| Taiheiyo montane deciduous forests | |
| Map: | Ecoregion PA0441.svg |
| Map Size: | 300 |
| Map Alt: | Ecoregion territory (in purple) |
| Ecozone: | Palearctic |
| Biome: | Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests |
| Area: | 41957 |
| Country: | Japan |
| Coordinates: | 35.75°N 137.75°W |
The Taiheiyo montane deciduous forests ecoregion (WWF ID: PA0441) stretches for about 700km (400miles) along the eastern (Pacific side) slopes of the island of Honshu, with some small patches on the southern islands of Shikoku and Kyushu. Lower elevations to the east along the coast are in the Taiheiyo evergreen forests ecoregion; higher elevations to the west are in the Nihonkai montane deciduous forests ecoregion. Characteristic forests are of Japanese beech, stone pine, and spruce.[1] [2]
Elevations run from sea level to 3000m (10,000feet), with a mean elevation of 680m (2,230feet). While most of the ecoregion is represented by a thin strip above the coastal region, there is a large inland section centered on the Akaishi Mountains in central Honshu, and another centered on Fukushima Prefecture to the north.[3]
The climate of the ecoregion is Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10C, but no month averaging over 22C.[4] [5]
Japanese beech (Fagus crenata), is a characteristic tree in the northeast of the region, up to 1400m (4,600feet). Other trees include the Japanese stone pine (Pinus pumila) and Hemlock spruce (Picea). Typical understory is the Saga plant.[1] Large mammals in the ecoregion includes the Japanese serow, Sika deer, and Wild boar.
Protected areas in the ecoregion include: