On July 8, 2025, Associate Professor Sonoko Watanabe from PHIS gave a presentation at the 3rd Biodiversity and Community Development Study Meeting held at Hiroshima University’s MIRAI CREA.
This study meeting, organized by Professor Tetsuro Hosaka (Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University), brings together researchers, students, local government officials, and citizens to exchange ideas and build networks around biodiversity. The third session focused on “tameike” (irrigation ponds), which are found throughout Higashihiroshima City, and explored various values and challenges related to biodiversity from different perspectives.
The meeting began with an introduction by Professor Hosaka, who emphasized the importance of understanding biodiversity in a comprehensive way and creating space for open dialogue among people from different backgrounds.
Professor Yasuhiro Kumahara (Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences) then presented on the historical background of tameike built on land that could have been used for rice fields, based on geographical features and historical records. He explored the relationship between landforms and human activity.
Following this, Associate Professor Watanabe introduced the ecological significance of the tameike in the Saijo Basin as important habitats for endangered and native plant species. She also discussed the environmental threats these ponds are facing today due to land-use change and management challenges.
Mr. Takuma Arimura, a fourth-year undergraduate student from the School of Applied Biological Science, presented the results of his environmental DNA survey conducted in local ponds, demonstrating how combining fieldwork and molecular methods can help deepen understanding of local biodiversity.
From a Planetary Health perspective, the meeting was a valuable opportunity to rethink how we interact with local ecosystems, such as tameike, and how we can ensure fair access and sustainable management for future generations. It also helped connect local biodiversity issues with broader global environmental challenges.