7th GEOSS-AP (2014)

1) Name of the meeting
Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (AP-BON) Working Group (Working Group: WG2) inthe 7th Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) Asia-Pacific Symposium2) Purpose
AP-BON WG aims to review the current situation of biodiversity observations of terrestrial andaquatic ecosystems in Asian-Pacific region to pave the way for introducing the cutting-edge techniques
for observation and modelling. We thus try to clarify what are needed as observing targets and also
discuss to find feasible ways for observation. At the end of meeting, we have a discussion on“integrated study in Cambodia”, which is a cross-cut theme of 7th GEOSS AP.
3) Data
Tuesday, 27 May 2014 (Symposium period: 26 May 2014 -28 May 2014)
4) Venue
Meeting room 106, 10F, Kokusai Fashion Center (Sumida-ku, Tokyo)
5) Participants
44 participants form 8 countries (6 from Asia and 2 from Pacific) and 2 international organizationss6) Agenda
09:30-09:45
09:45-09:55
09:55-10:00

Registration - Morning Coffee
Opening address Dr. Yahara (Co-chair of WG2, Kyushu Univ., Japan)
Welcome address Mr. Reiji Nakayama (Director, Biodiversity Center of Japan, MOEJ,
Japan)
09:55-14:05 Session 1: What we could know with current observation techniques
09:55-10:00 Session introduction Dr. Ishii (Co-organizer WG2, JAMSTEC, Japan)
10:00-10:40 “Coral reef in a changing world: Climate change and land-based pollution issues”
Dr. Hiroya Yamano (NIES, Japan)
10:40-11:05 “Effects of land-use change on watershed discharge and nearshore reefs of Palau”
Dr. Yimnang Golbuu (Palau International Coral Reef Center, Palau)
11:05-11:30 “Satellite Remote Sensing Applications for Monitoring Marine Environments in
the Asia-Pacific Regions” Dr. Eko Siswanto (JAMSTEC, Japan)
11:30-12:00 “A new earth observation tool using multiple stable isotopes: an example ofeutrophication diagnosis in Lake Biwa, Japan” Dr. Takanori Nakano (ResearchInstitute for Humanity and Nature, Japan)
12:00-13:00 Lunch Break
13:00-13:25 “Coastal pollution and its control strategy in Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu”
Dr. Masafumi Fujita (Ibaraki Univ. Japan)
13:25-14:05 “Managing agricultural & port derived pollution in the Great Barrier Reef-successand failure”
Dr. Jon.Brodie (James Cook Univ., Australia)
14:05-14:15 –Short Break14:15-15:25 Session 2 Country/Regional Reports (Chair: Dr. T. Nakashizuka)
14:15-14:25 Dr. Chan-Ho Park (National Institute of Biological Research, Korea)
14:25-14:35 Dr. Dedy Darnaedi (Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia)
14:35-14:45 Dr. Sheila Vergara (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, ASEAN)
14:45-14:55 Dr. Yu-Huang Wang (Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taiwan)
14:55-15:05 Dr. Keping Ma (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)
15:05-15:15 Mr. Mangal Man Shakya (Wildlife Watch Group, Nepal)
15:15-15:25 Dr. Eun-Shik Kim (Kookmin Univ., Korea)
15:25-15:35 Coffee Break
15:35-16:35 Discussion on the integrated study in Cambodia
16:35-17:25 General discussion of WG2
17:25-17:30 Closing remarks (Dr. Nakashizuka, Co-chair of WG2, Tohoku Univ., Japan)

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During the session 1, 4 presenters reported addressing the observation techniques in the morning, and2 presenters reported the same theme after lunch break. The following session 2, 7 presenters reported
the country/regional report. Then, the discussion on the integrated study in Cambodia and the general
discussion of WG2 were taken place. The main point of the presentations and the discussions aredescribed in the below.
1) Opening
i. Opening address Dr. Tetsukazu Yahara (Kyushu University, WG2 Co-Chair)
He expressed the appreciation for the participation in WG2. The brief overview of AP-BON andinformation web page of the AP-BON 5th meeting, which was held in the last year, was introduced.
ii. Welcome address Mr. Ryuji Nakayama (Director the Biodiversity center of Japan, the Ministry of
the Environment)
He expressed the appreciation for the participation of WG2 and the corporation of holding the
AP-BON. Hoping that the outcome of this meeting will contribute to the biodiversity conservation in the
Asia Pacific region.
