Hotani, an area located in the east of Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, represents a traditional cultural landscape known as satoyama, where agricultural practices have historically maintained biodiversity and ecosystems. These landscapes consist of a mosaic of farmland, secondary forests, native grasslands, and wetlands, forming socio-ecological production areas where species interactions and human activities have shaped biodiversity over time.

Industrialization and land-use changes have created challenges in many satoyama areas, including farmland abandonment and reduced forest management. In Hotani, this has resulted in non-native bamboo forests expanding and biodiversity declining. Invasive species, such as raccoons (Procyon lotor), have further impacted native species, ecosystems and agricultural practices. Recognizing the ecological importance of the area, Hirakata City has developed a conservation plan that includes restoration efforts.

As part of these restoration efforts, The Nature Conservation Society of Osaka is leading a standards-based restoration project in 0.4 hectares of Hotani forest and 0.2 hectares of wetland, 0.6 hectares of grassland, and 645 square meters of paddy field. The initiative is funded in part by SER's Standards-based Restoration in Action program, in collaboration with Microsoft's Datacenter Community Affairs team.

A Multifaceted Approach to Restoration

The Hotani Satoyama Project employs a comprehensive approach to address the ecological and societal challenges. Restoration efforts focus on reestablishing deciduous broadleaf forests, grasslands, wetlands, and traditional rice and organic vegetable farming systems in the area. Key goals include:

Reestablishing deciduous broadleaf forests: The project focuses on replacing non-native bamboo forests with native deciduous broadleaf species. This includes species such as Quercus serrata and Q. variabilis, along with undergrowth species like azaleas. The seedlings for these trees are grown from locally collected seeds. The project plans to support trees within the 0.4-hectare area.

Regenerating grass meadows and wetlands: A significant part of the project involves regenerating Amur silver-grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus) meadows and wetlands, which are crucial habitats for native species like the harvest mouse (Micromys minutus). The project plan includes managing tree encroachment on these grasslands.

Cultivating traditional rice and organic vegetables: The project emphasizes the cultivation of traditional rice and organic vegetables using pesticide and chemical fertilizer-free methods, with guidance from local organic farmers. This not only contributes to biodiversity but also supports traditional agricultural practices within the satoyama.

Supporting populations of declining species: A key objective is to support declining species such as the endangered Yamato salamander (Hynobius vandenburghi) and the harvest mouse through habitat enhancement. For the Yamato salamander, this involves rearing and releasing salamander larvae to prevent predation and habitat enhancement, including the restoration of wetlands.

Mitigating damage caused by invasive species: The project recognizes invasive species, particularly raccoons, as a significant threat to native ecosystems and agricultural practices. Therefore, targeted control measures, including trapping, are being implemented.

Utilizing reference sites: The project utilizes specific reference sites to guide the restoration efforts. Kurondo Park, with its traditionally managed secondary satoyama forest, serves as the primary reference for forest restoration. Additionally, a group of reservoirs and rice paddies in Takayama Village serves as a reference for wetland restoration, particularly for the endangered Yamato salamander. These reference sites provide models for the restored area’s desired ecological structure and function.

Collaboration and Community Involvement

The Hotani Satoyama Project relies heavily on collaboration with a diverse range of partners and active engagement with the local community. Participating organizations working with The Nature Conservation Society of Osaka bring specialized expertise crucial for the project's success. These include:

• The Environmental Entomology and Zoology group of Osaka Metropolitan University, which is responsible for monitoring aquatic life
• Hirakata Ikimono Chosakai (Hirakata Nature Research Group), which provides technical guidance on vegetation management and plant monitoring
• Kayanezumi (Harvest Mouse) Network Japan, which conducts surveys of the harvest mouse population
• The NPO Hirakata Biological Breeding LABO, which is involved in breeding and monitoring the endangered Yamato salamander
• The Hirakata City Office, which provides support for raccoon control resources including funding and control tools
• The Nature Conservation Society of Japan, which offers advice on overall project activities
• Local organic farmers, who contribute their expertise in sustainable, pesticide- and chemical fertilizer-free agriculture

The Nature Conservation Society of Osaka has also established connections with the local community through its membership in the Hotani Forest Growing Committee. Local community members, residents of Hotani Ward, and students from nearby Setsunan University actively participate in restoration activities. Volunteer events aim to foster a sense of ownership and provide hands-on experience in ecological restoration. These events include tree planting, rice planting and harvesting, Yamato salamander releases, and wildlife surveys. This collaborative approach ensures the integration of diverse knowledge, including traditional ecological knowledge from local farmers and long-term residents .

