ALBERT

Description: In recent decades, the extent of Sasa palmata -dominant communities has increased in Sarobetsu Mire in northern Hokkaido, Japan, replacing the original Sphagnum bog vegetation. However, this marked increase in distribution of Sasa in the mire has not been formally documented or investigated in detail. Using aerial photo-interpretation, the present study updated the distribution maps of Sasa communities, showing the changes that have occurred to these communities between 1977 and 2003. The results revealed that the extent of Sasa communities has increased by 15.8 % from 6.60 km 2 in 1977 to 7.64 km 2 in 2003. The most marked increase occurred on the ground associated with drainage channels, although the oldest channels were constructed more than half a century ago, suggesting that some responses to the drainage of peat bog ecosystems may take a considerable period of time before becoming particularly evident.

Description: In limited-water-level reservoirs, areas along the reservoir shoreline are often exposed within the drawdown zone when water levels are reduced from normal to limited levels during the flood season. To prevent erosion and conserve the landscape, test plantings and landscaping along the shoreline have been implemented at some dam reservoirs. The establishment of vegetation within the drawdown zone contributes to both landscape and wildlife habitat conservation. Distribution, habitat, and seed-dispersal period of willows such as Salix subfragilis were investigated at Miharu Dam reservoir in northeastern Japan. Eight willow species were found around the dam, but S. subfragilis dominated within the drawdown zone. Field survey results beginning in 1995 indicate that the size of the S. subfragilis community increased after initial impoundment. Although many other Salix species disperse seeds prior to the drawdown period, S. subfragilis disperses during and after drawdown in the spring; thus, when water levels are lower than normal, its seeds are supplied to the newly exposed zones that provide suitable habitat for Salix seedling establishment. Our results suggest that S. subfragilis dominated because of water-resistant properties and timing of the seed dispersal period.

Description: In Japan, invasions of alien herb Coreopsis lanceolata are often observed in riparian endemic vegetation, but the invasion influences on light environments and endemic species are insufficiently evaluated. In this study, we investigated the influences of C . lanceolata and native dominant turf Zoysia japonica on the densities of riparian plants (two endemics Artemisia capillaris and Potentilla chinensis and one alien Lespedeza inschanica ) in relation to the understory light availability using 594 0.2 m × 0.2 m plots. Available understory light was influenced negatively by C . lanceolata , not Z . japonica , due probably to the tall stature and dense foliar canopy of C . lanceolata . Understory light availability positively affected densities of riparian endemics, although the relation with L . inschanica was unclear. A . capillaris and P . chinensis densities were negatively related with C . lanceolata, not Z . japonica , implying that C . lanceolata reduces endemic populations. Shading by C . lanceolata would be one of prime factors reducing the endemics. L . inschanica density was not correlated with C . lanceolata cover. C . lanceolata could not shade L . inschanica effectively due to the taller stature of L . inschanica . We considered that C . lanceolata reduces endemic riparian species but coexists with L . inschanica . Preventing invasion and dominance of C . lanceolata is desirable to conserve endemic riparian vegetation.

Description: A method enabling the object-oriented image analysis of landscape elements incorporating topographic data was designed and tested on a Japanese countryside target area. IKONOS data (four multispectral bands with a spatial resolution of 4 m and a panchromatic band with a spatial resolution of 1 m) acquired on 23 April 2001 were used. Definiens v.5 software (Definiens AG, München, Germany) was employed for the classification. The initial segmentation was multiresolution and bottom-up, and each segment identified was considered to be one object. Two classifications employing the same landscape elements and ground truth data were implemented. One classification adopted an object-based image analysis classification method based on spectral characteristics; the other utilized an object-oriented image analysis (OOIA) that allows for a suitable scale parameter to be selected independently for each landscape element. In addition, topographic data derived from field surveys (walking surveys) and topographic maps were used to create a topographic database delineating the boundary between valley bottoms and the adjacent slopes (elevation: about 10 m). These data were then integrated into the OOIA analysis. The accuracies of the two classifications were assessed by comparing the results to a master landscape map produced directly from aerial photographs and on-site observations. The object-oriented method using the topographic data resulted in a higher overall kappa coefficients (0.63–0.47) than the object-based method. These results indicate that object-oriented image analysis of very high resolution data used in combination with topographic data can be an effective tool for landscape classification in Japan, where historical land-use patterns have resulted in finely dissected landscapes.

Description: Recently, the conversion of plantations into natural forests has attracted increasing attention, but little is known about how to convert a windthrown plantation into a natural forest. We examined the initial 3-year effects of salvage logging, site preparation, planting, and weeding in comparison with the effects of legacy retention after a typhoon blowdown on the changes in terrestrial environments and plant compositions and the similarity of the species composition to that of the intact natural forest. Our major findings are as follows: (1) A homogeneous, sunny, and flat environment continued for 3 years in the planted and weeded plot, whereas a heterogeneous environment was observed in the legacy retention plot; however, the light environment changed slightly in the planted plot. (2) The species composition in the planted plots changed greatly due to invasion by annual, biennial, and perennial herbs and early successional trees. Alien species also invaded the planted row. Conversely, the species composition changed little in the legacy retention, which was likely due to the presence of residual plants that prevented shade-intolerant species from being established. (3) The legacy retention, followed by the residual row, was the closest to the natural forest with respect to species composition, whereas the planted row was the most dissimilar from the natural forest. Legacy retention appears to be the most appropriate way to restore a natural forest immediately after a windthrow, yet supplemental planting may be necessary to restore the desired broadleaved species.

Description: Despite the need to restore urban green spaces, there are rarely enough open spaces due to urban densification. Thus, rooftops of buildings, which had not previously been regarded as spaces for planting of vegetation, have been utilised as a type of open space, and green roofing has become one of the rapidly developing fields of urban ecological engineering. However, current green roof approaches each have negative aspects in terms of enhancing urban biodiversity: intensive roofs in urban areas cannot contribute a large amount of green area, and extensive roofs cannot create high-quality green areas. In this report, we outline brown/biodiverse roofing in the UK, which is a relatively new type of extensive roofing used to provide brownfield wildlife with mimic brownfields. Brownfield refers to land that was previously developed for housing or industry but has since been abandoned and recolonised by different ecological assemblages. Brownfields provide habitat conditions similar to more natural habitats, and they can help maintain populations of some rare species. From the 1980s to the present day, the UK government has set a target of building 60% of new dwellings on brownfields. One of the most successful strategies that has been employed by the third constituency in its efforts to campaign for urban biodiversity and brownfield conservation has been to compromise with developers of brownfields and to persuade them to install wildlife-friendly mitigation technologies on roofs. This is the origin of brown/biodiverse roofs, which benefit from techniques that offer diverse habitats under severe conditions of thin substrate layer.

Description: We validated the effects of a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging process on the oriental weather loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus . Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of PIT tagging on fish survival, growth, wound healing, and tag omission. Two tagging protocols, standard syringe injection versus insertion through a small hole pierced by a fine needle-shaped awl, were compared using a 12.5 × 2.07 mm 2 tag. A control group was also included. In comparison with the awl technique, syringe injection heightened the mortality of the loach and delayed healing of the wound caused by tag insertion. No effects of either PIT tagging method were detected on the growth of surviving loach. We also field-tested similarly tagged populations within a river-based irrigation system of Sado Island, Japan. Two different sized tags (long, 12.5 × 2.07 mm 2 ; short, 8.5 × 2.12 mm 2 ) were compared by using antenna loggers which detected fish movement through gates and automatically logged tagged fish’s tag IDs and timestamps. By comparing logged data and actual fish collection surveys both below and above the gates, 77% and 30% of actual loach movements were confirmed to have been successfully logged for the long and short tags, respectively. The awl insertion technique with the longer tag is therefore recommended for use in similar studies of smaller fish species.

Description: Salix cheilophila Schneid. is a naturally occurring Salix species in Mu Us Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China. We focused on the morphological adaptability of S. cheilophila to sand dune burial. For morphological measurements, 32 S. cheilophila seedlings were removed from a community which was in the process of being buried by a shifting sand dune. Each seedling collected included the entire root system. We measured the number, length, and biomass of the adventitious roots, primary lateral roots, and taproot, and compared the morphological characteristics of the root system, including adventitious roots, for seedlings buried to various levels in the sand. The growth range of adventitious roots increased as the length of the buried portion of the main shoot increased. In addition, the total dry weight of all current-year shoots tended to increase gradually with increasing total dry weight of the adventitious roots. These results suggest that S. cheilophila tends to make use of the sedimentary sand layer that accompanies shifting sand dunes. However, there was no correlation between biomass or number of adventitious roots and the length of the buried part of the main shoot. Thus, S. cheilophila does not grow adventitious roots proportional to the buried part. These morphological characteristics of the root system, including the adventitious roots, may indicate that S. cheilophila has poor morphological adaptability to sand dune burial.

Description: Perennial C 4 grasses, especially Miscanthus sinensis , are widely distributed in the degraded lands in South China. We transplanted native and exotic tree seedlings under the canopy of M. sinensis to assess the interaction (competition or facilitation) between dominant grass M. sinensis and tree seedlings. The results of growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, and ultrastructure showed that negative effects may be stronger in perennial dominant grass M. sinensis . Although M. sinensis buffered the air temperature, improved soil structure, and increased soil phosphorus content, these beneficial effects were outweighed by the detrimental effect, especially overshading. To ensure the establishment of target native species in M. sinensis communities in degraded lands of South China, restoration strategies should include removing aboveground vegetation, planting target species seedlings in openings to reduce the effects of canopy shading, and/or selecting competition-tolerant target species. Also, seedlings of exotic species used in restoration engineering cannot be directly planted under the canopy of M. sinensis .

Description: We provide the first evidence for navigation impact on resident river fish in China. The survey was conducted in the East Tiaoxi River that discharges into Lake Taihu near Shanghai, on which cargo ship traffic has dramatically increased in the recent economic development period. Water turbidity, ship traffic and other environmental factors were evaluated at 29 sites on the river. In a multiple regression model with the stepwise method, turbidity was significantly correlated with ship traffic ( R 2  = 0.53). Another survey was conducted at 46 sites in the same area of the river, in which environmental factors were evaluated and fish individuals were electrofished. A generalised linear model with the stepwise method was applied to predict ecological indicators of the fish assemblage (species richness, individual density and Shannon’s diversity index) based on environmental factors. The results showed that the indicators were negatively correlated with turbidity and presence of artificial shore embankment structures. Another analysis further showed that the negative effect of turbid water was especially considerable for fish of smaller size. In conclusion, cargo ship traffic has a negative impact on fish assemblage, especially on smaller individuals, in the East Tiaoxi River. A higher profile for conservation actions and consideration of environmental impacts of such traffic should be given increasing focus for this and other similar East Asian water courses.

Description: The successful transplantation of indigenous tree seedlings into established plantations requires an understanding of the conditions required by the seedlings. We evaluated seedling morphological characteristics and seasonal growth of three indigenous tree species ( Castanopsis chinensis , Michelia chapensis , and Psychotria rubra ) that were transplanted into four plantations (eucalyptus, mixed-native, mixed-legume, mixed-conifer) in South China; in each plantation, two treatments (understory vegetation and litter retained or removed) were applied before the seedlings were transplanted. Seedling leaf morphological characteristics and biomass allocation were determined at the end of the experiment, and seedling relative growth rate as indicated by change in height (RGRh) was determined during the experiment. Whether understory vegetation and litter were removed or retained, RGRh tended to be higher in the wet season than in the dry season. Leaf morphological characteristics and biomass allocation were significantly affected by species identity. The effect of the understory vegetation and litter treatments on seedling morphological characteristics such as specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and root weight to total biomass ratio depended on species identity. Redundancy analysis showed that the three transplanted indigenous species differed in their responses to light conditions according to their tolerance to shade, and also differed in their responses to soil physical and chemical properties. Based on seedling seasonal growth patterns and morphological responses, we suggest that forest managers attempting to introduce seedlings of indigenous tree species should artificially supply water to increase seedling growth in the dry season. Also, the introduced tree species should be selected depending on the nature of the plantation; for example, C. chinensis and M. chapensis seedlings can be transplanted into mixed-legume plantations. Additionally, fertilizer with potassium and nitrogen should be used to improve seedling performance.

Description: Riparian savanna habitats grazed by hippopotamus or livestock experience seasonal ecological stresses through the depletion of herbaceous vegetation, and are often points of contacts and conflicts between herbivores, humans and their livestock. We investigated how hippopotamus and livestock grazing influence vegetation structure and cover and facilitate other wild herbivores in the Mara region of Kenya. We used 5 km-long transects, each with 13 plots measuring 10 × 10 m 2 , and which radiate from rivers in the Masai Mara National Reserve and adjoining community pastoral ranches. For each plot, we measured the height and visually estimated the percent cover of grasses, forbs, shrubs and bare ground, herbivore abundance and species richness. Our results showed that grass height was shortest closest to rivers in both landscapes, increased with increasing distance from rivers in the reserve, but was uniformly short in the pastoral ranches. Shifting mosaics of short grass lawns interspersed with patches of medium to tall grasses occurred within 2.5 km of the rivers in the reserve in areas grazed habitually by hippos. Hence, hippo grazing enhanced the structural heterogeneity of vegetation but livestock grazing had a homogenizing effect in the pastoral ranches. The distribution of biomass and the species richness of other ungulates with distance from rivers followed a quadratic pattern in the reserve, suggesting that hippopotamus grazing attracted more herbivores to the vegetation patches at intermediate distances from rivers in the reserve. However, the distribution of biomass and the species richness of other ungulates followed a linear pattern in the pastoral ranches, implying that herbivores avoided areas grazed heavily by livestock in the pastoral ranches, especially near rivers.

Description: The habitat characteristics of Acorus calamus were investigated to obtain data and define criteria that can be applied to restoration, conservation, and management. The investigation was conducted in March, June, and September to span the growth period of A. calamus . While the importance of A. calamus decreased over time, the diversity index ( H ′) of A. calamus communities increased in June and then decreased in September. Water levels in A. calamus habitats were lowest in March. About two-thirds of the A. calamus communities (68.4%) were found in sandy loam. Although the optimal environmental ranges of the water and soil characteristics for A. calamus changed according to growth stage, the environmental conditions in March were important for seed germination and seedling establishment. The aboveground biomass of A. calamus was 20.4 in March, 349.3 in June, and 267.0 g/m 2 in September. We also clarified the environmental characteristics of the water and soil at which the aboveground biomass during the growing and senescing seasons peaked. Based on our data, we were able to propose the following guidelines for wetland creation and restoration. (1) To facilitate the seed germination and seedling establishment of A. calamus , managers should seek to achieve conditions that approximate the optimal environment in March. (2) To optimize the growth of A. calamus , the soil pH should be maintained at neutral and the permeability to air should be enhanced. (3) To extend the longevity of A. calamus leaves, the habitat should be managed so as to limit the survival of other species with overlapping niches, and the water depth should be maintained at around 24 cm. Also, the supply of nitrogen components to the soil should not be excessive.

