Ver. 080420

Research Group of Forest Ecophysiology[Goal]
Analysis and understanding of the photosynthetic capacity of woody plants in changing
environment, such as elevated CO2 and increase in nitrogen deposition, in order to conserve
forest ecosystem and to rehabilitate the degraded forests after the overuse by human activities.
A view of plantation of Sakhalin
spruce after forest fires for fourtimes from early 1900’s at Teshio
Exp. Forest, the northernmost
university forest in Japan whereserpentine soil is dominated. We
had been planting about a half
million seedlings with aid of Japan
Ministry of Education, Science &Culture. However, harshenvironment prevents its quick
recovery in vegetation.

[Current topics]
1. Photosynthesis and functional anatomy in relation to forest succession under the conditionof global warming and soil acidification.
FACE experiment has been carried out
with FSC staff and graduate students. We
predict the change in stand structurecomposed of 11 deciduous tree species
raised in the atmospheric CO2 of 500ppm
in FCAE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment) withtwo soil types (volcanic ash vs. brown
forest soil). This is the only one FCAE
system for forest stands in Asia.
>We start the second phase of FACE experiments with the member of Prof. K. Sasa of Field
Science Centre for Northern Biosphere of Hokkaido University. We are planning following
topics:1) Aerobic CH4 efflux from tree species at elevated CO2
2) Nitrogen allocation of hybrid larch F1 at elevated CO2 and nitrogen levels.
3) Regeneration activities of deciduous broadleaf trees at elevated CO2 simulated toconservation of SATOYAMA
4) Plant defense of deciduous broadleaf trees at elevated CO2
5) Soil respiration characteristics after intensive disturbances.
6) Effect of elevated CO2 on the growth of bio-fuel tree species

2. Analysis of allocation of photosynthates and growth characteristics (defense, symbiosis
with ectomycorrhiza, propagation) of woody plants.

Allocation of 14C (%)

Hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii x L. kaempferi)

What about the grazing by insect larvae in future?

Forest soil

Suillus grevillei

Control

００100

500０６24６24

６24

ime after 14C exposed (hr)

3. Wood formation as affected by global environmental changes

36PaCO272PaCO2

Xylem formation in beech (Fagus crenata) seedlings
raised under elevated CO2 and ambient CO2. Withiodine-starch method, we can see extra-accumulation
starch in xylem parenchyma of seedlings at high CO2
as compared with that at ambient CO2.
（Kawagishi & Funada Unpublished data）-Research methodsEcophysiological analysis on the environmental stresses on the growth and development ofwoody species. (Photosynthesis and allocation of photosynthates)[Staff]Takayoshi KOIKE
Professor of Forest Ecophysiology,
Hokkaido University, Research Faculty of Agriculture(Laboratory of Silviculture and Forest Ecology Studies)
Course in Environmental Resources, Graduate School of Agriculture,-MembershipJapanese Society of Forest Society (senator in Hokkaido Branch), Japanese Botanical Society,
British Ecological Society (Member 128272), Japanese Ecological Society, Plant Species
Biology, American Biological Institute, Japanese Environment Society, Japanese
Atmospheric Environment, Association of Northern Forestry, Association of Forest Tree
Breeding, Association of Forest Tree Breeding in Hokkaido. Society of Forest Health(senator), Japanese Society of Root Research (senator)-Editorial BoardsTree Physiology (1999, 2005-), Eurasian Journal of Forest Research (2000-), FOSNOLA(WSL: Switzerland: 2005-), Journal of Forest Research (2002-2003), Journal of Forest Health(2003-), Journal of Plant Research (1996-1999), Bulletin of Botanical Research (China:2005-), Northern Forestry (1988-).
Proofreading is mainly connected with the SCITEXT in U.K. http://www.scitext.com/.
-Awards・Academic Award of the Japanese Forest Society in 2006,
・Academic Contribution Award to the Japanese Forest Technology Association in 2006,
・Contribution Award of International Congress on Air Pollution and Global Changes in 2004,
・Education Award for the Outstanding Chinese Students in 2004

