Comparison of the Species Compositions between Past and Present Semi-Natural Miscanthus sinensis Grassland in the Kanto Plain

Abstract

Semi-natural grassland maintained by traditional agricultural practices like mowing and burning has been widely decreased due to urban development and abandonment for more than 50 years, causing the loss of habitats of many native grassland species. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the vegetation of Miscanthus sinensis grassland currently remaining in the eastern part of the Kanto Plain by comparing it to the vegetation of the past extracted from data on regional flora compiled in the 1970s and 1980s. As a result, it became clear that the vegetation of the remaining Miscanthus sinensis grassland established on former arable or reclaimed lands was totally different from the species composition of past semi-natural grassland. Miscanthus sinensis grassland still maintained by agricultural practices remains on the steep slopes between uplands and lowlands where there are paddy fields located at the bottom of the narrow valley called ‘Yatsu’. This vegetation, however, was also significantly different to that of the past, lacking many native perennials selected as indicator species for past semi-natural grassland.