Flower landscapes of
Iris laevigata, a native Japanese wetland wildflower species, have been considered aesthetic objects in Japan since ancient times. I examined and discussed the conservation status and challenges faced by the remaining
I. laevigata colonies at 10 well-known sites in Japan. Seven and three sites in the land use were used as paddy fields, improved wetlands, reservoirs or ponds and natural wetlands, respectively. The interviews with management group members at each site revealed that several colonies were declining in size. The factors that contributed to this decline included decreasing water volumes, competing plants, overpopulation of
I. laevigata, feeding damage by deer, digging by wild boar, and landing and drying of wetlands. It was evident that at many sites, the growing environment was maintained under anthropogenic protection practices. Motivation for the conservation activities included the academic value of the natural monument designation, the pride and attachment to the region arising from the beauty of the flower landscape, and the interaction with visitors who came to see them. The flower landscapes of
I. laevigata, which are maintained by humans, exist as seminatural communities throughout Japan, with wetlands as a habitat, which in turn represents a high degree of naturalness.
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