Age structure and dynamics of Cercidiphyllum japonicum sprouts based on growth ring analysis

Abstract

We investigated the factors that encourage sprouting by Cercidiphyllum japonicum, as well as its ability to sprout after cutting, by analyzing the age structure, distribution, and growth of sprouts in one stool of this species. C. japonicum produced numerous sprouts in various age classes, ranging from 7-92 years old; the main stem was 226 years old.Sprouts that were relatively close in age (e.g., 30 or 80 years old) tended to form clusters.Based on an increase in the width of annual growth rings, we estimated that gap formation occurred about 30 years ago. This encouraged existing sprouts to grow more, and many sprouts were produced on the periphery of the stand to take advantage of the improved light conditions. After cutting, larger stems produced more simultaneous sprouts; therefore, sprout occurrence probably depends on the biomass of parent stems, although smaller stems were also able to produce some simultaneous sprouts. In the absence of physical damage, C. japonicum produced more sprouts as a function of increased age as a means of self-maintenance. C. japonicum sprouted simultaneously in response to external disturbances, such as gap formation and cutting, and it sprouted sequentially with increasing age. Therefore, although C. japonicum seedlings are rarely found in forests, C. japonicum can maintain its populations over long periods by sprouting, which compensates for sparse seedling regeneration.

Regeneration dynamics of Euptelea pleiospermum along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients: Trade-offs between seedling and sprout

“…These species include, but are not limited to, Bretschneidera sinensis, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, Davidia involucrata, Dipteronia sinensis, Euptelea pleiospermum, and Tetracentron sinense (Editorial Committee for Vegetation of China, 1980). Most of these species prolifically sprout (Tang and Ohsawa, 2002;Kubo et al, 2005;Wei et al, 2010a). At the continental scale, they occur in a few restricted areas of East Asia (Tang and Ohsawa, 2002;Ying and Chen, 2011).…”

Micro-landform Structure and Tree Distribution in Subalpine Riparian Area of V-shaped Valley, Minami Alps, Central Japan

“…Once established, these species can persist via their long life spans, namely, 100-150 years for P. rhoifolia (Ann and Oshima 1996;Sato 1988;Kaneko 2009), over 200 years for C. japonicum (Kubo et al 2005), over 250 years for F. platypoda (Sakio 1997) and over 400 years for A. -33 turbinata (Hoshizaki 2009).…”

Relationships between environment and mountain riparian plant communities associated with two rare tertiary-relict tree species, Euptelea pleiospermum (Eupteleaceae) and Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae)

“…E. pleiospermum and C. japonicum are both long-lived, with a high sprouting ability (Sakio et al, 2002;Wei et al, 2008). In sites where the plants are established this obviously compensates for a possible decline of the populations (Bond and Midgley, 2001;Kubo et al, 2005;Mejías et al, 2007;Wei et al, 2008). Sprouting is therefore an important means for the two relictual tree species to persist and maintain the once colonized habitat in the riparian zones.…”

“…Sprouting, as an important life history strategy of riparian woody species (Naiman et al, 2005), is advantageous for survival under harsh or unstable conditions where seed and seedling mortality are high (Kubo et al, 2005;Masako et al, 2001;Sakio et al, 2002).…”