Unfortunately, it seems that because salamanders' habitat is broken up, called "fragmented population," and because of over-population in previously wooded areas, there are fewer salamanders than before. A fragmented population is when the population of a species is separated by either a natural or manmade barrier. In the case of the Oita Salamander, the barriers are both manmade and natural. The manmade barriers are created by humans living in regions that were once nature. These manmade barriers are not just homes, but businesses, factories, roads and farmland as well. The natural barriers that separate the population are the islands in southern Japan. They form naturally and separate salamanders into different locations.
Akiyama Sensei studies these species to see if it will be possible to prevent extinction. This type of research is important for many animal species. It is also important to remember that although Japan is often revered as one of the most naturally beautiful societies in the world, animals are paying a price for human settlement. Long after Akiyama Sensei leaves Seishin school, his research on the conservation of the species will continue and perhaps lead to ways in which we can stop our actions from negatively affecting the ecosystems of animals.
All across the world animals are affected by human actions through pollution, climate change and human settlement. It is important that we continue to study animals in order to discover how they may become endangered, and why their existence is important to the ecosystem that surrounds them. Often times we don't realize the positive impact of a creature until it becomes extinct. Although small, the Oita Salamander has the same importance in its habitat as any species does.
