The effects of shrub patch sizes on the colonization of pioneer plants on the volcano Mount Koma, northern Japan

Vegetation recovery on Mount Koma, Hokkaido, Japan, has been slow after the catastrophic eruption in 1929, due to undeveloped soil and limited plant colonization. Nowadays, the seedling establishment is supported mostly by a nurse plant, Salix reinii forming shrub patches, facilitates the plant colonization. Although the effects of shrub patches should differ with patch sizes, the size effects have not been examined well. To examine the size effects, seed-sowing experiments were conducted on two common pioneer herbaceous species, Miscanthus sinensis and Polygonum sachalinense, in the field. The seed germination and seedling survival were monitored by the seeds sown into S. reinii patches (0.97 m2–4.12 m2 in area) for 4 months during snow-free periods. Microenvironments altered by the patches were measured. Lab-experiments were performed to characterize the seed germination and seedling growth.Larger patches decreased light intensity and temperature more and increased litter and water content. The large patches promoted the seed germination of the two species. Interspecific interactions, examined by a seed mixture experiment, showed that the interaction increased the seed germination on M. sinensis and decreased that on P. sachalinense. On the lab-experiments at three temperatures (15, 20 and 25 °C), M. sinensis seeds germinated more at higher temperatures and obtained higher seedlings biomass. P. sachalinense germinated the seeds more at 20 °C and grew faster at lower temperatures. The total biomass of the two species was reduced by shade that intercepted 50% of light intensity. The seed germination and seedling growth of these two species became higher on litter with 2 cm in depth than on no litter. Soil water supported seed germination when the seeds of these two species were mixed while the water reduced the growth of P. sachalinense seedlings. Therefore, the dry soils were suitable for their growths. In all the treatments, P. sachalinense seedlings showed higher mortalities than M. sinensis.In conclusion, the large patches facilitated more to the colonization of pioneer plants via seed germination and growth. Large patches acted as a nursery supporting the natural regeneration in the disturbed area by improving litter accumulation, maintaining soil water, reducing strong light and/or protecting from heat.