Description: The Samcheok forest fire of April 2000 was the biggest stand-replacing fire recorded in Korea, and led to the largest-scale salvage logging operation (performed until 2005) ever implemented. We investigated the effects of the treatments performed after the fire on the breeding bird community in 2002–2005 (the management period) and 2006–2008 (the post-management period). A total of 75 line transect surveys resulted in 660 detections of 54 species in undisturbed stands (CO), in burned and naturally restored stands (NI), and in burned and logged stands (IT). Four species ( Parus major , Aegithalos caudatus , Dendrocopos kizuki , and Parus ater ) were identified as indicator species in CO which showed no temporal changes in bird communities and habitat structure. Among the various stand treatments, the standardized species richness was highest in CO (11.6 ± 4.6 species/transect in 2002–2005, 12.1 ± 3.5 in 2006–2008), and this richness did not change over time. On the other hand, low richness was observed in NI (6.8 ± 2.6 in 2002–2005, 9.6 ± 2.3 in 2006–2008), and the lowest richness was seen in IT (5.0 ± 2.4 in 2002–2005, 6.1 ± 1.8 in 2006–2008), but both of these increased over time. Although the bird abundances in NI and IT were lower than those in CO (38.0 ± 27.7 birds/transect in 2002–2005, 31.3 ± 10.9 in 2006–2008), the abundances in NI (15.1 ± 8.6 in 2002–2005, 17.6 ± 11.4 in 2006–2008) and IT (11.7 ± 8.3 in 2002–2005, 10.0 ± 4.6 in 2006–2008) were not significantly different. There was no significant difference in abundance between time periods for any of the stand treatments. These results imply that NI (i.e., no salvage logging) allows greater bird richness but not abundance to be recovered compared to IT. No indicator species was consistently present in NI throughout the two time periods covered due to the rapid regrowth of vegetation, but four open-habitat dwellers ( Falco tinnunculus , Phoenicurus auroreus , Emberiza cioides , and Sturnus cineraceus ) colonized IT during the post-management period. The bird assemblage in IT, as assessed by canonical correspondence analysis, shifted to open habitats, while the avifauna in NI became similar to that in CO over time. While post-fire treatment can provide new colonization opportunities for open-habitat dwellers, the slow colonization process, the low species richness, and the low bird abundance observed in large areas of IT indicate that post-fire treatment using salvage logging inhibits the restoration of forest bird communities by producing a poorer breeding bird community that is very different from the original one. Based on these lessons from the response to the Samcheok forest fire, we suggest that preserving as much of the disturbed forest as possible is essential, and that the current approach to post-fire treatment—intensive salvage logging—needs to be revised to ensure the effective restoration of breeding bird communities in disturbed temperate pine forests.

Description: We investigated the effects of planting density and relative ground height (distance from the water table) on the early establishment of two introduced tree species [Mongolian pine ( Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica ) and white poplar ( Populus alba var. pyramidalis )] in the Mu Us Sandy Land of China; we used GLMM to analyze experimental effects. In total, 14 afforestation plots (seven plots per species) with variable relative ground heights were established on a shifting sand dune. Trees were planted at intervals of 3, 5, and 7 m, and the distances between neighboring trees were fixed within plots. Planting intervals and numbers of neighboring trees were treated as measures of planting density, and relative ground height was treated as an indicator of water supply stability. For both species, tree survival rates decreased with increasing planting interval; the number of neighboring trees had a positive effect on survival. The effect of relative ground height differed between species. Pine tree survival rates decreased with increased relative ground height, while the survival rates of poplar trees were unaffected. We recommend that pine trees be planted at high density on lower sectors of sand dunes to prevent wind erosion in early spring. Poplar trees should be planted at high density without reference to relative ground height for the provision of fuelwood.

Description: Managing highway rights-of-way (HROW) for safety depends upon the annual precipitation received and vegetation mowing practices. This study was conducted along a precipitation gradient in Texas, USA, to evaluate how precipitation and mowing treatments influence vegetation heights. The experiment was initiated in spring 1999 and completed in autumn 2002. Each site had ten treatments with four replications and consisted of forty 15 m × 6 m subplots. Commercial highway mowing equipment was used to mow the subplots at 5-, 10-, or 20-cm heights with an annual mowing frequency of one, two, or three times per year and a non-mowed control. A vegetation height of 〉30 cm is generally considered a safety hazard. Control subplot vegetation heights increased along the annual precipitation gradient. Most of the subplot vegetation heights at the more arid Andrews site (35 cm precipitation year −1 ) were 〈30 cm. Subplot vegetation heights at the Tahoka (50 cm precipitation year −1 ), Brady (66 cm precipitation year −1 ), and Lufkin (109 cm precipitation year −1 ) locations exceeded 30 cm, regardless of mowing frequency or height. Mowing treatments for HROW safety must be based on site-specific conditions. In areas that receive 〈35 cm precipitation year −1 , mowing treatments have little effect on vegetation height, and management practices do not necessarily affect visual safety. In areas that receive 〉35 cm precipitation year −1 , mowing three or less times per year, regardless of mowing height, makes it unfeasible to maintain the vegetation heights of 〈30 cm needed to maintain the HROW visual safety criterion.

Description: Carex scabrifolia , a perennial herb that commonly grows on sandbars in lagoons and tidal estuaries, is threatened by habitat reduction in some areas of Japan. Clonal diversity and the extent of gene flow among ten populations located along the Seto Inland Sea and the Japan Sea in western Japan were examined using six microsatellite loci. From 299 samples, we detected 77 multilocus genotypes. The mean number of alleles per population was 2.8 and the mean clonal diversity was 0.23. Many populations consisted of small patches, and the mean number of genets per patch was 2.0. The average number of alleles per locus and clonal diversity were positively correlated with the number of patches within a watershed. Gene flow was detected between the Ichikawa River and the Ohta River populations along the Seto Inland Sea, and weak differentiation among populations located along the Seto Inland Sea was observed. Our results suggest that effective conservation of C. scabrifolia populations should include maintaining all patches within a watershed regardless of population size, thus promoting genotype preservation.

Description: Monoculture plantations with rapidly growing trees are often used for reforestation schemes on abandoned land. There is evidence that in some cases, reforestation facilitates forest succession toward natural species composition. However, the success of a scheme varies according to site conditions, and systematic investigations are required for adaptive management. Monoculture plantations were used to reforest abandoned pastures at the study site in Hokkaido, northern Japan. At the study site—a 40-year-old nonnative larch ( Larix kaempferi ) plantation—the effects of thinning and deer-browsing exclusion treatments on the demography of understory saplings were analyzed to achieve appropriate management planning for reforestation. After deer-browsing exclusion, saplings of various species became established, and species composition corresponded closely to that of a natural conifer–broadleaved mixed stand. Saplings of shade-tolerant species, such as Abies sachalinensis and Acer mono , were abundant. Thinning influenced the demography of saplings over an 8-year period and significantly affected the height growth rate of A. sachalinensis saplings, which show strong variations in response to varying light conditions. There were also negative effects of thinning, such as increased mortality and decreased height growth rate of broadleaved saplings, the growth of which was suppressed by facilitated growth of A. sachalinensis . Thus, treatments used for reforestation must take into account differences in demographic traits of tree species by including long-term monitoring.

Description: Regional habitat quality and landscape connectivity can be greatly impaired by dam construction and subsequent land-use changes. This study examined landscape pattern and connectivity changes in the Manwan Basin from 1974 to 2006 to quantify the effects of dam construction. Landscape pattern indices and kernel density estimation (KDE) were used to analyze forest pattern dynamics, while the probability of connectivity (PC) index was applied to evaluate landscape connectivity changes. The results showed that forest area decreased by nearly 20 %, while the number of forest patches increased more than sixfold from 1974 to 2006 in the Manwan Basin. During the study period, forest fragmentation mainly occurred in the western and northern parts of the Manwan Basin. Due to the changes in the forest landscape pattern, landscape connectivity decreased by an average of 54.74 %. In addition, we detected changes to key stepping-stone patches by calculating the percentage importance of each resource patch. The results showed that 300.38 km 2 of high-importance forest patches transformed to medium- and low-importance patches from 1974 to 2006.

Description: Amorpha fruticosa L., introduced from the eastern part of North and Central America as a revegetation material for artificial slopes, has escaped into riverbeds in Japan, and its negative effects are of concern. In this study, an attempt has been made to clarify the actual extent of escape and establishment of A. fruticosa , through a case study of the Sendaigawa River, Tottori Prefecture, coupled with a survey of national distribution using the National Censuses on River Environments. The autecology of A. fruticosa , including phenology, germination, allelopathy and coppicing ability, was also studied by observation and experiments. The following conclusions were drawn: A. fruticosa preferred sunny sites; the total established area in the study site was 7,500 m 2 ; A. fruticosa showed strong coppicing ability; there was lower species diversity in and around areas populated by A. fruticosa ; and A. fruticosa has been expanding its area both in the watershed of Sendaigawa River region and nationwide. The authors emphasize the importance of quick control of A. fruticosa .

Description: Forest operations impose changes on biological, ecological, hydrological, social, and esthetic attributes of forested landscapes. Methodologies are needed to evaluate the visual impact of forest operations on landscapes as part of the planning process. We assessed the visual impact of forest operations on views from a major travel corridor within a protected area by analyzing three landscape characteristics: visibility, forest landscape quality, and visual sensitivity at distances ranging from 0 m to 5 km. A geographic information system was used to perform: (a) visibility analysis, (b) forest landscape quality analysis, (c) visual fragility analysis, and (d) landscape sensitivity analysis. The output was a landscape sensitivity map, a powerful planning tool that displays the most sensitive areas and the most sensitive forest type, in this study, specifically holm oak forest ( Quercus ilex L.) managed under the coppice silvicultural system. Our results suggest some guidelines for reducing the visual impact of forest operations and demonstrate the efficacy of this methodology for designing the visual quality of forested landscapes.

Description: For 12 years starting from 1991, we performed vegetation surveys every 2–3 years at permanent plots located in an artificial marsh which was constructed in former rice paddies through sod transplantation from a natural marsh. Management of the artificial marsh was conducted to maintain the condition of the donor vegetation by removing unnecessary plants and ensuring a water supply of constant quality and quantity. However, the structure and floristic composition of the donor vegetation were destroyed during sod transplantation, and eutrophic water was supplied before the construction of a well in year 5. The transition of communities identified in the artificial marsh was monitored periodically at 34 fixed plots established three years after transplantation, with a further two plots added in year 7. Seasonal changes in surface water chemistry were also monitored. While the main communities of the artificial marsh resembled that of the donor marsh, two other communities were also identified at arid or muddy sites, where dominant plants had grown from seeds or propagules. After 12 years, we identified three communities (with one community containing two subunits), the dominance of which changed among the plots over the years. The communities developed along two main gradients, dry to wet and secondary succession. The first gradient was characterized by species groups favoring dry conditions, while the second gradient was characterized by species groups favoring disturbed conditions. The original composition recorded for donor marsh plants was not established by year 12 after transplantation to the artificial marsh.

Description: In this study, we propose a new method for planning ecological networks in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Korea. The basic idea of this method is that, in urban areas where the price of land is high, it is most cost-effective to protect linear green areas that act as ecological corridors for potential movement paths (PMPs) of wild animals. PMPs were identified by a path-finding algorithm (PFA) that selected the optimum routes with minimum travel costs between pairs of locations where individuals of the indicator species—great tits ( Parus major )—were found during field surveys. The PFA created an imaginary line segment network that connects nodes separated by 30 m across the entire study area, and estimated the total travel cost of a route from one P. major location to another by summing the travel costs associated with all of the segments comprising that route. We assumed that the travel cost of each segment is the average of the inverses of the bird densities at the two end nodes. For each node, the bird density was estimated from the linear relationship between percentage vegetation cover and bird density, as observed during field surveys. The predicted PMPs showed a pattern that was highly concentrated on patches with relatively high vegetation cover. The preference of P. major for a few specific routes allowed us to easily identify ecological corridors in the study area. An ecological network plan that protects and/or restores areas along ecological corridors would greatly improve the ecological connectivity of fragmented habitats in highly urbanized areas.

Description: The development of the green roof market in Greece and other Mediterranean countries in general has not been standardized, unlike in Germany and other northern European countries. The construction of successful sustainable green roofs relies mainly on the development and combination of integrated systems that include green roof stabilization and the appropriate selection of a substrate and drainage system to support sustainable plant growth. The current study provides a thorough review of the decision-making process associated with the selection of substrate, drainage, and slope-reinforcing materials for the Athens Concert Hall green roof park (2 ha). For the scope of this study, guidelines from different scientific fields were modified and combined to accommodate the specifics of this project and the Hellenic climatic conditions. The challenges addressed included a roof shell with 70 different inclinations, underground retaining walls and steps, and steep slopes that reached 70 % gradients. Selection of the appropriate materials and methodologies was supported by analyses that included granulometry, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, moisture potential curves, organic matter content, and weight at saturation and field capacity. The drainage layer consisted of a bilayered system of pea gravel and sand combined with geotextiles. Substrate characteristics were defined by the analyses undertaken and adapted to the Hellenic climatic conditions. Geogrids and honeycomb geocells were utilized separately or in conjunction on inclined surfaces. Substrate moisture measurements performed at 150 locations on the green roof revealed increased moisture fluctuations (10–35 % v/v), which were mainly caused by the presence of the underground retaining walls.

Description: Recent large fires have highlighted the importance of understanding post-fire processes in forest ecosystems, in order to implement ecologically sound post-fire forest restoration practices. Restoration principles should be based on a thorough understanding and appropriate integration of the ecological, social, and economic factors associated with forest ecosystems. In Korea, forest fires mainly affect pine forests, which provide habitats for pine mushrooms, a major source of income for local residents. Curculionid beetles can easily attack fire-damaged trees because of the trees’ weakened defense mechanisms. On the other hand, fire accelerates the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient release, thereby improving forest productivity. Natural restoration after large fires depends on regeneration (e.g., from seeds and sprouts) of the remaining trees that have sustained less damage, until secondary forests are established. However, severely burned areas may require rapid artificial regeneration depending on the specific climatic (e.g., summer rainy season), geographic (e.g., shallow surface soil and land erosion), and economic (e.g., local mushroom harvesting) objectives. A restoration plan should include constructing fuel breaks to reduce the fire risk if the area is replanted mainly with pine species.

Description: Barnacles are often considered invasive species because they spread to non-native waters via shipping and the movement of floating objects. In this study, we surveyed barnacles attached to decrepit, unloaded fish aggregating devices. These objects act like stepping stones for sessile organisms in the ocean. Barnacles were sampled and identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Eight barnacle species were recorded, three of which are new records for Japanese waters ( Newmanella radiata , Tesseropora sp., Balanus sp.).

Description: The effects on Robinia pseudoacacia (an exotic and invasive plant in Japanese rivers) of local scouring and saturation of the soil in the root-anchoring zone due to flooding were investigated. Scouring has been defined as the removal of substrate in the root-anchoring zone, exposing the tree roots. Tree-pulling experiments were conducted, simulating flood action, and the resulting damage was examined in order to assess the effect of local scouring on the maximum resistive bending moment ( M max ) for overturning. Scouring was artificially created to three different depths, 0, 25, and 50 cm. A nonlinear model was developed that included soil strength characteristics to calculate the critical overturning moment ( M cri ) under dry and saturated soil conditions. Significant correlations ( p  〈 0.05) of M max with different tree and root–soil plate characteristics, such as diameter at breast height ( D bh ), tree weight, root depth, and root–soil plate radius, were developed in order to elucidate the effects of scouring on M max . M max was slightly reduced with scouring depth for trees with D bh 〈10 cm (small) trunks, and it was significantly and negatively ( p  〈 0.05) correlated with scouring depth for trees with 10 〈  D bh  〈 20 cm (medium) trunks. However, M max did not change significantly with scouring depth for trees with a D bh 〉20 cm (big) trunks. The nonlinear model was useful for determining the M cri of R. pseudoacacia under dry and saturated soil conditions. The overturning moments of all (small, medium, and big) trees were considerably reduced under the saturated soil condition. It could be concluded that medium-sized trees were greatly affected by scouring, and that small and big trees were mainly affected by saturation of the soil under severe flooding conditions.

