The purpose of this study was to clarify the landscape of shrines, temples and Satoyama forests in the 19th century Shimousa area, the region extending from northern Chiba to southern Ibaraki. We used two types of historical sources for analysis and used GIS. One was historical pictures named Shimousa Meishou Zue and the other was the rapid survey maps produced by the Historical Agro-Environment Browsing System (HABS). The results indicated that the historical pictures and maps contain sufficiently accurate information to identify the landscape: 94.7% of pictures were found at their current name and position, and 42.1% of pictures had been restored to their location and view at that time. The vegetation of shrines, temples and satoyama forests was the same type of tree: over 90% of shrine forests consisted of pine trees.

View full abstract

This study aimed to analyze the changes of urban greenery in congested residential areas and its causes using the current photographs and the old ones. First, we developed a method to estimate the height, the crown area and the location of greenery by referring the signs or other objects in the photographs, and shooting points of pictures. Then, we established the 3D-CAD model of congested residential areas using pictures taken in 1991 and 2008, and figured out the three-dimensional changes of urban greenery. Through the analysis, the following findings were obtained; Alteration in the volume of greenery was bigger than the estimation from the analysis of the changes in green cover area. The changes of green volume were observed in the process of the replacement of buildings. And it was revealed that the decrease of the volume of the greenery was caused mainly by the loss of tall trees facing the roads.

View full abstract

In this study, the cooling effect of urban greenery was analyzed, based on numerical simulation using a 3D CAD. Information regarding building form and materials was collected using geographic information system (GIS) data, aerial photographs and field investigations in a substantial urban area (26 ha) of Tokyo. A 3D CAD model was then developed, to which the material data was added. A method for the extraction of potential spaces for the introduction of greening was then developed, considering the live loads, legal conditions and daylight conditions for vegetation growth. A feasible greening plan was then constructed. The all surface temperature distribution was calculated for the present conditions, and a greening plan was proposed using the developed numerical simulation. After all considerations, it was revealed that the sensible heat flux, based on the proposed greening plan, would be decreased by nearly 10% to 30% per day from the present condition. In addition, it was determined that the most effective urban greenery locations were rooftops in detached house blocks, rooftop or ground areas in apartment blocks and rooftops or walls in commercial/business blocks.

View full abstract

Since to generate lots of new public open spaces in already congested urbanized areas is quite difficult,it is strongly needed to utilize the existing privately owned open spaces in order to establish a sound urban environmental plan, especially in Asian mega-cities where rapid urbanization is being observed. In this study, GIS analysis and field survey were integrated to examine the distribution and the condition of privately owned open spaces in the suburban area of Metro Manila, Philippines, then, the influences of Home Owners Association was examined. First, the aerial photos taken in different periods were used to examine the change of privately owned open space in the subdivision development areas. Then, a series of field survey was implemented. Through the study, the following findings were obtained; although the ratio of privately owned public spaces has been decreasing, it was observed that the rate of decreasing has become gentle. The condition of open spaces varied lot to lot, the feature of open space was influenced by the characteristics of the area and its home owners association.

View full abstract

This research is to identify the relationship between land use and distribution patterns of vacant lots of large scale detached housing areas in Nagasaki-city, Nagasaki Prefecture, one of the provincial core cities, Japan. The main findings are as follows. (1) The ratio of total area of vacant lots in large scale detached housing areas is 16.8%. The ratio of total area of each land use (plot of vegetables, car park and unused land) in vacant lots is as follows; unused land; 89.7%, car park; 7.6% and plot of vegetables; 2.7%. (2) Blocks which include vacant lots are classified into 5 types based on following parameters (the ratio of total area of vacant lots in block, index of mixed land use, density of retaining structure and block in area). (3) The ratio of total area of plot of vegetables and car park in vacant lots of blocks which are low ratio of total area of vacant lots in block is higher than of blocks which are high ratio of total area of vacant lots in block. This is because vacant lots of blocks which are low ratio of total area of vacant lots in block is more commonly used by residents in comparison with blocks which are high ratio of total area of vacant lots in block. Based on these findings, we propose a list of considerations for utilizing vacant lots in large scale detached housing areas.

