Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

My research focuses on the ecology of artificial urban forests where nature has been lost, and how people can help these forests based on the ecology. I started my research when I was a student at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine. I was impressed by the "Obihiro no Mori", an urban park with a 100-year plan to create a hometown forest, and I wanted to be involved in the project. The forestation activities of Obihiro no Mori are being carried out with the participation of many citizens.
Forests that are restored by planting trees in urban areas for the purpose of environmental preservation have a different ecology from natural forests, for example non-native species invade to the forest floor vegetation. Because it is difficult to continuously survey the growth of trees over a long period of time, there are many questions the establishment processes of forests restored in urban areas. In my research, I mainly focus on broad-leaved forests and coniferous forests in the cold regions of Hokkaido. About field surveys, I conduct vegetation surveys to record the species of woody and herbaceous plants growing in the forests, and to measure the coverage and other characteristics of the plants (Photo 1). I also investigate such as light condition. (Photo 2). Based on the field survey, I analyze the condition of the forest. In addition, most forests restored in urban areas are managed to grow and maintain their environment. I am considering how people can promote the growth and maintenance of the forests, by throwing ideas and holding discussions based on the condition of the forests (Photo 3). Another important issue is how to connect people who will continue to be involved in the forest restoration for at least 100 years. I consider the establishment of a forest development system that enhances cooperation and continuity between people involved in the forest for the long-term, from the perspective of training foresters and environmental education for children.

1）Study of the the ecology of artificial urban forests and forest restoration in Obihiro no Mori, an Urban Park
・Establishment process of tree seedlings
・Tree seedlings growth after thinning
・Distance and genetic relation between tree seedlings and parent trees
・Workability evaluation of sprout thinning of Robinia pseudoacacia
・Influence of dominance of Aegopodium podagraria by cutting
・Impact of the Obihiro no Mori artificial site on the natural environment (using meteorological observations)

2）Study on secondary transition of abandoned cultivated land