Description: Tree communities of secondary deciduous oak forests were surveyed in 13 forests (two in residential and 11 in rural areas) in the warm temperate Hokuriku District of Japan to understand the effects of fragmentation, location (residential or rural), and logging history. The rural forest logged most recently, where diameter at breast height was smallest, had a distinct canopy tree (〉12 m) community due to an increase of trees from wind-dispersed seeds. The rural forest with gaps and the two residential forests also had different canopy tree communities from the other rural forests. In contrast, the tree community in the shrub layer (≤6 m) was not influenced by logging history and the existence of gaps but by location only. This was caused by an increase in evergreen trees (consequently causing poor light conditions on the forest floor) and a decrease in trees from wind-dispersed seeds in the residential forests. Among the rural forest patches, no negative effects of forest size and isolation on density of tree individuals were detected for any seed dispersal mode. This may be because many forest patches were arranged at distances of 10–50 m from neighboring patches in rural areas, which enables tree species with low dispersal ability to disperse their seeds to neighboring forests. However, as found in the residential forests, long-term abandonment and extensive fragmentation may gradually reduce tree diversity through loss of tree species with shade intolerance and low seed dispersal ability.

Description: Although medium-class flood disturbance is highly correlated with diversity of vegetated area of river habitat, it is still not clearly defined due to its complexity. To describe flood disturbance characteristics, two indices, breakage or overturning index and washout index, are used to express the breaking condition of trees and washout condition of trees and grasses. The relationship between diversity index of vegetated area (DI), calculated using vegetation species maps, and flood disturbance index ( I i ), which represents the expected value of different flood disturbances, was investigated on four gravel bars in the Karasugawa River, Japan. The flood disturbance indices in Region A (high possibility to be a forest) and Region E (high possibility to be a bare area, as defined in this study) are identified as indicators for medium-class flood disturbance in this study. Moreover, this study confirms the results of previous studies on the Arakawa and Tamagawa Rivers, Japan, and their applicability to other rivers. In addition, the relationship between flood disturbance and DI in Region A or E explains the effect of flow regulation by construction of dams and weirs in river upstream on the downstream river habitat. Furthermore, based on the observed data and calculated results related to the possibility of vegetation and bare area on gravel bars in all investigated rivers, a range of flood return periods for medium-class flood disturbance for habitats on gravel bars was defined as 3–12.5 years, where the lower and upper values are related to the possibility of the presence of vegetation and the possibility of being a bare area, respectively.

Description:    This study examines the relations between the local variations in vegetation and topography using logistic regression (LR) and GIS in a snowy basin in the Ohu Mountains of northeastern Japan. The spatial distribution of seven vegetation classes interpreted from aerial photographs—(a) large-sparse crown beech forest, (b) middle-dense crown beech forest, (c) dwarf beech scrub, (d) dwarf bamboo thicket, (e) Japanese white pine forest, (f) snow-avalanche scrub or meadow, and (g) riparian forest—was analyzed with terrain parameters derived from a 10 m digital elevation model (10 m DEM) and parameters of landslide distribution and surface geology. While large-sparse crown beech forests dominate the slopes, smaller crown beech forests or scrubs are often found on the west-facing (i.e., windward side) upper parts of slopes and crests. On the contrary, snow-avalanche scrubs or meadows are found on the leeward side of steep slopes and concave plan curvatures. Dwarf bamboo thickets are often found on east-facing (i.e., leeward side) gently sloping crests, where the snow remains until summer. Japanese white pine forests respond positively to sharp ridges, whereas riparian forests show a positive response to the gently sloping lower parts of slopes and bottomlands at low elevation. The heterogeneous vegetation distribution in the basin indicates differences in site conditions (e.g., soil–water conditions), and the existence of various disturbance regimes induced by the strong winter monsoon with heavy snowfall, snow movements (e.g., avalanches), and temporal differences in snowmelt on different topographies. The estimated vegetation maps could be used for forest management and restoration. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0187-2 Authors Toshiya Matsuura, Department of Forest Management, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan Wajiro Suzuki, Tadami Beech and River Museum, 2590 Machishita, Tadami, Tadami-machi, Fukushima 968-0421, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Recently, the conversion of plantations into natural forests has attracted increasing attention, but little is known about how to convert a windthrown plantation into a natural forest. We examined the initial 3-year effects of salvage logging, site preparation, planting, and weeding in comparison with the effects of legacy retention after a typhoon blowdown on the changes in terrestrial environments and plant compositions and the similarity of the species composition to that of the intact natural forest. Our major findings are as follows: (1) A homogeneous, sunny, and flat environment continued for 3 years in the planted and weeded plot, whereas a heterogeneous environment was observed in the legacy retention plot; however, the light environment changed slightly in the planted plot. (2) The species composition in the planted plots changed greatly due to invasion by annual, biennial, and perennial herbs and early successional trees. Alien species also invaded the planted row. Conversely, the species composition changed little in the legacy retention, which was likely due to the presence of residual plants that prevented shade-intolerant species from being established. (3) The legacy retention, followed by the residual row, was the closest to the natural forest with respect to species composition, whereas the planted row was the most dissimilar from the natural forest. Legacy retention appears to be the most appropriate way to restore a natural forest immediately after a windthrow, yet supplemental planting may be necessary to restore the desired broadleaved species. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0206-3 Authors Miho Morimoto, Laboratory of Forest Ecosystem Management, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 jo, Nishi 9, Kita ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Junko Morimoto, Laboratory of Forest Ecosystem Management, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 jo, Nishi 9, Kita ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Yoshiaki Moriya, Laboratory of Forest Ecosystem Management, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 jo, Nishi 9, Kita ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Futoshi Nakamura, Laboratory of Forest Ecosystem Management, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 jo, Nishi 9, Kita ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    This study was conducted to assess the floral composition of the Alno communal mixed forest in the Philippines. A quadrat method of vegetational analysis was used for the assessment of trees, shrubs, saplings, and seedlings. A total of 78 species belonging to 43 families were identified in this communal forest. For the assessment of grasses, herbs, ferns, and other low-lying vegetation, the line intercept method was used. A total of 31 species belonging to 20 families were found using this method. The diversity (Shannon–Wiener) indices of this communal forest are 3.2129 and 2.3870 for the quadrat method and line intercept method, respectively. The most dominant species in this area is Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon (Benguet pine) with an importance value of 64.19 %. Endemic species in the area also connote ecological importance, being considered a good indication of the status of habitats and ecosystems of this communal forest. Content Type Journal Article Category Report Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0204-5 Authors Roscinto Ian C. Lumbres, Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Yesan, Chungnam 340-802, South Korea Jennifer A. Palaganas, College of Forestry, Benguet State University, 2601 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines Sheryll C. Micosa, College of Forestry, Benguet State University, 2601 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines Kenneth A. Laruan, College of Forestry, Benguet State University, 2601 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines Elvira D. Besic, College of Forestry, Benguet State University, 2601 La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines Chung-Weon Yun, Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Yesan, Chungnam 340-802, South Korea Young-Jin Lee, Department of Forest Resources, Kongju National University, Yesan, Chungnam 340-802, South Korea Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    A method enabling the object-oriented image analysis of landscape elements incorporating topographic data was designed and tested on a Japanese countryside target area. IKONOS data (four multispectral bands with a spatial resolution of 4 m and a panchromatic band with a spatial resolution of 1 m) acquired on 23 April 2001 were used. Definiens v.5 software (Definiens AG, München, Germany) was employed for the classification. The initial segmentation was multiresolution and bottom-up, and each segment identified was considered to be one object. Two classifications employing the same landscape elements and ground truth data were implemented. One classification adopted an object-based image analysis classification method based on spectral characteristics; the other utilized an object-oriented image analysis (OOIA) that allows for a suitable scale parameter to be selected independently for each landscape element. In addition, topographic data derived from field surveys (walking surveys) and topographic maps were used to create a topographic database delineating the boundary between valley bottoms and the adjacent slopes (elevation: about 10 m). These data were then integrated into the OOIA analysis. The accuracies of the two classifications were assessed by comparing the results to a master landscape map produced directly from aerial photographs and on-site observations. The object-oriented method using the topographic data resulted in a higher overall kappa coefficients (0.63–0.47) than the object-based method. These results indicate that object-oriented image analysis of very high resolution data used in combination with topographic data can be an effective tool for landscape classification in Japan, where historical land-use patterns have resulted in finely dissected landscapes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0202-7 Authors Kazuyuki Takahashi, Graduate School of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 265-8501 Japan Noritoshi Kamagata, Kokusai Kogyo Co. Ltd, 2-24-1 Harumicho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-0057, Japan Keitarou Hara, Department of Environmental Information, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 265-8501 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Salix cheilophila Schneid. is a naturally occurring Salix species in Mu Us Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China. We focused on the morphological adaptability of S. cheilophila to sand dune burial. For morphological measurements, 32 S. cheilophila seedlings were removed from a community which was in the process of being buried by a shifting sand dune. Each seedling collected included the entire root system. We measured the number, length, and biomass of the adventitious roots, primary lateral roots, and taproot, and compared the morphological characteristics of the root system, including adventitious roots, for seedlings buried to various levels in the sand. The growth range of adventitious roots increased as the length of the buried portion of the main shoot increased. In addition, the total dry weight of all current-year shoots tended to increase gradually with increasing total dry weight of the adventitious roots. These results suggest that S. cheilophila tends to make use of the sedimentary sand layer that accompanies shifting sand dunes. However, there was no correlation between biomass or number of adventitious roots and the length of the buried part of the main shoot. Thus, S. cheilophila does not grow adventitious roots proportional to the buried part. These morphological characteristics of the root system, including the adventitious roots, may indicate that S. cheilophila has poor morphological adaptability to sand dune burial. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0205-4 Authors Tomohiro Teraminami, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan Atsushi Nakashima, Graduate School of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Wakayama, 640-8444 Japan Mao Ominami, Graduate School of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Wakayama, 640-8444 Japan Masanori Yamamoto, Wakayama Prefecture, Wakayama 640-8585, Japan Zhang Guo Sheng, College of Forestry, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010019, China Ken Yoshikawa, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    In limited-water-level reservoirs, areas along the reservoir shoreline are often exposed within the drawdown zone when water levels are reduced from normal to limited levels during the flood season. To prevent erosion and conserve the landscape, test plantings and landscaping along the shoreline have been implemented at some dam reservoirs. The establishment of vegetation within the drawdown zone contributes to both landscape and wildlife habitat conservation. Distribution, habitat, and seed-dispersal period of willows such as Salix subfragilis were investigated at Miharu Dam reservoir in northeastern Japan. Eight willow species were found around the dam, but S. subfragilis dominated within the drawdown zone. Field survey results beginning in 1995 indicate that the size of the S. subfragilis community increased after initial impoundment. Although many other Salix species disperse seeds prior to the drawdown period, S. subfragilis disperses during and after drawdown in the spring; thus, when water levels are lower than normal, its seeds are supplied to the newly exposed zones that provide suitable habitat for Salix seedling establishment. Our results suggest that S. subfragilis dominated because of water-resistant properties and timing of the seed dispersal period. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0200-9 Authors Kazuhiro Azami, OYO Corporation, 275 Aza Ishibatake Oaza Nishikata, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, 963-7722 Japan Asako Fukuyama, Department of Environmental Science, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Takashi Asaeda, Department of Environmental Science, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Yuko Takechi, Miharu Board of Education, 1-2 Aza Ohmachi, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, 963-7796 Japan Shigekazu Nakazawa, Miharu Dam Management Office, Tohoku Regional Construction Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, 403-4 Aza Nakanouchi Ohaza Nishikata, Miharu Machi, Tamura Gun, Fukushima, 963-7722 Japan Kazumi Tanida, Laboratory of Ecology and Systematics, Graduate School of Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Gakuen-cho 1-2, Nakaku, Sakai, 599-8579 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Amorpha fruticosa L., introduced from the eastern part of North and Central America as a revegetation material for artificial slopes, has escaped into riverbeds in Japan, and its negative effects are of concern. In this study, an attempt has been made to clarify the actual extent of escape and establishment of A. fruticosa , through a case study of the Sendaigawa River, Tottori Prefecture, coupled with a survey of national distribution using the National Censuses on River Environments. The autecology of A. fruticosa , including phenology, germination, allelopathy and coppicing ability, was also studied by observation and experiments. The following conclusions were drawn: A. fruticosa preferred sunny sites; the total established area in the study site was 7,500 m 2 ; A. fruticosa showed strong coppicing ability; there was lower species diversity in and around areas populated by A. fruticosa ; and A. fruticosa has been expanding its area both in the watershed of Sendaigawa River region and nationwide. The authors emphasize the importance of quick control of A. fruticosa . Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-14 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0195-2 Authors Kohei Takagi, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, Tokyo, Japan Yoshiyuki Hioki, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-cho, Minami, Tottori, 680-8553 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description: We appreciate the invaluable contributions of the following reviewers during the editing of Vol. 8 Nos. 1–2. Content Type Journal Article Category Acknowledgments Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0198-z Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The successful transplantation of indigenous tree seedlings into established plantations requires an understanding of the conditions required by the seedlings. We evaluated seedling morphological characteristics and seasonal growth of three indigenous tree species ( Castanopsis chinensis , Michelia chapensis , and Psychotria rubra ) that were transplanted into four plantations (eucalyptus, mixed-native, mixed-legume, mixed-conifer) in South China; in each plantation, two treatments (understory vegetation and litter retained or removed) were applied before the seedlings were transplanted. Seedling leaf morphological characteristics and biomass allocation were determined at the end of the experiment, and seedling relative growth rate as indicated by change in height (RGRh) was determined during the experiment. Whether understory vegetation and litter were removed or retained, RGRh tended to be higher in the wet season than in the dry season. Leaf morphological characteristics and biomass allocation were significantly affected by species identity. The effect of the understory vegetation and litter treatments on seedling morphological characteristics such as specific leaf area, leaf area ratio, and root weight to total biomass ratio depended on species identity. Redundancy analysis showed that the three transplanted indigenous species differed in their responses to light conditions according to their tolerance to shade, and also differed in their responses to soil physical and chemical properties. Based on seedling seasonal growth patterns and morphological responses, we suggest that forest managers attempting to introduce seedlings of indigenous tree species should artificially supply water to increase seedling growth in the dry season. Also, the introduced tree species should be selected depending on the nature of the plantation; for example, C. chinensis and M. chapensis seedlings can be transplanted into mixed-legume plantations. Additionally, fertilizer with potassium and nitrogen should be used to improve seedling performance. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0197-0 Authors Jun Wang, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xingke Road 723, Tianhe, Guangzhou, 510650 China Hai Ren, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xingke Road 723, Tianhe, Guangzhou, 510650 China Long Yang, Centre of Resource and Environment, Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Building 1, No.100, Xianlie Middle Road, Yuexiu, Guangzhou, 510070 China Nan Liu, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xingke Road 723, Tianhe, Guangzhou, 510650 China Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Tree establishment on degraded sites has failed in many tropical areas due to invasive plants and competition with herbs. The cultivation of plants that are capable of maintaining a site can avoid the dominance of invasive species. Some native species of the genus Stylosanthes (family Fabaceae) have been reported to effectively block invasive plants off ecosystems that are under restoration in Brazil. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the influence of perennial Stylosanthes spp. on plant colonization in a rehabilitated gravel mine in the Brazilian savanna region. Half of the mining area was sown with a mixture of three perennial Styloshantes species (treatment), while half of it remained unsown (control). The line intercept method was used to sample recruited plants within the mine after five years of site rehabilitation. Results showed that 31 plant species recruited in the gravel mine: 27 in the area sown with Stylosanthes spp. and 17 in the control area. Native species contributed for 47 % of the importance value index (IVI) in the treated area and 26 % in the control area. Two invasive exotic grasses made up 31 % of the plant community IVI in the treated area and 59 % in the control area. Perennial Stylosanthes spp. were supposed to block the development of incoming plants, but their presence actually allowed the area to be colonized by 1.6-fold more plant species than the control area. Ultimately, the area covered with Stylosanthes spp. evolved into a plant community that was more diverse and less dominated by exotic species than the control area. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0196-1 Authors Carolina Rizzi Starr, University of Brasília, CP 04401, Brasília, DF 70910-970, Brazil Rodrigo Studart Corrêa, University of Brasília, CP 04401, Brasília, DF 70910-970, Brazil Tarcíso de Sousa Filgueiras, Botanic Institute of São Paulo, IBOT, CP 3005, Água Funda, São Paulo, SP 01061-950, Brazil John Du Vall Hay, University of Brasília, CP 04401, Brasília, DF 70910-970, Brazil Perseu Fernando dos Santos, Catholic University of Brasília, Campus II, PGA, Brasília, DF CEP 70790-160, Brazil Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Perennial C 4 grasses, especially Miscanthus sinensis , are widely distributed in the degraded lands in South China. We transplanted native and exotic tree seedlings under the canopy of M. sinensis to assess the interaction (competition or facilitation) between dominant grass M. sinensis and tree seedlings. The results of growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, and ultrastructure showed that negative effects may be stronger in perennial dominant grass M. sinensis . Although M. sinensis buffered the air temperature, improved soil structure, and increased soil phosphorus content, these beneficial effects were outweighed by the detrimental effect, especially overshading. To ensure the establishment of target native species in M. sinensis communities in degraded lands of South China, restoration strategies should include removing aboveground vegetation, planting target species seedlings in openings to reduce the effects of canopy shading, and/or selecting competition-tolerant target species. Also, seedlings of exotic species used in restoration engineering cannot be directly planted under the canopy of M. sinensis . Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0199-y Authors Long Yang, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650 China Hai Ren, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650 China Nan Liu, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650 China Jun Wang, Key Laboratory of Vegetation Restoration and Management of Degraded Ecosystems, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510650 China Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    In this study, we propose a new method for planning ecological networks in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Korea. The basic idea of this method is that, in urban areas where the price of land is high, it is most cost-effective to protect linear green areas that act as ecological corridors for potential movement paths (PMPs) of wild animals. PMPs were identified by a path-finding algorithm (PFA) that selected the optimum routes with minimum travel costs between pairs of locations where individuals of the indicator species—great tits ( Parus major )—were found during field surveys. The PFA created an imaginary line segment network that connects nodes separated by 30 m across the entire study area, and estimated the total travel cost of a route from one P. major location to another by summing the travel costs associated with all of the segments comprising that route. We assumed that the travel cost of each segment is the average of the inverses of the bird densities at the two end nodes. For each node, the bird density was estimated from the linear relationship between percentage vegetation cover and bird density, as observed during field surveys. The predicted PMPs showed a pattern that was highly concentrated on patches with relatively high vegetation cover. The preference of P. major for a few specific routes allowed us to easily identify ecological corridors in the study area. An ecological network plan that protects and/or restores areas along ecological corridors would greatly improve the ecological connectivity of fragmented habitats in highly urbanized areas. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0194-3 Authors Suk-Hwan Hong, Department of Landscape Architecture, Pusan National University, Miryang, Kyongsangnam-do 627-706, Republic of Korea Bong-Ho Han, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Seoul, Seoul, 130-743 Republic of Korea Song-Hyun Choi, Department of Landscape Architecture, Pusan National University, Miryang, Kyongsangnam-do 627-706, Republic of Korea Chan Yong Sung, Department of Environmental Planning, Keimyung University, Daegu, 705-701 Republic of Korea Kyong-Jae Lee, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Seoul, Seoul, 130-743 Republic of Korea Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    In recent decades, the extent of Sasa palmata -dominant communities has increased in Sarobetsu Mire in northern Hokkaido, Japan, replacing the original Sphagnum bog vegetation. However, this marked increase in distribution of Sasa in the mire has not been formally documented or investigated in detail. Using aerial photo-interpretation, the present study updated the distribution maps of Sasa communities, showing the changes that have occurred to these communities between 1977 and 2003. The results revealed that the extent of Sasa communities has increased by 15.8 % from 6.60 km 2 in 1977 to 7.64 km 2 in 2003. The most marked increase occurred on the ground associated with drainage channels, although the oldest channels were constructed more than half a century ago, suggesting that some responses to the drainage of peat bog ecosystems may take a considerable period of time before becoming particularly evident. Content Type Journal Article Category Report Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0193-4 Authors Yoshiyasu Fujimura, Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan Masayuki Takada, Faculty of Humanity and Environment, Hosei University, 2-17-1, Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8160, Japan Hiroko Fujita, Botanic Garden, Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, North 3, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0003 Japan Takashi Inoue, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, North 9, West 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    To quantify organic matter mineralization at estuarine intertidal flats, we measured in situ sediment respiration rates using an infrared gas analyzer in estuarine sandy intertidal flats located in the northwestern Seto Inland Sea, Japan. In situ sediment respiration rates showed spatial and seasonal variations, and the mean of the rates is 38.8 mg CO 2 -C m −2  h −1 in summer. In situ sediment respiration rates changed significantly with sediment temperature at the study sites ( r 2  = 0.70, p  〈 0.05), although we did not detect any significant correlations between the rates and sediment characteristics. We prepared a model for estimating the annual sediment respiration based on the in situ sediment respiration rates and their temperature coefficient ( Q 10  = 1.8). The annual sediment respiration was estimated to be 92 g CO 2 -C m −2  year −1 . The total amount of organic carbon mineralization for the entire estuarine intertidal flats through sediment respiration (43 t C year −1 ) is equivalent to approximately 25% of the annual organic carbon load supplied from the river basin of the estuary. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 107-114 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0157-0 Authors Akiko Sasaki, Department of Environmental Dynamics and Management, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8521 Japan Yu Hagimori, Department of Environmental Dynamics and Management, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8521 Japan Ichiro Yuasa, Coastal Environment and Monitoring Research Group, Institute of Geology and Geoinformation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-0046 Japan Takayuki Nakatsubo, Department of Environmental Dynamics and Management, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-8521 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 1

