JP094Myoko, Togakushi highlands

Site Description

Forest

Myoko:Three mountains of Mt. Myokosan (2,452 m), Mt. Hiuchisan (2,462 m) and Yakeyama (2.400 m) at the southwestern part of Jyoetsu highland in Niigata Prefecture. are the core of the Myoko mountain ranges. In winter seasonal wind that blows over the Japan Sea brings heavy snow, and melted snow water forms wetlands. Pinus pumila belt here is the northern limit of Ptarmigan/Rock Ptarmigans’habitat in Japan. Alpine flowers such as Primula cuneifolia var. hakusanensis and Geum pentapetalum etc. can be seen at highland moor. Broadleaf forests such as Fagus crenata or Fagus crenata forests and so on are found.

Togakushi:There are forests on the flat areas with much water, and forests of Pterocarya rhoifolia, Ulmus davidiana var.japonica and Quercus crispula are found around here. Larix kaempferi occupy vast areas. Higher up the mountains, Fagus crenata forests appear, then Betula emanii forests appear above them, and Pinus pumila grows near the mountain top. Sasa kurilensis is characteristic in Fagus crenata forests. Community of Menyanthes trifoliata and Ranzania japonica can be seen. There are plants specific to heavy snowfall areas such as Camellia japonica var. decumbens, Aucuba japonica var. borealis and Dapyniphylum macropodum var. humile.

Area & Coordinates

55,000ha 36°55′N 138°04′E
region: Kohshinetsu Hokuriku

Category

A3

Designation Type

National Park, Prefectural National Park

Protection Status

Protected

Conservation issues

• Recreation/tourism
• Consequences of animal/plants/ introductions