Effects of undergrowth removal on the species diversity of insects in natural forests of Okinawa Hontô

Abstract

Yanbaru, the northern montane part of Okinawa Hontô (the main Island of Okinawa), is an important area for nature conservation, with many endemic and endangered species, such as Pryer's Woodpecker Sapheophipo noguchii and Okinawa Rail Rallus okinawae. The climax community of Yanbaru is a subtropical, evergreen, broad-leaved forest dominated by oaks, with a dense undergrowth of broad-leaved small trees, herbs and ferns.