Native forest restoration in Nakatsue

Positive impact generated

Context

Located in the Chikugo River headwaters, Nakatsue has a forestry legacy but faces abandonment due to timber decline. This project regenerates former cedar stands into diverse forests with ecosystem value.

The project targets 1 hectare of former cedar plantation in Hita’s Nakatsue village. The area, a key headwater for Kyushu’s largest river, has long relied on forestry, with over 80% of its forests designated as water-protection zones. Yet, timber price declines have reduced management viability, leaving many stands abandoned. By planting locally adapted broadleaf species selected by experts, the initiative aims to restore biodiversity, promote natural regeneration, and reinforce water recharge functions, creating resilient multi-species forests.

Gallery

Riforestazione Jcredit Giappone Specie Native Nakatsue 1 3x

Riforestazione Jcredit Giappone Specie Native Nakatsue 2 3x

Riforestazione Jcredit Giappone Specie Native Nakatsue 3 3x

Riforestazione Jcredit Giappone Specie Native Nakatsue 4 3x

Riforestazione Jcredit Giappone Specie Native Nakatsue 5 3x

Stakeholders and local partners

Who are the key stakeholders?

Local forestry companies and scientific experts collaborate to select and plant suitable species. Saplings are grown from seeds collected near the site, ensuring ecological adaptation and genetic conservation. The project not only strengthens biodiversity but also offers long-term economic potential, as valuable hardwood species can generate future income. By promoting broadleaf reforestation as an alternative to monoculture plantations, the project reduces abandonment risks and creates a replicable model of sustainable forest management rooted in community support.

Project Developer:

Objectives and approach

Transform abandoned cedar plantations into diverse forests that restore biodiversity, water functions, and local resilience through science-based and community-driven reforestation.

Objectives include restoring degraded monocultures into resilient mixed forests, enhancing biodiversity and water recharge, and supporting community-led forest management. By focusing on local broadleaf species, the project reduces long-term maintenance while offering future timber value. This balance of ecology and economy creates a pathway to sustainable forestry in Nakatsue.

The approach combines expert ecological surveys, local forestry company implementation, and use of saplings from locally collected seeds. Planting multiple species supports biodiversity and natural regeneration, while management practices encourage forest self-renewal. Over time, this transforms former cedar monocultures into complex, resilient ecosystems that provide both ecological services and economic opportunities.