Nanki-kozagawa - Wakayama Experimental Forest, Hokakido University - Japan

The Wakayama Experimental Forest (approx. 450 ha) was established in 1925 for education and research of warm temperate forests. The mean annual temperature is 15.2℃ (max. 37.8℃, min. -9.5℃), and annual precipitation is frequently over 4,000mm. The elevation ranges from 260 to 840 m. The mountainous areas are rather steep with slopes mostly over 30°. More than 70% of forest area is covered with plantations of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). The remaining area supports natural forests composed of evergreen broad-leaved trees (mainly evergreen Fagaceae and Lauraceae) and deciduous broad-leaved trees (Zelkova serrata, Aesculus turbinate and Mallotus japonicas). Near the mountain summits, there are mixed forest of broad-leaved trees and conifers (Abies firma and Tsuga sieboldii), and native forests of Japanese cedar, Japanese cypress and Japanese umbrella-pine (Sciadopitys verticillata). In these forests, more than 23 species of mammals are living. Monitoring forest vegetation and wildlife populations, and research on the impact of forestry on natural environments have been conducted. The Wakayama Experimental Forest provides various field education programs for elementary school children to post graduate students as well as to the public.