Ecosystem changes following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan: Future perspectives

Roy C Sidle; T Gomi; M Akasaka; K Koyanagi

doi:10.1007/s13280-017-1005-8

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Ecosystem changes following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan: Future perspectives

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Ecosystem changes following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan: Future perspectives

Roy C Sidle, T Gomi, M Akasaka and K Koyanagi

Ambio, Vol.47(6), pp.721-734

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-017-1005-8

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Abstract

cascading disasters

ecosystem resetting

landslides

natural hazards

semi-natural grasslands

tipping points

Major earthquakes cause widespread environmental and socioeconomic disruptions that persist for decades. Extensive ground disturbances that occurred during the shallow-focus Kumamoto earthquakes will affect future sustainability of ecosystem services west of Aso volcano. Numbers of earthquake-initiated landslides per unit area were higher in grasslands than forests, likely owing to greater root reinforcement of trees, and mostly initiated on ridgelines and/or convex/planar hillslopes. Most landslides traveled short distances and did not initially evolve into debris flows; resultant sediments and wood accumulating in headwater channels can be mobilized into debris flows during future storms. Fissures along ridgelines may promote water ingress and induce future landslides and debris flows that affect residents downstream. Native grasses are at risk because of habitat fragmentation caused by ground disturbances, extensive damage to rural roads, and abandonment of traditional pasture management practices. Sustainable management of affected areas needs to consider future risk of cascading hazards and long-term socioeconomic impacts. © 2017 Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Details

Title: Ecosystem changes following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes in Japan: Future perspectives
Authors: Roy C Sidle (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
T Gomi (Author) - Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
M Akasaka (Author) - Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Japan
K Koyanagi (Author) - University of Eastern Finland, Finland
Publication details: Ambio, Vol.47(6), pp.721-734
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1007/s13280-017-1005-8
ISSN: 0044-7447
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451027202621
Output Type: Journal article

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