Expected Environmental and Social Benefits

Environmentally, the project aims to enhance biodiversity by reestablishing native ecosystems and improving habitats for a variety of species. The targeted restoration of 1.26 hectares of traditional satoyama is expected to mitigate the impacts of invasive species such as non-native bamboo and raccoons and support overall ecosystem integrity.

Specifically, the project plans to replace invasive bamboo forests with native deciduous broadleaf species across 0.4 hectares, supporting trees. This reforestation effort is expected to contribute to carbon sequestration by enhancing the landscape's capacity to absorb and store atmospheric carbon over time.

The project also focuses on regenerating grass meadows and wetlands over 0.6 hectares and 0.2 hectares, respectively, which are crucial habitats for species like the harvest mouse and the endangered Yamato salamander. Habitat enhancement and the rearing and release of salamander larvae by the NPO Hirakata Biological Breeding LABO aim to support declining populations of these key species. The project anticipates supporting at least 15 amphibian species, including the Yamato salamander and Japanese brown frog (Rana japonica), as well as various forest, wetland, and grassland plants and invertebrates .

Socially, the project is expected to improve green spaces within the community, directly benefiting an estimated 100 people. It will also support environmental education, fostering greater awareness and appreciation for satoyama ecosystems. The initiative also supports one job related to bamboo use and organic farming, contributing to local economic activity .

What makes this project standards-based ecological restoration?

By applying the SER standards and Principles for ecological restoration, The Hotani Satoyama Project has a greater chance of meeting its goals. Standards-based ecological restoration helps account for complex ecosystem dynamics, navigate trade-offs in land use, address challenges, and increase design and implementation effectiveness. The project adheres to SER restoration principles by :

1. Incorporating diverse knowledge and capacity: The Hotani Satoyama Project draws on a broad network of collaborators, each contributing specialized expertise to guide restoration. These include Osaka Metropolitan University's Environmental Entomology and Zoology group,  Hirakata Nature Research Group, the Kayanezumi Network Japan, NPO Hirakata Biological Breeding LABO, and the Nature Conservation Society of Japan. Local organic farmers share their expertise in pesticide- and fertilizer-free agriculture and long-term residents and farmers share traditional ecological knowledge.
2. Promoting inclusivity and participation: The project actively engages residents of Hotani Ward, students from nearby Setsunan University, and Microsoft volunteers through hands-on restoration activities. Furthermore, the Nature Conservation Society of Osaka's long-standing involvement in the Hotani Forest Growing Committee helps foster trust and participation within the local community.
3. Identifying and mitigating causes of degradation: The project addresses the decline of the satoyama landscape by tackling key drivers such as the abandonment of traditional land-use practices and the spread of invasive species like non-native bamboo. Support from Hirakata City's conservation plan provides a policy framework, while project funding helps resolve previous barriers related to resource limitations and delayed habitat recovery.
4. Enhancing biodiversity: The restoration of 1.26 hectares of satoyama aims to strengthen ecosystem function and improve habitat quality, by replacing bamboo forest with native deciduous trees, regenerating pampas grass meadows, and restoring wetland habitat. These ecosystems are crucial for the endangered Yamato salamander and harvest mouse. Through habitat enhancement and species reintroduction efforts, including the breeding and release of salamander larvae, the project is expected to benefit at least 15 amphibian species as well as a range of native plants and invertebrates.‎.
5. Achieving net gain for environmental benefits and social Equity: By aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, the project advances both environmental and community well-being. The project contributes to carbon sequestration by increasing forest cover and enhancing ecosystem resilience. It also improves biodiversity, supports threatened species, and restores community green spaces. Social benefits include opportunities for environmental education, volunteer engagement, and sustainable livelihoods fostering stronger connections between people and nature.

The Hotani Satoyama Project demonstrates a collaborative, comprehensive, standards-based approach to ecological restoration. By integrating diverse knowledge, addressing root causes of degradation, and fostering inclusive participation, it showcases how community-led efforts can revitalize cultural landscapes and promote long-term ecological health.

Microsoft is proud to collaborate with Society and Ecological Restoration to deliver standards-based ecological restoration with the Nature Conservation Society of Osaka. Learn more here.