Myoko, Togakushi highlands (15050)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Myoko, Togakushi highlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.9167, Longitude: 138.0667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 580 to 2454
Area of KBA (km2): 553.67346
Protected area coverage (%): 74.81
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Myoko: Three mountains of Mt Myokosan (2,452 m), Mt Hiuchisan (2,462 m) and Yakeyama (2.400 m) at the southwestern part of Jyoetsu highland in Niigata Prefecture. are the core of the Myoko mountain ranges. In winter seasonal wind that blows over the Japan Sea brings heavy snow, and melted snow water forms wetlands. Pinus pumila belt here is the northern limit of Ptarmigan/Rock Ptarmigan habitat in Japan. Alpine flowers such as Primula cuneifolia var. hakusanensis and Geum pentapetalum etc. can be seen at highland moor. Broadleaf forests such as Fagus crenata or Fagus crenata forests and so on are found. Togakushi: There are forests on the flat areas with much water, and forests of Pterocarya rhoifolia, Ulmus davidiana var. japonica and Quercus crispula are found around here. Larix kaempferi occupy vast areas. Higher up the mountains, Fagus crenata forests appear, then Betula emanii forests appear above them, and Pinus pumila grows near the mountain top. Sasa kurilensis is characteristic in Fagus crenata forests. Community of Menyanthes trifoliata and Ranzania japonica can be seen. There are plants specific to heavy snowfall areas such as Camellia japonica var. decumbens, Aucuba japonica var. borealis and Dapyniphylum macropodum var. humile.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic native species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future |