Integrative Forest Management and Silviculture : Harmonizing Conservation and Production

This open access book presents the integrative forest management and silvicultural practices developed by the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest (UTHF) over the past six decades. Central to the UTHF’s approach is the Stand-based Silvicultural Management System (SSMS), a pioneering framework designed to balance timber production with biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health. The book details the SSMS and its application at the UTHF, which serves as a model for integrative forest management applicable to diverse forest ecosystems worldwide.

The focus of the book is on the scientific basis, achievements, and challenges of SSMS in the UTHF. Part I includes this outline of this book and the history of the UTHF′s forest management since 1899. Part II introduces the ecosystem and geographical characteristics of the UTHF, where the SSMS is put into practice. Part III presents the basic principles and practical application of the SSMS. Ecosystem management and ecosystem services of the UTHF at the landscape scale are discussed in Part IV. Part V discusses challenges and opportunities for advancing integrative forest management in a rapidly changing environment.

Through case studies and detailed analysis, this book serves as a valuable resource for forestry scientists, practitioners, and policymakers. It offers insights into sustainable forest management in a changing world. By sharing the experiences and lessons learned from the UTHF, the book aims to inspire and guide the advancement of sustainable forestry practices globally. The publication of this book commemorates the 125th anniversary of the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest.

Dr. Toshiaki Owari earned his PhD in forest science at the University of Tokyo in 2000. He was Instructor of forest management and engineering at Hokkaido University between 1997-2006. During 2003-2005, he was at the University of Helsinki, Finland, to study forest products marketing and forest certification. He was Lecturer between 2006-2012, Associate Professor between 2012-2025, and has been Professor since 2025 at the University of Tokyo. In 2018, he was Visiting Associate Professor at Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. He is currently Director of the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest, and Deputy Coordinator of IUFRO Division 1 (Silviculture), Research Group 1.05.00 (Uneven-aged silviculture), and Working Party 1.01.06 (Ecology and silviculture of oak).

Dr. Satoshi Suzuki obtained his Ph.D. in Science from Tokyo Metropolitan University in 2009. In 2013, he became an Assistant Professor at the University of Tokyo Forests, and since 2019, he has been conducting research on long-term forest dynamics and regeneration in natural forest management at the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest. In 2024, he joined the Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere, Hokkaido University, as an Associate Professor. His expertise lies in the ecology of forests in the cool-temperate to subalpine zones, with research focusing on forest dynamics, ecosystem functions, and responses to climate changes.

Dr. Nobuaki Tanaka obtained his PhD in forest hydrology from the University of Tokyo in 2005. During his postdoctoral period (2005-2007), he conducted hydrological research in tropical forest and tropical seasonal forest fields in Southeast Asia. After working as an assistant professor at Ecohydrology Research Institute from 2007 to 2021, he moved to the UTHF as a lecturer. He is now working on projects investigating the effects of various forest manipulations, such as thinning and low-impact timber harvest, on soil and water dynamics in forested catchments. 

Dr. Dai Fukui received his PhD in Agriculture from Hokkaido University in 2004. He joined the University of Tokyo as an assistant professor in 2014 and worked at the UTHF until 2023. He moved to Fuji Iyashinomori Woodland Study Center in 2023 and has been working as its director ever since. His researches center on the interaction between mammals and forests, and previous work focuses primarily on the insectivorous bat that is the most diverse mammal group in the Japanese forests. Now focusing on how forest management influences the ecology and behavior of mammals.