Developmental Context and Local Practices of Satoyama

The term “Satoyama” is a traditional Japanese word. In 2010, during the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP10), the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) jointly proposed the “Satoyama Initiative” and its international partnership network. This initiative, which received significant attention from experts and scholars at the conference, was recognized as a potential tool for promoting biodiversity conservation. Shortly afterward, Taiwan also introduced the concept of Satoyama. Through the collaboration of government agencies, academia, and civil society organizations, efforts were made to revitalize rural communities, and the principles of the Satoyama Initiative gradually took root in Taiwanese communities, leading to many successful implementations. This literature review qualitatively examines recent developments in Satoyama. In total, 32 recent and significant international publications on Satoyama are analyzed and categorized in terms of four major themes: definition and components, management, applications, and challenges. The primary objective is to clarify the developmental trajectory of Satoyama, identify key findings from recent studies, and explore future trends. The review aims to provide a reference for future Satoyama research and practical implementation in Taiwan, while providing insights for future policy formulation.