Case Studies of Traditional or Local
Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR)
Related to Wetlands in Asia

Eco-DRR Case Study

Acknowledgements
This booklet would not have been possible without the generosityof the many experts who have shared their experience and knowledge.
Wetlands International Japan would like to express our deepest appreciation to Yukihiro Shimatani (Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Japan),
Naoya Furuta (Taisho University, Japan / IUCN Japan Liaison Office) and
Jun Teramura (Daiichi Institute of Technology, Japan). Without their support, we would not have been able to complete the project. Alphabetically,
our thanks go to Annadel Cabanban (Wetlands International, Philippines),
Bishnu Bhandari (Nepal), Dhruv Verma (Wetlands International, India),
Hiroki Takahashi (Otsu City Museum of History, Japan), Hironori Hayashi(Kyushu University, Japan), Katsue Fukamachi (Kyoto University, Japan),
Keita Kitamura (Japan), Ridhi Saluja (India), Sansanee Choowaew (Mahidol
University, Thailand), Takehito Yoshida (Research Institute for Human andNature, Japan), Tapan Ghosal (Bangladesh), Yuki Arai (Matsuyama University, Japan) and Yus Rusila Noor (Wetlands International, Indonesia).
We also had great pleasure of working with Reiko Nakamura for her editorial advice, Ayano Abe for her design and James McGill for improving
the text. Finally, the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund was important to
the realization of this project. We would like to thank the financial support
through their Grant Program.

Wetlands and Eco-DRR in Asia
Case Studies of Traditional or Local Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) Related to Wetlands in Asia
Edited and published by Wetlands International Japan
Copyright: ©2023 Wetlands International Japan
Editorial supervisor: Yukihiro Shimatani
Translators: Yoshihiro Natori, Emiko Nagakura
English language advisor: James McGill
Designer: Ayano Abe
Cover photo: Keita Kitamura
Contact:
Wetlands International Japan
2F Jono Building 2, 17-1 Nihonbashi-Odenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 103-0011, Japan
Tel: +81-3-5614-2150 / E-mail: info@wi-japan.org
This publication is supported by Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF)
2

Eco-DRR Case Study

ForwardDue to the impact of climate change and other factors, the number of disasters has increased worldwide. Especially, the Asian region is the mostaffected area in the world regarding the number of disasters, the number ofdeaths, and the amount of damage. As the number of disasters increases
globally and the damage has expanded, Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk
Reduction (Eco-DRR)” draws attention. This concept has been integrated
into various international frameworks such as Sendai Framework, Sustainable Development Goals, Convention on Biological Diversity, Ramsar Convention etc.
In 2019, we began a project to examine traditional and local Eco-DRR related to wetlands in Asia and evaluate their effect. Asian experts conducteda field study and workshops to plan and create a format for case studies.
The format was designed to select Eco-DRR cases and present in a mannerby which they could easily be understood. By exchanging and sharing cases, the functions of DRR of wetlands are recognized and better understood.
The collected case studies were compiled to this booklet and I thank theauthors for their contribution.
Yukihiro Shimatani
Distinguished ProfessorPrefectural University of Kumamoto

Contents
Acknowledgements�������������������������������������� 2
Forward���������������������������������������������������������� 3
Intoroduction�������������������������������������������������� 4
Case study
Bangladesh������������������������������������������������ 6
India������������������������������������������������������������ 8
Indonesia������������������������������������������������� 10
Philippines����������������������������������������������� 12
Thailand��������������������������������������������������� 14
Japan��������������������������������������������������������223

Eco-DRR Case Study

Introduction
Wetlands International Japan implemented a project entitled “Role andFunction of wetlands for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction in Japan and Asia” from April 2019 to March 2023. The project is
supported by the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund and this booklet isone of the results of the project.
As a background to the project, it was reported that the conservation
status of coastal forests such as mangroves and sand dunes made a significant difference to tsunami damage in the affected areas during the 2004
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and there was a common understanding that research on the disaster prevention and mitigation functionsof ecosystems is needed. Eco-DRR has also been receiving attention ininternational frameworks. The 12th Conference of the Parties (COP) to theConvention on Biological Diversity adopted Decision XII/20 Biodiversity
and climate change and disaster risk reduction in 2014. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction 2015-2030, adopted at the United Nations Conference on Disaster Reduction held in Sendai in 2015, also incorporated
the concept of using ecosystem management for disaster prevention andmitigation. The Resolution XII.13 Wetlands and disaster risk reduction was
also adopted at COP12 of the Ramsar Convention in 2015. The Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 include efforts for disaster risk
reduction regarding several goals and targets. In 2017, disaster risk reduction was one of the themes of the breakout sessions at the Asian Wetland
Symposium 2017, and was incorporated into the Saga Statement, serving
as the Declaration. While various ecosystems are relevant to disaster risk
reduction, the Resolution XII.13 recognizes that healthy and well-managed
wetlands reduce disaster risk and strengthen the ability of communities torecover from disasters.
This project aimed to examine traditional Eco-DRRs for wetlands that are
still functioning in Japan and other Asian countries, and to evaluate theireffects on disaster risk reduction, disaster mitigation, and climate change
adaptation. We expected the exchange of information and sharing of casestudies in Japan and other Asian countries to contribute to the recognitionof the functions of wetlands for disaster risk reduction and climate change
adaptation, and to the future conservation of wetlands and regional disaster prevention.

4

Eco-DRR Case Study

In 2019, with Japanese and Asian experts, we examined climate change
adaptation and Eco-DRR related to wetlands, and conducted field surveys
at Matsuura River in Kyushu and at the foot of Hira Mountain in Shiga Prefecture, where many traditional case studies of Eco-DRR still exist. Basedon the results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of wetlands for disaster risk reduction, on-site workshops were held with Japanese and Asianexperts, and case studies were collected. The workshop discussed andshared the format for collecting case studies, traditional Eco-DRR concepts
and methods, etc. Due to the impact of COVID19, the activities of project
were extremely limited from 2020. However, case studies collected from experts were shared in online meetings and the format was updated throughdiscussions. Additional case studies from Japan were also collected. The
website of this project was opened and four videos of case studies in Japan
were shared. In 2021, we shared the activities of this project at the 9th Asian
Wetland Symposium and the IUCN World Conservation Congress virtually.
The activities and case studies were also shared at the Ramsar COP14 in
Geneva, Switzerland. Finally, case studies were compiled to this booklet
from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Japan. Eachcase study will be presented on the following pages.

5St. Martin’s Island
St. Martin’s Island, Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf, Bangladesh

20.6237° N, 92.3234° E

Background

Main Ecosystem

St. Martin’s Island is a small island that lies in the Bay of Bengal some 10 kilometers southof the tip of the largest Peninsula of Teknaf. The Island, which is 590 ha in area, has been
considered as an ecologically sensitive area in its entirety. Bangladesh POUSH facilitatedconservation and plantation activity of screw pine.

System of disaster prevention»»»

Beach Intertidal Ecosystem,
Sub tidal rocky habitat
Disaster
Tidal Surge

Eco-DRR Element

Screw pine (Pandanus) is the dominant vegetation and is distributed in small to large
patches over the Island, growing both naturally and manually along the sandy beaches
and is planted extensively as hedges around the homesteads.
It protects the entire island from tidal surges, wave, sands, strong winds, and otherdisasters.
In the course of time the screw pine and other vegetation faced threats from erosion
and manmade destruction. By further planting screw pine and associated dune vegetation the disaster prevention effect increases.

• Associated Ecosystem	Coast/Tidal flat/Coral reef/Lake andmarsh/Forest/Rice paddy/Beach/Cropland/Sand dune/Mangrove/Freshwaterand brackish water lagoons/Intertidal
rock/Mudflat• Disasters	High tide/Erosion/Tidal surge/High wind
• Ecosystem Services
	Tide prevention/Prevention of salt damage/Prevention of blown sand/Wind
prevention/Reduction of flow velocity/
Prevention of driftwood and wastes/
Control of discharged sediment/Fisheries• Other functions
	
Soil formation/Food production/Fuel/
Material/Education/Recreation/House
material/• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice	Natural fisheries, sea capture fisheries,
coconut tree plantation and tourism
etc.

Characteristics of this case

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Present

Past• Tidal surge protection• Wind protection• Prevention of blown sand• Prevention of salt damage• Tidal surge protection• Wind protection• Prevention of blown sand• Prevention of salt damage• Binds sand dune vegetation andnests for turtles• Shelter for wilds• Fruits for birds• Woods and materials for fences• Seedlings for sale and replantation• Binds sand dune vegetation andnests for turtles• Shelter for wilds• Fruits for birds• Materials for fence• Colorful ornamental fruits

Wide range of coastal and marine salt tolerant forests, based on naturaland planted trees

6• It is included in the DRR plan.
• It is included in the environmental
management plan.
• It is included in the spatial planning.
• It is included in the development plan.
• There are environmental degradations.
• There is funding for management of theecosystem.
• Local people understand its disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It Is integrated into community activities.
• Other stakeholders understand disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.
• There are mechanisms of local economic
circulation in this case.
• It is used for environmental education.

