Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differentiation of vegetation zones and species strategies in the subalpine region of Mt. Fuji

  • Published:
Vegetatio Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The floristic and structural differentiation of vegetation along the altitudinal gradient in four subalpine forests of different developmental stages on Mt. Fuji has been studied. Near the forest limit a micropattern of vegetation corresponding to the altitudinal zonation has been observed which elucidated the mechanisms of development of the vegetation zonation.

As to early stages of vegetation development only two types can be distinguished: the volcanic desert above 1500 m and the pioneer forests below. As to later stages a differentiation of subzones includes from higher to lower altitudes: the Alnus maximowiczii, Betula ermanii, Abies veitchii and Tsuga diversifolia forests. Larix leptolepis and Sorbus americana ssp. japonica, appear as co-dominants in ecotonal communities between the principal subzones and are also important pioneers in early stages. Similarity analyses reveal that the upper subalpine Alnus-Betula forests can be regarded as early successional phases of the climax Abies-Tsuga forests of the lower subalpine zone.

The regular arrangement of A. maximowiczii-B. ermanii-A. veitchii is studied along the gradient from the margin to the interior of the forest growing near the forest limit where locally favourable conditions prevail. Growth form, height growth, photosynthetic activity, seed supply, and seedling distribution of the three principal species have been compared, as well as biomass and production relations in contiguous forests of these species. The marginal Alnus type community is productive and disturbance-tolerant, and has a wide ecological and sociological amplitude along the gradient, while the central Abies community is accumulative and disturbance-intolerant, and has a narrower tolerance range, but is superior in competition under stable habitat conditions. A vegetation organization, ‘temporal multi-storeyed structure’, is suggested which means that a zonal pattern of vegetation within a climax region develops by successive replacement of successional species along an environmental gradient.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arno, S. F. & Habeck, J. R., 1972. Ecology of alpine larch (Larix lyallii Parl.) in the Pacific Northwest. Ecol. Monogr. 42: 417–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Auclair, A. N. & Cottam, G., 1971. Dynamics of black cherry (Prunus serotina Erhr.) in southern Wisconsin oak forests. Ecol. Monogr. 41: 153–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bazzaz, F. A., 1979. The physiological ecology of plant succession. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 10: 351–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beals, E. W., 1969. Vegetation change along altitudinal gradients. Science 165: 981–985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliss, L. C., 1969. Alpine community pattern in relation to environmental parameters. In: K. N. H. Greenidge (ed.), Essays in Plant Geography and Ecology, pp. 167–184. The Nova Scotia Museum. Halifax.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bormann, F. H. & Likens, G. E., 1979. Pattern and Process in a Forested Ecosystem. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, E. Lucy, 1935. The undifferentiated deciduous forest climax and the association-segregate. Ecology 16: 514–519.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, J. R. & Curtis, J. T., 1957. An ordination of the upland forest communities of southern Wisconsin. Ecol. Monogr. 27: 325–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, J. R. & Gorham, E., 1964. Litter production in forests of the world. Adv. Ecol. Res. 2: 101–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheke, A. S., Nanakorn, W. & Yankoses, C., 1979. Dormancy and dispersal of seeds of secondary forest species under the canopy of primary tropical rain forest in northern Thailand. Biotropica 11: 88–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clements, F. E., 1916. Plant Succession. Carnegie Inst. Wash., Publ. 242.

  • Clements, F. E., 1936. Nature and structure of the climax. J. Ecol. 24: 252–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coetzee, J. A., 1978. Phytogeographical aspects of the montane forests of the chain of mountains on the eastern side of Africa. In: C. Troll & W. Lauer (eds.), Geoecological Relations between the Southern Temperate Zone and the Tropical Mountains, pp. 482–494. Franz Steiner Verlag GMBH, Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Colinvaux, P. A., 1967. Bering land bridge: evidence of spruce in Late-Wisconsin times. Science 156: 380–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowles, H. C., 1926. The succession point of view in floristics. Proc. Int. Congress Plant Sci. 687–691.

  • Daubenmire, R., 1966. Vegetation: identification of typical communities. Science 151: 291–298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forcier, L. K., 1975. Reproductive strategies and the co-occurrence of climax tree species. Science 189: 808–810.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, J. F. & Dyrness, C. T., 1969. Vegetation of Oregon and Washington. U.S.A.D. For. Res. Paper PNW-80.

