Ecological Dynamics Of Urban And Rural Landscapes - The Need For Landscape Planning That Considers That Considers The Biodiversity Crisis In Japan

Drastic changes have occurred in the Japanese landscape since the Second World War because of urban sprawl, the energy revolution in agricultural communities and modernization of agricultural production systems. In mountainous areas, the national park system has played a major role in protecting natural values. However, a survey of endangered species has revealed the increasing importance of the countryside and the urban fringes. Within urban areas in Kyoto, which is surrounded by mountains, a useful analysis and a planning tool is that of island biogeography, where green areas are considered to be islands in an ‘ocean’ of built-up areas. We are facing a difficult task to maintain biodiversity in rural areas, where the diverse and cultural small ecosystems once associated with traditional land use have been destroyed. Themes of nature restoration in Japan have also changed as a result of the recognition of the biodiversity crisis. Development of adaptive management techniques will be needed both in urban and rural landscapes. Nature restoration in urban areas, where wetlands and forests once existed, is another important task for the ecologically sustainable city. Landscape ecological concepts relevant to landscape analysis, planning and implementations, based on several examples in Japan, are discussed.