View full abstract

We analyzed effects and problems of the ordinance on land conservation and management of urban green spaces by using GIS, field surveys and interviews with municipal officers, land owners, and a conservation-society leader in Hachioji city. As a result, we found that the ordinance guaranteeing land conservation and management has an effect on ensuring amount of conservation area and a promotion of management in some conservation area. However, we also found that green spaces which should be conservated and tended to vanish are not designated. It shows that the evaluation of green spaces in Hachioji city should be considered in the ordinance and cooperation with citizens on management is required.

View full abstract

This paper studies the changes and effects of open space policies mainly based on the Capital Region Improvement Act enacted in 1956. In the basic plan under the act, the National Capital Region was divided into 3 areas that are the Built-up Area, the Suburban Area,and the Urban development Area. A study based on a survey on different open space policies in each area revealed the following four points: 1) In most of 3 areas, zone restrictions and vacancy regulation areas were designated in order to control open space around the capital region. 2) In 'The comprehensive city plan of 3tama area' planned in 1958, the purpose of the Suburban Area changed from building green belt to develop residential cities. 3) In Urban development area, intensive financial supports of government for improving urban infrastructure promoted building many small parks. 4) Forests in suburban green zone preservation area have been preserved by designated the urbanization-restricted area under the revised city planning law in 1970.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the process of improve method of land use condition in block development collective housing during 1970s as an environmental infrastructure for future urban development on Koto delta area. The swash along canals on Koto delta area had been heavily industrialized since 1880s. Serious land subsidence and land infrastructure development by the industrial area created continuous artificial levee along the canals. The levee has varied form affected by each block urban development after 1970s. Block-development collective housing by Japan Housing Corporation is one of such redevelopment. The quantitative study and verification of planning theory of intensive landscape facilities especially mounded planting area provided a prospect that process of the improvement of land use condition has enhanced both urban environmental structure and residents amenity especially for lowland development in post industrial area.

View full abstract

This research aims to identify relationships between land grant processes of government-ruled pasturelands from Edo era (1603-1867) to Meiji era (1868-1912), and transformation processes of land use after modernization. The study identified that from 1672 to 1868, 9,480ha (57.45%) of pasturelands were granted to farmers. Then after the abolishment of government-ruled pasturelands in 1869, 3,350ha (20.3%) of pasturelands were granted to farmers and 3,700ha (22.4%) of pasturelands were taken over by the Meiji Government from the government in Edo. Large scale developments including apartment complexes, industrial parks, new towns, golf courses and parks, occurred on granted woods and farmlands as the lands were granted to a limited number of farmers in the area and thus the aggregation of lands were rather easy. In contrast, small scale developments occurred on farmlands taken over by the Meiji Government as the lands were cut into rather small allotments and distributed to farmers by the agricultural land reclamation corporations after the modernization.

View full abstract

We set out a questionnaire to local residents on the approach to Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City for the purpose of the effective landscape improvement of the approach to temple in the central commercial area of temple town. First, we calculated the marginal willingness to pay to the policy of the landscape improvement by using choice-based conjoint analysis and considered the ideal method of the landscape improvement. Secondly, we considered the effect of landscape elements on landscape evaluation by analyzing the structure of landscape evaluation with covariance structure analysis. As a result, we obtained the following conclusions. Utility among local residents increased due to the minimization of signboards, regulation of building heights, increasing the number of trees along the streets, and prohibiting advertisement in bus shelters in improvements of the landscape along the approach to the temple. Residents had various reactions to the regulation of building heights. As well, it was considered that reducing the number of signboards met with general agreement. Reduction in the number of signboards and building height limits had the effect of raising the comprehensive landscape evaluation, while an increase in signage had the opposite effect.

View full abstract

This study aims to identify the characteristics of “bread-and-butter” landscapes,indispensable landscapes commonly experienced in daily lives, represented as important components of their regional identity by local residents. Three semi-structured group interview surveys were conducted in Aizu-wakamatsu in Fukushima Prefecture, and interview texts obtained were then analyzed by applying the text mining approach. The study identified; (a) “bread-and-butter” landscapes are explained in terms of time distance and physical behaviors, (b) relationships between “bread-and-butter” landscapes and ordinary behaviors are not frequently referred as important components of their regional identity by local residents, and (c) “bread-and-butter” landscapes such as shrines and mountains in the neighborhood are frequently referred as important components of their regional identity by residents in rural areas.

