Biogeochemistry and Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices in Japan - Earth Stewardship: Linking Ecology and Ethics in Theory and Practice - page 27

3.1 Introduction

Biogeochemistry is a scientifi c discipline concerned with material fl ows and cycles
across ecosystems in relation to various human activities such as food and energy
production and consumption, changing land use and land cover, and exploitation of
natural resources and products. The activities of human societies have undoubtedly
disturbed natural biogeochemical cycles at different spatial and temporal scales, and
are continuing to do so now and in the future. The intensity of these disturbances is
mostly driven by environmental factors such as geographical patterns of climate,
geology, and vegetation, as well as by human factors such as consumer demand,
economy, and environment awareness. Human ethics concerning nature also vary
across time and space. Moreover, traditional knowledge systems pertaining to
nature may also differ from the prevailing system. Therefore, an understanding of
the regional specifi city of natural ecosystem processes, and of different knowledge
systems, is very important. In the next section of this chapter, I review some of the
salient literature on current fi ndings of Japanese biogeochemical studies and of tra-
ditional ecological knowledge and practices.

3.2 Japanese Long-Term Ecological Research Network

Long-term ecological research (LTER) is a site-based, sound research methodology
for understanding ecosystem structures and functioning. LTER is particularly appli-
cable to contexts of signifi cant spatial and temporal variation driven by diverse natu-
ral environments and anthropogenic activities. The Japan Long-Term Ecological
Research Network (JaLTER) was established in 2006 to facilitate site-based long-
term ecological studies in Japan. It was registered as a formal member of the
International LTER Network (ILTER) in 2007. There is in fact a long tradition of
research on site-based ecosystem ecology in Japan. The International Biological
Program in Japan (JIBP), implemented during the 1960s and 1970s, produced many
outstanding fi ndings on net primary production and nutrient cycles in a variety of
Japanese ecosystems (e.g., Kira et al. 1978 ; Enoki et al. 2014 ). However, JIBP was
followed mainly by short-term ecological studies conducted by individuals and
small research groups that did not sustain a continuous network of long-term fi eld
stations by applying JIBP resources and outcomes. A subsequent increase in aware-
ness of various environment issues such as acid rain, global warming, and biodiver-
sity degradation prompted action to establish the LTER network in Japan through
collaborations among groups of researchers within universities, governmental
research institutes, and other research organizations. As a result, JaLTER was offi -
cially endorsed by the Biodiversity Center of Japan within the Ministry of the
Environment, while fi nancial resources for its operation, including competitive
funds, were supplied by participating members at each JaLTER site. This funding
situation is quite different from that of the US-LTER, for which the major funding
source is the National Science Foundation.