2022 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Socio-Ecological Restoration of Cities Affected by Depopulation and Environmental Issues through the Development of Sustainable Green Infrastructure Managed at Multiple Levels
| Project/Area Number |
22K14914
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| Research Institution | 国際連合大学サステイナビリティ高等研究所 |
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Principal Investigator |
パストール・イヴァールス フアン 国際連合大学サステイナビリティ高等研究所, サステイナビリティ高等研究, リサーチ・アソシエート (50867637)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2022-04-01 – 2027-03-31
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| Keywords | green infrastructure / shrinking cities / socio ecological system / urban nature / urban ecosystem services |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
During April 2022/ March 2023, Stage 1-CONSERVATION of the research has been partially implemented. The summary of research achievements is as follows:
-The mapping of the existing green-blue infrastructure, such as traditional Japanese gardens and sacred forests of shrines and temples, with its locations, typologies, and connectivity has been done.-The abandoned gray infrastructure locations, their previous use, and their ownership are being mapped and processed in ArcGIS using the information provided by household Kankosha company digital maps.-The calculation of urban green spaces' ecological benefits of 1). Production of biodiversity: surveying five Japanese gardens by capturing species, placing IC recorders and infra-red cameras, etc., and 2). Climate action: potential carbon sequestration by tree species has been calculated in five Japanese gardens.-For conserving existing green infrastructure, multi-level management of green commons will be assessed. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) method has been used in workshops with public administrators, owners, communities, and the private sector for this assessment. The planning and acting of the PAR have been executed through ecotourism, citizen science wildlife survey, and joint maintenance.
The article "The state-of-the-art and future research directions on sacred forests and ecosystem services" Authors: Alebel Melaku, Juan Pastor Ivars, Mesfin Sahle. Has been published in: Springer Environmental Management | Issue 6/2023
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Regarding the calculation of the ecological benefits of the production of
biodiversity through environmental DNA analysis of water samples taken in rivers, water canals, and garden ponds, it was initially expected to be conducted during April 2022/ March 2023. However, it will be done in two samples during July-Augoust over 30 urban green spaces to complete the environmental DNA analysis of overall target areas at once.
Participatory Action Research is being slightly delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions and difficulties in implementing workshops at Public Associations.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Regarding the calculation of the ecological benefits of the production of
biodiversity through environmental DNA analysis will be done in two samples during July-Augoust over 30 urban green spaces to simultaneously complete the environmental DNA analysis of broad target areas.
Regarding calculating the ecological benefits of the Climate action, currently (May 2023), the data collection of six sacred forests in shrines and temples is being conducted. Concretely, more than 20.000m2 and 6000 trees are being measured and identified. A social survey questionnaire is being prepared to evaluate citizens' awareness of traditional green spaces.
Once COVID-19 restrictions are released, the Participatory Action Research method will be fully implemented with stakeholders at the public associations.
Stage 2- Transformation of the research is going prepared.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Regarding the calculation of the ecological benefits of the production of
biodiversity through environmental DNA analysis of water samples taken in rivers, water canals, and garden ponds, it was initially expected to be conducted during April 2022/ March 2023. However, it will be done in two samples during July-Augoust over 30 urban green spaces to complete the environmental DNA analysis of overall target areas at once. This is the resason why the budget expected to be used during 2022-2023 for this purpose, it will be used during 2023-2024
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