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Biotope Improvement Status (2009–2010)
Biotope 1: Forest and grassland biotope
- Working toward a forest consisting mainly of konara oak trees (Quercus serrata) and grassland dominated by susuki,
Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis)
- Creating an environment for a diversity of creatures, including small mammals and grassland birds
Grassland biotope
Short-herbaceous weeds are currently being mowed and controlled, in order to remove non-native plants and stabilize native species. Growth of Japanese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and Japanese blood glass (Imperata), and the presence of the harvest mouse (Micromys minutus), hare, skimmer dragonfly (Sympetrum kunckeli), and spotless grass yellow butterfly (Eurema laeta betheseba) have been confirmed.
Open forest biotope
Aiming to create a bright forest in the future, seedlings are transplanted in this area. At this stage, we are waiting for the trees to grow. The presence of the kibanetsuno-tombo dragonfly (Ascaraphus ramburi), as well as the great purple emperor (Sasakia charonda) has been confirmed in the border area.
Bright pond (Inside the grassland biotope)
Well water is stored in this small pond for sending water to the river biotope. Wetland soil has been placed at the bottom of the pond, which is gradually becoming a home to an abundance of life forms. The Tokyo Daruma Pond Frog (Rana porosa porosa) inhabits this pond, and the presence of the marutan-yanma dragonfly (Anaciaeschna martini) and the marugata-gengoro (Graphoderus adamsii), an aquatic insect, have been confirmed.
Konara oak forest (Home to Japanese rhinoceros beetles [Trypoxylus dichotomus])
The land inside the forest consisting mainly of konara oak trees is being managed toward creating and sustaining a stratified forest of brush and trees. Fallen leaves are raked and gathered to be made into leaf mold and to create a habitat for insects such as Japanese rhinoceros beetles.
Species confirmed in Biotope 1
Biotope 2: Stream and reservoir pond biotope
- The waterside environment has been redeveloped through use of existing brooks
and construction of new water channels and lagoons.
- In the preserved forest, trees have been thinned and pruned to create a bright valley forest.
Forest stream biotope
A stream flows through the forest and into a reservoir pond at its downstream end. The stream is inhabited by the Kawanina freshwater snail (Semisulcospira libertina), and fireflies circulate the air around the pond at the downstream.
Inhabitants of the water channels include the Hotokedojo loach (Lefua echigonia), as well as abundant aquatic plants (hydrophytes) such as the otokozeri (Ranunculus tachiroei), numazeri (Sium suave var. nipponicum), and aginashi (Sagittaria aginashi).
Existing water channels
Through forest improvement, existing water channels have become bright and open. A diversified environment is being restored, For example, the Japanese fire belly newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster), which had not been seen before, has been newly confirmed. At the waterside, plants such as willow plants have been transplanted for Freyer's purple emperor (Apatura metis substituta) to feed on.
Species confirmed in Biotope 2
Wide area conservation efforts (2009–2010)
Improvement of Hannoki (Alnus japonica) forest outside the conservation area
- As part of the wide area nature conservation efforts, improvements and regeneration work is being carried out
for the neighboring Hannoki forests.
Local contributions and environmental learning programs
Nature observation meeting held under the sponsorship of Sakura City (2009)
A nature observation meeting was held by Sakura City for its citizens. On the day of the meeting, about 40 people,
including families, participated. Receiving descriptions from wildlife experts, participants were able to
get an up-close view of the creatures that live in the conservation area and to enjoy nature.
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