[Members of the group]-Post Doctoral Fellow>Agri-research fellow:
Dr. Yoko WATANABA (From Grad. School of Agr., Hokkaido University)----Research topics: Wood anatomy in histochemistry for analysis on biological interactions,for identification of treasure trove in conservation of historic and artistics.
>JSPS research fellow:
Dr. Makoto WATANABE (From Prof. T.Izuta's Lab. of Environmental Botany at Tokyo
University of Agr. & Tech.):---- Research topics: Environmental botany of plant species as affected by O3 and acid rain,
Aerobic CH4 emission of woody species grown in FACE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment),
Dr. Satoshi KITAOKA (From Grad. School of Agr., Hokkaido University)---- Research topics: Ecophysiology of deciduous broadleaved tree seedlings invading tounmanaged larch plantations at FFPRI (Hokkaido)>FSC research fellow:
Dr. Eguchi Norikazu:----Research topics: The effect of elevated CO2 concentration on the hydraulic characteristics
of representative deciduous tree species and their xylem structure with FACE.

-Graduate Students (research topics in 2007)>at Graduate School of Agriculture
D2: Makoto KOBAYASHI (Biomass and regeneration of boreal forests under changing
environment, Forest Fire Ecology)
D1: KIM YongSuk (Forest soil and analysis on the emission of CO2, CH4 and N2O)
M2: Shiro MATSUNAMI (Reproduction of an invasive species, Black locust with rootsucker)
M2: Masaharu KANETOSHI (Photosynthetic traits of Black locust under changingenvironments)
M1: Kiyomi HINATA (Histochemistry of localization of defense chemicals four summer
green tree seedlings under changing environment)
M1: Takayuki KARAKI (Seed ecology on an invasive species, Black locust)
M1:Koharu RYU (Photosynthesis study on larch and spruce in serpentine soil with specialreferences to symbiosis of ectomycorrhiza)
B4: Chiho AOYAMA (Plant-insect interaction of oak and beech saplings in relation toinduced defense)
B4: Masakazu IMORI (Growth analysis of larch hybrid)
B4: Yuko HASEGAWA (Forest soil)

B4: Shungo YAZAWA (Tree doctoral study in Kalopanax seedlings invaded in a firplantation)

On going research projects:
Sponsored by Japan Society of Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Carbon allocation of woody species grown in FACE and estimation of CO2 efflux(2008~2011 March; Type B)

Past Projects related to Forest Ecophysiology under changing environment>Sponsored by Ministry of Education (MEXT)
1) FACE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment) experiment for mixed broadleaved tree species.
Research Revolution 2002 (partnership between nature and humanity) Prediction ofecophysiological parameters for estimating of carbon budget of the terrestrial ecosystem(2002- 2007.March)
2) Measurement of transpiration of deciduous broadleaved trees raised under elevated
CO2 with a FACE (2004-2006 March)
1) Prediction of forest dynamics and sustainability of mixed conifer-broadleaf forests basedon a FACE study (2005-2008 March; Type A)
3) Histochemistry of plant defense chemicals in leaves at FACE (2006-2008 March)
Sponsored by Ministry of Environment
1) Estimation of carbon storage and growth rates of boreal forests in Russian Far East (2005-2008March)
Sponsored by the Sumitomo Foundation1) Shift in light compensation point of deciduous broad-leaved trees underelevated CO2 with FACE -Examination for Oikawa’s prediction-(2007-2008 October)>Sponsored by Ministry of Environment1) Ecophysiological studies on matter flow in a larch ecosystem. (S1: Study on carbon
management of terrestrial ecosystem of Asia in 21st century) (2003-2007 March)[Again: Lectures by T.Koike]-Lectures for Master students>at Graduate School of Agriculture
Forest Resources Ecology,Topics in Global Warming by Prof. R. Hatano
Advanced Bio-signal Chemistry under conducted by Prof. Y. Hashidoko

