<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>To determine the factors that promote the expansion of dwarf bamboo (<italic>Sasa palmate</italic>), an indicator of mesic vegetation, into bogs, a landscape-based approach was used to assess the geographical factors that are associated with, and contribute to, the propagation of <italic>Sasa</italic> in the Sarobetsu Mire, northern Japan. Using the "<italic>Sasa</italic> frontline" data obtained from aerial photographs taken during 2 different periods, the area expanded by <italic>Sasa</italic> in the past 23 years was determined. Next, distribution maps associated with geographical parameters, such as topography, hydrology, vegetation and soil, were created using remote sensing data (airborne LiDAR, ALOS/AVNIR-2, and ALOS/PALSAR). Using these geographical parameters as explanatory variables, the causes for <italic>Sasa</italic> expansion were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. It was shown that distance to natural ditches, gradient of ground surface, elevation, and carbon content are the largest contributors and that the hydrological factor is the one most associated with <italic>Sasa</italic> expansion. By using the landscape approach, 60% of the <italic>Sasa</italic> expansion factors could be explained. The analysis of the vegetation near the <italic>Sasa</italic> frontlines showed that the dynamics of sedge vegetation may serve as an indicator of potential <italic>Sasa</italic> expansion.</p></abstract>

To determine the factors that promote the expansion of dwarf bamboo (Sasa palmate), an indicator of mesic vegetation, into bogs, a landscape-based approach was used to assess the geographical factors that are associated with, and contribute to, the propagation of Sasa in the Sarobetsu Mire, northern Japan. Using the "Sasa frontline" data obtained from aerial photographs taken during 2 different periods, the area expanded by Sasa in the past 23 years was determined. Next, distribution maps associated with geographical parameters, such as topography, hydrology, vegetation and soil, were created using remote sensing data (airborne LiDAR, ALOS/AVNIR-2, and ALOS/PALSAR). Using these geographical parameters as explanatory variables, the causes for Sasa expansion were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis. It was shown that distance to natural ditches, gradient of ground surface, elevation, and carbon content are the largest contributors and that the hydrological factor is the one most associated with Sasa expansion. By using the landscape approach, 60% of the Sasa expansion factors could be explained. The analysis of the vegetation near the Sasa frontlines showed that the dynamics of sedge vegetation may serve as an indicator of potential Sasa expansion.

Geographical Assessment of Factors for <italic>Sasa</italic> Expansion in the Sarobetsu Mire, Japan

Hosei University, 2-17-1, Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8160, Japan

Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, North 9, West 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8589, Japan

Botanic Garden, Field Science Centre for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, North 3, West 8, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0003, Japan

Journal of Landscape Ecology

Geographical Assessment of Factors for  Expansion in the Sarobetsu Mire, Japan

To determine the factors that promote the expansion of dwarf bamboo (Sasa palmate), an indicator of mesic vegetation, into bogs, a landscape-based approach was...

Geographical Assessment of Factors for Sasa Expansion in the Sarobetsu Mire, Japan

Published Online: Aug 08, 2012

Page range: 58 - 71

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10285-012-0049-5

Keywords
mire, dwarf bamboo, expansion, geographical parameter, remote sensing

This content is open access.