To elucidate the effects of deer overbrowsing on understory vegetation and ecosystem functions in a natural cooltemperate forest in Ashiu, Japan, a deer-excluded fence was established around a 13-ha watershed and a 15-ha watershed in 2006 (2006-fenced) and in 2017 (2017-fenced), respectively, in comparing to an unfenced 19-ha watershed as a reference. In these watersheds, understory vegetation, streamwater chemistry, and sediment flows in stream were monitored. The pattern of recovery in understory vegetation was different among the geographical feature. Nitrate-nitrogen concentration and fine sediment transport in stream were lower in the 2006-fenced watershed than the reference watershed. These results indicate that the watershed-scale defense is more effective for not only the vegetation conservation, but also the protection of ecosystem functions related with plant-soil-stream interactions rather than a patch-scale defense. In the 2017-fenced watershed, the recovery of plant species composition and the decrease rate of nitrate concentration were not so evident the first 2 years after the fence construction compared to that in the 2006-fenced watershed. This result suggests that the delay of fence construction leads the soil seed bank to decline under the continuous deer-grazing pressure. In addition, unfortunately, deer temporarily invaded into the fenced watershed due to degradation with age and unexpected destruction of the fence, and made the progress of vegetation recovery slower. To prevent deer invasion surely, we have decided a method for efficient and labor-saving management of watershed-scale deer fence.

We examined the impact of sika deer on regional vegetation in 2018–2019 using data from a questionnaire survey. We quantitatively evaluated the impact of the deer on vegetation biodiversity and identified areas facing irreversible ecosystem shifts and biodiversity degradation by comparing survey data between 2009 and 2019. The survey aggregated 952 data sets which included areas with heavily impacted vegetation across Japan, from north (e.g., Shiretoko Peninsula, Hokkaido) to south (e.g., Yakushima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture), as well as various vegetation types, such as evergreen warm temperate forests, deciduous temperate forests, cool temperate conifers, coastal grasslands, wetlands, and alpine vegetation. We found new evidence for impacts on inland parts of Japan and coastal areas near the Sea of Japan in 2019, in addition to heavily impacted areas since 2009. Furthermore, such effects have been expanding since 2009, especially in the southwestern part of the Pacific side of Japan. Our results indicate that negative impacts on floral biodiversity caused by sika deer are increasing in Japan.

Kirigamine Plateau, where is a habitat for various threatened plants and animals, is one of the most popular natural tourist sites in Japan. In recent years, however, tourism flowers (e.g., Hemerocallis middendorffii) have suffered severe browsing damage by sika deer, and therefore several deer fences have been installed. In this study, to assess the conservation effects of deer fences on species diversity of subalpine semi-natural grasslands, plant and insect surveys with UAV image analysis were conducted in semi-natural grasslands of Kirigamine Plateau. The numbers of flowering plant species, flowers and flowering threatened plant species were higher inside fences than those outside the fences. The numbers of butterflies and bumblebees were also higher inside than outside the fences. UAV image analysis visualized the conservation effects of the deer fences over a wider area. Our results highlight that the installation of deer fences is indispensable for the conservation of both tourism resources and threatened species.

Damage on agriculture and forestry caused by sika deer is severe, and the impact extend to natural forests, grasslands, and wetlands. A number of administrative agencies have individually conducted surveys on deer habitats and vegetation and own a large amount of data, but it was rare to combine them for usage of impact assessments. The purpose of this study is to grasp the current situation and to propose conservation measures by reanalyzing the data collected by multiple administrative agencies and by conducting field surveys.

By analyzing the deer effects in the natural forest of the Hokkaido Forestry Bureau and the SPUE data of the Hokkaido government, we found the relationship between the regional pattern of deer population change and the preference of forest floor plants. In addition, the data on browsing scars on seedlings indicate that the seedling density was low in areas where the high density of deer continued. Tree species preferences generally were consistent among regions, but there were regional differences in species with high preference.

In the Sarobetsu mire, GPS transmitter data from the Ministry of the Environment revealed that there are populations that use the wetland area in summer. The vegetation surveys inside and outside the deer protective fences and browsing scar surveys showed that the impact on vegetation is currently small. Based on these results, we propose the necessity of populations control around the bog in summer and continuous monitoring.

