Ecological Perspectives in Environments & Biodiversity of The Nagara River System, GIFU
Gifu Pref. is located in the center of Japanese archipelago.

Presenter Seiichi Mori

Abundance Mountain Forest & Many Rivers

Background of Various Freshwater Biota

The Nagara River

Mountain forests =80% of Gifu Pref.

Once the Japan Sea
is a closed area

Our wish is the development of interrelationship
The Nagara
Riverin Gujo
city
betweenpeopleand theNagara River through GIAHS
River map of Gifu Pref.

Gifu Pref.

Biogeography of Gifu Pref.
1) Central Japan: overlapped region of biota
2) The southern limit of the past glacier3) Flowing to Pacific ocean and Japan Sea
4) Lake Tokai (large lake in the past)
5 Various aquatic environments

The southern limit of the glacier

The Nagara River system is a treasure area of freshwater life.

Viewing from Fisheries & Food Culture
Cormorant fishing since 8th

Viewing from Biodiversity of Freshwater Fish & Salamander

The Nagara River contributes to Biodiversity, Water
Resources, Fisheries, Local Culture & Daily Custom= Foundation of daily life
Viewing the Nagara River Basin from Folklore
A wild boy trying to capture Ayu

The regional folk culture is closely linked with the river nature.
Namazu-Ema = Wooden plaque of catfish

the Nagara boy !

Cherry-blossom viewing, spring custom,
at the Sakura bank along the Nagara RiverA temple in Seki City

Close relationship between Human & River:
The Nagara residents have deeply interactedwith riverine nature for long.

At this temple, there are about 30 wooden Ema plaques depicting catfish
here, which are rare even within Japan. People write a wish on Ema, anddedicate it to temples or shrines.

Two ecological problems of the current river = Reducing these deteriorations is necessary.
Problem 1: Fragmentation of water system & fishway

Problem 2: Damages by alien fish & eradication

For over 600 fishways in the prefecture,
we evaluated the structural contentssuch as water level, flow velocity,
physical damage and the riverbed
situation.
In practice, the improvement of thefishway is in progress, by reference tothe check sheet.

fishway supporter
Civil Engineering

Present Interrelationship between Human & River= publicizing the study results

National Symposium for Conservation of Freshwater Fishes in Gifu
I as chairperson

Prince of Japan, Akishino-no-miya

The diffusion of a alien species, small-mouthbass does not only have the potential toreduce biodiversity, but also can even bringabout the collapse of long-lasting traditions,cormorant fishing industry, that causes
serious damage in the tourism sector. One
year later after starting the removal activity,
the complete extermination was declared.

Our wish is the development of interrelationshipbetween people and the Nagara River through GIAHS.
We believe that GIAHS activities are the important
step to continuously progress the environmental andcultural conservation in the Nagara River system, andit will also act as a starting point for the river’s future.

over 400 participants for two days

The Nagara River is a Mother for the watershed residents. This river has function for profound interactions with the local people of the basin.