EFFECTIVE CUTTING TO CONTROL THE REGROWTH OF BAMBOO GRASS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF MOUNTAIN TRAILS

Abstract

Vegetation control is important for the conservation of mountain trails, access to alpine areas, and the safety of hikers. However, in Japan, mountain trails are often obstructed by bamboo grass because of its vigorous growth. This study aimed to identify effective methods to control the regrowth of bamboo grass along mountain trails after cutting. We focused on Nagaone trail in the Kiso Mountains, Central Japan, where the bamboo grass was cut in 2020. Nineteen survey plots were set along the trail at elevations ranging from 1500 to 1900 m, with a quadrat (2 m long × the trail width) established at each site. The cutting height in 2020 and the culm height and density in 2022 were measured. Bamboo grass on the trailside slope was also measured because it obstructed the trail, and elevation, trail gradient, and slope gradient were recorded as the habitat environment. The results indicated that residual living bamboo grass on the trailside slope was significantly positively correlated with both regrowth on the trail and the density of the leaning culm from the trailside after 2 years. Cutting height was significantly positively correlated with the density of the regrowing culm and influenced by the trail gradient, but not the culm density or height. Thus, the growth of bamboo grass on the trailside slope and the cutting height appear to be critical for the regrowth of bamboo grass on the trail. This finding could lead to more effective methods to control the regrowth of bamboo grass along mountain trails.