Climate change impacts
Global warming is causing a number of alarming issues in the alpine zone of Japan. These include; increasingly higher altitudes for the lower limit of permafrost, increases and decreases in winter snow cover, shrinkage of snow fields and patches, earlier snow thaw, higher summer temperatures, less fog, and consequent increases in desiccation. The population, growth rate and life cycle of flora and fauna may be affected by these changes.
As one of four "crises caused by changes in the global environment" outlined in the National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan (see Note), the alpine zone is considered to be the environment most likely be affected by global warming.
Adaptation activity
The Biodiversity Center of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan has set up around 1,000 monitoring sites, for a wide range of ecosystems, throughout the Japanese archipelago in a "Monitoring Site 1000” program. In conjunction with universities, research institutes, experts, local NPOs, other organizations and volunteers, long-term comprehensive environmental data is being compiled. In consideration of regional characteristics around Japan, and the balance of local environments, five survey sites were selected for monitoring to capture changes in the alpine zone: Daisetsu-zan, the Northern Alps （Tateyama、Chōgatake ~ Mt. Jonen), Hakusan, the Southern Alps（Mt. Kitadake）, and Mt. Fuji. Data is collected on air, ground and surface temperature, vegetation, annual branch elongation of Pinus pumila (haimatsu), the timing of flowering, as well as butterfly, ground-dwelling beetle, and Bombus terrestris (maruhanabachi) populations, as reflections of the ecosystem as a whole.
Data on the yearly branch elongation in Pinus pumila for the past 20 years, for example, indicates a possible long-term rise in temperature. In addition, seeds not previously found at the top of Mt. Fuji are now making their way there (Fig. 1). By contrast, moss cover, affected by changes in permafrost, is decreasing (Fig. 2).
Outputs / Expected benefits
Collecting data on the fauna and environmental condition of alpine areas will provide a better understanding of the natural environment, which is at the core of national parks. Such information is expected to enable more appropriate use and conservation of national parks, and to help identify the current situation, challenges, and nature of anthropogenic impacts on alpine zones. The project will also support national and regional authorities in the protection of rare species, analysis of particular issues by specialist research groups, and also support nature conservancy agencies in their work.
Footnote
(NOTE) National strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity based on the National Biodiversity Strategy
http://www.biodic.go.jp/biodiversity/about/initiatives/index.html
Fig. 1 iwanogariyasu, a plant seed that can now be found at the top of Mt. Fuji
(Source: Ministry of the Environment Nature Conservation Bureau Biodiversity Center of Japan, Monitoring Site 1000, Takayama Survey-Project for Promoting Regional Monitoring of Important Ecosystems-Fiscal 2008-2012 Report)
Fig. 2 yanōeakagoke moss, which is in a rapid decline on Mt. Fuji.
(Source: Ministry of the Environment Nature Conservation Bureau Biodiversity Center of Japan, Monitoring Site 1000, Takayama Survey-Project for Promoting Regional Monitoring of Important Ecosystems-Fiscal 2008-2012 Report)
