Summary Report
13th APBON Web Seminar

1. Date: September 13th, 2022
Time: 15:00-17:30 in Japan, South Korea
13:00-15:30 in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam
11:45-14:15 in Nepal
14:00-16:30 in Malaysia, Philippines, China
20:00-22:30 (12th September) in Hawaii
2. Location, Participants
・Webex Meeting Room・25 participants (21 participants and 4 from secretariat) from 9 Nationalities
・MC: APBON Co-chairs; Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka, Ms. Runi Anak Punga, Dr. Yongyut
Trisrat.
3. Program:Opening remark from the secretariat
Mr. Ryo Mabuchi (Biodiversity Center of Japan, Japan)
He emphasized the depth of gratitude to the participants and co-chairs for theircontribution to APBON activity and the 13th meeting. He hoped a constructive
discussion will be exchanged at the 13th APBON meeting and the upcoming 15th
AOGEO symposium.
Opening remarks from Co-chairs
Ms. Runi Anak Sylvester Pungga (Sarawak Government・Forest Department Sarawak,
Malaysia)
We will continue the active discussion via online until the day we can meet physically.
We also welcome any comments and inputs. Also thanks to Biodiversity Center for thesponsorship.
Dr. Yongyut Trisrat (Kasetsart University, Thailand)This meeting is to collect input and outcomes for the upcoming 15th AOGEO symposium.
I expect active discussion for it.

Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)
Introduced the agenda program of the day, objective and goals of the 13th APBON
meeting, and announced the outline of the 15th AOGEO Symposium (28-30 September).
Session 1:
Review the recent research/engagement outcomes (2020-2022) and discuss the activity
plan (2023-2025) (Moderator: Runi Anak Sylvester Pungga, Hiroyuki Muraoka)
Dr. Bunthang Touch (IFReDI, Cambodia)
Introduced The Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Phase III project (MIWARMIII) which was implemented at upper Cambodian Mekong in the northeast of
Cambodia between 2017 and 2022 to enhance Cambodia’s capacity to sustainably
manage its water and fishery resources. Component 1 of the project: support for fisheries
and Aquatic Resources Management which implemented by IFReDI/FiA were focused on1) i) developing Community Fisheries (CFi), including fisheries management plans anddemonstration of supplementary livelihood activities, ii) strengthening public sector
fishery management, and iii) providing support for local government capacity building
and rural infrastructure.
The key outcome of this project were:-

70 Community Fisheries (Cfi) in Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces received

project support supported by project-

50 Cfi are fully functioning in Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces-

8,862 households in Kratie and Stung Treng Provinces received project support

For activity plan 2023-2025, we plan to conduct the activities as below:•

Rice Field Fisheries Catch Assessment in the Mekong River Delta, Cambodia•

Understanding the Implications of Water Infrastructure Development andClimate Change on Fish Yield and Welfare Value in Cambodia
Dr. Tomoaki Miura (University of Hawaii, USA, JAMSTEC, Japan)
Exploring the utility of the new satellite data. One is the Himawari geostationary
satellite data, another is the Planet, commercial satellite data. Himawari has super hightemporal resolution data taken every 10 minutes, which is able to capture the surface
status of vegetation much better than other existing polar-orbiting satellite data, which
captures image data once a day, so it is a great improvement in terms of temporalresolution. Second, with the commercial satellite data, this planet’s commercial satellite
data can acquire high spatial resolution data on a daily basis, it captures a general
flowering event but is limited only to white flowers, it cannot observe other coloredflowers such as yellow. We need to expand it to a larger region. Since the Himawari
Satellite data can capture the vegetation status two weeks or one month basis, the next
steps is to develop its simple operational processing system to continue a generation ofcloud-free satellite image time series over the Borneo area. The challenge we face is newalga species in remote pacific islands which threaded some northern Hawaiian island
areas, we need to explore the satellite remote sensing technology to map and detect thesealga species for the conservation of biodiversity in the Pacific Ocean.
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)
Have been Interested in leaf and forest phenology focused on photosynthesis in thecontext of carbon cycling and climate change. For nearly 20 years in Japan, I haveobserved with my colleagues the single leaf level phenology and photosynthesis and tried
to upscale it to the forest canopy and landscape level by using satellite remote sensing
and ecosystem process-based modeling. Our technical challenge is how we can observe
forest canopy photosynthesis and phenology by satellite remote sensing, and we havebeen trying to study the physiological, biochemical and anatomical structure of the single
leaf, and the geometrical distribution of the leaf of the forest canopy, it will be describedin our recent research papers in two years. The next steps, we try to have research
activities focusing on the validation of ECV and EBV related to the carbon cycling andbiodiversity, it could be relevant to APBON level activity, one of the ideas is to have amaster site concept. We will discuss it in detail in near future.
Dr. Shin Nagai (JAMSTEC, Japan)
I have submitted a review paper titled “Monitoring of land cover changes and plan
phenology by remote sensing in East Asia. I have been serving as one of the international
directors of a remote-sensing society in Japan, let me share these activities in near futurefor our activities. In Japan, solar power plants are expanding to promote zero carbon
emissions but we don’t have sufficient knowledge of its environmental impacts. We
should collect sufficient evidence of environmental impact. In Japan, we also have anegative impact on animal protection such as deer, in past time. We need to overcome
the language barriers to strengthen our collaborations because the past record of ourdata was provided in Japanese, the many historical records on biodiversity, and biomethodological record. Those past data should be converted and provided in English.

Dr. Takehisa Yamakita (JAMSTEC, Japan)
Introduced some recent research activities such as publishing papers, seminars, andworkshops conducted by APMBON members, and the research plans in response to the
UN Decade of Marine Science, and the survey using an automatic camera andbiodiversity assessment was nominated as a future research plan. As the emerging
challenges in biodiversity, a decline of Seaweed be due to the climate and plant eaters.
In last year, we have red tide in Hokkaido which we have never expected in such a cold
water area, it was a serious impact to the fishery, I’m not sure it will be occurring in thenext year.
Dr. Amit BATAR (NIES, Japan)
Introduced past research activities on the development of an integrated model toward
forest landscape integrity focused on forest fragmentation susceptibility (FFS) mappingand Assessment. Since one of the priority targets in the post-CBD decade is Ecosystem
integrity, SDGs especially goal 15 also refers to the degradation of forests, conservationof mountain ecosystems, and the protection of biodiversity and natural habitat. For thispurpose, our concern is how we can integrate the forest landscape using the earth
observation data. As shown in my PPT slides, using some statistical methods, we caneasily identify the area where degradation is happening due to anthropogenic or natural
disasters in the mountain ecosystems to the forest landscape. Using the application ofthis integrity model, we can easily identify which forest species are under threat due toforest fragmentation. I believe this nature-based solution and restoration approach could
be applied to the particular study area. In near future, I expect to collaborate with other
APBON colleagues.
Dr. Xu Xuehong; (Chinese Academy of Science, China)
As for China, we have webinars every month that invited two speakers, one is expert
inside China and another is invited from outside China. Training course are also
conducted on the technology of biodiversity monitoring technologies such as rider, we arepreparing two review papers for review of ten years on biodiversity monitoring in China
and review of community assembly mechanism based on Chinese Forest Biodiversity
Monitoring Network (CForBio), and we are going to focus on the data platform
construction for next few years.
Mr. Christian Ellolan (ACB, Philippines)

Recently we had a technical meeting on the ocean biodiversity information systemespecially data management of Marine biodiversity. Regarding the partnership withAPBON, the data from APBON and the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)
are the most remarkable contribution to ACB. This is the milestone and next month,
ACB will be joining GBIF governing meeting. In Thailand, we have data management
training, I hope we can strengthen the collaboration among ACB, APBON, GBIF, andOBIS on biodiversity data management.
Ms. Runi Anak Silvester Punnga (Forest Department of Sarawak, Malaysia)
One of the functions of the Forest Department Sarawak is to monitor activities including
research conducted within the Permanent Forest Estates (PFE). Researchers from theSarawak Herbarium are responsible to conduct the collections of flora and fauna andresearch projects. Currently, the department is collaborating with the international
researchers under SATRTEPS project and to hold a seminar in November 2022. The
Forest Department Sarawak welcome members of APBON and GEOBON to initiate
collaborations and partnerships in future.
Dr. Ai Nagahama (National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan)
We recently published a research activity.
(https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.17897)
This is a review of phenology in Southeast Asia, especially flowering in this region.
Comparing a phenological pattern in various places in Asia is important, but
phenological data is not sufficient to conduct it. In the future, we need to increase thedata collected from various area in Southeast Asia.
Dr Yongyut Trisrat (Kasetsart University, Thailand)
In the last two years, I have been conducting research on climate change impact tospecies distributions and ecosystems, Since APBON is nominated as a representative ofAsia to work on the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), now I am working with Dr. Andrew
Pumtre, Head of KBA secretariat, to develop a proposal to get support from CEPF. This
proposal will support the Global Biodiversity Framework 2030, the mission of Thailand’s
Department of National Parks and the workplan of APBON 2023-2025. I will let you
know an update on it if any.
Dr. Yayoi Takeuchi (NIES, Japan)
I am currently working on the SATREPS project which Ms. Runi mentioned. We will

discuss our research update in future seminars on it. Other than this, we are now
planning the Mapping of EBV in Japan, this is a collaborative project with the Finnish
Environment Institute so-called “SYKE”, which focuses on the terrestrial ecosystem tomap and use the protocol of EuropaBONs.

Dr, Yuichi Kano (Kyushu University, Japan)
Recently I am making many colored 3D models of wild animals as shown in the screen.
This model comes from a real specimen and many specimens such as flowers, flogs andlobsters, lizards, sharks, and so on. This model can be useful for taxonomy and many
fields such as entertainment industries offering me to utilize it.
Dr. Alice Hughes (University of Hong Kong, China)
I have many papers on climate change in Southeast Asia based on the various taxonomic
groups and on the many drivers of the bird diversity in more effective planning cityscapes,
what are the best ways for cities to sustainably develop to maximize bird diversities in
the cities of developing regions. This highlighted that continuous access of the green
spaces in cities is probably one of the best things to maintain a bird diversity. We also
have papers on wildlife trade in Bangladesh, particularly on the perpetrator
displacement, the Bangladesh government’s scheme of pirates removal from theSundarbans forest area, was very successful at removal of pirates, but created a voidwhich enabled increased trading of species such as tigers, we need more effective policy
around the region. We also have some research on the post-2020 global biodiversity
framework, at the meeting in Nairobi on agreeing on post-2020 global biodiversity
framework, only 2 of 23 targets and 20% of text has been agreed on and there is asignificant possibility we will not agree consensus on the global biodiversity framework.
This may have direct implications for the allocations of global environment facilities of
biodiversity, and a lack of mandate to achieve the goals. The Asian region is also
important to push the compromised agreement and collaborations for the agreement, as
the 3 days scheduled to finish the framework may be insufficient.
Dr. Manabu Onuma (NIES, Japan)
Recently I resumed a research program in Pasoh forest reserve using environmental
DNA, I want to upgrade my detecting techniques, want to modify the method to detectspecies more efficiently than before using Nanopore sequences. I recently joined
SATREPS program in Sarawak, so I am trying to apply this technic to Sarawak.

Dr. Yoshihisa Suyama (Tohoku University, Japan)
I published one paper introducing the developments of two technics, MPM-seq which caneasily get phylogenetic data, and improved version of MIG-seq. It is also a case study ofphylogenetic data analysis, we can get three phylogenetic trees by using these two
methods, they are cpDNA, ITS2, and MIG-seq. By using these methods, we analyzed
25,000 samples in two years. In my recent paper, I mentioned that sometimes it isdifficult to identify species due to natural hybrids, this technique can easily identify the
figures of what species originated in the hybrid. We are planning to analyze
approximately 20,000 species in Japan by using MIG-seq2, which supports lowthroughput to ultra-high-throughput DNA sequencing.
Dr. Yongyut Trisrat (Kasetsart University, Thailand)
For the next two weeks I have discussed the AOGEO contribution to nature andeconomics, Dr. Nagai and Dr. Muira might have good contributions to the seminar byproviding photo data.

Session 2:
Discuss what and how do we strengthen the biodiversity observation in our region(Moderator: Yongyut Trisurat)- Introduced the key targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 and particularlyreferred SDGs targets, 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate), 14(life below water) and 15 (life and land) relevant to the conservation of biodiversity.
- To strength the biodiversity observation in the region, Dr. Yongyut pointed out that weneed collaborative research, integrative analysis of existing data and knowledge, EBV,and link with satellite remote sensing.
Collaborative Research (fund resources)
Dr. Alice Hughes (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)
CEPF (Critical Ecosystem partnership fund) is one option, the other is CI (Conservation
International) is one of the GEF (Global Environment Facility) eligible groups. Maybe
following the post-2020 framework launched, CI has more access to funding, as well as
the regional one, ASEAN funds.

Mr. Ryo Mabuchi (Biodiversity Center, Japan)
As far as I know, funding support of the Biodiversity Center is limited to APBON, do you
know of any other funding support from the Japanese government or societies?
Dr. Amit BATAR (NIES, Japan)
Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research is providing a fund for collaboration in
East Asia pacific countries for a specific maximum of two years. The key topic is very
similar to APBON activities i.e., climate change and biodiversity, ecosystems.
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)
Dr. Yongyut, Dr. Takeuchi and I tried to make a proposal for JSPS (Japan Society ofPromotion Science) funding program, this is under the ministry of education and Science
Technology Japan. Some of the projects funded by JSPS, the deadline of the proposal isaround May to July, it also requests proposals written in English and a particularlanguage where the research will be conducted. I want to discuss on it also latest of thisyear.
Item2:
Integrative analysis of existing data and knowledge and EBV
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)
We already have three books published in Springer, we might think more on it and anyother idea such as international journals such as ecological research organized by theecological society of Japan, I also got the information from the Japan office of Springer
that they remember my name and APBON, I can communicate with them if we arewilling to publish a book. In case we prefer to make an article in the journal papers likea special issue by collecting 7 – 10 papers as a special issue.
Dr. Alice Hughes (University of Hong Kong, China)
It might be useful to make webinar more visible to the people in part of APBON region,
thinking more as a communication channel because we have discussed much broadly
relevant information but other people such as students and other people in the region
are not able to watch it. Make it more public, recording and open as APBON Youtube forexample.

Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)
On ideas of policy brief of APBON, we might consider input to CBD or other internationalorganizations and it is also impact.
Dr. Alice Hughes (University of Hong Kong, China)
That’s good idea. The party delegates from different parts of Asia Pacific region havevariable knowledges and experiences about regional biodiversity. Providing more brief
information and also translating some of the key elements is effective.
Dr. Yayoi Takeuchi (NIES, Japan)
I am not sure the Japanese government would have a side event in the next CBD COP
but previously we had an event during COP. We are going to discuss how we can appeal
our findings and activities to policymakers in the next CBD COP.
Dr. Alice Hughes (University of Hong Kong, China)
In case of NBSAPs for example, each country of APNBON region thinking how tocomplete NBSAP. Given a role of APBON, what data the country has, how much further
data is needed; a gap for NBSAP, additional data sources they haven’t considered.
APBON can contribute the country to move forward to help NBSAPs in the future.
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)AOGEO have discussed Integrating Priority Studies (IPS), which is the mechanism thattries to share data, particularly satellite data from some institutions like JACSA andother institutions, Still AOPGEO coordination board still discussing how to promote this
IPS activity, and they will announce a new idea of IPS and data required for the
institutions in AOGEO in very near future. Please don’t miss the information if you want
to use more satellite data in the cooperated mechanism in AOGEO or othermethodological data within AOGEO community. This is the chance for us to upscale sitelevel observation data into more regional scares.

Essential Biodiversity Valuables (EBV)
Dr. Takehisa Yamakita (JAMSTEC, Japan)
We discussed the collection of EBV in the last workshop, it is important to have feedback
after collecting data into a database. Because local researchers can use their own datahow to utilize it in larger scales. After collecting those data, we can share and facilitate
and review the information.
Dr. Yayoi Takeuchi (NIES, Japan)
We have started EBV research and recently I got a protocol from EuropaBON. Satellite
EBV mapping needs a very high special resolution such as 10 m, it is a difficult and big
challenge but we will find a way to use the protocol. We can share it if we succeed in it
link with satellite remote sensing
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)
In the linking of in-situ and satellite observations focusing on the phenology and net
primary productivity, those two valuables are connecting climate change and biodiversity,
this phenomenon could be one of the starting points to connect in-situ and highresolution satellite remote sensing. This idea is quite related to Dr. Takeuchi’s idea,
together with other colleagues in Japan, we are trying to propose a research funding
opportunity. It could be a good contribution of APBOPN research activity in Japan. If wesucceed in this kind of project, we could propose this kind of idea of satellite observationof EBV like phenology and NPP.
Dr. Tomoaki Miura (University of Hawaii, USA, JAMSTEC, Japan)
The 10m resolution data I found in ESA, we can preview the 10m satellite data anywherein the world, I will dig up the link for share so that you can access the website and go toyour area of interest, and preview the sample images, which even enables you to selectkinds of layers, change a landscape and time series, I will share the link in later.
Dr. Amit BATAR (NIES, Japan):
I am now working on forest phenology using 30m resolution data from the land-set. I cananalyze seasonal variations of forest phenology at national scale in Japan. I have no idea
about more high-resolution data to large scale because high-resolution satellite data is
expensive and limited to observe the long-term changes.

Session 3:
Discuss the engagement of the broader community (academia, data-users, governments,etc.) (Moderator: Hiroyuki Muraoka)

Dr. Takehisa Yamakita (JAMSTEC, Japan)
Several years ago, CBD produced the assessment of biodiversity of the Asia Pacific region
under the IPBES, how is the situation after that report if anyone knows it?
Dr. Alice Hughes (University of Hong Kong, China)
A little bit hard to pick it up but there are many useful conservation initiatives in ASEAN
as a high-level effort and many people and groups already engage to think how the mosteffective method. It also would be useful to know what ASEAN is doing to plan, andcomplement flameworks of synergy for their efforts.

Wrap-up:
Way forward 15th AOGEO Symposium, APBON Workshop and APBON Web seminar(Moderator: Hiroyuki Muraoka)
Dr. Hiroyuki Muraoka (Gifu University, Co-chair of APBON)- Introduced 15th AOGEO symposium on Sep 28. Panelist from APBON.
- Introduced summary and outlines of each session.
- TG co-leads requirements are also introduced for the preparation.
- Draft concept of APBON workshop, it will be postponed because CBD COP 15 would bepostponed to December, APBON member gets busy accordingly.
- APBON web seminar 2020 information.

Photo Session