Mount Fuji (15057)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Mount Fuji
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.3667, Longitude: 138.7333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 900 to 3776
Area of KBA (km2): 149.94976
Protected area coverage (%): 94.88
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Fuji-goko area: Mt Fuji (3,776 m) is the highest mountain in Japan and an independent peak that was formed with lava and volcanic ashes in relatively recent times. At the alpine belt (above 2,400 m), there are Larix kaempferi, Alnus maximowiczii and natural forests without Pinus pumila. At the subalpine belt (1,800-2,400 m), there are single or mixed natural forests of species such as Larix kaempferi, Abies veitchii and Betula emanii. The mountain belt at elevations of about 700-1,800 m on Yamanashi Prefecture side (Fuji-goko area or the north foot of Mt Fuji) is roughly classified into natural forests of Chamaecyparis obtusa and Tsuga sieboldii, afforested areas (mainly with Larix leptolepis and Abies veitchii) and secondary grassland areas. Asagiri-kogen highlands (600-900 m high) is located in Shizuoka Prefecture, ranging from the western foot of Mt Fuji to Mt Kenashiyama. The site used to be grasslands, but they are decreasing year by year. Now these areas are mainly farmlands, meadows, afforested areas, shrubs, areas where not much grows because of lava deposits, golf courses and amusement facilities.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |