Trade-offs between timber and edible wild plant provisioning: A case study of a snow-disturbed Japanese cedar planted forest

Japanese cedar ( Cryptomeria japonica ) is the most widely planted tree species in Japan; however, Japanese cedar planted forests in cool-temperate regions are highly vulnerable to heavy snowfall. Snow damage reduces the number of healthy, marketable trees, leading to declines in timber-provisioning services and income for forest owners. In contrast, ecological succession following snow disturbance often promotes establishment of deciduous tree species such as Aralia elata , Chengiopanax sciadophylloides , and Kalopanax septemlobus , which produce edible wild shoots that may provide an alternative income source. To evaluate the economic implications of snow disturbance for both timber- and food-provisioning services, we conducted a tree inventory in a Japanese cedar stand severely damaged by heavy snowfall in December 2014 in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and combined these data with national statistics and online marketplace analyses. The estimated timber income loss caused by snow disturbance was approximately JPY 443,000 ha −1 . In contrast, field surveys conducted in spring 2023 indicated that the potential seasonal value of harvestable edible wild shoots reached JPY 83,800 ha −1 year −1 . Market analyses showed that these shoots are actively traded as wild delicacies on nationwide online platforms, enabling forest owners to reach a broad consumer base. Overall, our findings suggest that income losses caused by snow-related reductions in timber provisioning may be partially offset over several years by utilizing naturally regenerating edible wild plants. Incorporating edible wild plant harvesting into post-disturbance forest management may enhance the economic resilience and sustainable use of snow-disturbed planted forests.