JST Top > Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development > Projects >

Sustainable Management of Coral Reef and Island Ecosystems: Responding to the Threat of Climate Change

Environment / Energy (Global-scale environmental issues)

Republic of Palau

Terminated

Sustainable Management of Coral Reef and Island Ecosystems: Responding to the Threat of Climate Change

Ensuring the Future of Palau’s
Wonderful Coral Reefs
- a Paradise of Life in the
Pacific Ocean

Principal Investigator

- Associate Prof.
  NAKAMURA Takashi
  Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus
- Dr.
  Yimnang Golbuu
  Chief Executive Officer, Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC)

ODA Recipient Country

Republic of Palau

Research Institutions in Japan

University of the Ryukyus

Research Institutions in Counterpart Country

Palau International Coral Reef Center (PICRC) / Palau Community College (PCC)

Adoption fiscal year

FY 2012

Research Period

5 Years

Overview of the Research Project

Taking a global perspective to find a sustainable future for coral reef and island ecosystems
Palau and other Pacific states have abundant coral ecosystems and some of the world’s richest biodiversity.However, they face a changing global environment, including climate change and ocean acidification, as well as the growing impact of regional development issues like coastal development and water pollution. This project takes both global and local perspectives, working through activities such as environmental monitoring, environmental impact assessments for coral island ecosystems, social scientific assessments, and assessments of impact on biodiversity to produce suggestions concerning sustainable approaches for island society.

Project has potential to demonstrate practical measures that can protect island ecosystems
Through gaining an understanding of the structure of island coral ecosystems, the project aims to construct sustainable management systems, with conservation of the coral reef driven by local initiative.At the same time, the project is training human resources with specialist knowledge. Coral reef islands are directly influenced by climate change, and as such they epitomize the action that needs to be taken, and may become a model for the world as a whole.

Photo gallery

Underwater survey of Palau's coral reef biota. Nearby is a 'drop-off' , where the reef drops away to a depth of over 1,000 meters.

Japanese and Palauan researchers work as partners, training new specialists at the same time as conducting research into how humanity and nature can remain in harmony in a coral reef island ecosystem.

The bai is a traditional Palauan building. Creatures of the coral reef are drawn on the side, bearing witness to Palau's long-standing respect for nature.