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Forests are very multiple ecosystems, which account for a third of the
earth. Humankind has been benefiting a lot from them, including the supply
of wood and timber. On one hand, with expanding the scale of human social
activities, the number of forests which are getting worse and disappearing
through reckless utilization, is increasing. However, people are still
depending much on the advantages, so these serious problems cannot be
solved, if we consider it is enough to protect or conserve them strictly
without improving or developing them.
In this situation, how can making physical and cultural benefits be compatible
with forest conservation? The field of Forest Science thinks about such
measures, by knowing the various functions and collecting knowledge about
the judicious use of forests and reforestation. Forest science is characterized
by the diversity reflected in many different aspects of the forest.@Many
research subjects are connected with other areas of several graduate schools
or institutes in the university, and they are integrated within the Department
of Forest Science using the keywords gforesth or gforestryh. The field
is very interdisciplinary and universal.
Let us start with plants and creatures inhabiting the forests, investigating
into the life itself, the interaction lives in the forest, and the relation
between ecosystems and the environment belonging to biological scope.
These studies are being made great progress with subdivision of specialization,
using the specific techniques of experiments and analysis at each target
level from genetic to biological systems. Studies on the many effects
on the forest, such as wood and timber production, soil and water conservation,
the protection of wildlife, and recreation are being developed. Research
on the management of forests and forest resources is also a significant
theme in forest science. These are basic studies from the scientific viewpoint,
as well as practical and applied ones which are useful for developing
skill to protect and make forests. It is for this reason that be simply
going deeply into specialized grounds, the various aspects of the forest
cannot be figured out. Broad fundamental knowledge is also needed.
The department of forest science has a large research realm, in which
a variety of subjects converge. Each subject has an organic linkage to
the others. This department is multi-disciplinary, at the same time cutting-edge
specialization is also aimed at. Now, there are numerous environment issues,
such as e global warming, acid rain, desertification and the degradation
of tropical rainforests which are discussed in forest science. The department
of forest science will contribute to addressing these problems. It is
wide open, and welcomes eager students and researchers.
Department of Forest Science consists of 8 laboratories(Silviculture,
Forest Plants and Forest Health, Forest Zoology, Forest Management, Forest
Policy, Forest Hydrology and Erosion Control Engineering, Forest Utilization,
Forest Landscape Planning and Design).
Besides, there are 2 cooperative courses@(University Forests, Asian Natural
Environmental Science Center), and graduate students can study and research
under the staffs (professors, and associate professors)@of both 8 laboratories and
2 cooperative courses.
Head of the Department(Apr/09-Mar/10)
Prof.Masakazu Suzuki
email: suzuki fr.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Inquiries about the contents of this web site
email: forestfr.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp
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