Wetlands in Miyagi Toru SHBASAKI Miyagi Prefectural Izunuma - Uchinuma Environmental Conservation Foundation Kamihataoka - Shikimi, Wakayanagi, 989-55 Japan TEL +(81)228-33-2216 / FAX +(81)228-33-2217 February 1997 for 1997 World Wetlands Day in Miyagi, Japan
	1. Sekai - Yachi alpine meadows A series of alpine meadows on the foothill of Mt. Kurikomayama in western Miyagi. These meadows are devided into several areas on the different histories of each. They are very important for realisations of the histories of our land and climate based on the pollens in their peat.
	2. Lakes Izunuma and Uchinuma Two lakes on the Sendai Lowlands. They are shallow and rich in water plants. It is very short time to be frozen up in winter. These factors results in a highest number of larger waterbirds (swans and geese) wintering in the lakes in our country -- Most individuals of Anser albifrons in Japan spend the winter here. Two lakes are protected as Prefecture Nature Conservation Area of Miyagi and are designated as Ramsar site.
	3. Lake Kabukurinuma A lowland lake having very wilderness landscape lying c.10km south of Lakes Izunuma and Uchinuma. It plays roles of water storage for illigating rice fields around and of flood mitigation. Recently another importance as habitat of wild birds including waterbirds draw the attention of peoples. It is current task to manage the lake having a high capacity of water storage without ecological degradation.
	4. Onoda Lakes Many lakes are on eastern and north-eastern hillside of Mt. Funagatayama. Many of them are found in Onoda township. These Onoda Lakes are well known rich in water plants and water insects, especially many important species of dragonflies (Odonata) breeding on the wetlands.
	5. Lake Suzunuma A small lake on the eastern hillside of Mt. Funagatayama, dammed up by the fall of stones and rocks from mountain. Water is supplied to the lake from groundwater and flow into groundwater. A blue alpine Spirogyra thrive in summer. One of the most beautiful lake in our Prefecture.
	6.. Lake Shoujouike A small lake on eastern hillside of Funagata Mountains. Its Japanese name is after the change of lake colour along the time of day. The lake is surrouded by beech primary forest and floating vegetation thrive in the lake. It is known as a largest habitat of breeding Rhacophorus in our Prefecture.
	7. Gamou Coast There is a small tidal flat in the estuary of Nanakitagawa River. It is known as an important stopover site for the migratory shorebirds along the Pacific coast of Japan, where is one of a banding station in Japan. It is a task of our people of Miyagi to conserve and use wisely this wetland facing an enlargement plan of Sendai Port (reclamation off the coast).
	8. Lagoons Idoura and Torinoumi Sendai Bay has the coast of 44km long, and there are found many lagoons along the coast. One of the largest is Lagoon Torinoumi south of Abukumagawa Rivermouth. It has a small island in its center. It is known as a good habitat for migratory waterbirds and seabirds.
	9. Shibakusadaira alpine meadow An alpine meadow in Zao Mountains. Small ponds developed on the largest depression after lava flow in our Prefecture. Sparganium glomeratum Laest. var. angustifolium Graeb. and Potamogeton fryeri A.Benn. thrives in the ponds with Scirpus hondoensis Ohwi, Eleocharis mamillata Lindb.fil. var.cyclocarpa Kiatagwa, Drosera rotundifolia L., Narthecium asiaticum Maxim., Primula nipponica Yatabe and Fauria crista-galli (Menzies) Makino along the shore.