Past Part-time teacher:
Tree physiology (at The Univ. of Tokyo), 1996-2005
Ecology (Forest Ecology) (at The Univ. of Tsukuba) 1998-2004
Advanced course in Forest Bio-resources (at Mie University) 1996-2003
Advanced course in Biology (at Hokkaido Univ. of Education) in 2001

-Lectures for Undergraduate studentSilviculture and Forest Ecology, Forest Protection, Forest Space and Function and its Seminar,
Forest Aesthetics, Forest Ecology for Regeneration

An Introduction to Field Science (Hokkaido University),
English training course (Forest Science)
For overseas student:(HUSTEP; Short term course of overseas students in Hokkaido University),
1) Environmental Science of Biological Resources2) An Introduction to Field Science (HUSTEP)
Part-time teacher:
Tree Ecophysiology (at Tokyo Univ. of Agr. & Tech.) in 2008~
Forest resources biology (at Kyoto University) in 2008
Environmental Biology (at Kyushu University) in 2007
Plant Physiological Ecology (at Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture & Technology) until 2006
Environmental Resources (at Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture & Technology) in 2007

[Members of the group]>PDF or PhD course, RONPAK Dr
Dr. Tomoaki ICHIE (Associate Professor of Department of Forest Science, Kochi University;
Tropical ecology, reproduction of woody species; Graduate School of Science, Kyoto
University; JSPS fellow)
Dr. Ali M. QUORESHI (Researcher of Symbiotech. Alberta, Canada; Departmentof Forestry, University of Toronto, Canada; JSPS fellow)
Dr. Takami SATOMURA (From Grad. School of Integrated Arts and Science,
Hiroshima University)----Research topics: Functional root ecology under changing
environment
Present address: T. Kobayashi’s Lab. (Plant Ecology), Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa
University, Takamatsu-City, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan-------------OB & OG------------------------------------------------Dr. Takatoshi NAKAMURA (Lecturer of Department of Plant Production Science, Tokyo
University of Agriculture; Environmental Conservation in wetlands)
Dr. Masazumi KAYAMA (Researcher at Kyushu Research Center, Forestry & Forest
Products Research Institute; Tree Ecophysiology in nutrient ecology, Symbiotic
micro-organisms)
Dr. Sawako MATSUKI (Lecturer of Department of Forest Science, Iwate University;
Plant defense of woody plants especially in Betulaceae)
Dr. QU Laiye (Associate Professor of Eco-Environmental Research Center, Chinese
Academy of Science, Beijing: Rhizosphere physiology in forest rehabilitation with specialreferences to the existence of charcoal -- ectomycorrhizal ecology. (from China)
Dr. WANG Wenjie (Associate Professor of Key Lab. of Forest Plant Ecology, Northeast
Forestry University at Harbin, China; Production ecology, Respiration)
Dr. Mahoko NOGUCHI (Researcher at Shikoku Research Center, Forestry & Forest Products
Research Institute; Forest ecology in vegetation science)
Dr. CHOI Dongsu (Associate Professor of Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology;
Soil acidification and CO2 enrichment affecting growth of pine trees and symbiotic
microorganisms in Korea and Japan. (from Korea)

Dr. Yoshinori KITAHASHI (Researcher at Forest Products Research Institute of Hokkaido
Government; Water relations in broadleaved trees in tropical regions and in shade trees inmetropolis)
Dr. JI Donghun (c/o Prof. Yi Myonjong, School of Forest Environment, Kangwon National
University, Chungchon, Korea)
Dr. Norikazu EGUCHI ( researcher at Prof. K. Sasa, FSC of Hokkaido University, FACE
study in deciduous trees native to northern Japan with special references to soil fertility;wood formation)[Graduated students]>Master course
Mrs. Yuko YANAGIHARA (Effect of soil types and vegetation changes on soil respiration in larchplantations)Mr. Satoshi KITAOKA (Seasonal changes of light utilization capacity in deciduous broad-leaved trees
seedlings invaded into a larch plantation)
Ms. Machiko OOISHI (Photosynthetic characteristics of spruce species grown at different soilconditions)
Mr. Yoshinori KITAHASHI (Physiological and morphological adaptation of broad-leaved trees withtwo different height positions of the same sunny crown)
Ms. Yuko SAKUMA (Anatomical structure and physiological traits of heterophyllous needles ofJapanese larch (Larix kaempferi)
Ms. Ikuko ENDO (Growth and survival of three species of Betulaceae seedlings in the large disturbed
area.)

