From The Asahi Shimbun.
KYOTO--An arboretum here will open a new facility in April where visitors can directly observe efforts by researchers to preserve rare species of plants.
Kyoto Botanical Gardens will have a special greenhouse where visitors will be able to see plant species listed as "endangered" in the Environment Ministry's Red Data Book. The greenhouse will be the first of its kind in Japan.
The greenhouse will be erected near the garden's Kamogawa gate, which was constructed in 2013, and will cover an area of about 140 square meters. The sides of the greenhouse will be made of glass, enabling visitors to take a peek at the endangered plants from the outside.
To deal with Kyoto's sweltering summers, the roof will be made of special glass that can block infrared rays, and the interior of the greenhouse will be kept moist using fog machines and fans.
The botanical garden already has another greenhouse, which was built in 1992, where visitors can look inside, but it houses more common species of plants. Most of the endangered plant species are currently kept in a cultivation room where public access is restricted.
The project was conceived to preserve endangered species while at the same time educate the public about the diversity of the plant kingdom by allowing direct observation of endangered species.
To continue reading, visit The Asahi Shimbun's website.
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