Ecology of Riparian Forests in Japan Disturbance, Life History, and
Riparian forests along streams and rivers are diverse in species, structure, and regeneration processes, and have important ecological functions in maintaining landscape and biodiversity. This book discusses riparian forests from subpolar to warm-temperat
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H. Sakio, T. Tamura (Eds.)
Ecology of Riparian Forests in Japan Disturbance, Life History, and Regeneration
Hitoshi Sakio, Ph.D. Professor, Sado Station Field Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture Niigata University 94-2 Koda, Sado, Niigata 952-2206, Japan Toshikazu Tamura, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Environment Systems, Faculty of Geo-environmental Science Rissho University 1700 Magechi, Kumagaya, Saitama 360-0194, Japan
ISBN 978-4-431-76736-7 Springer Tokyo Berlin Heidelberg New York eISBN 978-4-431-76737-4 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008924622 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in other ways, and storage in data banks. The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Springer is a part of Springer Science+Business Media springer.com © Springer 2008 Printed in Japan Typesetting: Camera-ready by the editors and authors Printing and binding: Kato Bunmeisha, Japan Printed on acid-free paper
Foreword
The riparian forests in the Asia Monsoon Belt of Japan are subject to a variety of geomorphic and fluvial disturbances that can vary longitudinally at the catchment scale. This is due to a combination of seasonal and extreme floods caused by snowmelt and heavy rainfalls initiated by monsoons and typhoons, as well as the high gradient topography and extensive area of tectonic activity. The Japanese riparian forest (JRF) research group, represented by Dr. Hitoshi Sakio, the editor of this book, has examined various mechanisms for maintaining plant species diversity in riparian zones, and contributed to the development of community and ecosystem ecology. Many riparian studies conducted in the United States, Canada, and European countries have focused mainly on seasonal or relatively frequent flood disturbances in large rivers, and on the responses of one group of species, the Salicaceae. In contrast, the scope of riparian studies promoted by the JRF research group ranges from headwaters to low-gradient alluvial rivers, and the group has clarified a number of specific or facultative strategies, in various tree species, for coping with the temporal and spatial reliability of safe sites. The group has focused not only on niche partitioning along environmental gradients but also on niche partitioning in life history stages, from reproduction and dispersal to seedling establishment, and the further development of immature trees. The Japanese River Law, which was revised in 1997, included “conservation and improvement of river environments” as one of the purposes of river management, and clearly stated that riparian areas should be protected. However, reservoirs and erosion contr
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