Approximately 90% of the observations of animals and plants that the Japan Meteorological Agency has continued for many years, such as the first cry of animals and the flowering of plants, will be abolished.
Biology researchers and others have disagreed with this, but the Japan Meteorological Agency has conducted it as part of "weather" observations that inform seasonal changes, not "ecology" observations. I want you to understand that.
Since 1958, 67 years ago, the Japan Meteorological Agency has been conducting "biological seasonal observations" such as the first cry of animals and the flowering of plants to inform the season.
However, recently, due to the influence of urbanization, it has become difficult to find animals and plants with a limited number of people, and the time when the "warbler", which is said to sing in the spring, is also observed has shifted significantly. It means that the meaning of "notifying the change of seasons" has faded.
For this reason, the Japan Meteorological Agency has decided to abolish 51 types of observations, which is about 90% of the 57 types of animals and plants.
On the other hand, observations of "Ume", "Sakura", "Hydrangea", "Susuki", "Maple", and "Ginkgo", which are suitable for grasping seasonal changes nationwide, will continue.
Opposition to this decision has been raised by biology researchers and environmental groups, such as "the valuable observational data of animals and plants that have been continued nationwide will be lost."
On the other hand, the Japan Meteorological Agency wants you to understand that "biological seasonal observation" is only for the purpose of notifying seasonal changes as part of "weather" observation, not for "ecology" observation of animals and plants. ..
Hirokazu Murai, Statistical Technology Manager, Observation and Maintenance Planning Division, Japan Meteorological Agency, said, "Since the purpose of seasonal biological observations has become unfulfilled in the first place, I would like you to understand the drastic abolition. I would like to observe six types of plants such as "Sakura" so that they can be captured, and convey the changing seasons. "
Last observation of fallen leaves at Utsunomiya Local Meteorological Observatory "Kuwa"
In mid-December, the Utsunomiya Local Meteorological Observatory made the final observation of the fallen leaves of the "hoe," which will be abolished at the end of the day.
The fallen leaves of "hoe" is a phenomenon that signals the arrival of winter, and when 80% of the leaves fall, the observation date is to be recorded.
Mikio Tanaka (63) of the Utsunomiya Local Meteorological Observatory, who is in charge of observation, joined the Japan Meteorological Agency in 1978 and has been conducting seasonal biological observations for many years.
At first, he didn't know what kind of animals and plants were to be observed, and he memorized them while looking at the pictures drawn in the manual many times and searched for nearby parks.
After that, I walked for a long time in the park in the heat of summer looking for "Aburazemi", and in the severe cold of winter, I heard the squeal of "Shrike", so I looked up at the tall trees and took a long distance. It means that I kept walking and had a lot of trouble.
Even among the difficult observations, when I found an animal or plant that was difficult to distinguish, such as the dragonfly "Aki Akane," I was excited to return to work and report it, which was a great pleasure.
Regarding the drastic abolition of observations, Mr. Tanaka of the Utsunomiya Local Meteorological Observatory said, "When I see" Tsubame "or hear the squeal of" Mozu "next year, I feel lonely that I don't have to observe anymore. However, we will continue to observe other plants, so I hope you can feel the seasons through that information. "
Request to the Japan Meteorological Agency, such as a biology researcher
Researchers and environmental groups have expressed opposition to the drastic abolition of "seasonal biological observations."
Of these, a total of 27 academic societies, to which biology researchers belong, jointly submitted a request to the Japan Meteorological Agency on the 23rd of this month.
According to the request, it is said that canceling observations that have been carried out over a wide area for a long period of time would be a great academic and social loss, and
▽ revising the nationwide uniform cancellation and
▽ citizens We asked them to consider continuing the observation system, including participation.
Takakazu Yumoto, chairman of the Ecological Society of Japan, who submitted the request, said, "Observation data is the basis of research and is unprecedented internationally, and overseas researchers are also concerned about the decision. I have to hurry to think about what I can do to do this. "
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan, an environmental NGO engaged in nature conservation activities, also issued a statement on the 19th of this month calling for continued observations.
Approximately 8,000 members from all over the country are engaged in activities to raise awareness of nature conservation through activities such as observing creatures.
When proceeding with the activity, the schedule was decided by referring to the data of "seasonal biological observation", and the movement of the creatures was sometimes confirmed by comparing with the observation result of the observation meeting.
Akira Kameyama, President of The Nature Conservation Society of Japan, said, "It is important to prevent disasters such as disaster prevention and mitigation, but from our daily activities, we understand that this data was used for various recreational activities. I want you to consider whether you can do something by yourself because it is unlikely that this judgment will be overturned, or to have 8,000 nature conservation observation instructors nationwide make some observations. " It was.
Continue observation by ourselves
As the Japan Meteorological Agency drastically abolishes "seasonal biological observations," there are moves to continue observations on their own.
At Kitamoto Nature Observation Park in Kitamoto City, Saitama Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced in November that it would abolish seasonal biological observations, and thought about whether observations could be continued on the flora and fauna found in the park.
When the staff checked the park, it was found that 34 of the 57 species of flora and fauna observed by the Japan Meteorological Agency could be observed in the park.
Therefore, the park started to post the observation results on Twitter from November 19th, and reported that the fallen leaves of "Kuwa" were observed on December 17th.
In addition to just telling the results, we are trying to introduce the stories about the target animals and plants together so that they can enjoy themselves. In the case of the fallen leaves of "Kuwa", the branches after the leaves have fallen are called "Kuwako". He told me that he might have a cocoon of a larva of the larva with a photo.
Nearly 20 species of creatures that were not observed by the Japan Meteorological Agency, such as wild birds that signal the arrival of the season, will appear in the park, so I would like to introduce these creatures as well.
Kensuke Taru of Kitamoto Nature Observation Park said, "I thought it would be interesting for creatures to move in various ways throughout the seasons, and this kind of natural information can be healed somewhere. I wanted to do it. I hope that the movement of observing in other parks will spread further. "
Movement of private sector support to the Japan Meteorological Agency
The Japan Meteorological Agency is also moving to support private-sector "seasonal biological observations."
The Japan Meteorological Agency will publish a manual summarizing the observation methods on its website, and will hold a seminar to teach seasonal animal and plant observation methods from January of the beginning of the year.
Regarding the holding of the seminar, the Japan Meteorological Agency said that it was because there were a series of voices calling for the continuation of observations more than expected and for the private sector to change to the Japan Meteorological Agency and establish a system for observation.
The seminar will be held via the Internet, etc., and the staff in charge will explain how to identify the target animals and plants and the characteristics of the sounds of animals.
In the future, we would like to collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment to build a network where we can observe animals and plants and exchange information in the private sector.