Guide to the Mt. Naeba Experimental Beech [Fagus crenata] Forest [Japan] and the related database

Mt. Naeba Experimental Beech Forest was established in 1967 to facilitate the development of techniques to promote the natural regeneration of Fagus crenata (buna or Siebold's beech) and has been survey continuously for the long term study of forest. In the investigations reported here a 22.5 ha-experimental plot was divided into ten 150 m x 150 m compartments, which were logged at five difference intensities (100%, 70%, 50%, 30% and 0% in volume) with two replicates. Within each compartment, five forest floor treatments (weeding and brushing, weeding and brushing + soil scarification, herbicide, herbicide + soil scarification, and untreated) were applied, setting a 50 m x 10 m belt for each treatnent. Inside each of these belts, five 4 m x 2 m quadrats (VQ) were laid out for vegetation and seedling surveys to investigate the forest floor. The forest floor vegetation and seedling numbers and sizes were investigated 18 times from the establishment of the experimental plot to 1998, and the results of these censuses have been compiled in a database. In addition, data on the canopy trees in 50 m x 50 m quadrats (TQ) covering the five forest floor treatment belts in each compartment have been recorded in two tree surveys (one before felling in 1968, and the other in 2002-2003) and listed in the database. The database related to this experiment in Mt. Naeba Experimental Beech Forest has been open to the public in the "Forest Dynamics Database" website since October 2002. To facilitate use of the database and future investigations, we describe the layout, design and establishment, of the experimental plot, the investigation methods used, the chronology of the treatments and investigations, and the structure of the database. In addition, we present lists of the flora, publications arising from the studies, the people involved in the investigations and other potentially important notes.