Studies in maintenance and regeneration mechanisms of a coppice forest in cool-warm temperate transitional zone

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A coppice secondary forest of cool-warm temperate transitional zone in northern part of Ibaraki Prefecture, central Japan is dominated by Quercus serrara, Castanea crenata, Carpinus, Acer and so on. The establishment mechanism of Q.serrata, Carpinus laxiflora and C.Crenata ware examined from the shoot structure and shoot dynamics of both saplings and canopy trees, and physioecological characteristics.1.The standing crop of the coppice forest dominating by Q.serrata and C.crenata (ca.20-years-old, 10-12 m in height) was measured. These two species occupied 66% of the total basal area. The standing crop was 590.5 kga^<-1>.2.Maximum photosynthesis of Q.serrata and C.crenata was ca.10 mumolm^<-2>s^<-1> and that of C.laxiflora was 8 mumolm^<-2>s^<-1>.3.The influence of upper layr plants on the seedling establishment of Q.serrata and C.laxiflora was examined. Following treatments such as gap formation, mowing dwarf-bamboo, mowing shrub and control were made. Relative growth rate and survivorship were high at the only gap. The regeneration of the two species would occur in the only gap.4.In Q.serrata and C.crenata first and second shoots were formed in both saplings and canopy trees. The shoot extension of C.laxiflora differed in saplings and canopy trees. In saplings only first shoot extended during growing season and in canopy trees first and second shoots were formed.5.The life span of leaves, area of individual leaves, specific leaf weight and stem weight per unit stem length of C.laxiflora were smaller significantly than those of Q.serrata and C.crenata. The stem length per unit leaf area of C.laxiflora was three to five times as long as Q.serrata and C.crenata. A high efficiency of shoot extension of C.laxiflora contributed to the establishment of seedlings and development to canopy trees.