Shirakami Mountains Research Articles

Biogeochemical processes controlling the dynamics of dissolved organic matter in streams in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan.

The Shirakami Mountain range, including the largest primeval beech forest in East-Asia, is undergoing ecological change. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in nutrient and material cycling in forest ecosystems. Because the quality of DOM varies based on its origin and diagenetic and runoff processes, changes in the environment surrounding DOM can be rapidly detected by monitoring its quality. Herein, concentrations and fluorescence composition of DOM at 14 sites in 13 streams in the Shirakami Mountain range were monitored monthly for over 2years, excluding winter (December-March), to gain insight into the catchment hydrological and soil characteristics affecting DOM concentrations and composition in stream water. Based on the pattern of temporal changes in fluorescent component composition, monitoring sites were categorized into four groups (streams with small catchments, large catchments, catchments facing the Sea of Japan, and open waters in the catchment) with similar catchment characteristics affecting DOM dynamics. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that DOM concentrations in each group could be attributed to rainfall on the survey date,short-term (1-2days) rainfall, midterm (~1month) accumulated rainfall, midterm (7-11days) accumulated temperature, and catchment characteristics as explanatory variables. The degree of influence of these variables differed among the four groups. The results of this study show that grouping streams according to catchment hydrological characteristics can help identify the impact of climate and environmental change on DOM dynamics in stream water.

One hundred years of monitoring of beech forests in Shirakami Mountains ―Shirakami-Sanchi Beech Forest Monitoring Group―

One hundred years of monitoring of beech forests in Shirakami Mountains ―Shirakami-Sanchi Beech Forest Monitoring Group―

Tree-Ring Based Chronology of Landslides in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan

The N-Ohkawa landslide, and the southern section of the Ohkawa landslide, occurred during the snow-melt seasons of 1999 and 2006, respectively, in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan. This paper examines the response of trees in the Shirakami Mountains to landslides, and also investigates the spatio-temporal occurrence patterns of landslide events in the area. Dendrogeomorphological analysis was used to identify growth suppression and growth increase (GD) markers in tilted deciduous broadleaved trees and also to reveal the timing of the establishment of shade-intolerant tree species. Analysis of the GD markers detected in tree-ring width series revealed confirmatory evidence of landslide events that occurred in 1999 and 2006 and were observed by eyewitnesses, as well as signals from eight additional (previously unrecorded) landslide events during 1986–2005. Furthermore, shade-intolerant species were found to have become established on the N-Ohkawa and southern Ohkawa landslides, but with a lag of up to seven years following the landslide events causing the canopy opening.

Evaluating mammal assemblages in undisturbed beech forests with camera traps: A case study in the Shirakami Mountains, northern Japan

Evaluating mammal assemblages in undisturbed beech forests with camera traps: A case study in the Shirakami Mountains, northern Japan

東北森林科学会10周年記念フォーラム(第2回世界自然遺産会議記念事業)「白神山地の保全と未来」

東北森林科学会10周年記念フォーラム(第2回世界自然遺産会議記念事業)「白神山地の保全と未来」

Deformation microstructures developed in the Iragawa mylonite zone in the western part of the Shirakami Mountains, Northeast Japan

青森県白神山地の西部に分布する白神岳複合花崗岩質岩体には，海岸線に沿って，350m程度の幅を持ち南北約2.5kmにわたる延性剪断帯が発達しており，これを入良川マイロナイト帯と呼称する．中心部の幅200m程度の範囲はウルトラマイロナイト化しており，局所的にカタクレーサイト化を重複して受けている．マイロナイトの面構造は南北走向で東に40-80°傾斜し，線構造は北東方向に30-70°の沈下を示す．また，左横ずれ正断層の剪断センスを示す．再結晶石英の結晶方位と粒径を解析した結果，マイロナイト帯中心部では粒界すべりによる変形を，中心部以外では転位クリープによる変形を受けたと推定でき，変形時の環境は温度350-450°Cと推定される．その後，岩体が上昇し，300°C以下の環境で部分的に脆性破砕したという変形史が推定できる．

Acidicapsa acidisoli sp. nov., from the acidic soil of a deciduous forest.

