Ecoregion: Hokkaido montane conifer forests
Mt. Sapporo
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm	Palearctic
Geography
Area	45,843 km2 (17,700 sq mi)
Country	Japan
Coordinates	43°15′N 143°15′E / 43.25°N 143.25°E / 43.25; 143.25

The Hokkaido montane conifer forests ecoregion covers the mountainous central regions of Hokkaido Island, the northernmost of Japan's main islands.^[1][2] Forests of spruce and fir thrive in the subalpine, cool climate. On the northeastern edge of the island, the conifer forests extend down to the sea under the influence of the cold Oyashio Current coming down from the north, although logging in recent years has put pressure on these stands.

Location and description

The mountainous region is surrounded by the lower plains and hills of the Hokkaidō deciduous forests ecoregion. Central to the region is the Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group, the location of Daisetsuzan National Park, the largest national park in Japan.^[1] The highest mountain on the island, and in the region, is Asahi-dake with an elevation of 2,290 metres (7,510 ft).^[1] Above the conifer line, alpine conditions support thickets of Stone pine (Pinus pumila)

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F), but no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F).^[3][4] Average annual precipitation is 1,150 mm.

Flora and fauna

The dominant trees in the region are Ezo spruce (Picea jezoensis), Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis), and Sakhalin spruce (Picea glehnii). There are scattered stands of Erman's birch (Betula ermanii). The conifer belt rises to an altitude of 1,500 metres (4,900 ft).

Protected areas

• Daisetsuzan National Park
• Akan Mashu National Park
• Kushiro-shitsugen National Park
• Shikotsu-Tōya National Park

References