View full abstract

The objective of this study is to recognize the basic parameters for planning the large scale coastline landscape through analyzing the National Land. The accessibilities and the landscape characteristics were investigated according to the 40 coastline area based on the watershed in Kyushu area.In accessing the accessibilities to the coastline, the existing road ratio and the time distance from central city were investigated. The landscape characteristics were analyzed by using GIS data bases. As the result of the study, the categorized characteristics of the coastline landscape were recognized and suggested basic parameters for people sightseeing activities in Kyushu era.

View full abstract

Matsuage festivals are traditional fire ceremonies held in rural villages in mountainous areas reaching from northern Kyoto City up to Fukui Prefecture. Local forest resources are indispensable to the making of ceremony-related structures and tools. This study determined how forest resources were used in Matsuage festivals in 10 villages in northern Kyoto. We investigated the kind of materials used, the method of harvesting and the way torches and other festival-related tools or structures were assembled. The results showed that while there were some similarities in the use of resources in the 10 communities, there were significant regional differences in the kind of materials used or in the way torches and other elements were put together. The study also revealed that new issues have come up as a consequence of the sharp drop in mountain forest work due to unprofitability. Materials that are essential in Matsuage festivals are now in short supply, and there is a lack of skilled workers who can pass on techniques related to harvesting and handling forest resources such as fuji wisteria or akamatsu Japanese red pine.

View full abstract

In recent years, demand for domestically produced bamboo has fallen and the number of neglected bamboo stands has grown. Consequently, the semi-natural landscape in Japanese rural areas has deteriorated. The aim of this research was, therefore, to explore the potential for utilization of bamboo stands by local residents as part of planned conservation of the regional landscape. Specifically, we studied the requirements for bamboo utilization by identifying how local residents could utilize bamboo effectively and what problems they faced in doing so. The research targeted Oita prefecture, where bamboo stands are abundant. The research method was interview surveys of relevant prefectural government departments and questionnaire surveys of elementary school and junior high school staff and civic activity groups in Oita prefecture, followed by analysis of responses. Use of Oita's bamboo resources not only by industry but also by local residents was desired. For local residents, effective utilization methods were those that allowed bamboo to be used easily. Problems around utilization were lack of time, lack of skilled people and lack of tools. Local residents were considered more likely to make effective use of bamboo stands and materials if provided with ongoing support for the problems around utilization.

View full abstract

Satoyama woods,abandoned widely due to the loss of economic viability, are becoming to be reevaluated as a renewal resource of carbon neutral energy. For enhancing the feasibility of woody biomass utilization,reducing the costs for harvesting and collecting biomass should not be overlooked. It is generally recognized that satoyama woods on plateaus have certain cost advantages in harvesting biomass, compared to forests in mountains, because of the flat terrain. However, the woods may have disadvantages in collecting biomass due to their small and scattered distribution patterns. By having satoyama woods in Chiba Prefecture (plateau) and woods in Saitama Prefecture (mountain), this study first demonstrates that woods on plateaus have advantages in the total cost for harvesting and collecting biomass compared to forests in mountains, and then estimates how the cost can be further reduced by a scheme which combines scrap woods and biomass from woods.The result successfully indicates that woods on plateaus have an advantage in the total cost of harvesting and collecting biomass compared to forests in mountains, however the scheme to combine scrap woods can only be effective when applied to urban areas.

View full abstract

Recently, many communities are taking practical steps to conserve Satochi. Satochi are rural areas composed of Satoyama (domestic woodlands and farmlands). There are many issues involved in the conservation of the environment, requiring collaboration among different citizen activities groups. This study examines issues related to communication with stakeholders who participate in Satochi conservation activities,based on a case study of voluntary association A in a rural community near to an urban area. Human resources and technical information must be secured for the practice of the diverse activities involved in managing Satochi. However,during practical phases such as getting a landowner's assent and work assignment, a communications gap arising from different senses of worth and interests among stakeholders can bring activities to a standstill. We need to spend an adequate amount of time to resolve the communication-gap issues among the stakeholders in order to undertake diverse activities. Then following three aspects are necessary to build up communications. 1) Forge new partnerships among the stakeholders at the initial stage, 2)Share common values backed up with experience, 3)Build up a relationship founded on the trust.

