Institute of Natural and Environmental Sciences

In the Tajima region of Hyogo Prefecture, efforts are being made to utilize abandoned farmland effectively by grazing Tajima cattle. This system was registered as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in 2023. Recently, we compared the diversity of butterflies and their nectar source plants between abandoned farmland and grazing land for Tajima cattle (originally abandoned farmland). The results showed that the grazing land for Tajima cattle had higher number of species and individual butterflies, as well as higher number of species of flower and flowering plants compared to abandoned farmland. This demonstrates that grazing Tajima cattle on abandoned farmland has a conservation effect on the diversity of butterflies and plants. It is expected that by effectively utilizing the Tajima cattle grazing system in other regions, biodiversity conservation can be promoted in the increasing number of abandoned farmlands.

Responsible Researchers: Associate Professor Naoyuki Nakahama, Master's student Tomo Hamano, Professor Mari Fujimoto, Visiting Researcher Akifumi Eto

You can view the award-winning papers on the 'Ecological Research' site of the Ecological Society of Japan.