IGESSIGESS (Institute for Global Economics and Social Sciences)

How human activities can harmonize with wildlife and a natural environment on earth is an important issue towards making a society sustainable. In this course, students will learn the current environmental conditions and problems of biodiversity in Japan, and conservation measures to tackle these issues.

The purposes of this course are to acquire knowledge about ecosystems and biodiversity in Japan, and to understand efforts to solve the conflict between human beings and wildlife. Through these, students are expected to deepen their interest in biodiversity in their home countries, and to acquire the ability to explore a society in which people and nature live sustainably together.

英語 / English

Feedback on assignments submitted by students will be provided in class or through the Learning Management System. This course will be performed with lectures, video materials and fieldwork. Short introductions with any theme on Japanese nature will be done by students in order. At the end of the semester, students will give individual presentations on nature in their home country or region.
Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at. The details will be announced through the Learning Management System.

あり / Yes

あり / Yes

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

Week 1：Introduction

Guidance and Introduction of this class

Week 2：Japan as Hotspot

Overview of biodiversity in Japan

Week 3：Forest and mountain

Vegetation and wildlife in forest and alpine ecosystems

Week 4：Wetlands

Features and wildlife in wetland ecosystems

Week 5：Marine and coast

Marine wildlife, Ecosystem in tidal flats and coral reefs

Week 6：Field excursion 1

Urban nature, the case of corporation (Surugadai Green Space)

Week 7：Islands

Ecosystem of continental islands and oceanic islands

Week 8：Alien species

The problem and measures on alien species

Week 9：Endangered species

Red list, the cases of extinction, recovery and reintroduction of wildlife

Week 10：Field excursion 2

Urban nature, the case of public park (Kitanomaru Park)

Week 11：Wildlife management

The damage and management cases of deer and wild boar

Week 12：Nature conservation area

National Park, Wildlife Protection Area, World heritage sites, Ramsar sites

Week 13：Satoyama, GIAHS and Biodiversity

Features in rural area, World Agricultural Heritage and Importance of biodiversity, Ecosystem service, Bio-mimicry

Week 14：Presentation

Individual presentation on nature in home country or region

Students need to prepare for and review each session by using textbooks, references, and distributed materials.
Pre-learning such as reading assignments and website research on the theme showed in the syllabus is expected. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

Materials will be distributed via the Learning Management System.

References will be introduced in each lecture.

Participation (40%), Class activity including short presentation and reaction papers (30%), Final report and presentation (30%)

I would like to explain the technical terms for easy understanding, and make effective use of visual materials.

Please note that if the number of students attending the first class significantly exceeds expectations, in order for the instructor to effectively manage the class, the number of students who are allowed to register for the course may be limited.

Government employee, Incorporated Administrative Agency, Private company