Nihonkai montane deciduous forests

The Nihonkai montane deciduous forests ecoregion (WWF ID: PA0428) covers the Nihonkai (Sea of Japan-side) mountain slopes of Japan's central island of Honshu, including most of the northern half of the island. Also included in the ecoregion are the forested lowland hills of the Oshima Peninsula, which is the southern extension of Hokkaido Island.

Location and description
The ecoregion stretches for 800 km up the western side of Honshu, from Wakasa Bay in the south and expanding to cover the breadth of the island by the time it reaches the northern coast. Elevations range from sea level to 2959 m, with an average of 523 m. Throughout the ecoregion, individual mountain peaks rise above the zone of deciduous trees into the Honshu alpine conifer forests ecoregion.

Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is Humid continental climate - Hot summer sub-type (Köppen climate classification Dfa), with large seasonal temperature differentials and a hot summer (at least one month averaging over 22 C, and mild winters.

Flora and fauna
The climate is cooler in the north of Honshu than the south, with deciduous trees typified by Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) and Jolcham oak (Quercus serrata).

Protected areas
Protected areas in the ecoregion include:
 * Bandai-Asahi National Park
 * Chūbu-Sangaku National Park
 * Oze National Park