Ashoro Research Forest, Kyushu University - Japan

Ashoro Research Forest is located in Ashoro town (143° E, 43°33′′14′′N), eastern Hokkaido, with a forest area of 3,713 hectares. The topography is hilly with an altitude ranging from 114 m to 471 m above sea level. The nature of soil is almost of the tuff strata derived from the Neogene Period and the horizontal alternate strata of sandstone and shale. The natural vegetation consists of cool-temperate deciduous broad-leaved tree species represented by Quercus crispula and Acer mono. The area of artificial forest is about 1260 hectares and main species planted is Larix kaempferi. Other tree species such as Abies sachalinensis,Picea glehni, Picea abies, broad-leaved species are also planted.