2) Session1: Current observation techniques Chairs: Dr. Ishii & Dr. Yamanoi. Session introduction Dr. Reiichiro Ishii (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology:
JAMSTEC, WG2 co-organizer)[Overview]
He explained integration of remote sensing and field surveys, and briefly introduced thepresentation of session 1.
ii. “Coral reefs in a changing world: Climate change and land-based pollution issues”
Dr. Hiroya Yamano (National Institute for Environmental Studies: NIES, WG2 co-organizer)[Overview]
Coral reefs have been decreasing due to influence of multiple stresses such as sea surface
temperature warming, ocean acidification, or sediment discharge. Dr. Yamano explained the impact ofsea surface temperature warming and land based pollution on coral, and remote sensing technologies
to observe such impact.
The research conducted in Okinawa reported that sediment discharge into the coastal area affects
not only cause of coral reefs decline but also reducing the resilience of the coral reef breaching.
For the sustainable land use and the management of coastal ecosystems, building a framework withecology, civil engineering, and social economics are needed.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Brodie: Comment: We have the same sugar cane issues regarding in the GBR (Great Barrier Reef).
Continue to talk to farmers and you may be able to get cooperation.
iii. “Effects of land-use change on watershed discharge and nearshore reefs of Palau”
Dr. Yimnang Golbuu (Palau International Research Center)[Overview]
Increasing sedimentation by the land use is a worldwide crucial issue for coral reefs. Coral reefs inPalau are also affected by the increased sediment. The sediments of four different watersheds were
investigated for the impacts of the coral reefs. The results of the investigation showed that there is astrong relationship between EMP (Earth Moving Permits) and river sediment yield.
In addition, benthic surveys and some coral reef transplants were implemented to assess the impactof sedimentation on coral reef. The results showed that sedimentation and turbidity exerted strong
influence on coral diversity than the coral cover. To continue the monitoring and review the current
regulation for the control of sediments are needed in order to conserve the coral reefs.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Vergara: Most monitoring methods in ASEAN region uses coral cover as indicator, but you havesuggested coral diversity. There is not much expertise on coral taxonomy, do you have training
opportunities (for the researchers)?
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Dr. Golbuu: Even just the genus level information is very useful. In the near future, it may be possiblethat sediment resistance reefs could be dominant.
Dr. Ishii: The four different watersheds were studied, are there any other factors?
Dr. Golbuu: Size of catchment, flow, population, forest covers are also investigated, but significant
relationship was only EMP.
Dr. Yamamo: History of land development in Palau, any specific event that caused significant
sediment discharge?
Dr. Golbuu: Recently, road construction causes huge amounts sediment discharge, especially affectedby unpaved roads.
iv. “Satellite Remote Sensing Applications for Monitoring Marine Environments in the Asia-PacificRegions” Dr. Eko Siswanto (JAMSTEC)[Overview]
To understand the changes of the coastal ecosystems, several kinds of monitoring of primary
production of Phytoplankton have been studied. Comparing three kinds of monitoring (in situ, model,
satellite) were conducted in order to see their efficiency using the impacts of typhoon or red tide data.
Dr. Siswanto explained that decreasing discharges from the land increase primary production of
Phytoplankton or the impacts of the water temperature changes due to typhoons or ENSO (El Niño and
the Southern Oscillation).
The Remote sensing is a useful tool to discern marine ecosystem changes and driving factors.
However, there still exist some gaps in a certain area/field therefore the Remote sensing has not been
fully utilized. A regional collaboration (data sharing) in the Asia-Pacific region is highly required inorder to better utilizing of the remote sensing observation.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Qinxue Wang (NIES): About Red tide in the South China Sea, what is relationship between
discharge, chlorophyll-a, and with other nutrients?
Dr. Siswanto: We found positive correlation between discharge and chlorophyll-a, but we didn’t havesatellite data on nutrients.
Dr. Qinxue Wang: I think nutrients are involved in the discharge.
Dr. Siswanto: The limiting factors are mainly light and water temperature.
Dr. Yu-Huang Wang: In situ data, I want to know the composition of the phytoplankton.
Dr. Siswanto: My colleague is looking into that local algorithms, but (do not know the detail) I can notanswer it.
Dr. Yu-Huang Wang: The risk of high chlorophyll-a and red tide could be happen the same tendency?
