| The circumpolar northern boreal forest lies between 70°N in Siberia and 45°N in Mongolia and Japan. Boreal forests affect the global climate system significantly, and general circulation models predict that warming will be greater in this area than in other regions. We will determine the effects of boreal forest on environmental variables from the viewpoint of water/energy/carbon cycles. In addition, we will obtain data and analyze the relationships between the water cycle system and plant eco-physiological properties to estimate the effects of warming in this region; changes in water cycle systems will cause climate change, not only in Japan, but globally. |