Global Environment

Global Environment Research in Japan - Projects of The Global Environment Research Program for FY 1997

Projects of The Global Environment Research Program for FY 1997

In FY 1997. 43 research projects by 10 agencies/ministries including 39 national institutes and 62 universities were funded.

Depletion of the Ozone Layer

(1)Ozone depletion mechanisms and modeling from satellite, balloon and ground based data (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, CRL, NIRE]
  • Universities
    [Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Hokkaido University, Nara Women's University, The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University]
  • EF Fellow : Indian, Russian

(2)Studies on Methyl bromide and other halocarbons ; its behavior in the atmosphere and development of technologies for removal recovery, and destruction (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, NIAES, NARC, NIRE, NIRIN]
  • Universities
    [The University of Tokyo, Yokohama National University, Kyushu University, Sophia University, Kochi Medical School]

(3)Studies on Remote Sensing Techniques Using Satellites for Measuring Atmospheric Trace Gases Related to Ozone Depletion (1995-97)

  • Institutes [NIES, HD-MSA, CRL]

(4)Epidemiological Studies on the health effects of increasing UV exposure (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NCCRI, NIES, NIID, NIIH]
  • Universities
    [Kobe University, Miyazaki Medical College, Kagoshima University, University of Occupational and Environmental Health Japan, Kanazawa Medical University, Kyushu University, Kyoto University]
  • EF Fellow: Chinese

(5)Effects Of Enhanced UV-B Radiation on Ecosystem (1996-98)

  • Institutes [FFPRI, NIAES, CNAES, HNFRI, NIES]
  • Universities
    [Ibaraki University, Chiba University, Kobe Women's University, Hiroshima University, Soka University, Hokkaido Tokai University]
  • EF Fellow: Chinese

Global Warming (Mechanisms and Prediction)

(1)Study on the Evaluation of Climate Change by a Climate and Mass Transport Model (1997-99)

  • Institutes [NIES, FFPRI]

  • Universities
    [The University of Tokyo, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyushu University]

    The NIES large lidar is one of the largest scanning lidar installations, employing a high power Nd:YAG laser and a 1.5m diameter telescope. Observational studies are being carried out on stratospheric and tropospheric aerosols, which play important role in radiative and chemical processes in the global atmospheric environment.

(2)Annual Budget of Greenhouse Gases in West Siberia and its Prediction in Future (1997-99)

  • Institutes [NIES, NAL]
  • Universities [Saga University, Ryukoku University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology]
  • EF Fellow: Russian

(3)Studies on Evaluation, Prediction and Modeling of Carbon Dioxide Dynamics in Terrestrial Ecosystems (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIAES, JIRCAS, NIRE, FFPRI, NARC, MRI]
  • Universities
    [Hiroshima University, Gifu University, Ibaraki University, University of Tsukuba]

(4)Oceanic biogeochemical processes related to uptake of carbon dioxide in the North Pacific (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, NRLM, NIRE, NRIFS]
  • Universities [Nagoya University, Tokai University]

(5)Studies on chemical and physical processes in global change of tropospheric ozone and other minor constituents (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, NIRE]
  • Universities [The University of Tokyo, Doshisha University]

Global Warming (Assessment of Effects)

(6)Impacts of Land-Use Change on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Asia-Pacific Region (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIAES, FFPRI, NIRE]
  • EF Fellow: Indonesian

(7)Impact and Adaptation on Asia-Pacific Regional Population to Global Warming (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, NIPH]
  • Universities
    [Nagasaki University, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan]
  • EF Fellow: American

(8)Research on evaluation and detection of the socio - economic impacts of global warming (1996-98)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • University [Hiroshima University]

(9)Study on Comprehensive Assessment for Impacts Sea-level Rise (1997-99)

  • Institutes [GSI, GSJ. PHRI]

  • Universities
    [The University of Tokyo. Nagoya University. Ehime University. Niigata University, University of Ryukyus, Ibaraki University, Meijo University]

    Distribution of the change in potential productivity of winter wheat in response to 2.5 degrees increase in temperature, estimated by Asian - Pacific Integrated Model (AIM). Productivity in many places like northeastern China and northern India will greatly decrease (indicated by red). In small parts such as central China, productivity is expected to increase (indicated by green). The white part indicates areas where estimated productivity is negligible.

