Structure and developmental process of a Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata forest in the Fagetea crenatae region in Japan

Structure and developmental processes were studied in a Quercus mongolica Fisch. var. grosseserrata (Bl.) Rehd. et Wils. forest in the Fagetea crenatae Bl. region in Japan. The Quercus forest was classified into three stand types: stands dominated by Quercus with many species (type Q-MIX), Quercus-Fagus (type Q-F), and Quercus (type Q). In Q-MIX, Alnus hirsuta Turcz. had a bell-shaped DBH-class distribution. Most Quercus trees were single stemmed. The establishment of Quercus trees occurred continuously from the 1900s. The percentage of growth change (%GC) exhibited negative values from the 1940s. In Q-F and Q, Quercus trees had bell-shaped DBH-class distributions, and multiple-stemmed trees showed broad distributions. In Q-F, tree establishment peak was in the 1870s. %GC exhibited large fluctuations. In Q, tree establishment peak was in the 1850s. %GC exhibited negative values for 60 years. In conclusion, type Q-MIX, Q-F, and Q developed mainly by seedling regeneration following major cutting in the 1900s, sprout and seedling regeneration following intermittent cuttings mainly in the 1870s, and sprout and seedling regeneration following successive cuttings mainly in the 1850s, respectively. Cutting disturbance can be a major factor in developmental processes in Quercus forest; the frequency and intensity of cuttings affect the stand structure and the dominance of Quercus in the Fagetea crenatae region.