Course Description
In “Relationships between wild plants and people” (Ōkubo), we will introduce the endangered status of Japan’s wild plants and the problems caused
by changes in the relationship between humans and plants.
In “Water and soil science” (Ono), students will learn about the watershed protection functions of forests (green dams), as well as forest soil, which
comprises the essence of these functions, illustrated by observational data. Further, they will also learn about soil conservation efforts that aim to
improve watershed protection functions.
Next, in “Watershed conservation” (Fukuyama), we will give an overview of the public interest benefits of forests, such as preventing soil erosion and
mitigating sediment disasters, as well as water and sediment transport phenomena and conservation in mountain forest watersheds, illustrated by
research examples.
“Conserving biodiversity” (Ōkubo), will show students what diversity is, with a focus on plants, and what Japan is doing to conserve it.
In the second half of the course, “People and greenery as seen from landscapes” (Uehara) will introduce students to historical and advanced examples
of landscape planning within Japan and abroad, including specific methods that view the environment in terms of landscapes.
“Disturbance and regeneration of forest ecosystems” (Shirota) will outline the characteristics and functions of forest ecosystems composed of ancient
trees and introduce guidelines and methods for managing forest ecosystems in the future.
In “Measuring the forest” (Kamimura), students will learn about methods of measuring the trees (from the crown and trunk to the underground roots
and soil) and living beings that make up the forest and the environment, and the relationship between our lives and the forest.
The final session will be a summary lecture (Ōkubo) that discusses the connections between each instructor’s topics and considers the relationship
between people and nature, environmental issues, and the use of forests.