Decline in Semi-Natural Grasslands and Changes in Value Perceptions in Japan’s Natural Parks

Abstract

The decline in semi-natural grasslands has resulted from reduced traditional use, leading to a marked decrease in their overall area. Despite being located within Japan’s core protected area system, the effectiveness of natural parks in conserving grasslands remains unclear. This study aimed to determine whether natural parks successfully prevent the decline in grasslands. By analyzing historical changes in value perceptions toward grasslands in natural parks, natural parks’ contribution to grassland conservation and the associated challenges were explored. The study focused on the Sengokuhara grassland in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and incorporated previous studies on other grasslands. It revealed that grasslands have been valued for their scenic views and recreational potential since the establishment of the national park. As grassland scarcity increased nationwide, attention shifted toward rare plants found exclusively on grasslands, along with grasslands’ value as semi-natural landscapes. Consequently, natural-park-based grasslands have primarily been conserved based on these two values. However, conservation efforts within natural parks have mainly focused on regulating human activities, with limited measures to sustain nature, such as grasslands, through livelihoods. To enhance grassland conservation, it is essential to recognize their cultural value and develop mechanisms that ensure economic benefits are reinvested in conservation efforts.