Climate change impacts
Global warming will increase the temperature of alpine regions and is likely to cause changes in the natural environment. In Shizuoka Prefecture, the decline in snow cover has expanded the habitat of Japanese deer to the alpine zone, and the impact on alpine plant distribution has become a issue. Around the summit of Mt. Fuji, shrinking permafrost, the invasion of Langsdorf's Reedgrass (iwanogariyasu), decreasing moss cover and blue-green algae, and changes in plant seed dispersal have been observed. In addition, the shrinking distribution of mountain pine trees in the Chubu Sangaku area and the decline in the grouse population in the Southern Alps are also a matter of concern.
Adaptation activity
Shizuoka Prefecture‘s "Fujinokuni Regional Biodiversity Strategy" outlines its strategy for protecting biodiversity in the area, how it can be achieved, and also provides guidelines for different stakeholders, including not only local authorities, but also prefectural residents, business operators and private organizations. The strategy proposes the following initiatives, which are being actively implemented. Deer fences have been installed to limit the migration of Japanese deer, mainly in the southern Alps and Oku-Ohi areas, to mitigate damage to vegetation from overgrazing (Fig. 1). In order to prevent the spread of invasive plant species onto Mt. Fuji, countermeasures are to be enhanced, such as periodic checks to confirm the distribution and use of boot-cleaning mats at hiking trailheads for the removal of invasive plant seeds. In addition, in order to raise public awareness of the importance of protecting alpine plants in the area, Shizuoka Prefecture has created the position of Alpine Plant Protection Instructor, and provided training sessions through which participants can attain this qualification. (Fig. 2).
Outputs / Expected benefits
It is expected that the impact on ecosystems of rising temperatures in alpine and subalpine zones will be reduced by advancing measures in line with the "Fuji-no-Kuni Biodiversity Regional Strategy."
