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Organization of the Kansai Research Center

201804organization-map

Team leader: Forest Water Cycle

  The team measures the stream flow in the Tatsunokuchi-yama Experimental Watershed, which was initiated in 1937, and tackles the quantitative estimation of forest influences on stream flow, elucidation of runoff generation processes, and forecast of prospective runoff fluctuation associated with changing climate simultaneously.

The gauging weir at a storm event

 

The meteorological station  in the Okayama Experimental Forest

 

Team leader:Conservation of Basin Forest Area

  The water environment on the earth is now deteriorated by human economic activity. The team studies the impact of forest management on the water environment, biodiversity and ecosystem of streams.

 Aquatic Insects in Stream
Left: Stoneflies Right: Caddisflies

 

 Stream in the conifer forest basin

 

Forest Ecology Group

  The group studies the structure and dynamics of forests and the ecological and ecophysiological characters of forests’ component tree species to clarify the mechanism for conserving various types of forest systems in the Kansai region. Furthermore, the group studies the efficient regeneration and tending technologies of Sugi and Hinoki plantations for the sustainable use of wood resources.

Use of containerized seedlings for low cost plantation

 Conservation technology of rare tree species

Forest Environment Group

 Forests play an important role in climate change, flood mitigation, and water quality formation. The group investigates the environmental mitigation effects of forest. In addition, the group examines soil formation and disaster deterrent functions of the forest.

Meteorological tower for measurement of CO2 and energy flux between forest and atmosphere

 

Immature soil on bald mountain until the late 19th century

 

Forest Biodiversity Group

 Forests and their watersheds are populated by various kinds of interrelated, interdependent organisms. The group studies the genetic and species diversity of these organisms and the relationships among them. The group has also conducted research on protecting forests with well-maintained, diverse flora and fauna and on recovering lost diversity.

Fungal pathogens have a role of casual agent to restrict natural regeneration of forest trees

Acorn-rot and wilted seedlings caused by fungal diseases

Browsing prevents coppicing

 

 

Forest Health Group

  Trees are influenced by other forest organisms such as insects, microorganisms, and wild animals. The group examines the damage these organisms cause to the forests and develops forest health technologies.

Red Necked Longhorn Beetle, Aromia bungii (Faldermann) (Coleoptera:Cerambycidae),
serious pests of the Prunus species

 Japanese oak wilt

Forest Management Group

 Forest management usually takes a longer time than a person’s lifespan. Thus, the group have been surveying forest growth and thinning effect on permanent experimental plots since 1934. Moreover, the group has analyzed the quantity and quality of forest resources, history of local forest use and landscape change using aerial photos, satellite images, airborne LiDAR, or old maps.

Shirami permanent experimental plot(Cryptomeria japonica planted in 1952)

 GNSS survey under forest canopy using a landing net handle.

 

Academia-Industry-Government-Civil Cooperation

 The Kansai Research Center organizes seminars and symposiums, accepts trainees, provides technical guidance, dispatches lecturers, and collaborates for joint research for academia-industry-government-civil cooperation in the responsibility area.