St.Martin’s Island, Bangladesh

Eco-DRR Case Study

Gifts from nature»»»

The site supports the dune ecosystem and nestingsites for globally threatened turtle species. The site lieson the East Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway and provides a stepping stone for several globallythreatened migratory waders.
The site is considered to be the only scenic screw pine
forest in Bangladesh combined with high salt tolerant
mangrove species.
Screw pine trees are used for house materials, thefruits for colorful decoration and are sprouted for plan-»»»tation for sand binding and to protect coconut trees andgenerate income from tourism and sale of indigenous
small-bulbed onions produced from island.
Pandanus creates habitat for birds and crustaceans.
The marine site also supports fish, lobster, corals, associated species, crustaceans, mollusks, turtles anddolphin etc.
With locals, VCG (village conservation groups) isformed by POUSH to restore the vegetation and conserve St. Martin’s Island.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
a wide range of salt tolerant species in marine and coastal
environments growing both naturally and manually along
the sandy beaches, and is planted extensively as hedgesaround the homesteads. Year round it maintains the green
wilderness in the site.

The human population of St. Martin has been drasticallygrowing day by day and demand for crop production is also
increasing, the locals are utilizing: and also destroying, thePandanus and side by side re-plantation is going on, considering its life support function for the islanders.
The reason for choosing the screw pine trees is that it has

Challenges and lessons learnt»»

In recent years screw pine management seems to bepoor and proper conservation, management and enforcement is needed to protect the screw pine.
In the near future the island might face different tidal»

Author: Tapan Kumar Ghosal / Photo: Tapan Kumar Ghosal7

shocks.
For tourism cottages and settlement purposes, due tothe huge birth rate of islanders, the Pandanus has beenclearing and burning by islanders and outsiders.

Tampara Wetland
Chatrapur, Ganjam District, Odisha, India

19°21’13.4”N 85° 00’06.5”E

System of disaster prevention
»

»

»

»

Main Ecosystem

In the Ganjam district of Odisha, south of Rushikuliya River, at Tampara wetland, a collaborative approach is being developed to safeguard and restore wetland functioning to
reduce water and weather related disaster risks through implementation of Eco- Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR) and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).
Wetlands International South Asia, supported by local governance systems (Panchayats), CSOs, PfR consortium members and UN Environment Programme worked together to upscale community resilience towards water related disasters.
The objective is to promote participatory community risk reduction planning while
blending ecosystem functioning with built infrastructure such as dykes and bunds
along with inclusion of wetlands management within local development plans and sectoral plans including DRR.
Odisha government has developed a coastal shelterbelt (Casuarina Plantation, Jhau)
along the coastal end of Tampara to safeguard against cyclones post Phailin in 2013.

Coastal Freshwater Lake
Disaster
Cyclones
FloodsSeawater intrusion

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
Coast/River/Floodplain• Disasters
Flood/Draught/Cyclones• Ecosystem Services
	Freshwater flow regulation, windattenuation, nutrient regulation• Other functions
Food production/Recreation/Water
Resource/Cultural services• T raditional/local knowledge andpracticesFisheries/Kewra or Pandanus sp. collection/Essential oil extraction /Presenceof community based traditional
knowledge on early warning of cyclonicstormsCharacteristics of this case

Eco-DRR

Present

Past

Disaster prevention function• Regulation of water flows• Climate regulation• Decreased potential to buffer storms
and cyclones• Regulation of water flows• Reducing impacts of cyclones

Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service• Decreased groundwater recharge
Provisioning for freshwater• Decreased Fisheries• Aquaculture• Tourism• Habitat• Freshwater supply• Ground water recharge• Climate regulation• Fisheries• Aquaculture• Tourism• Habitat Provisioning

Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional TechniqueResource use techniques for Fisheries and Kewra
Community linkages with wetlands ecosystem

Regulating service
Additional function

8• There are environmental degradations.
• There is funding for management of theecosystem.
• Local people understand its disaster prevention and environmental functions.
• It is integrated into community activities.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.

Tampara Wetland, India

Eco-DRR Case Study

Gifts from nature»»»»

Tampara is a major freshwater source for communities
living in the coastal belt.
Tampara acts as a shelter for the both migratory andresidential birds in the winter season.
Provides livelihood through fisheries and aquaculture toalmost 25,000 households surrounding the wetlands.
Ecological conditions around Tampara and its adjoining»

areas support livelihoods of many stakeholders including - Kewra or Pandanus odoratissimus L. flower collectors and water distilleries.
Small but extremely picturesque wetland holds a
prominent position in the tourist map of Odisha for its
beauty.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»»

Wetland dependent community is closely associatedwith the wetlands resource and understands that sustaining ecosystem services is an integral part of building resilience towards recurrent disasters.
It is recognized that fisheries resource has declined
within the wetland.

»»

Wetland dependent community identifies the opportunities to conserve wetlands resources through the useof traditional fisheries approaches.
Presence of community based traditional knowledge
on early warning of cyclonic storms.

Challenges and lessons learnt»»

Wetland-dependent community can play a major rolein promoting the disaster risk reduction potential of
Tampara.
Lopsided water management with a focus on hard engineering solutions, destruction of natural buffers suchas wetlands upstream and a lack of integrated land andwater planning have been major causative factors underlining the current trends of reduced DRR potential»»

Author: Dhruv Verma and Ritesh Kumar / Photo: Dhruv Verma
9of the wetland.
Degrading water regime which has led to drying up of
wetland tends to make the system unsustainable forthe growing population.
Frequent livelihood disruptions and deepening poverty among the highly vulnerable are a major cause ofconcern.

DemakDemak District, Central Java Province, Indonesia

6.802378 S, 110.558823 E

System of disaster prevention

Main Ecosystem

In Demak, Central Java, a consortium of Indonesia – Dutch institutions develop permeable structures made of local materials such as bamboo, twigs or other brushwood placedin front of the coastline. These structures let sea water pass through, dampening the waves
rather than reflecting them. As a result, waves lose height energy before reaching the coastline and mud can settle behind the structure. Once the erosion process has stopped and theshoreline starts accreting, mangrove can re-establish naturally without being washed away.
Over time, the mangroves themselves will attenuate waves and trap the sediment again
thus further preventing erosion.

Gifts from nature
In a good and well performed ecosystem, mangroves form natural coastal defence, provide mitigation and adaptation capacity for a resilient coastal and local communities living
dependently on mangroves and other coastal ecosystems, including coastal protection, seabased hazards control and also food resources. Naturally, mangrove traps sediment and forms
a sea wall to defend from high winds and big waves. Healthy mangrove mud coasts are in a
dynamic equilibrium; waves take sediment away and tides bring sediment in. The mangrove
root system helps to capture and stabilize the sediment. In addition, healthy mangroves provide good fisheries catch, and habitat for endangered species such as Milky Storks.

Coastal Wetlands
Disaster
Sea-based Erosion

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
Coast/Tidal flat/River/Fish ponds• Disasters
High tide/Flood• Ecosystem Services
	Wind prevention/Reduction of flow
velocity/Prevention of soil erosion/
Control of discharged sediment/Coastal
prevention• Other functions
	
Food production/Education/Recreation/
Cultural services• T raditional/local knowledge andpractice
Fisheries

Characteristics of this case

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Present

Past• Abandoned fishponds• Project intervention:» Semi-permeable Dam» Green belt
» Mixed-mangrove Aquaculture• Mangroves• Rice Paddies• Destroyed wetlands service• Project intervention: to return the service& protect coastal areas• Main staple/rice• Fisheries• Firewoods• Coastal protection• Biodiversity• Cultural/religion

The semi-permeable dams built using both local and introduced techniques

10• It is included in the spatial planning.
• It is included in the development plan.
• There are environmental degradations.
• There is funding for management of theecosystem.
• Local people understand its disaster prevention and environmental functions.
• It Is integrated into community activities.
• Other stakeholders understand disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.
• There are mechanisms of local economic
circulation in this case.
• There are conflicts between Eco-DRR andother functions.
• It is used for environmental education.

Demak, Indonesia

Eco-DRR Case Study

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
The Village government released a regulation preventing people from catching or shooting birds.
There are village regulations to manage coastal protection, overfishing and protection of mangroves.

Challenges and lessons learnt
Mangroves are among the most threatened ecosystem.
Along the coastlines of Indonesia, they are suffering serious
destruction or even dissapeared due to mangrove cutting
for fire and construction woods, city-expansion and mostvisibly for the development of fish ponds during the 1980s.
Soon after the mangrove forests dissapeared from costal
areas, coastal erosion was experienced, especially in the
North Coast of Java. Worsening by the land subsidence resulted mainly by excessive ground water extraction, rising
sea level and severe storms are taking their toll as well.

Thus, mangrove forests no longer exist to hold back thewater, and as the result, several kampongs have been swallowed up by the sea. Life has been getting more difficult for
the villagers as their villages are becoming lower than thewater surface, and more investments are required to maketheir houses still liveable. In addition, fish ponds are nolonger lucrative livelihoods once the bunds are eroded andthe production is rapidly decreasing as a result of the use ofchemical foods and antibiotics.

