Natural Heritage of Japan: Geological, Geomorphological, and Ecological Aspects (Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism)

This volume brings together the geological, geomorphological and ecological aspects of Japan’s natural heritage, arguing for dynamic conservation of such heritage and explaining their key characteristics in an accessible format for general readers. Sites from World Heritage Properties (Natural), UNESCO Global Geoparks, and National Parks of Japan representing key facets of this heritage are analyzed in depth, and the text is supplemented with color photographs and useful information for potential travelers. The volume is divided into thematic sections that help understand the diversity of Japan’s natural heritage, with supplementary information on conservation, tourism trends, local culture and lifestyles. In addition, chapters analyzing nature's mechanisms that engender diverse heritage landscapes and conservation/sustainable management schemes make this volume a valuable resource for both general readers and those with more specialized interests. Foreword 6 The Visit 6 Reflections 7 References 8 Preface 9 Contents 11 1: Introduction 13 1.1 The Scope of ``Natural Heritage ́ ́ in this Book 13 1.1.1 Natural Heritage: Why Now? 13 1.1.2 A Dynamic Heritage in a Dynamic Part of the Planet 15 1.2 Dynamic Archipelago: Japan ́s Geological, Geomorphological, and Ecological Characteristics as Heritage 15 1.3 A Brief Outline of this Volume 18 References 19 2: Geology of the Japanese Islands: An Outline 20 2.1 Introduction 20 2.2 Super-continent Breakup and Beginning of Subduction 21 2.3 Accretionary Complexes 23 2.4 Metamorphic and Igneous Events 25 2.5 Back-Arc Spreading, Formation, and Collision of Island Arcs 26 2.6 Conclusion: The Japanese Islands of Today 27 References 27 3: Volcanic Archipelago: Volcanism as a Geoheritage Characteristic of Japan 29 3.1 Introduction 29 3.2 Why Volcanoes Exist in Japan 30 3.3 Volcano Distribution in the Japanese Islands 30 3.4 Characteristics of Volcanism in Japan 31 3.5 Disaster vs. the Scale of Eruption 33 3.6 Examples of Recent Eruptions 34 3.6.1 Shinmoedake Volcano 34 3.6.2 Nishinoshima Volcano 35 3.7 Difficulty of Forecasting Volcanic Eruptions 35 3.8 Preparing for Volcanic Hazards and Geoparks 35 3.9 Conclusions 37 References 37 Part I: World Heritage Sites (Natural) 39 4: Shiretoko Peninsula: Dynamic Interaction Between Geology, Geomorphology, and Ecology at The Interface of Terrestrial and Ma... 40 4.1 Introduction: The Shiretoko Peninsula World Natural Heritage, An Outline 40 4.2 Data Collection and Analysis Method 43 4.3 Landscape Level and Ecosystem Level Characteristics of Shiretoko 43 4.4 Tourism Activities in Shiretoko World Heritage Area 46 4.5 Heritage Management Nature Conservation Efforts at Shiretoko: An Overview 50 4.6 Challenges for Managing the Natural Heritage: Landscape Level Fragmentation, Anthropogenic Pressure, and Global Environmen... 52 4.7 A Systemic Appraisal as a Pathway for Better Management? 53 4.8 Conclusion 56 References 56 5: Shirakami Mountains: Old-Growth Forests of Siebold ́s Beech Supporting Biodiversity in a Dynamic Landscape 58 5.1 Introduction: Outlines of the Shirakami Mountains World Heritage Site 58 5.2 Data Collection and Analysis Method 60 5.3 Geological, Geomorphological, and Ecological Characteristics of the Area 61 5.4 Logging Plan and Conservation Movement 65 5.5 Fragmentation of the Forestscape and Issues Related to Managing Natural Heritage at Shirakami Mountains 66 5.6 Conclusion 68 References 69 6: Ogasawara Islands World Heritage Area: An Outstanding Ecological Heritage 70 6.1 Introduction: Ogasawara Islands: A Unique Ecological Landscape and its Geological and Geomorphological Background 70 6.2 Outstanding Universal Value of Ogasawara Islands 71 6.3 World Heritage Inscription and Challenges 74 6.3.1 Invasive Alien Species 74 6.3.2 Transportation and Tourism Impact 78 6.4 Conclusion 79 References 80 7: Yakushima Island: Landscape History, World Heritage Designation, and Conservation Status for Local Society 82 7.1 Yakushima: An Outline of the World Heritage Property 82 7.2 Geology, Flora, and Fauna 83 7.3 Sociocultural Aspects of the Island 84 7.3.1 Forestry on Yakushima 84 7.3.2 Changes resulting from World Heritage listing 87 7.4 The Problem of Decline in Cultural and Historical Significance 88 7.5 ``Simplification of Values ́ ́ as an Issue 89 7.6 Conclusion 91 References 91 Part II: UNESCO Global Geoparks 93 8: The Origin and Development of Geoparks in Japan: Reflections from a Personal Perspective 94 8.1 Introduction 94 8.2 Geoparks: Concept and Structure 95 8.3 A Brief Outline of Geopark Development in Japan 96 8.3.1 The Geological Setting 96 8.3.2 2004-2006: First Introduction of the Geopark Concept 96 8.3.3 2005-2007: Early Phase (Preparation of Establishment of the Japan Geopark Committee and Japanese Geoparks Network) 97 8.3.4 2008-Present: Developing Phase (Establishment and Growth of JGC and JGN) 98 8.4 Evaluation System of JGC 100 8.5 Conclusion 100 References 100 9: San'in-Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark: Geology and Conservation of the Oriental White Stork 102 9.1 Introduction 102 9.2 The Geological Heritage of San'in-Kaigan 103 9.2.1 Various Igneous and Depositional Formations from the Period of the Sea of Japan Formation 103 9.2.2 Varied Coastal Topography of the Sea of Japan Area 104 9.2.3 Post-Sea of Japan Formation Volcanism and Related Landforms/Landscapes 105 9.3 Geological Diversity and Oriental White Stork 105 9.3.1 Oriental White Storks and Humans 105 9.3.2 Comprehensive Nature Restoration 106 9.3.3 Change in the Relationship with Satoyama 106 9.3.4 Progress of the Conservation Program 106 9.4 Conclusion 107 References 108 10: Muroto Geopark: Understanding the Moving Earth 109 10.1 Introduction: Where the Ocean and the Land Meet 109 10.2 Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark: Geological Features, Geosites, and Management Aspects 112 10.2.1 Main geosites 112 10.2.2 Other Geopark-Related Activities in Muroto 117 10.3 Issues of Geopark Management 120 10.4 Conclusion 120 References 121 11: The Interface of Geology, Ecology, and Society: The Case of Aso Volcanic Landscape 122 11.1 Introduction: Structure and Characteristics of the Aso Landforms 122 11.2 Geology and Geomorphology 123 11.2.1 The Aso Area 123 11.2.2 The Kuju Area 126 11.3 Natural Heritage Management at Aso 128 11.3.1 International Heritage Labels in the Area 128 11.3.2 Aso Geopark: A Brief Outline 128 11.3.3 Challenges for Conservation of Natural Heritage 129 11.4 Grasslands as a Unique Biocultural Landscape 130 11.4.1 A Brief Ecological History of the Aso Grassland 130 11.5 The Ecosystem Services Connection 132 11.6 The Kumamoto Earthquake and Aso Phreatic Eruption of 2016 133 11.7 Conclusion 134 References 134 12: The Mt. Unzen Disaster: A Terrible Learning Experience 136 12.1 Introduction 136 12.2 Living with Volcanoes 137 12.2.1 Volcanoes as Geological Natural Heritage 137 12.2.2 The Geological Basis of Volcanism in Japan 138 12.3 The Geology of the Mt. Unzen Complex and the 1991 Eruption 139 12.3.1 Overview 139 12.3.2 The 1990-1995 Eruption Sequence 140 12.3.3 The Impact of the Eruption 142 12.3.4 Later Flows 143 12.3.5 Mt. Unzen in the Wider Context 143 12.4 Conclusions 146 References 147 13: Challenges for Geoconservation in Contemporary Japan 148 13.1 Geoconservation: A Dynamic Concept, but a Difficult One to Ground 148 13.2 A Note on Japan's Geodiversity Background and Main Challenges 149 13.3 Data Collection and Analysis Method 150 13.4 Results of the Geoconservation Survey 150 13.5 Discussion 151 13.6 Some Proposals for Improvement 152 13.7 Conclusion 153 References 153 Part III: National Park Sites 155 14: The Lake Akan Area: A Future Geopark? 156 14.1 Introduction: The Dynamic Volcanic Environment of Akan and its use in Tourism 156 14.2 The Influence of Community Natural Heritage 157 14.3 Lake Akan: A National Treasure 159 14.4 Other Sites of Interest in the Akan National Park 160 14.5 Conclusions 161 References 161 15: Oze Wetland: The Birthplace of the Nature Conservation Movement in Japan 163 15.1 The Nature of Oze 163 15.2 A Brief History of the Nature Conservation Movement 164 15.3 Oze ́s Legacy in Nature Conservation 165 15.4 Conclusion 168 References 168 16: Mount Fuji: The Volcano, the Heritage, and the Mountain 169 16.1 Introduction 169 16.2 Fuji: The Composite Volcano and its Natural Heritage 170 16.2.1 A Brief Outline of Mount Fuji and its Predecessor Volcanoes 170 16.2.2 Eruptions that Created Dynamic Heritage 172 16.2.3 Other Notable Attractions in the Area 173 16.3 Mount Fuji as a Tourist Landscape 173 16.4 Issues for Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Area Management 175 16.5 Conclusion 175 References 176 17: Synthesis: Toward Dynamic Conservation of Our Natural Heritage in the Anthropocene 178 References 180 Index 181 Front Matter ....Pages i-xii Introduction (Abhik Chakraborty)....Pages 1-7 Geology of the Japanese Islands: An Outline (Koji Wakita)....Pages 9-17 Volcanic Archipelago: Volcanism as a Geoheritage Characteristic of Japan (Setsuya Nakada)....Pages 19-28 Front Matter ....Pages 29-29 Shiretoko Peninsula: Dynamic Interaction Between Geology, Geomorphology, and Ecology at The Interface of Terrestrial and Marine Systems (Abhik Chakraborty)....Pages 31-48 Shirakami Mountains: Old-Growth Forests of Siebold’s Beech Supporting Biodiversity in a Dynamic Landscape (Abhik Chakraborty)....Pages 49-60 Ogasawara Islands World Heritage Area: An Outstanding Ecological Heritage (Masahito Yoshida)....Pages 61-72 Yakushima Island: Landscape History, World Heritage Designation, and Conservation Status for Local Society (Shigemitsu Shibasaki)....Pages 73-83 Front Matter ....Pages 85-85 The Origin and Development of Geoparks in Japan: Reflections from a Personal Perspective (Mahito Watanabe)....Pages 87-94 San’in-Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark: Geology and Conservation of the Oriental White Stork (Naoki Kikuchi, Kuniyasu Mokudai)....Pages 95-101 Muroto Geopark: Understanding the Moving Earth (Yugo Nakamura, Kazuhiro Yuhora)....Pages 103-115 The Interface of Geology, Ecology, and Society: The Case of Aso Volcanic Landscape (Shamik Chakraborty)....Pages 117-130 The Mt. Unzen Disaster: A Terrible Learning Experience (Malcolm J. M. Cooper)....Pages 131-142 Challenges for Geoconservation in Contemporary Japan (Abhik Chakraborty, Kuniyasu Mokudai)....Pages 143-149 Front Matter ....Pages 151-151 The Lake Akan Area: A Future Geopark? (Malcolm Cooper)....Pages 153-159 Oze Wetland: The Birthplace of the Nature Conservation Movement in Japan (Kiyotatsu Yamamoto)....Pages 161-166 Mount Fuji: The Volcano, the Heritage, and the Mountain (Abhik Chakraborty, Thomas E. Jones)....Pages 167-175 Synthesis: Toward Dynamic Conservation of Our Natural Heritage in the Anthropocene (Abhik Chakraborty)....Pages 177-179 Back Matter ....Pages 181-183