Age and spatial distribution of
Abies firma saplings were analyzed in a mature mixed forest of
A. firma and
Fagus japonica. There were two major peaks in the age structure of
Abies saplings at around 10 and 75 years of age. Distribution of these age classes of saplings was contagious, while that of all
saplings was approximately random. These facts showed that most of the establishment of
A. firma occurs just after a gap is formed, and the frequency at which such establishment occurs is about once every 60 years in a
1600 m
2 area.
Key words
Abies firma
- age structure - distribution pattern - gap formation - sapling