Pinus Densiflora Forest Research Articles

미래 기후변화 시나리오에 따른 우리나라 소나무 임분의 재적 추정

본 연구는 우리나라 주요 수종인 소나무림을 대상으로 RCP(Representative Concentration Pathway)8.5 시나리오에 따른 임목 재적의 시 공간적 변이를 예측하기 위해 수행되었다. 전국 규모의 예측을 위해 5차임상도와 국가산림자원조사 자료를 이용하였으며, 기후와 공간의 변이가 임목 생장에 미치는 영향을 반영하기 위해 기상 및 지형인자를 반영한 생장모형을 적용하였다. 모형의 검증을 위해 시, 도별 산림통계와 모형 결과를 비교한 결과, 비교적 높은 적합도를 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 기후변화를 고려하였을 때, 소나무림의 임분 재적은 현재 <TEX>$131m^3/ha$</TEX>에서 2050년에는 <TEX>$212.42m^3/ha$</TEX>까지 증가 할 것으로 예측되었으며, 현재의 기후가 유지될 경우에는 <TEX>$221.92m^3/ha$</TEX>까지 증가할 것으로 예측되었다. 기후변화의 영향으로 인해 일부 고산지대를 제외한 대부분의 지역에서 소나무림의 생장률이 감소할 것으로 예측되었으며, 특히 해안지역과 남부지역에서 생장률의 감소가 클 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구결과를 통해 기후변화가 소나무림 생장에 미치는 영향을 시 공간에 따라 정량화 할 수 있었으며, 이는 기후변화 적응을 고려한 산림관리 및 시업계획을 수립하는데 유용하게 활용될 수 있을 것이다. The main purpose of this study is to measure spatio-temporal variation of forest tree volume based on the RCP(Representative Concentration Pathway) 8.5 scenario, targeting on Pinus densiflora forests which is the main tree species in South Korea. To estimate nationwide scale, <TEX>$5^{th}$</TEX> forest type map and National Forest Inventory data were used. Also, to reflect the impact of change in place and climate on growth of forest trees, growth model reflecting the climate and topography features were applied. The result of the model validation, which compared the result of the model with the forest statistics of different cities and provinces, showed a high suitability. Considering the continuous climate change, volume of Pinus densiflora forest is predicted to increase from <TEX>$131m^3/ha$</TEX> at present to <TEX>$212.42m^3/ha$</TEX> in the year of 2050. If the climate maintains as the present, volume is predicted to increase to <TEX>$221.92m^3/ha$</TEX>. With the climate change, it is predicted that most of the region, except for some of the alpine region, will have a decrease in growth rate of Pinus densiflora forest. The growth rate of Pinus densiflora forest will have a greater decline, especially in the coastal area and the southern area. With the result of this study, it will be possible to quantify the effect of climate change on the growth of Pinus densiflora forest according to spatio-temporal is possible. The result of the study can be useful in establishing the forest management practices, considering the adaptation of climate change.

