Study of the recovery characteristics of vegetation and the effects of topographical and soil factors in devastated forest land

The recovery characteristics of vegetation and the effects of topographical and soil factors were analyzed, targeting Mt. Tateishi, which is mostly covered with granite and located on the Itoshima peninsula in Fukuoka Prefecture. The results are summarized as follows. The vegetation of this area can be divided into 4 vegetation groups, nominated as group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4 according to crown closure and the volume of woody plants. The volume of both herbs and woody plants increased gradually from group 1 to group 3. The volume ratio of herbs to woody plants reached a maximum in group 2. The volume ratio of herbs to woody plants was at a minimum in group 4. Of the topographical factors, the aspect of slope was a significant factor affecting vegetation volume but the shape of slope did have a great effect. In areas where vegetation volume was greater, the total soil layer was deeper. The volume ratio of broad-leaved trees to conifers increased markedly from groups 1 through 4. Conifers covered an overwhelming area in group 1. Evergreen broad-leaved trees covered the largest area in group 4. The succession depended on the site conditions. Group 2 was an edaphic climax having developed under harsh conditions. Some group 3 areas in favorable conditions were able to develop into groups 4 type areas