COUNTRY Japan

NAME Shirakami-sanchi (Shirakami mountains)

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY

Ib (Wilderness Area)

Natural World Heritage Site - Criterion ii

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE 2.15.05 (Oriental Deciduous Forest)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION Mountainous area including Mt Mukai-shirakami on the prefectural border between Aomori and Akita Prefectures, in the north of Honshu. 15km inland from the sea of Japan. 40°22'- 40°32'N; 140°02'-140°12'E

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT The entire area is a national forest. Almost all the area was gazetted in 1992 as a Nature Conservation Area under the Nature Conservation Law. The remainder, a narrow strip in the north, forms part of a Natural Park Special Protection Zone (Tsugaru Quasi-National Park), established in 1975, under the Nature Conservation Law. In 1990, a Forest Ecosystem Reserve, a core zone and a buffer zone were established. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1993.

AREA 16,971ha comprising a core area of 10,139ha; and a buffer area of 6,832ha.

LAND TENURE Government

ALTITUDE 100m to 1,243m

PHYSICAL FEATURES The Shirakami Mountains extend over 450 sq. km and comprise a maze of steep sided hills with summits lying between 1000-1200m. The mountains were rapidly uplifted during the Quaternary, causing faulting which has resulted in a dynamic landscape with numerous mass movements. More than 50% of the area comprises deep valleys with steep slopes, at a gradient of more than 30 degrees. Many streams have their sources within the area and it is an important water catchment area.

CLIMATE Moist cool temperate climate. Heavy snow during winter months due to the proximity of the Sea of Japan and cold air masses that move in from Siberia.

VEGETATION Siebold's beech Fagus crenata is the typical Japanese climax temperate forest. The site comprises the last remaining large stand of virgin Siebold's beech forest (Tagawa and Yoda, 1985). More than 500 plant species have been identified from the site; this figure is not particularly high compared to other mountainous areas in Japan, but does include many plant species characteristic of Japan, and many species generally seen in alpine and subalpine zones in Japan. Silene aomoriensis (I) is endemic to the area. Globally endangered species present include Hylotelephium tsugaruense (V), Cerastium arvense var.ovatum (V), Poa ogamontana (R), Ranzania japonica (I) and numerous orchids Calanthe discolor (R), C. nipponica (V), Cypripedium yatabeanum (V), Gymnadenia fujisanensis (V) and Tipularia japonica (E).

FAUNA All mammals found in northern Honshu exist in the area, other than two species whose existence is restricted by heavy snowfall.

The 87 bird species currently identified from the area include one pair of Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, which is designated as a Natural Monument and a Special Bird due to its limited breeding record and endangered status in Japan. Three nesting pairs of Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius, also designated as a Natural Monument and a Special Bird, are found in the core zone. One pair of Hodgson's hawk eagle Spizaetus nipalensis, also a Special Bird, has been recorded in the designated area (Anon, 1992). Japanese Serow Capricornis crispus is a Special Natural Monument. Japanese black bear Selenarctos thibetanus (V) is common. Seven species of reptile and nine amphibians have been recorded. The insect fauna is particularly rich, 2212 species having been recorded.

CULTURAL HERITAGE Special hunting techniques and faith ceremonies, by a group of hunters, known as 'Matagi', surround bear hunting in the region (Anon, 1992; Tagawa and Yoda, 1985).

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION No residents in the core or buffer zone. Local people use the area for subsistence collection of edible mushrooms, herbs and bamboo and for regulated hunting and fishing.

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES There are no roads, foot-paths or man made structures within the site. Approximately 3000 people a year climb Mount Huatsumori, on the border of the core zone.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES Researchers from various local colleges and universities have conducted studies of vegetation and wildlife in the area. The construction of a base research station (Shirakami-sanchi World Heritage Conservation Centre) is planned (Anon, 1995).

CONSERVATION VALUE The site represents the last remaining area of virgin Siebold's beech forest. Almost no logging has been carried out in the area due to its remoteness and the steep slopes. It is the largest virgin beech forest remaining in the East Asian region.

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT Responsibilities for management are shared between the Forestry and Environmental Agencies and the two prefectures. A management plan was prepared in 1995. In this, the establishment of a World Heritage Area Liaison Committee is proposed, in order to promote more effective cooperation and collaboration between these agencies for the management of the site (Anon, 1995).

The World Heritage Area has been zoned into a core area and buffer zone. Activities which may threaten the conservation of the natural environment (such as construction of buildings, collection of soil, stones and rocks) are not permitted within the core area and entry into this area is to be regulated. Timber production in the buffer zone will not be conducted. Suitable patrol activities are to be set up (Anon, 1995).

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS Black bears migrate outside the area and many are trapped and shot in the surrounding orchard farms. The area is regularly overflown by low-flying jets from a nearby military base. A project to build Seisyu forest road, between Aomoria and Akita prefectures was prepared in 1981 by the Forestry Agency. The plan was opposed by local NGOs following fears that the construction could cause landslides, unusual water shortages, floods, or snowslides, and as a result, the plan has been temporarily frozen (Tagawa and Yoda, 1985).

STAFF Currently no specific staff but forestry and environment agency staff regularly visit the area on foot.

BUDGET No formal budget is allocated to the site.

LOCAL ADDRESSES

Towada-Hachimantai National Park Office, Yakyama, Towadako-machi, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture

Aomori Regional Forest Office, 2-1-1 Yanagawa, Aomori-shi, Aomori Prefecture

Akita Regional Forest Office, 5-9-16 Nakdori, Akita-shi, Akita Prefecture

REFERENCES

Anon (1992). World Heritage List Nomination Japan Shirakami-Sanchi (Shirakami-Mountains). Environment Agency, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Foresty Agency, Government of Japan. 32pp.

Anon. (1995). Shirakami-sanchi World Heritage Area Management Plan. Environmental Agency, Forestry Agency, Agency for Cultural Affairs. Government of Japan. 11 pp.

Tagawa, H. and Yoda, K. 1985. A Case Study in the Biosphere on Yakushima Island. Report on special Grant-in-Aid "Environmental Sciences" by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. 17pp.

DATE February 1993, revised June 1993