Influences of Large, Infrequent Disturbance Caused by Tsunami on Coastal Forest Communities

Abstract

Physiographic environments, species composition, and population structure of coastal forests in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, were investigated to clarify types of damage to trees and other impacts to the forests 3 months after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. The coast at the study site was originally protected by a seawall, and a banked canal had been dug parallel to the coast. Sand dunes, dominated by young P. thunbergii, had developed seaward of the canal, while the landward side was characterized by back marsh dominated by mature P. thunbergii and P. densiflora.