Skip to main content
Log in

Canopy structures and its effect on shoot growth and flowering in subalpine forests

Vegetatio Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Changes in foliage density distribution with altitude and its effect on shoot growth and flowering were studied in forest section planes (profiles) of subalpine forests and scrubs (Krummholz) in Nepal and Japan.

Patterns of foliage in forest canopy were evaluated by an analysis of variance. Foliage densities were very high at high altitude canopies, but the change in spatial patterns along altitude differs in both areas.

The spatial pattern of new shoot production was similar to that of current foliage density and was affected by the amount of foliage above the sample probably through light condition. Flowering of tall trees occurred in the surface of the upper canopy, but a shrub species flowered even under tree canopies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aber J. D., Pastor J. & Melillo J. M. 1982. Changes in forest canopy structure along a site quality gradient in south Wisconsin. Am. Midl. Nat. 108: 256–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Appanah S. 1981. Pollination in Malaysian primary forests. Malaysian Forester 44: 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell A. D. 1984. Dynamic morphology: a contribution to plant population ecology. In: Dirzo R. & Sarukhán J. (eds), Perspectives on plant population ecology, pp 48–65. Sinauer. Sunderland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dobremez, J. F. & Shrestha, T. B. 1976. Ecological map of Nepal, Jumla-Saipal 1/250000.

  • Good R. 1974. The geography of the flowering plants. 4th ed. Longmans Green and Co. London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallé F., Oldeman R. A. A. & Tomlinson P. B. 1978. Tropical trees and forests. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kira T. & Shidei T. 1967. Primary production and turnover of organic matter in different forest ecosystems of the Western Pacific. Jap. J. Ecol. 17: 70–87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike F. 1985. Reconstruction of two-dimensional tree and forest canopy profiles using photographs. J. Appl. Ecol. 22: 921–929.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koike F. 1986. Canopy dynamics estimated from shoot morphology in an evergreen broad-leaved forest. Oecologia 70: 348–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur R. H. & Horn H. S. 1969. Foliage profile by vertical measurements. Ecology 50: 802–804.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur R. H. & MacArthur J. W. 1961. On bird species diversity. Ecology 42: 594–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samejima J., Sato Y., Shimizu M., Samejima K. & Nakamura K. 1981. (Forest vegetation.) In: Report of synthetic survey of the Shiretoko Peninsula, pp. 22–122. Hokkaido Government. Sapporo. (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS. 1982. SAS user's guide: Statistics. SAS Institute. Cary, North Carolina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato K. 1981. (Alpine vegetation) In: Report of synthetic survey of the Shiretoko Peninsula, pp. 123–173. Hokkaido Government. Sapporo. (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha T. B. 1982. Ecology and vegetation of north-west Nepal. Royal Nepal Academy. Kathmandu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stainton J. D. A. 1972. Forests of Nepal. John Murray. London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tranquillini W. 1979. Physiological ecology of the alpine timberline. Springer-Verlag. Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Werger M. J. A., Dusink E. M. & Fliervoet L. M. 1986. Types of phytomass — and leaf area index profiles in grassland vegetation. Vegetatio 65: 39–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Chi-Wu. 1961. The forest of China. Harvard University. Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yumoto T. 1987. Pollination systems in a warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved forest on Yaku Island. Ecol. Res. 2: 133–145.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Koike, F., Tabata, H. & Malla, S.B. Canopy structures and its effect on shoot growth and flowering in subalpine forests. Vegetatio 86, 101–113 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031726

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031726

Keywords

Navigation