The aim of this study was to elucidate long-term changes in a conifer-deciduous mixed forest based on the life history traits of tree species. A 60-year survey was conducted in a permanent plot established in an Abies-Fagus forest, which represents the typical forest vegetation in the southern Pacific region of Tohoku, Japan. The results indicated that the composition and relative dominance of the main tree species showed little change, suggesting the long-term stability of this forest. However, between 2011 and 2021, changes reflecting the life history traits of tree species were observed, including a gradual slowdown in the decline of deciduous broad-leaved trees. This trend was associated with increased recruitment of Fagus japonica and Meliosma myriantha, likely facilitated by sprouting regeneration. Forest stratification also changed over time, with Carpinus spp. becoming dominant in the canopy layer, whereas M. myriantha was more concentrated in the shrub layer. Additionally, the number of shrub species, such as Callicarpa mollis, Ilex crenata var. crenata, and Cephalotaxus harringtonia var. harringtonia, increased significantly. In contrast, the abundance of pre-established seedlings of Abies firma, which had previously been growing in the shrub layer, decreased in number. Small individuals of A. firma were found exclusively beneath the canopy of mature trees, suggesting that despite its shade tolerance, A. firma is unlikely to regenerate successfully in the low-light conditions of the forest floor. These findings suggest that this conifer-deciduous mixed forest is undergoing structural changes influenced by the life history traits of its tree species. Over the past 60 years, the forest has matured into a more complex structure with increased tree species diversity.

　Sedimentary facies and depositional ages were examined from a newly obtained core, 7.50 meters in length, drilled in Naha Alluvial Lowland, located between the Asato and Kokuba Rivers on the southwestern coast of Okinawa Island. We observed core material, radiocarbon dating, and elemental concentration analysis using an Itrax XRF core scanner of the GSJ, AIST. The recovered Holocene sediments can be divided into lower and upper layers, separated by a boundary at −0.45 m T.P. The lower layer primarily consists of muddy sediments interpreted as inner bay or tidal flat deposits, estimated to have been deposited between approximately 8,000 and 4,000 cal BP. In contrast, the upper layer displays greater vertical heterogeneity in sediment characteristics than the lower layer. It consists of muddy deposits interspersed with accumulations of coral gravel and distinct layers of fine- to medium-grained sand. The presence of mollusks and a reduced accumulation rate suggest alternating episodes of sedimentation and erosion within an estuarine tidal flat environment. A decline in sulfur content indicates that the site was no longer tidally influenced by approximately 1,777 – 1,443 cal BP at the latest.

Sketch maps are widely recognized as a method for capturing spatial images or mental maps of cities and the world. However, most previous studies have focused on specific groups, such as university students, and have not adequately captured the perspectives of people with diverse attributes and experiences. In response to this gap, we designed and conducted a social survey in 2023 — the GULP-2023 Sketch Map Survey — to collect a broad range of sketch maps from the general population. This paper documented the survey methods and presented a portion of the collected data in tabulated form. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of conducting time-series and longitudinal surveys to describe and analyze changes in mental maps and their influencing factors, and emphasized the need for the systematic accumulation and sharing of sketch map data.