It is now required that precautionary measures against expanding populations of sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the Tohoku district including heavy snow areas. Then we have devised the new monitoring method, named “voice traps,” to detect deer in areas with their low-density population, where the existing monitoring methods (e.g., spotlight counts, camera traps) are rarely effective. Here we conducted the verification tests of the voice traps in eastern Japan. The voice traps for deer are composed of two different monitoring methods; active acoustic monitoring (AAM) and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). While the AAM is a type of sound playback survey through using the behavioral trait of male deer in rut seasons, the PAM relies on the detection of loud calls (i.e., howl and moan) spontaneously emitted by male deer with autonomous recording units and machine learning algorithm. We conducted seven evaluation tests for the AAM in six study areas and confirmed clear howl-back in the two areas (Nasu area and Asahi-Iide mountains). We then tested the PAM in five study areas and automatically detected howl sounds in two areas (Nasu area and Asahi mountains). Considering that the habitat occupation of deer was hardly confirmed by the existing monitoring methods in these study areas, the current verification tests demonstrated the higher detectability of the voice traps.

Along with the many rural districts in Japan, sika deer (Cervus nippon) has also been increasing in Okumikawa district, eastern part of Aichi prefecture, Japan. The increase in sika deer population led agricultural problem as well as vegetation damage, which have been decreasing the rare species. For solving the problems, we developed the mathematical model and application named “Yarushika-Nai”, which can show the appearance possibility of sika deer for effective population control. The “Yarushika-Nai” was constructed from the data of deer GPS-collar mainly, but there are two problems in existing model. First is that the model can be applied only in the investigation area of GPS-collar. Second is that the prediction unit is 250×250 m, which is little a bit wide for hunting. We, therefore, investigated to improve “Yarushika-Nai” by incorporating the deer sighting data widely from civil people or administrative officer, aerial photograph by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and the terrestrial laser scanning system. As results of the research, we can improve the appearance possibility by incorporating the deer sighting data, and we found the details of sika deer appearance; they tend to stay at the area of low stand and high vegetation density. We will improve the “Yarushika-Nai” according to the results of this study. In addition, we will continue to improve it by collecting the deer sighting data from civil people, administrative officer, and the researchers for reducing deer damage.

Since April 1997, the inner part of Isahaya Bay has been isolated from Ariake Sea by a dike for reclamation. We periodically monitored water quality, grain-size of bottom sediments and benthic animals using the sediment samples collected from (1) 50 fixed stations around inner part of Ariake Sea on 8 and 9 June 2019 and (2) 16 fixed stations inside of the dike on 10 June 2019. According to our results, in the both inner and outer parts of Isahaya Bay, the number of species and mean individual density of benthic animals have been still smaller than the past. After the shut-off, benthic animals rapidly decreased from 1998 to 2001, and then only a few species increased from 2002 to 2003. However, from 2004 to 2019, most of them have disappeared or decreased rapidly in the both inner and outer parts of Isahaya Bay. The results of this research will be used as the theoretical ground in order to require the investigation of opening the gate against the Japanese Government, and these will be possible to supply basic data before opening the gate for future studies after opening the gate of Isahaya Bay.

The final aim of this study is to reestablish population of the endemic subspecies Daito Scops Owls on Kita-daito Island, where the owls exterminated 30-40 years ago, and to diversify the risk of their extinction on Minami-daito Island. We aim to gather fundamental information about carrying capacity of owls on Kita-daito Island. We currently confirmed by using playback of hooting that Daito scops owls do not inhabit on Kita-daito Island. We described three significant distribution patterns of territories on Minami-daito Island, high-density area of territories, area that owls do not depend on a relatively forest, and area that nest boxes attract breeding pairs. According to those information, aerial photographs, and field surveys on Kita-daito Island, we examined suitable habitats for their breeding, and estimated the possible number of owlsʼ breeding territories. In addition, we compared the number of main foods of the owls, cockroaches and huntsman spiders during a winter season between Kita-daito and Minamidaito Islands. It is possible that 49 breeding pairs settle on Kita-daito Island. The number of main cockroaches and spiders did not differ between two islands. It is inferred that owls can overwinter on Kita-daito Island, and so maintain their population.

