“Kyushu University Center for Asian
Conservation Ecology” launched
“Kyushu University Center for Asian Conservation Ecology” (CACE) has been established on May 1, 2011, aiming to promote conservation ecological studies in Asian countries. To celebrate the establishment of this new center and tighten our bonds among staffs, an opening symposium was held on May 2, 2011. At least 186
audiences attended the symposium. The President of Kyushu University, two governmental officers and several scientists from
different fields gave lectures. In the panel discussion that was organized after these lectures, various topics related to the conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity in Asia were discussed.
At the same time, the logo of CACE was opened for public. Deformed shape of the banyan and lime trees, planted together in many Asian countries, symbolize the close relationship in Asia. The two leaves form the
shape of the heart. The red mark in the center is featured from the flower of Uvaria cordata, which is one of the Cambodian woody species that are subject to rapid forest logging. Each part of these symbols also denotes “C”, “A”, “C” and “E” if you look carefully.
Contents of the symposium
Date: May 2, 2011
Place: Centennial Hall, Kyushu University School of Medicine
Program:
1:00-1:10 Greeting: Prof. Setsuo Arikawa (The President of Kyushu University)
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
1:20-1:45 Introduction of CACE: Prof. Tetsukazu Yahara (Kyushu University) 1:45-2:00 Memorial lecture ” Achievement and
perspectives of COP10”：Mr．
Tsunao Watanabe (Ministry of the Environment)
2:00-2:15 Memorial lecture “Heterarchy communitas” ： Prof. Narifumi
Tachimoto
（ Research
Institute for Humanity and Nature）
2:15-2:30 Memorial
lecture “Harmony of utilize and conservation”： Prof. Hiroyuki Matsuda (Yokohama National University)
3:00-3:15 Research presentation “Light and shadow of conservation ecology among the developing areas in China”: Dr. Yuichi Kano (Kyushu University) 3:15-3:30 Research presentation “DNA
barcoding and phylogenetic diversity evaluation of plants in Cambodia”: Dr. Hironori Toyama (Kyushu University) 3:30-3:45 Research presentation “GIS and
conservation ecology in Indonesia”: Dr.
Ibrahim Djamaluddin (Kyushu University)
3:45-4:00 Research presentation “Biodiversity in Japan, nurtured by human and nature”: Dr. Ryo Tsujino (Kyushu University)
4:00-4:15 Research presentation “Integrated research for nature restoration in Mikata Lakes”: Dr. Takehito Yoshida, Dr. Jun Nishihiro & Prof. Izumi Washitani (University of Tokyo)
4:20-5:30 Panel discussion “Challenges of conservation ecology in Asia”
6:00-7:30 Reception
Greeting by Prof. H. Yasuura in reception (Administration officer of Kyushu University)
Eco-hydrological studies in the tropical
rainforests of Malaysian Borneo
hydrometeorological studies have also been conducted to clarify interactions between the tropical rainforest and the atmosphere. Fundamental aspects of evapotranspiration and CO2 exchange in the Lambir forest have already been reported (e.g. Kumagai et al. 2004; Saitoh et al. 2005). However, several phenomena such as the effects of unpredictable intra-annual dry spells on gas exchange properties via the physiological processes of the trees and carbon consumption within the forest ecosystems have yet to be clarified. To better understand these phenomena, as part of a global centre of excellence (GCOE) project, we re-initiated hydrometeorological observations in 2009. In addition to several researchers, some GCOE graduated students have been also conducting field research at this site for their doctoral theses. Here, we briefly describe these studies.
< Canopy scale gas exchange measurements> In October 2009, we re-installed an eddy covariance system (Fig. 2) at a height of 60 m on a canopy crane (Fig. 3), and are now measuring vertical fluxes of water, energy and CO2 between the forest ecosystem and the atmosphere. In addition, we are continuously measuring various environmental variables such as radiation, temperature, humidity and soil moisture. Through analyses of the data obtained, our goal is to clarify ecosystem–environment interactions and the effects of the Southeast Asian tropical rainforest ecosystem on regional or global climate.
<Storage CO2 flux measurement>
Night-time eddy covariance measurements underestimated ecosystem CO2 emissions because the decline in the wind speed induced storage of CO2 within the canopy. Therefore, to estimate storage CO2 flux, we are measuring vertical profiles of the CO2 concentration within the canopy. We’ve established air inlets at six heights on the canopy crane; the collected air is sucked in by pumps and CO2 concentrations have been measured using an infrared gas analyser.
<Gas exchange measurements for each component>
large trees.
References:
Katayama, A. et al. (2009) Agr. For. Meteorol. 149, p1666-1673.
Kumagai, T. et al. (2004) J. Hydrol. 287, p237-251.
Kume, T. et al. (2008) J. Hydrol. 352, p288-295 Saito, T.M. et al. (2005) J. Agr. Meteorol. 60, p553-556.
Fig. 1 Canopy view from the crane.
Fig. 2 Eddy covariance system (i.e., infrared gas analyser and sonic anemometer).
Fig. 3 Canopy crane (93 m height).
The first publication from the GCOE
field course
The field course for PhD students is one of the most important assignments of our GCOE program. A paper of a field course conducted in the East Tiaoxi River in China has been just accepted: Sato et al. “Distribution pattern of loaches (Teleostei: Cobitoidea) in the East Tiaoxi River, China”Folia Zoologica (in press). The paper elucidated the diversity and distribution pattern of the loaches in the East Tiaoxi River, China.
Diversity of loach in the Tiaoxi River
■Symposiums& Seminars
・ “An Opening Symposium of Kyushu
・“The 3rd Seminar of Asian Conservation
Ecology” April 1, 2011.
・“Functional traits determine tradeoffs and
niches in a tropical forest community”by Dr. Frank Sterck (Wageningen University, The Netherlands). March 17, 2011.
■Publications
・Onoda Y, Anten NPR (in press) Challenges to
understand plant responses to wind. Plant Signaling & Behavior
・Kano Y, Ohnishi K, Tomida Y, Ikeda N,
Iwawaki N, Miyagawa M, Harada Y, Ichiyanagi H & Watanabe K (in press) “Fluctuation and variation in stream-fish assemblages after a catastrophic flood in the Miyagawa River, Japan” Environmental Biology of Fishes
・Sato T, Nakajima J, Huang L, Shimatani Y,
Hirota KS, Wood C & Kano Y (in press) “Distribution pattern of loaches (Teleostei: Cobitoidea) in the East Tiaoxi River, China”Folia Zoologica
・ Kano Y, Kawaguchi Y, Yamashita T,
Sekijima T, Shimatani Y & Taniguchi Y (in press) “A passive integrated transponder tag implanted by a new alternative surgical method: effects on the oriental weather loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) and application in a small irrigation system” Landscape and Ecological Engineering.
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