JP158Amami islands

Site Description

Forest

Amamishoto islands lie between Kagoshima and Okinawa Prefectures. The island chain comprises the largest islands Amamiohshima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, Kikaigashima, Yoronjima, and other small islands belonging to them. The mountain areas are covered with evergreen broadleaf forests mainly composed of Castanopsis cuspdata. There are many forests of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus superba. var. japonica and Machilus tunbergii in the lowland area. And, Bischofia javanica and Garcinia subelliptica are planted as windbreakers near the villages. Many paddy fields and damp grounds have been converted to sugarcane fields, leaving few wetlands. In the seaside area are seen clusters of Pandanus tectorius and Hibiscus hamabo. There are mangrove forests at estuaries in coves.

Area & Coordinates

123,910ha 28°19′N 129°26′E
region: Kyushu Region, Kagoshima

Category

A1, A2

Designation Type

Quasi-National Park, Wildlife Protection Area (government)

Protection Status

Partially protected

Conservation issues

• Infrastructure
• Consequences of animal/plants/ introductions