Ecosystems and Biomass Systems

In this chapter, ecological and biomass systems of Satoyama, uplands, and paddy fields are introduced. Forests in the Satoyama region provide wood for fire logs to support life of nearby villagers and fallen leaves for compost to make surrounding farmland fertile. The Satoyama management practices also played an important role in maintaining the biodiversity and other important functions of the forests in the Satoyama region. In the section on long-term experimental upland fields, we discuss the impact of tillage and fertilizer application on the soil fauna through the soil detritus food web, and the role of soil fauna in crop production will be discussed. The Japanese paddy fields have provided food and a habitat for various organisms as well. However, the numbers of non-cultivated and/or abandoned paddy fields have increased recently. The discussion will also cover the possibility of utilizing these unused paddy fields to grow highly productive rice cultivars to supply a large amount of biomass and provide a habitat for various organisms.