History and future of scientific research on Ozegahara mire, central Japan

Authors:
Toshio Iwakuma, Kazuyuki Inubushi and Mitsuru Sakamoto

Book:
Proceedings of the 15th International Peat Congress

Venue:
Kuching

Keywords:
kazuyuki-inubushi-and-mitsuru-sakamoto, toshio-iwakuma

Documentfile:
ipc16p202a269iwakumainubushi.etal_.pdf

Summary:

Ozegahara is the largest alpine mire (650 ha in area, 1,400 m a.s.l.) in Japan. The mire, together with upstream Lake Ozenuma and mountains in the catchment area, was designated as part of Nikko National Park for its scenic beauty in 1934. There had been a plan to build a reservoir covering the whole mire for hydroelectricity and water supply, causing a controversy over the protection of nature. The first comprehensive scientific research on Ozegahara Mire was conducted in 1950-1952 by a group of meteorologists, geologists, limnologists, geochemists and biologists, revealing its rich boreal flora and unique insect fauna. Soon after, the area was designated as a natural monument…