Biota and ecosystem conservation projects at Ashiu Forest Research Station to protect the diverse of life inhabiting the forest while enabling research with a broad community

Kyoto University Ashiu Forest Research Station is a hotspot of biodiversity. Situated in Nantan, Kyoto Prefecture, it is one of the Kinki region’s most prominent of natural vegetation. The site constitutes roughly 2,000 ha of primeval forest, primarily of Japanese beech and Ashiu cryptomeria. The forest is recognized as a habitat of over 1,000 species of vascular plants as well as rare mammals such as Asian black bear and Japanese dormouse.

Before the turn of the 21st century, Ashiu Forest Research Station was supported as a flourishing forest ecosystem where a wide range of plant species thrived. However, the forest understory vegetation declined dramatically due to feeding damage by sika deer, which increased rapidly around 2000. Research showed that the impact affected not only plants but also insects, fish and even the soil and water quality. In response, a number of projects were launched at Ashiu Forest Research Station, including the Ashiu Biological Conservation Project, the Ashiu Rare Plant Ex-Situ Conservation Project, the Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park Ecosystem Preservation and Restoration Project, Conservation Volunteer Activity, with a diverse range of partners including universities, research facilities, Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kyoto Prefecture, the City of Nantan, Nantan City Hunting Club, citizen researchers, eco-tour guides, KDDI Corporation, Kyoto Tamba Kogen Quasi-National Park Visitor Center, the Kyoto Model Forest Association and various regional organizations. Based on scientific knowledge, these partners conduct monitoring, detection of critical conditions and implementation of optimal conservation strategies, and raise funds for and awareness of research on sustainable conservation. Moreover, mindful of the intimate connection between biodiversity and local traditional cultures, Ashiu Forest Research Station is building a new dynamic of co-creation that joins together cultural transmission, preservation of biodiversity and regional renewal. The partners are also pursuing new ways of collecting and applying data, including environmental DNA, bio-informatics and digital transformation (DX).