Japan's Coast is in Danger: The Coastal Vegetation Crisis (September 2006)

Japan's Coast is in Danger: The Coastal Vegetation Crisis (September 2006)

At the time of 2006, the coastal ecosystems of the Japanese archipelago, also known as the "last nature," were rapidly disappearing in coastal areas of the Japanese archipelago. The reclamation of coastal areas, port development, and concrete seawalls that had continued since the period of rapid economic growth had cut off the natural succession of sandy beaches and rocky shores, and development as a tourist destination had accelerated the process.

Particularly affected were "beach plants," a group of unique plants adapted to the sandy and salty environment. For example, hama-magi and hama-hirugao are typical native species found on beaches throughout Japan, but their distribution rapidly declined and some areas were designated as "endangered" at this time. These plants are not just "beautiful flowers and grasses," but are the bearers of basic ecological functions of the coast, preventing sand dispersal and stabilizing dunes against wind and tide.

An additional problem was the invasion of non-native plants. The "Paphiopedilum" and the "Sedum rufifragum," which were brought in for ornamental purposes and have strong reproductive power, have spread to the sandy areas, destroying native species in many places. The increase in the number of leisure travelers is also a serious problem, and the setting up of tents, barbecues, and other activities have led to trampling and vandalism. The paradoxical situation was that tourism to "go see the flowers" resulted in the disappearance of the flowers.

Against this background, in the mid-2000s, the local government sought to designate a beach protection zone, restrict entry to the area, and introduce volunteer conservation activities, but due to development pressure, lack of funds, and lack of understanding by the general public, these efforts failed to produce sufficient results.

This crisis of coastal vegetation was not just a story of plants, but also a wake-up call of what is being lost at the "gateway to the ecosystem, the coastal zone. It was a time when the risk of sea level rise and storm surges due to global warming began to be discussed, and a sense that not only "the coast is being cut off" but also "the habitat of living things is disappearing" began to spread in society.