Research Projects: Coastal Area Capability Enhancement in Southeast Asia

ishikawa Satoshi School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University

kurokura Hisashi Graduate School of Agricultural and life Sciences, The University of Tokyo

kono Yasuyuki Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

ikemoto Yukio Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, The University of Tokyo

nishida Mutsumi Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo

arimoto Takafumi Faculty of Marine Science, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

baba Osamu Faculty of Marine Science, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology

yamada Yoshihiko School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University

kawada Makito School of Contemporary Sociology, Chukyo University

kanzaki Mamoru Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University

takahashi Hiroshi National Fisheries University

matsuoka Tatsuro Department of Fisheries, Kagoshima University

motomura Hiroyuki Kagoshima University Museum

munprasit, Aussanee Training Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

toledo, Joebert D Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

Coastal area ecosystems are very complex, containing some of the highest levels of biodiversity and primary productivity on earth, but they are also subject to intensive human use and easily degraded. This project uses advanced methods of ecological and social analysis to develop a comprehensive account of how people in several areas of Southeast Asia use coastal resources. It will promote dialogue of how rational and appropriate measures to for social and ecological sustainability can be established.

This study investigates the biodiversity and productivity of Southeast Asian coastal ecosystems, their vulnerability in relation to human activities, and assesses how social practices and ecological processes can be better aligned. We reconsider the existing regime of resource management, centering on “optimal” production (or maximum sustainable yield), and propose the concept of “area capability” as a framework for assessing ecosystem-livelihood linkages in complex and uncertain future environments.

Specimens, including organisms, water, sand, soil and suspended materials, are collected from marine, mangrove and terrestrial ecosystems, entered into a Geographical Information System (GIS) and subjected to stable isotope analysis in order to evaluate ecosystem features and food-web structures and geographical ranges. Mitochondrial DNA sequence analyses and AFLP analyses of the organism specimens will describe genetic biodiversity and clarify the reproducible units of each species within the ecosystems. Chemical analyses will be performed in order to estimate pollution of land and waters. Biomass is evaluated by several methods, including through satellite image analysis and acoustic estimations.

Anthropological, social and economic research methods are used to describe the relationship between human action and ecosystem structure and services. Such data and analyses will be used to establish dialogue between project members and local people, and to amplify, concentrate or improve data collection and methods of evaluation as necessary.

Household interviews and observation surveys are used to gather data on local livelihoods, ethnicity, kinship, employment and educational backgrounds, and use of ecosystems. Logbook surveys will be conducted in order to collect data relating to fishing and other key ecosystem-related livelihood activities. Conjoint and contingent valuation method analyses describe different viewpoints regarding ecosystem services and values. The key elements necessary for consensus building are clarified, and appropriate policies are proposed.

This project will establish a robust database of ecological and social data that can be subject to extensive scientific analysis. By facilitating public access to the database and to information regarding key resource problems in coastal Southeast Asia, many people directly involved in coastal resource management will be able to discuss their understanding of the problems they face, and exchange ideas regarding potential solutions. The idea of “area capability”, a synthesis of coastal ecosystem- and livelihood-resilience under uncertain and complex environmental conditions, will be proposed for popular and academic debate.