Welcome back! In light of the recent lecture on ‘The Biodiversity Crisis’ by Dr. Coleman, let’s talk about Japan’s biodiversity conservation efforts this week.
According to UPI, Japan’s over-consumption habits contributing to heavy imports from the rest of the world harm more than 700 rare and endangered species, most of which in Southeast Asia and Oceania. This accentuates the fact that anthropogenic factors lead to loss of biodiversity (Aspect of overharvesting from the CHIPPOD template we learned in class)
According to this report, the Japanese biodiversity crises can be categorized into 4 parts- first, second, third, and fourth crises.
- 1st crisis is due to anthropogenic activities during development.
- 2nd crisis is due to reduced human industrial or agriculture activities.
- 3rd crisis is due to artificial means produced synthetically by humans.
- 4th crisis is due to global changes that influence the environment within Japan.
This shows me that biodiversity loss can be caused by both local and global factors. So how does Japan mitigate these apparent crises?
Japan has come up with the National Biodiversity Strategy to face biodiversity loss. Out of the many initiatives rolled out and revised over the years, I would like to point out one that I found rather intriguing in Japan’s context- Sayotama conservation.
Sayotama (里山) is generally referred to as forested or woodland landscapes situated next to rural villages. They are normally used for agriculture and contribute to the self-sustainability of the villages. Apart from being traditional landscapes, they are also home to a rich biodiversity of species, and this phenomenon is widely attributed to conventional management habits. One example is the practice of coppicing in forests that allowed a diverse range of species to thrive. Over the years, the number of Sayotama gradually decreased due to the rapid increase in technology and urbanization of society. This might pose a threat to the innate species that lived in these ecosystems as many of these habitats are no longer maintained by humans.
Due to this, a series of Sayotama restoration efforts such as the Sayotama Initiative have sprung up in different parts of Japan. One scientific article associated the Sayotama renaissance with climate change as wood fuel derived from Sayotama wood forests has conventionally been the prominent source to generate energy in Japanese villages before fossil fuel took its place during the nation’s industrialization phase. According to another report, more than half of Japan’s IUCN Red List species live in Sayotama ecosystems. Hence, it is of paramount importance to conserve these ecosystem habitats, in order to conserve the biodiversity of species that dwell in them.
This got me thinking of similar conservation efforts in Singapore such as the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, which is a wildlife sanctuary for migratory birds. What are some other biodiversity conservation efforts do you notice in Singapore then? Do you think our conservation techniques are comprehensive enough to ensure wide coverage of local endangered species？
-Wen Han
(Cover photo by Sunyu Kim from Pexels)
Hi Wenhan! I’ve been keeping up with your blog for quite a while as Japan’s one of my most favourite countries to go to for a holiday. In fact, I had plans to go to Japan after I graduated from Polytechnic as an impromptu trip, but COVID-19 happened before I could even begin planning for it. Nevertheless, it sure did feel like a virtual environmental trip through your blog posts, and for this one in particular, I have to say that I’m pretty intrigued at the fact that a country like Japan, which is probably one of the most dense places to live and one with extremely advanced technology, is taking the steps to put biodiversity first amidst all these. However, what I am curious to know whether they have worked and whether there is anything we could take away, even if it’s something small!
In my opinion, I’d say that Singapore isn’t doing too bad with regards to conservation efforts, given that we actually set aside land for parks and nature reserves, which is quite remarkable for an island. However, while I do admit that we could do more, it’s worth celebrating the fact that people like you and me were able to conserve Chek Jawa and were involved in the conversation of the Cross Island line. Nevertheless, I do want to find out your opinion too about whether conservation’s a top-down or bottom-up approach (i.e. which is better etc, you can use whichever factor you deem fit) too!
Thanks for such an insightful post though, and have a great one ahead!
Hi Natasha, thanks for giving my blog a read!
