Evaluation of “transplanting method of top-soil blocks” by revegetation condition on a cutting slope in 13 years after construction

We evaluated vegetation condition on a cutting slope revegetated by “transplanting method of top-soil blocks” in 13 years after construction: cutting top-soil around the developed area into blocks and transplanting on a slope surface. We confirmed 90 % vegetation coverage, no slope failure, and proceeding succession on the slope. We observed poor tree height growth on the slope suggested that tree roots could not penetrate enough below the top-soil blocks, due to unweathering mother rock. On the other hand, we also confirmed occurrence of Pinus densiflora and coppicing of woody species in a pine stand, such as Rhododendron reticulatum, from the top-soil blocks. According to these results, we concluded that “transplanting method of top-soil blocks” was meaningful to vegetation restoration.