강원도 남부 지역에서 소나무림 개벌 후 초기 임분 구조 및 하층식생 발달

천이 모형과 같이 임분 교란 후 수관 닫힘 단계까지의 다양한 생태적 특성 변화에 관한 많은 연구가 있으나 우리나라는 다양한 연구가 수행되고 있지 않다. 본 연구는 강원도 남부 소나무림 개벌 후 임분 구조, 환경 및 하층식생 풍부성의 경시적 변화 추이를 발달 단계별(1yr, 3yr, 10yr 및 16yr)로 분석하였다. 임분구조 분석 결과, 벌채 후, 평균 줄기 밀도는 16yr에 <TEX>$5,714{\pm}645$</TEX> stems/ha 까지 점차 증가하였고, 평균 기저면적 역시 10yr에 <TEX>$5.5{\pm}0.7m^2/ha$</TEX>, 그리고 이후 <TEX>$16yr(10.0{\pm}1.6m^2/ha)$</TEX>)까지 거의 두 배로 증가함을 알 수 있었다. 숲 바닥의 나무 잔해 및 토양 노출도는 16yr의 11% 및 3yr의 10.3%에서 각각 최고점을 나타낸 후 감소하는 경향이었다. 하층식생 피도는 16년 동안의 임분구조 발달에 따라 모든 생육형에서 모두 감소하는 경향이었으나, 광엽 초본의 종풍부도는 반대로 증가하는 경향을 나타내었다. 특히, 임분의 상층식생 발달은 하층 식생 속성을 억누르기 보다는 필터 역할과 같이 선택적 영향을 미치는 것으로 생각되었다. 본 연구와 더불어 보다 세밀한 생태 속성 변화를 관찰하기 위해서는 임분의 초기 발달 패턴과 과정에 대한 연속 모니터링이 중요하다. Open- to closed canopy stage and it's ecological characteristics in vegetation succession are commonly described, but poorly understood in Korea. Vegetation development on structure, environment and understory abundance were studied for 16 yr in post-clearcut Pinus densiflora forests in the southern Gangwon-do province by applying space-for-time approach. We sampled 210 plots (10 for structure and 200 for understory) for four seral stages (1yr, 3yr, 10yr and 16yr). After clear-cut, mean stem density increased gradually to <TEX>$5,714{\pm}645$</TEX> stems/ha after 16 years and mean basal area was also from <TEX>$5.5{\pm}0.7m^2</TEX><TEX>/ha$</TEX> after 10 years and doubled at <TEX>$10.0{\pm}1.6m^2/ha$</TEX> in 16 years. Woody debris and bared soil on the forest floor peaked at 11--- after 10 years and at 10.3--- after 3 years, respectively. In understory mean cover declined with all growth form groups following succession, but in richness, forb specie increased with structural development during 16 years. Our study suggested that overstory development did not suppressed whole understory properties especially in richness, thus appeared to act as a filter selectively constraining the understory characteristics. However only long-term studies are essential for elucidating patterns and processes that cannot be inferred form short-term or space-for-time researches. Strong negative relationship between overstory and understory characteristics in conventional models surely reexamined.

Enhanced vulnerability to fire by Pinus densiflora forests due to tree morphology and stand structure in Korea

Why do fires occur more frequently in Pinus densiflora forests in Korea, and why is the related damage more severe on such sites? We assumed that the reasons stem from characteristics of the tree species, including their combustibility, morphology and stand structure. Investigating both P. densiflora forests and the less vulnerable Quercus variabilis forests along the Korean eastern coast, we determined that, in spring, when fires are most frequent, the extremely flammable moisture content of fine fuels (6%) is not significantly different between the two types and the fine fuel load is much greater in the Q. variabilis forests. The P. densiflora forests retain more ladder fuel due to the greater coverage and density of their shrub layers in addition to their dead branches from lower on their boles and thinner barks, which enable fires to spread vertically with greater tree withering. Thus, when one considers all of these factors in combination, the following conclusions become apparent. First, in the initial ignition phase of fire, P. densiflora forests are more vulnerable due to their combustion characteristics. Second, those forests might allow flames to move vertically because of tree morphology and a stand structure that retains abundant ladder fuel. Finally, P. densiflora forests might be vulnerable to massive blazes because of their vast contiguous nature, especially in that region of Korea.

Realationship between NVOC and Korean Red Pine(Pinus densiflora)Forest Environment in Winter Season

Realationship between NVOC and Korean Red Pine(Pinus densiflora)Forest Environment in Winter Season

Carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a Pinus densiflora forest with low and high stand densities

Aims understanding carbon ( c) and nitrogen (N) dynamics and their dependence on the stand density of an even-aged, mature forest provides knowledge that is important for forest management. this study investigated the differences in ecosystem total c and N stor age and flux between a low-density stand (D) and a high-density stand (HD) and examined the effects of stand density on above ground net primary productivity (

Tricholoma matsutake Y1 strain associated with Pinus densiflora shows a gradient of in vitro ectomycorrhizal specificity with Pinaceae and oak hosts

