Course of Forest Resources
It is now clear to many that today's civilization, which depends on petroleum, nuclear fuel, metals, and cement, is faltering. The challenge now for all of humanity is to discover resources that are renewable and compatible with people and the environment in all processes of production, application, and disposal, yet provide more kinds of products than petroleum, and then build a new civilization based on that. Fortunately, such a resource already exists: the forest. In addition to being a resource for producing materials, forests have the functions of water regulation and purification, disaster prevention, environment formation, health and recreation, and culture and education.
This course provides integrated education and research in natural science, humanities, and social sciences as they relate to forests, as well as basic science and applied science.
Research Laboratories | Main Subject and Staff |
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Forest Genetics |
In order to develop methods for conservation and utilization of forest genetic resources studies based on population genetics and molecular biology will be conducted. Researches will be done mainly on tree populations in temperate forests and also in tropical rain forests in the world. Koichi KAMIYA , Professor |
Forest Resources Biology |
Silviculture, reforestation, rehabilitation, and reclamation of the forests are studied by methods of ecology, eco-physiology, soil science and forest protection. Our objectives are clarification of organic matter dynamics, nutrient circulation, biodiversity and tree eco-physiological processes for the appropriate management of forest ecosystems. Tetsuya SHIMAMURA , Associate Professor, Eri NABESHIMA , Associate Professor |
Wood Science and Technology |
Various enhancements of wood properties and system development of forest resources for sustainable use. Masatoshi SUGIMORI , Professor, Hiroyuki SUGIMOTO , Associate Professor |
Woody Biomass Conversion |
This laboratory promotes research and education aimed at the development of conversion technologies for bioenergy and value-added products, based on chemical approaches grounded in a systematic understanding of the cell wall components of woody biomass derived from forest resources. |
Forest Chemistry |
The study and technical development of a bioactive substance found in a tree extraction ingredient and the study and technical development of a bio-remediation technique using an enzyme from a forest microbe. Kazutaka ITO , Professor |
Mountain Conservation and Disaster Mitigation |
To achieve both environmental conservation and disaster mitigation in mountainous areas, we conduct education and research on the dynamics of sediment generation and transport, topographic changes on slopes and in streams, and methods to predict their occurrence. Takashi KIMURA , Associate Professor |
Basin-based Forest Management |
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Forest Resources Planning |
Regarding forests as global and local environmental assets as well as material resources, this laboratory is actively involved in research leading to forest resources planning at the local, national and global levels through forest mensuration and ecological analysis of forest dynamics. Hayato TSUZUKI , Associate Professor |
Forest Education |
Forest resource is an essential element to develop a sustainable society. From this point of view, we will promote outstanding strategies in forest education programs through practical research. Such programs will reform our consciousness and action to forest and forestry by understanding the multi-functionality, circularity and sustainability of forest resources. Osamu KOBAYASHI , Professor Taro TERASITA , Associate Professor |
Forest Environment Management |
With the goal of regional development of forests and forestry, a policy which balances the management of the forest environment -- indispensable in the utilization of resources -- and environmental conservation is required where the relationship between humans and forest is central to research from the micro-perspective of forest work to the macro- perspective of forestry planning. Akie KAWASAKI , Associate Professor |