Subsistence complex of forests from the view point of gathering activities of edible plants and mushrooms

Cognition of forest resources and resource supply system in Japan

Abstract

Most of subsistence which had been practiced on forest has been eliminated in Japan, based on cognition that timber is the only major resource of forest. This study reveals that a minor subsistence of forest may play a significant role for local society, and examines the resource supply system which sustains the subsistence. As an example of subsistence, this study focuses on the gathering activities of wild edible plants and mushrooms. This subsistence plays an important role for sustaining culture and communication of local society rather than commercial benefit. And the resources of this subsistence are supplied as a result of vegetation diversity and succession impacted by other subsistence. In order to make a good relationship between human and forest, it is needed to understand the resource supply system which is sustained by organic linkage of multiple subsistence activities, and to recognize the significance of the non-commercial value of forest resources.