Professor MIZOUE Nobuya and Associate Professor OTA Tetsuji identified demands and expectations of experts involved in Japan's forest policy from various perspectives

Policies that emphasize not only specific forest functions but also a diverse range of functions

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Point

• A survey of the demands and expectations (needs) of experts involved in Japan's forest policy from various perspectives showed that the experts, regardless of their position or expertise, prioritized the water and soil conservation as the paramount function.
• The results provide important scientific evidence for implementing domestic and international policies and initiatives related to forest management, including the forest environment tax introduced in Japan in 2024.
• The sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and carbon storage functions of forests have garnered significant attention. However, other diverse functions should not be overlooked. When considering the allocation of resources for forest management, including funding, it has been reaffirmed that a system needs to be carefully considered to ensure that the public can enjoy a greater range of benefits.

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Abstract

A research group led by Professor MORI Akira from the Institute of Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, including Specially Appointed Researcher SUZUKI Kureha, Specially Appointed Researcher TOCHIGI Kahoko, Associate Professor SOGA Masashi from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Associate Professor OTA Tetsuji from the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyushu University, and Professor MIZOUE Nobuya, conducted a survey targeting individuals involved in Japan's forests from various positions, such as policymakers, practitioners, and scientists. The survey revealed that, regardless of their position or expertise, the 'water and soil conservation functions' ^{(Note 1)} of forests are the most emphasized.

In recent years, the function of forests to capture carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere and store carbon has gained attention as a measure to mitigate global warming. Consequently, many programs worldwide aim to expand forest areas through afforestation. On the other hand, the multifaceted public functions of forests are extensive, including not only well-known functions such as timber production ^{(Note 2)} and global warming prevention but also soil conservation, water source recharge, contributions to human health, and education and cultural benefits.

This outcome serves as a warning against policies that overly emphasize a single forest function (particularly global warming mitigation^{(Note 3)}), while also highlighting the importance of recognizing the diverse values that forests possess.

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Glossary

(Note 1) Conservation Functions
This study focused on the water source recharge functions and soil conservation functions that forests possess.

(Note 2) Timber Production
This study addressed the technology related to the timber production process and the harmony with other multifaceted functions.

(Note 3) Global Warming Mitigation
This study addressed global warming mitigation through climate regulation by forests and the substitution of materials and fuels with timber.

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Paper Information

Journal: Journal of Applied Ecology
Title: Assessing the priorities of stakeholders regarding forest ecosystem services in Japan
Authors: Akira S Mori*†, Kureha F Suzuki†, Masashi Soga, Tetsuji Ota, Masumi Hisano, Yohei Arata, Kahoko Tochigi, Kazuhiro Kawamura, Makoto Ehara**, Wataru Hotta, Kosuke Nakama, Takanobu Aikawa, Rei Shibata, Fumiko Nakao, Yosuke Kuramoto, Mitsuru Hirose, Kimika Sano, Rebecca Spake, Nobuya Mizoue (†Equal contribution) (**Subject to later revision)
DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.70008

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For Research-related inquiries

OTA Tetsuji, Associate Professor