(10)Effects of Global warming on Local Vegetation and the Conservation in Asia-Pacific Region (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, FFPRI]
  • Universities
    [Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Aichi University, Miyazaki Municipal University, Kyoto University. Osaka University, Kyushu University]

Global Warming (Countermeasures)

(11)Studies on Development and Evaluation of the Technology for Reducing CH4 and NO2 Emission to Prevent Global Warming (1995-97)

  • Institutes [NIAES, JIRCAS. NIAI, NGRI. NIRE, TSNRI, NIES, NIPH. PWRI]
  • Universities [Tohoku University, Tohoku Gakuin University]

(12)Evaluation Model of Carbon Sequestration in Forestry (1996-98)

  • Institutes [FFPRI]
  • Universities [Nagoya University. Miyazaki University, Ehime University]

(13)Technological Study on Urban Energy and Resource Management and Urban Structure to Arrest the Global Warming (1997-99)

  • Institutes [NIES, NIRE. NIPH. MRI, BRI]
  • Universities [The University of Tokyo. Kyoto University]

(14)Special Collaborative Studies for Applying the Asian-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM) to Assess Global Warming Abatement Policies with Developing Countries (1997-99)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • University [Nagoya University]
  • Cooperating Country : China. India, Indonesia. Australia, Thailand, Korea

(15)Studies on Alternative in Urban Traffic System (1997-99)

  • Institutes [NIES, TSNRI, MEL, PWRI]
  • Universities [Keio University, Waseda University]
  • Cooperating Country : China. India, Indonesia. Australia, Thailand, Korea

Acid Precipitation

(1)Studies on the Development of a Comprehensive Atmosphere-Soil Model and International Cooperative Field Survey to Clarify the Budget of Environment Acidifying Substances in East Asia (1996-98)

Luciole, a tandem 2-seater type electric vehicle, has been developed by NIES, in cooperation with 12 companies, in order to solve environmental and energy issues. Several new technologies are introduced with Luciole, such as an in-wheel motor drive system, battery built-in frame structure and battery management system. Luciole can travel 130 km per charge in city driving mode.

  • Institutes [NIES. NIAES. MRI, FFPRI, NIPH]
  • Universities
    [Saitama University, Nagoya University, University of Osaka Prefecture. Keio University, Toyohashi University of Technology and Science, Hiroshima University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Utsunomiya University. Toyama University, Hirosaki University, University of Tsukuba, Kyoto University, The University of Tokyo, Toyo University]

(2)Studies on the Impacts of Acidic Pollutants on Life - Environment Systems (1996-98)

  • Institutes [FFPRI. NIES. NIMC, NRIAQ, NRIFS]
  • Universities
    [The University of Tokyo, Gunma University, Nagasaki University, Kitasato University, Hokkaido University, Kagoshima University]

(3)Studies on Techniques to Control Emission of Acid-Precursors in East Asia on Evaluation of Impact of their Application on the Environment (1997-99)

  • Institutes [NIRE, NIES, NIPH]
  • Universities [Gifu University. Saitama University, Bukkyo University]
  • Cooperating Country: China. Korea
  • EF Fellow: Chinese

Marine Pollution

(1)Impact of a Large River's Environmental Load on a Marine Ecosystem in Bohai and East Ohina Seas (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, SNFRI, GSJ, NRIAQ]
  • Universities [Nagoya University, Shiga Prefectural University]
  • Cooperating Country: China
  • EF Fellow: Chinese

(2)Studies on Movement of Hazardous Chemical in East-Asian Seas (1995-97)

  • Institutes [NIES, NIRE, NRIFS, JSNFRI, SNFRI]
  • University [Tokyo University of Fisheries]

(3)Study on the detection of ecological changes and land-based loading effects in the Asian Marginal Seas (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, NRIFSF, JSNFRI, SNFRI]
  • University [Tokai University]

Numerical results of the long-range transport model for February 1992.

Detailed 3D transport, chemical reactions and removal processes are numerically modeled in the North East Asia region. The figures show 3D movement of sulfate concentrations (20 ug/m3) (white isosurface), S02 concentrations (5 ppb) (red isosurface) and stream line in 6 hour intervals (1-2-3-4), These figures indicate that the long-range transport of sulfate extends to cover the western part of Japan.

