Mounts Asama, Shirane and Tanigawa (15032)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mounts Asama, Shirane and Tanigawa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.7167, Longitude: 138.5833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 850 to 2568
Area of KBA (km2): 1030.23338
Protected area coverage (%): 82.31
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mt Asamayama and Mt Shiranesan: These are some of the foremost active volcanos in Japan. It constantly gives off volcanic smoke and is covered with lava around the mountaintop. Its foothill has a rich forest where we can see many kinds of plants and animals. Mt Tanigawadake: the Tanigawarenpo mountains located on the border of Gunma Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture is a mountain massif whose altitude is approximately 2,000 m, with large valleys and steep rock walls. It has Fagus crenata forest with a kind of Sasa kurilensis on the forest floor, which forms unique vegetation shifting to alpine one. It also has serpentine rock zones where we can see unique alpine flora.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |