Transition of Woodlands around Farmyards at Settlements in the Northwestern Part of the Kanto Plain

Farming families on the plains of Japan arrange small forest-like woodlands in their farmyards and villages; these are called “Yashikirin.” While Yashikirin have various functions, geographers interested windbreak function, conducted many studies. In recent studies, researchers consider conservation report that woodland use affects sustainability. On other hand, research normal forests analyzes forest ownership with goal sustainable maintenance. However, case agglomerated settlements, man-made can be regarded as because they dense cover relatively large areas. Area variations investigated aerial photography, cadaster, interviews referring to settlements northern Saitama, which experience strong, cold, dry winds winter. Combined meteorological data, sustainability effects micro-climates clarified. some cases, owner a at edge village does not reside next it, but remote area within village. such it becomes difficult for manage woodland; result, tends decline. These function windbreaks protect entire from strong winds. purposes, due socioeconomic changes, only used or boundaries between neighboring houses.