Biogeochemistry and Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Practices in Japan - Earth Stewardship: Linking Ecology and Ethics in Theory and Practice - page 29

The main research themes addressed within JaLTER include:

1. Responses and feedback on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning under condi-
tions of climate change.

- Evaluation of regional ecosystem changes caused by warming.

- Developing an understanding of driving factors of temporal and spatial biodi-

versity changes in diverse ecosystems.

2. Hydro-biogeochemical processes and interactions within terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems.

- Clarifi cation of the mechanisms of material cycling changes in ecosystems.

- Development of a model for conserving and rehabilitating cascading dynam-

ics in watershed ecosystems.

3. Development and establishment of an ecosystem monitoring network and tech-
niques that address multiple scales and dimensions.

- Validation and parameterization of a photosynthesis model in terrestrial eco-

systems using satellite remote sensing.

- Development of a common environmental monitoring system and an inte-

grated database across various ecosystems.

As listed above, the current JaLTER program primarily focuses on biodiversity,
community dynamics, ecosystem ecology, ecophysiology, water/carbon/energy
fl uxes, biogeophysical dynamics, and other natural science-based topics. Moreover,
JaLTER's activities are linked to other research programs and observation networks.
These include CO 2 fl ux networks (AsiaFlux and Japan Flux), biodiversity monitor-
ing networks (the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project funded by Japan's Ministry of the
Environment), and collaborative initiatives with satellite remote sensing programs,
for example, GCOMC-RA funded by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
However, some research gaps are apparent in the current program, especially regard-
ing geographical and topical site distribution.
Most research sites were established in areas with ecosystems such as native
forests, plantations, or marine environments to elucidate natural ecosystem behav-
iors and processes. Agricultural, urban, and transient (seminatural or disturbed)
sites are still quite limited despite the importance of understanding dynamic fea-
tures in coupled human and environmental systems subjected to natural and anthro-
pogenic disturbances. Typically, long-term measurements of CO 2 fl uxes, atmospheric
deposition, water discharge, or water quality tend to be mostly concentrated in rela-
tively homogeneous and undisturbed ecosystems rather than in areas with mosaic
ecosystems, spatially disturbed landscapes, or temporally transient conditions.
More research themes aimed at developing an integrated understanding of ecosys-
tem sustainability, resilience, and vulnerability of coupled social and ecological sys-
tems would be needed. Further, the current JaLTER program does not include
studies of traditional ecosystem knowledge and processes. Although funding for
such network-level projects is currently limited, the importance of conducting