JP018Kushiro marsh

Site Description

Wetlands

Kushiro Shitsugen (marsh) is the largest wetland in Japan with an area of 18,000 ha. The center is a low moor with mainly Phragmites australis and Carex, and the surrounding area has Alnus japonica. On the hilly areas which form the catchment basin, there is a secondary forest of Querucus crispula and Betula platyphylla var. japonoca. Japanese Cranes use the area as the largest nesting site, and surrounding pastures as the largest wintering site. Recently, there have been problems due to development in the marsh and the catchment basin, which have reduced areas of the marsh, and also resulted in rapid changes to the vegetation in the area.

Area & Coordinates

33,000ha 43°07′N 144°25′E
region: Hokkaido

Category

A1, A3

Designation Type

National Park, Wildlife Protection Area (government), National Monument, Ramsar Site

Protection Status

Protected

Conservation issues

• Unsustainable exploitation
• Natural events