MIS01-01

Room:101B

Time:May 25 09:00-09:30

How can we conserve geology?: a classification of geoconservation methods
GRAY, Murray1∗
1

Reader Emeritus, Queen Mary, University of London, UK

Geoconservation is carried out by a variety of methods, but these have never been systematically classified or compiled into
an organised system. This presentation will seek to do this by proposing a classification involving site management, curation,
licencing, supervision, benevolent ownership, restoration, legislation, policy and education. Examples and applications of themethods will be presented.
Keywords: Geconservation, Legislation, Policy, Planning, Education, Site management

1/1

MIS01-02

Room:101B

Time:May 25 09:30-09:50

Geoconservation in JapanWATANABE, Teiji1∗
1

Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University

A term, geodiversity, was first introduced in Japan in 2004, and then some scientists have gathered to discuss geodiversity
including geoconservation since 2011. Meanwhile, the first academic paper on geoparks was published in 2005, and a notionof geoparks was widespread then. Discussion among the community of geoparks in Japan seems to be somehow weak, mainly
because the community has a variety of tasks to commit. A special issue on geodiversity in an English journal published in Tokyoin 2005 carries s few papers dealing with geoconservation, and another special issue on geodiversity of Hokkaido, northern Japan
published in Sapporo in 2009 contains a few papers on geoconservation issues in Hokkaido. Besides these efforts, actual indepth research on geoconservation is likely to be minimal in Japan so far. Balancing research on geoconservation and researchon geoparks would be one of the issues found in Japan. Japanese academic arena should pay more attentions to emphasize
the necessity in lectures at a university level. At the same time, a responsible ministry (most probably, the Ministry of theEnvironment) should be convinced of the merits of developing a notion of geodiversity conservation in Japan, as they have beenaddressing biodiversity conservation as a national strategy.
Keywords: geodiversity, geoconservation, geopark

1/1

MIS01-03

Room:101B

Time:May 25 09:50-10:10

Geoconservation’s Dilemma: How to Value Diversity Itself for Conservation Benefits
CHAKRABORTY, Abhik1∗
1Izu Peninsula Geopark Promotion Council

This paper critically analyzes two fundamental questions: why is geoconservation important and how to ground this concept
in practice. Geoconservation differs from other conservation frameworks because it focuses on the diversity of the abiotic environment. Most conservation discourses focus on the biotic environment and on specific flagship species. Geoconservation inthis sense is more holistic as a conservation framework, it holds that the abiotic diversity in itself is important for the well-beingof the planet. However this concept is weakly integrated in praxis. Furthermore as the case studies reveal; geoconservation inpractice tends to focus disproportionately on specific landforms (volcanic or natural hazard related) that are considered uniquelyvaluable, and less commonly values diversity itself. This is a natural result of stakeholder dynamics and institutionalism in nature
governance, but it also poses a fundamental problem for geoconservation. This paper discusses case studies of the Izu Peninsula,
Minami Alps, Hakusan Reserve, and Kamikochi National Park, and argues through these case studies how an alternative framework of diversity evaluation can provide better conservation benefits.
Keywords: Geoconservation, holistic conservation, diversity, case study

1/1

MIS01-04

Room:101B

Time:May 25 10:10-10:25

Conservation of geoheritage in tectonically active and intensely denuded region
MOKUDAI, Kuniyasu1∗
1

Pro Natura Foundation JapanThe Japanese islands is one of the most tectonically active and intensely denuded regions on the planet, and therefore is aregion with a very high natural hazard frequency. Many of the land features and soil strata are proofs of disturbances in thenatural environment due to the tectonic and denudation related mechanisms. Naturally these land features are related to natural
hazards that either occurred in the past or are likely to occur in the future. Engineering solutions that seek to prevent natural
disasters are a natural response of the society, but many of such disaster prevention schemes cause significant damage to theland formation or landscape change mechanisms that are fundamental to the geological heritage of geologically active regions.
Geoconservation in such tectonically active and aggressively denuded areas therefore needs to have a different approach from
geoconservation in tectonically stable continental locations.
Keywords: geoconservation, natural hazard, landform, mass movement, sustainable development, soil and water conservation

1/1

MIS01-05

Room:101B

Time:May 25 10:25-10:45

Japanese Geopark activity: its history and role in sustainable development of local community.
WATANABE, Mahito1∗
1

Geological Survey of Japan, AIST

Promotion of geopark concept by Japanese scientists began in 2004. Through the symposiums and workshops held by them,strong movement to establish geopaks in Japan gradually activated from 2007 by local people in several areas where they had
been making an effort to conserve and promote geological heritages for years. Responding the movement of these people, JapanGeopark Committee (JGC) was established in 2008 to evaluate aspiring geoparks in Japan.
JGC decided first three candidate areas to apply for Global Geoparks Network (GGN) from Japan in October 2008 and endorsed first seven national (domestic) geoparks including above mentioned three candidates for GGN in December 2008. The
JGC played an crucial role to expand the concept of geopark that includes the idea of geoconservation and to launch geopark
projects in Japan. It was top-down movement from the academic side. On the other hand the bottom-up network activity of
the Japanese Geoparks Network (JGN), which was established in February 2009 by the seven first national geoparks in Japan,
have been becoming active recent few years. Now evaluation of geoparks are conducted both JGC and JGN members. JGC andmember geoparks of JGN have been playing an important role in conserving geodiversity, promoting geoheritages, disseminationof knowledge for disaster prevention, and also sustainable economic development through geotourism. Both top-down academic
movement and bottom-up local movement now work together to establish sustainable local society.

Keywords: Geoconservation, sustainable development, Geopark, local community

1/1

MIS01-06

Room:101B

Time:May 25 11:00-11:20

Geoconservation and Sustainable Development in Langkawi: Opportunities and Obstacles for Geopark Rangers
JONES, Thomas1∗
1Graduate School of Governance Studies, Meiji University

This paper analyses the opportunities and obstacles for Geopark Rangers at Langkawi, Malaysia. Since the Langkawi
archipelago became a duty-free destination in 1987, the number of annual visitors has increased rapidly and now numbers
over three million. The certification of Langkawi as the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia in 2006 was thus part of abroader strategy implemented by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) to reposition the island’s rapid development
along a more sustainable trajectory. A new geopark ranger system was introduced to encourage sustainable tourism via threeservice missions: enforcement of regulations, conservation and maintenance. This research examines the role of the rangers,
investigating the set-up, current state and challenges faced by the ranger system. A mixed method approach combined primarydata from interviews with the rangers’ monthly report and log books (January to July 2013) at three geoforest areas that represent the geopark core zones. Findings detail the set-up process of the ranger system, from design in 2011 under the Tourism
Blueprint through to implementation in 2012. Currently there are twelve rangers within the LADA Geopark Division, but the age
range (19-27) reveals most to be high school graduates with little specialist knowledge of nature parks or visitor management.
Analysis of primary data shows damage reports and maintenance issues to be most frequent, with little evidence of conservationand emergency reports. Challenges were identified as job conditions and organizational capacity of ranger personnel along withinter-organizational collaboration. The Langkawi case provides insight into the new ranger system as a means of regulating
visitor flows within geopark core zones toward sustainable development.
Keywords: Geoconservation, Sustainable Development, Langkawi Global Geopark, Geopark Ranger, Regulation, Visitor Management

1/1

MIS01-07

Room:101B

Time:May 25 11:20-11:35

Conservation and Interpretation of Natural Forests from Global Geopark Program
YUHORA, Kazuhiro1∗ ; SHIRAI, Takaaki1
1

MUROTO Geopark Promotion Committee

Muroto Geopark became a Global Geoparks Network Member in 2011. This recognition actually paved the way to explore
different aspects of nature through media coverage. Not only limited to geology these include natural aspects that were notadequately focused upon earlier. A notable case is the natural colony of giant Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) trees
located in Dannotaniyama . This colony was protected as a part of a national forest area but increased media coverage coupledwith strong citizen advocacy led to the designation of ’protected forest’ in October 2012 (by MAFF and Muroto City). In 2014,
local residents formed a guiding group called DANSUGIKAI. This group is conducting various activities like educating people
about the geological origin of Muroto cape, conservation of the mountains and of course, preservation of this natural forest. Allof this actually became possible after Muroto became recognized as a geopark, so geopark activities became directly related toconservation in this case. Especially the ’Global’ geopark recognition acted as a stimulant in local residents, who successfullysought expression in different types of nature related activities, such as this example of forest conservation.

1/1

MIS01-P01

Room:Convention Hall

Time:May 25 18:15-19:30

Destruction of geomorphological environment caused by large-scale development in Japanislands.
MOKUDAI, Kuniyasu1∗
1

Pro Natura Foundation Japan

Japan has a large population in its limited area. Therefore, there are many destruction of nature. Especially, geomorphologicalenvironments such as mountain, river and shore area are not appreciated in Japanese society. I analysing the development progressing at present in Japan by angle of geomorphology and sustainable development.
Keywords: Linear Chuo Shinkansen, coral reef, landfill, dam construction, mining development

1/1

MIS01-P02

Room:Convention Hall

Time:May 25 18:15-19:30

Issues among conservation on local level -Through the case of HakusanNAKAMURA, Shinsuke1∗
1

Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark Promotion Council

Conservation of local natural environment including geological or geographical features is essential to sustainable local development using local resources. In Japan, international programs such as biosphere reserves (for ecosystem conservation) orgeoparks (for geoconservation) are carried out in the local (municipalities’) level. It seems that promotion for conservation atlocal level is prepared, but in actual fact the efforts has not always succeeded. In this presentation, an attempt will be made toarrange the issues among conservation on local levels through the case of Hakusan from two points: the social situation andnatural environment in Japan.
1. Social situationBiosphere reserves focuses on the three functions; conservation, development, and logistic support, while geoparks focuseson conservation, education, and sustainable local development through geotourism. Conservation is a common element among
these two.
But in Japan, even biosphere reserves or geoparks don’t carry out so much conservation activities. In contrast with education ordevelopment activities, conservation activity tends to be passive which restricts someone to do something. To restrict someone,
you need a legal framework. In Japan, most of the legal frameworks related to conservation are under the control of national orprefectural governments.
For example, there are some natural parks in Hakusan such as Hakusan National Park or Hakusan Ichirino Prefectural NaturalPark. Moreover, there are some protected forests such as Hakusan Forest Ecosystem Reserve in the national forests. But theseare managed by the national or prefectural governments, so municipalities’ governments could not set up or manage them on
their own.
In addition, some of the locals are not sure what to do as conservation activities. In many cases, conservation activity tends tobe thought as an activity to spread the idea of conservation. But in these cases, it is hard to distinguish conservation activities
from educational or public awareness activities.
2. Natural environment
Japan locates on a mobile belt, where four plates bump each other, volcanoes are active, and earthquakes occur frequently.
Moreover, there is high risk of land disasters or snowslides because of the high precipitation, especially heavy snowfall on theJapan Sea side. For example, in Hakusan, a settlement was buried under the ground due to the land disaster which occurred in
1934.
Concerning on conservation at such a changing earth, a doubt comes up: what should be preserved? In Hakusan, because of
the volcano and snowfall, sediment discharge is constantly occurring. Considering the huge land disasters occurred in the past,
the construction of erosion control dams (sabo ) has been carried out to protect the residents’ lives. This construction should beagainst the concept of conservation, since human is stopping the sediment discharge. On the other hand, concerning on the safetyof residents’ lives, it is difficult to deny sabo. Besides, it may be said that sabo is keeping the stability of the earth in the point oferosion control.
There is a dilemma in ecosystem conservation too. In Hakusan, lowland plants are invading the alpine zone by their seeds
carried by the climbers’ shoes. They breed and encroach on the niche of alpine plants. In Hakusan, removal of these lowland
plants is carried out currently. This removal is in accordance with the concept of conservation from the position of alpine plants.
But from the position of lowland plants, it could be said that a newly acquired niche was taken away by human, resulting someresidents to be negative with this removal.
Keywords: conservation, Japan, local, management, natural parks, sabo

