A new study published in Nature Sustainability reveals a strong correlation between Japan’s shrinking rural population and ongoing biodiversity decline, particularly in traditional agricultural landscapes. As rural communities age and depopulate, once-managed farmlands, rice paddies, and satoyama (human-nature hybrid landscapes) are being abandoned. This loss of human stewardship has led to the degradation of vital habitats that support native species such as frogs, dragonflies, butterflies, and wetland birds. Researchers from Kyoto University and the National Institute for Environmental Studies analyzed decades of population and species data, showing that biodiversity hotspots are often located in areas experiencing the most rapid population decline.
The phenomenon, referred to as “passive rewilding without recovery,” highlights a critical gap: while fewer people may reduce direct environmental pressure, the absence of active land management disrupts ecological balance and reduces biodiversity. The study warns that Japan could lose key species and ecological services if depopulation trends continue without targeted conservation strategies. It calls for revitalizing rural areas, not just for economic reasons but to maintain biodiversity through community-led agriculture, eco-tourism, and habitat restoration efforts. The findings echo broader concerns across aging societies where human presence has historically shaped and supported biodiversity. More