The Conservation of Sarobetsu Mire

Land reclamation such as deforestation, agriculture, drainage, urbanization and residential development has large impacts on the ecology of the surrounding ecosystems. These include the changes of animal and plant communities, as well as the changes in hydrology and hydrochemical regimes. Sarobetsu Mire, a raised bog in northern Hokkaido, Japan, is a case in point. Its ecosystem is gradually losing its natural state because of human perturbations at the surrounding area, causing the water level to decrease and threatening a change in the entire mire ecosystem. Some early signs for the change were a reduction of water levels and an invasion of an exotic plant, Sasa spp., at the western part of the mire. The restoration of the ecosystem was attempted through the restoration of water chemistry regimes. The status of water chemistry maintains a well deserved place of importance for the conservation of raised mire ecosystems. The poor-nutrient status will enhance the growth of blanket bog bryophytes, which will further develop this peat-forming habitat. The stable and high water level is the condition that will support this development.