Hokkaidō montane conifer forests

The Hokkaido montane conifer forests ecoregion covers the mountainous central regions of Hokkaido Island, the northernmost of Japan's main islands.[1][2] Forests of spruce and fir thrive in the subalpine, cool climate. On the northeastern edge of the island, the conifer forests extend down to the sea under the influence of the cold Oyashio Current coming down from the north, although logging in recent years has put pressure on these stands.

Ecoregion: Hokkaido montane conifer forests
Mt. Sapporo
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmPalearctic
Geography
Area45,843 km2 (17,700 sq mi)
CountryJapan
Coordinates43.25°N 143.25°E / 43.25; 143.25

Location and description

The mountainous region is surrounded by the lower plains and hills of the Hokkaidō deciduous forests ecoregion. Central to the region is the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group, the location of Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park in Japan.[1] The highest mountain on the island, and in the region, is Asahi-dake with an elevation of 2,290 metres (7,510 ft).[1] Above the conifer line, alpine conditions support thickets of Stone pine (Pinus pumila)

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F), but no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F).[3][4] Average annual precipitation is 1,150 mm.

Flora and fauna

The dominant trees in the region are Ezo spruce (Picea jezoensis), Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis), and Skhalin spruce (Picea glehnii). There are scattered stands of Erman's birch (Betula ermanii). The conifer belt rises to an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).

Protected areas

References
  1. "Hokkaido montane conifer forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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