Effects of roads on alpine and subalpine plant species distribution along an altitudinal gradient on Mount Norikura, central Japan |
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Authors: | Koichi Takahashi Yutaka Miyajima |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;(2) Institute of Mountain Science, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan;(3) Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan |
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Abstract: | We investigated the effects of roads on alpine and subalpine plant species distribution along an altitudinal gradient on Mount
Norikura (3026 m a.s.l.), Japan. We examined the vegetation of herb and tree species shorter than 1.3 m along roadsides and
adjacent natural vegetation at 200 m intervals between 1600 and 3000 m a.s.l. The timberline was at 2500 m a.s.l. Although
the canopy opening was greater at the roadsides than in the natural vegetation, it was similar above the timberline. Soil
cover and litter depth of the soil surface were less at roadsides than the natural vegetation, and gravel and rock cover were
greater at roadsides. Species composition changed in similar directions from natural vegetation to roadsides along the altitudinal
gradient. This direction was related to canopy opening and litter depth. Liliaceae, Ericaceae and Pinaceae were dominant families
in the natural vegetation, and Asteraceae and Poaceae were greatest at the roadsides. Roadside plants were mostly herb species,
while tree species increased in natural vegetation. Five exotic species were also observed at the roadsides. Sunny plant species
gradually increased with altitude in the natural vegetation, indicated by the increase in canopy opening. By contrast, roadside
plants were mostly sunny plant species irrespective of altitude. The number of lowland and montane species increased at the
roadsides in the subalpine zone. Thus, roads strongly altered species composition of the natural vegetation along the altitudinal
gradient probably because of changes in light and soil-surface conditions for growth and seedling establishment. |
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