Picea jezoensis is widely distributed around the Hokkaido, and usally mixes with Picea glehnii, Abies sachalinensis, Betula ernamii, Sorbus commixta and other broad-leaf trees. We have been worked on regeneration dynamics of Picea jezoensis and Abies sachalinensis at Hidaka National Forest (N42°55'20'', E142°45'23'') since 2004. Since our research site is located at upper limit of vertical distribution of P. jezoensis (ca.1000-1300m), not only by silvcultural management, stand componests were strongly affected by altitude. In the photo, although P. jezoensis and A. sachalinensis is dominant around the our plot (front, left), B. ermanii is aboundant at the ridge (behind, right).
In our plot, P. jezoensis occupied up to 50% of total basal area. Maximum sizes were up to 30m for height and 90cm for DBH. Ground was coverd by dwarf bamboo, Sasa senanensis.
The seedings of P. jezoensis were only emerged on the decayed fallen logs, because they coudn't servive through fungal desease and Sasa coverage; fallen logs act as the safe site for P. jezoensis regeneration, in Hokkaido. Currently we have been working for this unique regeneration method, "regeneration on the log", since 2004. We taggled all the seeding emerged on the log, and measured them (center). Finally we will counduct survival analysis among the various environmental condition. Beside the seedling dynamics survey, we have also investigated physiological adoptation to environment, mainly to light (right).