Comparison of forests in the latter Edo and Showa era in Awaji Island, central Japan

We digitized land uses in the latter Edo era in Awaji Island, central Japan, using old maps called Bugengunzu. Bugengunzu is one of the oldest map by a modern measurement method in Japan, which was drawn by Okazaki family working for the domain of Tokushima from 1802 to 1847. Two maps (approximately 1/18000) covered whole Awaji Island. A total area of woodland was 34,916 ha at that time. Compared with the area in 1980's, which was 34,729 ha, only 0.5 % of woodland disappeared in 150 years. Some woodlands changed into fields and plantations in 1960's in north and middle parts of the Island. On the other hand, some fields on the steep slop and at high altitude in south part were abandoned, then these areas changed into woodlands.