This study visualized the relationship between bamboo culm age structure and bamboo shoot emergence using high-precision positioning data to quantitatively analyze how age distribution influences shoot productivity. Field surveys were conducted in a Kyoto bamboo shoot cultivation area, where the positional data of harvested shoots were analyzed in relation to the mean culm age within a 2-meter radius. Results showed that shoot emergence peaked at culm ages of 3-5 years and declined at ages over 6 years. In the late harvest period, shoots tended to emerge near older bamboos and exhibited larger sizes. By integrating ground observations, positional information, and harvest records collected by the farmer, this study demonstrates a data-driven approach to visualize bamboo forest structure and yield potential. Future work will expand the dataset and analyze pest damage to develop predictive models for shoot emergence, contributing to more efficient and sustainable bamboo shoot cultivation.

Despite Japan holding 1% of the world's forest stock and 3.5% of its plantation area, the harvesting area is increasing while the reforestation area is significantly lower. Moving toward a sustainable society requires a new policy framework. A recent development is the concept of “nature's contributions to people” (NCP), proposed by IPBES as an expansion of Ecosystem Services (ES), which has sparked debate. The NCP concept explicitly asserts the limitations of the widely developed ES framework and emphasizes the importance of diverse valuations. It represents a landmark for reconsidering the relationship between nature and people. Meanwhile, the current valuation of the multifunctionality of Japanese forests has not been updated since 2001. Based on the progress in international assessment research, it is essential to update the valuation of the multiple functions provided by forests.

Tree shelters used to protect planted seedlings from sika deer (Cervus nippon) browsing are often damaged by snow accumulation in regions with heavy snowfall. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of supplementary poles installed to enhance the snow resistance of tree shelters. Six treatment categories were established by combining shelters with different sleeve configurations and supplementary poles of varying lengths and numbers, and snow-induced damage to the shelters was assessed over two winter seasons. During the first winter, when the maximum snow depth reached 120 cm, snow-induced damage was limited across all treatments. In contrast, during the second winter, when the maximum snow depth reached 260 cm, severe snow-induced damage occurred, and significant differences among treatments were observed. Particularly, treatments incorporating a medium-length supplementary pole (180 cm) exhibited a markedly lower incidence of snow-induced shelter damage and were more effective in preventing collapse than the other treatments. These results indicate that the addition of a medium-length supplementary pole is an effective strategy to improve the snow resistance of tree shelters in heavy snowfall regions.