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-We compared the plant species diversity of forest-floor vegetation in long-rotation Larix kaempferi plantations with standardrotation plantations and abandoned coppice forest in central Japan. Species diversity and richness did not differ between the standard-and longrotation plantations. However, the composition of tall-tree species, of different seed-dispersal types, in long-rotation plantations differed from that in standard-rotation plantations, but was similar to that in abandoned coppice forest. These results indicate that, in particular, long-rotation plantations contained more tall-tree species with animal-dispersed seeds, which in turn suggests that long-rotation plantations may be better for colonization of tall-tree species with this type of seed dispersal. The relatively long period since management in long-rotation plantations may play a significant role in the growth, reproduction, and seedfall of naturally regenerated tall-tree species with animal-dispersed seeds. Therefore, long-rotation plantations may maintain and restore species composition via recovering ecological function.forest ecosystem management / seed dispersal / species classification / life form Résumé -Effets de l'allongement de la période de rotation des plantations de Larix kaempferi au centre du Japon sur la diversité en espèces végétales. Nous avons comparé la diversité en espèces végétales du sous bois entre des plantations de Larix kaempferi menées en rotations longues par rapport à des rotations classiques courtes ou des taillis abandonnés. La diversité et la richesse en espèces végétales ne diffèrent pas entre les plantations classiques et les plantations à longue rotation. Cependant, la diversité de la strate arborée, avec des stratégies de dispersion des graines différentes, diffère entre les plantations à longue durée par rapport aux plantations classiques mais est semblable aux taillis abandonnés. Les résultats indiquent en particulier que les plantations avec de longues rotations contiennent plus d'espèces arborées avec une stratégie de dissémination des graines par zoochorie ce qui suggère également que ce type de plantation longue soit favorable aux arbres avec ce type de dissémination. La longue période après la dernière intervention en forêt dans les plantations à longue rotation semble donc jouer un rôle important dans la croissance, la reproduction et la dispersion des graines par zoochorie pour les arbres se régénérant naturellement. Par conséquent, les plantations à longue rotation pourraient maintenir et restaurer la composition en espèces végétales par rétablissement de la fonction écologique. gestion des écosystèmes forestiers / stratégie de dispersion des graines / classification des espèces / type biologique

We investigated seasonal fluctuation patterns in species and individuals of adult butterflies and flowering plants providing nectar in a semi-natural grassland in central Japan. We considered their interrelationships and implications for conservation. The seminatural grassland included different vegetation structures and management regimes, including: (1) firebreaks where the grass was mowed and removed, (2) plantation areas that were mowed, (3) unpaved roads with mowed banks, (4) abandoned grassland, (5) scattered scrub forest, and (6) the surrounding forest. The sites with management (e.g., firebreaks), plantations and banks of the unpaved road sustained a larger number of butterflies and flowers than sites without management, such as the abandoned grassland, scrub forest and surrounding forest. The number of butterflies increased in the firebreak in June and at all sites in August and September. The firebreak sustained flowers in the spring, and the plantation area and banks of the unpaved road sustained flowers primarily in August and September, which was correlated with the distribution of butterflies. The different treatments such as mowing or mowing with removal of grass induced different numbers of flowers of each species affecting the habitat of adult butterflies through a season. On the other hand, the shrub tree species composing the scrub forest were host plants for the larvae of certain butterfly species. Our results suggest that heterogeneous environments with different human management or different vegetation structure or both could support habitat for various butterfly species, depending on the season and the seral stage.

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