Hachijo-kojima is an island, where no weasels and cats were introduced, and the unique food webs of the Izu Islands remain. After all the islanders left in 1969, abandoned goats had drastically increased in number and had damaged on the native vegetation. We proposed the extermination of the goats, and the Tokyo Metropolitan and Hachijo-jima local governments exterminated a total of 1137 goats from 2001 to 2007. The native vegetation has seemed to be recovered, yet the ecological survey has not been conducted. We have conducted plant and animal survey starting from 2018 in order to contribute to the conservation and management of the unique island ecosystems. In 2019, land shellfish and insects surveys were added. From the survey, rare plant species such as Okuboʼs orchid (Platanthera okuboi), Kakiran (Epipactis thunbergii), and Oshima Shusuran (Goodyera hachijoensis f. izuohsimensis) were found for the first time since the goat extermination. The Okada's five-lined skink, nearly endemic reptiles of the Izu Islands, has occurred in higher density than on the other islands. The skink possesses different form and behavior compared to the same species of the other islands. The black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), the near threatened birds species, had landed on the island in 2013. Its breeding activity had been monitored. In the breeding season of 2016-2017, 2 young were recorded. The breeding success rate has improved from 2016-2017 (7 young in 2017-2018 and 26 young in 2018-2019). Other rare bird species were also found such as Ijimaʼs willow warblers (Phylloscopus ijimae), Seven Island thrushes (Turdus celaenops), Styan's grasshopper warblers (Locustella pleskei), and Japanese wood pigeons (Columba janthina). The Japanese wood pigeon, quite common on this island, is the representative bird species of the Izu Islands.The surveys on the land snails and insects have just started. No much information has been gathered, but many endangered land snail species have been recorded. These snails are native to Hachijo-kojima Island, where many alien snails are found in Hachijo Main Island. These results suggest that Hachijo-kojima Island has kept unique ecosystems of the Izu Islands. It is suggested that further continuous monitoring is needed.

The Japanese serow (Capricornis crispus) has been mistakenly captured due to snare traps for Sika deer (Cervus nippon). Komoro-city, Nagano Prefecture records animals captured by mistake and attached the ear tag to serows for individual recognition since 2016. Sensor cameras were installed in the hilly area on the south side of the Chikuma River from 2017 to confirm the injured state and survival of serows with an ear tag. Mistaken-capture did not decrease from 2016 to 2019 in this area. The average number of captures was 2.8 per individual and 14 at maximum. Half of the 24 individuals examined had injuries, and 9 of them had partial limb defects. At a minimum, about 30% of all captured individuals had injuries. Injury tended to be severe with the number of captured experience. However, this tendency was not significant. There may be other factors that make the injury serious. There was no differencein survival rate between the injured and uninjured individuals. Medium to long-term monitoring is necessary.

Asian multicolored ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, has been found in Ishigaki island and Okinawa island recently as an invasive species in Ryukyu Islands. Harmonia yedoensis is originally distributed in these areas, suggesting that competitive interactions may affect on native community. Here we examined niche use of H. yedoensis in Ryukyu Islands and tried to detect H. axyridis. Moreover, we performed genetic analysis when we cannot identify species by morphology. We found that H. yedoensis uses a variety of habitat in Ryukyu Islands, including fig trees. In addition, we detected H. axyridis from Ishigaki island collected in 2015. We need to develop a cost-effective method to identify these species to detect H. axyridis in its invasive region.

We conducted the vegetation survey by using the tree census plots of old-growth forests on the islands of Amami- Oshima and Tokunoshima, both of which are World Natural Heritage candidates, Amami Islands, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Here, we report the results of the trees and the forest floor plants that make up the native laurel forest at the three altitude points (200, 400, and 600 m) of Amami Oshima. Trees individuals (DBH > 4.8 cm) were confirmed as 52 species of 2728 trees in the monitoring plot at an elevation of 200 m, 64 species of 2652 trees at 400 m, and 53 species of 3813 trees at 600 m. The results of the distribution pattern of large-diameter trees suggested that the 400 m survey area was in a more advanced succession stage than the other monitoring plots. In the 200m plot, the coverage of the shrub layer varied greatly depending on the micro-topography: ridge (about 72 %), slope (about 68 %), valley (about 54 %). On the other hand, the vegetation coverage in the herbaceous layer showed an opposite pattern, with larger in valleys. Appearing species were 39 fern plants, 12 herbaceous plants, 27 shrubs, 26 high trees, and 13 vines. The number of species of fern and herbaceous plants was highest in the valleys, and the number of species tended to decrease as they transfer from the slope to the ridge. On the contraly, it was found that shrub species and woody species have the highest number of species on the slope and relatively few in the valleys and ridges.

