Eastern Asia: northeastern Honshu and part of Hokkaido in Japan

Please note: These biome and ecoregion pages (and associated data) are no longer being updated and may now be out of date. These pages and data exist for historical reference only. For updated bioregion data, please visit One Earth.

  • Scientific Code
    (PA0511)
  • Ecoregion Category
    Palearctic
  • Size
    4,400 square miles
  • Status
    Vulnerable
  • Habitats

Description


Location and General Description

Biodiversity Features

Current Status

Types and Severity of Threats

Justification of Ecoregion Delineation
Ecoregion boundaries correspond with the ‘Abieto-Piceion’ region (Miyawaki 1975), representing areas dominated by Abies mariesii-Abies veitchii communities. The Pinus pumila, or Japanese stone pine community in the alpine zone fringes Abies forests. These subalpine regions are widely distributed in Honshu and the Oshima peninsula of Hokkaido. This ecoregion resembles the "Central Mountain floral district" (Shimizu 1975), reflecting a strong affinity to continental vegetation. The western limit is Mount Hakusan, designated as a Center of Plant Diversity (Davis et al. 1995).

References
Brazil, M. 1991. The birds of Japan. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC.

Brooks, R. R. 1987. Serpentine and its vegetation: A multidisciplinary approach. Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon.

Davis, S. D., V. H. Heywood, and A. C. Hamilton editors. 1994. Centres of plant diversity: a guide and strategy for their conservation. Volume 2. WWF and IUCN, Cambridge, UK.

Ishizuka, K. 1974. Mountain vegetation. Pages 173-210 in M. Numata, editor. The flora and vegetation of Japan. Kodansha, Tokyo, Japan.

Environment Agency of Japan. 1992. Nature Conservation in Japan: the 3rd Edition. Nature Conservation Bureau, Environment Agency of Japan, Tokyo , Japan.

Higuchi, H., H. Morioka, and S. Yamagishi, editors. 1996. Encyclopedia of Animals in Japan Volume 3: Birds I. Heibonsha Limited Publishers, Tokyo, Japan.

Higuchi, H., H. Morioka, and S. Yamagishi, editors. 1997. Encyclopedia of animals in Japan Volume 4: Birds II. Heibonsha Limited Publishers, Tokyo, Japan.

Miyawaki, A. 1975. Outline of Japanese vegetation. Pages 19-27 in K. Numata, K. Yoshida, and M. Kato, editors. Studies in conservation of natural terrestrial ecosystems in Japan. JIBP Synthesis volume 8. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo.

Numata, K., K.Yoshida, and M. Kato, editors. Studies in conservation of natural terrestrial ecosystems in Japan: Part II Animal Communities. JIBP Synthesis volume 9. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, Japan.

Maekawa, F. 1974. Origin and characteristics of Japan’s flora. Pages 33-85 in M. Numata, editor. The flora and vegetation of Japan. Kodansha, Tokyo, Japan.

Miyawaki, A. 1975. Outline of Japanese vegetation. Pages 19-27 in K. Numata, K. Yoshida, and M. Kato, editors, Studies in conservation of natural terrestrial ecosystems in Japan. JIBP Synthesis volume 8. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, Japan.

Sengoku, S. et al., editors. 1996. Encyclopedia of animals in Japan Volume 1: Mammals. Heibinsha Limited, Publishers, Tokyo, Japan.

Shidei, T. 1974. Forest vegetation zones. Pages 87-124 in M. Numata, editor. The flora and vegetation of Japan. Kodansha, Tokyo, Japan.

Shimizu, T. 1975. Flora of Japan. Pages 16-18 in K. Numata, K.Yoshida, and M. Kato, editors, Studies in conservation of natural terrestrial ecosystems in Japan: Part I Vegetation and its Conservation. JIBP Synthesis volume 8. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, Japan.

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