Natural environment

Background to the study

The reason that mankind can survive lies in the local and global circulations of elements through various ecosystems comprising of a miscellany of flora and fauna. The enriched soil and ozone layer – which filters out excessive ultraviolet rays - as well as oxygen, have been created biologically. It can also be said that all foods enjoyed by mankind other than salt and water are biological gifts.

Recently, the amount of wildlife has also been in decline on a global scale, and their diversity has also rapidly reduced due to urbanization, actions for development, and agricultural and forestry weaknesses in Japan. In particular, there are concerns that the increasing ozone concentration in the troposphere and changes in the climate due to increase in CO2, etc. are having a significant effect on our flora - a fundamental element of our ecosystem.

Under such circumstances, comprehensive measures are taken in the following study areas to conserve our biological natural environment.  

1. Studies on understanding of the current status and changes in the biological natural environment within the prefecture
2. Understanding and elucidating effects of environmental changes and pollutions on plants
3. Research on the conservation of biodiversity
4. Collecting and releasing information on the natural environment 

Current research topics

Understanding and elucidating effects of environmental changes and pollutions on plants

The rate at which CO2 has increased in the atmosphere goes up year by year, and it is estimated that there will be a resultant temperature increase and soils will dry out. Although ozone in the stratosphere protects organisms by absorbing harmful ultraviolet rays, ozone in the troposphere is a most harmful air pollutant for plants due to its strong oxidizing power and its concentration has been increasing year by year in the same way as CO2. In Saitama prefecture, the concentration of air pollution such as photochemical oxidants (ozone) is relatively high, and negative effects to vegetation are observed. Thus, department researches on effects of various environmental stresses, such as photochemical oxidants, a rise in CO2 and temperature, on plants.

Research on the conservation of rare wildlife

Biodiversity in Japan is on the verge of a crisis. Species extinction or reductions of habitats are caused by development, degradation of nature, disturbances of ecosystems and impact caused by global warming. We must protect a variety of ecosystems with local characters and threatened species from extinction. Thus, the department engages in research to conserve rare wildlife, such as Musashi Tomiyo and Miyama Sukashi Yuri .

Establishment and application of a natural environment database

Determining what kinds of animals and plants are distributed in each area of the prefecture, such as its woods, cities and rural areas, is the most fundamental and important issue for conserving species and ecosystems, and to maintain biodiversity. Thus, an image/ text database of flora and fauna that can be used for scientific purposes is constructed by collecting data on and carrying out research into the existing biota , and all of which is to be made available to the public.