Natural capitals for nature’s contributions to people: the case of Japan

Recently, natural capital has gained the attention of researchers and policymakers to promote sustainability. Previous studies have investigated the value of ecosystem services with respect to specific areas or species. Other studies have investigated the value of various types of ecosystem services and natural capital by integrating a number of findings using meta-analyses at the global level. Although these studies have provided information on either the global value of natural capital or the local value of specific subjects, there is little evidence on the country-specific values of natural capital in Japan, which will provide useful information for national environmental policies. We investigated the perceived values of terrestrial and marine natural capital in Japan using internet surveys and payment card methods. Data on various natural forms of capital were collected in a unified format and comparable manner. We found that some explanatory variables, such as perceived importance and visit frequency, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, are significant drivers of the willingness to pay (WTP), which maintains each aspect of natural capital. In addition, we conducted future predictions of terrestrial and marine natural capital using a scenario developed in a previous study. Our results indicate that Japan should follow a population dispersed scenario for the sustainable management of natural capital up to 2050

The Asia‐Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network : 10‐year achievements and new strategies to 2030.

The Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (APBON) was launched in 2009, in response to the establishment of the Biodiversity Observation Network under the Group on Earth Observations in 2008. APBON's mission is to increase exchange of knowledge and know-how between institutions and researchers concerning biodiversity science research in the Asia-Pacific (AP) region and thereby contribute to evidence-based decision-making and policy-making. Here we summarize APBON activities and achievements in its first 10 years. We review how APBON has developed networks, facilitated communication for sharing knowledge, and built capacity of researchers and stakeholders through workshops and publications as well as discuss the network plan. Key findings by APBON members include descriptions of species new to science, mapping tropical forest cover change, evaluating impacts of hydropower dams and climate change on fish species diversity in the Mekong, and mapping “Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas” in the oceans. APBON has also contributed to data collection, sharing, analysis, and synthesis for regional and global biodiversity assessment. A highlight was contributing to the “Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services” regional report. New strategic plans target the development of national-level BONs and interdisciplinary research to address the data and knowledge gaps and increase data accessibility for users and for meeting societal demands. Strengthening networks in AP region and capacity building through APBON meetings will continue. By promoting monitoring and scientific research and facilitating the dialogue with scientists and policymakers, APBON will contribute to the implementation of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the entire AP region.publishedVersio

<Keynote Speech> What we have studied and what should be studied in the future on tropical rain forests in Sarawak

This proceeding is a compilation of findings and progress activities of research collaboration between the Forest Department Sarawak (FDS) and the Japan Research Consortium for Tropical Forests in Sarawak (JRCTS). To highlight the research findings, An International Symposium entitled "Frontier in Tropical Forest Research: Progress in Joint Projects between the Forest Department Sarawak and the Japan Research Consortium for Tropical Forests in Sarawak" was ii held in Kuching, Sarawak on 21-22 September 2015.The collaboration between the scientists of Sarawak and Japan started officially in 1992, and has been continued for more than 20 years until now. At the beginning phase, rather basic subjects were our target to be studied. The description and inventory of organisms of tropical rainforests, which are essential information for both biological or ecological and more applied sciences, were the first interests of our study. Next, global issues, such as decreases of tropical forests, and their regeneration or restoration, came after that. The ecology of general flowering, and our large permanent plot study followed this context. Then, sustainable forest management, including biodiversity issues, came to be the major issue in our study after the 2000s. Many facilities have been installed in Lambir hills National Park to enhance research capacity there. A laboratory, permanent plots, and a canopy walkway were installed in the initial phase, and a canopy crane, a hostel and instruments for assessing forest carbon budget were added in the beginning of the 2000s. These facilities accelerated research activities, leading to the publication of more than 250 scientific papers. And now, Lambir Hills National Park is one of the representative research centers of tropical forests of the world. The activities have been expanded beyond Lambir National Park to compare the results with those from other forests or forest types to gain more general perspectives, and to detect findings on interactions between forests and human beings in regional or global contexts. These new aspects of our collaboration are meant to meet needs of research on sustainable use of tropical forest ecosystems in general. Recently, large efforts of ecosystem studies are being dedicated to sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. IPBES (Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), which was established in 2012 and aims to give relevant scientific information and advice for CBD (Convention of Biological Diversity), started its global assessment. Also, a new 'trans-disciplinary' research framework named "Future Earth" was launched to give scientific answers mainly for SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Future Earth includes not only inter-disciplinary studies, but also involvement of stakeholders in the planning stage of research. While we celebrate our collaboration success in past years, it may also now be the time to discuss our new framework for future studies, considering these new scientific trends