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Abstract
To clarify the effects of pre-logging forest type (hinoki plantation or lucidophyllous forest) and harvesting roads on tree regeneration, we examined the density of regenerated trees, physical properties of soil, and soil erosion 2 years after clear-cutting in northern Kyushu, Japan. The results showed that the density of regenerated individuals was affected by the forest type before logging and by road construction. In a clear-cut lucidophyllous forest, most of the recovering vegetation consisted of lucidophyllous species originating from advanced regeneration and seedlings of pioneer species. Conversely, since few individuals originated from advanced regeneration in the clear-cut hinoki plantation sites, recovery to climax stand conditions at these sites is likely to be delayed compared to areas of clear-cut lucidophyllous forest. Few regenerated individuals were observed on harvesting road surfaces. Similarly, vegetation recovery was limited on harvesting road surfaces and along the side-cast slopes adjacent to roads. The number of germinated seedlings of pioneer species was positively correlated with litter cover and thickness of the A horizon, and negatively correlated with the rate of apparent soil erosion. These findings indicated that the establishment of seedlings of pioneer species originating from buried seeds is affected by the thickness of the A horizon of the soil. Since the recovered vegetation and the leaf litter derived therefrom will inhibit soil erosion, we propose that advanced regeneration and soil physical properties immediately after clear-cutting are important for the rapid recovery of climax forest conditions and for the prevention of soil erosion after clear-cutting.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the building office at Gokayama Dam in Fukuoka Prefecture for their cooperation and for permitting us to access the study site. Part of the work presented in this manuscript was conducted as part of the Research Project for Utilizing Advanced Technologies in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat (AFFRC) of Japan (No. 1614) and a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (Nos. 20–4420, 18658065, and 20380090).