日本の世界文化遺産における森林の現状に関する考察

抄録

The comprehensive protection of cultural and natural heritage has been an issue and has also been discussed by the World Heritage Committee. Through an analysis of the current situation of forests in the World Cultural Heritage Sites, the following points are clarified. In general, 74% of all properties and 77% of properties and buffer zones are covered with forests. Within the forest area, 36% of the forests are planted forests and 20% are national forests. Most of the forests have been under the influence of human activity, which has resulted in characteristic vegetation. A local-government level forest management plan that corresponds to the character of the forests and provides comprehensive protection to the cultural and natural elements is essential. Moreover, the evaluation process for cultural heritage should incorporate specific description of the vegetation as this will lead to an objective assessment and effective management plan.