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Biodiversity Conservation Using Umbrella Species

Blakiston's Fish Owl and the Red-crowned Crane

  • The first English-language book introducing readers to the distribution and ecology of Blakiston’s fish owl and the red-crowned crane in their natural habitats
  • Presents the status quo and prospects for the populations of the two species based on genetic diversity
  • Examines how conservation of the two species promises conservation of other bird species
  • Presents future perspectives for restoring habitats and increasing the distributions of the two species in Hokkaido
  • Includes the results of multiple collaborative projects between Japanese and Russian scientists

Part of the book series: Ecological Research Monographs (ECOLOGICAL)

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Table of contents (18 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Futoshi Nakamura
    Pages 1-5
  3. Ecology and Conservation of Blakiston’s Fish Owl

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-7
    2. Global Distribution and Population Estimates of Blakiston’s Fish Owl

      • Jonathan C. Slaght, Takeshi Takenaka, Sergei G. Surmach, Yuzo Fujimaki, Irina G. Utekhina, Eugene R. Potapov
      Pages 9-18
    3. Ecology and Conservation of Blakiston’s Fish Owl in Russia

      • Jonathan C. Slaght, Sergei G. Surmach, Aleksandr A. Kisleiko
      Pages 47-70
  4. Ecology and Conservation of the Red-crowned Crane

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 71-71
    2. Distribution of the Red-crowned Crane in the World

      • Yoshiyuki Masatomi, Sergei G. Surmach
      Pages 73-82
    3. Ecology of the Red-crowned Crane and Conservation Activities in Japan

      • Hiroyuki Masatomi, Yoshiyuki Masatomi
      Pages 83-105
    4. Ecology and Conservation of Red-crowned Cranes in Russia

      • Sergei M. Smirenski, Elena M. Smirenski, Sergei G. Surmach, Yoshiyuki Masatomi, Kunikazu Momose
      Pages 107-128
  5. Status and Perspective of the Populations, Based on Genetic Diversity

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 129-129
    2. Status and Perspective of the Blakiston’s Fish Owl Population, Based on Genetic Diversity

      • Keita Omote, Tetsuo I. Kohyama, Chizuko Nishida, Takeshi Takenaka, Sergei G. Surmach, Ryuichi Masuda
      Pages 135-141
    3. Status and Perspective of the Red-crowned Crane Based on Genetic Diversity

      • Takuya Akiyama, Tetsuo I. Kohyama, Chizuko Nishida, Ryuichi Masuda
      Pages 143-148
  6. Blakiston’s Fish Owl and the Red-crowned Crane as Umbrella Species

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 149-149
  7. Future Perspectives for Restoring Habitats and Spreading the Distributions of the Two Species in Hokkaido

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 181-181
    2. Vegetation Succession on Fallow Land

      • Junko Morimoto, Masatoshi Shibata
      Pages 197-206

About this book

This book focuses on Blakiston’s fish owl and the red-crowned crane as umbrella species. Healthy river, riparian and wetland ecosystems are necessary to maintain the populations of the two species. Both species have been revered by people since ancient times, but both are currently listed as endangered because of their small population sizes. The population decline of the two species can be mainly attributed to the degradation of the natural riparian and wetland habitats, which is associated with land use development.

The populations of the two species are now recovering in Japan due to recent conservation and reproduction efforts, but the genetic diversity of the two species are still low due to previous bottleneck effects. To develop conservation and dispersal plans to establish the species over the East Asian mainland and on the island of Hokkaido, basic information, such as their regional distribution, genetic diversity, food availability, reproductive traits, and nesting, breeding, rearing, and commuting habitat, is essential. The intensive, collaborative studies conducted in Japan and Russia has clarified the status quo and the ecology of the two species. 

This is the first book that comprehensively compiles the above information for the mainland and island populations. In addition, it verifies their suitability as umbrella species of an ecosystem and the possibility of their future population expansion, taking into account changes in land use in Hokkaido, which is about to experience a dramatic decline in human population.

As such, the book provides valuable information for students who wish to learn about these beautiful symbolic creatures, for NGOs engaged in conservation activities, and for managers who are involved in creating conservation plans and implementing restoration projects.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

    Futoshi Nakamura

About the editor

Futoshi Nakamura
Professor, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Agriculture
Project Leader, Ecosystem management and landscape ecology

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access