Dr. Siswanto: First, high chlorophyll-a can be an indicator, but using satellite data, be careful abouthigh sediments on the coastal area.
v. “A new earth observation tool using multiple stable isotopes: an example of eutrophication diagnosis
in Lake Biwa, Japan” Dr. Takanori Nakano (Research Institute for Humanity and Nature)[Overview]
Using stable isotopes as observation tools, some surveys were conducted to detect water quality inthe Lake Biwa. The results of the surveys showed that human activities caused water quality worse,
especially agriculture affected eutrophication of the lake.
Researching for the society, cooperation with local communities is necessary. Holding brief sessions
in the local communities were taken place and researchers and the locals communicated throughmaking local water quality maps. Collaboration with scientists in various fields and society areimportant for the future. Therefore, the research method in cooperation with the local residents is
contributing to the creation of trans-disciplinary science with local capacity building.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Brodie: Since 1960s, the change of the agriculture have caused increasing Nitrogen or Sulfur?
Dr. Nakano: Around the Lake Biwa, there were many inland lakes, but after 1950s, those lakes waredisappear. Then, nutrients have flowed into the Lake Biwa directly.
vi. “Coastal pollution and its control strategy in Funafuti atoll, Tuvalu”
Dr. Masafumi Fajita (Ibaraki University)
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7th GEOSS-AP (2014)[Overview]
The coastal of Tuvalu is formed by mainly foraminifera (Calcifying organisms). However, thecoastal ecosystem is being destroyed by the impacts of human activities or global warming. Becauseof those, foraminifera is decreasing. Dr. Fajita introduced the status and mechanism of the coastal
pollution and the control strategy for coastal pollution in Funafuti atoll.
The field surveys were conducted in Funafuti atoll. The results of the surveys showed that the causeof the pollution was mainly drainage from the septic tank of homes. Japan has experienced andrecovered from water pollutions. Referring to the past Japanese experience such as regulations or
technologies concerning water quality, some experiments, which are removing heavy metals or organic
matters from domestic septic tanks, were implemented. In addition, Dr. Fujita suggested capacity
building and establishment of water management organization.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Yamano: Putting some bacteria in the septic tank, does it cause any issues?
Dr. Fujita: Using attached media to prevent bacteria runoff from the tank.
vii. “Managing agricultural & port derived pollution in the Great Barrier Reef – success and failure” Dr.
Jon Brodie (James Cook University)[Overview]
The coastal region of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) has been changed coastal forests to agriculturallands over the past 200 years. Due to the changing land use along the GBR, sediments or pesticides
were increasing, and because of those, the coastal ecosystems have degraded. Dr. Brodie introduced
the history of the GBR control managements.
Some of those control managements for agriculture or livestock industry to conserve the coastal
coral reefs have been partially successful. However, the port developments have poorly managed andthose control managements are not working well. To better coastal management, continuing efforts forthe terrestrial runoff management and enforcing the Marine Park zoning are necessary.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Vergara: Quite sad about the GBR, because we expected that the GBR management will be a
successful case study for the coastal management. What are the lessons for us from the GBR
management?
Dr. Brodie: For conserving the GBR ecosystems, to incorporate watershed managements with marine
protected area managements such as fishery management is important.
Dr. Ma: I think climate change is a major cause of the coral reefs decline.
Dr. Brodie: The major cause of the coral reefs decline was sediments. In the future, climate change
will be cautious.
Dr. Nakashizuka: I remember that your colleagues are studying for restoration forest along the river.
Does it effect to protected areas?
Dr. Brodie: I have rarely data. To protect riparian area from the impacts of cattle erosion is probably
important.
3) Session 2: AP-BON Country/Regional Reports Chair: Dr. Nakashizuka
i. South Korea: “K-BON: Observation and Research with Civil Scientist”
Dr. Chan-Ho Park (NIBR: the National Institute of Biological Resources)[Overview]
Some of K-BON activities and their contribution to biodiversity conservation were presented.
Announcement was made on CBD COP12 which will be held in South Korea this coming October.
[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Motomi Ito (University of Tokyo): Are K-BON data shared among citizens and international
communities?
Dr. Park: Data are available for citizens but not yet for relevant international networks such as Global
Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). International data sharing is expected in near future.
ii. Indonesia: “Country Report on The Seventh GEOSS Asia-Pacific Symposium:”
Dr. Dedy Darnaedi (Indonesian Institute of Sciences)[Overview]
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A presentation was made on AP-BON related activities in Indonesia and their progress. An
evaluation of biodiversity level of forest ecosystems in different locations revealed that biodiversity
loss including forest degradation and species loss is still ongoing on most islands. Indonesia-BON is
not yet established due to limitation in funding, expertise, technology, etc. Transdisciplinary efforts
and international cooperation are necessary to support achievement of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs).
[Q&A, related comments]
Noneiii. AP-BON: “The 5th AP-BON Workshop”
Dr. Sheila Vergara (ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, co-chair of WG2)
[Overview]
An overview of the 5th AP-BON workshop was reported. In the 5th workshop, assessment of gaps
in biodiversity information, information sharing, etc. were discussed. Technical issues such as on how
to ensure completeness and accuracy of information, as well as administrative issues such as lack of
incentives, funding and systematic reporting were highlighted. It was revealed that Asia data
contributes only about 3% of GBIF. Furthermore, recommendation was made on contribution to
IPBES by regional red list, Key Biodiversity Area maps, regional Essential Biodiversity Variables(EBVs), etc.
[Q&A, related comments]
None
iv. Taiwan: “Spotlight on TaiBIF National Activities”
Dr. Yu-Huang Wang (Taiwan Forestry Research Institute)[Overview]
Some of the national activities of Taiwan Biodiversity Information Facility (TaiBIF) wereintroduced.
TaiBIF, in coordination with other national portals such as TaiBNET, TAiBOL and TaiEOL,
establishes an integrated national data base. Its website is prepared both in English and Chinese topromote information sharing among citizens. Also, Facebook is used for reporting by the citizens.
[Q&A, related comments]
None
v. Chaina: “Long-term monitoring on Chinese Forest Biodiversity (CForBio)”
Dr. Keping Ma (Chinese Academy of Sciences)[Overview]
An overview of China Forestry Biodiversity Monitoring Network (CForBio) and its activities wereintroduced. One of its main activities is forest dynamic study using Forest Dynamics Plot (FDP).
Other activities include Biodiversity Ecosystem Functioning project in China (BEF-China),
publication, etc. CForBio aims to coordinate with other various networks through Asia Biodiversity
Conservation and Database Network (ABCD-Net).
[Q&A, related comments]
None
vi. Nepal: “Nepal-BON (N-BON)” Mr. Mangal Man Shakya (Wildlife Watch Group)[Overview]
Past and present activities of Wildlife Watch Group (WWG) and how it came to participate in
N-BON were presented. Since its establishment in 1993, WWG has been working on monitoring ofillegal trade of wildlife. After 2010, its activities are focused on expansion of AP-BON throughpromotion of N-BON and assessment of impact of climate change.
[Q&A, related comments]
Nonevii. South Korea: “Issues of Consideration for the Promotion of the AP-BON”
Dr. Eun-Shik Kim (Kookmin University)
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7th GEOSS-AP (2014)[Overview]After introduction of K-BON activities in Korea, an overview of Global Forest Watch (GFW) whichallows users to access forest monitoring data was presented.GFW was established under cooperationof more than forty organizations including Google.
For promotion of AP-BON, socioeconomic support in addition to biological and ecological one isimportant. Governance, infrastructure, monitoring and contribution to society are essential.
Contribution to IPBES through AP-BON is specifically important and consideration of the following
was proposed.
1. evaluation based on observations
2. generation of knowledge as products of observations
3. policy support based on generated knowledge
4. capacity building for human beings and the society[Q&A, related comments]
Dr. Brodie: Monitoring seems to be focused on forests but are you considering of expanding it tocoastal and marine areas? It is necessary to examine links between these and terrestrial
ecosystem.
Dr. Kim: Yes. At the moment, monitoring centers on land, however, it will eventually be expanded not
only to coastal area but also to marine area.
Dr. Yahara: GEOSS 10-Year Implementation plan ends in 2015 and post plan starts next year. In thenext step, emphasis may shift from observation to coordination with social systems. Also, IPBES
focuses not only on evaluation of biodiversity and ecosystem services but also on interaction withsocial systems. Therefore, linkages to socio-economy will be important. Future Earth (FE) ismaking consideration of solution oriented science.
As such, importance of AP-BON is increasing and it is expected for AP-BON to integrate various
regional activities related to biodiversity.
