Plant Diversity in the Dynamic Mosaic Landscape of an Agricultural Heritage System: The Minabe-Tanabe Ume System

Yuji Hara, Shinji Oki, Yoshiyuki Uchiyama, Kyuichi Ito, Yuto Tani, Asako Naito and Yuki Sampei
Additional contact information
Yuji Hara: Faculty of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Sakaedani 930, Wakayama 640-8510, Japan
Shinji Oki: Osaka Branch Office, Ryokusei Research Institute Inc., Minami-Sakurazuka 2-6-30, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0882, Japan
Yoshiyuki Uchiyama: Osaka Branch Office, Ryokusei Research Institute Inc., Minami-Sakurazuka 2-6-30, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0882, Japan
Kyuichi Ito: Osaka Branch Office, Ryokusei Research Institute Inc., Minami-Sakurazuka 2-6-30, Toyonaka, Osaka 561-0882, Japan
Yuto Tani: Faculty of Systems Engineering, Wakayama University, Sakaedani 930, Wakayama 640-8510, Japan
Asako Naito: Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History, Funo 370-1, Kainan, Wakayama 642-0001, Japan
Yuki Sampei: Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita Ward, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: The Minabe-Tanabe Ume System in central Japan is defined as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. This study examined relationships between parcel-level plant diversity and land use, management, and development in traditional sloped Ume (Japanese apricot; Prunus mume ) orchards and adjoining level orchards recently developed through large-scale cut-fill land development. We constructed and overlaid past (1974) and present (2015) digital land-use maps to assess land use and topography. We conducted field vegetation surveys in land parcels with different development and management histories. Although 249 ha (4.6% of the total 2015 area) were developed using cut-fill methods, 5148 ha remain a traditional orchard surrounded by coppice forests. Vegetation surveys and a two-way indicator species analysis revealed that traditional orchards had more native species and a higher plant diversity index. Cut-fill orchards contained a higher proportion of alien species; however, the degree depended on parcel history and management. Overall, this area remains a dynamic mosaic landscape containing a core of long-standing Ume orchards. We suggest that biodiversity conservation in this area should focus on conservation measures such as indirect land-use regulations, including some acceptable landform transformations, to promote continued farming of this ecologically important area.

Keywords: GIAHS; parcel dynamics; agroecosystems; satoyama; dynamic landscape conservation; anthropogenic landform transformation; energy use; Anthropocene (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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