Abstract
An ecological study of dry matter production was made in a dwarf forest dominated byAlnus maximowiczii at the timberline of Mt. Fuji.
Annual gross production was estimated by two methods, namely the summation method using stem analysis and total photosynthesis calculated from leaf area and photosynthetic rate per leaf area. Seasonal changes in relative light intensity and in leaf area were measured in a quadrat. Photosynthesis and respiration rates of samples were measured in temperature-regulated assimilation chambers.
The phytomass was 2,989 g d.w.m−2, and those of stems and branches, leaves, and roots were 1,672 g, 293 g, and 1,024 g respectively. The growing period of this plant was about four months and this plant expanded leaves quickly. The maximum gross photosynthetic rate was 21 mg CO2dm−2 h−1 on September 1.
Annual net production estimated by examining the annual rings was 922 g d.w.m−2 year−1 and annual respiration was 735 g. Annual gross production estimated from photosynthetic rates was 1,747 g d.w.m−2 year−1. The sum of annual net production by stem analysis and respiration agree closely with gross production estimated from photosynthetic rate.
Gross production of this dwarf forest is comparable to the beech forest of the upper cool temperate zone owing to the high photosynthetic rate ofAlnus maximowiczii.
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Sakio, H., Masuzawa, T. Ecological studies on the timberline of Mt. Fuji. Bot Mag Tokyo 100, 349–363 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02488854
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02488854