A Study on Trends at the National Level and Features at the Prefectural Level for Biodiversity Policies Based on Basic Environment Plans

Abstract

The transition of biodiversity policies in national environmental policies and of the influence of national trends on prefectural plans have not been clarified to date. We examined the basic environment plans drawn up by the nation and each prefectural government. First, we studied the transition of policies for biodiversity at the national level, and then analyzed which policies for conserving biodiversity were valued at the prefectural government level compared with the national trend. As a result, we showed that the concept and policies of biodiversity were broad at the national level, and that many prefectures thought of biodiversity conservation within a limited scope related to wildlife conservation, and that it had not been treated as an important issue in their own region. By classifying environment plans and strategies for conserving biodiversity in each prefecture into several types, we also clarified, that local conditions and needs affect the priorities and policies for biodiversity conservation.