Mr. Takanori SHIBATA (Plant defense in seral tree species grown under elevated CO2)
Mr. Takeshi HIDA (Change in the light compensation point of deciduous broad-leaved tree saplings
grown under elevated CO2))
Mr. Makoto KOBAYASHI (of nitrogen supply on the growth and photosynthetic responses ofseedlings of Pinus koraiensis grown under different light conditions)
Ms. Yuka OTSUKA (The Localization of Defense Chemicals in Leaves of Beech and Oak)Ms. Noriko MORII (Water relations of deciduous broad-leaved tree saplings to elevated CO2 in a Free
Air CO2 Enrichment(FACE))

Mr. Kazuki Karatsu (Photosynthetic responses of birch and alder grown under elevated CO2)
Mr. Katsukiho MATSUI (Decomposition processes in FACE system and Spruce plantation
with special references to soil macro-organisms)
Mr. Tokihisa AGARI (Plant defense in alder species under changing environment)＞Bachelor course
Mr. Takuma Shibutani (Nitrogen allocation in deciduous broadleaved trees)
Mr. Tomoharu Abe (Plant defense in deciduous broadleaved trees)
UG: Yuhki ISHII (Photosynthesis and methane emission) on leave from Tokai University in
Hokkaido, Fac. Engineering. (Life science technology.)
Ms. Sachie Naiki (Community ecology on the decomposition processes with references toleaf litter production by pruning in spruce plantation.)
M1 Kohta KATO (Photosynthesis of deciduous broad-leaved trees grown in FACE) on leavefrom the Department of Bio-technology of Tokai University[Previous engaged staff of the group]
Dr. Oxana MASYAGINA

Associate Professor of Forest Ecophysiology Laboratory,(Doctor, Russian Academy of Science)
Engagement period: 2004 (July- Sept.), 2005 (June to Nov.).
Specialty: Ecophysiology of forest soil and rhizosphere environment,
On leave from V.N. Sukachev Forest Research Institute, Krasnoyarsk, Russia English
Dr. Olga A. ZYRYANOVA
Professor of Forest Ecology & Vegetation Science,(Doctor, Russian Academy of Science)
Engagement period: 2004 Oct. - March, 2005
Specialty: Vegetation science in permafrost region
On leave from V.N. Sukachev Forest Research Institute, Krasnoyarsk, Russia[Publications of Koike,T.]-Selected articles by Koike, T.(1) Koike, T. (1987) Photosynthesis and expansion in leaves of the early, mid, and latesuccessional tree species, birch, ash and maple. Photosynthetica 21:503-508.
(2) Koike, T. (1988) Leaf structure and photosynthetic performance as related to the forest
succession of deciduous broad-leaved trees. Plant Species Biol., 3:77-87.
(3) Koike, T.(1990) Autumn coloring, photosynthetic performance and leaf development ofdeciduous broad-leaved trees in relation to forest succession. Tree Physiol., 7:21-32.
(4) Koike, T. (1995) Effects of CO2 in interaction with temperature and soil fertility on thefoliar phenology of alder, birch, and maple seedlings. Can. J. Bot., 73 :149-157.
(5) Koike, T., Lei, T.T., Maximov, T.C., Tabuchi, R., Takahashi, K. and Ivanov, B.I (1996)
Comparison of the photosynthetic capacity of Siberian and Japanese birch seedlings grown inelevated CO2 and temperature. Tree Physiol., 16:381-385.
(6) Rousi, M., Mattson, W.J., Tahvanainen, J., Koike, T., and Uotila, I. (1996) Growth andhare resistance of birches: testing defense theories. Oikos 77:20-30.
(7) Koike, T., Tabuchi, R., Mori. S., Takahashi, K.. and Lei, T.T. (1998) Characteristics of thelight response in seedlings and saplings of two mid successional species, ash and kalopanax,
during the early stage of regeneration in a mature forest. J. Sustanable For., 6: 73-84(8) Kitao, M., Lei, T.T., Koike, T., Tobita, H. and Maruyama, Y. (2000) Susceptibility tophotoinhibition of three deciduous broadleaf tree species with different successional traits
raised under various light regimes. Plant Cell Environ., 23: 81-89.
(9) Koike, T., Kitao, M., Maruyama, Y., Mori, S., and Lei, T.T. (2001) Leaf morphology andphotosynthetic adjustments among deciduous broad-leaved trees within the vertical canopy
profile. Tree Physiol., 21: 951-958.
(10) Kayama, M., Sasa, K. and Koike, T. (2002) Needle life span, photosynthetic rate, andnutrient concentration of Picea glehnii, P. jezoensis, and P. abies planted on serpentine soil innorthern Japan. Tree Physiol., 22: 707-716.
(11) Matsuki, S., Sano, Y. and Koike, T. (2004) Chemical and physical defense in the earlyand late leaves in three heterophyllous birch species native to northern Japan. Ann Bot., 93:141-147.
(12) Kitaoka, S. and Koike, T. (2004) Invasion of broadleaf tree species into a larch
plantation: Seasonal light environment, photosynthesis, and nitrogen allocation. Physiol.
Plant., 121: 604-611.
(13) Koike, T., Tobita, H., Shibata, T., Mastuki, S., Konno, K., Kitao, M., Yamashita, N. andMaruyama, Y. (2006) Defense characteristics of seral deciduous broad-leaved tree seedlings
grown under differing levels of CO2 and nitrogen. Population Ecology 48: 23-29.