I agree that Japan is indeed doing a lot to conserve biodiversity, given by the lengthy initiatives from their National Biodiversity Strategy. However, I cannot give you a definite answer as to how effective they are, simply because these efforts are still ongoing and would really need more time before their effectiveness can be accessed. However judging from this report, we can see that many major corporations like Canon, Aeon, and Ajinomoto are taking part in biodiversity conservation efforts. Hence I deduce that if major powers are consistently involved in conservation acts, positive change can be brought about with respect to biodiversity loss (if these big companies stay in the program for a long time, that is). Another news article provided a contrasting view that Japan still faces controversial issues with conservation efforts such as whales being used for research and selling of whale meat in domestic markets that raise foreign countries’ concerns over Japan’s stance in conserving biodiversity. Overall I feel different countries have their unique set of dealing with biodiversity loss, given the difference in landscapes, seasons, and even species that we are dealing with.
Personally, I feel that conservation should be a top-down approach. We should look at the demographics of animal species in Singapore and categorize them into the 7 classifications (least concern, near threatened, etc) according to the Red List. In this way, we can zoom into the different species that should be prioritized at a certain point in time (critically endangered ones) and implement proper and effective conservation techniques. That being said, we cannot neglect other categories of animal species. Of course, this is just the way I think conservation effort planning should work and other people might have differing views about them. Hope these answers you;)
Have a great one too!
Hey Wen Han, the picture of Sayotama really makes me miss travelling! Personally, I don’t think that Singapore’s approach to bioD conservation is comprehensive enough. Look at how disproportionate our funds and attention are given to different animals just based solely on looks. Otters are well protected, publicised and adored by the general public, but what about the Raffles Banded Langur or the Singapore Freshwater Crab?
Personally, I believe that the government and media’s focus on otters largely stem from their potential for financial and political symbolism. What do you think?
Hi Yin Chuan
Yes, I do miss travelling too and I feel you man #COVID19pleasebeover.
Yes, your comment brings to my attention the inequity of conservation efforts towards different species in Singapore. I think most people might not be aware that the Singapore freshwater crab is CR (critically endangered) and is, in fact, one step away from EW (extinction in the wild). There was once I went on a herping trip with some seniors in Pasir Ris Park and chanced upon a Singapore freshwater crab. This discovery got the seniors so ecstatic. At that point of time, I did not know that Singapore freshwater crabs were CR until they told me so. I think one of the main reasons the Singapore freshwater crab is not garnering as much attention is because this crab species grows to only 1-2 inches wide, and therefore might not be as eye-catching and prominent as other bigger animal species such as otters. Furthermore, the media highlights otters more than any other species, simply because otters are a national identity.
This brings me to the second reason, which is the ‘financial and political symbolism’ that you mentioned. Otter (Bishan’s smooth-coated otter) is a public symbol and recognised both locally and worldwide. Therefore, in order to attract tourists to visit our country for these cute otters and to maintain the reputation of having otters in Singapore, it is natural for the government to enforce regulations that work in the favour of conserving otters (though there has been some public disquiet over otters feeding on expensive domestic fishes in koi ponds). Of course, we cannot completely omit the fact that Singapore is trying to do its part to conserve biodiversity
Overall, we should not be prioritising any species based on the monetary benefits that it can potentially bring us, but rather according to the Red List categories.
Hi Wen Han!
This is such an informative post! When I think of Japan, I think of their amazing seafood. I was wondering whether Japan do conserve their marine animals and what are your personal thoughts on them.
Regards
Azhari
Hi Azhari
Thanks for your comment!
Japan’s marine conservation efforts have always been questionable as the majority of their diets rely on marine stocks. According to this article, Japan faces a decline in fish stocks due to anthropogenic overfishing as well as the destruction of corals due to the natural El-Nino phenomenon. Japan does have its own initiatives to curb these issues such as educating the general public on sustainable fish catching and coral conservation efforts in Okinawa. Marine pollution by oil spills is another problem that plagued Japan. Oil and hazardous spills from ships are detrimental to seabirds and marine life. To prevent this, Japan revised its marine pollution laws to regulate the amount of oil and waste discarded off ships.
In my opinion, public consciousness about marine conservation is essential so everyone is aware of the complications of the decrease in marine species. Following that, the government should enforce stricter laws on the fishery industry to minimize the inadvertent destruction of sea habitats through the use of destructive fishing. Japan should place more emphasis on conserving its marine species since it is a sea-locked country that primarily depends on the coastal and sea regions for livelihood. By ensuring that people follow the rules (for instance illegal overfishing), Japan can ensure higher food security as well as preserving the natural ecosystems that marine species dwell in.
Hope this answers your question!