In order to clarify the actual conditions of satoyama (rural forests) and the fundamental problems concerning their management, current studies on satoyama in ecology, phytosociology, forestry, landscape, recreation, amenity, environmental education etc. are reviewed and discussed. Satoyama is classified into four secondary forest types, lucidophyllous, screllophyllous, summergreen and pine dominated. Summergreen secondary forests have developed in the Kanto area, pine dominated secondary forests have developed in Setouchi area and lucidophyllous secondary forests have developed in Shikoku, Kyushu etc. along the Pacific coast of the Japanese archipelago. Summergreen, lucidophyllous and screllophyllous secondary forests are regenerated by sprouting and these coppice forests have not been managed due to the decline in the need for firewood and charcoal. Therefore, satoyama is being damaged by climbers, bamboos and pine wilt disease on the one hand,and is undergoing the succession from elfin forest to tall summergreen or lucidophyllous forest on the other hand. In order to maintain the traditional landscape, species diversity and fields for recreation, we should manage satoyama by new methods as an environmental forest having public functions. We introduce a few projects in which satoyama is being managed.