Tricholoma matsutake produces commercially valuable yet uncultivable matsutake mushrooms during an ectomycorrhizal association with coniferous trees. In the Far East, most matsutake are harvested in managed Pinus densiflora forests. To determine whether T. matsutake has host plant specificity, we synthesized mycorrhiza in vitro between T. matsutake Y1 that originated from a P. densiflora forest and various Pinaceae and oak hosts. The strain Y1 formed a continuous Hartig net, a sign of ectomycorrhization, in the lateral roots of Pinus sylvestris, Pinus koraiensis, Pinus parviflora var. pentaphylla, Picea glehnii, Picea abies, and Tsuga diversifolia seedlings in vitro, which resembled those formed with the natural host Pinus densiflora. The strain conferred a discontinuous Hartig net with Pinus thunbergii, Picea yezoensis, Abies veitchii, and Larix kaempferi. However, no such development by this strain was observed on the roots of Quercus serrata, unlike T. bakamatsutake B1, a false matsutake that is symbiotic with oak trees. The data suggest that T. matsutake can be associated with diverse conifers but may establish ectomycorrhizal relationships only with specific host plant species.

Simulating the soil carbon dynamics of Pinus densiflora forests in central Korea

We developed a simple forest soil carbon model (Korean Forest Soil Carbon model, KFSC) requiring a small number of parameters to evaluate the forest soil carbon stocks and dynamics. The KFSC was composed of live biomass (BIO), primary dead organic matter (DOM) (AWD: aboveground woody debris; BWD: belowground woody debris; ALT: aboveground litter; and BLT: belowground litter), and secondary DOM (HUM: humus and SOC: soil organic carbon). The KFSC was validated against six Pinus densiflora forests at Gyeonggi province in central Korea and validation results showed that the model predicted the AWD, ALT, and SOC stocks with high precision (r 2=0.90–0.98, slope = 0.95–0.98). We simulated 160 years of carbon dynamics of the P. densiflora forests in Gyeonggi province (11,607 ha) under alternative clear-cut intervals that had been taking place in the past (30, 50, and 80 years). Simulated total SOC stock ranged from 298.7 to 520.5 Gg C depending on the scenario and increased with time in all scenarios. The estimated total SOC stock was higher in the scenario of less frequent clear-cut, while its annual increment was higher in the scenario of more frequent clear-cut in the past. The KFSC will be useful, especially for simulating soil carbon dynamics in forests with scarce information, and has the potential to estimate soil carbon dynamics at a national scale by incorporating with geographical information system.

Biomass and carbon storage in an age-sequence of Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora) forests in central Korea

The biomass and carbon (C) storage of the main ecosystem components were examined in an age-sequence of six Japanese red pine forest stands in central Korea. The tree biomass was determined by the destructive method, and the C storage of the tree biomass, forest floor and mineral soil was estimated by analyzing the C concentration of each component. The above-ground and total tree biomass increased from 21.76 and 28.82 Mg ha−1 in the 17-year-old stand to 308.83 and 385.74 Mg ha−1 in the 73-year-old stand. The comparisons of above-ground tree and tree root biomass in replicate stands indicated that stand density has an effect on tree biomass partitioning for Japanese red pine, especially on the biomass allocation of above-ground tree and tree roots. The C concentrations were lowest in the tree roots while the highest concentrations were found in the foliage across the six Japanese red pine forest stands. The C storage in the forest floor and mineral soil were age-independent. The above-ground and total ecosystem C stocks increased from 19.40 and 43.49 Mg ha−1 in the 17-year-old stand to 162.72 and 247.39 Mg ha−1 in the 73-year-old stand. Although the total tree biomass C showed considerable accumulation with stand age, the relative contribution of the below-ground ecosystem to the total ecosystem C storage demonstrated large variation. The results of this study assist in understanding C storage and its change with stand development in Japanese red pine forests, which makes this species a large sink for atmospheric C at the regional scale.

