Spatial Distribution Patterns and Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Farmland Demarcation Tree Species: A Case Study in the Niyodo River Area, Japan

Yoshinori Tokuoka, Fukuhiro Yamasaki, Kenichiro Kimura, Kiyokazu Hashigoe and Mitsunori Oka
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Yoshinori Tokuoka: Division of Biodiversity, Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization 3-1-3, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8517, Japan
Fukuhiro Yamasaki: Genetic Resources Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 2-1-2, Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0856, Japan
Kenichiro Kimura: Rural Development Division, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences, 1-1, Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan
Kiyokazu Hashigoe: 1-8-37-401, Iwasaki, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-0854, Japan
Mitsunori Oka: Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1, Sakuragaoka, Setagaya, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Isolated trees in farmlands serve various ecological functions, but their distribution patterns and planting history are often unknown. Here, we examined the spatial distribution, uses, and folk nomenclature of farmland demarcation trees planted in the Niyodo River area in Japan. Hierarchical clustering using the data from 33 locations distinguished four tree composition groups characterized by the combination of Euonymus japonicus , Ligustrum obtusifolium , Deutzia crenata , and Celtis sinensis . Near the upper to middle reaches of the river, the group characterized by E. japonicus dominated. Near the middle to lower reaches, the group characterized by L. obtusifolium occurred relatively frequently. The other two groups were found sporadically near the upper to lower reaches. The locally unique plant name nezu , used for L. obtusifolium , seems to have originated from a word meaning “the tree does not sleep and keeps the watch” in Japanese. In the study area, D. crenata was one of the plant species utilized for the sticks ( magozue ) used in traditional funeral ceremonies, which might help to explain why local people maintain D. crenata around homesteads as a demarcation tree. These findings highlight both the commonalities and uniqueness of demarcation tree culture in different regions of Japan and contribute to deepening our understanding of agricultural heritage.

Keywords: agricultural heritage; cultural landscape; folk nomenclature; floristic composition; traditional knowledge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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