Description:    Siebold’s beech ( Fagus crenata ) is a common species in the cool temperate forests of Japan. As the natural regeneration of beech forests is expected to contribute to forest conservation in the future, we investigated the effects of different CO 2 concentrations ([CO 2 ]) on the growth of beech seedlings in relation to morphological and physiological changes. Acorns collected from beech forest in Minakami, central Japan were germinated and grown during a first growing season of 6 months under four [CO 2 ] levels (200, 350, 550, and 750 μL L −1 ). Stem mass increased with increasing [CO 2 ]; however, root mass did not change significantly among the treatments. As [CO 2 ] increased, net photosynthetic rate ( P n ) and leaf area increased, whereas transpiration ( T r ), stomatal conductance, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf longevity decreased. Although water-use efficiency (WUE; i.e., P n / T r ) improved with increasing [CO 2 ], the density of stomata did not significantly change. Increases in the number of buds and the terminal bud length with increasing [CO 2 ] indicated accelerated formation of additional branches and leaves in the next season. The enhanced WUE levels seen in beech saplings growing under the higher environmental [CO 2 ] levels that are expected in the future may be advantageous for their survival, considering that beech saplings prefer mesic conditions. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 59-67 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0149-0 Authors Atsushi Hirano, R&D Center, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Tsurumi, Yokohama, 230-8510 Japan Ichiro Hongo, Faculty of Bioresources, Nihon University, Kameino, Fujisawa, 252-8510 Japan Takayoshi Koike, Silviculture and Forest Ecological Studies, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 1

Description:    Green space is particularly indispensable for proper functioning of the ecosystem in an urban environment. This study was an attempt to dynamically map and monitor green spaces in Greater Dhaka of Bangladesh. Both primary and secondary data were acquired to document the spatial–temporal dynamics of green spaces in the study area. Using a supervised classification algorithm, multi-temporal land use/cover data were extracted from a set of satellite images. A number of spatial metrics were employed to understand the landscape condition in a multi-temporal manner. In addition, 50 key informants along with focus group discussion and observation techniques were used to document existing management aspects of green spaces and their conservation policies. The analysis revealed that green spaces in Greater Dhaka are rapidly disappearing over the course of time even though they provide a number of natural, economic and social benefits. The disappearance of green spaces was primarily attributed to a rapid increase in the urban population, mainly driven by rural–urban migration. As a result, the landscape became highly fragmented and less connected. A substantial reduction of green patches is also leading to deterioration of the ecological condition of the landscape. The drastic reduction of green spaces in Greater Dhaka has been attributed to a lack of policy, low political motivation, and poor management. In order to ensure sustainability of green spaces and proper functioning of the city’s ecosystem, there is an urgent need for strategic green space planning. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 45-58 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0147-7 Authors Talukder Byomkesh, Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC), Savar, Dhaka, 1343 Bangladesh Nobukazu Nakagoshi, Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima, Japan Ashraf M. Dewan, Department of Spatial Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 1

Description:    Effects of root architecture, physical tree characteristics, and soil shear strength on overturning moment due to flooding were investigated using Salix babylonica and Juglans ailanthifolia , exotic and invasive plants in Japanese rivers. Tree-pulling experiments that simulated flood action were conducted, and the resulting damage was examined to assess the effects of physical tree characteristics and root architecture on the maximum resistive bending moment ( M max ) for overturning. In situ soil shear strength tests were conducted to measure soil strength parameters. The effects of species differences on the M max were examined by analyzing root architecture. S. babylonica has a heart-root system that produces a greater overturning moment due to the strong root anchorage and the large amount of substrate that must be mobilized during overturning. J. ailanthifolia has a plate-root system that produces a smaller overturning moment. However, trees with the plate-root system may withstand overturning better due to an increased root:shoot ratio. The results of the study show that the M max of a tree for overturning had significant ( P  〈 0.05) correlations with a tree’s physical characteristics, including height ( H ), trunk diameter at breast height ( D bh ), D bh 2 , height multiplied by the second power of D bh (trunk volume index H  ×  D bh 2 ), and root–soil plate depth ( R d ), and root–soil plate radius ( R r ). Considering the strategy of J. ailanthifolia to increase the root:shoot ratio for anchoring in the substrate, the trunk volume index ( H  ×  D bh 2 ) is a better parameter than D bh 2 because it indirectly involves the difference in below-ground volume and surface area. Different soil cohesion values were found at different experimental sites, and the average M max for overturning each species decreased linearly with increasing soil cohesion. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 69-79 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0151-6 Authors Norio Tanaka, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan M. B. Samarakoon, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Junji Yagisawa, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 1

Description: Satoyama management in the twenty-first century: the challenge of sustainable use and continued biocultural diversity in rural cultural landscapes Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Foreword Pages 161-162 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0163-2 Authors Fukamachi Katsue, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Morimoto Yukihiro, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 2

Description:    To develop an appropriate method of conservation for native Rhododendron sections Brachycalyx and Tsutsusi , the symbol of Satoyama, field experiments were performed in the dry granite region of Japan. When carpet-type landscape of native rhododendrons was desired, all plants were cut at 20 cm above the ground level of all trees and shrubs, and herbs and ferns were weeded (once and three times, respectively). When shrubby-type landscape of native rhododendrons was desired, all plants, excluding native rhododendrons, were cut at 20 cm above the ground level of all trees and shrubs, herbs and ferns were weeded, and litter was swept. After 3 years of monitoring of the percentage and depth of crowns with flower buds, the following major results were obtained: Cutting all plants excluding native rhododendrons was effective to maintain the depth of crowns with flower buds. However, weeding and sweeping of litter on the ground caused desiccation of surface soil, which induced a transitory decrease in the percentage of crowns with flower buds. One weeding was effective in maintaining the depth of crowns with flower buds; however, the second and third weedings had no distinct effect. In dry granite regions, considerable attention to desiccation of surface soil is critical, as opposed to limiting attention to maintenance of sunlight as is common practice. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 185-193 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0162-3 Authors Junko Morimoto, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Kento Hirabayashi, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Emu Mizumoto, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Takehiko Katsuno, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Yukihiro Morimoto, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 2

Description:    Indonesia has recently been faced with a number of great problems: poverty, natural disasters such as tsunami, earthquakes, flooding and typhoons, volcanic eruptions, loss of biodiversity, decreasing water quality and quantity, increased pollution, and aesthetic degradation of the landscape. These disturbances have been caused by rapid changes in land use and land cover, deforestation, the application of monoculture farming systems in commercial agriculture, urbanization, industrialization, and other types of infrastructure development. The government, urban communities and companies have promoted some programs to ameliorate the problem of environmental degradation. The government has ratified law no. 26/2007 as a commitment to sustainability; this law ensures that cities are obliged to provide green open spaces covering a minimum of 30% of urbanized areas. Many metropolitan cities have feverishly enacted policies to promote greening programs, such as those applied in Jakarta. However, a new town—Sentul City—has engaged in policies that aim to create a well-designed eco-city with urban greenery and ecological networks. This new policy is supposed to herald a better future for urban quality. It is expected that green spaces will provide environmental services: water resource management, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and landscape beauty. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Report Pages 33-43 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0145-9 Authors Hadi Susilo Arifin, Landscape Management Laboratory, Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Agriculture, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Jl Meranti Kampus Dramaga, Bogor, 16680 Indonesia Nobukazu Nakagoshi, Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC), Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8529 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 1

Description:    Wetlands mitigation for any activity can be applied to avoid or minimize damage and restore, enhance, or create wetlands as well. New tools for mitigating and creating wetlands are available, including the Wetland Impact Assessment. This article explores many current issues in wetland mitigation and mitigation strategies, using case studies for illustration. We include some general guidelines for successful wetland mitigation based primarily on existing literature review in several cities. We use comparison and analyses on biodiversity improvement and various wetland functions, including flood-risk management, linking people to nature through urban regeneration, and connecting with the natural environment. Also, restoration, enhancement, mitigation, and creation analyses are included. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Report Pages 27-32 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0144-x Authors Kwi-Gon Kim, Department of Landscape Architecture, Seoul National University, 203, Jinheung Villa 54-1, Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 135-090 South Korea Hoon Lee, Department of Landscape Architecture, Seoul National University, Gwanak 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742 South Korea Dong-Hyun Lee, Department of Landscape Architecture, Seoul National University, Gwanak 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742 South Korea Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 1

Description:    Urban ecological networks are defined differently in ecology, urban planning and landscape ecology, but they all have linearity and linkage in common. Early urban representations evolved from the constraints of deep ecological structure in the landscape to built elements that must work around natural linear obstacles—rivers, coastlines, dunes, cliffs, hills and valley swamps. Village commons were linked by roads. The Industrial Revolution led to accelerating urban growth, where the role of open space focussed on public health and transport. The Renaissance, Baroque and Picturesque movements accentuated networks in wooded parks, boulevards and sweeping riverine vistas. These provided a new aesthetic and sense of grandeur in the urban centres of European empires and later their colonies. Grafted onto this visual connectivity has been an awakened ecological understanding of spatial dynamics. The emergent notion of ecological corridor functionality provided support for green linear features, although initially this was based on untested theory. The idea of organisms moving along green highways seemed logical, but only recently has unequivocal empirical evidence emerged that demonstrates this functionality. Nevertheless, the main role of corridors may be to provide habitat rather than to act as connectors of nodal habitats. Most organisms can utilise stepping stones, and these may accommodate desired meta-populations while deterring pest movement. Swale drains and treatment wetlands provide riparian services and serve as biodiversity corridors. However, to most people the obvious function is visual—providing green fingers through what would otherwise be urban grey. The health benefits of these are have been demonstrated to be psychological as much as biophysical. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Review Pages 17-25 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0143-y Authors Maria Ignatieva, Division of Landscape Architecture, Department of Urban and Rural Development, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7012, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden Glenn H. Stewart, Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University, PO Box 84, Lincoln, Canterbury 7647, New Zealand Colin Meurk, Manaaki-Whenua, Landcare Research, P.O. Box 40, Lincoln, Canterbury 7640, New Zealand Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 1