Author: Yus Ruslia Noor / Photo: Yus Rusila Noor
11

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary
Agusan del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines

8°27’N, 125°47’

Background

Main Ecosystem

The Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is in the middle part of the Agusan River Basin in
the northeastern Mindanao, Philippines. The Agusan Marsh 110,000 hectares and the waterlevel increases with the rainy season.

Disaster

System of disaster prevention

Freshwater wetland, marsh
Flood

Eco-DRR Element

The Agusan Marsh acts as a sponge, preventing severe flooding downstream in Butuan
City. The system of disaster prevention is adaptable building structures of people living in
the Marsh. Floating houses are built with bamboo poles that float on the water and aretethered to trees and logs so that they can rise with the level of the water. School houses
are also built this way or are built on stilts high above the water level, even during the inundation (flooding period) in the marsh. With this design, the inside of the houses are kept dry
and not flooded. (This design of floating houses is being considered in the Netherlands toface sea-level rise.)• Associated Ecosystem
	River/Peatland/Floodplain• Disasters	Flood• Ecosystem Services
	Tide prevention/Reduction of flow
velocity/Prevention of soil erosion/
Control of discharged sediment• Other functions
	
Food production/Material/Water
purification/Weather modification/
Education/Recreation/Cultural service

Characteristics of this case
• It is included in the DRR plan.
• It is included in the environmental
management plan.
• It is included in the spatial planning.
• It is included in the development plan.
• There are environmental degradations.
• Local people understand its disaster prevention and environmental functions.
• It Is integrated into community activities.
• Other stakeholders understand disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.
• There are mechanisms of local economic
circulation in this case.
• It is used for environmental education.

Eco-DRR

Present

Past

Disaster prevention function School houses are built on stilts, highabove the water line even during theflooding season. Children access the rooms
Regulating service
through stairs.

In the 1970s, the Manobo
Indigenous People settled in
the Marsh (Sitio Panlabuhan).
They built floating houses.

The Agusan Marsh provides food from fish,shells, and frogs. In addition, it is thenatural capital eco-cultural tourism.

The Agusan Marsh provides
food and materials for
shelter. Fishing is the main
livelihood.

Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service12Eco-DRR Case Study

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Philippines

Gifts from naturefrom Siberia and East Asia during November to March eachyear. More than 200 species of birds were observed during
the migratory season, including egrets and herons. The
purple heron (Ardea purpurea) migrate in the thousands
from Japan, China, and Russia to the Marsh.

The Agusan Marsh has 7 major habitat types that provide
habitats for a rich biodiversity, especially of birds. There
are 127 species of birds, belonging to 47 families, of which
24% are considered endemic (e.g., Oriental Darter, Anhinga
melanogaster, Philippine hawk eagle, Spizaetus philippensis). It is also the stop-over habitat of migratory bird species

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
The Manobo people are dependent on the Marsh for water and food supply and livelihood from fishing. Fish are eaten fresh or dried under the sun for consumption later. Using
the hyacinth, the women dry the plants and use the fiber asmaterial for bags and footwear. Some women make use ofa fruit and make it into jam. The Philippine Government haspromoted eco-tourism in the mid-1990s and this economic
activity is slowly growing for bird-watchers and people whoare interested to observe culture and nature.

Challenges and lessons learnt
together to address this in an Integrated River Basin Management Plan. Climate change impacts (more hot days,
more extreme storms) will affect the ecosystem servicesof Agusan River for the people in the Marsh and along theAgusan River.

Habitat destruction, water pollution, introduction of exotic
fishes (tilapia, janitor fishes) are the current problems thatare experienced by the Manobos. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Agusan River Basin Management Council, and Wetlands International are working

Author: Annadel S. Cabanban / Photo: Wetlands International Philippines
13

Bang Krachao
Phra PraDaeng District, Samut Prakarn Province,
Thailand

13.68436, 100.56984

Background

Main Ecosystem

Bang Krachao (almost 16 sq.km) is one of the largest remaining green areas near Bangkok. The area is located across the Chao Phraya River opposite Bangkok is referred to as
the ‘Green Lung of Bangkok’ and was named the ‘Best Urban Oasis of Asia’ by the TIME
Magazine in 2006. Bang Krachao was declared as an ‘Environmentally Protected Area’ inMarch 2019.

River Mouth & Estuary, Freshwater& Brakish Swamp Forest, Mangrove Forest, River, Ponds

Urban Green Area

DisasterGlobal Warming

System of disaster prevention

Heat Waves

For over 9 months per year, the southwest monsoonal wind coming from the Gulf ofThailand brings oxygen and moisture passing Bang Krachao before reaching Bangkok. Thisurban green area and its vast variety of plants and forest trees act as the ‘Lung of Bangkok’, provide climate buffering services by helping reduce air temperatures, trap particulatematters and air pollutants, and purify and forward the fresh air to Bangkok. In the face of
global warming, this area helps absorb and store over 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year
(Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization and Kasetsart University, 2011).

Air Pollution
Airborne Pandemic

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	River/ Stream/Mangroves/Oasis/Urban
green space• Disasters
	Air pollution/Heat/Climate change/
Global warming/Heat waves/Airborne
pandemic• Ecosystem Services	Local climate stabilization/Biodiversity
conservation• Other functions
	Food production/Material/Weather
modification/Education/Recreation/
Community building/Retaining andreplenishing water and moisture/Air
purification/Weather mitigation/Carbon
storage/pantip.com

Eco-DRR

Present

Past

Disaster prevention function• Air purification• Local climate stabilization• Carbon storage• Mitigation of climate change and variability (heat and extremes)• Wind breaks• Local climate stabilization• Biodiversity conservation• Recreation• Nature education• Natural refuge for city people• Sources of timber, foodplants, fish, aquatic resources

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Wetlands are natural infrastructures, stabilizing local climate and mitigating climatic change and extremes.

14

Characteristics of this case
Administration: Samut Prakarn Province
and the Royal Forest Department
Stakeholders: local communities, civilsocieties, academics, universities, SamutPrakarn Province, the Royal Forest Department, GOs, NGOs, IOs
Funding resources: GOs, public and private
sectors

Bang Krachao, Thailand

Eco-DRR Case Study

Gifts from nature
Bang Krachao is full of natural and scenic beauty andhas high biodiversity (over 600 species of flora and fauna).
There are numerous attractions worth to visit and ecotourism activities.
Visitors jog, cycle along several bike paths, study ecosystems and biodiversity, observe a wide variety of plants, participate in bird-watching, boat rides, feeding fish, visit beau-

tiful Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden,
Bang Krasop Cork Tree Forest Park, Gallery of SiameseFighting Fish Betta splendens and other fish species, experience the simple lifestyle of villagers and local foods/desserts, visit lively riverside weekend markets, old temples,
Herbal Incense Sticks Home, watch fireflies, or just relax ina peaceful and quiet environment.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
Bang Krachao area is composed of 6 sub-districts (Bang
Krachao, Bang Korbua, Bang Nam Phueng, Bang Krasop,
Bang Yo, and Song Khanong) with a relatively small population. Local communities maintain simple ways of life, integrated agriculture farms (based on the King Rama IX Philos-

ophy of Sufficiency Economy), fruit orchards (e.g. mango,
banana, coconut, rose apple, etc.), and ornamental plant
farms. Local communities’ conservation efforts include
planting trees for forest rehabilitation.

Challenges and lessons learnt
Recognizing the values and importance of existence,
maintenance and conservation of urban green areas like
Bang Krachao, there has been continuous significant effort
and cooperation of various sectors (e.g. Chaipattana Foundation, Royal Forest Department, IUCN-ARO, APFNet, Petroleum Authority Thailand, Kasetsart University, academics, community groups, etc.) aiming at strengthening urban
forest management, biodiversity conservation, nature education, awareness raising, and promotion of ecotourism activities. For better quality of life and more sustainable livingof urban people, urban green areas need to be maintained,
conserved, and well-managed. Urban green areas will evenplay more important roles and provide highly significant
ecosystem services in the future to help urban people living

and coping with climate variability and extremes.
Amidst rapid urbanization, transportation and infrastructure development, industrialization, land use change insurrounding Bangkok and Samut Prakarn, and global warming, Bang Krachao remains unspoiled green space helping
urban people of Bangkok and its vicinity cope with risingtemperature, heat waves, and increasing air pollutants (particularly PM 2.5). Wetlands and urban green areas are natural infrastructures for mitigating climate variability, heats,
and extremes. Since 2020, facing with Covid-19 Pandemic,
lockdown situation, limited activities and social distancing,urban green space like Bang Krachao also significantly acts
as ‘natural refuge’ for city people.

cbtthailand.dasta.or.th

www.paiduaykan.com

Komchadluek.net

www.painaidii.com

Author: Sansanee Choowaew
15

www.thestupidbear.com

Fai Nam Pook
Ban Nam Pook, Khun Kuoun sub-district,Pong district, Phayao province, Thailand

4700653917, UTM 2124062

Background

Main Ecosystem

Deforestation has been a big problem in the upper watersheds of Thailand. Repeateddroughts and forest fires often occur seriously during dry season. “Fai” (a Thai name forsmall check dams) are inexpensive traditional/local wisdom-based structures which local
communities built by themselves since ancient times to help mitigate problems of droughts
and forest fires in the upper watersheds.

Streams, upper watersheds
DisasterDrought
Forest Fire

System of disaster prevention
Fai Nam Pook is an over 120 years old wooden check dam designed and built by local
communities. Major steps of establishing a “Fai” include: selecting an appropriate site on a
stream; laying foundation wooden posts vertically in lines across the stream (depth of posts
and number of lines depend on characteristics of the stream e.g. slope, stream-base materials); connecting foundation posts with wooden posts horizontally by woods or bamboo
canes; placing more woods or bamboo canes or stones to seal the connected points; andfilling up the structure with branches, twigs, grass and reeds. Fai Nam Pook slows down thewater flows and raises water levels of the stream. Water is kept longer and at a higher levelwithin the stream channel. Water can percolate down around the site. Adequate moisture is
kept in the surrounding forest areas during dry season. Fai Nam Pook helps preserve waterand moisture within the watershed and helps mitigate droughts and forest fires.
www.thaipublica.org

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
River/Forest/Stream/Watershed• Disasters
	Drought/Fire• Ecosystem Services
	Mitigating droughts and forest fires/
Reduction of flow velocity/Control ofdischarged sediment• Other functions
	
Food production/Weather modification/
Recreation/Water resource/Cultural
service• T raditional/local knowledge andpractice	Water and soil conservation/Watershedmanagement/Water resources management

Characteristics of this casesites.google.com

www.chiangmainews.co.th

www.voicetv.co.th

Eco-DRR

Present

Past• Retaining and replenishing water andmoisture• Mitigating droughts• Reducing forest fires• Trapping sediment• Water and soil conservation

Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service• Water use• Water supply and irrigation• Biodiversity conservation• Environmental education on watershedmanagement• Water use• Water supply• Sources of food plants,
fish, aquatic resources

Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Pilot model and example of traditional local wisdom-based community-based water and soil conservation and watershed management.

Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function

16• It is included in the DRR plan.
• It is included in the environmental
management plan.
• It is included in the development plan.
• The ecosystem biodiversity is managed
properly.
• There is funding for management of theecosystem.
• Local people understand its disaster prevention and environmental functions.
• It Is integrated into community activities.
• Other stakeholders understand disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.
• It is used for environmental education.
• It is managed by local communities andsub-district administration organization.

Fai Nam Pook, Thailand

Eco-DRR Case Study

Gifts from nature
Fai Nam Pook helps maintain moisture and water, enhance functions of the stream in the upper watershed,bring back fertility of forest vegetation and biodiversity, andsupport wildlife. Fai Nam Pook helps enrich the stream as
an important food source of aquatic plants, fish and aquatic resources. Fai Nam Pook is a major source of water for
more than 180 households and supplies water for a rice

farming area of 500 – 1,000 rai (1 rai = 1,600 sq.m.). The
site is important for environmental education on water resource conservation and watershed management.
Villagers of Ban Nam Pook are paying their respect to thewater and forest spirits and giving thanks for water availability and natural abundance.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
Fai Nam Pook is one of the three ancient check dams
designed, built, maintained, managed and used by villagers of Ban Nam Pook (Nam Pook village) for water preservation. Based on local wisdom, villagers have used theirown methods and natural materials (fallen woods, branches
and twigs, bamboo canes, grass and reeds, stones) easily found locally to build, repair and maintain this traditional
structure. Management roles and responsibility are sharedand participated in by village committee, villagers, the elders and youth, staff of sub-district administration organi-zation, and forest officers. The structure of Fai Nam Pookhas been checked regularly and repaired by villagers during
March-April before the rainy season. Traditional culture andpractices related to water uses still remain. Villagers hold 2
important yearly events to pay respect to water and forest
spirits: at the start of rice growing around May-June to ask
for permission to bring water to be used in their rice growing plots; and at the end of rice harvesting around December to thank for water use.

Challenges and lessons learnt“Fai” or small-size check dams have gained much attention from the public in Thailand and raised public awareness of the importance of forest, water and soil, and nature
conservation. Check dams are being promoted and widely
built by local communities as well as many public, privateand business sector as Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) activities at various sites on the upper watersheds.
Key factors to be carefully considered to achieve the longterm benefits from check dams are a holistic view of thewatersheds, geographic conditions, ecological conditions,appropriate site selection and design, sizes, and materials
to suit the purposes, localities, interest and need of local
communities. A traditional small-scale check dam like Fai
Nam Pook may bring great benefits to local households,
while structures of modern types requiring high construction cost may dramatically change local livelihoods andoverall ecosystems.

sites.google.com

clb.egat.co.th

Author: Sansanee Choowaew
17

www.thaigoodview.com

Bung Nong Bon
Eastern Bangkok, Thailand

13.69370, 100.66185

Background

Main Ecosystem

Bangkok has been facing more frequent and bigger floods due to urban growth, over capacity wetlands and waterways, and poor drainage systems. Based on the Royal Initiativesof H.M the King Rama 9, lakes and ponds have been serving as vitally important ecosystem-based flood mitigation structures since 1988.

System of disaster prevention

Lake, Pond, Wetlands
DisasterFlood

Eco-DRR Element

Bung Nong Bon was a natural pond restored during 1993–1999. Currently, it has become
a semi-natural urban wetland, comprising 3 connected big lakes, having a total area of 644
rai (1 rai =1,600 sq.m.), average depth of 10m., and a total water storage capacity of over
5 million cu.m. During wet season, Bung Nong Bon receives floodwater and surplus waterfrom nearby canals and its vicinity, and acts as a water retention lake. When the sea waterlevel recedes and canals’ water level lowers, floodwater gradually drains out. Bung Nong
Bon helps prevent floods in 3 districts of eastern Bangkok, namely Suan Luang, Praves, andPhrakanong districts.

• Associated Ecosystem
Lake and marsh/River• Disasters	Flood• Ecosystem Services	Floodwater retention/Control of inundation flow
• Other functions
	
Food production/Education/Recreation/
Cultural service• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice	Living with nature/Living with floods/
Wetlands are natural infrastructures,
slowing down flows, storing floodwater,
mitigating floods, and lessening flood
damage.

Characteristics of this casenews.thaipbs.or.th

travel.trueid.net

Sansanee Choowaew

Gifts from nature
Bung Nong Bon has now become a public park in eastern Bangkok. The site is famousand popular for recreation, being the 1st Water-sports Center of Bangkok where people canenjoy sailing, kayaking, wind-surfing, canoeing, and bicycling along a 4km cycling lane. A
Water Management Learning Center is located at Bung Nong Bon, providing nature andenvironmental education for the public, children and youth.

Eco-DRR

Present

Disaster prevention function• Floodwater retention• Reducing flood• Pushing out saline water back into the sea

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Past• Water storage• Reducing flood• Water use• Recreation•S ources of food plants,• Water-sports Center
fish, aquatic resources• Environmental education on water management
Wetlands are natural infrastructures, slowing down flows, storing floodwater, mitigating floods, lessening flood damage.

18• It is included in the DRR plan.
• It is included in the environmental
management plan.
• It is included in the spatial planning.
• It is included in the development plan.
• There is funding for management of theecosystem.
• Local people understand its disaster prevention and environmental functions.
• It Is integrated into community activities.
• Other stakeholders understand disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.
• It is used for environmental education.
• It is managed by Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration.

Bung Nong Bon, Thailand

Eco-DRR Case Study

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
In the old days, Bangkok was a water-based city, full of
canals, waterways, lakes, ponds, marshes and swamps.
Bangkokians used to ‘live well with water’. Due to urban
growth, water storage and absorption capacity reduced
from 85% in the past to less than 15% at present. Floods
are occurring more frequently, with greater severity, withdeeper water levels and longer flood duration. A flood control project for Bangkok was initiated by H.M. the King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama 9), following his observation
on monkeys’ eating habit (monkeys always store bananasin their cheeks and gradually eat them later). The projectapplies the “Monkey’s Cheeks” concept to solve flooding
problems, by storing excess water in wetlands serving as
water storage areas before draining water out when theseawater level drops. Wisdom of practices include conserving existing wetlands; improving their water storage capacity; maintaining connectivity between wetlands, canals andwaterways; freeing water flows; and gradually draining water out during low tides. Bung Nong Bon is among the first
generation of “Monkey’s Cheeks” of Bangkok.

