Shirakami-Sanchi is the general name for the mountainous region extending from 100 to 1,200 meters above sea level, located on the prefectural borders of the southwestern part of Aomori and the northwestern part of Akita Prefectures. The heritage site is located at the heart of the mountains. As the area is steep and far from the cities, the immense Japanese beech forest is left in primeval state. In the beech forest of Shirakami-Sanchi, diverse plant communities coexist and abundant animal groups live. This region therefore presents a museum-like landscape of forest mainly of Japanese beech trees that are indigenous to Japan. Over 500 species of flora are found in the forest including plants endemic to this region, such as Silene aomorensis. Diverse fauna includes 14 species of mammals such as the serow and black bear, 84 species of birds such as the black woodpecker, and about 2,000 species of insects.
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