Description:    Despite the appearance of an enormous number of publications about urban ecology and species diversity, many issues are simply opened up rather than explained. The ecological complexity of urban areas, i.e., the variety of determinants and the spatial and temporal dynamic of cities, preclude simple starting points and lines of explanation. Therefore, we lack sufficient comparisons between various cities, especially comparisons on a global level. If cities are to be compared by appropriate indicators, and if they are to be evaluated with respect to urban biodiversity, then models are necessary that help us understand and mirror the causal relationships between urban areas and biological diversity. Three approaches, also representing a multiscaled view of urban areas, are presented that are suitable for developing applicable models and indicators for monitoring ecological systems: the embedded city, the urban matrix, and urban patches. The embedded city represents a globally useful concept, because the relationship between cities and their regions can be applied as an indicator to all regions. The lack of sufficient description of the urban matrix makes comparisons between cities difficult and causes scientists to underestimate the importance and function of the matrix for urban biodiversity. Urban patches are often investigated in urban studies about plants and animals. Therefore, much existing data can be used, and several criteria describing the functions of patches for biodiversity are available. In particular, the first two approaches should be researched more intensively. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Report Pages 231-240 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0153-4 Authors Peter Werner, Institute for Housing and Environment, Research institution of the State of Hesse and the City of Darmstadt, Annastrasse 15, 64285 Darmstadt, Germany Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 2

Description:    We provide a brief description of the roots, history and activities of the International Network in Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO). The network for education and research has its roots in Germany and was founded during the first URBIO conference in Erfurt, Germany, in 2008 with the aim of promoting urban biodiversity and design through a continuing dialogue with the Convention on Biological Diversity. The main task of the network is to support scientific exchange between researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders in the wide field of urban biodiversity and design. The second URBIO conference was held in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, and led to further network development. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Report Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0139-7 Authors Norbert Müller, Department of Landscape Management and Restoration Ecology, University of Applied Sciences Erfurt, P.O. Box 450155, 99081 Erfurt, Germany Mahito Kamada, Division of Ecosystem Design, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minami-Josanjima, Tokushima, 770-8506 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 1

Description:    The purpose of this study was to survey the distribution and habitat of submerged macrophytes in the Seta River outflow from Lake Biwa, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. To accomplish this, I instituted a field survey with sampling on January 2009. I collected nine submerged macrophyte species during the diving operation. Sample collection showed that submerged macrophytes flourished on both sides of the river but did not flourish in the central portion of the river. Alien species ( Egeria densa and Elodea nuttallii ) were collected on all survey lines, while domestic species ( Ceratophyllum demersum , Myriophyllum spicatum , Hydrilla verticillata , Vallisneria biwaensis , Vallisneria denseserrulata , Potamogeton maackianus , and Potamogeton malaianus ) were collected in large amounts on the survey lines near Lake Biwa. The dominant species in cohesive soil or fine soil was Egeria densa , while the dominant species in sand gravel was Potamogeton maackianus . Although Egeria densa was collected in sand gravel too, Potamogeton maackianus was not collected in cohesive soil or fine soil, which indicates that Egeria densa has high fertility and can survive in an oxygen-poor environment, while Potamogeton maackianus cannot survive in an oxygen-poor environment. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Technical Note Pages 1-5 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0192-5 Authors Akira Matsui, Keifuku Consultant Co., Ltd., 11-2-1 Tada, Obama, Fukui 917-0026, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Barnacles are often considered invasive species because they spread to non-native waters via shipping and the movement of floating objects. In this study, we surveyed barnacles attached to decrepit, unloaded fish aggregating devices. These objects act like stepping stones for sessile organisms in the ocean. Barnacles were sampled and identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Eight barnacle species were recorded, three of which are new records for Japanese waters ( Newmanella radiata , Tesseropora sp., Balanus sp.). Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0190-7 Authors Takuho Shuto, Department of Marine Bioscience, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan Ryota Hayashi, International Coastal Research Center, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description: Knowledge of the spatial distribution of the wintering habitats of migratory raptors is a prerequisite to understanding their wintering ecology and managing their habitats. Oriental honey buzzards (OHBs, Pernis ptilorhynchus ) are migratory raptors with wintering grounds in Indonesia. OHBs’ wintering habitats can be divided into core and edge habitats with unique landscape characteristics, which influence wintering-site selection. Twenty-three satellite-tracked OHBs (2006–2010) used Borneo as their wintering grounds. The primary aim of this study was to analyze OHBs’ wintering habitat distributions (core and edge habitats) in Borneo and their landscape characteristics in the province of South Kalimantan. Fixed-kernel density estimation was used to estimate the edge and core habitats of 23 OHBs in Borneo. We used a 95 % fixed kernel (FK_95 %) and a 50 % fixed kernel (FK_50 %) to estimate the spatial distribution of edge and core habitats, respectively. Factor analysis was used to analyze landscape characteristics of core and edge habitats. Results showed that edge and core habitats covered about 153,463.4 km 2 (20.7 %) and 27,528.3 km 2 (3.7 %) of the Borneo area, respectively. Habitat selection by OHBs at wintering sites in both core and edge habitats was highly influenced by the availability of thermal winds and food. However, the more frequent presence of OHBs in core habitats indicates that habitat selection is basically influenced by increased thermal winds associated with particular landform characteristics. Identification of these landscape characteristics provides useful baseline information for ecological-based development, particularly for landscape management and biodiversity conservation.

Description: To investigate the function of floating mats in seedling establishment and growth of Cicuta virosa , a vulnerable hydrophyte, we surveyed the seedling distribution in the field and examined the growth increment in mesocosms formed by planting C. virosa on both artificial plant mats and base soil. Seedling density and coverage on floating mats and their edges, with high levels of solar radiation and sufficient water level, were significantly higher than those on soil. In the mesocosm experiment, shoot and root dry weight in soil was twice that for artificial mats, and these significant differences reflected nitrogen availability in the substrates. However, there was no significant difference in the number of flowering stalks, tiller or stem width, despite the difference in the level of nutrients between the substrates. These results show that floating mats provide sufficient water level and light-mitigated competition with nutrient limitation under continuous disturbance. This was advantageous to the establishment of seedlings and to the population sustenance of C. virosa . Also, high reproduction allocation of C. virosa sustained coexistence with prolific macrophytes on floating mats even though the overall growth on floating mats was worse than that on soil. Use of such floating mats could be a method for conservation of vulnerable hydrophytes.

Description: Off-road vehicles cause long-lasting damage to soils and vegetation, especially under extreme conditions such as those in arid regions. Most research on natural vegetation recovery after dirt-road abandonment has only investigated vegetation in the tracks and not that adjacent to the tracks. We investigated plant expansion into adjacent grassland after its colonization of abandoned tracks in the Mongolian steppe. We surveyed the vegetation around two roads: one abandoned for 〉4 years and another still in use near the abandoned road. Aboveground biomass and ground cover of each species in and beside the tracks were measured. The dirt roads had sustained relatively low vehicle traffic, so the disturbance of grassland productivity was limited. Vegetation cover and aboveground biomass had almost recovered 4 years after road abandonment. However, a low-palatability clonal herb, Artemisia adamsii , increased in abundance by producing many shoots in and around the abandoned tracks, thereby decreasing the quality of pasture. Our results show that vegetation recovery in tracks of the abandoned road can affect surrounding vegetation through the colonization and expansion of clonal species. Thus, to evaluate natural vegetation recovery after dirt-road abandonment, changes in vegetation not only within but also around abandoned tracks should be investigated.

Description: To evaluate factors limiting vegetation regeneration, studies of seed rain, seedling emergence, and survival were carried out on different phases of three different-aged quarries in Hong Kong. Seed-rain results showed that 1,741 seeds from 35 woody species were collected from 160 traps in a 1-year period. Older sites had higher seed number and species than younger sites. In terms of number, 68 % of seeds were dispersed by birds, whereas 30 and 2 % were dispersed by wind and civets, respectively. In situ seedling emergence experiment showed that most of the 12 woody species had higher emergence under field conditions, which implied that seedling emergence was not a limitation of vegetation regeneration. Most emergent seedlings finally died, which had significant correlations with the adverse microhabitat conditions. It was concluded that although seed rain contained some native woody species, it may still be insufficient in order to accelerate natural vegetation regeneration at the later successional stages on our local quarries. Management strategies should take into account the possibility of enhancing seed dispersal and improving microhabitat conditions. Using native species with fleshy fruits to attract birds by enrichment planting is strongly recommended, and postplanting care is essential to quality development of the rehabilitated ecosystem.

Description: The functioning of nesting colonies of birds can significantly affect the flora and the soil. Colony species that modify soil characteristics at their nesting sites include the Rook Corvus frugilegus . In order to assess the effect of this species on poor and fertile habitats, we analysed biogenic element concentrations and soil acidity, and investigated the taxonomic representation of plants under the nests and at control sites without nests. Two-way ANOVA showed that the habitats significantly differed in most of soil parameters. The presence of Rook colonies contributed to increased humidity and acidity of the soil and a higher biogenic element content. A varied influence of Rook colonies on plant species diversity was observed, depending on habitat type. Rook nesting caused a fall in the overall number of plant species in the poor habitats, and a corresponding rise in the fertile habitats. Rooks contributed to a rise in the mean number of ruderal species and a fall in the mean number of meadow species. A synergy between habitat type and collection site was identified in the case of ornithochorous species.

Description: Tree height is an important factor when making estimates for the management of disasters, the atmospheric environment, and forest biomass. However, there are limits to the accurate estimation of tree heights due to the inherent deviations in Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital terrain elevation data (DTED) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) global digital elevation model (GDEM) data, which are used to capture surface elevations in wide areas. There are also other problems, such as errors introduced during automatic terrain extraction from satellite images and when matching treetop areas with tree heights. In this study, we propose a method for producing refined DEMs from stereo orthoimages, which are subtracted from existing digital terrain models to calculate tree heights over a wide area. Experimental results showed that our proposed method yields tree heights that are closer to those measured manually than tree heights estimated via SRTM DTED or ASTER GDEM are. Our method also facilitates the generation of polygons by updating the average tree height in existing vector interim terrain data, thereby improving their accuracy.