-Chapter contributions of books (in English)(1) Koike, T. (1995) Physiological ecology of the growth characteristics of Japanese mountainbirch in northern Japan: a comparison with Japanese mountain white birch. In: E.O. Box et al.
eds., Vegetation Science in Forestry: Global Perspective based on Forest, Ecosystems of East& Southeast Asia., Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands, 409-422.
(2) Reich, P.B., Koike, T, Gower, S.T. and Schoetlle, A (1995) Causes and consequences ofvariation in conifer leaf life-span. In: W.K. Smith and T.M. Hinkley eds., Ecophysiology of
coniferous forests., Academic Press, San Diego, 225-254.
(3) Schulze, E-D., Bazzaz, F.A., Nadelhoffer, K., Koike, T. and Takatsuki, S. (1996)
Biodiversity and ecosystem function of temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests., In:
Mooney, H.A., Cushman, J.H., Medina, E., eds., SCOPE Series. Functional roles ofbiodiversity: A global perspective., Jone Wiler & Sons, Chichester, New York, Shingapore,.
71-98.
(4) Koike, T. (2004) Autumn coloration, carbon acquisition, and leaf senescence. In: L.D.
Nooden ed., Plant Cell Death Processes. Elsevier-Academic Press. Amsterdam, San Diego.
245-258.
(5) Koike, T., Kitaoka, S., Ichie, T., Lei, T.T. and Kitao, M. (2004) Photosynthetic
characteristics of mixed broadleaf forests from leaf to stand., In: Shiomi, M. and Kawahata, H.
eds. Global Environmental Change in the Ocean and on land. TerraPub, Tokyo, 453-472.

[Cooperative research groups]
1. Forest environment and Function group of Hokkaido University Forests
2. Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (Hokkaido & Tsukuba)
3. Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (Plant Stress Physiology Lab., Woodformation regulation Lab.)
4. Center of Ecological Studies, Kyoto University (Prof. T. Ohgushi Lab.,)
5. Graduate School of Life Science, Tohoku University (Prof. T. Nakashizuka Lab.,)
6. Forest Resources Lab., Ehime University (Prof. I. Ninomiya La.)
7. National Institute of Industry (Dr. N. Saigusa)
8. Lab. of Forest Botany, Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Science, The University ofTokyo (Forest Pathology)