Digital archive of the National Natural Forest Survey Reports at the early Showa era : scanning and modern Japanese translation of the Towada-Hakkoda National Park Vegetation Survey Reports

Abstract

The original paper-based Towada-Hakkoda National Park Vegetation Survey Reports was scanned and preserved as a part of digital archiving of the National Natural Forests Survey Reports from the early Showa era. We translated the survey reports written in classical Japanese to modern Japanese, and made a corresponding table of old and modern plant species names as well. The original report summarized a series of forest surveys of national natural forests in the national park at the areas of the Lake Towada and Hakkoda mountains, which are thought to have been conducted between 1933 and 1936. In the reports, comprehensive descriptions of various vegetation types in the area including the compositional structure and distribution of major plant species were presented. Moreover, the nature of vegetation conservation and vertical vegetational distribution were discussed. It provides useful information for long-term ecological study in a mountainous region, and is also a valuable academic asset that demonstrates insights and research capabilities of forest officers of that time regarding natural environment and forest vegetation.