwood than O. europhioides, it was suggested that the fungal species may accelerate the death of stressed firs in wave-regenerated forests.

Two Ophiostoma species associated with bark beetles in wave-regenerated Abies veitchii forests in Japan

Two species of Ophiostoma were isolated from four bark beetles (i.e., Cryphalus montatus, C. piceae, Dryocoetes hectographus, and Polygraphus proximus) infesting Abies veitchii and from their galleries in the waveregenerated forests in the central part of the main island (Honshu) of Japan. One of them is described here as a new species, Ophiostoma subalpinum, and the other is identified as O. davidsonii, newly reported in Japan. Ophiostoma subalpinum is characterized by short ostiolar hyphae, oblong or allantoid ascospores enclosed in a thin, hyaline sheath, and a Pesotum anamorph.

Gap formation, microsite variation and the conifer seedling occurrence in a subalpine old‐growth forest, central Japan

To evaluate the effects of canopy gaps and forest floor microsites (soil, fallen logs, root‐mounds, buttresses and stumps) on regeneration of subalpine forests, the gap regeneration and seedling occurrence of conifers (Abies mariesii, Abies veitchii, Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis and Tsuga diversifolia) were studied in two stands of a subalpine old‐growth forest, central Japan. The percentage of gap area to total surveyed area was 11.2–11.3% in the stands. Gap regeneration was not common for P. jezoensis var. hondoensis and T. diversifolia. In contrast, gap regeneration by advanced regeneration was relatively common for Abies. Seedling occurrence of P. jezoensis var. hondoensis and T. diversifolia was restricted on elevated surfaces such as stumps and root‐mounds, while Abies seedlings could occur on soil as well as on elevated surfaces. Rotten stumps were the most favorable microsites for conifer seedling occurrence, which covered small area in the forest floor. Although canopy gaps were not always favorable for seedling occurrence, all conifer seedlings were larger under canopy gaps than under closed canopy. Canopy gaps and forest floor microsites clearly affected seedling occurrence and growth of conifers. This suggests that regeneration of conifers is related to the difference of growth advantage under canopy gaps and favorable microsites for seedling occurrence.

Allelic sequence polymorphisms in the intron region of the nuclear-encoded GapC gene preceded the speciation of three closely related Abies species (Pinaceae)

The DNA sequences of GapC intron 8 were determined for three closely related Abies species, Abies firma, Abies homolepis and Abies veitchii, and ten alleles were identified. Although, in most cases, an allele was specifically detected in one species, some rare alleles were found in two species. The phylogenetic analysis of those alleles showed that they trace back to different ancestral sequences, and that a species possessed the different originated alleles. The polymorphism of the GapC gene observed in the three Abies species seemed to have preceded their evolutionary divergence.

Impact of bark stripping by sika deer, Cervus nippon, on subalpine coniferous forests in central Japan

We investigated the effect of bark stripping by sika deer, Cervus nippon, on forest regeneration in subalpine coniferous forests on Mt. Ohdaigahara and in the Ohmine Mountains of central Japan. Bark stripping by sika deer occurred in five major tree species: Abies homolepis; Abies Veitchii; Tsuga diversifolia; Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis; and Chamaecyparis obtusa. The percentage of damaged trees on Mt. Ohdaigahara was higher than in the Ohmine Mountains, probably because of the higher deer density. On Mt. Ohdaigahara, the DBH distributions of stems for P. jezoensis var. hondoensis, A. homolepis, T. diversifolia and C. obtusa were bell-shaped with fewer smaller and larger trees. On the other hand, in the Ohmine Mountains the distributions for P. jezoensis var. hondoensis and A. Veitchii showed a reverse-J shaped with more smaller trees. Larger overstory conifers on Mt. Ohdaigahara were killed by bark stripping when 100% barked, although in the Ohmine Mountains ca. 50% of the trees survived even when 100% barked. After the disappearance of the overstory conifers on Mt. Ohdaigahara, the dwarf bamboo, Sasa nipponica, expanded into the forest floor due to changes in light reaching the forest floor. Since S. nipponica is the main forage of deer in this area, this increase caused a corresponding increase in the deer population, which in turn, could cause a further decline in the coniferous forests.

Molecular evidence of natural hybridization between abies veitchii and A. homolepis (Pinaceae) revealed by chloroplast, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers.