View full abstract

Nowadays an idiom or a term Chinju-no-mori has been a symbolic word which refer to forests of Japanese shrines and their ecosystems. It is already known that this idiom/term is not an old word and had emerged in modern ages (Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa era) despite its connotation of Japanese traditional culture.However, any backgrounds of the birth of this term remain still unknown. To know the history of vocabularies related with landscape is one of the important issues for landscape planning and design,so this study tries to make clear the process and backgrounds of the birth and establishment of the term Chinju-no-mori in modern ages. The results are, 1)Chinju-no-mori is estimated to have been thought about and used by a novelist Tayama Katai in 1892 for the first time. 2)Tayama intended to depict some panoramic countryside landscapes with a landmark in mid-distance by Chinju-no-mori,under influences of the way of perceiving scenery in western literature. 3)Chinju-no-mori is estimated to have been established as a general word by the end of Meiji period, extending its meaning from shrine landscape to shrine itself, with some connotation of Japanese tradition or sacredness of holy space.

View full abstract

Planning system, which is the tool to decide the policy and process of implementation and to adjust the difference of interest, becomes more and more important, because citizen commitment to policy-making and plan-making becomes popular. In the area of legal urban greening policy, under the basic plan on greening, there are many methods of planning system based by law. But each planning system has different aims, different area, and different concept; it is difficult to grasp easily. To grasp these systems two viewpoints are effective. First viewpoint is the effect of each planning systems on citizen, because the main aim of these plans of this area is to restrict the right of citizen for land use control. Second viewpoint is the commitment methods of each planning systems, because it is very important to consider the opinions of experts and citizens to refine the plans. Therefore, this paper tries to classify the planning system by these two viewpoints and tries to make clear the whole planning system in the area of legal greening policy.

View full abstract

The aim of this study is to consider the ideal methods of protection for the Panoramic Views, which are designated Cultural Properties, through the analysis of the following points: 1)The present status of protection given,from the view of the facilities’ management. 2)Other similar protection systems. 3)Case studies detailing the Panoramic Views` management and changes, before and after designation as Cultural Properties, to clarify the effectiveness of the protection system. From this, it was gathered that the Panoramic Views have been managed and maintained by additional protection systems and departments; it has not been solely under the control of Cultural Properties. Considering the findings above, the premise that Cultural Properties were providing the maintenance and management to protect these panoramic views, in terms of the protection under Cultural Properties law, has been found to be unproved. For the protection of the Panoramic Views to be effectively maintained, it is important to continue providing opportunities for local people and tourists to view these locations. However, designation as official Cultural Properties was helpful to create and realize an initial opportunity for protection. From this point onwards, in order to sustain the viewing opportunities, it is a requisite to protect the Panoramic Views for flexible use in conjunction with other protection systems.

View full abstract

This paper explores the ways in which regenerate the historical urban park, in terms of how to refer the historical concepts and how to negotiate with the contemporary conditions and requirements. It especially looks at Birkenhead Park that was planned in 1844 by Liverpool Council with Joseph Paxton’s plan. Since the construction was progressed by the public authority under the Liverpool Improvement Act, it has been considered as the first public park project derived by public fund. Through the literature and hearing researches, this paper shows the following three key points in the process of the Birkenhead Park regenerating project. Firstly, the well reserved documents, particularly the book written by Edward Kemp, the chief gardener, and plans reserved in the Wirral Archives Service, supported to make a regeneration plan by giving the original landscape ideas of Birkenhead Park. Secondly, Birkenhead Park regeneration project has been conducted with the concept to realize the original design as much as possible along with solving the contemporary issues of the park such as, the drainage issue, the dog walking issue and so. The third point is that the people’s motivations to keep the park in well condition having been cultivated through the history strongly supported the regeneration project and the maintenance works afterwards.

