Key Biodiversity Areas

Mounts Asahidake and Gassan (15024)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mounts Asahidake and Gassan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.3333, Longitude: 139.8500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 320 to 1984
Area of KBA (km2): 1896.26685
Protected area coverage (%): 60.97
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Mt Asahidake and Mt Gassan are located in the northwest of Yamagata Prefecture, a heavy-snow region on the Sea of Japan, where precipitous terrains have been formed by snow avalanches. Broadleaf deciduous forests thrive on the both mountainsides, and many alpine floras are on higher altitudes.
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 HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest100

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Biological resource useLogging & wood harvestingIntentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]Only in the future
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsUnintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target)Only in the future
PollutionAir-borne pollutantsType Unknown/UnrecordedOnly in the future
Climate change & severe weatherStorms & floodingOnly in the future
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOnly in the future
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOnly in the future