Sagano Bamboo Forest- The Kyoto Bamboo Groves

Published by Kabir Chibber on November 14, 2020November 14, 2020

Forests are the very matter that supports nature. Without them, Earth would not be the planet we know. Scientists over the last few years are taking great interest in the Sagano Bamboo Forest. It is also known as the Monkey Park and is famously located in Kyoto, Japan with it being famous in the Arashiyama district. It is popularly known as Kyoto Forest, Japan Bamboo Forest, etc.

Location of the Sagano Bamboo Forest

The Sagano Bamboo Forest is situated northwest of Kyoto in Japan near the Tenryū-ji Temple in the Arashiyama district. It covers an area of 16 square kilometers, in the temperate regions of the world.

 Weather conditions:

The region experiences unpredictable weather with a rather cool climate and bright sunlight. In this region the summers are short, hot, and mostly cloudy. The winters are very cold, windy, and partly cloudy. It is also wet year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically ranges from 32°F to 89°F. The Summers last for approximately 2 months, from June 23 to September 17, with an average daily high temperature above 80°F. The winters last for approximately 3 months, from December 3 to March 18, with an average daily high temperature below 53°F.

Why is the Sagano Bamboo Forest Famous?

The Sagano bamboo forest is famous across the world for its large presence of wildlife as well as beautiful scenery. The Arishyama bamboo groves in this forest are unique and cannot be found anywhere else. It is also famous for producing the 100 soundscapes of Japan, which is essentially a sound made in the early hours of the morning by the rustling and shaking of Bamboo. This sound is considered essential to Japanese culture and is protected by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment. The sagano scenic railway is also a tourist attraction crossing through the heart of the forest. The Hozu river near the forest is also considered one of the most famous rivers.

Animals and Plants of the Sagano Bamboo Forest

This is a very diverse ecosystem. The Sagano Bamboo Forest Animals are the Giant Panda, Mountain Gorilla, Tiny bat, etc. Common birds here are drymophila, flatbill, antbird, etc. Bamboo is the dominant plant in this forest and grows very quickly (36 inches in 24 hours). It depends on a special rhizome-dependent system. It is pollinated by the birds and some animals that live in this forest. In return, bamboo has become a staple diet for the Pandas and a home for the tiny bat and other small animals as well as an individual ecosystem.

 Harmful effects and causes of Deforestation:

Bamboo is regularly harvested and the bamboo forests are facing deforestation for manufacturing goods like brooms, containers, baskets, furniture, etc. Many animals are losing their natural habitat, home and food. The food chain is facing the effects of this too as predators are losing prey due to the lack of their usual food; bamboo. However, scientists believe that bamboo is the cure of deforestation due to its fast growth. They believe that if bamboo is planted after clearing an entire field, it can quickly grow and make another ecosystem and home to many other animals after the clearing of land.