1/1

MIS01-P03

Room:Convention Hall

Time:May 25 18:15-19:30

What are the Drivers of Environmental Degradation? A River Basin Scale Investigation
at Takatsu River Basin Shimane
SHAMIK, Chakraborty1 ; CHAKRABORTY, Abhik2∗ ; ASAMIZU, Munehiko3
1None, 2 Izu Peninsula Geopark, 3 Yamaguchi University

This poster presentation discusses a peculiar and challenging case of degradation of the natural environment in a river basinthat is generally considered to have excellent ecological paramters. The 81 Km long Takatsu River in Shimane is a rare large
river without a dam. It had topped the water quality surveys in the past. However, in recent years the river has shown clear
trends of degradation, decline of fish species, lack of flow volume, and rise in turbidity in the pools. Our survey found that
despite the general perception of a healthy and clean river, Takatsu River is subjected to a number of stress factors, which are
distributed very diffusely on the spatial scale. These are, qualitative change in the upland forest cover, increase in pollution intributaries, presence of numerous check weirs that inhibit nutrient and material flow to the rivermouth and disturbance of the pool
riffle sequence due to the combined effect of all the above factors, as well as changes of land use pattern around the stream. A
local NPO Andante 21 is conducting surveys on a key species, the Hamaguri clam, that almost disappeared from the rivermouth.
Currently citizen efforts are somewhat successful in prohibiting catch of clams, and the population has rebounded to a degree.
As this key species shows, poorly understood mechanisms of nutrient flow from upstream to downstream can have swift effects
on key species, thereby reducing the ecosystem diversity. The research suggests that it is imperative to understand the manifold
ways of landscape connectivity, and how species depend on these connections, in order to address problems like degradations ina large spatial scale such as a river basin.

1/1

MIS01-P04

Room:Convention Hall

Time:May 25 18:15-19:30

Use art to raise awareness of landslide hazard
TSOU, Ching-ying1∗ ; WU, Ying-chieh2 ; HUANG, Zan-luan31Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University, Japan, 2 National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan, 3 Taipei National
University of Arts, Taiwan
The role of art as means of conveying complex scientific concepts has largely been neglected probably due to that scientists
do not have art skills and also few artists are knowledgeable in science. By working together, researcher and artist are trying tobridge the gap between both sides and are in an attempt to raise general public awareness of landslide hazard. We conducted
field geological and geomorphological investigation to study basic causes of the 2009 Typhoon Morakot induced the most catastrophic landslide at the Shiaolin Village, southern Taiwan and by which to enhance communication and understanding. We used
traditional Chinese painting with selected important graphical elements such as rainstorm, dip slope, precursory topography, anddissected paleosurface to convey the idea that landslide hazards and risks are exposed in our community but people can reduce
the risk by avoiding hazardous areas. We also plan to accumulate more landslide cases and include modern art as another formof graphic element of visual performance as a prospective study in the future.
Keywords: landslide, art, Chinese painting, graphical element

1/1

MIS01-P05

Room:Convention Hall

Time:May 25 18:15-19:30

Geoeducation on Conservation in a case of San’in Kaigan Geopark
NIINA, Atsuko1∗
1Totter University of Environmental Studies

There are one national park, two quasi national parks, the downstream area of the Maruyama River and nearby paddies
registered as wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, cultural properties designated by the Act on the Protection of Cultural
Properties and wild fauna and flora prohibited under the Law for the Conservation of Endangered Spiecies of Wild Fauna andFlora in the territory of the Sanin Kaigan Global Geopark. The Ordinance to Protect and Nurture the Tottori Sand Dunes, theGreatest Sand Dunes in Japan is one of unique regulations in Japan. Geosite inspections and surveys are carried out by municipal
governments and those who are staff members of the Preservation and Conservation Group and the Academic Group. In additionto weeding the Tottori sand dunes, the Tottori Sand dunes Reclamation Conference monitors sand dune drift and compiles reports
on survey result. Geoeducation plays the important role to conserve geoheritage. For a long time, the importance of geodeucation
has been ignored here. After becoming a member of GGN, however, people provide various geoeducational programmes for theimprovement of awareness. Therefore, the aim of this presentation is to report on geoeducation for conservation of environment
in a case of Sanin Kaigan Global Geopark.
Keywords: San’in Kaigan Geopark, geoeducation, conservation

1/1