New Perspectives for Improvement of Riparian Environment

Introduction of U.S. Riparian Management and Application to Japanese Landscape

Abstract

Originally Japanese Erosion Control Technologies (SABO) were designed for disaster prevention and landuse development. However, as general public concerns are widened from disaster prevention to protection of riparian environment in Japan, SABO works have received increasing criticism. We should recognize a coming new era in which SABO cannot be used in hazardous areas for the single purpose of erosion control without also protecting ecological values. The objective of this paper is to present new technical ideas to improve riparian environment as part of SABO. Four hierarchical spatial scales of consideration are proposed as a framework for managing riparian environment; two of these scales (landscape and channel unit) were not considered in old SABO planning. Each value, such as disaster prevention, maintenance of ecological dynamics, and habitat improvement, occurs at a distinctive scale in this hierarchical structure. The author believes a hierarchical concept is very helpful to arrange multi-values into a coherent structure of management for riparian environment.