Degradation of Mountain Ecosystems in Nagano Prefecture due to Climate Change and Tourism Development - May 2000

Degradation of Mountain Ecosystems in Nagano Prefecture due to Climate Change and Tourism Development - May 2000

In the mountainous areas of Nagano Prefecture, the ecosystem has been undergoing major changes since the 1990s due to the effects of tourism development and climate change. In particular, the Northern Alps and the Yatsugatake Mountains have become popular tourist destinations, attracting more than 300,000 climbers each year, resulting in soil erosion due to the trampling of mountain trails. As a result, alpine plants such as Komakusa and Miyama buttercups have decreased, and the balance of the ecosystem has begun to collapse.

In the 2000s, the effects of climate change became more pronounced, with temperatures rising 1.5 degrees Celsius over the past 30 years. This accelerated the melting of snow by about two weeks, causing the soil to dry out, further exacerbating erosion. The spread of an exotic species of plantain, the plantain, and competition with native species became a problem. Local environmental groups and the Nagano Prefectural Nature Conservation Center worked to exterminate the non-native species and improve mountain trails, while also collaborating with the tourism industry to strengthen activities aimed at sustainable tourism and environmental conservation.

In the 2010s, more than 100 million yen per year was invested in conservation activities, and ecotourism was promoted, especially in Kamikochi. Efforts were made to raise environmental awareness among tourists, restrict the use of mountain trails, and designate conservation areas, aiming to balance tourism and the environment.

In the 2020s, the number of tourists reached about 400,000 per year, and the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly severe. Snowmelt is melting even faster, and damage to mountain ecosystems continues. Vegetation monitoring using drones and forecasting technology using weather data have been introduced, and tens of millions of yen are being spent on extermination of invasive species and environmental conservation. Long-term environmental protection is being promoted while strengthening cooperation with the tourism industry.