There are seven local University Forests distributed from Hokkaido to Aichi prefecture. Each University Forest has its own unique research plan corresponding to its forest type. The University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest located in sub-boreal zone studies to make sustainable use of natural forest resources compatible with environmental conservation. The University of Tokyo Chiba Forest and the Arboricultural Research Institute located in warm-temperate zone study on environmental conservation in artificial forests and secondary broad-leaved forests, management of wildlife, and physiological and ecological functions of woody plants. The University of Tokyo Chichibu Forest and the Forest Therapy Research Institute located in cool-temperate zone study on information technology for forest ecological studies and multiple use of forests such as recreation, eco-tourism, environmental education and so on. The Ecohydrology Research Institute and the University of Tokyo Tanashi Forest located near or in city study on public functions of forests such as hydrological cycle, climate control, purifying atmosphere and environmental education.

Please visit our website http://www.uf.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp/.

Laboratory of Forest Ecosystems

Brief Lab Introduction

Our main research objective is ecology of the organisms in forests at levels of individual and population. Their life history, population dynamics, community structure, inter-specific relations, bio-interaction are studied. From these studies, we are aiming to establish the forest management system suitable for conservation of biodiversity and wildlife. Furthermore, we try to establish the guidelines for assessment and management of sustainability of forest ecosystems.

Staffs

• Naoto Kamata (Professor)
• Susumu Gotoh (Associate Professor)
• Toshihide Hirao (Lecturer)
• Dai Suzuki (Lecturer)
• Tadashi Maehara (Assistant Professor)
• Yoko Hisamoto (Assistant Professor)
• Satoshi Suzuki (Assistant Professor)

Research Subjects

• Management and use of forest ecosystems
• Relationship between forest ecosystems and human activity
• Stand structure and growth of artificial forests
• Dynamics of natural forest

Laboratory of Forest Functional Biology

Brief Lab Introduction

The main research objective is heredity and physiology of forest organisms at the levels of cell and gene. Based on population genetics, we study on structure, function, diversity and dynamics of the forest organism population. We aim to establish the conservation system of forest genetic resources and their genetic diversity. Furthermore, we study on usage of forest gene resources in the field of life science based on structural and functional analysis of genes.

Staffs

• Toshihiro Yamada (Professor)
• Shigehiro Kamoda (Associate Professor)
• Dai Kusumoto (Lecturer)
• Daisuke Sakaue (Assistant Professor)
• Hiroki Inoue (Assistant Professor)
• Shuhei Takemoto (Assistant Professor)

Research Subjects

• Genetic analysis of mating system of tree populations using genetic markers
• Screening of genes relating to secondary metabolism and tree form
• Reproductive system of fir populations
• Screening of genes relating to environmental stress tolerance

Laboratory of Forest and Human Society Relationship

Brief Lab Introduction

The main research objective is management system of natural scientific information and social scientific information in forest ecosystem. By continuous monitoring of forest ecosystem, we collect and integrate large amount of information related to various resources in forests and their environmental factors, and then establish databases of all the information. Through analyzing the integrated information comprehensively and properly, we try to establish the information management system contributing for sustainable management and use of forest ecosystems.

Staffs

• Seiji Ishibashi (Professor)
• Naoki Yasumura (Associate Professor)
• Haruo Saito (Lecturer)
• Akio Fujiwara (Assistant Professor)
• Keisuke Toyama (Assistant Professor)

Research Subjects

• Collecting and processing of forest information and its application to technology
• The Cyberforest research project
• Technology of forest practice, and qualitative analysis on forest environments and resources
• Worth of forests in regional society, and their proper management and use

Laboratory of Forest and Water Resources Management

Brief Lab Introduction

The main research objective is management of water and forest resources. Especially the hydrological studies on water balance and material cycling in mountainous and forested watershed, and the forest resource assessment based on long-term monitoring are conducted. We also try to develop effective and analytical methods for the monitoring for the resources. Furthermore, we are aiming to establish the social agreement on the public functions and the sustainable management system for the water and forest resources.

Staffs

• Koichiro Kuraji (Professor)
• Toshiaki Owari (Associate Professor)
• Yuko Asano (Lecturer)
• Nobuaki Tanaka (Lecturer)
• Yusuke Mizuuchi (Assistant Professor)
• Naoko Miura (Assistant Professor)

Research Subjects

• Study on reforestation method for typhoon damaged natural forests
• Production and carbon fixation of secondary broad-leaved forests
• Analysis of stand structure in mixed-natural forests
• Change in hydrological cycle and microclimate with recovery of forest cover
• Historical process of urban forest establishment and its influence