In Gifu prefecture, population control of Japanese serow has been conducted as damage control, while incidental capture is occurring frequently. To conserve local population of serow, it would be necessary for wildlife managers to establish minimum culling scheme and avoid incidental capture. We aim to reveal damage conditions for serow and examine how to avoid incidental capture by baits. First, the periods of re-haunting to damage sites after serow culling were up to a maximum of three months, and sika deer also appeared to these sites. Second, appearance frequency of serow tended to increase since Japanese cypress sprouted. Third, serow did not appear at bait sites, and sika deer, wild boars, and raccoon dogs intensively fed several baits during night. Consequently, the reasons for continuing damage after serow culling are as follows; the effect of serow culling did not persist before intensive damage period, and sika deer also caused damage to Japanese cypress. Additionally, attracting other mammals (e.g. sika deer and wild boars) using baits at baits sites, but not at animal trails, there is a possibility of avoiding incidental capture of Japanese serow.

Recently, non-native channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, an invasive alien species in Japan, has been repeatedly caught in Lake Biwa. However, the speciesʼ present status in the lake is unclear, and there seem to be more unreported capture records than have been reported. To reveal its distribution in the lake, we collected capture records of channel catfish from citizens including leisure anglers. In addition, we quantified its thermal tolerance using a swimming chamber to predict its dispersal in the Lake Biwa/Yodo River basin. Our survey has revealed that 314 individuals were caught across the basin during 2005–2019. While most of the capture records occurred near the Setagawa Weir, some records were reported from the Uji and the Kizu River in Kyoto Prefecture, the Yodo River in Osaka Prefecture, and the Nunome River in Nara Prefecture, indicating the speciesʼ range expansion in the downstream direction. Moreover, our laboratory experiments have confirmed the speciesʼ thermal tolerance up to 40 ºC in summer season. Yet the species has been caught only three times in the North basin of Lake Biwa for 5 years, it may also expand its range in the area, where the average water temperature during summer has rising gradually along with global warming.

We tried to reveal species composition and its seasonal change of the freshwater-fish community in the Kamikawa plain on Hokkaido Island, Japan, using meta-barcoding analysis of eDNA. We tried to detect negative effects of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) onto the native-fish community. Sixteen research sites were located at Ishikarigawa River system including a primary tributary, Chubetsu-gawa River. We collected water-samples once a month from Oct. 2018 to Aug. 2019. We detected DNAs of 36 ASVs (operational taxonomic units) from 12 families. The numbers of ASVs per site ranged 12–23. The DNAs of Barbatula barbatula, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, Cottus nozawae, and rainbow trouts were detected at all the research sites. As a whole, the frequency and proportion of native species were high. As for native salmonids, DNAs of Masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou sspp.), whitespotted char (Salvelinus leucomaenis sspp.), dolly varden (Salvelinus malma sspp.), and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta spp.) were detected at 15, 12, 11, and 11 sites, respectively. The number of ASVs per site was largest at Asahibashi bridge in the central Asahikawa City. The numbers of ASVs detected were large at the sites of tributaries of Ishikari-gawa River, i.e. Masutori-gawa and Piukenai. The sites around the Chubetsu Reservoir tended to contain smaller numbers of ASVs detected. The sites at the lower reaches of the Ishikari-gawa and Chubetsu-gawa Rivers tended to contain richer number of species including large numbers of Cyprinidae species. We did not detect the exclusive relationship between rainbow trout and the native salmonid species.

