Urbanization and Decline of Old Growth Windbreak Trees on Private Homesteads: A Case Study in Ryukyu Island Villages, Japan

High urbanization is significantly threatening the survival of old-growth windbreak trees on private homesteads in Ryukyu Island villages, Japan. A study analyzing 1659 Fukugi trees found that while these trees have historically provided resilience against typhoons and tsunamis, their density, height, and age are declining due to urban sprawl. Trees older than 200 years are particularly rare, suggesting that rapid population growth and reduced household sizes are exacerbating land pressure. The research combined field surveys with aerial photo analysis to track changes in tree distribution from 1945 to the present, revealing fragmentation and shorter tree heights in urbanized areas compared to rural ones. Conservation efforts involving multiple stakeholders are proposed to protect these ecologically and culturally valuable trees.

Chen, B. (2020). Urbanization and Decline of Old Growth Windbreak Trees on Private Homesteads: A Case Study in Ryukyu Island Villages, Japan. Forests, 11(9), 990. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11090990