View full abstract

We carried out an experiment on the roof of a multistory car park in Motobu in Okinawa to test the effectiveness of greening car park roofs. We planted greenery in experimental lightweight plots 15 cm deep on the car park roof, and then we checked how useful the greening was. There were 4 varieties of 3 types of experimental plots - block-type; protected-type and a type made of mixed material. During the one and a half years of the duration of the experiment, ordinary vehicles parked on the test plots for an average of 4.1 days per week. The results showed that the block-type and mixed material type retained the conditions to maintain healthy growth and a high rate of green cover, although this excluded continuous periods of 16 days when there was no rainfall. We noticed pressure marks from tires that appeared during this experiment when a parking bay was used during the day, 4 days a week,so by adding supplementary material used in the Okinawa region to the normal roof top greening, we ascertained that greening for car parks could be done in artificial ground.

View full abstract

At the high density urban area where the urban type flood is common, it is difficult to construct a newer rainwater storage and infiltration plants in economically and spatially. As a strategy of saving water volume control, we focused on the storage effect of green roof. It is considered of value for torrential rain countermeasure, such as greening the unused roofs, rooftop terraces and ensuring the saving water volume. In this study, the purpose was to clarify the effictivity of storage-drain boards of green roof for a torrential rain. The obtained results are followings: 1.The storage-drain boards of green roof with a large surface area of two sides are able to delay rainfall runoff. The green roof panel with the largest surface area delayed the rainfall runoff about 1.5 times in runoff velocity. 2.The larger the runoff ratio grows, the more quickly the runoff velocity becomes. Runoff ratio has a relationship with relief structure of the storage-drain boards of green roof.

View full abstract

The influence of the rooftop greening of the multistory parking garage exerted on the thermal environment of the parking lot space under the roof was analyzed based on the result of the measurement of PMV, WBGT, and the ceiling surface temperature. As a result, in summer, it has been found that the parking lot space under the roof fell the hot thermal environment and the ceiling surface temperature reached 47.6degree C on 10 of July in 2008 at the place where roof greening had not been done, and this may increase the average radiation temperature. Average WBGT was 29.1degree C and average PMV was 2.5 from 11:00 until 17:30 on the same day at the place where roof greening had not been done. On the other hand, the decrease of about 0.6 was observed with average PMV and about 0.9degree C in average PMV during the same period of time at the place where roof greening had not been done. Though the difference was smaller than in summer, the lower thermal environment was also observed in autumn at the place where roof greening had been done.

View full abstract

From 2006 to 2009, in the Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park, Kobe,we considered the validity and effectiveness of the citizen participation and the possibility of the social capital formation through the action research which experimented with some park operations before the park would open. As the result, it was effective for the social capital formation to promote opportunities for civic organizational operations to be involved in various participations. For the use of the park, it led to the revitalization of the motivation which influenced on the quality of activities that it combined coordination managements among participating groups and the implement of utilization programmes in each group. Additionally, I found that there was a possibility that it would upgrade effectiveness of the citizen participation based on further motivations by supporting activities in each group.

View full abstract

Primary purpose of this study is to practically optimize the process through which landscape design will contribute to restoring natural environment in riverside parks in urbanized areas. The following points are identified through the continuous survey and analysis of vegetation and related environment in "Natural Zone" of Ishikawa River Park in Osaka Prefecture for five years of period after 1st stage of park development was completed. A series of phenomena that will take place in and around the environment of the site would be integrated into the process of planning and design of landscape by focusing on differences found in their scale, frequency and endurance.For instance, artificial disturbance of vegetation such as maintenance practice of agricultural irrigation channels would be effective to promote nature restoration if it is taken into account of planning and design in advance.In addition, it would be possible to estimate post development changes and their future trends clearly, and to project the process of nature restoration as well, by planning and design based on scale of time-space in the landscape. All these findings suggest the potential that landscape design would be developed as a practical methodology for nature restoration with long-term practice that integrate design and maintenance of post construction periods.

View full abstract

We aimed at clarifying problems of safety management in roadside trees on A street of the Tokyo prefectural road in Japan. We investigated and analyzed the data in connection with an accident by a collision between a roadside tree and a car and cherry roadside trees on the street where a lot of such accidents occurred on that data. As the result, it became clear that there was a big difference in the number of accidents between the results of the data analysis and the site investigation, so that the road administrator was not able to understand the occurrence of the accident enough. And on A street, trunks and branches of trees that incline to the roadway side and that distance to the roadway is short are big traffic obstacles. It is important for the prevention of such accidents to cut thin branches expected to become a traffic obstacles in the future as soon as possible and to correct a tree form because the group that the diameter of the pruned branch was larger tended to have more individuals that the prune sign was decayed.

View full abstract

This research regards risk management with a goal of zero playground accidents in Osaka prefectural parks. It was conducted by the Osaka Prefectural Park Association in response to public concern? about accidents in park playgrounds in recent years. Ten prefectural parks were investigated. The research method was to analyze reports and online information, and to empirically verify the four-year research results in each prefectural park. As a result, the implementation methods were made clear as follows: (1)Electronic playground equipment registry for information management (2)Creation of playground equipment inspection manuals and the planning of playground equipment safety inspection technical lectures for quality management (3)The creation of pamphlets to teach playground equipment safety, picture story shows, hosting events, and surveying the use of playground equipment as use management. New methods of communicating information were clearly described,such as reducing the number of accidents,improving work efficiency by creating databases, and picture story shows. These are positioned as empirical research.

View full abstract

Primary purpose of this study is to identify the process through which the structure of natural environment is integrated into environmental planning for a large scaled suburban housing development. An intensive study of the planning process applied to the development of Kizu Chuo Area located in southern part of Kyoto Prefecture was conducted with particular attention to land use, land formation,street layout and surface drainage pattern. The entire process of the planning was divided into five phases, and the second (1995-97) and the fourth (2005-06) phase were recognized as critical ones that demonstrated distinctive changes in development scheme. The second phase showed extensive concerns on conservation of natural environment chiefly for the sake of protecting natural habitats and ecological network. Land formation, drainage pattern and allocation of open spaces are integrated into structure of natural environment. After development program was revised considerably due to changing socio-economic environment, the forth phase showed environmental concerns again. This time, more comprehensive approach toward structuring of natural environment was applied and the network of open space was extended and strengthened by axial structure originated from local topography. It was further discussed that land formation and hydrological system that carefully reorganized based on the original conditions will promote the structure of natural environment as an integral part of ecologically conscious landscape.

View full abstract

Primary purpose of this study is to show how the natural environment structure was integrated into open spaces of collective housings in Senri new town. A case study was conducted in terms of arrangement of medium-rise buildings and pattern of the open space between the building lots.In the process of the earthworks by Osaka Prefecture, the original landform and vegetation were planned to be located between the building lots according to the land formation. Some segments of those structures are preserved in the open spaces enclosed by the collective housings constructed by the Osaka Pref. In the collective housings by Japan Housing Corporation, natural environment seems to have been altered throughout the development of building lots, but the structures were still underlying beneath the open space network. While promoting rehabilitations collective housings, the natural environment should be enhanced and revitalized on the site recognizing its origins and histories.

View full abstract

In Japanese residential zones, the housings, which have built after World War 2, 1950's to 1970's, are going to be rebuilt, recently. Some sites have important heritage trees and greens. However, the municipalities have few powers legally to protect the trees and greens, even if they have green protection ordinances, development review ordinances which has the standards related to protection of landscape, or some kinds of ordinance.So, this paper aims to identify the key points for effective tree protection ordinance as a system, through reviewing the tree protection regulations in Seattle city, Washington, USA. Seattle city is very famous as an advanced city in terms of urban planning. The research materials are the ordinances, client assistance memos, director's rules, and the documents related to the tree protection regulations published by the city. As a result of my analyzing, the effective points for the tree protection are, to do the site plan review which includes landscape plan with the environmental and the design review at the same time, to have the floor area incentives as a compensation for tree protection, and to have the detailed different standards which depends on the species, even the native and non-native species.

View full abstract

We conducted a study to examine the effects of the frequency of children's approach to a big tree in the school ground and their attendance at environmental education classes on their perceptions. The subjects of the study were two elementary schools with a big tree in their campuses. From the results obtained in this study, frequency of approach and attendance at environmental education classes were found to be related and had an effect on children's perceptions of the big tree and contact with nature. However, when the frequency of approach and attendance at environmental education classes were not related because of the location of the big tree, the children's perceptions of the big tree and frequency of approach were strongly related. Further, a strong relationship was observed between contact with a tree located near the area of daily activities and attendance at environmental education classes that used the big tree as subject matter. Accordingly, teachers should be more conscious about the importance of environmental education, and planning layouts with a future vision is important while installing playground equipment or planting trees in schoolyards.

View full abstract

In China, built-up areas are expanding rapidly into suburban agricultural fields due to recent economic growth. To understand land-use changes and its factors, we carried out a case study in the suburban four counties of Tianjin City. We examined land-use changes between 1995 and 2002 through digital map preparation and GIS analysis, and verified these changes in the field by interviews. We found that urban land uses and factories have been expanding into the peripheral dry and rice fields, which were basically approved by the local government. Agricultural land diversification was also observed in the two different forms that were large-scale export-oriented farmlands and small-scale patches to supply vegetables and fishes for the local market.

View full abstract

The objective of this research is to study the way of conservation of the farmland in Gokayama Ainokura Village, which the entire village has been preserved as cultural properties. This research focused on the following two points; the transition of historic land use, and the present problems of the farmland conservation projects. As a result, it became clear that there is the gap of the agricultural products among the historic land use, the present farmland, and the picture of the future by conservation. It became also clear that the present farmland conservation projects have financial problem. In conclusion, this research could suggest the following three points about the direction of farmland conservation in the future; share the role of each conservation actor, raise awareness about the historic land use as cultural property, and separate the areas of the farmland conservation, for example, the core conservation zone from other zones where gently return to the forest.

View full abstract

There are many areas in Japan lacking substantive landscape resources and that only recently have begun public landscape planning. Using Yashio City in Saitama Prefecture, Japan,as an example of such an area, the present study examines the relationship between landscape changes and the perception of the residents. First, the landscape composition and subsequent changes following the early Showa period were clarified, based on the daily lives of the residents. Then I grasped visual elements and sites contained landscape perception of the residents. Results indicate that three types of characteristic landscapes existed. The paddy field landscape in the northern Hachijo zone was well recognized by the residents, while neither the field landscape along the Nakagawa riverside, between Nichome and Minamikawasaki, nor the old Shimotsuma highway landscape, from Igusa to Yashio, was recognized.

View full abstract

In order to collect data on the restoration of the grassland plants, we resumed vegetation management in a forest where grassland management was ceased 30 years ago.We use three sets of management techniques,“brush cutting after thinning”,“only thinning”and“control”. One 20 meter×10 meter plot was assigned to each set,and the height and diameter of plant stems in the plots were determined along with the vegetation and light factor in 2 meter square sub-plots. In brush cutting after thinning plot, grassland species appeared and their dominance increased. In the only thinning plot too, several grassland plants appeared, but the dominance of all plants decreased. On the other hand, these grassland plants did not occur in the control plot. The relative quantum flux density of photons crossed 20 % near the ground in the thinning and brush cutting plot. However in only thinning plot, this value was less than 10 %. These results showed that thinning and brush cutting were effective vegetation management techniques to ensure the appearance of and the increase in grassland plants.

View full abstract

Landscape ecological data often have spatial hierarchical structure. Let us suppose that avian species richness is surveyed in patchy woods and several sampling stations are located in each surveyed patch. In this situation each sampling station forms the lower level (Level 1) survey unit while each patch forms the upper level (Level 2) unit. This mixture of survey units of different spatial level is not appropriate for most traditional methods of data analysis. If the upper level units are ignored, the analyst will suffer pseudoreplication problem with variables obtained for patches (the upper level units). If the lower level units are ignored,information on local heterogeneity (i.e., heterogeneity among the sampling stations within the same patch) will be lost. Hierarchical Linear Models can handle such data set with spatial hierarchical structure. First, a linear model is constructed for each lower level unit considering a dependent variable and the variables measured for the lower level units. Then, each of the intercept and the coefficients of the linear model is represented as a linear combination of variables obtained for the upper level units, a random factor and an error term. In this paper we present the usability of Hierarchical Linear Models by showing an example of application of this method.

View full abstract