EFFECTS OF SNOW ACCUMULATION ON SURVIVAL OF BEECH (FAGUS-CRENATA) SEED

The escape of beech seeds from seed predators and winter desiccation d ue to snow accumulation was studied by comparing two sites in Japan: o ne site that experiences much snow and another site that experiences l ess snow cover. At the site with greater snow cover, about 70% of the beech seeds escaped seed predation by rodents during winter and about 70% of surviving seeds germinated successfully in spring. At the site with less snow cover, however, all of the beech seeds were eaten by ro dents, and all seeds that were protected from feeding were killed by w inter desiccation. We confirmed that snow prevents beech seeds from pr edation by rodents because it conceals their sight and scent. These ef fects are one of the main reasons why beeches in snowy areas regenerat e constantly and those in less snowy areas do not.