Dr. Kim: That is why it is necessary to prioritize AP-BON actions.（Eun-Shik Kim）
4) Discussion for the integrated study in Cambodia and General discussion of WG2This session was facilitated by Dr. Yahara, the co-chair, and Dr. Ishii, the co-organizer. Draft Tokyo
Statement was read out and case study of Cambodia which was the theme for the former was introduced.
The participant commented to Draft Tokyo Statement, while discussing the integration of various studies
taking Cambodia for case study.
Dr. Yahara: Efforts for Cross cutting and interlinkage of SBAs (Societal Benefit Areas) are expected foreach country. Please consider how we can link biodiversity and ecosystem observation with disasterscience or hydrology which is common issue both in coastal and freshwater systems.
Dr. Nakano: There are many hydrological monitoring stations, do you have any idea to integrate thosemonitoring stations?
Also, there are different kinds of hydrological information and biodiversity information. Is there aneffort of making links among these information? This should be a proposal from APBON to AWCI
(Asian Water Cycle Initiative).
Dr. Ma: We need the statement to guide people to identify key challenges in the framework of GEOSS,
and try to guide people toward solutions. Importance of transdisciplinary is addressed in the draft,besides this I think we should put following some key challenges; 1) Networking among existing
networks, 2) Data sharing, 3) Capacity building in Asia in particular and 4) Promotion of scienceand policy interface.
Dr. Vergara: I would like to add introduction of our session in the recommendation. Past AP-BON
session focused on terrestrial, but now we are trying to include coastal and marine and therefore thissession has been emphasized. In addition, mention about new technology we learned today in therecommendation.
Dr. Ishii: In recommendations, we will include expansion of focus to marine and coastal and newtechnologies mentioned. We can also recommend data and site sharing among other WGs, but data
sharing and site sharing have always been recommended for a long time. It is important to continue
to claim but may be better if we recommend for specific region.
Dr. Ito: I agree with Dr. Ishii, it is important to share data among different sectors. However, before that,
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biodiversity communities including AP-BON cannot achieve data sharing, even we are in same filed.
We should work together to integrate biodiversity data first.
Dr. Yahara: As for Cambodia case study, we still need more solution oriented discussion. For example,
forest loss in Ton Le Sap is quite serious, we have never discussed solution and local people still
use wood for energy. Such kind of issue is looking solution.
As for Dr. Nakano’s question, we have visited both hydrological observation sites and biodiversity
observation sites, thought it is not easy to integrate the observation methods and to share theobservation sites because each site is designed for specific research.
Dr. Ishii: Maybe some barriers prevent data sharing and site sharing in Cambodia. But in Malaysia, it has
been done based on lot of efforts of scientists and relevant people. Comparing with successful caseand difficult case, we can identify the possible barrier against realization of data sharing
Dr. Vergara: I could share ASEAN situation. We have information sharing platform in Bureaucracy in
ASEAN region and focal points are assigned in each country. An issue is how the focal points
manage data at national level so that data comes to regional level.
Dr. Brodie: We have same problem in Australia. Many scientists tend to keep data in common store until
published. But data sharing after published is encouraged. Especially government research institutes
are encouraged to publish research result on the assumption of data publish, even though they don’t
have the culture of publishing.
Mr. Shakya: Data sharing at regional revel sometimes can be political issue depending on government
relationship. For example, study on ecology of tiger habitat was planed to be done in India, but due
to some political reason in India, the project was sifted to be conducted in Nepal even we have lesstigers than India.
Dr. Kim: About 3rd para 6th line of the Tokyo statement “these efforts should be conducted ... such thatthey produce integrated and actionable information on temporal spans...”, I would like to add“knowledge”, not only “information” because knowledge is next step we might need, and also add“spatial scale” not only “temporal spans”.
Dr. Nakashizuka: As for Tokyo statement, we will have co-chairs meeting after this session to convey thecomments to the GEOSS secretariat.
Dr. Yahara: Next AP-BON workshop will be held from 4th-5th Oct. in Korea just before CBD COP12
from 6th Oct. And we also plan to do side event at CBD COP12. CBD COP12 will be good chance
to discuss the progress toward achievement of Aichi Target and also we will extend our discussionof AP-BON.
5) Closing
Closing remarks (Dr. Nakashizuka, Co-chair of WG2)---------------------------[END]7/7