Sub-alpine Abies veitchii and A. homolepis are distributed in the central part of Honshu Island, Japan, and their habitats are segregated vertically. These species sometimes form a mixed forest in the overlapping area of the two species, that is, in the upper limit of the A. homolepis habitat and the lower limit of A. veitchii. These species have been considered to be distantly related because they were classified into different sections by most conventional classifications. No natural hybridization has been reported between the two species. The aim of this study was to demonstrate, through the use of molecular markers, whether natural hybridization takes place between these two species at two experimental sites on Mt. Fuji, where the species occur naturally. DNA markers from paternally inherited chloroplast DNA (cpDNA), maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and biparentally inherited nuclear DNA (nDNA), were used for this study. As organelle DNA markers, polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) markers were developed to determine the maternal and paternal species for each individual. Two of 334 individuals possessed a cpDNA haplotype derived from A. homolepis and a mtDNA haplotype from A. veitchii. Furthermore, the nDNA of these two individuals was analysed using the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay to investigate their genomic composition. RAPD analysis indicated that the nuclear genomes of the two individuals were derived from both species. We conclude that A. veitchii and A. homolepis produce natural hybrids, and that their systematic relationship should be re-evaluated.

Gap characteristics and gap regeneration in a subalpine coniferous forest on Mt Ontake, central Honshu, Japan

AbstractGap characteristics and gap regeneration were studied in three mature stands belonging to different community types in a subalpine coniferous forest on Mt Ontake, central Honshu, Japan. Gap disturbance regimes were remarkably similar among stands studied; percentage gap area to surveyed area, gap density and mean gap size were 7.3–8.5%, 17.8–20.0 ha−1 and 40.8–42.5 m2, respectively. The gap size class distributions were also similar and showed a strong positive skewness with a few large and many small gaps; gaps <40m2 were most frequent and gaps >200m2 were rare. Forty‐five to 66% of gaps were due to the death of single canopy trees. Canopy trees more often died leaving standing dead wood (40–5.7%) or broken trunks (43–49%). Shade tolerant Abies mariesii and Abies veitchii, frequently, and Tsuga diversifolia, less frequently, regenerated in gaps, from advance regenerations recruited before gap formation. Picea jezoensis var. hondoensis may regenerate in gaps, from new individuals recruited after gap formation. The breakage of dense Sasa coverage and the mineral soils exposed by the uprooted plants that form gaps might provide regeneration opportunities for shade intolerant Betula. Of the important species limited to the ridge site, Chamaecyparis obtusa, frequently, and Thuja standishii, infrequently, regenerated from plants already in situ. Regeneration of Pinus parviflora was not seen. Based on the gap characteristics and gap regeneration behaviour of each species described, stand dynamics in each stand are discussed.

Saturated hopane and gammacerane triterpene-diols from the stem bark of Abies veitchii

Two saturated pentacyclic triterpene diols were isolated from the stem bark of Abies veitchii and their structures characterized as hopan-3α,22-diol and gammaceran-3β,21α-diol on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.

Effect of bryophytes on survival of conifer seedlings in subalpine forests of central Japan

AbstractBryophytes form the major seedbed for coniferous trees in the subalpine forests of central Japan. Field experiments were conducted on the floor of a closed stand dominated by Tsuga on Mt Fuji to examine the seedling survival of Abies veitchii and Tsuga diversifolia in seven substrate types in relation to the morphological characteristics of the seeds and seedlings. Neither Abies nor Tsuga seedlings could survive on dwarf‐bamboo litter beyond 2 years after the seed rain. Abies seedlings survived not only in all types of bryophyte communities but also in larch litter. In contrast, the survival of Tsuga seedlings was restricted to communities of smaller‐statured bryophytes found on logs. The seeds and 1st year seedlings of A. veitchii were larger than those of T. diversifolia. Abies seedlings produced hypocotyls taller than any bryophyte community and radicles which were long enough to penetrate into the moist humus layer, whereas Tsuga seedling radicles presumably penetrate into humus only in bryophyte communities forming a thin mat on logs. The effect of bryophytes on survival of tree seedlings therefore depends on the relationships between the morphology of seeds and seedlings and the structure of bryophyte communities.

The structure of spiroveitchionolide, an unusual lanostane-type triterpene lactone from Abies veitchii

The structure of spiroveitchionolide, a novel triterpene lactone having an unusual skeletal system, isolated from Abies veitchii, is established as (3R, 7S, 9R, 23R)-7-hydroxy-3-methoxy-8-oxo-7(8→9)abeo-lanost-24-eno-26,23-lactone on the basis of chemical, spectral and single crystal X-ray crystallographic evidence.

Growth Patterns of Tree Height and Stem Diameter in Populations of Abies Veitchii, A. Mariesii and Betula Ermanii

SUMMARY (1) The growth patterns of tree height and stem diameter in crowded Abies veitchii, A. mariesii and Betula ermanii populations were investigated based on the diffusion model for growth dynamics in size-structured populations. (2) Size-dependent growth was found in each species, but the pattern was different between the species. Small, suppressed individuals of Abies spp. showed little growth in tree height but grew in stem diameter. In small, suppressed individuals of B. ermanii, the converse was found. (3) The diffusion model revealed that stem diameter growth of Abies spp. and tree height growth of B. ermanii are affected only a little by competition between individuals even under crowded conditions, and thus that growth in these dimensions is determined in a genetically strict manner for each species. These growth patterns correspond to the life-history traits and the successional status of Abies spp. (shade-tolerant late-successional species) and B. ermanii (a shade-intolerant early-successional species). (4) This study indicates the quantitative differences of assimilate partitioning between tree height growth and stem diameter growth in size-structured plant populations in relation to the characteristics and successional status of species.