The Japanese murrelet has been designated as “vulnerable species” (i.e., at high risk of endangerment in the wild) by the Japan Ministry of the Environment and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and conservation efforts are required. In 2018, we observed incubating adults on two islands at Mugi-cho, TokushimaPrefecture, confirming breeding at these locations.

In 2019, our investigation documented incubating at Kotsu-shima (North Kotsu Islet (Nazanohane) and South Kotsu Islet (Sadeba)) and Kainage-jima. In addition, carcasses were found at Tsushima. Therefore, Kotsu-shima and Kainage-jima have been confirmed as breeding sites and Tsushima has been considered as a potential breeding site.

During night-time spotlight surveys on the water around the islands near Mugi-cho, 965 murrelets were counted in 2018, and 656 murrelets were counted in 2019.

The breeding population size was examined using area size of night-time congregation, density and the ratio of breeding birds captured. At Kainage-jima, where incubating murrelets were observed, a dead murrelet suspected of predation by rodents was found in 2018. We also documented feces considered to be of small mammals at this island. We attempted to set wax tags and automatic cameras to confirm the presence of rodents but failed to confirm the presence of rodents. Additionally, there were many eggshell fragments scattered on the ground despite the early timing of the breeding season for this species. We attempted to set automatic cameras at the entrances to nest sites and we confirmed egg predation by crows. The effects of crows on this species were also examined.

Ancient murrelets breed and nest on vertical cliffs in the Teuri island, the population size of which is small and estimated from 161 to 299 individuals. Conservation management of the Teuri breeding population has been required but not established until now. The population has lacked for scientific data about ecological and genetic information owing to the difficulty in approach to nest sites. In 2016, during the breeding season, researchers collected blood of 30 individuals from the population, which enable us to investigate genetic characteristics of the Teuri population for conservation. Mitochondrial analysis revealed that Teuri population shared haplotype with Aleutian breeding population but did not shared with British Colombia and Kamchatka breeding populations. The results suggested that the Teuri and Aleutian populations should be separately managed for conservation from the others. Microsatellite analysis showed no evidence of low genetic diversity of Teuri population. We proposed a conservation plan by protection of the nesting sites in the Teuri island. Additionally, a wide range of conservation managements for ancient murrelets would be required, because the sea near Japan would be important area for their wintering habitat.

Chimaphila umbellata is a partially mycoheterotrophic plant, so the involvement of fungi is necessary at the time of germination. This species distributes in the northern hemisphere. In Japan they are found in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Ibaraki prefectures. In Hitachinaka city, Ibaraki prefecture, the southern limit of the distribution, the number of individuals has dropped sharply making them in danger of extinction.

In order to clarify their germination conditions in the southern limit, seed packets were buried in various environments in autumn 2018. After 6 and 10 months, recovered packets were examined and germination was confirmed. The state of the germination was in an early stage where the embryo expands and breaks the testa. It is necessary to continue the investigation in order to identify the environmental conditions suitable for symbiotic fungi and germination.

Next, in order to compare the breeding status of populations in the southern and the northern (Hokkaido and Aomori prefecture) regions, we surveyed growing area in July to August 2019. As a result, it was not possible to confirm the breeding by the seedlings in all surveyed areas, but the growth density, the number of flowers and fruits were larger in the growing area in the northern part, and hence the possibility of seed breeding would be higher in these regions. In the southern limit, as major pollinator of Chimaphylla umbellata was lacked, artificial pollination is considered to be effective for better fruiting. Finally, population genetics analysis using next-generation sequencing revealed that populations in the southern limit are genetically uniform and that they have less genetic diversity than those in the north. It is necessary to take conservation measures as soon as possible in these areas.

Methodology for deer population census using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, drone) was investigated on Kinkazan Island, northeastern Japan, where the sika deer population has been recorded by the brock count method by walk. Drone census of the island was possible by dividing the island into 10 flight sections, and 429 deer were detected throughout the island by a thermal infrared camera on the drone in April 2019. The numbers of deer in the brock count method by walk held in March 2019 and the drone census limited in the corresponding area to the block count by walk sections were 380 and 377, respectively. The number of deer found in evergreen forests (17.6 % of the island) was 1.3 times larger in the brock count method by walk than the drone census, suggesting the necessity of correcting the number of deer in the evergreen forests for estimation the number of deer in the whole island in drone census. However, drone census would be applied with similar or better accuracy than the block count method by walk on the island, where large area is occupied by deciduous forests and grasslands.

