Role of <i>Salix reinii</i> patches in spatio-temporal patterns of cohabitants on a Japanese volcano

Abstract Shrub patches often support the colonizers particularly under stressful and/or disturbed environments. The intensities of stresses and disturbances on mountains are related to an elevation gradient decreased by shrub (canopy litter). We aim clarify these relationships using at different elevations a volcano. monitored all shoots in plots established inside outside Salix reinii (Salicaceae) their environments, such as temperature, light, moisture chemistry, three Mount Koma (1131 m a.s.l.), northern Japan, from early spring 2005 summer 2006. patch structures were evaluated area, branch density litter thickness. did not differ among elevations. increased diversity rare species, overall increase plant species richness. moisture, nitrogen phosphate contents higher than patches. effects cohabitants positive, although negative seedling abundance, shoot survival flowering. These results suggest that growth patterns determine community facilitate diversity.