DESIGNING CONSERVATION PRIORITY AREAS BASED ON ELEVATION GRADIENTS IN THE SUBTROPICAL FOREST OF OKINAWA ISLAND

抄録

Elevation has a complex influence in selecting potential forest area for conservation. It includes quantity area occupied and site quality factors. The study sought to identify priority conservation areas based on elevation gradients in the subtropical forest of Okinawa Island. The digital terrain data was adopted to analyse the availability sites for prospective conservation areas. Different elevation levels range from 50 to 350m was overlaid with forestland owner boundary data, vegetation and accessible forest road. Result showed that potential conservation areas decreased with an increase of elevation. Forest with continuous covers featured a high value area for conservation. After considering the influence of the qualitative factors for site selection, it was suggested that the middle-peak elevation region in the Yambaru forest is a priority area for protection and conservation sites.