GPS recorders were deployed to investigate the foraging area of Japanese murrelets breeding at Mikomoto Island, during the late breeding period. In total 3 birds were tracked. As a result, after releasing all three birds moved to 0.6km northwest of the island, and then moved to the southeast 2-6km of the island via the south side of the island. The foraging area was around 4-6km northeast of the island, and the sea area was a steep shelf slope that suddenly dropped from about 20m to about 100m. In addition, it overlapped with the sea area near the island where there was a lot of ship traffic. The flight altitude was often less than 40m, but it sometimes flew in the range of 40-120m. The sea area on the steep slope is a good fishing ground, suggesting the possibility of competing with the fishermen. The flight altitude indicated the possibility of collision risk with offshore wind power generation.

The purpose of this research was to elucidate the ecology of the Ryukyu tube-nosed bat and Yanbaru whiskered bat, in order to guide conservation strategies. Towards that goal, we had three aims: (1) Conduct VHF radiotracking to determine important roosting habitat, (2) Determine species distributions within Kunigami Village municipality using automated recorders, and (3) to describe species diets based on DNA metabarcoding of feces. Over the past two years, we have caught 67 Ryukyu tube-nosed bats and 18 Yanbaru whiskered bats, tracking 17 and 6 of these individuals, respectively. Ryukyu tube-nosed bats used various plant roosts, especially dead understory foliage. Yanbaru whiskered bats strongly preferred tree holes along streams. Automated recorder survey results demonstrated that the Ryukyu tube-nosed bat is widely distributed within the forest, while the Yanbaru whiskered bat is rarer and was only detected along waterways within the forest. More research is needed to understand the habitat requirements of the Yanbaru whiskered bat. Fecal analyses have yet to be completed, but preliminary results indicate that the four microbat species present in Yambaru consume a variety of arthropods. In the future, we will test the hypothesis that the Ryukyu tube-nosed bat gleans arthropods off of plants and the ground, while the Yanbaru whiskered bat captures insects flying over the river. Important old-growth forest habitats and forests along rivers should be preserved. Understory thinning should be reduced and logging during the pupping period (especially April to July) should be avoid.

In this study, we focused on the prey animals of two top-predator, endangered, umbrella species of Iriomote-jimaIsland, the Iriomote cat and the crested serpent eagle. The effective conservation of their habitats is necessary tomaintain and conserve the entire ecosystem of this island. We carried out a detailed analysis of their diets using theDNA barcoding method, a popular method to analyze wild animal diets. The predator animal feces were collected inwinter and summer, and tried to identify their prey species based on the sequence similarity of extracted fecal DNA.We identified a higher number of prey species than those from a past study and showed the effectiveness of thismethod in analyzing wild-animal diets. Both species were found to prey on multifarious species, for example, frogs,skinks, rat, birds, Sesarmops intermedium, and Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. Thus, we must maintain diversity,number of individuals, and biomass of these prey animals for conservation of these two predator species.

Most of the coastal forests along the Sendai Bay were devastated by the tsunami and land subsidence caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Embankment and reforestation are currently underway as restoration projects. On the other hand, seedlings of Pinus thunbergii germinate and grow naturally outside the restoration area. In order to understand the vegetation of these coastal forests, we investigated the vegetation of four natural regeneration sites and four planted sites on the Sendai Bay. On the NMDS plot using the species presence-absence data, natural regeneration sites and planted sites were not mixed together, indicating that both vegetations were different clearly. Natural regeneration sites contains many species of trees, shrubs and coastal plants, and the species composition was different among sites compared to planted sites. It is considered that these differences between natural regeneration sites and planted sites are drived from not only the difference in the number of years since the disturbance, but also the lack of seed supply coused by embankment using soil without organic matter. These results suggest that natural regeneration sites are important for the conservation of species diversity in coastal forest ecosystems.

