Niche Markets for Economic Revitalisation of Satoyama Forest ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

CONCLUSION It is already evident that returning to the hay days of satoyama is not a preferable measure to take in modern day Japan. This is simply due to the fact that time changes in society have occurred to the extent that it is not feasible to return to the past. However, what is possible is to adapt to the current trends of society and adopt measures in the modern day context to revitalise satoyama. This policy brief has concerned itself with the contention that in order to revitalise and conserve satoyama in the face of depopulation and deterioration, strategies must be developed that enhance the economic value and utilisation of satoyama. As such the paper has described three specific market opportunities in commercial terms. These opportunities could form the backbone of enhanced utilisation of satoyama, among other commercial opportunities and incentives not discussed here related to food production, traditional fertilisers, tourism and so forth. It is important to recall that although these opportunities are derived from larger market forces and trends, they are still new market opportunities that have high costs and uncertainty and require public support and coordination. This is especially the case in promoting new sources of biomass energy and most certainly the case with any future carbon market opportunities. development in Japan in general. Marketing and Public Relations: It will be important to conduct public relations activities to market the superior characteristics of wood materials. It should also be noted, however, that 40 per cent of the wood materials consumed in Japan is sawn timber, a large portion of this is used as construction materials for private homes (Forestry Agency edition, 2006a) and the Japanese forestry has been inclined to place emphasis on the production of materials for pillars and posts, rather than the use of small diameter materials and short materials from forest thinnings (Forestry Agency edition, 2005). To this end, it will be important to provide information and take various initiatives to promote the use of local materials. Also, in order to widely disseminate the wood block construction method it will be important to give consideration to the protection of intellectual property rights. Notwithstanding the importance of developing incentives, however, such projects and efforts need to be understood in the larger context of satoyama protection and the diverse array of benefits associated with that cause. In order to conserve the satoyama ecosystem while using its resources, a larger plan needs to be established, which clarifies conservation and usage policies and establishes maintenance methods for various environmental factors in a given region. Such plans should also include efforts to diversify forests while exploiting particular opportunities. For example, the development of artificial forests—where wood block materials are produced—should be augmented with deciduous broad–leaved trees (where conifer and deciduous trees can be mixed) in order to improve biological diversity, watershed conservation, and prevention of soil runoff. As such, natural broad–leaved forests can be used as sources for firewood and charcoal, and efforts can be made to protect and restore rare species, cultivate edible wild plants, mushrooms, medicinal plants, and develop and commercialise new species. The formation of this multi–faceted grand design for satoyama and its execution requires cooperation from actors in agricultural and forestry as well as natural ecosystems management. Conservation of satoyama can be promoted through the formation of partnerships among various entities, such as property owners and citizens in the area, forestry associations, university and research institutions, government, and NPOs, through open cooperation from planning to monitoring. Furthermore, people living in urban areas have the chance to participate in satoyama conservation activities through ecotourism, and green tourism. Interaction with the local people not only promotes increased activity in the region, but provides an opportunity for citizens to appreciate the existence and importance of satoyama. The hope is that such diverse and novel forms of human interaction with satoyama will not only establish economic and environmental value in a sustainable fashion but act as models for sustainable 25
ENDNOTES 1. In recent years, the import of cheaper logs, food and vegetables into Japan from Russia, China and Southeast Asia have caused people to abandon satoyama as it is not economically beneficial to produce the same goods from satoyama. For instance, a report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries indicates a decline in Japan’s self–sufficiency rate. The rate of vegetables in Japan declined from 100 per cent in 1965 to 82 per cent in 2003, and that of mushrooms does from 115 per cent to 77 per cent in the same period (The Mnistry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, Wagakuni no Shokuryou Jikyuuritsu (The Food Self–Sufficiency Rate in Japan), 2004, p57–58). 2. See Kambu, A. and Nishi, M. “Human Well–Being and the Restoration of Satoyama”, July 20, 2006, Available at . 3. According to Tsunahide Shidei, Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University, who originated the term of satoyama around 1960, it means woodlands tied to agriculture as a word taking the place of “agricultural woodland” and does not include woodlands used for the purpose of production of fire– wood and charcoal (Shidei, 2006). 4. The term “satoyama” first appeared in the 5th edition of “Kojien” published by Iwanami Shoten in 1998. 5. “Ordinance for Protecting and Fostering the Environment in Hometown Ishikawa Prefecture” was the first comprehensive environmental ordinance declaring the “conservation of satoyama ” in Ishikawa Prefecture. The main constituents of the regulation relating to satoyama can be found in the “Agreement for the Conservation and Restoration of Satoyama”. See for details. 