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Tiny conservation heroes: Wild cherry blossoms could save forest landscapes

Date:
June 8, 2022
Source:
University of Tsukuba
Summary:
Researchers have found that symbolic species could be used for the conservation and community-based management of traditional forest landscapes. The team studied how different social groups within a local community valued wild cherry trees, a symbolic species important for connecting people with nature in Japan. The results indicated that differences in knowledge and prioritization of values must be addressed within local communities to promote community-based management of such landscapes.
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For many people, cherry blossoms and Japanese culture go hand in hand. Now, researchers from Japan have discovered that the blossoms aren't just nice to look at, they could also be key to gaining public support for conservation efforts.

In a study published this month inEcosystems and People, researchers from the University of Tsukuba have revealed that wild cherry blossoms could be used as symbols for conservation and community-based management of the traditional forest landscapes in Satoyama ecosystems.

Symbolic species can have cultural significance in many settings. These species are often used to represent environmental issues, as they can enrich people's cultural relationships with the natural world. However, different social groups vary considerably in how they perceive the values of these species, depending on where individuals are from, their socio-economic background, and their experiences with and knowledge of nature.

“理解人们如何看待sy的价值mbolic species' ecosystem services is crucial because these perceptions often affect how land is managed," says corresponding author of the study, Professor Ikuyo Saeki. "These perspectives are also key to sustaining links between people and nature, and must be examined if we are to successfully transition to more sustainable societies."

To investigate these perspectives, the researchers surveyed people's perceptions of wild cherry trees and the social values of the ecosystem services provided by this species. In Japan, wild cherry trees are especially significant to sustaining connections between people and nature. The study focused on three groups: local residents, tourists, and high school students.

结果显示明显的差异groups. The value 'aesthetic in spring' was ranked highest by residents and tourists, while multiple values were ranked equally by the high school students. Additionally, wild cherry trees were confused with a popular cultivar by the majority of students, suggesting that a more limited knowledge may have influenced the students' perceived values. The sites renowned for their wild cherry scenery were highly valued by local residents and tourists, but not by students, who placed more value on urbanized areas.

"While symbolic species enhance the way people value nature, filling gaps in knowledge and ensuring that a variety of values are shared within local communities is key to the promotion of community-based management of wild cherry landscapes," says Professor Saeki.

This study shows how symbolic species could be used for conservation and community-based management of traditional forest landscapes. Because wild cherry blossoms exemplify cultural and ecological relationships between people and nature in Japan, the conservation of this symbolic species could be integrated into future promotion of sustainable development as a species that provides ecosystem services.

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Materialsprovided byUniversity of Tsukuba.注意:内容可能被编辑风格d length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Kakeru Katsuda, Ikuyo Saeki, Kikuko Shoyama, Takashi Kamijo.Local perception of ecosystem services provided by symbolic wild cherry blossoms: toward community-based management of traditional forest landscapes in Japan.Ecosystems and People, 2022; 18 (1): 275 DOI:10.1080/26395916.2022.2065359

Cite This Page:

University of Tsukuba. "Tiny conservation heroes: Wild cherry blossoms could save forest landscapes." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 8 June 2022. /releases/2022/06/220608091408.htm>.
University of Tsukuba. (2022, June 8). Tiny conservation heroes: Wild cherry blossoms could save forest landscapes.ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 13, 2023 from www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220608091408.htm
University of Tsukuba. "Tiny conservation heroes: Wild cherry blossoms could save forest landscapes." ScienceDaily. www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/06/220608091408.htm (accessed August 13, 2023).

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