Thermal characteristics of the ground on a wind-blown slope in the alpine zone of mt. kisokomagatake

The thermal characteristics for vegetation growth on wind-blown slopes was investigated in the alpine zone of Mt. Kisokomagatake, in Central Japan. The diurnal and annual variations of soil temperature were observed over the winter of 1984/85 and from August to November in 1985. The soil temperature affects plant growth: The habitats were affected by density of vegetation and soil structure. In a habitat of dense vegetation such as that of Pinus pumila scrub, the diurnal variation of soil temperature was very small, and decrease of temperature in winter was less drastic than in other habitats. In habitats without dense vegetation or humic soils, severe temperature change was observed, and frequent freeze-thaw alternation occurred