Participatory Procedure for Researching Tidal Flat Benthos Wetlands International Japan (WIJ) is working on capacity-building of trainers and actors of tidal flat benthos survey. Project Outline Among other coastal ecosystems, tidal flats are one of the most important ecosystems and serve as a nest of rich biodiversity. Tidal flats function as habitats for fish and shellfish, as well as feeding grounds and stopover sites for Waterbirds. In addition, they play a role as “water purification tanks” that decompose organic matters. These functions are supported by taxonomically-diverse benthic animals. Benthic animals are both predators and preys of other tidal flat creatures: they eat organic matters and seaweeds, as well as are eaten by waterbirds that would migrate to other sites. Their roles are essential to maintain coastal ecosystem. Activities Monitoring of the benthic animals is important for conservation of tidal flats. Continuous monitoring can also serve a “health check of tidal flats”. In order to conduct accurate “health check”, WIJ works on two types of capacity-building activities as follows: ①Development of survey method and materials WIJ has been developing handy-sized guidebooks that can serve for both beginners of tidal flat survey and experts. Pictorial benthos catalogues are included for use on sites. A “Life-sized guide” on laminated sheet and a DVD “Movie guide for participatory procedure for tidal flat benthos survey” have also been made available to support the project. ⇒read more ②Participatory Survey events and “Survey Leader” training WIJ has been implementing “Tidal flat benthos survey at citizen’s participation” events and “Survey Leader” training nationwide, in order to meet citizen’s needs such as “I want to know the state of tidal flat benthos more!” or “I want to conduct a tidal flat survey by myself!“ “Survey Leaders” are those who are trained and qualified to be able to guide tidal flat surveys at citizen’s participation. ⇒read more Latest News (Japanese)
Participatory Procedure for Researching Tidal Flat Benthos
Wetlands International Japan (WIJ) is working on capacity-building of trainers and actors of tidal flat benthos survey.
Project Outline
These functions are supported by taxonomically-diverse benthic animals. Benthic animals are both predators and preys of other tidal flat creatures: they eat organic matters and seaweeds, as well as are eaten by waterbirds that would migrate to other sites. Their roles are essential to maintain coastal ecosystem.
Activities
Monitoring of the benthic animals is important for conservation of tidal flats. Continuous monitoring can also serve a “health check of tidal flats”. In order to conduct accurate “health check”, WIJ works on two types of capacity-building activities as follows:
①Development of survey method and materials
⇒read more
②Participatory Survey events and “Survey Leader” training
WIJ has been implementing “Tidal flat benthos survey at citizen’s participation” events and “Survey Leader” training nationwide, in order to meet citizen’s needs such as “I want to know the state of tidal flat benthos more!” or “I want to conduct a tidal flat survey by myself!“ “Survey Leaders” are those who are trained and qualified to be able to guide tidal flat surveys at citizen’s participation.
Latest News (Japanese)
本書は、干潟に棲む貝やカニやゴカイなどベントス（底生動物）を調べたいが、どうすればいいか分からないという声に応えることを目的として作られました。これらを調べたいときにすぐに役立つ写真図鑑です。
「図鑑で載っている種はわかるのに、現場では見つけられない」ということがよくあります。図鑑では、大きな種は小さく縮小され、小さな種は大きく拡大されています。大きな種類は大きく印刷され、小さな種類は小さく印刷された教材を持って、干潟に出かけると、思ったよりも上手く干潟生物を 見つけられます。
2011年と2012年に、八代海のベントス相調査を実施しました。調査結果の一部を、WIJ八代海干潟調査隊として、動物・植物・生態三学会合同熊本大会でポスター発表します。
Wetlands International Japan
6F NCC Ningyocho Building, 3-7-3 Ningyo-cho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0013, Japan
Tel: +81 3 5614 2150 Fax: +81 3 6806 4187