Overview of the Miyazaki University Forests (MUF)
The Miyazaki University Forests (MUF) is an educational and research forest owned and managed by the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Miyazaki since 1928. The MUF consists of three districts: Tano District (Tano Town, Miyazaki City), Ohno District (Kushima City), and Sakita District (Kushima City).
TANO District
The Tano District covers approximately 501 hectares and is located closest to the university campus. Most forestry-related practical class for students is conducted here. The district contains naturally-generated warm-temperate evergreen broadleaf forests dominated by species such asCastanopsis, as well as Japanese cypress and Japanese ceader plantations. The district serves as an important site for education and research in forest ecology, silviculture, forest biogeochemistry and biodiversity conservation.
The Tano District is registered as one of the international long-term ecosystem research sites;
https://deims.org/57117377-210b-420f-bf61-b2addb38ca1b
OHNO District
The Ohno District covers approximately 59 hectares and is situated on steep slopes facing the Pacific Ocean. The Ohno district consists of mixed forests, including Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) plantations and evergreen broadleaf forests. Its coastal location provides opportunities for research on forest ecosystems and silviculture under maritime environmental conditions.
SAKITA District
The Sakita District covers approximately 58 hectares and is primarily composed of evergreen broadleaf forests along the coast of Shibushi Bay. The district supports distinctive coastal plant communities and is recognized for its high scientific and ecological value. It serves as an important field site for studying coastal forest ecosystems and biodiversity.
Research at the Miyazaki Univesity Forests
- Forest dynamics and succession
- Forest biogeochemistry
- Sustainable timber production
- Ecology of coastal evergreen broadleaved forests
- Forest biodiversity conservation
- Long-term ecological monitoring of forest ecosystems