서울시 강북구 솔밭근린공원 소나무림 답압 피해 개선사업 효과 연구

본 연구의 목적은 서울시 솔밭근린공원 소나무림을 대상으로 울타리 설치, 관목 및 초본식물 식재 등의 답압 피해 개선사업의 효과를 검증하는 것이다. 2005년과 2010년 현장조사를 통해 소나무 식재유형, 식재구조, 토양경도, 토양단면구조, 토양 이화학적 특성 등의 변화 상태를 분석하였다. 또한 소나무의 가지생장량과 직경생장량을 측정하여 개선사업전과 후 상태를 비교 분석하여 답압 피해지역 개선사업에 따른 효과를 고찰하였다. 식재유형 변화에서는 하층 식생이 없는 소나무림이 2005년 48.5%에서 2010년에는 6.8%로 감소하였으며, 관목 및 초본이 식재된 소나무림이 7.4%에서 46.8%로 크게 증가하였다. 식재구조 변화에서는 대부분 조사구가 하층식생이 거의 없는 소나무림에서 진달래, 철쭉꽃, 원추리, 돌단풍, 옥잠화 등 관목 및 초본식생이 넓게 피복된 소나무림으로 변화되었다. 2005년 솔밭근린공원의 토양경도는 평균 <TEX>$54.8kg/cm^2$</TEX>로 딱딱한 토양층이었다. 2010년 솔밭근린공원 개선사업 후 토양경도는 대부분 <TEX>$4kg/cm^2$</TEX> 미만으로 식물생육에 영향이 없는 양호한 상태였다. 2005년에 토양단면구조는 답압 영향으로 인해 낙엽층이 소실되어 있었으며, 유기물층이 1.0cm로 식물이 생육하는데 적합하지 않았다. 개선사업 후 2010년에는 답압에 대한 피해가 줄어서 낙엽층이 3.0cm까지 새롭게 형성되었고, 지속적인 시비에 따라 유기물층의 깊이도 1.5~8.0cm로 증가하였다. 2005년 토양 이화학적 특성에서는 pH 5.76~6.70, 유기물 함량 7.15~10.55%, 유효인산 9.38~26.47mg/kg으로 소나무 생육 토양환경조건으로 큰 문제가 없었다. 또한 소나무 15주를 선정하여 가지생장량을 분석한 결과, 개선사업 이후 가지생장량이 점차 증가하는 경향이었다. 토양경도 등급에 따라 소나무 70주를 선정하여 직경생장량을 측정한 결과, 대부분 조사구에서 소나무가 개선사업 이후 생육이 양호해지는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 본 연구결과를 통해 울타리 설치, 관목 및 초본식물 식재 등의 답압 피해 개선사업이 소나무 생장을 향상시키는 효과를 검증할 수 있었다. The purpose of this study is to validate the effect of improvement such measures as fence installation or planting of bush and herbaceous plants taken from Pinus densiflora forest in Solbat Neighborhood Park in Seoul, which was damaged by stamping. The study was conducted in 2005 and 2010 in order to analyze changes in planting types, planting structure of Pinus densiflora forest, soil hardness, cross-sectional structure of soil, and physicochemical characteristics of soil. It was also measured by the growth of the branches and the diameter of Pinus densiflora, comparing before and after the improvement to study the effect of restoring Pinus densiflora forest damaged by stamping. When it comes to a change in planting type, Pinus densiflora forest without underlay was reduced from 48.5% in 2005 to 6.8% in 2010. Pinus densiflora forest with bush and herbaceous plants was increased dramatically from 7.4% to 46.8%. Regarding planting structure, in most area of the subject site, Pinus densiflora forest without under layer was transformed into the one with bush and herbaceous plants including Rhododendron mucronulatum, Rhododendron schippenbachii, Hemerocallis fulva, Aceriphyllum rossii, Hosta plantaginea growing in a wide area. The soil in the Solbat Neighborhood Park was very stiff with soil hardness of <TEX>$54.8kg/cm^2$</TEX> in average. After the improvement efforts made in the Park in 2010, the soil hardness was mostly less than <TEX>$4kg/cm^2$</TEX>, being in a good condition with little influence on the growth of plants. When it comes to the cross-sectional structure of soil, litter layer didn't exist in 2005 because of stamping and the organic matter layer was only 1.0cm thick, which provided an unfavorable condition for plant growth. However, after improvement, litter layer was formed up to 3.0cm and thickness of the organic matter layer also went up to 1.5~8.0cm in 2010 because the damage from stamping was reduced. Concerning the physicochemical characteristic of soil, in 2005 soil showed pH 5.76~6.70, organic matter content 7.15~10.55%, and available phosphorus 9.38~26.47mg/kg, having no big problems as a soil environment for growth of Pinus densiflora. 15 trees of Pinus densiflora were selected to see branch growth and it was found that the branches tended to grow better after improvement. 70 trees of Pinus densiflora from various grades of soil hardness also were selected to identify changes of diameter growth. In most cases, it was analyzed that Pinus densiflora grew better after improvement. After conducting this study, it was validated that such measures as fence installation or planting of bush and herbaceous plants to restore Pinus densiflora Forest damaged by stamping were effective in improving growth of Pinus densiflora.

