%0 Research article
%T Snag abundance and species composition in a managed forest landscape in central Japan composed of Larix kaempferi plantations and secondary broadleaf forests
%A Nagaike, Takuo
%D 2009
%J Silva Fennica
%V 43
%N 5
%R doi:10.14214/sf.171
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/171
%X Larix kaempferi is the main plantation species in the low-snow,  cool-temperate zone of Japan. I studied L. kaempferi plantations of  various stand ages in central Japan to examine and compare the effect of  stand age on the abundance, size, and species composition of snags  (standing dead trees) compared to those in secondary broadleaf forests.  Plantations that were older than the standard rotation age had more and  larger snags than young plantations, and the species diversity of snags  was positively correlated with stand age. Because the density of living  planted L. kaempferi showed little correlation with snag variables,  whereas that of naturally regenerated tree species was positively  correlated with snag variables, the density dependence of snag  occurrence was stronger in naturally regenerated trees than in planted  L. kaempferi. Snag species that were positively correlated with stand  age were the main species in secondary broadleaf forests in this area.  Basal area, density, and number of species of snags in standard-rotation  plantations were significantly lower than in long-rotation plantations  and secondary broadleaf forests. Long-rotation plantations are useful  for retaining snags compared to standard-rotation plantations.