Research Outline

Trekking and camping are the main recreational activities in mountain national parks. In the alpine zone, where the environment is fragile, environmental degradation problems such as loss of vegetation and soil erosion due to the continuous use of trails and campgrounds are becoming increasingly prevalent. Many unmanaged campgrounds and trails exist around the world due to limitations in human resources, budgetary resources, and management techniques.
I am engaged in research on monitoring and managing the degradation problem of high mountain trails and campgrounds in mountain national parks in Asian countries/regions, such as Japan, Taiwan, and Nepal. Specifically, I am using 3D mapping (UAV mapping and pole photography) techniques to recreate the 3D model of the ground surface of campgrounds and trails, detect changes in the ground surface caused by gully erosion at the centimeter level, and estimate the annual amount of soil erosion. To facilitate the development of a sustainable trail management framework, I am conducting research to disseminate methods for collecting 3D data on trails to local stakeholders and the public.