  • Grubb, P. J., 1971. Interpretation of the ‘Massenerhebung’ effect on tropical mountains. Nature 229: 44–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, A. C., 1974. Distribution patterns of forest trees in Uganda and their historical significance. Vegetatio 29: 21–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurd, R. M., 1971. Annual tree-litter production by successional forest stands, Juneau, Alaska. Ecology 52: 881–884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huzimura, I., 1971. The climate and weather of Mt. Fuji. in: H. Tsuya et al. (eds.), Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji. pp. 211–345. Fuji-Kyu., Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura, M., 1963. Dynamics of vegetation in relation to soil development in northern Yatsugatake Mountains. Jap. J. Bot. 18: 225–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kira, T. & Shidei, T., 1967. Primary production and turnover of organic matter in different forest ecosystems of the western Pacific. Jap. J. Ecol. 17: 70–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitamura, S. et al., 1957–1979. coloured illustrations of herbaceous plants of Japan. I–III, Coloured illustrations of woody plants of Japan. I–II. Hoikusha, Osaka.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klikoff, L. G., 1965. Microenvironmental influence on vegetational pattern near timberline in the central Sierra Nevada. Ecol. Monogr. 35: 187–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuramoto, R. T. & Bliss, L. C., 1970. Ecology of subalpine meadows in the Olympic Mountains, Washington. Ecol. Monogr. 40: 317–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leeuwen, C. G. van., 1966. A relation theoretical approach to pattern and process in vegetation. Wentia 15: 25–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, M., Karr, J. H. & Karr, J. R., 1968. On the calculation of information theoretical measures of diversity. Am. Midl. Nat. 79: 257–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maarel, E. van der, 1976. On the establishment of plant community boundaries. Ber. Dt. Bot. Ges. 89: 415–443.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur, R. H. & Wilson, E. O., 1967. The Theory of Island Biogeography. Princeton University Press, Princeton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maeda, T., Miyakawa, K, Miyazaki, N. & Terashi, K., 1976. Subalpine forest vegetation on Mt. Fuji and revegetation on the destroyed stands caused by road construction. In: H. Usui (ed.), Papers on Forest Ecology for the Honor of Prof. Suzuki, pp. 77–132. Norin Shuppan, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalef, R., 1958. Temporal succession and spatial heterogeneity in phytoplankton. In: Perspectives in Marin Biology, pp. 323–349.

  • Marks, P. L., 1974. The role of pincherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.) in the maintenance of stability in northern hardwood ecosystems. Ecol. Monogr. 44: 73–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, P. L. & Bormann, F. H., 1972. Revegetation following cutting: mechanisms for return to steady-state nutrient cycling. Science 176: 914–915.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikeladze, D. M., 1965. Contributions to the study of the alpine carpets of southern Ossetia. In: V. N. Sukachev (ed.), Studies on the Flora and Vegetation of High-Mountain Areas, pp. 178–190. Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, W. W., 1968. On the ecology of Sitka Alder in subalpine zone of south-central Alaska. In: Trappe et al. (eds.), Biology of Alder, pp. 45–56. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyawaki, A., 1971. Vegetation of Mt. Fuji. In: H. Tsuya et al. (eds.), Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji, pp. 665–721. Fuji-kyu, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moral, R. del, 1973. The vegetation of Findley Lake Basin, Am. Midl. Nat. 89: 26–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Numata, M., 1966. Vegetation and conservation in eastern Nepal. J. College of Arts and Science, Chiba Univ. 4(4): 559–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Numata, M. (ed.), 1971. Ecological studies in vegetation of Mt. Fuji. In: H. Tsuya et al. (eds.), Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji, pp. 347–721. Fuji-kyu, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Numata, M., 1972. Ecological interpretation of vegetational zonation of high mountains, particularly in Japan and Taiwan. In: C. Troll (ed.), Landschaftökologie der Hochgebirge Eurasiens, pp. 288–299. Franz Steiner, Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Numata, M., 1979. Facts, causal analysis, and theoretical considerations on plant succession. In: A. Miyawaki & S. Okuda (eds.), Vegetation und Landschaft Japans, pp. 71–91.

  • Numata, M., Hayashi, I., Komura, T. & Oki, K., 1964. Ecological studies on the buried-seeds population in the soil as related to plant succession I. Jap. J. Ecol. 14: 207–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E. P., 1960. Organic production and turnover in old field succession. Ecology 41: 34–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogawa, H., Yoda, K., Ogino, K & Kira, T., 1965. Comparative ecological studies on three main types of forest vegetation in Thailand. 2. Plant biomass. Nature and Life in Southeast Asia 4: 49–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohsawa, M., 1981. A basic unit in forest community dynamics: A case study in the subalpine forest of Japan. Proc. BIOTROP Symp. Forest Regeneration in Southeast Asia, BIOTROP Special Publ. 13: 43–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohsawa, M., Suzuki, M., Watanabe, R., Irikura, S. & Abe, Y, 1971. Altitudinal zonation of vegetation on Mt. Fuji. In: H. Tsuva et al. (eds.), Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji, pp. 372–421. Fuji-kyu, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pianka, E. R., 1974. Evolutionary Ecology. Harper & Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Project Research Team of Four Universities, 1964. Studies on the productivity of forest. Part II. Larch (Larix leptolepis Gord.) forests of Shinshu district. Tokyo.