6. It should be noted that most evaluation of forests in Japan are done in the general context rather than from the specific satoyama context. 7. The forests discussed here include “okuyama”—remote forests—such as beech forests and oak forests. 8. “Natural forest” is a contrary term to “artificial forest” and describes a forest that is naturally regenerated, regardless of the influence of human activity. See for details. 9. Under the definition of satoyama as “environments primarily made up of forests established through human interaction”, this would include, in fact, the secondary forests formed through making firewood and charcoal and Japanese cedar trees planted as high as 1,000 meters. However, the altitude (upper limit) of satoyama applied here is the range following the distinction between hilly districts—Camellia–japonica region—and mountainous districts— Fagetea–crenatae region— categorised in the zonation of vegetation, in addition to the above definition of satoyama. The upper limit of the targeted area in the study of “Satoyama Ecosystem Conservation Report” is also the altitude of 350 meters (Japan Wildlife Research Center, 2004). 10. However, as data limited to satoyama in Ishikawa Prefecture is not available, the natural forests and artificial forests discussed later are based on total forestry figures for the prefecture. 11. Also called evergreen broad–leaved forests or laurel forests. They consist primarily of evergreen broad leaved trees such as Castanopsis sieboldii, Quercus salicina, and Camellia japonica. 12. This is the policy of cutting of natural deciduous broad leaved trees and planting conifer such as Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress. This policy has also been spurred by innovations in the paper manufacturing industry and the use of broad leaved trees as a raw material for pulp. 13. This problem can also be confirmed from looking at the Red Data Book of wildlife in Ishikawa under threat of extinction (Nature Conservation Division, Environment and Safety Department, Ishikawa Prefectural Government, 2000). Of the 460 types of plants and animals listed as type I or type II endangered species, approximately 60 per cent are species that inhabit satoyama environments. 14. The number of Asiatic black bears that were caught or died in Ishikawa Prefecture from mid–September, 2004 to mid–November was approximately 170 (Hayashi and Nozaki, 2004). 15. Blight to pine trees caused by pine wood nematode transmitted by the Japanese pine sawyer beetle and generally called pine tree woodworm damage. 16. The proportion of tree types in artificial forests is 71 per cent Japanese cedar and 12 per cent Japanese cypress (Forestry Management Division, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department, Ishikawa Prefectural Government, 2005). 17. Although there are various definitions, the Ministry of the Environment defines it as “while experiencing and learning about the natural environment and cultural history, tourism which teaches responsibility for the conservation of the natural environment and cultural history in the target areas”. In a lot of cases, the definition must necessarily include how a ripple effect be provided to the regional economics in order to conserve regional resources. Refer to . 18. A form of tourism advocated by The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for the purpose of “co–existence and exchange between urban and rural areas”. This is defined as “extended–stay leisure activities for enjoying nature, culture, and interaction with people in rural areas. Refer to . 19. This condition is described in a “FY 2005 Annual Report on Trends of Forest and Forestry” (Forestry Agency edition, 2005): “Japan has previously confronted the dangers of forest deterioration through lumbering practices which exceeded the regeneration capacity of forests. But this is the first time in our history where, because the cycle of logging, planting, and nursing of artificial forests has not functioned smoothly, we have been faced with a possible hindrance to the realisation of public functions. The largest issue we are currently facing is how to proceed with the maintenance and conservation of artificial forests that have been grown, in light of the increasing feasibility of using them as wood resources.” 20. A summary is also provided at . 21. Wood block production is a construction method (patent currently being applied at patent application 2001–182632) developed by Junji Deguchi, Representative Director of Deguchi Construction Ltd. located in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture. In 2003 it was recognised as a “wood siding wall filled in frame (WSF)” which would satisfy “frame requirements for structural strength” in accordance with section 4, article 46 in the Building 26
Page 1 and 2: Niche Markets for Economic Revitali
Page 3 and 4: IICRC Report Niche Markets for Econ
Page 5 and 6: CONCLUSION 25 ENDNOTES 26 REFERENCE
Page 7 and 8: Foreword Satoyama has always provid
Page 9 and 10: The first refers to the current and
Page 11 and 12: a) Working Definition Working Defin
Page 13 and 14: 1 EMERGING NICHE MARKETS FOR SATOYA
Page 15 and 16: 1.2 Commercialisation of Wood Block
Page 17 and 18: • Realising stable power generati
Page 19 and 20: In Japan, the priorities have been
Page 21 and 22: 2.3 Challenges Relating to Carbon M
Page 23 and 24: nature, satoyama should be accorded
Page 25 and 26: the public (Forestry Agency edition
Page 27 and 28: Figure 11: Price by Year Comparison
Page 29: such technological innovation in th
Page 33 and 34: emovals of forests are under develo
Page 35 and 36: Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministr

Niche Markets for Economic Revitalisation of Satoyama Forest ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?