Tropical Deforestation

(1)Determination of Indicators for Sustainable Management of Tropical Forests (1996-98)

  • Institutes [FFPRI, NIES]
  • Universities [Kyoto University, Hokkaido University, Shinshu University]

(2)Biodiversity as environmental indicators of tropical rainforests (1996-98)

  • Institutes [FFPRI, NIES]
  • Universities [Tokyo Metropolitan University, Osaka City University, Saga University]

(3)Effects of disturbance on physical processes of tropical forests (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, FFPRI]
  • Universities [Shimane University, Waseda University]

Loss of Biological Diversity

(1)Studies on the extinction processes of wildlife populations (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIES, FFPRI]
  • Universities
    [Gifu University, Fukuoka University of Education, University of the Ryukyus, Joetsu University of Education, Kyushu University, The University of Tokyo, University of Tsukuba, Kyoto University, Ishinomaki Senshu University, Hokkaido University, Toyama University, Tohoku University]
  • EF Fellow: English

(2)A Study on Terrestrial Ecosystem Dynamics of Wetlands in Asian-Pacific Region (1995-97)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • University [The University of Tokyo]

(3)Development of a new technology to restore and reproduce threatened animals based on developmental biotechnology (1996-98)

  • Institutes [NIMD, NIAH, NIES]
  • University [University of Tsukuba]
  • EF Fellow: Chinese

(4)Studies on the assessment and evaluation of natural reserves in Asia in relation to biodiversity protection (1996-98)

  • Institute [NIES, GSI]

(5)Biodiversity on Coral Reefs and its Conservation (1997-99)

  • Institutes [SNFRI, NNFRI, GSJ, NRIFS, NIES]

  • University [University of the Ryukyus]

    Lowland dipterocarp forest in Pasoh, Malaysia. The tower at the bottom of picture was built in 1991 and was extended to the present height (52m) in 1995. It has been used for meteorological measurement, phenological and physiological observation of plants, insect trapping and various other ecological experiments.
    (Photography permitted number: DPNM 10,11,3 JLD45(110) Dated 17, Feb. 95)

Desertification

(1)Study of Prevention and Remedies for Desertification (1995-97)

  • Institutes [NIAES, NRIAE]
  • Universities [The University of Tokyo, University of Tsukuba]

(2)Studies on the Development of Technology for the Rehabilitation of Soil with Salt Accumulation in Central Asia (1996-98)

  • Institute [JIRCAS]
  • Universities [University of Tottori, Saga University]
  • Cooperating Country: Kazakhstan

Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Problems

(1)A Comparative Study on the Knowledge, Involvement, Perception and Communication of Environmental Issues (1997-99)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • Universities [University of Tottori, Saga University]
  • Cooperating Country: Kazakhstan

(2)A Study on Development Status, Quality of Life (QOL), Environmental Risk Perception and Behavior in Asian Countries (1997-99)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • University [The University of Tokyo]

(3)Research on the interaction between regional environmental change driven by the human activities and economic development in the Asia region (1996-98)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • EF Fellows: Chinese, Indonesian, Thailander

(4)Research on the interaction between regional environmental change driven by the human activities and economic development in the Asia region (1996-98)

  • Institute [NIES]
  • Universities [Nagasaki University, Kumamoto University]

Integrated Research

(1)tudies on Environmental-economic Integrated Assessment Methodologies for Sustainable Development (1995-97)

  • Institutes [NIES, ERI]
  • Universities
    [Osaka University, Science University of Tokyo, Kwansei Gakuin University, Kyushu University, The University of Tokyo, Yokohama National University, Tokyo Institute of Technology]

(2)Design of Global Environmental Information System for Sustainable Development (1995-97)

  • Institute [NIES]

Pioneering Global Environment Research

(1)A Study on Monitoring of Terrestrial Ecosystem Structure and its Dynamics with Satellite Remote Sensing (1997-99)

  • Institutes [NIES, FFPRI, NIAES]

  • Universities [Chiba University, The University of Tokyo]

    Observation of land surface characteristics with a radio-controlled portable helicopter: for the terrestrial ecosystem studies, it is required to observe land surface characteristics from a local to global scale. This figure illustrates an example of a land surface observation experiment with a radio-controlled portable helicopter equipped with spectrometer and PS camera.