[M-IS12] Mountain Science

[MIS12-P03] Estimation and Changes in the Spatial and Vertical Distribution of Grasslands in the Shikoku Mountains Using Satellite Remote Sensing

*Takushi KOYAMA¹ (1.Faculty of Letters,Kokushikan University)

Keywords:grassland, spatial distribution, vertical distribution, Satellite Data, Remote Sensing, Shikoku

The formation of alpine treelines has traditionally been explained solely by natural environmental factors such as temperature, wind, and snowfall. Consequently, past research has primarily focused on high-altitude regions, such as the Japanese Alps and the Ou Mountains, as well as high-latitude areas. In contrast, the mountainous regions of Kyushu and Shikoku, located at lower latitudes and lacking peaks above 2,000 meters, have been largely excluded from conventional treeline studies, as they are assumed to lack thermally regulated treelines. However, certain mountainous areas in southwestern Japan, including Kyushu and Shikoku, exhibit landscapes strikingly similar to alpine treelines, with extensive grasslands spreading above these elevations. To advance our understanding of the dynamics and historical evolution of these distinctive vegetation patterns, this study utilizes satellite remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze the spatial distribution and long-term changes of grasslands in the Shikoku Mountains.