3. Takachihogo-Shiibayama mountainous agriculture system, Japan
This site is located in a steep mountainous area where flat land is extremely scarce.
In this severe environment, local people have established a distinctive and sustainable system of agriculture and forestry which balances timber production with diverse farming activities, such as terraced rice growing, shiitake mushroom cultivation, beef cattle raising, or tea cultivation.
The forest is maintained as a "mosaic" of conifers and broadleaf trees using traditional practices.