Pflanzensoziologische Untersuchung der alpinen und subalpinen Vegetation der westlichen Gebirge von Honshu (Chubu, Kii und Shikoku) : Teil I. Vegetationseinheiten und ihre systematische Betrachtung

Phytosociological studies of alpine and subalpine vegetation were carried out on mountains of high altitude（higher than 1600m above sea level, of which the highest peak is Fujisan ; 3776m) of the Chubu, Kii and Shikoku regions in western Japan. These areas are still mostly covered by natural and seminatural vegetation. Fifty associations and 7communities are systematized and classified according to their order of precedence（19 alliances, 16 orders and 11 classes), and there is a description of their physiognomy, structure, stand, syndynamics and distribution. Four associations and 1alliance are recognized as new vegetation units. The Carici-Piceetum hondoensis in the high mountainous areas of Kii is one of the regional associations of the Maiantho-Tsugetum diversifoliae. The Rubetum vernis characterized by the Rubus vernus is restricted to the Japan Sea side, existing in places where there is deep snow. The Sedo rosei-Saxifragetum bronchialis funstonii is characterized by Sedum rosei, Saxifraga bronchialis funstonii and Cetraria ericetorum. This association was caused by an erosion scarp ln the alpine region. The Gaultherio-Vaccinietum ovalifolii is a hedge community of the subalpine region, characterized by the Vaccinium ovalifolium, Gaultheria miqueliana and Rubus pedatus. The Ribo-Rubion pseudo-acer of the subalpine region has Rubus pseudo-acer, Rubus yabei and Ribes japonicum as its characteristic species