Challenges and lessons learnt
Bangkok sits on a lowland flat area at the same or lower
than the mean sea level, having little slope and poor drainage capacity. During the mighty mega-flood in 2011, 36 districts of Bangkok were inundated and over 4.43 million people suffered. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)
has realized the significant role of “Monkey’s Cheeks” forflood mitigation and increased the number of such water
retention areas. At present, Bangkok has a total number of
25 “Monkey’s Cheeks” in 12 districts, having a total water

storage capacity of more than 13 million cu.m.. Those water
retention areas are managed by several different agencies/
organizations of both the public and private sector. “Monkey’s Cheeks” are now being introduced and extended tomany other areas in the perimeter of Bangkok and country-wide. The BMA is continuing to increase the number
and capacity of these wetland-based flood mitigation structures and has already included this objective in the Master
Plan for Water Resource Management.

www.thairath.co.th

Sansanee Choowaew

Sansanee Choowaew

Sansanee Choowaew

Author: Sansanee Choowaew
19

Bamboo Sea-wall
Khok Kham sub-district, Muang district,
Samut Sakhon province, Thailand

13.48412, 100.32266

Background

Main Ecosystem

The coastline of the Upper Gulf of Thailand has faced serious problems of land subsidence, coastal erosion, and sea level rise for several decades due to mangrove loss, land usechange, and groundwater exploitation. The bamboo sea-wall was first built in 2007 in frontof the coastline of Khok Kham sub-district of Samut Sakhon province following the coastal
communities’ attempt and efforts, trial and error, to bring back land and mangroves, mitigate
coastal erosion, and restore the abundance of coastal natural resources.

Mangroves, Shallow sea

Coastal wetlands
Disaster

Coastal erosion
Subsidence

System of disaster prevention

Sea level rise

The bamboo sea-wall is built by manually pushing bamboo canes into the coastal soil toat least 2m in depth, and leaving the canes over the water level at least 3m high. Groups ofbamboo canes are fixed in line, not straight but in a series of triangle patterns. The base is
2m wide and the length from the base to the tip of triangle pointing into the sea is 2.50m.
This triangular shape of the bamboo wall is designed to change the wave direction, reduce
the wave force and action, and facilitate sediment trapping. Bamboo canes can be used for
6 – 7 years before being fixed or replaced. For around 5 years, once sediment is trapped
and accumulated, mangrove seedlings (e.g. Avicennia and Rhizophora species) are planted. After mangrove trees are established and growth is ensured, the 1st line of bamboo
wall is removed. Then the 2nd line is built at 100m seawards, and mangrove seedlings areplanted again. Establishment of another line of bamboo wall and mangrove re-plantation isrepeated. The bamboo wall helps reduce wave forces and actions, trap sediments, form
new land, restore mangroves, reduce coastal erosion and subsidence, and prepare for coping with sea level rise.

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
Coast/Mangroves/Shallow sea• Disasters	Land subsidence/Coastal erosion/Sea
level rise
• Ecosystem Services
	Mitigating land subsidence, coastal
erosion & effects of sea level rise
• Other functions
	
Soil formation/Food production/Education/Recreation/Community building• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice	Local wisdom-based infrastructure/Local initiatives, self-learning and experiments via trial and error, self-capacity
building/Local participatory attemptand efforts in Eco-DRR practices

Characteristics of this case

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Present

Past• Reducing wave forces and actions• Reducing land subsidence• Reducing coastal erosion• Not available• Trapping sediment• Building new land
• Restoring mangroves• Enhancing coastal resources abundance• Biodiversity conservation• Environmental education• Not available

Pilot model and example of local wisdom-based infrastructure for coastal
protection and preparedness to cope with sea level rise.

20• It is included in the DRR plan.
• It is included int the environmental
management plan.
• It is included in the spatial planning.
• It is included in the development plan.
• There is funding for management of theecosystem.
• Local people understand its disaster prevention and environmental functions.
• It Is integrated into community activities.
• Other stakeholders understand disasterprevention and environmental functions.
• It plays a role in maintaining thecommunity.
• It contributes to community development.
• It is used for environmental education.
• It is managed by Local communities,
sub-district administration organization,
and Department of Marine and Coastal
Resources

Bamboo Sea-wall, Thailand

Eco-DRR Case Study

Gifts from nature
After the establishment of the bamboo sea-wall at Khok
Kham sub-district, the biodiversity and abundance of coastal resources has started to come back. Local livelihoods has
been improved. Many other related projects, e.g. dolphins
and whales conservation projects, nature study center, nature trails and boardwalks, are located here. The bamboo
sea-wall at Khok Kham, Samut Sakhon has become a wellknown and popular ecotourism site attractive to both local

and foreign visitors. The bamboo sea-wall of Khok Khamhas also become an important educational site, regularly
visited by students, practitioners, and the general public
and people from various sectors. Large number of groups
and representatives from nearby coastal communities fromdifferent parts of Thailand and from foreign countries havevisited the site. Local wisdom, knowledge and experience
have been shared and transferred.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
Community leaders and members expressed their concerns and made collective efforts, used local wisdom, did
experiments on several possible methods, worked together, discussed and consulted among themselves, and ended up with the concept and adoption of the ‘Bamboo SeaWall’. So far, the bamboo wall has been established for 2km
along the coastline using community labor, with partial sup-port of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources,
the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and theprivate sector. They have continuously recorded data andmonitored the amount of sediment deposit and the survival
rate of planted mangrove seedlings. Local communities aim
at restoring 300m seawards mangrove strip by 2022.

Challenges and lessons learnt
The bamboo sea-wall is developed and adopted as a restoration technique helping local communities gain back thehealthy coastal ecosystems and cope with the changing
environment. According to the recorded monitoring data,
the bamboo sea-wall has enhanced sediment deposit, led
to successful mangrove restoration, and been proved tobe fruitful and applicable for this specific part of the Upper
Gulf of Thailand. In the future, once fertile mangroves are

fully brought back and well established, such bamboo wall
may not be needed anymore. The concept of the bamboo
sea-wall has now been widely adopted and applied to manyother coastal areas in Thailand. Design, structural pattern,materials to be used, and the ways and means are adapted
to suit specific localities. Attempt and efforts, trial and error,
have to continue to cope well with future coastal change.

Author: Sansanee Choowaew
Photos : Bamboo Sea Wall Project, Khok Kham Community, Khok Kham sub-district, Mueng district, Samutsakhon province
21

IguneOsaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

38°36’45.0”N 140°57’38.5”E

Background»»

Main Ecosystem

Cold weather has let to disaster in the Tohoku region, located in the northern part ofJapan. Not only strong cold winds in winter, but also cold winds in summer. The “coldsummer damage” has sometimes resulted in food shortages, such as years when rice
could not be harvested.
Igune, a homestead woodland, has been protecting houses from disasters for morethan 400 years. It is a traditional Japanese housing form designed as an ingenious way
to enrich people’s lives.

Homestead woodland
DisasterCold wave
Flood
FamineSystem of disaster prevention»»

The “Igune” plays a role to protect houses from the cold winter monsoon and floods.
Trees are planted around houses to surround the premises. Additionally, various plants
for daily use are planted on the sites, which have been used as food, building materials,
and daily goods.
Various foods and goods produced on the families’ premises are stored in many ways
including pickles, as a preparation for life in the winter and famine.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function

Present• Wind prevention• Flood prevention• Wind prevention• Flood prevention• Famine• Stock for winter• Vegetables, fruits and other foodproduction• Fertilizer• Habitat• Vegetables, fruits and other foodproduction• Fertilizer• Fuel• Habitat

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Past

Multipurpose use of plants
Disaster prevention, building materials, fuel, pickles, diverse edible plants

22

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	Others (Homestead woodland)• Disasters	Flood/Storm/Others (Yamase (northwind))• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice
Igune/Homestead woodland

Igune, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Gifts from nature»»»

Igune includes many ingenious ways to maximize theuse of ecosystem services.
To protect the houses from strong monsoon winds, durable trees such as cedar and trees that grow to shortheights in dense formations are planted as necessary.
Approximately 300 species of plants grow in the area»and have been used as food, building materials, andmedicine.
It provides habitat for rare plants and animals and ishabitat for a diverse range of species. It maintains astable natural environment, including the surrounding
rice paddies.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»»

Igune is a traditional Japanese homestead woodlandthat has been existing for 400 years. The structure of
Igune-like woodland can be found throughout Japan,
and each location has characteristics suited to the climate and disaster risk.
The woodlands surrounding the houses are set toward
the mountain side where the winter monsoon blows,or toward the upstream side where the river floodwa-»

ters flow.
Traditional knowledge of Igune is diverse. By planting
a wide range of plants, fruits and vegetables are harvested and used as preserved foods such as pickles,
as medicine, as building material, and as firewood. The
sites also shows ingenuity in the circulation of materials, such as using fallen leaves as fertilizer for vegetables.

Challenges and lessons learnt»»»

The biggest challenge for Igune is the bearers.
The maintenance of Igune requires an enormous
amount of daily management. However, due to a number of factors, including a decrease in the number offarmers, loss of routine management skills, aging ofsociety, and cost, there are fewer “bearers” to maintain and manage Igune.
The local government is conserving and supporting
the traditional agricultural system around Osaki City,
including Igune, as a site of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). It is also promoting
the management of volunteers to manage Igune andthe use of Igune as a place for environmental and community education.