Coexistence of two congeneric tree species of Lauraceae in a secondary warm‐temperate forest on Miyajima Island, south‐western Japan

AbstractWe analyzed the spatial distributions of two congeneric tree species, Neolistea aciculata and Neolistea sericea (Lauraceae), in a warm‐temperate forest on Miyajima Island, south‐western Japan. Both species were mainly found in valley sites on the island. Hence, these species shared the same topographic habitat niche. However, we found a clear difference between the spatial distributions of the two species in relation to the light environment. Neolistea aciculata was predominantly found in stands with low light, such as beneath the canopy of dense evergreen broadleaved forest. In contrast, N. sericea was predominantly associated with ample light, such as in secondary Pinus densiflora forest. In stands with moderate light conditions, both species were found. This habitat niche segregation in relation to light conditions presumably allows the coexistence of these two species in the predominantly successional forest on Miyajima Island.

Preliminary study on estimating fine root growth in a natural Pinus densiflora forest using a minirhizotron technique

The minirhizotron technique was used to investigate the spatial (soil depth) and temporal (season) changes of fine roots (≤2 mm) in a mature Pinus densiflora forest. Length, production, and mortality of fine roots were measured at different depths on seven dates between March and October 2011. Average fine root length (mm cm−2), production, and mortality (μm cm−2) during the growing seasons were 2.54 ± 0.82, 84 ± 27, and 7 ± 4 at 0–20 cm depth, 0.85 ± 0.37, 39 ± 13, and 14 ± 9 at 20–40 cm depth, and 1.26 ± 0.92, 45 ± 28, and 34 ± 16 at 40–60 cm depth, respectively. There was no significant difference in length, production, or mortality of fine roots among the different seasons and depths (P > 0.05). The seasonal pattern in fine root length generally increased during the growing seasons. The fine root production was high in summer, whereas the mortality was high in autumn. This preliminary result using a minirhizotron technique can be used for quantifying and understanding the fine root dynamics in P. densiflora forests.

Fine root biomass and respiration of a Pinus densiflora forest in central Korea

Fine root biomass and respiration of a Pinus densiflora forest in central Korea

한라산 소나무림의 분포와 변화

This study was carried out to investigate the distribution and their change of Pinus densiflora forests by climate change in Mt. Hallasan. The results showed that the areas of P. densiflora forests of Mt. Hallasan varied by region, with a total area of 1,324.3 ha, concentrated mostly in the region 1,000 m - 1,400 m above sea level. The temperate coniferous forest zone are distributed in the upper part of temperate forest zone composed of deciduous broad-leaved trees. Most of the P. densiflora forests in the lower parts were found not to be spreading because they are located close to the deciduous broad-leaved trees. However, the P. densiflora forests in the Sajebi and Pyeonggwe regions composed of the grasslands and shrub forests were found to be spreading. In addition, the altitude of the P. densiflora forests distribution increased by about 50 m and 90 m in the Sajebi and Pyeonggwe regions, respectively. The spread rate is expected to become faster than in the past due to the rate of climate change. The structure of the vegetation in Mt. Hallasan and the changes in the vegetation due to various factors need to be investigated from a long-term point of view.

