The Value of Biodiversity in Grasslands

As I was reading the article on the "Distribution Map of Ancient Grasslands" published by Think Nature, a certain name caught my eye, and I instinctively straightened my posture.

The article introduces the first-ever map published in Japan showing the distribution of "ancient grasslands" that have been under human management for over 100 years.

What caught my attention was the name of the co-author, Mr. Kenta Tanaka.

In my previous job, I learned about the biodiversity value of Japanese grasslands through an ecosystem survey of the Mariko Vineyard conducted with NARO.

In Japan, when people think of nature, they tend to focus on forests, but it is known that the number of rare species per unit area is actually higher in grasslands. In the past, grasslands were maintained because they were used for livestock feed, materials for thatched roofs, and fertilizer. However, as their utility value was lost, they decreased rapidly, and large-scale afforestation before and after the war further accelerated this decline.

When I participated in the Nature Positive Center at Tohoku University, it was Professor Tanaka who was researching these grasslands. As I had more opportunities to talk with him, I thought, "I hope we can work or conduct research together on the theme of grasslands someday," and just as I was writing an email to request a meeting, news of his passing arrived.

Even now, I feel deeply saddened when I think that I might have been able to learn more directly from him about such wonderful research.

Currently, I am preparing with the professor, who moved from NARO to Tokyo University of Agriculture, to see if we can start a small project to protect the grasslands on the riverbed of the Sakawa River.

The map introduced in this article has the potential to be a very effective tool for finding candidate sites for Nature-Positive Sites.
Candidate sites for Nature-Positive Sites are not limited to vineyards and riverbeds. There must be many places across the country that hold value as grasslands, such as golf courses and large green spaces owned by companies.

I hope that this map will be utilized, that such places will be appropriately evaluated, and that it will lead to efforts to conserve and manage them as Nature-Positive Sites.