2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Evaluation of the vulnerability of ecosystems to climate changes by using bryophytes as bio-indicators
Project/Area Number |
24710029
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
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Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
Research Field |
Environmental impact assessment/Environmental policy
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Research Institution | Hokkaido University (2014) Shinshu University (2012-2013) |
Principal Investigator |
OISHI Yoshitaka 北海道大学, 北方生物圏フィールド科学センター, 博士研究員 (80578138)
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Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
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Keywords | alpine zone / bio-indicator / bryophyte / conservation / global warming / ecosystem / subalpine zone |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
The ecosystem of the subalpine and alpine zones is vulnerable to climate changes such as global warming. Bryophytes can be useful indicators of vulnerability, because they are sensitive to their surrounding environments. In this study, we examined an effective method of using bryophytes as bio-indicators to evaluate the vulnerability of subalpine and alpine ecosystems. The study site was the Yatsugatake Mountains in the central part of Japan. We examined changes in the bryophyte diversity along an altitudinal gradient as well as response of bryophytes to temperature increase by conducting experiments at different temperatures. On the basis of the results, we identified the bryophyte species that are useful indicators and sensitive to climate changes. We, further, proposed an ecosystem monitoring system for the subalpine and alpine zones. Our study results can contribute to the conservation of ecosystems in subalpine and alpine zones.
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Free Research Field |
環境動態
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