Abstract
In 2001, “the State Nature Reserve Kurilskiy” established the “Stolbovsky Ecological Road” on central Kunashiri Island for nature conservation, ecological research, and environmental education. On this road, dominant trees are Ulmus laciniata, U. davidiana, Acer pictum and Alnus hirsute. Forest floor is characterized by Sasa senanensis, Filipendula camtschatica, Urtica platyphylla and Petasites japonicus. There are many beetle and butterfly species. Butterfly species richness is higher than other areas of Kunashiri Island. In central Kunashiri Island, including this road, 46 bird species are identified. Also, there are 26 terrestrial mammal species on this island. From 15–16 August 2015, we surveyed for sign of mammals along this road and in adjacent areas. We observed one Tamias sibiricus in Sasa-Pinus pumila shrubs. We also found feces: 12 Vulpes vulpes, 1 Martes zibellina and 1 Ursus arctos, and recognized many murids hairs in 10 V. vulpes feces. Since these mammal species frequent the road, there is risk of bear attacks. Risk of echinococcosis infection, carried by red fox, may be high. Therefore, the people of Kunashiri Island need training to prevent human-wildlife conflict and control infection.