Tree Ring Ca/Al as an Indicator of Historical Soil Acidification of Pinus Densiflora Forest in Southern Korea

BACKGROUND: Soil acidification, which is known to be one of the reasons of forest decline, is associated with decreases in exchangeable Ca and increases in Al concentration, leading to low Ca/Al ratio in soil solution. As tree rings are datable archives of environmental changes, Ca/Al ratios of annual growth ring may show decreasing pattern in accordance with the progress of soil acidification. This study was conducted to investigate Ca/Al pattern of Pinus densiflora tree ring in an attempt to test its usefulness as an indicator of historical soil acidification. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three P. densiflora tree disks were collected from P. densiflora forests in Jeonnam province, and soil samples (0-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm in depth) were also collected from the tree locations. Soils were analyzed for pH and exchangeable Ca and Al concentrations, and Ca/Al was calculated. Annual growth rings formed between 1969 and 2007 were separated and analyzed for Ca/Al. Soil Ca/Al was positively (P<0.01) correlated with soil pH, suggesting that soil acidification decreased Ca while increasing Al availability, lowering Ca/Al in soil solution. The Ca/Al of tree rings also showed a decreasing pattern from 18.2 to 5.5 during the period, and this seemed to reflect historical acidification of the soils. CONCLUSION(s): The relationship between soil pH and Ca/Al and the decreasing pattern of Ca/Al of tree ring suggest that Ca/Al of tree ring needs to be considered as a proxy of the progress of soil acidification in P. densiflora forest in southern Korea.

Two new species of Agaricales and a new Japanese record for Boletellus betula from Japan

Three species of Agaricales and Boletales are fully described and illustrated from Japan: (1) Clitopilus vernalis sp. nov. produces collybioid basidiomata with pruinose, greyish-yellow pileus and stipe, obscurely undulate basidiospores, and has a lignicolous habit fruiting in spring on dead decorticated logs of Pinus densiflora; (2) Favolaschia gelatina sp. nov. (section Anechinus subsection Rubrinae) has pleurotoid, astipitate basidiomata with transparent, elastic, jelly-like flesh, and truly poroid hymenophore; (3) Boletellus betula is a new record for Japan, growing in Quercus crispula and Pinus densiflora forests.

Six‐year monitoring of pine ectomycorrhizal biomass under a temperate monsoon climate indicates significant annual fluctuations in relation to climatic factors

AbstractEctomycorrhizas (EM) are among the most active components of forest soil biomass because they represent the dominant soil carbon efflux from forests. However, temporal patterns of EM biomass in relation to climatic factors and host tree growth remain unclear. We sampled EM and fine roots of pine each month for 6 years (May 2003 to June 2009) in a 40–50‐year‐old Pinus densiflora forest in Japan. Tree ring width of host pines in the plot was measured to assess the chronological sequence of annual tree growth. EM biomass was not stable during the 6 years of monitoring and seasonal patterns were indistinct. Multiple correlation analyses revealed that the autumn precipitation in the previous year was the most determinative factor of EM biomass in the current year, with a negative correlation. In contrast, tree ring width generally showed a stable annual growth pattern throughout the monitoring period. Clarification of such a carbon allocation pattern is important in understanding forest carbon dynamics under a temperate monsoon climate.

