ASHIU FOREST RESEARCH STATION

Ashiu, Miyama-cho, Nantan-shi, Kyoto, 601-0703
Tel. +81-771-77-0321 Fax. +81-771-77-0323
Mail. ashiu.cans*mail2.adm.kyoto-u.ac.jp (* –> @)

Chief, Associate Professor
 ISHIHARA, Masae, D.Agr. (KyotoUniv.), Plant Ecology, Biodiversity, Forest Ecology, Ecosystem Services
Assistant Professor
 SAKANOUE, Nao, D.Agr. (Kyoto Univ.), Distribution System of Forest Productions
 MATSUOKA, Shunsuke, D.Sc. (Kyoto Univ.), Fungal ecology, Community ecology (assembly processes, biodiversity, environmental DNA)
Program-Specific Junior Associate Professor
 AKAISHI, Daisuke, Ph.D. in Science (Kanazawa Univ.), Community Elocogy, Conservation Ecology, Cooperation with Society

Ashiu research forest ( total area: 4,186ha) is located in the northeastern border part of Kyoto Prefecture and stretches 6km east to west and 7km north to south in a rectangular shape. The area is characterized by high relief with altitudes ranging from 355 to 959m above the sea level and encompasses the headwater zones of Yura River flowing into Wakasa bay, the Sea of Japan. According to the recent meteorological observation records, mean annual temperature is 13.1 deg. C and mean annual precipitation is 2,333mm respectively. There is a heavy snowfall ranging from 1 to 3m in winter seasons.

This region is situated in the transition part between temperate deciduous forest zone where the main species are Aesculus turbinate and Pterocarya rhoifolia in the lower valley sites, Fagus crenata and Quercus crispula in the upper slope above 600m, and Cryptomeria japonica, Clethra barbinervis and Ilex pedunculosa in the ridge portions above 700m, and warm temperate forest zone where the main species are Quercus salicina and Quercus sessilifolia under 600m altitude.

Dispersed various sizes of post-harvest units with coniferous plantation (approximate area: 250ha) and second-growth stands (approximate area: 1,200ha) now exist on the landscape previously dominated by extensive old natural forests.

The main subjects of study in the natural forest research area focus on the ecosystem, stand dynamics and regeneration of natural mixed forests. While in the forest management research area, the forest productivity, silvicultural treatment techniques of the plantation and young secondary mixed forest are mainly studied. Further the influence of heavy snowfall on the tree growth and of the bear damage to conifers are investigated in both research area.

URL : https://fserc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/wp/ashiu/

Access
* By train from Kyoto sta.
— By JR train from Kyoto sta. to Hiyoshi sta.(or Sonobe sta.) on the San-in Main Line (Sagano Line) [50min] — By bus from Hiyoshi sta.(or Sonobe sta.) to Ashiu Forest Research Station on Nantan city bus [2h]

* By car from Kyoto University(Kyoto city)
— By car to Ashiu Forest Research Station via Route 162 and Kyoto Prefectural road 38 (70km) [2.5h]