Adaptive strategy of six native herbaceous species growing over the whole region of Mt. Daisen: characteristics of N, P, K, Ca, and Mg accumulation in leaves

The number of native species growing at all altitudes on Mt. Daisen, which is the highest mountain in the Chugoku District of Japan, is seven. Since soil physical and chemical properties and climate vary due to differences of elevation and habitat, it is logical to assume that they have an adaptive strategy to cope with such changes in the environment. To understand the growth strategy in these species, in the period from July 26 to October 17, 2007, leaves of six herbaceous species (Athyrium vidalii (Fr. et Sav.) Nakai, Carex foliosissima Fr. Schm., Aruncus dioicus (Walt.) Fern., Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc., Artemisia princeps Pamp., and Plantago asiatica L.) were sampled at the different altitudes [Site A; 850 m, Site B; 1200 m, Site C; 1500 m above sea level (a.s.l.)] and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were determined. Soil chemical properties at sampling day and air and soil temperature during sampling periods at each site were also measured. As a result, we could classify adaptive strategies to the environment for those six species into three types. Type I: mineral accumulation in leaves depends on the habitat and is affected by growing environment with the exception of soil mineral concentration (Pteridophyta, A. vidalii). Type II: mineral accumulation in leaves hardly depends on the habitat and the autonomy of mineral absorption is high, although Ca and Mg concentrations in leaves are affected by soil mineral concentrations and cumulative air temperature (Magnoliophyta, monocotyledon, C. foliosissima). Type III: mineral accumulation in leaves strongly depends on the habitat and soil N concentration, but is also affected by the growing environment, and the autonomy of mineral absorption is weak (Magnoliophyta, dicotyledon, A. dioicus, P. cuspidatum, A. princeps, and P. asiatica).