Is strengthening of snowmelt delay function through forest management an adaptation measure against snowfall reduction due to global warming?

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K06301
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 41030:Rural environmental engineering and planning-related
• Research Institution: Ishikawa Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: Takase Keiji 石川県立大学, 生物資源環境学部, 客員教授 (90133165)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 藤原 洋一 石川県立大学, 生物資源環境学部, 准教授 (10414038) ; 佐藤 嘉展 愛媛大学, 農学研究科, 准教授 (90414036)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 積雪・融雪 / 温暖化 / 森林 / 適応策 / 水資源

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A meta-analysis of the factors influencing the difference in snow disappearance date (ΔSDD) between forested and open areas revealed that ΔSDD in Japan can either be positive or negative. Moreover, we found that the snow storage function of forests is affected by mean winter temperatures. The observations of snow accumulation and snowmelts in and around forests suggest that, in regions with warm climate, the snow storage function of forested watersheds can be enhanced by intensive thinning and formation of sparse forests. The simulations of snow accumulation and melt models revealed that forests in the upper watershed in the Tedori River show effective snow storage function; however, snow accumulation in forests is easily affected by temperature changes, which can adversely affect their snow storage function in the future.

Free Research Field

水文学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在，貯雪・融雪遅延機能を発揮している森林であっても，林内の積雪は気温変化の影響を受けやすく，将来的には森林の貯雪・融雪遅延機能は低下する可能性が高い．この様な暖候地における森林流域では森林の強度間伐を行い，疎林を形成することで森林の貯雪・融雪遅延機能の発揮が期待できると考えられ，これらの情報は水源林としての森林づくりを進めるのに際して活用されることが期待される．