Notes on Abies veitchii Lindl. in Shikoku

Notes on Abies veitchii Lindl. in Shikoku

Veitchiolide, a tetracyclic triterpene lactone from Abies veitchii

A new tetracyclic triterpene lactone, named veitchiolide, was isolated together with the known triterpenoid, abieslactone, from the stem bark of Abies veitchii. The structure was determined as 7β-hydroxy-3α-methoxylanosta-9(11),24-dien-26,23 R-olide.

Comparative ecophysiology of Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr. and Abies veitchii Lindl. 1. Seedling establishment on bare ground on Mt. Fuji

It is well known that plant species can establish themselves and grow only in a limited environment, known as the habitat. This indicates that each species lacks certain types of characteristics which enable it to become established beyond its habitat. By monitoring the fate of introduced seeds or transplants, some investigators have tried to ascertain the reasons why plants cannot become established outside their original habitats (Cavers and Harper, 1967; Gross and Werner, 1982; Goldberg, 1985; Barnes, 1985). Other workers have compared seedlings germinated in their own habitats with those germinated outside the habitat (Tobiessen and Werner, 1980). However, they have rarely succeeded in identifying the environmental factors and the plant characteristics directly responsible for the elimination of species from non-original habitats. An example of habitat segregation of saplings can be seen on Mt. Fuji at about 2300 m above sea level. Saplings of Larix kaempferi, a pioneer tree species, are relatively common on the bare ground. On the other hand, saplings of Abies veitchii, a seral species invading developed Larix forests (Nakamura, 1985), are found only rarely within the species groups invading bare ground. These facts indicate that A. veitchii lacks certain characteristics which enable it to become established on bare ground. The first of the present investigations was a sowing experiment on bare ground in the field, and the second was a pot experiment designed to detect any differences in drought resistance between the above two species. From the results of these two investigations, I concluded that the absence of A. veitchii from bare ground was due to its lower drought resistance.

Analysis of development of a subalpine Abies stand based on the growth processes of individual trees

AbstractThe progress of growth of a subalpine young Abies veitchii and A. mariesii forest during 25 years was analyzed on the basis of measurements of the processes of height growth of about 230 trees in a quadrat where the old canopy had been completely destroyed by a typhoon in 1959. The original forest floor sapling population had consisted of trees shorter than 2 m. Saplings grew faster after the breakage of the canopy than before, A. veitchii growing faster than A. mariesii. During the 25 years of growth, a few well developed trees exceeded 6 m in height, while others remained around only 1 m or less. Some small trees, mostly A. veitchii died at sites of high density. A bimodality in the distribution of tree height had developed with a trough at about 2.5 m, differentiating the trees into canopy and suppressed populations. Canopy trees grew with wide variation of rates, while most of the suppressed trees showed little recent growth. No difference was found in recent growth rates between the two canopy Abies species. Differences in height growth rates among individual canopy trees were analyzed on the basis of their horizontal crown overlapping. Competition models evaluating the difference in height between trees with overlapping crowns were shown to be effective. The height growth rate of a canopy tree appeared to be controlled by both the closely grown taller trees and the local density of trees including those shorter than the subject tree.

Regeneration in subalpine coniferous forests

The regeneration process of a subalpine coniferous forest, a mixed forest ofTsuga diversifolia (dominant species),Abies veitchii, Abies mariessi, andPicea jezoensis var.hondoensis, was studied on the basis of annual ring data. The age class distribution was discontinuous and four age groups occurred in the study plot (30m×30m). The canopy layer was a mosaic of patches (83.8–133.7 m2 patch area), which had different mean ages. The recruitment of canopy trees was carried out only by advance regeneration in the plot. The diameter growth ofAbies andPicea exceeded diameter growth ofTsuga in the gap.Abies lived for 200–300 years and their trunks were susceptible to heart rot.Picea lived for 300–400 years andTsuga for more than 400 years. The regeneration process derived from the analysis of the plot consisted of three phases leading to the development of a even-aged patch; (1) the establishment of saplings before a gap opening, (2) the opening of a gap in the canopy and repair of the canopy by advance regenerated saplings dominated by rapid growth species,Abies andPicea, and (3) the dying off of canopy trees as each species reached the end of its life-span, resulting in pure patches of long-livedTsuga.