»

»

»

Author: Jun Teramura / Photo: Jun Teramura
23

The primary role of Igune is to protect houses from thewinter monsoon. However, the diversity of their plant
species and the activity of making them available forfruits and other food, firewood, and building materials
has led to diverse disaster preparedness and resilience.
The ecosystem in Igune is a knowledge base of sustainability, optimized for local weather and disasters,
and coexisting with local nature.
Even traditional knowledge used for disaster risk reduction and food is in danger of loss due to changes
in lifestyles. Therefore, it is necessary to take actions
such as visualization of value such as GIAHS and value-added measures.

Kabukuri-numa
Osaki City and surrounding areas,
Miyagi Prefecture, Japan

38°38’13.0”N 141°06’16.9”E

Background»»

Main Ecosystem

Around 400 years ago, the Kitakamigawa River flowed near Kabukuri-numa, and thearea was a low marshy area frequently flooded by water for a long period of time. The
Kitakamigawa River was replaced about 15 km to the east, and the frequency of flooding decreased, but the area was still flooded frequently.
Currently, the area is designated under the Ramsar Convention along with the adjacentIzu-numa and Uchinu-ma as one of the largest sites for migrating geese in Japan. The
number of geese began to increase in the 1980s.

System of disaster prevention»»

Kabukurinuma is the confluence of the Oyamada and Kayakari Rivers. The land usedas rice paddies has been turned into a marsh, and the surrounding area is embanked
with levees to create a retarding basin and store floodwaters. There are three overflow
dykes in the retarding basin of Kabukuri-numa. When the water level in Kabukuri-numa
rises above a certain level, the floodwaters flow out of the overflow dykes, and thesurrounding rice paddies are used as a retarding basin.
The rice paddies surrounding Kabukuri-numa are surrounded by levees, which control
the extent of flood storage and have large drainage pump stations for rapid drainage.

Gifts from nature»»

Kabukuri-numa and the surrounding Izu-numa, Uchi-numa, and Kejo-numa are among
the largest wintering sites for geese in Japan. The geese were endangered in Japanaround 1970, but their numbers have recovered significantly as a result of designation
as a natural monument and conservation of their habitat. These Ramsar Sites havecontributed greatly to their recovery.
Aleutian cackling geese and swans also fly into Kabukuri-numa, and the marsh is ahabitat for many plants and animals.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function

Present

Past• Flood control• Retarding basin• Flood control• Flood plain• Large stopover site for gees
• Habitat for other wetland rare
plants and animals• Education• Rice production• Fishing• Hunting

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional TechniqueUsing floodplains for flood control
Using surrounding rice paddies for flood control

24

Marsh

DisasterFlood

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	Lake and marsh/River/Rice paddy/
Floodplain• Disasters	Flood/Storm• Ecosystem services
Control of inundation flow
• Other functions
	
Education/Recreation/Others (Roostingsite for geese and others)• T raditional/local knowledge andpractice
Traditional flood control land uses

Kabukuri-numa, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»»»

Kabukuri-numa is a marshy area at the confluence ofrivers that has been used as rice paddies for several
hundred years.
The use of flood plains, which are often inundated byfloodwaters, is wisdom that has been passed down inmonsoon Asia since ancient times, along with the cultivation of rice.
Overflow dykes have been used in Japan for hundreds»of years. By lowering a part of a levee and hardening
the surface, floodwaters overflow from a fixed point.
The retarding basin around Kabukuri-numa is divided
by levees, which allow the floodwaters to be stored ina specific location. A ring levee, a levee that surrounds
the community and prevents the inflow of floodwaters,
has also been used.

Challenges and lessons learnt»»»

The number of geese in Kabukuri-numa is steadily increasing, and their presence contributes to the local
community through the sale of brand-name rice. In Kabukuri-numa especially, a visitor center has not been
established, and the habitat of the wildlife and the livesof the local residents have been managed by not turning the area into a tourist destination.
Invasive alien species are spreading significantly, andfish species such as rosy bitterling, Kara-dojou, andother species are occupying the area.
Although there are large-scale drainage facilities in thesurrounding retarding basin, there are long-term main-»»

Author: Jun Teramura / Photo: Jun Teramura
25

tenance and management cost issues associated withmaintaining pumps and other equipment because of
the large maintenance and renewal costs required tomaintain these facilities.
In the last 30 years or so, Kabukuri-numa has become
an important roosting site for geese and the numberof geese has recovered. Previously, they were endangered due to hunting pressure and habitat loss.
Kabukuri-numa was initially rice paddies on a floodplain. As a result of various consensus building efforts,
the site was restored as a retarding basin for flood control and natural environment.

Adogawa Flood Prevention Forest
Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan35.339220, 136.039045

System of disaster prevention

Main Ecosystem

Bamboo forests and pine forests are placed along the levee and in the protected lowland.
When floods overflow, sediment and driftwood are caught by passing through these forests.
Moreover, the energy of overflowing water can be reduced. As a result, dyke break can beprevented and damage to the protected lowland can be reduced.
When combined with other flood control systems, they are highly effective.

Gifts from nature
It is said that the Adogawa flood prevention forest began with bamboo planted along thelevee around the 1960s. By planting bamboo, the levee could be strengthened and used
for agricultural materials and bamboo shoots. Furthermore, it was industrialized as bamboo
from the Adosawa river boosts a 90% share of the bamboo used for Japanese fan frames.
A healthy environment is maintained by managing bamboo forest to some extent. Therefore, the use of bamboo leads to maintaining a good environment.
It provides a living environment for living creatures living near rivers as a riparian forest.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices
In addition to bamboo, red pine, camphor, and cedar can be seen in the forest trees.
These trees are often used as they are resistant to flooding and easy to use.

Challenges and lessons learnt
Bamboo forest is no longer properly managed. When cutting out bamboo, people cut out
all the bamboo at once.
A poorly managed bamboo forest can erode other environments.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Present

Past• Reducing flood• Reducing scouring of levee, etc.
• Catching sediment• Reducing flood• Strengthening levee• Catching sediment• Catching drift wood andgarbage• Providing bamboo material• Frame of Japanese fan• Agricultural use• Bamboo shoot• Riparian forest• Food for fish etc.
• Corridor• Food (bamboo shoot)• Bamboo material• Frame of Japanese fan• Agricultural use• Use for living• Fuel• Flooding cannot be stopped, but the energy of water can be reduced.
• In addition to bamboo, there are also pine, camphor, and cedar.

26

River, Bamboo forest
Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	River/Floodplain• Disasters	Flood• Ecosystem Services
	Control of inundation flow/Reductionof flow velocity/Prevention of drift
wood and wastes/Control of discharged
sediment• Other functions
	
Food production/Fuel/Material• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice
Flood restraining forest belt

Adogawa Flood Prevention Forest, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Author: Jun Teramura / Photo: Wetlands International Japan27

Reduction of flood and sediment disaster risk using traditional knowledge of satoyama landscape on
the west side of Lake Biwa, Japan
Authors: Katsue Fukamachi Kyoto University
Takehito Yoshida Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
Hiroki Takahashi Otsu City Museum of History

Shishigaki
Hira Mountain range of Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Disaster prevention system of Shishigaki in Satoyama»»»

A fence built by local residents to prevent wild boars and deer from entering the village
and ruining the fields and local ecosystems.
Many are located on the border between villages and forests, and they vary in length
up to twenty or thirty meters.
The Arakawa Shishigaki is also used to prevent flooding and landslide disasters causedby the flooding of the Otani River, and is built around the village.

Ecosystem Services of Shishigaki»

Stable and consistent farming practices can be achieved by preventing the damage
caused by wild boar and deer on these sensitive areas.

Traditional ecological knowledge TEK»»

The main structure consists of stone walls, which are constructed based on the availability of local stone resources.
These stone walls are used in connecting villages, and are built on the borders between
mountains and villages as measures against wildlife damage. Those that are built along
rivers are in place as measures against flooding and sediment damage, which can occur during river flooding

Current issues regarding Shishigaki»»

A considerable infrastructure, including Shishigaki, was demolished during the postwar disturbance. During this time river revetment work and housing development progressed, impacting the satoyama environment.
Shishigaki is gradually being forgotten due to the changes in the relationship between
nature and regional demographics, as well as the reliance upon more modern technology.

28

Shishigaki – Lake Biwa, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Photo: Wetlands International Japan
29

Reduction of flood and sediment disaster risk using traditional knowledge of satoyama landscape on
the west side of Lake Biwa, Japan
Authors: Katsue Fukamachi Kyoto University
Takehito Yoshida Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
Hiroki Takahashi Otsu City Museum of History

Sanju Teibo
Hira Mountain range of Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Disaster prevention system»»

A set of three reinforced stone levees which are built on the south side of the Otani
River flowing through Ara­kawa Village
Even if one levee broke, the second and third levees worked to respond to large-scale
floods. They varied in size, with the first one being the longest: followed by the second,
and the third levee being there in case the first two broke.

Ecosystem services SanjuTeibo»

Local wood resources from the forest can be utilized as a renewable source of firewood. Over time, the riparian zones which experienced sediment deposition fromflooding show evidence of succession, and we can find trees colonizing these areas.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge TEK»»

The bank along the river`s edge is the longest, and therefore is more prone to natural disasters such as erosion and flooding, threatening villages which are downslope from it.
It is thought that the village of Arakawa was protected from flooding and landslides bybuilding it in a place where the Otani River curves.