  • Saito, M., 1971. Vegetation of forest upper limit on half way circuit and its adjascent on Mt. Fuji. In: H. Tsuya et al. (eds.), Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji, pp. 639–656. Fuji-kyu, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satoo, T., 1970. A synthesis of studies by the harvest method: primary production relations in the temperate deciduous forests of Japan. In: D. E. Reichle (ed.), Analysis of Temperate Forest Ecosystems, pp. 55–72. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satoo, T., 1971. Primary production relations of coniferous forests in Japan. In: UNESCO, Productivity of Forest Ecosystems, pp. 91–205.

  • Satoo, T. 1974a. Primary production relations in a natural forest of Betula maximowicziana in Hokkaido: materials for the studies of growth in forest stands. 9. Bull. Tokyo Univ. Forest 66: 109–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Satoo, T., 1974b. Primary production relations in a young plantation of Abies sachalinensis in Hokkaido: materials for the studies of growth of forest stands. II. Bull. Tokyo Univ. Forest 66: 127–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawada, S., Saeki, T. & Monsi, M., 1970. JIBP/PP-laboratory vans for photosynthesis and environmental measurements in the field. Jap. J. Ecol. 20: 203–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shidei, T., 1956. A consideration on the cause of lacking the subalpine coniferous forest zone in the Sea of Japan side. J. Jap. For. Soc. 38: 356–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tadaki, Y., Hatiya, K., 1968. Forest Ecosystem and its Matter Production. Ringyo Kaisetsu Ser., Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tadaki, Y., Hatiya, K., Tchiaki, K, Miyauchi, H. & Matsuda, U., 1970. Studies on the production structure of forest (XVI). Primary production of Abies veitchii forests in the subalpine zone of Mt. Fuji. Bull. Gov. For. Exp. Station 229: 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini, W., 1979. Physiological ecology of the alpine timberline. Ecol. Stud. 31: Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuya, H., 1971. Topography and geology of volcano Mt. Fuji. In: H. Tsuya et al. (eds.), Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji, pp. 1–149. Fuji-kyu, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuya, H., Yamamoto, S., Huzimura, H., Numata, M., Miyawaki, A. & Kuroda, N. (eds.), 1971. Fujisan. Rep. of the Scientific Survey of Mt. Fuji. Fuji-kyu, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veblen, T. T., Ashton, D. H., Schlegel, F. M. & Veblen, A. T., 1977. Plant succession in a timberline depressed by vulcanism in south-central Chile. J. Biogeogr. 4: 275–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watt, A. S., 1947. Pattern and process in the plant community. J. Ecol. 35: 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, J. E. & Clements, F. E., 1938. Plant Ecology. 2nd ed. McGraw Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1967. Gradient analysis of vegetation. Biol. Rev. 49: 207–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittaker, R. H., 1970. Communities and Ecosystems. Macmillan, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodwell, G. M., 1967. Radiation and patterns of nature. Science 156: 461–470.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamanashi Prefectural Forest Experiment Station, 1975. Report on site evaluation for plantation. Northwest region of Mt. Fuji. Kofu.

  • Yeates, M. H., 1968. An Introduction to Quantitative Analysis in Economic Geography. McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Chiba University, Yayoicho, 260, Chiba, Japan

    Masahiko Ohsawa

Authors
  1. Masahiko Ohsawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Nomenclature follows Kitamura et al. (1957–1979).

Acknowledgement. With sincere gratitude the continuous guidance and encouragement provided by Emeritus Prof. Masami Monsi of the University of Tokyo is acknowledged. I also extend my sincere thanks to Prof. Makoto Numata who gave me the chance to carry out this study and continuously guided my research work. My special thanks are due to Prof. W. Holzner and to Prof. M. J. A Werger for their helpful criticism of the manuscript, and to Prof. C. H. Gimingham who thoroughly revised the final manuscript. Thanks are due to Prof. t. Saeki of the University of Tokyo and Prof. H. Iwaki of the Tsukuba University for comments during this study. Special thanks are due to Dr T. totsuka of the National Institute for Environmental Studies for his assistance in measuring photosynthesis in the field. S. Irikura, M. Koganezawa and S. Takiguchi kindly helped me in the field.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ohsawa, M. Differentiation of vegetation zones and species strategies in the subalpine region of Mt. Fuji. Vegetatio 57, 15–52 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031929

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031929

Keywords

Search

Navigation