Cultural ecosystem services from the afforestation of rice terraces and farmland: Emerging services as an alternative to monoculturalization

• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2021.119481
• Publication Date: 2021-07-16T10:12:35Z
• Authors: Ryo Kohsaka; Koji Ito; Yoshitaka Miyake; Yuta Uchiyama
• Keywords: Afforestation; Cultural landscape

Conventionally, forests and rice terraces are regarded as separate elements, their interactions largely overlooked. Afforestation of has been a "failure" is almost taboo among households policy-makers. We analyze the ecological afforestation for charcoal making mushroom (shiitake, Lentinula edodes) production in former other types farmland socio-ecological production/interacted landscape called satoyama, which characterized by mosaic distribution land use. The study counters argument that preservation only way to sustain landscapes, biodiversity, cultural ecosystem services; it contributes understanding impact on traditional non-timber forest products (NTFPs) practices forests. To understand afforestation, this focuses cyclical use (known satoyama) Noto Kunisaki, culturally important sites listed Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems. This analyzed quantitative data, included data from aerial photos, Noto, survey shiitake producers Kunisaki. Despite conversion farmland, satoyama can take place without diminishing supply services, facilitating sustainable development communities. maintain agricultural output increasing NTFPs. Afforested areas become educational where services role landscapes be studied. Traditional knowledge service provision management NTFP shared tourists participants restoration. Tourists explore surrounding leads connections with historical walking paths. Furthermore, generate more biodiversity benefits than abandonment longtime farmland; example, number plant species increased orchards Noto. Thus, includes revitalization new services. supports higher level compared paddies. paddies open rediscovers exchangeability between part embedded over few decades (8–15 years charcoal, 10–20 (Lentinula production). Managed integration practice reasonable option response extensive continuous rural decline.