Japan's coasts are in danger: The crisis of seashore vegetation (National) - September 2006

Japan's coasts are in danger: The crisis of seashore vegetation (National) - September 2006

In 2006, seashore plants were rapidly disappearing from beaches all over Japan. Combined factors such as loss of habitat due to seawall construction and land reclamation, trampling by tourists, and invasion by non-native species were threatening the ecosystem. In particular, the native plants that cover the beaches, such as the sandy gorse and the daisy rose, had been drastically reduced, and the natural barrier function of the beach, which suppresses sand movement and stabilizes the coast, was weakening. While tourism and leisure activities were flourishing, consideration for nature conservation was taking a backseat. In some cases, exotic species such as the Japanese knotweed were expanding their influence, upsetting the ecological balance of the area. In response to this situation, local governments began designating protected areas, regulating entry, and introducing conservation activities, but the lack of budgets, manpower, and public understanding were becoming an issue
. This issue was not limited to mere plant protection, but also served as an opportunity to reconsider coastal ecosystems, disaster prevention, and coexistence with nature.