A bacterial strain designated strain SK-11T was isolated from the acidic soil of a deciduous forest in the Shirakami Mountains in Japan. Cells of strain SK-11T were aerobic, non-motile, Gram-stain-negative rods, 0.7-1.0 µm in width and 1.0-1.4 µm in length. The pH range for growth was between pH 4.0 and 5.5, with an optimum at pH 5.0. The temperature range for growth was between 10 and 35 °C, with an optimum at around 25-30 °C. Strain SK-11T utilized various carbohydrates as growth substrates as well as yeast extract and protein hydrolysates. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 % of total fatty acid contents) were iso-C15 : 0 (55.4 %), iso-C17 : 0 (16.7 %) and iso-C17 : 1ω9c/10 methyl-hexadecanoic acid (17.7 %). The major respiratory quinone was MK-8. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified polar lipid. The DNA G+C content of strain SK-11T was 56.9 %. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain SK-11T belonged to the family Acidobacteriaceae within subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria, and the closest relatives of strain SK-11T were Acidicapsa ligni WH120T and Acidicapsa borealis KA1T, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.6 and 96.5 %, respectively. On the basis of the evidence from our polyphasic study, we concluded that strain SK-11T represents a novel species of the genus Acidicapsa, and propose the name Acidicapsa acidisoli sp. nov. The type strain of Acidicapsaacidisolisp nov. is SK-11T (=DSM 100508T=NBRC 111227T).

野生ニホンザル<i>Macaca fuscata</i>によるモリアオガエル<i>Rhacophorus arboreus</i>泡巣の採食事例

We observed a male Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) feeding on a foam nest of the Japanese tree frog (Rhacophorus arboreus). On 1st July 2013, an adult male (perhaps a solitary individual) fed on an egg mass twice at approximately 17:00 at Juni-ko lakes (Nagaike Pond), Shirakami Mountains. The monkey tore the egg mass apart by hand and ingested it without removing the foam, which is diferent from the more typical response to feeding on sticky items, such as snails and gum. This is the irst case report of feeding on the egg mass of tree frogs by Japanese macaques.

Establishing a better relationship with science and society through successive fieldworks in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Establishing a better relationship with science and society through successive fieldworks in the Shirakami Mountains, Japan

Breeding bird communities at Anmon wildlife research area in the Shirakami Mountains (II)

Breeding bird communities at Anmon wildlife research area in the Shirakami Mountains (II)

Paenibacillus shirakamiensis sp. nov., isolated from the trunk surface of a Japanese oak (Quercus crispula)

A novel bacterial strain designated P-1T was isolated from the trunk surface of a Japanese oak (Quercus crispula) growing in the Shirakami Mountains in Japan. Cells of strain P-1T were Gram-stain-negative, ellipsoidal endospore-forming, aerobic, slightly acidophilic rods, 0.8×2-5 µm, and motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Various carbohydrates could be used as growth substrates, but none of the organic acids tested were used. The major cellular fatty acid was anteiso-C15:0, which accounted for 64.2% of the total fatty acids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7). Strain P-1T contained phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified phospholipid and two unidentified polar lipids. Strain P-1T shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Paenibacillus pini S22T (96.6%), followed by Paenibacillus chibensis JCM 9905T (96.1%) and Paenibacillus anaericanus MH21T (95.9%). The DNA G+C content was 43.9 mol%. These data indicate that strain P-1T represents a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which we propose the name Paenibacillus shirakamiensis sp. nov. The type strain is P-1T (NBRC 109471T=DSM 26806T=KCTC 33126T=CIP 110571T).

Roseomonas aceris sp. nov. isolated from a mono maple tree in the Shirakami Mountains in Japan

A novel bacterial strain belonging to the genus Roseomonas was isolated from the trunk surface of a mono maple (Acer mono) tree growing in the Shirakami Mountains. The strain, designated R-1(T), was Gram-negative, non-motile, and oval-rod, and formed reddish colonies on agar plates, as has previously been described for Roseomonas species. Although motility was not observed, cells were peritrichously flagellated. Strain R-1(T) preferred organic acids over carbohydrates as growth substrates. The major cellular fatty acid was C₁₈:₁ ω7c (48.79%). Ubiquinone-10 was the major respiratory quinone. Strain R-1(T) demonstrated the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Roseomonas pecuniae N75(T) (96.9%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences confirmed that strain R-1(T) was a member of the genus Roseomonas and formed a cluster with R. pecuniae N75(T). DNA-DNA hybridization between strain R-1(T) and R. pecuniae N75(T) yielded 21.7% relatedness. On the basis of its phenotypic, phylogenetic, and chemotaxonomic char-acteristics, strain R-1(T) represents a novel species within the genus Roseomonas, for which the name Roseomonas aceris sp. nov. has been proposed. The type strain is R-1(T) (NBRC 109410(T) = DSM 26554 (T)).