Current issues regarding SanjuTeibo»»

Some communities have said that it currently does not play a relevant disaster prevention role.
We must reconfirm how we can connect and evaluate the traditional disaster prevention functions which were utilized in the past. There is a disparity between how a set ofthree reinforced stone levees was seen in the past for its services, and how it is viewd
now in light of disaster prevention.

30

Sanju Teibo – Lake Biwa, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Photo: Wetlands International Japan31

Reduction of flood and sediment disaster risk using traditional knowledge of satoyama landscape on
the west side of Lake Biwa, Japan
Authors: Katsue Fukamachi Kyoto University
Takehito Yoshida Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
Hiroki Takahashi Otsu City Museum of History

Hyakkenzutsumi
Hira Mountain range of Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture

Disaster prevention system»»»

A stone wall with a length of about 100 ken (using the metric system it is about 200
meters) and a width of about 10 ken (about 18 meters), and a height of 3 to 5 ken (5.5
to 9 meters). It features an embankment consisting sand, that runs 1km or more downstream. This embankment is used to prevent flooding disasters.
During the Edo period, it was constructed over the course of five years and eightmonths, against the repeated flooding of the Yotsuko River which was threatening anddamaging local villages at the time.
The Yotsuko River, which originates straight from the Hira Mountain range and gradually follows a rightward trend towards Biwako, naturally flows near local villages. Whenflooding does occur, the Hyakkenzutsumi is in place to guide the debris flow along the
Yotsuko River, instead of flooding the area occupied by satoyama residents who live on
the other side of it.

Ecosystem services Hyakkenzutsumi»

The ecological benefits of the Hyakkenzutsumi being in place include not only disasterprevention, but also water availability for local agriculture systems. Sluice gates are inplace to direct the flow of water at strategic points. Local residents take advantage ofthese by diverting some of this water for their agricultural practices.

Traditional ecological knowledge TEK»»»

The residents living in the immediate riparian zone understood that it was impossible tocompletely prevent flood damage from occurring.
Residents understood that they were vulnerable to natural disaster damage when theembankment broke down, and so they designed their village areas to be protected fromthese recurrent natural disasters.
flooding and sediment damage, which can occur during river flooding

Current issues regarding Hyakkenzutsumi»»

Some communities have said that it currently does not play a relevant disaster prevention role.
We must reconfirm how we can connect and evaluate the traditional disaster prevention functions which were utilized in the past. There is a disparity between how Hyakkenzutsumi was seen in the past for its services, and how it is viewed now in light ofdisaster prevention.
32

Hyakkenzutsumi – Lake Biwa, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Photo: Wetlands International Japan33

Funagata-yashiki
Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan

33°21’49.9” N 130°01’23.7” E

Background»»

Main Ecosystem

There are many alluvial fan-shaped landforms in Japan. The alluvial fans are often used
to develop rice paddies because of the easy access to water, but they are also frequently affected by disasters such as floods and debris flows.
In such places, houses named Funagata-yashiki are seen and they are protected bystone masonry and homestead woodlands.

Homestead woodland
DisasterFlood
Debris flow

System of disaster prevention»»

In alluvial fans and other landforms, Funagata-yashiki set up homestead woodlands toprotect their residences. Homestead woodlands are surrounded by stone walls in the
direction of flood inundation and debris flows.
Bamboo groves along the river act as flood prevention forests, reducing the force offloodwaters hitting houses and stone walls.

Gifts from nature»»

Camellia and pine trees can be seen in the homestead woodland of Funagata-yashiki.
The flood prevention forest along the river is planted with bamboo trees.
These plants have generally been used by Japanese farmers for daily living, although
the specific uses of the plants have not been fully clarified. They are often used for fueland agricultural materials.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»»

It is not certain when Funagata-yashiki along the Matsuura River was built. However,there is a house in the same location on a map more than 150 years old.
There is a small shrine in the homestead woodland of Funagata-yashiki, which is considered an important place because it once had a meeting place. It is said that the bamboo grove along the river must not be lost as they serve as a flood prevention forest to
protect houses and stone walls.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function

Present

Past• Flood prevention• Debris flow countermeasures• Flood prevention• Debris flow countermeasures• Agricultural materials• Habitat• Agricultural materials• Fuel• Meeting place• Small shrine• Habitat

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique• Stone masonry• Disaster prevention, building materials, fuel, local facilities

34

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	River/Upstream/Others (Homesteadwoodland, alluvial fan)
• Disasters	Flood/Storm/Debris flow
• Ecosystem Services
	Control of inundation flow/Reductionof flow velocity/Control of discharged
sediment• Other functions
	
Fuel/Material/Community building• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice	Stone walls around residential areas
are used to disperse the force of floods
and protect houses.

Funagata-yashiki, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Challenges and lessons learnt»»»

The biggest challenge of the Funagata-yashiki of Matsuura River is that they are completely unknown tolocal residents and others. Although the existence ofstone walls, homestead woodland, and flood prevention forests have been handed down from generation
to generation, the overall system of Funagata-yashiki is
not well known even to the current residents. Similarly,
the local government is not aware of this disaster prevention system.
Depopulation is continuing, and the aging of the population and the lack of human resources to carry on
the house are obvious. Some places are vacant houses
and lots.
Funagata-yashiki is a form of housing specifically designed to prevent flood inundation. By utilizing stone
walls and homestead woodlands, and by understanding the direction from which the forces of disaster

»

»

»

»

Author: Jun Tramura / Photo: Jun Teramura
35

come, it is possible to disperse the forces of floods likethe tip of a ship cutting through the water.
The establishment of local facilities, such as shrinesand meeting halls, provided visible symbols of the importance of the land, and were contrived to ensure thatit could be handed down from generation to generation.
Even good traditional knowledge concerning disasterprevention can be easily lost if the residents are notaware of it.
The stone walls surrounding the houses will soon collapse if they are not carefully maintained due to thegrowth of plants and trees.
Since a small shrine is considered a sacred place, it isoften found that small shrines are established at key
locations for disaster prevention.

Azame-no-se
Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan33.339966, 129.993670

System of disaster prevention

Main Ecosystem

This wetland was created for the purpose of restoration. It is designed that water flows
in from the downstream end of the wetland when water is overflowed. This recreates thewetland environment of the floodplain. In addition, it has a flood control function to thedownstream by reducing the flood flow to the downstream.
A flood restraining forest belt is planted upstream of the wetland to prevent destructionof the wetland due to flooding.

Gifts from nature
Azame-no-se is a place where a rice paddy was excavated to create a new wetland.
This has created an environment where bivalves and fish that prefer wetlands, diverse
insects, wetland plants, water birds such as herons and kingfishers live, and environmental
education is implemented.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»»»»

Although this is a newly constructed wetland environment, it uses a design that applies
traditional Japanese flood control technique.
The inflow entrance to flooded water is on the downstream side. It does not disturb thewetland environment greatly the flood flows slowly.
It utilizes flood restraining forest belt.
There is the Sari community and rice paddy on the opposite side of Azame-no-se. Oneof the traditional flood control techniques in Japan is to flood the opposite side of theplace that needs to be protected.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function

Present

Past• Flood control• Temporary storage of flood• Completion in 2008
• Rice paddy• Biodiversity
Bivalvia sp / Acheilognathinae / Insect• Environmental education• Draining a pond
• Walking use• Lotus viewing• Food (Rice, others)• Fiber (straw)• Biodiversity
Loach / Catfish / Japanese rice fish
/ Grey-headed Lapwing / Harvest
mouse / Red dragonfly• Festival

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique• Although it is a newly created environment, it is modeled on a traditional
retarding based system.
• Flowing backyard and retarding

36

Middle basin
DisasterFlood

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	River/Moor/Rice paddy/Foot Zone
• Disasters	Control of inundation flow/Reductionof flow velocity/Prevention of soil
erosion/Prevention of driftwood andwastes• Ecosystem Services
	Prevention of salt damage• Other functions
	
Education/Recreation• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice	Open levee/Retarding basin/Floodrestraining forest belt/Others

Asame-no-se, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Challenges and lessons learnt
In the process of creating Azame-no-se, a manager and local communities have repeatedmore than 150 workshops.
It has been created and maintained through agreement and collaboration by dialogue. A
major challenge is continuing this relationship in the future.

Photo: Keita Kitamura

Photo: Keita Kitamura

Author: Jun Tramura / Photo: Wetlands International Japan37

Okawano
Imari City, Saga Prefecture, Japan33°18’32.7”N, 129°58’33.5”E

System of disaster prevention
»
»
»
»
»

Main Ecosystem

Flood from the main stream is adjusted by slowly flowing it into the paddy field fromthe opening of the downstream bank (kasumitei).
Houses are located on a hill or surrounded by a ring levee.
The paddy field is located at the confluence of tributaries, thereby inundating the tributary floodplain and reducing the flood flow downstream of the main stream.
The flood area is used to produce water-resistant crops such as rice.
The embankment is protected by flooding water in the flood area.

