Nanki Kozagawa site
Organization
Wakayama Experimental Forest, Forest Research Station, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University
Research Theme
Understanding the impacts of climate change and ecosystem management on biodiversity and ecosystem functions in warm forest
Site Outline
The Wakayama Experimental Forest (135°41’E, 33 °38’N, ca. 450 ha) was established in 1925 for education and research of warm temperate forests. The mean annual temperature is 15.2℃ (max. 37.8℃, min. -9.5℃), and annual precipitation is frequently over 4,000 mm. The elevation ranges from 260 to 840 m. The mountainous areas are rather steep with slopes mostly over 30°. More than 70% of forest area is covered with plantations of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). The remaining area supports natural forests composed of evergreen broad-leaved trees (mainly evergreen Fagaceae and Lauraceae) and deciduous broad-leaved trees (Zelkova serrata, Aesculus turbinate and Mallotus japonicas). Near the mountain summits, there are mixed forest of broad-leaved trees and conifers (Abies firma and Tsuga sieboldii), and native forests of Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress and Japanese umbrella-pine (Sciadopitys verticillata). Monitoring forest vegetation and wildlife populations, and research on the impact of forestry on natural environments have been conducted. The Wakayama Experimental Forest provides various field education programs for elementary school children to post graduate students.
Contact
- Address : 1 Takaya-Umenobe, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739-2116 Japan
- Name : Masahiro Nakamura
- Phone : 0735-77-0321
- Fax : 0735-77-0301
- E-mail : masahiro at fsc.hokudai.ac.jp