Mechanism of high trehalose accumulation in a spore clone isolated from Shirakami kodama yeast.

The intracellular trehalose levels in Shirakami kodama yeast, a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, isolated in 1997 from leaf mold in the Shirakami Mountains and since used as a commercial baker's yeast, are remarkably high, which presumably is related to its tolerance of freezing and drought conditions. We isolated a spore clone from Shirakami kodama yeast with about 1.7-fold higher intracellular trehalose levels than the parental strain and set out to elucidate how this spore clone can accumulate intracellular trehalose to such a high concentration. The gene for trehalose 6-phosphate synthase, TPS1, was duplicated in this spore clone. Both TPS1 genes contributed to the high level of intracellular trehalose as a 3.4-fold decrease resulted from the disruption of one of the two TPS1 genes. Both Msn2 and Msn4, which bind to stress responsive elements in the promoter region of TPS1, were required for production of high levels of trehalose. Furthermore, the neutral trehalase activity of this spore clone is about 3-fold less than that of the laboratory strain although the gene for neutral trehalase, NTH1, functioned normally. These findings indicate that two TPS1 genes and the low trehalase activity are associated with high trehalose accumulation in this spore clone. The wide range of stresses of which we found the spore clone to be tolerant makes this yeast very attractive for commercial application and for further research into the mechanisms underlying stress responses and trehalose metabolism.

Influence of Heavy Snow on the Feeding Behavior of Japanese Macaques (Macaca Fuscata) in Northern Japan

Natural disasters can degrade primate habitat and alter feeding behavior. Here, we examined the influence of unusually heavy snow on diet and feeding-site use by Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) in northern Japan. To compare the winter-feeding behavior under different snow conditions, we recorded the plant species foraged on by macaques in multiple transects of the Shirakami Mountains from 2008 to 2012 (excluding 2011). We used cluster analysis to describe foraged plant assemblages, and applied multiple dimensional scaling and decision tree modeling to evaluate annual variation in feeding-site use by macaques. Our cluster analysis revealed five types of foraged plant assemblages. The proportion of each type present in transects varied considerably across the years, indicating that the diet of macaques in heavy snow conditions was influenced more by resource accessibility than by preference. Multiple dimensional scaling and decision tree modeling demonstrated that heavy snow conditions restricted feeding-site use. Moreover, the distribution of refuges relative to severe external ambient environments was a stronger limiting factor for feeding-site use than was the availability of food resources. While most primate species facing unexpected starvation employ risk-prone foraging tactics (i.e., choosing the option with higher pay-off by accepting risk), Japanese macaques have a tendency to adopt risk-averse foraging behavior (i.e., minimizing energy loss when searching for preferred diet items under long-lasting heavy snow conditions), because winters with temperatures below freezing have higher thermoregulatory costs.

Resource use of Japanese macaques in heavy snowfall areas: implications for habitat management

Populations of Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) that inhabit the northernmost distribution of any nonhuman primates have been listed as endangered in Japan; however, macaques are widely known for being pests that cause agricultural damage. This study identified priority areas for the conservation and management of macaque habitats, by comparing the resource use of troops occupying remote mountains (montane troops) against troops inhabiting disturbed forests adjacent to settlements (rural troops). We collected species presence data across 2 years by radio-tracking two montane troops and two rural troops in the Shirakami Mountains. We developed seasonal utilization distributions by using the kernel method, and identified habitat characteristics by using ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA). Our results indicate that environmental factors influencing the potential habitat varied widely with season in montane troops as compared with that in rural troops. ENFA results demonstrated that rural troops exhibited more biased resource use and narrower niche breadths than montane troops. Based on our findings, we propose that (1) primary broadleaf forests are the spring habitat conservation priority of montane troops; (2) the habitat unit--the product of habitat suitability index and its surface area--for montane troops is enhanced by removing old conifer plantations from the forest edge at low elevations; (3) such removal around settlements may also contribute toward removing a frontline refuge for rural troops intruding farmlands; and (4) intensive prevention measures against macaque intrusions into settlements during the bottleneck snowy season contribute toward reducing the habitat unit of rural troops.

