Yambaru, Okinawa Island, Japan Photograph by © Junkichi Mima   Eastern Asia: Nansei (Ryukyu) Islands south of Japanese mainland Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   1,600 square miles (4,100 square kilometers) -- about one-third the size of Connecticut Critical/Endangered

· Struggling to Survive
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
More Photos

Struggling to Survive

In the generations since World War II, these Japanese islands have experienced a growth in human population--and a related decline in the health of several animal species. Amid the beauty of the tropics, many creatures are facing losing battles.

Special Features

The Nansei Islands constitute two sets of islands with distinct characteristics. The Amami, Okinawa, Miyako, and Yaeyama island groups contain ancient rocks and are marked by narrow limestone plateaus and terraces. Smaller islets are generally the above-water portions of coral reefs. The second island group, known as the Ryukyu volcanic arc, contains no high mountains. A variety of natural vegetation occurs throughout this ecoregion: strand communities on coral reefs and sandy beaches, mangrove forests, and subtropical broadleaved forests full of evergreen oak and laurel.

	The Amami rabbit is found in dense forests of all stages, especially old growth forests. Unlike most rabbits, it hasn’t been seen in residential areas.

Wild Side

This ecoregion has the most outstanding animal diversity in all of Japan. But many animals are endangered, including the Amami rabbit, a primitive species that has inhabited only Amamioshima and Tokunoshima islands for more than a million years. The Iriomote cat is a rare wild feline found in the lowlands of Iriomote Island, with only about 100 individuals remaining. The Amami jay, Okinawa woodpecker, and Okinawa rail are some of this ecoregion’s endemic birds. The islands are also known for their diverse and rare reptiles, such as the Ryukyu ground gecko.

Cause for Concern

Due to widespread cultivation and heavy damage in the wake of World War II, most of these islands’ original vegetation has been lost. Conversion of lowland evergreen forests through expansion of agricultural and residential areas is a major threat. For example, a few Iriomote wild cats are killed in traffic accidents every year. Introduced predators such as the Japanese weasel have also caused a dramatic decrease in native skink populations.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.