| 抄録 | This study examined vegetation characteristics of three plant communities distributed along an elevational gradient from lowland to low-mountain areas in central Japan, using community-weighted means (CWM) of plant functional traits and principal component analysis (PCA). The lowland community, located in a satoyama landscape with paddy fields and abandoned agricultural land, showed relatively high CWM values for disturbance tolerance, cutting tolerance, and traits related to alien species, reflecting adaptation to managed and frequently disturbed environments. In contrast, the high-elevation community, consisting of secondary forests and mixed plantations, exhibited higher CWM values for woody growth form, perennial life history, shade tolerance, late-successional traits, and regional conservation value. The intermediate-elevation community displayed intermediate characteristics along the primary gradient, but was clearly distinguished by structural heterogeneity associated with forest edges, abandoned orchards, and diverse microhabitats. These results indicate that vegetation differentiation along the elevational gradient reflects not only elevation itself but also land-use history, management intensity, and community structural complexity. Trait-based analyses were effective in integrating these multiple factors and characterizing community-level vegetation patterns. |