The Akazu Research Forest is the main research forest where much research related to ecohydrology and relevant research fields is conducted. The following topics are of particular importance. 1) For more than 80 years, the rainfall-runoff processes at two different watersheds of Shirasaka and Ananomiya have been investigated. By continuing the long-term hydrological measurement, the effects of ongoing climate change around AKRF and sporadically occurring forest disturbance e.g. forest decline due to disease, on water yield from the three forested watersheds can be analyzed. 2) The paired watershed method is applied to a small watershed in Shirasaka Experimental Watershed in order to evaluate directly the effect of anthropogenic manipulation on runoff and evaporation processes in the treated watershed. 3) To understand the longterm dynamics and succession of a secondary broadleaved forest and accompanying avifauna, long-term ecological research (LTER) in a permanent plot in the AKRF is being conducted.

The Uryu Experimental Forest (ca. 25,000ha) was established in 1901. The forest is located in the basin of the Uryu River, a branch of the Ishikari River, and it surrounds Lake Syumarinai, the largest artificial lake in Japan. The climate is characterized by cold temperature (-35 degrees C) and heavy snowfall (200 cm depth or more) in winter. The northern part of the forest is largely dominated by mixed stands of conifer and broadleaved tree species, including pure stands of Quercus crispula, wetland stands of Picea glehnii, and large riparian forests. In the southern part, Picea glehnii stands on serpentine soil are common as well as second-growth broadleaved stands established following large artificial disturbances. The major research topics include cycling of water and materials at various spatial scales, regeneration of natural forests, and ecology and evolution of biodiversity. Long-term ecological monitoring of many biotic and abiotic subjects is continuously being conducted, and related large-scale field experiments are being introduced. The forest is associated with the Nayoro Tree Breeding Station, which is in charge of studies regarding tree breeding and genetics, nursery practices to produce tree seedlings, and various field experiments.

Tomakomai Experimental Forest (TOEF) was established in 1904, as a field of research and education about forest science. The forest covers 2,715ha of lowland area near the Tomakomai city, and it has been used as a study site in various field of research and education for many years.

Teshio Experimental Forest (TEEF) is the northernmost university experimental forest in Japan, and was established in 1912. Total area of TEEF is ca. 22,500ha and is located within the Toikanbetsu River Basin. The 45 degrees north latitudelat line goes through at the center of this Forest. Annual mean air temperature is 5.7°C , and maximum and minimum air temperatures are 30 and -30°C, respectively, and the annual range sometimes exceeds 60°C. Annual precipitation is ca. 1000 mm and snow falls from November to April. Maximum snow depth in winter is ca. 1.2 m at the experimental forest office and exceeds 2 m in the mountain range. Strong wind dominates from winter to spring caused by the dry monsoon. TEEF has been used as a study site in various field of research and education for many years.

Companhia das Lezírias is one of the six research and monitoring stations of LTER-Montado, an umbrella site located in the Alentejo province in south Portugal (southwestern Iberia). The "Montado" represents an unique agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem (named "dehesa" in Spain) found only in the Mediterranean basin. These savannah-like landscapes are dominated by evergreen cork and/or holm oaks and were shaped over millennia of traditional land use practices. These multi-use forests are two-layered systems that combine, in a single space, forest harvesting, extensive livestock husbandry, pastures and/or cereal cultivation (the most evident economical revenues), with other traditional uses (hunting, beekeeping and mushroom picking). Recently, increasing awareness arose on their benefits as biodiversity reservoirs, recreation grounds, and other ecosystem services providers, but these non-productive functions are not equally perceived and valued by users, as they tend to be conflicting with productive ones. Companhia das Lezírias is a state-run property, located in the bank tributary of the Tagus River, in the Ribatejo province, 30 km northeast Lisbon and 7 km from Vila Franca de Xira.Cork oak (Quercus suber) is the dominant tree type, with an average of 68 adult trees per hectare.Cork oak stands are the major use and the priority in terms of land management. It covers 6.751 ha (78% of forested land). Pine and eucalyptus stands (1.900 ha), agriculture areas, pastures and dams complete the current use of soil. Some tree decline is observed, especially on podzols. The natural regeneration of the tree stand is not uniform, and it is lacking in some places because of grazing and shrub clearing for fire prevention. No fires have been reported in the last 20 years. Conflicting interests arise from the livestock grazing component that affects the natural regeneration of cork oak trees. Interventions and adjustments to promote natural regeneration and active afforestation (e.g. fencing combined with shrub clearing) have been included in the stakeholder´s management plan over the last years.