Mount Taisetsu (15020)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mount Taisetsu
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.5833, Longitude: 143.0000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 2290
Area of KBA (km2): 4779.50942
Protected area coverage (%): 52.82
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Taisetsu National Park located in the center of Hokkaido is the largest mountain massif over 2,000 m high in Japan. The vast alpine belt formed by volcanic activities and the large scale primeval conifer forests at the skirt of the mountains are its special features. Vegetation consists of mixed forest of deciduous broadleaf trees such as Quercus crispula and Acer mono, and conifer trees as Picea jezoensis and Abies sachalinensis up to 800 m high. Coniferous tree, Picea jezoensis, dominates at the zone higher than 800 m. Between 1,200 m-1,400 m is a Betula ermanii zone, and at around 1,600 m is a Pinus pumila zone. There are mountain marshlands formed on the lava tableland at mountain zones and sub-alpine belts, showing sceneries rich in diversity.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 85 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future |