Various types of shells accidentally provided from gastropods community are necessary for the life of terrestrial hermit crabs. So, knowledge of gastropods community dynamics is essential for terrestrial hermit crabs conservation. In Chichijima of the Ogasawara Islands where a terrestrial hermit crabs Coenobita purpureus inhabit predominantly, repeated invasion of alien species as the giant African snail Achatina fulica has disrupted on terrestrial gastropod community. To investigate the influence of the disturbance in gastropod community as a supply source of shells on the dynamics of C. purpureus population, we compared two populations between Chichijima and Okinawa main island of the Nansei Islands in which the impact of alien species on terrestrial gastropods community is relatively small. C. purpureus in Chichijima population was much larger than Okinawa mainland population, and the most individuals used shells of A. fulica. Also, in their habitats of Chichijima island, there were few available shells for terrestrial hermit crabs. These results indicated that C. purpureus of the Chichijima population strongly depended on the shells of A. fulica, but the present shell supply was stopped or strongly limited. In addition to the insufficient amount of the key shells, other shell supply sources such as the native gastropod community were already damaged seriously by the repeated invasion of alien species. Therefore, the collapse of shells supply chain in habitats may make it challenging to maintain C. purpureus population in the future.

There is a record indicating that weasels were introduced on six islands in Tokara Islands, including Kuchinoshima. Recently, the marten is found on Kuchinoshima. It wasn't recorded when it was first introduced. A number of studies about the impact on native species on many islands have been done due to the introduction of weasels. However, much less research has been done on the introduction of the marten. This study is aimed to clarify food habits and distribution area of the marten in order to estimate its impact on native species. We also aim toassess presence or absence of the weasel.

The density of the weasel is estimated to be extremely low or none by the results of camera trapping and fecal DNA species identification. Feces of Mustelidae were found throughout the survey route. For the reason stated above, all of these feces have a high likelihood of being marten feces. The density of the feces, 15 feces (/km), was higher than those of the marten in other areas. The marten density is presumed to be relatively high. Indigenous saw stag beetles and lizards were found in the marten feces.

Cerasus shikokuensis flowering cherry, which is endemic species of Shikoku area in Japan, has been designated as an endangered species in both Ehime and Kochi prefectures. There is a concern that the habitat of this species will decrease due to global warming and other factors. In order to accumulate basic knowledge for the conservation of this species that only grows in an extreme environment in the Shikoku mountainous regions, we investigated distribution area, population size, genetic diversity, and population differentiation in this species.

In the horizontal distribution, it was found that the southern limit of the distribution was located at Mt. Iwaguro in Ishizuchi mountainous region, and the northeast limit of the distribution was located at Mt. Ebira in Akaishi mountainous region. This species had a different vertical distribution among each population. The Akaishiyama population grows at 1,400 m to 1,700 m, which is the lowest altitude for growth of this species in Shikoku. We estimated that each population size is between 50 to 1,000 individuals in this species. In vegetation, it was shown that each species depended on altitude and geology factors. This species mainly consisted of the shrub with other species such as Acer austral, A. micranthum and with Sorbus species at forest edges and gaps in the Abies veitchii var. shikokuensis forest in rocky area. Genetic diversity of this species using 12 nuclear SSR markers was shown equal or higher values with the southernmost population of C. nipponica. The overall Gʼ_ST value was 0.100 (0.050 in the case of C. jamasakura) that indicated genetic differentiation among 5 populations due to the differences in genetic structure among populations. Moreover, we estimated that bottleneck effect occurred in 3 populations in the past. In Akaishiyama population, crossing with the wild cherry C. jamasakura was observed among those at low altitudes.

Free-ranging domestic cats Felis catus threaten the survival of endangered species mainly through predation, especially on the islands. In Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima Islands, the World Natural Heritage Sites nominated are urgently needed the countermeasures. We held semimars and meetings with local and central administrative staff, and two sequential symposia in Tokyo. In addition, we published two books; one was translation of a book on the issue and another was contributed by our group members. Through these activities, we consider that the public awareness was further promoted and an information exchange network was established.

