Management of insect biodiversity by line thinning in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) plantations, central Japan

摘要: We investigated the effects of line thinning on biomass and diversity common families two insect orders, Coleoptera Hymenoptera, to evaluate importance for management biodiversity in Japanese cedar plantations central Japan. In thinning, 3- 5-m-wide linear sections stand are harvested parallel slope often perpendicular forest roads. Between line-thinned sections, 5- 12-m-wide retained. compared abundance Hymenoptera between an adjacent unthinned plantations: low-elevation Sugi site (four years since thinning) high-elevation Kuchiotani (six thinning). Biomass both orders increased with increasing understory plant across sites. as high 130% thinned retained relative stand. The difference stands was greater site, probably because this region supports more natural forests that serve source habitats various groups. Because arthropod can be used indicator ecosystem integrity, we conclude is effective silvicultural treatment enhancing overstocked C. japonica plantations.