Climate change impacts
In recent years, wildlife populations have been increasing, as the areas where they can overwinter have increased due to global warming. In the hilly and mountainous areas of Shizuoka Prefecture, wild animals and birds are causing increasing damage to crops and tea plantations. For example, natural vegetation, for example, is disappearing due to overgrazing and trampling by Japanese deer, resulting in the erosion of exposed soil. It is possible that increase in the Japanese deer population may therefore cause an increase in the risk of sediment-related disasters. This type of relationship between wild animal and human populations is influenced by global warming, the decline of “satochi-satoyama“ (lightly populated rural areas with villages and surrounding secondary forest, farmland, reservoirs and grassland), and a decrease in hunting.
Adaptation activity
Based on the Wildlife Protection, Control, and Hunting Management Act, wildlife, such as Japanese deer in the Izu and Mt Fuji regions, that affect ecosystems, agriculture and forestry are subject to strengthened control and capture. Population adjustment will be achieved by lengthening the hunting season, and relaxation of hunting regulations. In order to implement comprehensive and effective measures to prevent wildlife damage, the Shizuoka Prefectural Head Office for Wildlife Damage Mitigation includes academics and specialists, representatives of affected areas from each agricultural and forestry offices, and also prefectural hunting associations. Experimental and research data from the field is being (Fig. 1) collected from enclosures equipped with ICT systems, with the aim of preventing harmful wildlife damage. In addition, forestry management agencies are being supported with the installation of protective fences to prevent overgrazing and damage to young trees caused by Japanese deer (Fig. 2). When the Wildlife Protection and Management Plan has been fully implemented, it’s effectiveness will be assessed and the next stage developed on the basis on this assessment.
Outputs / Expected benefits
Through planned management, stable long-term maintenance of the Japanese deer population and mitigation of damage to agriculture and forestry can be expected.
