Temporal and spatial dynamics of an old-growth beech forest in western Japan

摘要: Dendrochronological approaches enable us to understand forest stand dynamics by estimation of disturbance history and age structure. The present study was conducted in an old-growth beech a reserve western Japan. Increment cores were taken for tree ring analysis from all canopy trees 50 m × 130 m plot. Radial growth release criteria developed identify significant releases each series characterize the site. structure indicative continuous establishment Fagus crenata simultaneous Magnolia obovata. A variety low-intensity disturbances identified decade, especially after 1900s, but occurrence high-intensity catastrophic rare, likely played important role maintaining species diversity existing canopy. results also suggest that F. regenerates gradually before both large- small-scale disturbances, whereas M. obovata Betula grossa regenerate only large-scale disturbances.