We conducted fieldwork at Comoé National Park in the northeast corner of Côte dʼIvoire. The objective of this study was to obtain population data that would enable us to find a priority area(s) for the synergistic conservation actions on the white-thighed colobus (Colobus vellerosus) and the white-naped mangabey (Cercocebus lunulatus). Both species are threatened species. We set up a remote camera in the tree crown along each of the 10 transects in each of the three study areas (Comoé, Iringou, Gawi) in the southwest of the Park. We also conducted surveys using the line transect sampling method in the forest (154 km) and reconnaissance surveys (21 km) in all habitat types. The canopy cameras obtained images of all primates except four species including C. vellerosus and olive colobus (Procolobus verus). The surveys (data were pooled) obtained the mean visual encounter rates (group/km) of C. lunulatus and C. vellerosus at 0.22 and 0.07, respectively, confirming the presence of a viable C. lunulatus population and several C. vellerosus groups. Unexpectedly, we found a baboon-mangabey hybrid-like individual during a survey. The lack of observation of P. verus is a concern. We will continue with research to determine a priority conservation area(s).

White-bellied heron Ardea insignis (WBH) is critically endangered not many aspects of its basic ecology nor are threats to the species clearly understood. The goal of this study was to analyze WBH foraging microhabitat selection, foraging behavior and prey preferences in two river basins in Bhutan likely home to one of the largest remaining populations of WBH. The riffle and pool were most commonly used microhabitats with 80 and 62 feeding observations. WBH exploited three genera of fish species (Gara, Salmo, and Schizothorax) of which Schizothorax (64 %) was the most dominant genus. This study fills the existing knowledge gap and provides evidence to support effective policy and management implementation for further protection of its riverine habitat and enhancement of food resource for long time survival of WBH.

Many slope failures occurred in the ASO volcano by “Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016” and following repeated heavy rainfall. We have started a project to restore the semi-natural grassland using local plants of typical species which is Miscanthus sinensis Andersson.

To proceed environment-friendly restoration and employment of local certified seeds and seeding, social consensus are indispensable.

To obtain social preparation for conservation of local environment and biodiversity, we are cooperating with various stake holders.

On 2019, trial for restoration in the ASO grassland, maintenance work to make short type grassland from tall type, observation experience of plants and nature is operated. We gather seeds Miscanthus sinensis for restoration.

We are continuing studies about the supplying system and utilization of local seeds which can secure the traceability and sustainability.

We announced suggestion about geographical area of supplying and planting plants for Nature Restoration Projects around Aso-Kuju National Park.

The Iriomote Island is one of the most outstanding natural areas in Japan. Despite the small area of only 283 km², the island with the forest-cover up to 90 % provides the single habitat of endangered Iriomote cat Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis. The most significant threat to this endangered species is roadkilling on the single highway in the island.

The essence of conservation challenge in the island is how to secure a co-existence between the endangered wild cat and local community through active participation of the residents. In this context, future impact of over-tourism caused by describing Iriomote Island in the Natural World Heritage List to the natural environment and their wellbeing is a matter of concern of the local community at the present time. This project aims to respond to that concern.

The subjects of the monitoring are (i) night-time traffic in the highway, which has caused road collision of Iriomote cats and (ii) growth of weed on the roadside of the highway, which can obstruct driverʼs view.

Local people who participated in the night-time patrolling in the highway remove the body of frogs, snakes and other small animals which can attract the cats on the road for feeding. They also record the number, type of ownership of the car (owned by local people or rental-car company) and speed. That information is shared among the patrol members, island-wide event and the Iriomote outpost of the Ministry of Environment. 80 % of the cars recorded were owned and driven by local people last year. Though speed of the cars has overall declined recently since Yamaneko Patrol began the speed measurement, the number of Iriomote cats killed on the road has not followed suits. This suggests that it is important to approach the local people who would drive at more than 50 km/h, 10 km/h higher than legal speed. In terms of local community participation, some new members joined the team while some left.

The monitoring of growth of weed on the roadside is a quite new initiative. Firstly, we selected 13 monitoring sites based on the past occurrence of roadkills of the cats. Secondly, our team evaluated the growth of the weed once a month at each site. According to the first glance in January 2020, we recognized that some sites suffered significant hindrance of driverʼs view even two months after weed killing. We are planning to continue monitoring all of the sites and provide an effective, practical plan of weed killing through full participation of the local community in the near future.