Ecology of a new cherry tree species (Prunus Tama-Clivorum Oohara, Seriz. & Wakab) in urban forests of Tama New Town, Tokyo, Japan
2010
Numata S., Tokyo Metropolitan Univ., Tokyo , (Japan). Graduate School of Urban Environment Sciences. Dept. of Tourism | Iki M.
In Japan, cherry trees are especially popular and commonly found in both urban and rural areas. Most cherry trees are horticultural in variety, and 8-10 wild cherry species were known in Japan. In 1992, a new cherry species - Prunus tama-clivorum Oohara, Seriz & Wakab was discovered on the Tama hills in western part of Tokyo, The cherry blossom of this new species has starshaped five pieces of calyx lobe, and it was given the Japanese name - "Hoshi-zakura" which meaning star cherry tree. The discovery has not only scientific impact but also social impact such as increase in sightseeing use in the region. However, there is little ecological information available. Therefore, the authors gather ecological data of the new cherry species to support a proper biological conservation and management. The new species was found to be distributed within a limited area of Tama-Newtown, in Hachioji-city and Machida-city of Tokyo, and less than 100 in number. However, the habitat of the new species greatly varied according to the location, such as urban forests, agricultural fields and urban parks. In addition, trees of the species in urban parks were affected by artificial factors such as lower mowing and inadequate treatment by park visitors. In our study, we discuss the ecology of the new species and interaction with human activities such as park management, utilization and conservation of thickly wooded area, and environmental education.
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