Two new species of Agaricales and a new Japanese record for &lt;i&gt;Boletellus betula&lt;/i&gt; from Japan

Three species of Agaricales and Boletales are fully described and illustrated from Japan: (1) Clitopilus vernalis sp. nov. produces collybioid basidiomata with pruinose, greyish-yellow pileus and stipe, obscurely undulate basidiospores, and has a lignicolous habit fruiting in spring on dead decorticated logs of Pinus densiflora; (2) Favolaschia gelatina sp. nov. (section Anechinus subsection Rubrinae) has pleurotoid, astipitate basidiomata with transparent, elastic, jelly-like flesh, and truly poroid hymenophore; (3) Boletellus betula is a new record for Japan, growing in Quercus crispula and Pinus densiflora forests.

Estimation of national soil carbon storage of Pinus densiflora forests in Korea, using Yasso model

Estimation of national soil carbon storage of Pinus densiflora forests in Korea, using Yasso model

Vulnerability of Pinus densiflora to forest fire based on ignition characteristics

In Korea, man-caused forest fires are known originate primarily in coniferous forests. We have hypothesized that the vulnerability of Pinus densiflora forests is principally a consequence of the ignition characteristics of the species. To as- sess this hypothesis, we conducted two combustion experiments using fallen leaves with a reference species, Quercus variabilis. In the first experiments, in which a cigarette was employed as a primary heat source for the initiation of a for - est fire, the Pinus leaves caught fire significantly faster (1 ´1˝ at Pinus, 1´31˝ at Quercus, P < 0.001), and ignition proceeded normally. Quercus leaves, on the other hand, caught fire but did not ignite successfully. In the second set of experiments utilizing different moisture contents and fuel loads, the maximum flame temperature of the Pinus leaves was signifi - cantly higher (421°C at Pinus, 361°C at Quercus, P < 0.001) and the combustion persisted for longer than in the Quercus leaves (8´8˝ at Pinus, 3´38˝ at Quercus, P < 0.001). The moisture contents of the leaves appeared to be a more important factor in the maximum temperature achieved, whereas the most important factor in burning time was the amount of fuel. Overall, these results support the assumption that Pinus leaves can be ignited even by low-heat sources such as cigarettes. Additionally, once ignited, Pinus leaves burn at a relatively high flame temperature and burn for a prolonged period, thus raising the possibility of frequent fire occurrences and spread into crown fires in forests of P. densiflora . country, and concluded that the initial ignition of forest fires most frequently occurs in coniferous forests (69 %), followed by mixed forests (17%) and broadleaf forests (14%), respectively. In this regard, three possibilities have been raised as to why forest fires occur primarily in conif - erous forests. First, coniferous forests are characterized by a wide spread, and thus they are very likely to be ex- posed to people, resulting in a higher possibility of man- caused fires. Second, coniferous trees exist principally at lower elevations near villages or memorial parks, which are easily accessed by humans. Finally, the ignition char-

Conservation study of Myrsine seguinii in Japan: current distribution explained by past land use and prediction of distribution by land use‐planning simulation

AbstractThe causes of the current distribution of a warm temperate tree Myrsine seguinii population were studied from topographic, geographical, and historical perspectives, and future land management to conserve this species. The study site is the Tokyo University forest located in Chiba Prefecture, at the northern distribution limit of this species. Presence and absence of individuals was surveyed in 10 × 10 m plots along the census line, making a total of 9,697 plots. The current distribution was modeled by multivariate logistic regression using environmental variables determined based on 10‐m mesh digital elevation model (elevation, slope, solar radiation, topographic wetness index, surface curvature), 1‐km mesh climatic information, and current (2005) and historic (1900) land‐use maps. It was clarified that the current distribution area coincides with a Pinus densiflora forest present by the end of the 19th‐century Meiji era, where 88.6% of individuals of M. seguinii were found. Inland suitable areas show small patches distributed among the ridges and mountainsides facing south, decreasing as the average monthly minimum winter temperature decreases. Simulated scenarios showed that in the future the potential distribution area of the studied species would decrease in the case of a complete coverage of Cryptomeria or Chamaecyparis plantation, and the case of evergreen broadleaf forest coverage would be better than these plantations. The strong effect of past land use suggests vulnerability and difficulty in the rapid recovery of M. seguinii population from human disturbance.