PROGRAM: 2-4
Title:
ECOLOGICAL TOPICS OF THE SIMSEA’S ACTIVITIES IN FUTURE EARTHAbstract:
Two ecological topics from the activities of SIMSEA (Sustainability Initiative in Marginal Seas of South and East Asia) in Future Earth are presented in relation to the WDS’ activities. Firstly, the JSPS Multilateral Core University Program “Coastal Marine Science (2001-2010)” was conducted by Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Japan with cooperation of distinguished 326 scientists from six Asian countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. The program covered the following four research items; 1. Water circulation and the process of material transport in the coastal areas and marginal seas of Asia, 2. Ecology and oceanography of harmful marine microalgae, 3. Pollution of hazardous chemicals in the coastal marine environment and their ecological effect, and 4. biodiversity studies in the coastal waters in the four research groups such as (1) benthos, (2) seagrasses and macroalgae, (3) plankton, and (4) fishes. Since 2001, the members published more than 800 original scientific papers, 150 reports and articles, and 17 books such as Fishes of Bitung, Northern Tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia (Kimura & Matsuura, 2003), Fishes of Andaman Sea, West Coast of Southern Thailand (Kimura et al., 2009), Mankind and the Oceans (Miyazaki et al. 2005) and Coastal Marine Science in Southeast Asia (Nishida et al., 2011). This program was followed by COMSEA (Establishment of Research and Education Network on Coastal Marine Science in Southeast Asia, 2011-2015) and RENSEA(Research and Education Network on coastal ecosystems in Southeast Asia, 2016-2018). As future step of the activities in this program, it is necessary to establish a reasonable and functional data-base of the scientific activities and sample materials, and data-service for scientists and public people. Secondly, since 2004, Japanese colleagues have organized Bio-logging Science using advanced technology for understanding behavior of animals and their environmental condition without killing them. Various kinds of data-loggers (eg. W2000L-3MPPD3GT, Little Leonardo Limited Co.) and camera-loggers (eg. DSL-II, Little Leonardo Limited Co.) have been developed, aiming to diminish size as well as to improve the data quality and quantity. These devices have been applied for animals of the world such as whales, seals, sea birds, sea turtles, fishes, and so on. As Bio-logging Science provides interesting knowledge beyond existing scientific boundaries and potential adaptation of the animals for environmental selection against global climate change, I strongly recommend that comprehensive innovation of methodology with satellite-linked system should be necessary for extending bio-logging studies. And it is also very important to establish a reasonable and functional data-base and data-service system. In conclusion, the SIMSEA’s activities in Future Earth are considered to enforce the WDS’ activities.
References:
Kimura, S. & K. Matsuura (eds.)(2003) Fishes of Bitung, Northern Tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia, Tokyo,
Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, pp.244.
Kimura, S., Satapoomin, U. & Matsuura, K. (2009) Fishes of Andaman Sea, West Coast of Southern
Thailand, Tokyo, Ocean Research Inst. University of Tokyo, pp. 346.
Miyazaki, N., Adeel, Z. & Ohwada, K. (eds.)(2005) Mankind and the Oceans, Tokyo, United Nations
University Press, pp.225.
Nishida, S., Fortes, M. D. & Miyazaki, N. (eds.)(2011) Coastal Marine Science in Southeast Asia, Tokyo,
TERAPUB, pp.315.