The forest reserve of Yakushima and its very ancient Yakusugi (Cryptomeria japonica)
1999
Yoshida, S.
Yakushima Island (Yakushima) is located in the southern part of Japan, close to the main island of Kyushu. The island contains Yakusugi (Cryptomeria japonica) forests, which are thousands of years old and which are unique forest ecosystems. In December, 1993, Yakushima was placed on the World Heritage List. In this paper, the author introduces the forest reserve of Yakushima. - Historically, the forest management was very stringent and the forest resource was maintained carefully by the government. In the second part of the last century forest management plans were established and the natural sugi forests were utilized due to an intensive management process. At the beginning of this century a consequent forest protection of part of the Yakushima island had started. The "Yakushima Natural Sugi Forest" became a natural monument. In 1964 Yakushima became part of the Kirishima National Natural Park. - The whole Yakushima Island is a closed system in terms of both,geography and economics. A balance between wood production and forest reserve has continued since ancient times. Even now, when Yakushima has been added to the World Heritage List, and about one-fourth of the whole forest area is reserved, the reason for co-existence of the people and natural resources is existent and has to be maintained.
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