Description:    We elucidated the effect of spring water on the growth of Egeria densa Planch., a widespread submerged macrophyte in Japan. We observed the longitudinal distributions of physical (water temperature, particle diameter of the bed sediment, sediment layer thickness, etc.), chemical [pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), phosphate (PO 4 -P), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) content of the sediment, etc.], and biological (species composition, biomass, and growth rate) factors related to E. densa in the Kurohashi River, a spring-fed stream flowing into the Lake Biwa. It was found that E. densa growth rate from summer to autumn was negatively correlated to pH and DO, which implies that the low pH spring water increases the growth rate of the species. The growth rate was also positively correlated to the free carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration ( r  = 0.67, p  = 0.02). These results indicate that the low pH spring water increases E. densa growth rate by affecting free CO 2 concentration in water. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0191-6 Authors Kazuya Takahashi, Department of Environment Science and Technology, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan Takashi Asaeda, Department of Environment Science and Technology, Saitama University, Saitama, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description: Erratum to: Relationship between hydrology and vegetation change from Sphagnum lawns to vascular plant Sasa communities Content Type Journal Article Category Erratum Pages 1-1 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0188-1 Authors Yoshiyasu Fujimura, Botanic Garden, Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, North 3, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0003 Japan Hiroko Fujita, Botanic Garden, Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, North 3, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0003 Japan Masayuki Takada, Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Science, North 19, West 12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819 Japan Takashi Inoue, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, North 9, West 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The effects on Robinia pseudoacacia (an exotic and invasive plant in Japanese rivers) of local scouring and saturation of the soil in the root-anchoring zone due to flooding were investigated. Scouring has been defined as the removal of substrate in the root-anchoring zone, exposing the tree roots. Tree-pulling experiments were conducted, simulating flood action, and the resulting damage was examined in order to assess the effect of local scouring on the maximum resistive bending moment ( M max ) for overturning. Scouring was artificially created to three different depths, 0, 25, and 50 cm. A nonlinear model was developed that included soil strength characteristics to calculate the critical overturning moment ( M cri ) under dry and saturated soil conditions. Significant correlations ( p  〈 0.05) of M max with different tree and root–soil plate characteristics, such as diameter at breast height ( D bh ), tree weight, root depth, and root–soil plate radius, were developed in order to elucidate the effects of scouring on M max . M max was slightly reduced with scouring depth for trees with D bh 〈10 cm (small) trunks, and it was significantly and negatively ( p  〈 0.05) correlated with scouring depth for trees with 10 〈  D bh  〈 20 cm (medium) trunks. However, M max did not change significantly with scouring depth for trees with a D bh 〉20 cm (big) trunks. The nonlinear model was useful for determining the M cri of R. pseudoacacia under dry and saturated soil conditions. The overturning moments of all (small, medium, and big) trees were considerably reduced under the saturated soil condition. It could be concluded that medium-sized trees were greatly affected by scouring, and that small and big trees were mainly affected by saturation of the soil under severe flooding conditions. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0169-9 Authors M. B. Samarakoon, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Norio Tanaka, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Junji Yagisawa, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs, lucidophyllous forests) are vegetation types characteristic of East Asia. The extent of EBLFs has decreased significantly due to long-term anthropogenic disturbance, and remnant EBLFs in urban area are rare and important landscape types contributing to biodiversity and sustainable development. This study focuses on remnant EBLFs on Mt. Gele (GL), Mt. Tieshanping (TSP), and Mt. Jinyun (JY), located from the inner city to outskirts of Chongqing metropolis, Southwest China. Species of Theaceae, Lauraceae, Symplocaceae, and other families, which are essential floristic components of primary EBLFs, were still the main components at the three sites. GL and JY showed higher biodiversity, with richer heliophytes and shade-tolerant species, respectively. Castanopsis carlesii var. spinulosa was the sole dominant species at all three sites in woody layer, with codomination by Pinus massoniana and Cinnamomum camphora at GL and by Machilus pingii and Castanopsis fargesii at JY; these evergreen broad-leaved trees all showed inverse-J or sporadic-shaped size distribution with large numbers of small stems, but the conifer tree Pinus massoniana showed unimodal distribution with small stems at GL. The height growth of tree species, especially Castanopsis carlesii var. spinulosa , was increasingly restricted from JY to TSP to GL. Sprouting is an important life history strategy at community and population level, and differences were exhibited from GL to TSP to JY. A rural–urban gradient from JY to TSP to GL was indicated in this study. Species composition, biodiversity, and stand structure of these remnant EBLFs showed obvious differences along this gradient, and conservation responses to address the effects of urbanization need to be carefully considered. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-13 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0160-5 Authors Yongchuan Yang, Key Lab of Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education)/Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045 China Michiro Fujihara, Graduate School of Landscape Design and Management, University of Hyogo/Awaji Landscape Planning and Horticulture Academy, 954-2 Nojimatokiwa, Awaji, Hyogo 656-1726, Japan Baizhan Li, Key Lab of Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education)/Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045 China Xingzhong Yuan, College of Resources and Environment Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045 China Keitarou Hara, Department of Environmental Information, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 260-8501 Japan Liangjun Da, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062 China Mizuki Tomita, Department of Environmental Information, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 260-8501 Japan Yi Zhao, Graduate School of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 260-8501 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Paddy fields surrounded by forests are characteristic of the rural landscapes in East Asia. These characteristic landscapes are maintained by agricultural activities; recently, however, local and regional changes in economic and social systems have resulted in their deterioration. In order to conserve these landscapes, the diversity of land-use systems should be documented, and the human impact on landscape structure should be analyzed. In this study, landscape structure, stand structure, and influence of human activity on the landscape were examined for a hilly agricultural area in Fenghua City, Zhejiang Province, China. Eleven types of landscape elements were recognized that include evergreen broad-leaved forests, evergreen coniferous ( Pinus massoniana ) forests, tall bamboo ( Phyllostachys pubescens ) forests, small bamboo ( Phyllostachys praecox f. prevernalis ) plantations, tea gardens, grasslands, dry arable fields, paddy fields, residential areas, bare ground, and open water. In the study plots, which were established in the main forest types, the species name, cover abundance, and sociability of vascular plants were recorded, and tree height and diameter at breast height were measured. In addition, the amount of fuelwood collected from the forests was determined. There were many component species common to both secondary and natural forests, but the stand structure for these forests was considerably different. Cyclobalanopsis ( Quercus ) glauca , which had adapted to being frequently cut, was found to be the preferred species for fuelwood. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0141-0 Authors Michiro Fujihara, Graduate School of Landscape Design and Management, University of Hyogo/Awaji Landscape Planning and Horticulture Academy, 954-2 Nojimatokiwa, Awaji, Hyogo 656-1726, Japan Keitarou Hara, Department of Environmental Information, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 260-8501 Japan Liangjun Da, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062 China Yongchuan Yang, Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Key Lab of Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, No. 174 Shapingba Street, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400045 China Xiangkun Qin, Botanical Department, Shanghai Museum of Natural History, 1102 Longwu Road, Shanghai, 200231 China Noritoshi Kamagata, Graduate School of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 260-8501 Japan Yi Zhao, Graduate School of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 260-8501 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    For 12 years starting from 1991, we performed vegetation surveys every 2–3 years at permanent plots located in an artificial marsh which was constructed in former rice paddies through sod transplantation from a natural marsh. Management of the artificial marsh was conducted to maintain the condition of the donor vegetation by removing unnecessary plants and ensuring a water supply of constant quality and quantity. However, the structure and floristic composition of the donor vegetation were destroyed during sod transplantation, and eutrophic water was supplied before the construction of a well in year 5. The transition of communities identified in the artificial marsh was monitored periodically at 34 fixed plots established three years after transplantation, with a further two plots added in year 7. Seasonal changes in surface water chemistry were also monitored. While the main communities of the artificial marsh resembled that of the donor marsh, two other communities were also identified at arid or muddy sites, where dominant plants had grown from seeds or propagules. After 12 years, we identified three communities (with one community containing two subunits), the dominance of which changed among the plots over the years. The communities developed along two main gradients, dry to wet and secondary succession. The first gradient was characterized by species groups favoring dry conditions, while the second gradient was characterized by species groups favoring disturbed conditions. The original composition recorded for donor marsh plants was not established by year 12 after transplantation to the artificial marsh. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0185-9 Authors Takashi Nishimoto, Okayama Prefectural Nature Conservation Center, 730 Taga, Wake-cho, Wake-gun, Okayama, 709-0524 Japan Yoshio Hada, Department of Biosphere-Geosphere System Science, Faculty of Information, Okayama University of Science, 1-1-1 Ridai-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-0005 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    To determine the influence of nonclimatic factors on predicting the habitats of tree species and an assessment of climate change impacts over a broad geographical extent at about 1 km resolution, we investigated the predictive performance for models with climatic factors only (C-models) and models with climatic and nonclimatic factors (CN-models) using seven tree species in Japan that exhibit different ecological characteristics such as habitat preference and successional traits. Using a generalized additive model, the prediction performance was compared by prediction accuracy [area under the operating characteristic curve (AUC)], goodness of fit, and potential habitat maps. The results showed that the CN-models had higher predictive accuracy, higher goodness of fit, smaller empty habitats, and more finely defined borders of potential habitat than those of the C-models for all seven species. The degree of the total contribution of the nonclimatic variables to prediction performance also varied among the seven species. These results suggest that nonclimatic factors also play an important role in predicting species occurrence when measured to this extent and resolution, that the magnitude of model improvement is larger for species with specific habitat preferences, and that the C-models cannot predict the land-related habitats that exist for almost all species. Climate change impacts were overestimated by C-models for all species. Therefore, C-model outcomes may lead to locally ambiguous assessment of the impact of climate change on species distribution. CN-models provide a more accurate and detailed assessment for conservation planning. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0183-y Authors Motoki Higa, Department of Plant Ecology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan Ikutaro Tsuyama, Department of Plant Ecology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan Katsuhiro Nakao, Department of Plant Ecology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan Etsuko Nakazono, Department of Plant Ecology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan Tetsuya Matsui, Hokkaido Research Station, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 7 Hitsujigaoka Toyohira-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 026-8516, Japan Nobuyuki Tanaka, Department of Plant Ecology, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsunosato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8687, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    We provide the first evidence for navigation impact on resident river fish in China. The survey was conducted in the East Tiaoxi River that discharges into Lake Taihu near Shanghai, on which cargo ship traffic has dramatically increased in the recent economic development period. Water turbidity, ship traffic and other environmental factors were evaluated at 29 sites on the river. In a multiple regression model with the stepwise method, turbidity was significantly correlated with ship traffic ( R 2  = 0.53). Another survey was conducted at 46 sites in the same area of the river, in which environmental factors were evaluated and fish individuals were electrofished. A generalised linear model with the stepwise method was applied to predict ecological indicators of the fish assemblage (species richness, individual density and Shannon’s diversity index) based on environmental factors. The results showed that the indicators were negatively correlated with turbidity and presence of artificial shore embankment structures. Another analysis further showed that the negative effect of turbid water was especially considerable for fish of smaller size. In conclusion, cargo ship traffic has a negative impact on fish assemblage, especially on smaller individuals, in the East Tiaoxi River. A higher profile for conservation actions and consideration of environmental impacts of such traffic should be given increasing focus for this and other similar East Asian water courses. Content Type Journal Article Category Report Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0181-0 Authors Yuichi Kano, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Tatsuro Sato, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Liangliang Huang, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092 China Chris Wood, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan Kazuhiro Bessho, Department of Systems Life Sciences, Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan Tomotaka Matsumoto, Department of Systems Life Sciences, Graduate School of Systems Life Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 812-8581 Japan Yukihiro Shimatani, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Jun Nakajima, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University, Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    To assess the vegetation status and substrate condition on seedling survival and flowery of an endangered plant species Aster kantoensis , I carried out an in situ seed-sowing experiment in the gravelly/sandy floodplain of the Kinu River, central Japan. The coverage of plant species, especially that of an alien species Eragrostis curvula , increased, and the subsequent reduction in the relative photosynthetically active photon flux density (PPFD) (%) after the large-scale flood in 1998 caused a decline in the percentage of seedling survival and flowery of A. kantoensis . Performances of A. kantoensis were compared under four types of seminatural conditions, i.e., combinations of existence or absence of E. curvula combined with gravelly or sandy substrates. The highest percentage of survival and flowery were observed on the gravelly substrate under the E. curvula ,-free conditions, but values were low in areas invaded by E. curvula . Aggressive invasion of E. curvula was the principal cause of loss of safe sites for colonization of river-endemic plants. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0166-z Authors Takashi Muranaka, Faculty of General Education, North Asia University, 46-1 Mamorisawa, Shimokitate-sakura, Akita, 010-8515 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Riparian savanna habitats grazed by hippopotamus or livestock experience seasonal ecological stresses through the depletion of herbaceous vegetation, and are often points of contacts and conflicts between herbivores, humans and their livestock. We investigated how hippopotamus and livestock grazing influence vegetation structure and cover and facilitate other wild herbivores in the Mara region of Kenya. We used 5 km-long transects, each with 13 plots measuring 10 × 10 m 2 , and which radiate from rivers in the Masai Mara National Reserve and adjoining community pastoral ranches. For each plot, we measured the height and visually estimated the percent cover of grasses, forbs, shrubs and bare ground, herbivore abundance and species richness. Our results showed that grass height was shortest closest to rivers in both landscapes, increased with increasing distance from rivers in the reserve, but was uniformly short in the pastoral ranches. Shifting mosaics of short grass lawns interspersed with patches of medium to tall grasses occurred within 2.5 km of the rivers in the reserve in areas grazed habitually by hippos. Hence, hippo grazing enhanced the structural heterogeneity of vegetation but livestock grazing had a homogenizing effect in the pastoral ranches. The distribution of biomass and the species richness of other ungulates with distance from rivers followed a quadratic pattern in the reserve, suggesting that hippopotamus grazing attracted more herbivores to the vegetation patches at intermediate distances from rivers in the reserve. However, the distribution of biomass and the species richness of other ungulates followed a linear pattern in the pastoral ranches, implying that herbivores avoided areas grazed heavily by livestock in the pastoral ranches, especially near rivers. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0175-y Authors Erustus M. Kanga, Kenya Wildlife Service, P. O. Box 40241, Nairobi, Kenya Joseph O. Ogutu, Universitaet Hohenheim, Institute of Crop Science, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany Hans-Peter Piepho, Universitaet Hohenheim, Institute of Crop Science, Fruwirthstrasse 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany Han Olff, COCON-CEES, University of Groningen, Centre for Life Sciences, Postbox 11103, 9700 CC Groningen, The Netherlands Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    To understand the extent of changes in the habitat structure of macroinvertebrates due to channel degradation, the amount of pools and riffles and bed materials were determined in upper and lower reaches of a fully sedimented dam in a mountain gravel-bed river. Pools occurred more frequently and individual pools were longer in the lower reach than in the upper reaches; the total length of pools in the former was four times than in the latter. In contrast, individual riffles in the upper reaches were longer than and the total length double that in the lower reach. The main bed materials in the upper reaches were moderate-sized cobbles and boulders (diameter 10–40 cm), which generated moderately steep and long riffles. In the lower reach, these materials were scarce and the main bed materials were large boulders (〉50 cm) and bedrock, which generated steep and short riffles; finer materials (〈10 cm) dominated in pools and runs. The reduced total length of riffles in the lower reach was partly associated with the steepening of individual riffles, which may be due to the shortage of moderate-sized cobbles and boulders. Macroinvertebrate biomass at reach scale, which was estimated based on the total lengths of pools and riffles, was more than two to four times in the upper reaches than in the lower reach. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0156-1 Authors Sohei Kobayashi, Water Environment Research Group, Public Works Research Institute, 1-6 Minamihara, Tsukuba, 305-8516 Japan Satoru Nakanishi, Water Environment Research Group, Public Works Research Institute, 1-6 Minamihara, Tsukuba, 305-8516 Japan Fumikazu Akamatsu, Water Environment Research Group, Public Works Research Institute, 1-6 Minamihara, Tsukuba, 305-8516 Japan Yoshinori Yajima, Water Environment Research Group, Public Works Research Institute, 1-6 Minamihara, Tsukuba, 305-8516 Japan Kunihiko Amano, River Environment Division, National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Asahi, Tsukuba, 305-0804 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Japan has suffered a lot from forestry losses due to pine wilt disease caused by pinewood nematode infestations. Studies were conducted regarding its causative agent and the effects of natural vegetation succession after pine wilt disease, but its effects on microorganisms were not given equal attention. This study determined the effects of pine wilt disease on light conditions, soil microbial biomass, litter decomposition, microbial abundance and the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Results showed that in a forest currently affected by pine wilt disease, there was higher light penetration, greater microbial biomass carbon, and a faster rate of litter decomposition. Microbial abundance was shown to be reduced in pine wilt affected areas. There were close correlations between the biological and physicochemical properties of the soil, but the reason for the decrease in microbial abundance is not yet well understood, and thus requires further study. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0165-0 Authors Jhonamie A. Mabuhay, Biology Department, College of Natural Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University, 9700 Marawi, Philippines Nobukazu Nakagoshi, Graduate School for International Development and Cooperation (IDEC), Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, 739-8529 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Despite the need to restore urban green spaces, there are rarely enough open spaces due to urban densification. Thus, rooftops of buildings, which had not previously been regarded as spaces for planting of vegetation, have been utilised as a type of open space, and green roofing has become one of the rapidly developing fields of urban ecological engineering. However, current green roof approaches each have negative aspects in terms of enhancing urban biodiversity: intensive roofs in urban areas cannot contribute a large amount of green area, and extensive roofs cannot create high-quality green areas. In this report, we outline brown/biodiverse roofing in the UK, which is a relatively new type of extensive roofing used to provide brownfield wildlife with mimic brownfields. Brownfield refers to land that was previously developed for housing or industry but has since been abandoned and recolonised by different ecological assemblages. Brownfields provide habitat conditions similar to more natural habitats, and they can help maintain populations of some rare species. From the 1980s to the present day, the UK government has set a target of building 60% of new dwellings on brownfields. One of the most successful strategies that has been employed by the third constituency in its efforts to campaign for urban biodiversity and brownfield conservation has been to compromise with developers of brownfields and to persuade them to install wildlife-friendly mitigation technologies on roofs. This is the origin of brown/biodiverse roofs, which benefit from techniques that offer diverse habitats under severe conditions of thin substrate layer. Content Type Journal Article Category Report Pages 1-6 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0186-8 Authors Kazuhito Ishimatsu, Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 1-1 Sensui-cho, Tobata-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 804-8550, Japan Keitaro Ito, Department of Civil Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 1-1 Sensui-cho, Tobata-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 804-8550, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Tree communities of secondary deciduous oak forests were surveyed in 13 forests (two in residential and 11 in rural areas) in the warm temperate Hokuriku District of Japan to understand the effects of fragmentation, location (residential or rural), and logging history. The rural forest logged most recently, where diameter at breast height was smallest, had a distinct canopy tree (〉12 m) community due to an increase of trees from wind-dispersed seeds. The rural forest with gaps and the two residential forests also had different canopy tree communities from the other rural forests. In contrast, the tree community in the shrub layer (≤6 m) was not influenced by logging history and the existence of gaps but by location only. This was caused by an increase in evergreen trees (consequently causing poor light conditions on the forest floor) and a decrease in trees from wind-dispersed seeds in the residential forests. Among the rural forest patches, no negative effects of forest size and isolation on density of tree individuals were detected for any seed dispersal mode. This may be because many forest patches were arranged at distances of 10–50 m from neighboring patches in rural areas, which enables tree species with low dispersal ability to disperse their seeds to neighboring forests. However, as found in the residential forests, long-term abandonment and extensive fragmentation may gradually reduce tree diversity through loss of tree species with shade intolerance and low seed dispersal ability. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0182-z Authors Atsushi Ohwaki, Division of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan Kazuya Kimura, Division of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan Shin-Ichi Tanabe, Division of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan Koji Nakamura, Division of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma, Kanazawa, 920-1192 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Managing highway rights-of-way (HROW) for safety depends upon the annual precipitation received and vegetation mowing practices. This study was conducted along a precipitation gradient in Texas, USA, to evaluate how precipitation and mowing treatments influence vegetation heights. The experiment was initiated in spring 1999 and completed in autumn 2002. Each site had ten treatments with four replications and consisted of forty 15 m × 6 m subplots. Commercial highway mowing equipment was used to mow the subplots at 5-, 10-, or 20-cm heights with an annual mowing frequency of one, two, or three times per year and a non-mowed control. A vegetation height of 〉30 cm is generally considered a safety hazard. Control subplot vegetation heights increased along the annual precipitation gradient. Most of the subplot vegetation heights at the more arid Andrews site (35 cm precipitation year −1 ) were 〈30 cm. Subplot vegetation heights at the Tahoka (50 cm precipitation year −1 ), Brady (66 cm precipitation year −1 ), and Lufkin (109 cm precipitation year −1 ) locations exceeded 30 cm, regardless of mowing frequency or height. Mowing treatments for HROW safety must be based on site-specific conditions. In areas that receive 〈35 cm precipitation year −1 , mowing treatments have little effect on vegetation height, and management practices do not necessarily affect visual safety. In areas that receive 〉35 cm precipitation year −1 , mowing three or less times per year, regardless of mowing height, makes it unfeasible to maintain the vegetation heights of 〈30 cm needed to maintain the HROW visual safety criterion. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0184-x Authors Richard E. Zartman, Department Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2122, USA Cynthia B. McKenney, Department Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2122, USA David B. Wester, Department of Animal, Rangeland and Wildlife Sciences and Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Texas A&M University—Kingsville, Kingsville, TX 78363-8202, USA Ronald E. Sosebee, Department of Natural Resource Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-2125, USA John B. Borrelli, Department of Civil Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1023, USA Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Throughout Japan, numerous restoration projects and efforts to conserve the river environment are underway. However, in spite of such efforts, effective measures to conserve the river ecosystem or post-evaluation of restoration projects remain insufficient due to a lack of environmental indicators. In many European countries and the United States, a number of biological indicators have been developed and adapted. However, it appears to be difficult to directly apply these indicators to Japan, because its biota is finely classified according to its many islands and peninsulas. The ultimate goal of this study is to comprehensively evaluate indicators of aquatic biodiversity from both physical and biological aspects. We divided the Kyushu region in Japan into several ecoregions as a preliminary step to establish an indicator. We delineated the ecoregions of the Kyushu region using the fish fauna data of 21 rivers within the Kyushu region. Presence–absence (0/1) data for each fish species were used to run a two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN analysis). As a result, the Kyushu region was divided into four ecoregions (A: northwest Kyushu, B1: northeast Kyushu, B2: south Kyushu, and C: Amami-Oshima Island). Each ecoregion was characterized by the following fish species: (A) Cyprinidae, in particular Acheilognathinae, is abundant; (B1) Gobiidae is abundant, while Cyprinidae such as Tanakia limbata (not confirmed in B2) are also present; (B2) Gobiidae is abundant, while Rhingobius sp. DA and Rhingobius sp. CO (not confirmed in B1) are present. These results indicate that the fish fauna of the Kyushu region is finely delineated, and that an assessment standard for biological integrity should be established, based on differences in fish fauna. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-20 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0171-2 Authors Rei Itsukushima, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Yukihiro Shimatani, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Yôichi Kawaguchi, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minami-josanjima, Tokushima, 880-8506 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The changes of natural sensitivity in terms of lagoon morphometry, particularly the inlet morphometry and flushing properties of the Koggala lagoon, Sri Lanka, are presented in this paper. The morphometric assessment is based on analysis and consideration of morphometric characteristics for three scenarios of the lagoon, namely: (1) before the construction of the old groyne system or time period before 1996 (Koggala Scenario 1—KS1); (2) existing situation or time period after 2007 (Koggala Scenario 2—KS2); and (3) future scenario with respect to proposed groyne interventions for the mouth width of 20 m, as proposed by Gunaratne et al. (J Environ Sci 22(6):813–819, 2010 ) (Koggala Scenario 3—KS3). The morphometric assessment provides a simple means of defining natural sensitivity or vulnerability of individual scenarios of Koggala lagoon to external loads and anthropogenic activities. We found that KS1 and KS3 scenarios are relatively more sensitive than KS2, whereas KS1 has the highest natural sensitivity, and KS2 has the lowest natural sensitivity or the most robust conditions. In quantifying the tidal flushing of Koggala lagoon, the concept of flushing half-life ( T 50% h) was adapted as the optimum measure of flushing time. Flushing half-life was calculated for KS2 and KS3 scenarios. The flushing half-life ranges from 9 to 37 h (1.5 days) for KS2 and from 12 to 72 h (3 days) for KS3. Flushing half-life suggests that the exchange rate between the lagoon and the ocean is controlled by the balance between fresh water inflow and the seawater inflow. Applications of the morphometric classification and flushing half-life presented in this article can be used to help guide management and policy-making decisions for the coastal environment of Koggala lagoon and other coastal water bodies of Sri Lanka. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11355-012-0189-0 Authors G. L. Gunaratne, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan N. Tanaka, Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama, 338-8570 Japan P. Amarasekara, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka T. Priyadarshana, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka J. Manatunge, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of accumulated soil salt on livestock production in Mongolian grasslands. In saline and control areas, we compared soil salinity, sodium concentrations in plants and wool, and body weights of ewes. Mean soil salinity, sodium concentrations, and growth retardation were greater in the high-salinity area than in the control region. Increased retention of sodium in wool samples was evidence of excess dietary sodium. These results reflect sodium overflow from soil to sheep via plants, and this overflow can diminish livestock productivity in saline areas.

