Ecosystem services of coastal pine forests recognized by local residents in Awaji Island, western Japan

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to clarify ecosystem services which were recognized by local residents living in areas behind coastal pine forests in Awaji Island. Study sites were three coastal pine forests such as Keinomatsubara, Fukiagehama and Oohama Park which was located along Harimanada, Pacific Ocean and Osaka Bay, respectively. Land use behind the forests were clarified by aerial photographs, vegetation maps and field surveys. Directions of prevailing winds were summarized based on meteorological data. In order to clarify the ecosystem services which were recognized by the residential people, questionnaire survey was conducted in January, 2011. At Keinomatsubara, the area behind the coastal forest was dominated by farmland, and local residents recognized many types of regulating and cultural services such as “protection against wind” and “resource for tourism” rather than provisioning service. At Fukiagehama, farmland was dominant land use and local residents recognized many types of regulation and cultural services such as “protection against wind”, “preventing salt injuries”, and “prevention from blown sand” rather than provisioning service. At Obama Park, the area behind the coastal forest was dominated by urban land use, and local residents recognized many types of cultural services such as “serving leafy shades” rather than regulation and provisioning services. It is considered that ecosystem services of coastal pine forests were related to land use behind the coastal forest and the direction of seasonal wind.