地すべり活動を表す樹木の傾き－白神山地を例として－

地すべり活動を表す樹木の傾き－白神山地を例として－

Rodents communities at Anmon wildlife research area in the Shirakami Mountains

Rodents communities at Anmon wildlife research area in the Shirakami Mountains

Activity-specific evaluation of winter habitat use by Japanese macaques in snow areas, northern Japan: Implications for conifer plantation management

Monocultural conifer plantations are often recognized as low quality habitats for most mammals, owing to the scarcity of understory plants. This paper presents a multifaceted assessment of conifer plantations as habitats of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) inhabiting an area of heavy snow cover in northern Japan. We evaluated habitat use by two macaque troops in cool-temperate forests, including conifer plantations, which are located in the Shirakami Mountains. Habitat use was classified into three behavioral categories; feeding, resting, and traveling. We directly observed two radio-tagged troops by using the scan sampling technique throughout the day during winter, which is the main bottleneck season in terms of food availability. At each sampling event, we recorded the location of different troops and the behavioral patterns of individuals. We then constructed suitability models for each of the three types of habitat use, by using ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA) with 12 environmental variables. The ENFA results showed that macaques avoid old conifer plantations, but use young conifer plantations for all behavioral categories, especially as feeding sites. However, the suitability models indicated that geographic features have a larger influence on macaque habitat use than forest cover type. In fact, the feeding, resting, and traveling sites were concentrated on the southern slopes of near the roads at low altitudes. Our findings provided a reasonable indication that macaque habitat use during the snowy season has greater sensitivity to microclimate, such as the amount of sunlight and air temperature, compared to other environmental conditions (e.g., the distribution of food resources). In light of this finding, we suggest that standard timber production does not necessarily directly compete with the conservation of macaque habitats.

Assessing the diversity of dung beetle assemblages utilizing Japanese monkey feces in cool-temperate forests

Ecological investigation of the distribution and composition of dung beetle species utilizing feces of wild mammals has rarely been attempted, especially in cool-temperate forests. In this study we recorded and evaluated the community structure of dung beetle species utilizing feces of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) by conducting a macro-scale inventory survey in the northeastern Shirakami Mountains, located in the northernmost part of mainland Japan. Moreover, to assess the effect of human-induced forest disturbance on species assemblages in this cool-temperate area, we also carried out field sampling using pitfall traps baited with monkey feces in primary forests, secondary forests, and coniferous plantations, during every season except winter. Our findings were: (1) 14 dung beetle species comprising eight dwellers and six tunnelers utilized monkey feces; (2) Aphodius eccoptus was the core species in dung beetle assemblages attracted to the feces during spring and summer; (3) the frequency of occurrence of every species was extremely high in spring; and (4) human-induced forest disturbance did not increase species richness or biomass in cool-temperate forests.

Winter Food Abundance for Japanese Monkeys in Differently Aged Japanese Cedar Plantations in Snowy Regions

Abstract. Plantation areas of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) have often been recognized as low-quality habitats for Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) due to the lack of food resources, although empirical studies on this are few, especially in cool-temperate forests. For monkeys, winter is the bottleneck season for food availability. Hence, we evaluated the monkeys' selectivity of winter food tree species by counting their feeding traces in 2008 and 2009; we then compared the number and variety of winter food resources among several forest sites comprising differently aged cedar plantations—with primary beech forests as a control area—in heavy snow regions of the northeastern Shirakami Mountains. We noted that (1) monkeys tended to prefer shade-intolerant trees as food resources; (2) the stem density and variety of such trees in plantations commonly decreased with increasing forest age; (3) dominant cedar tree thinning effectively increased the preferable food resources for monkeys; and (4) the stem...