Description: Land-use allocation is an important way to promote the intensive and economic use of land resources and achieve the goal of sustainable development. It is a complex spatial optimization problem, and heuristic algorithms have been one of the most effective ways to solve it in past studies. However, heuristic algorithms lack the guidance of planning knowledge, which makes land-use patterns usually unreasonable in practice. This research proposes a spatially explicit genetic algorithm (SEGA) that integrates land-use planning knowledge with the genetic algorithm (GA). The SEGA transforms the spatially implicit computation mode of the GA into a spatially explicit optimization style, which helps to promote the effectiveness of regional land-use allocation. Gaoqiao Town, China, was selected as the study area to test the SEGA. Results show that: (1) land-use conversions are reasonable in accordance with planning knowledge, and they improve overall land-use suitability and spatial compactness; (2) compared with the GA, the SEGA is superior in achieving global objectives and simulating local dynamics. We demonstrated that planning knowledge is essential to heuristic algorithms for land-use allocation.

Description: Tamarix ramosissima is a dominant species in desert riparian ecosystems in the western USA. It is a phreatophytic halophyte, with salt glands on the leaves. While osmoregulation is essential for turgor maintenance under high salinity, the dose–response relationship to salinity of various osmolytes in plants with salt glands is still unknown. We profiled crude leaf extracts of T. ramosissima to identify the metabolic compounds that contribute to its salt tolerance. We compared leaf cation, soluble sugar, amino acid, and betaine content among T. ramosissima samples from five points along the Colorado River. The leaf sodium content of T. ramosissima trees increased with increasing soil salinity. Under high salinity conditions, soluble sugar and betaine content did not increase, but amino acids did. The increase in proline accumulation was highly and positively correlated with leaf sodium content. Thus, proline appears to be the essential osmolyte that T. ramosissima accumulates in response to severe salt stress in desert riparian areas of the USA.