Gifts from nature»»

Rice paddies as cradle for organisms
Rice paddies maintain a shallow water environment and provide spawning ground forcatfish, loach, Japanese rice fish and others. There are also many insects and frogs
such as dragonflies and larvas of dragonflies.
Evacuation site during flood
Many organisms evacuate to the retarding basin during floods. In the past, people
looked for fishes and caught them during floods. Catfish, gibel, carp and others werecaught in Okawano.

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»»»

Making the flood overflow from the downstream. When the flood overflows in the upstream, it flows down and makes external force stronger. It also tends to destroy farmlands and buildings. When it overflows from the downstream, the flow becomes slow,
making it harder to damage farm lands and other lands.
Rice will not wither even if it is immersed in water for one or two days completely.
When flood overflows gradually, soil with nutrients comes into rice paddies and it fertilize the land.
Building levee around the community. Protecting the priority area.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Present

Past• Flood control• Temporary storage offlood• Flood control• Temporary storage of flood• Protection of levee• Reduction of damage to farm land

• Food (Rice)• Biodiversity
Loach, Catfish, Red
dragonfly• Food (Rice, Others)• Fiber (straw)• Biodiversity
Loach, Catfish, Japanese rice fish,
Grey-headed Lapwing, Harvest mouse,
Red dragonfly• Festival• Flowing back ward and retarding• Rice paddies are flooded with water slowly• Ring levee

38

Rice paddy, Floodplain
DisasterFlood

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem
	River/Moor/Rice paddy• Disasters
Flood• Ecosystem Services
	Control of inundation flow/Reduction offlow velocity• Other functions
	
Food production/Fuel/Recreation• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice
Levee/Polder

Okawano, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Challenges and lessons learnt»»»

Due to modernization of agriculture, rice paddies become dry. It leads to making thehabitat for organisms harder for living. In addition, rice farming cycle and life cycle oforganisms is becoming misaligned.
Ponds are getting not used and managed.
Inheritance of traditional knowledge does not continue sufficiently.

Photo: Keita Kitamura

Author: Jun Teramura / Photo: Wetlands International Japan
39

Niji-no-matsubara
Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, Japan

33°26’45.8”N, 129°59’38.1”E

System of disaster prevention»»»

Main Ecosystem

A pine forest catches the wind from the sea and it reduces the adverse effects of wind,sand, and salt on field crops.
In the event of tsunami and high tide, it plays a role of tide prevention and reduces
damage.
As time has passed, dunes have developed. By further planting trees, the disasterprevention effect increases.

Gifts from nature
»
»
»
»
»

»

It is counted as one of the three most scenic pine forests in Japan and designated as anatural park. It is popular as a beautiful coastal landscape.
Wood, fallen leaves, and pine resin that can be harvested from a pine forest are highly
useful.
The mushroom called Shoro can only live in pine forests. Shoro manju (sweet bun)which imitates the shape of Shoro is a local specialty.
Natural recreation areas such as pine forest and beach have been created.
A community of local residents is formed for the purpose of restoration and conservation of the Niji-no-matsubara.

Along with development of new rice paddies in the Edo period, pine trees were planted
to prevent wind, sand and salt damage. In the same time period, similar coastal forests
were planted throughout Japan.
The reason for choosing pine trees as a coastal forest is that they grow well in wasteland. In addition, pine trees do not have fallen leaves in winter and have a great disasterprevention function.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function
Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Disaster
Wind
Tidal

Eco-DRR Element

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»

Pine forest

Present

Past• Wind prevention• Prevention of blown sand• Prevention of salt damage• Tide prevention• Wind prevention• Prevention of blown sand• Prevention of salt damage• Food (truffle)• Shoro manju (sweet bun looks likea truffle)• Place for recreation• Food (truffle, pine mushroom)• Fuel (pine needles)• Special product (pine resin)• Wood• Shoro manju (sweet bun looks
like a truffle)• Coastal forest: It is based on trees planted in the 1600’s

40• Associated Ecosystem	Coast/Coast forest/Forest• Disasters	Tsunami/High tide
• Ecosystem Services
	Tide prevention/Prevention of salt
damage/Prevention of blown sand/Prevention of tsunami/Wind prevention/
Reduction of flow velocity/Preventionof driftwood and wastes/Control ofdischarged sediment• Other functions
	
Soil formation/Food production/Material/Recreation• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice
Flood restraining forest belt/Others

Niji-no-matsubara, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Challenges and lessons learnt»»

ln recent years, management of pine needles is insufficient, and pine trees have been
reduced due to transition to broad-leaved forests and death due to pine weevils.
In order to grow into fine pine trees, management by people by activities such as collecting pine needles and thinning needs to continue.

Photo: Keita Kitamura

Author: Keita Kitamura / Photo: Wetlands International Japan41

Coral Reefs
Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

24°21’07.0”N 124°14’35.1”E

Background»

Main Ecosystem

The islands are scattered in a strip from the southern tip of Kyushu, the southern tip ofJapan to Taiwan. Of these islands, the area between the Amami Islands and Hateruma
Island includes many islands of coral reef origin. Coral reefs have developed on theseislands.

»

Coral reefs form a shallow sea. It is well known that the height of waves differs greatly
between the inner and outer waters of the reef. Fishing was popular within the reefs ofcoral reefs, as fish and shellfish could be collected without being significantly affectedby the weather.
Coral reefs reduce waves, therefore, seaside communities are less influenced by tidal
waves. In addition, stone walls made of coral stone or Ryukyu limestone were used tosurround houses and plants like Fukigi (Garcinia subelliptica) and other trees to protect
them from typhoons and other storms.

Gifts from nature»»

Coral reefs form unique and rich ecosystems around the world. Corals themselves arevaluable marine species, but the reefs are also homes to a variety of fish, shellfish, andothers. These species provide an important food source for life on the islands.
Many islands of coral reef origin were formed by the uplift of coral reefs over the yearsof the earth’s history. Produced Ryukyu limestone originates from coral stone and isused as stone material for various civil engineering structures such as castles, roads,
and harbors.

Eco-DRR
Disaster prevention function

Present

Past• Vanishing waves• Prevention of wind

• Vanishing waves• Prevention of wind

• Fishing• Stone wall materials• Habitat• Fishing• Recreation• Education• Habitat

Regulating service
Additional function
Provisioning service
Supporting service
Cultural service
Traditional Knowledge,
Traditional Technique

Disaster
Wave
Storm

System of disaster prevention»

Coral reef

• Traditional fishing• Traditional settlements (coral stone walls)

42

Eco-DRR Element• Associated Ecosystem	Coral reef
• Disasters
Storm/Others (Tidal wave)• Ecosystem Services
Wind prevention• Other functions
	
Food production/Material/Education/
Recreation/Cultural service/Community
building• Traditional/local knowledge andpractice• With regard to fishing on coral reefs,
there have been many cultural
anthropological and ethnographic
studies, as they are unique and basedon local cultures.
• The underwater landforms within
the coral reefs have detailed names,
and a variety of fishing methods andpractices can be seen in complex
ways.
• Coral stone walls can be seen insettlements on the island. Coralstone walls are highly effective forwind protection. There are many gaps
between them, so they do not collapse in strong winds. It is also said
that coral stonewalls are cooler thanconcrete block walls because they
do not retain heat due to the manygaps in the stonewalls. On the other
hand, habu (harmful snakes) can livein the gaps between the stone walls,
and this is one of the aspects that is
disliked by some people.

Coral Reefs, Japan

Eco-DRR Case Study

Traditional/local knowledge and practices»

Fishing on the reefs has been passed down throughthe culture of the maritime people in Okinawa, and thevarious landforms in the sea have been given detailed
names. There are also numerous records of traditional
fishing, not only for food gathering, but also for shells»

such as Akoya pearl oyster, which has been treated as
currency.
Coral stone walls were also used in ruins around the13th century on Ishigaki Island. Even today, coral stone
walls can be seen in old settlements.

Challenges and lessons learnt
»
»

»

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Coral reefs continue to be destroyed for various reasons, including coral bleaching and inflow of sediment.
Although environmental conservation efforts are ongoing through the institutionalization of tourism, thedestruction of coral reefs has not been completely
stopped.
Although the traditional use of coral stone walls has
been replaced by concrete block walls, coral stone and
Ryukyu limestone as resources continue to be consumed, and they are sometimes used in new houses
in recent years.
Compared to coral reefs, there are fewer structural
measures for the conservation of coral stones.

»»

Author: Jun Teramura / Photo: Jun Teramura
43

Coral reef islands are very valuable for their unique andrich natural environments. On the other hand, island
cultures that have lived with coral reefs have taken advantage of the characteristics of coral reefs and havemade good use of the different underwater topography and wave heights of different reefs. Furthermore,
people have created disaster prevention measures andlandscapes unique to coral reef islands, by means suchas using coral stone walls to protect against the wind.
The unique natural landscape of a region is deeply related to human life, and through the ingenuity of human experience, people and nature live in harmony.

Wetlands and Eco-DRR in Asia
Case Studies of Traditional or Local
Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR)
Related to Wetlands in Asia