Landform effects on tree size in reestablished forests after fires

The spatial heterogeneity of tree size in stands recovered after fires was examined in a 5m×110m belt transect and 150 plots in the Teshio Experiment Forest situated in northern Japan. Tree growth in the reestablished stands was affected by topographic conditions. Canopy height and maximum DBH varied with slope aspect, topographic position, and elevation as well as stand age. They were found to be small 1) on southeast-, south-, southwest-, and west-facing slopes, 2) on ridges, upper parts of slopes, and terrace surfaces, and 3) within high-elevation zones. The effects of ultramafic soil from serpentinized rock on tree size were smaller than those of the topographic conditions. It follows from these findings on reestablished communities that prevailing southwesterly winds are importantly involved in regeneration