Description:    Landscape change is of crucial ecological importance because of its impacts on biodiversity and the sustainability of habitats and landscapes. The ability to infer ecological processes from landscape changes provides a powerful new tool for large-scale and regional ecological research. Accordingly, we investigated landscape changes in Nikko National Park (Japan) from 1981 to 2006 using an integration of remote sensing images to track ecological processes in the park. We showed that natural succession and anthropogenic disturbance have caused an enormous expansion of coniferous forest (mostly Larix kaempferi and Tsuga diverifolia ), which has resulted in an alteration of sika deer ( Cervus nippon ) habitat structure. The deer population has vastly increased in size, with concomitantly negative effects on the biodiversity of forest-floor vegetation. All changes that we detected have degraded landscape and ecosystem sustainability. Our integrated use of remote sensing images in 2006 accurately identified and classified landscape pattern in the study area. We achieved an overall accuracy of 96.48%, demonstrating that the procedure has an enormous potential for synthetic processing of multitemporal and multiresource remote sensing images. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0180-1 Authors Gang Shen, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-8509 Japan Kenshi Sakai, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-8509 Japan Koichi Kaji, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-5-8 Saiwai-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, 183-8509 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    In Japan, invasions of alien herb Coreopsis lanceolata are often observed in riparian endemic vegetation, but the invasion influences on light environments and endemic species are insufficiently evaluated. In this study, we investigated the influences of C . lanceolata and native dominant turf Zoysia japonica on the densities of riparian plants (two endemics Artemisia capillaris and Potentilla chinensis and one alien Lespedeza inschanica ) in relation to the understory light availability using 594 0.2 m × 0.2 m plots. Available understory light was influenced negatively by C . lanceolata , not Z . japonica , due probably to the tall stature and dense foliar canopy of C . lanceolata . Understory light availability positively affected densities of riparian endemics, although the relation with L . inschanica was unclear. A . capillaris and P . chinensis densities were negatively related with C . lanceolata, not Z . japonica , implying that C . lanceolata reduces endemic populations. Shading by C . lanceolata would be one of prime factors reducing the endemics. L . inschanica density was not correlated with C . lanceolata cover. C . lanceolata could not shade L . inschanica effectively due to the taller stature of L . inschanica . We considered that C . lanceolata reduces endemic riparian species but coexists with L . inschanica . Preventing invasion and dominance of C . lanceolata is desirable to conserve endemic riparian vegetation. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0179-7 Authors Tatsuya I. Saito, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minami-minowa, Nagano, 399-4511 Japan Kumiko Okubo, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minami-minowa, Nagano, 399-4511 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Monoculture plantations with rapidly growing trees are often used for reforestation schemes on abandoned land. There is evidence that in some cases, reforestation facilitates forest succession toward natural species composition. However, the success of a scheme varies according to site conditions, and systematic investigations are required for adaptive management. Monoculture plantations were used to reforest abandoned pastures at the study site in Hokkaido, northern Japan. At the study site—a 40-year-old nonnative larch ( Larix kaempferi ) plantation—the effects of thinning and deer-browsing exclusion treatments on the demography of understory saplings were analyzed to achieve appropriate management planning for reforestation. After deer-browsing exclusion, saplings of various species became established, and species composition corresponded closely to that of a natural conifer–broadleaved mixed stand. Saplings of shade-tolerant species, such as Abies sachalinensis and Acer mono , were abundant. Thinning influenced the demography of saplings over an 8-year period and significantly affected the height growth rate of A. sachalinensis saplings, which show strong variations in response to varying light conditions. There were also negative effects of thinning, such as increased mortality and decreased height growth rate of broadleaved saplings, the growth of which was suppressed by facilitated growth of A. sachalinensis . Thus, treatments used for reforestation must take into account differences in demographic traits of tree species by including long-term monitoring. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0178-8 Authors Kikuko Shoyama, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The habitat characteristics of Acorus calamus were investigated to obtain data and define criteria that can be applied to restoration, conservation, and management. The investigation was conducted in March, June, and September to span the growth period of A. calamus . While the importance of A. calamus decreased over time, the diversity index ( H ′) of A. calamus communities increased in June and then decreased in September. Water levels in A. calamus habitats were lowest in March. About two-thirds of the A. calamus communities (68.4%) were found in sandy loam. Although the optimal environmental ranges of the water and soil characteristics for A. calamus changed according to growth stage, the environmental conditions in March were important for seed germination and seedling establishment. The aboveground biomass of A. calamus was 20.4 in March, 349.3 in June, and 267.0 g/m 2 in September. We also clarified the environmental characteristics of the water and soil at which the aboveground biomass during the growing and senescing seasons peaked. Based on our data, we were able to propose the following guidelines for wetland creation and restoration. (1) To facilitate the seed germination and seedling establishment of A. calamus , managers should seek to achieve conditions that approximate the optimal environment in March. (2) To optimize the growth of A. calamus , the soil pH should be maintained at neutral and the permeability to air should be enhanced. (3) To extend the longevity of A. calamus leaves, the habitat should be managed so as to limit the survival of other species with overlapping niches, and the water depth should be maintained at around 24 cm. Also, the supply of nitrogen components to the soil should not be excessive. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-9 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0176-x Authors Seung-Hye Jeon, Department of Biology Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-748 Korea Heungtae Kim, Department of Biology Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-748 Korea Jong Min Nam, Department of Biology Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-748 Korea Jae Geun Kim, Department of Biology Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-748 Korea Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The invasive plant Coreopsis lanceolata has established itself among various native vegetation types in Japan, but comparative studies of control effects among multiple vegetation types invaded by this plant are few. In the present study, experiments involving vegetation cutting at different frequencies were carried out on three vegetation types: Zoysia japonica dominant type (Zj), C . lanceolata dominant type (Cl) and Miscanthus sinensis dominant type (Ms). Responses of C . lanceolata to changes in cutting frequency varied with vegetation type. In Zj, the abundance of C . lanceolata increased when cutting was performed once or not at all, but tended to decrease when it was performed twice or thrice. In Cl, cutting once increased C . lanceolata , but this species was reduced when other cutting frequencies were employed. In Ms, C . lanceolata increased linearly with cutting frequency. The number of inflorescences of C . lanceolata in the plots was negatively correlated with cutting frequency in Zj and Cl. In Ms, the flowering of C . lanceolata was sometimes observed when cutting was performed only once. The most effective way to suppress C . lanceolata was not necessarily the best way to recover the natives. In Zj, cutting once positively influenced the abundances of native herbs, while cutting thrice or not at all tended to decrease them. In Cl and Ms, cutting thrice reduced the abundances of native herbs, while other cutting frequencies tended to increase them. To control invasive plants and restore the invaded vegetation effectively, the management approach should be changed flexibly in response to vegetation type, and careful monitoring of both invasive and native plants is desirable. Content Type Journal Article Category Short Communication Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0173-0 Authors Tatsuya I. Saito, Graduate School of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minami-minowa, Nagano, 399-4511 Japan Kumiko Okubo, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Minami-minowa, Nagano, 399-4511 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Forest operations impose changes on biological, ecological, hydrological, social, and esthetic attributes of forested landscapes. Methodologies are needed to evaluate the visual impact of forest operations on landscapes as part of the planning process. We assessed the visual impact of forest operations on views from a major travel corridor within a protected area by analyzing three landscape characteristics: visibility, forest landscape quality, and visual sensitivity at distances ranging from 0 m to 5 km. A geographic information system was used to perform: (a) visibility analysis, (b) forest landscape quality analysis, (c) visual fragility analysis, and (d) landscape sensitivity analysis. The output was a landscape sensitivity map, a powerful planning tool that displays the most sensitive areas and the most sensitive forest type, in this study, specifically holm oak forest ( Quercus ilex L.) managed under the coppice silvicultural system. Our results suggest some guidelines for reducing the visual impact of forest operations and demonstrate the efficacy of this methodology for designing the visual quality of forested landscapes. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0168-x Authors Francesco Scarfò, Department of Forest and Agricultural Systems Management, Mediterranean University, Feo di Vito, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy Roberto Mercurio, Department of Forest and Agricultural Systems Management, Mediterranean University, Feo di Vito, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy Carlos del Peso, Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Recursos Forestales Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus de Palencia, Palencia, Spain Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    We examined the relationship between fluctuation patterns of groundwater levels (WL) and the distribution dynamics of the vascular plant Sasa palmata , in Sarobetsu Mire, northern Japan. WLs were recorded at 30 stations: 11 Sphagnum lawns, which is the original vegetation type in the area, nine Sasa communities, and ten boundary stations between those two areas. The ten boundary stations were composed of five vegetation change sites and five stable sites, categorized using maps of Sasa distribution in 1977 and 2000. The results showed that Sphagnum lawns and Sasa communities significantly differed in the average, minimum, and fluctuation range of WLs, and increases in WL after rain events. The differences between change sites and stable sites were not significant in the average WL, but were significant in the minimum and fluctuation ranges of WL and the increase in WL after rain events. These results indicate that the distribution dynamics of Sasa communities would be regulated by groundwater flow that was affected by drainage and inflow condition rather than merely groundwater drawdown as suggested in previous studies. The WL regimes at two Sphagnum lawns were similar to those at change sites, suggesting that Sasa may expand into these two stations more readily than the other Sphagnum lawn stations. Content Type Journal Article Category Report Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0159-y Authors Fujimura Yoshiyasu, Botanic Garden, Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, North 3, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0003 Japan Fujita Hiroko, Botanic Garden, Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, North 3, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-0003 Japan Takada Masayuki, Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Science, North 19, West 12, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0819 Japan Inoue Takashi, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, North 9, West 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8589 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Riverine floodplains play many important roles in river ecosystems. However, many floodplains have suffered degradation or loss of ecological function due to excessive river improvements or through changes in agricultural systems. As a result, many floodplain restoration projects are being conducted worldwide. One of the many methods being implemented to restore floodplain vegetation is flood water seed dispersal. In this technique, precisely estimating the effect of seed dispersal by flood water is important in order to achieve successful floodplain revegetation. Here, we focus our attention on sediment transport by flood water into the Azamenose Swamp, a restored floodplain. We attempt to estimate the function of seed deposition in the restored floodplain and explain how the seeds are deposited in the floodplain by flood water. The result suggests that the restored floodplain functions as a more appropriate deposition site for seeds than the riverbanks of the main river. It was also found that the distance from the inflow site and the weight of the sediment were related to seed deposition. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0154-3 Authors Hironori Hayashi, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Yukihiro Shimatani, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Kotaro Shigematsu, NIPPO Corporation, 1-19-11 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8380 Japan Jun Nishihiro, Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657 Japan Shinya Ikematsu, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Yôichi Kawaguchi, Ecosystem Design Institute of Technology and Science, University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minami-josanjima, Tokushima, 770-8506 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    We evaluated the effectiveness of integrating discrete return light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data with high spatial resolution near-infrared digital imagery for object-based classification of land cover types and dominant tree species. In particular we adopted LiDAR ratio features based on pulse attributes that have not been used in past studies. Object-based classifications were performed first on land cover types, and subsequently on dominant tree species within the area classified as trees. In each classification stage, two different data combinations were examined: LiDAR data integrated with digital imagery or digital imagery only. We created basic image objects and calculated a number of spectral, textural, and LiDAR-based features for each image object. Decision tree analysis was performed and important features were investigated in each classification. In the land cover classification, the overall accuracy was improved to 0.975 when using the object-based method and integrating LiDAR data. The mean height value derived from the LiDAR data was effective in separating “trees” and “lawn” objects having different height. As for the tree species classification, the overall accuracy was also improved by object-based classification with LiDAR data although it remained up to 0.484 because spectral and textural signatures were similar among tree species. We revealed that the LiDAR ratio features associated with laser penetration proportion were important in the object-based classification as they can distinguish tree species having different canopy density. We concluded that integrating LiDAR data was effective in the object-based classifications of land cover and dominant tree species. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0158-z Authors Takeshi Sasaki, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Junichi Imanishi, Graduate School of Global Environment Studies, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Keiko Ioki, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Yukihiro Morimoto, Graduate School of Global Environment Studies, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Katsunori Kitada, Nakanihon Air Service Co. Ltd., 2 Tonogama, Toyoba, Toyoyama-cho, Nishikasugai-gun, Aichi, 480-0202 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    This paper aims to understand the ecological effects of disturbance on broadleaved evergreen forest in East China. We used a manipulative field experiment approximating the common natural and artificial disturbance types in this area to investigate the community physiognomy, floristic composition, and 5-year recovery dynamics of the post-disturbance forest community. The results indicated that the landscape and forest structure have degraded into shrub communities, structure-damaged evergreen broadleaved communities, and so on. The post-disturbance communities presented different means of plant recruitment and vegetation recovery patterns at an early successional stage. The recovery of disturbed forests primarily depended on external seed sources and re-sprouting from stumps, rather than on soil seed banks, as few buried seeds were found. Re-sprouting thus appears to be key in allowing rapid vegetation recovery in evergreen broadleaved forest. Disturbances seem to be one of the most important factors that can contribute to regional species coexistence across temporal and spatial scales in evergreen broadleaved forests. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-010-0148-6 Authors Kan-Kan Shang, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062 China Qi-Ping Zhang, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062 China Liang-Jun Da, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, Shanghai, 200062 China Keitarou Hara, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, Chiba, 265-8501 Japan Yong-Chuan Yang, Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045 China Michiro Fujihara, Hyogo Prefectural University, Hyogo, 673-1494 Japan Mizuki Tomita, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, Chiba, 265-8501 Japan Yi Zhao, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, Chiba, 265-8501 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The passive cooling effect of green roofs in humid, tropical Hong Kong was investigated with reference to three vegetated plots, grass, groundcover herb, and shrub, with contrasting growth form and biomass structure and a bare control plot. Temperature was monitored at 15-min intervals for a year at seven levels: high (H) at 200 cm, middle (M) at 60 cm, low (L) at 20 cm, surface, soil, rockwool (water storage), and roof-tile surface. The findings indicated the crucial roles played by biomass quantity and structural complexity in passive cooling functions. Temperature variations of vegetated roofs occurred mainly during the day, with lower maximum and minimum than the control, but they did not cool air at night better than the control. Control and grass surfaces were warmed above the ambient temperature, but groundcover and shrub surfaces followed the ambient. Despite complex biomass structure, shrub created the most extreme diurnal air temperature regime. Despite simple biomass structure, grass cooled air more effectively than groundcover and shrub. Four anomalies in the vertical temperature profile were detected. First, the grass roof cooled daytime near-ground air to create a suspended temperature inversion. Second, the stagnant air within the shrub biomass trapped heat to generate a daytime canopy temperature inversion. Third, the elevated branch-foliage biomass of groundcover and shrub brought passive cooling to form a perched thermal discontinuity. Fourth, the air gap of the plastic drainage layer arrested downward heat transmission in all vegetated plots to form a subsurface thermal discontinuity. The findings provide hints on species choice and design of green roofs. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-15 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0161-4 Authors C. Y. Jim, Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Shanghai is the largest commercial and industrial city of China, but air quality issues have hindered its development in becoming a “global city.” This study used monitoring data on SO 2 , NO x , acid rain pH, dustfall, and total suspended particles (TSP) from the Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Center to evaluate and analyze the air quality in urban, suburban, and rural areas during the period 1983–2005. The results showed that the spatial pattern of air parameters was determined by the level of urbanization; thus, the higher the level of urbanization, the worse the air quality. On the whole, the atmospheric environment of the three spatial regions improved gradually because of economical growth and environmental protection since the 1990s. For the entire region of Shanghai, the relationship between the integrated air quality index and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was an N-shaped environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) due to decreasing air quality in suburban and rural areas this century. Thus, environmental controls should be increased in Shanghai, especially in developing suburban and rural areas during rapid urbanization. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 1-10 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0174-z Authors Ti-Yuan Xia, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, 200062 Shanghai, China Jun-ying Wang, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, 200062 Shanghai, China Kun Song, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, 200062 Shanghai, China Liang-jun Da, Department of Environmental Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 North Zhongshan Road, 200062 Shanghai, China Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    We investigated the effects of planting density and relative ground height (distance from the water table) on the early establishment of two introduced tree species [Mongolian pine ( Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica ) and white poplar ( Populus alba var. pyramidalis )] in the Mu Us Sandy Land of China; we used GLMM to analyze experimental effects. In total, 14 afforestation plots (seven plots per species) with variable relative ground heights were established on a shifting sand dune. Trees were planted at intervals of 3, 5, and 7 m, and the distances between neighboring trees were fixed within plots. Planting intervals and numbers of neighboring trees were treated as measures of planting density, and relative ground height was treated as an indicator of water supply stability. For both species, tree survival rates decreased with increasing planting interval; the number of neighboring trees had a positive effect on survival. The effect of relative ground height differed between species. Pine tree survival rates decreased with increased relative ground height, while the survival rates of poplar trees were unaffected. We recommend that pine trees be planted at high density on lower sectors of sand dunes to prevent wind erosion in early spring. Poplar trees should be planted at high density without reference to relative ground height for the provision of fuelwood. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0177-9 Authors Takashi Otoda, Department of Environmental Ecology, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan Guosheng Zhang, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia, China Linhe Wang, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, Inner Mongolia, China Ken Yoshikawa, Department of Environmental Ecology, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Okayama University, 1-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Okayama, 700-8530 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    Chongqing Municipality, located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, is one of China’s four largest megacities, comparable with Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin. In recent years, Chongqing and its surroundings have been experiencing severe environmental problems, such as urbanization, pollution, and deforestation, due to the rapid economic development of China’s inland region. Understanding the current land-cover status over a wide scale, as well as changes in land-cover over time, are necessary for improving the urban environment and implementing conservation measures in the Chongqing region. In this study, remote-sensing data from 1993 and 2001 were used to analyze land-cover changes. Due to the distinctive mountainous topography of Chongqing, digital topography data shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM)-3 were also used. The results of the analysis showed that urban area increased from 109.91 km 2 (5.7%) in 1993 to 166.84 km 2 (8.7%) in 2001. This increase came at the expense of agricultural and vegetated areas. Although irrigated paddy field and dry farm land decreased due to the development, these two land-cover categories still covered the largest agricultural area. Correlating the land-cover changes with different topography types, the results showed that forest covered a larger area and enjoyed a higher frequency of distribution at higher elevations and on steeper slopes. The increase in urban area, in contrast, was apparently associated with lower elevations and milder slopes. These results indicate that incorporating terrain characteristics into remote-sensing analysis can be a useful tool in developing conservation measures for vegetated and agricultural areas. Content Type Journal Article Category Original Paper Pages 1-11 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0155-2 Authors Yi Zhao, Graduate School of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, 4-1 Onaridai, Wakaba-ku, Chiba, 265-8501 Japan Mizuki Tomita, Department of Environmental Information, Faculty of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, Chiba, Japan Keitarou Hara, Department of Environmental Information, Faculty of Informatics, Tokyo University of Information Sciences, Chiba, Japan Michiro Fujihara, Awaji Landscape Planning and Horticulture Academy/Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Hyogo, Hyogo, Japan YongChuan Yang, Key Lab of Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing/Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China LiangJun Da, Department of Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The effects of two contrasting farming systems on the floristic composition and vegetation structure that make up the Yatoda landscape were investigated. The experimental field was set up at Yatoda in a hilly district in Zhejiang province, China. Vegetation surveys were done in summer 2002 and 2003. Vegetation was divided into four types based on species composition: grassland formerly used for rice cultivation (G), rice paddy (P), ridge way (R), and levee slope (S). In P, R, and S plots, each vegetation type was subdivided according to the different farming systems. Under the traditional system, there were a number of species, and the diversity index values were greater than those under the conventional system. Blyxa echinosperma and Marsilea quadrifolia , which are threatened species in Japan, were seen in the paddy field under the traditional farming system. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 1-8 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0150-7 Authors Masayuki Nemoto, Faculty of Regional Environment Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo, 156-8502 Japan Hiroo Otsuka, Unshouen Co., Ltd, 3630 Kobuchizawa, Hokuto, Yamanashi 408-0044, Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    We validated the effects of a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging process on the oriental weather loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus . Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the effects of PIT tagging on fish survival, growth, wound healing, and tag omission. Two tagging protocols, standard syringe injection versus insertion through a small hole pierced by a fine needle-shaped awl, were compared using a 12.5 × 2.07 mm 2 tag. A control group was also included. In comparison with the awl technique, syringe injection heightened the mortality of the loach and delayed healing of the wound caused by tag insertion. No effects of either PIT tagging method were detected on the growth of surviving loach. We also field-tested similarly tagged populations within a river-based irrigation system of Sado Island, Japan. Two different sized tags (long, 12.5 × 2.07 mm 2 ; short, 8.5 × 2.12 mm 2 ) were compared by using antenna loggers which detected fish movement through gates and automatically logged tagged fish’s tag IDs and timestamps. By comparing logged data and actual fish collection surveys both below and above the gates, 77% and 30% of actual loach movements were confirmed to have been successfully logged for the long and short tags, respectively. The awl insertion technique with the longer tag is therefore recommended for use in similar studies of smaller fish species. Content Type Journal Article Category Report Pages 1-7 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0152-5 Authors Yuichi Kano, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Yôichi Kawaguchi, Laboratory of Ecosystem Management, Division of Ecosystem Design, Institute of Technology and Science, The University of Tokushima, 2-1 Minami-Josanjima, Tokushima, 770-8506 Japan Tomomi Yamashita, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Tsuneo Sekijima, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 8050 Igarashi 2-Nocho, Nishi-ku, Niigata, 950-2181 Japan Yukihiro Shimatani, Department of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395 Japan Yoshinori Taniguchi, Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Meijo University, 1-501 Shiogamaguchi, Tenpaku-ku, Nagoya, 468-8502 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871

Description:    The immediate impact of damming appears most notably at the first filling of water, when the dam blocks the river and a lake suddenly forms. In this review, the changes in meteorology, plant communities, birds and fishes surrounding initial impoundment of Miharu Dam, constructed in an Asian Monsoon region, are summarised based on previous papers and subsequent field research. Although wind and temperature changes were investigated, land and lake wind occur due to the different thermal properties between the land and lake, and this type of wind often occurs at large lakes such as Glen Canyon Dam Reservoir or Lake Biwa. The size of Miharu Dam Reservoir (ponding area 2.9 km 2 ) was insufficient to cause land–lake air differentials. Therefore, wind direction and air temperature were unaffected. Mountain winds weakened at the lake centre and near the dam body. Changes in vegetation were especially diverse at the drawdown zone (the slopes above and below the normal water level). On slopes above this zone, trees died and species composition changed due to submergence. Within the drawdown zone, the pre-existing plant community disappeared, and flood-resistant plants such as Salix subfragilis increased. The natatorial bird population continued to grow for 4 years after dam reservoir emergence and stabilised thereafter. Every year, the majority of natatorial birds utilising the dam reservoir as a resting area were ducks, but populations of diving ducks fluctuated depending on water level and iced area. After impoundment, the fish populations increased. As in most dam reservoirs in Japan, populations of invasive fish species such as Micropterus salmoides and Lepomis macrochirus increased. However, spawning grounds dried up during low-water-level seasons, suggesting that regulating water levels may help reduce invasive species. Content Type Journal Article Category Review Pages 81-105 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0170-3 Authors Kazuhiro Azami, OYO Corporation, 275 Aza Ishibatake Oaza Nishikata, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, 963-7722 Japan Mariko Takemoto, OYO Corporation, 275 Aza Ishibatake Oaza Nishikata, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, 963-7722 Japan Yasunori Otsuka, OYO Corporation, 275 Aza Ishibatake Oaza Nishikata, Miharu-machi, Tamura-gun, Fukushima, 963-7722 Japan Satoshi Yamagishi, Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, 115 Konoyama, Abiko, Chiba 27-1145, Japan Shigekazu Nakazawa, Miharu Dam Management Office, Tohoku Regional Construction Bureau, Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport, 403-4 Aza Nakanouchi Ohaza Nishikata, Miharu-machi, Tamura Gun, Fukushima, 963-7722 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 8 Journal Issue Volume 8, Number 1

Description:    Lone trees, rows of trees, groves, and hedges (in this study called “isolated trees and hedges”) dot many Satoyama landscapes in Japan. They have traditionally played an important role in agriculture and horticulture, in the production of firewood, and as windbreaks, boundaries, and screens. Through this investigation of a suburban Satoyama landscape in western Japan, which includes old and new residential areas, public space, farmland, and abandoned land, we aimed to show how isolated trees and hedges are connected with local traditional cultural features, and how this link has impacted their distribution and species composition. By examining land categories, shape patterns, and species compositions of isolated trees and hedges in both traditional and newly developed regions of the study area, we showed how the presence or absence of related traditional cultural features has influenced biodiversity. We further examined the role of traditional management techniques and cultural features in maintaining high numbers of local native species in isolated trees and hedges. Based on our results, we argue that awareness and promotion of the biocultural link in isolated trees and hedges will play an important role in future efforts to preserve the unique local identity and biodiversity of this cultural landscape. Content Type Journal Article Category Special Feature: Original Paper Pages 195-206 DOI 10.1007/s11355-011-0164-1 Authors Katsue Fukamachi, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Yuko Miki, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Hirokazu Oku, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Iwao Miyoshi, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502 Japan Journal Landscape and Ecological Engineering Online ISSN 1860-188X Print ISSN 1860-1871 Journal Volume Volume 7 Journal Issue Volume 7, Number 2