San’in-Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark: Geology and Conservation of the Oriental White Stork

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction of the geological characteristics of the San’in-Kaigan UNESCO Global Geopark and an ongoing scheme of reintroducing wild populations of the Oriental White Stork. Landforms that correspond to a continental margin of Pre-Sea of Japan formation, the formation of the Sea of Japan, and recent sea level rise are found in the coastal areas of this geopark. The area is noted for varied coastal landforms and landscapes of natural beauty, in addition to significant geological sites. The Genbudo Basalt Cave, associated with the formulation of the geomagnetic reversal theory and the Matuyama reversed chron, is a signature geological site; the coastal dunes of Tottori are an important geomorphological feature as well as a major tourist attraction. Recently, a project aiming at the restoration of the Oriental White Stork has succeeded in bringing together a number of local stakeholders for nature restoration. The Oriental White Stork was a familiar bird in seminatural agrarian landscapes, but the species became extinct in the wild after widespread hunting and habitat destruction. The current restoration program aims for “comprehensive nature conservation” by identifying the role of the species as a “marker” of ecological health of landscapes, and in this way, the project represents the linkages between the geological and ecological characteristics of the region.