Japan is very mountainous and two thirds of the land area are covered by forests. The climate ranges from subtropical to cool temperate (N-Hokkaido). The examples presented here are from the central, temperate part, namely from Mt. Fuji and Mt. Norikura near Matsumoto. The climate is very maritime in these regions, with lots of snow in winter and mild, humid summers. Most taxa belong to genera which are also dominant in the Alps and represent the holarctic flora.

1 - The flanks of Mt. Fuji, here just above treeline at 2200 m.

2 - Polygonum cuspidatum (Polygonaceae), the dominant shrub on the cinder slopes near treeline.

3 - Carpets of lichens (Cladina sp. (Cladoniaceae)) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Ericaceae) near treeline.

4 - Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Ericaceae) (Mt. Fuji)

5 - Mountain meadow at 2800 m with Leontopodium japonicum (Asteraceae).

6 - Campanula lasiocarpa (Campanulaceae) (3000 m)

7 - Geum pentapetula (Rosaceae) (Mt. Norikura, 3000 m)

8 - The alpine landscape in the Mt. Norikura region.

9 - Wind and topography control snow distribution and thus, vegetation patterns.

10 - Gentiana algida (Gentianaceae) (2850 m)

11 - Geum pentapetula (Rosaceae) (Mt. Norikura, 3000 m)

29 August 2011
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