[HCG24-02] Comprehensive research for land system science towards sustainable land management in Asia
Keywords:social-ecologcial system, sustainable land management, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning
Terrestrial land systems are now undergoing unprecedented levels of environmental modification by human activities, causing environmental problems at various scales. Especially in Asia, where 60% of the total population is concentrated, rapid population growth and economic growth have led to environmental disturbances and excessive resource use, while new social problems such as aging and declining population have emerged. Various problems are progressing at the same time, and a comprehensive solution for them is required. In order to solve the complex environmental problems that occur in the terrestrial land systems and realize a sustainable society, it is essential to understand terrestrial land systems through an approach that integrates social and natural sciences, based on a recognition that terrestrial land system is regarded as an interaction system between human and environmental systems (coupled human-environment system).
Research plan titled "Comprehensive Research for Sustainable Land System and Land Use in Asia", proposed by Global Land Programme (GLP) Japan Office and related communities, has been recently approved as one of Large Scale Research Project in Master Plan 2020 announced by Science Council of Japan. This project aims for elucidating and predicting terrestrial land system changes caused by land use and land cover change, and developing control methods for improving sustainability and efficient use of land resources through the integrated approach of land systems science. This project consists of three parts as follows; (1) to develop a Data Center for collecting, managing, analyzing, and publishing basic information regarding the coupled human-environment system, and a Knowledge Integration Center that promotes integration of outcomes, (2) to promote regional researches on biodiversity and ecosystem services, reduction of extreme weather phenomena and disaster risks, nitrogen cycle and sustainable resource use, urban and rural sustainability in the Asian region, and develop global discussions through understanding of Asian regions and relationships with other regions, and (3) to develop a program of education for sustainable development (ESD) for researchers, educators, citizens, and elementary and junior high schools and high schools as a framework to guarantee the promotion of ongoing activities and the social implementation of the outcomes in the future on a scale of Japan and Asia, and build a research and information network to promote collaboration among various stakeholders involved in policy making including researchers.
This paper introduces backgrounds and outlines of the project, related case studies in the Northeast Asia, and proposes future perspectives of researches and education which should be further developed, and implication to SDGs.
Research plan titled "Comprehensive Research for Sustainable Land System and Land Use in Asia", proposed by Global Land Programme (GLP) Japan Office and related communities, has been recently approved as one of Large Scale Research Project in Master Plan 2020 announced by Science Council of Japan. This project aims for elucidating and predicting terrestrial land system changes caused by land use and land cover change, and developing control methods for improving sustainability and efficient use of land resources through the integrated approach of land systems science. This project consists of three parts as follows; (1) to develop a Data Center for collecting, managing, analyzing, and publishing basic information regarding the coupled human-environment system, and a Knowledge Integration Center that promotes integration of outcomes, (2) to promote regional researches on biodiversity and ecosystem services, reduction of extreme weather phenomena and disaster risks, nitrogen cycle and sustainable resource use, urban and rural sustainability in the Asian region, and develop global discussions through understanding of Asian regions and relationships with other regions, and (3) to develop a program of education for sustainable development (ESD) for researchers, educators, citizens, and elementary and junior high schools and high schools as a framework to guarantee the promotion of ongoing activities and the social implementation of the outcomes in the future on a scale of Japan and Asia, and build a research and information network to promote collaboration among various stakeholders involved in policy making including researchers.
This paper introduces backgrounds and outlines of the project, related case studies in the Northeast Asia, and proposes future perspectives of researches and education which should be further developed, and implication to SDGs.