Graduate School of Environmental Science

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The 4th Matsuno Environmental Science Award recipients

2018-08-30

We are pleased to announce that the following 4 recipients have been selected as recipients of the 4th Matsuno Environmental Science Award. Please visit links below to view abstracts. Full-text papers are available for those with Hokkaido University Repository HUSCAP registration.

Yukari Higuchi
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Astrid Müller
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract and full text (open access; external link)】
【Full text (HUSCAP)】

Issei Asakura
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract (external link)】

Reiko Kohara
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract (external link)】

Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony at 3 p.m. on September 28th, at the Graduate School of Environmental Science Homecoming Day event (Please refer to Homecoming Day 2018 for more details).

——–
Graduate School of Environmental Science established the Matsuno Environmental Science Award in 2015. This award recognizes outstanding research conducted by enrolled students, alumni, and alumnae of the Graduate School of Environmental Science.
——–

[Press Release] Upwelling of macronutrients and dissolved inorganic carbon by a subglacial freshwater driven plume in a Greenlandic fjord

2018-08-28

Hokkaido University issued a press release regarding the research conducted by the research group that includes Naoya Kanna (alumnus of our graduate school), Prof. Shin Sugiyama, Assoc. Prof. Yasushi Fukamachi (Division of Earth System Science).

This research outcome is published in Journal of Geophysical Research–Biogeosciences.

Please visit links below for more details.
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)

[Press Release] What’s behind the retreating kelps and expanding corals?

2018-08-27

Hokkaido University issued a joint press release regarding the research conducted by the research group that includes Assist. Prof. Jorge García Molinos, Assoc. Prof. Masahiko Fujii, Prof. Yasuhiro Yamanaka (Division of Environmental Science Development).

This research outcome is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.

Please visit links below for more details.
Research Press Release (English ver.)
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)

Assoc. Prof. Takeshi Horinouchi gives invited lecture at COSPAR2018

2018-07-27

Associate Professor Takeshi Horinouchi gave an invited lecture at COSPAR2018 held from July 14 to July 22, 2018 in Pasadena, California, USA. COSPAR or Committee on Space Research is an international organization that promotes scientific research in space, and calls a General Assembly every second year, which is one of the biggest conference in space science.

He was one of 4 lecturers selected by the COSPAR Executive Director, the President, and the Chair of the Assembly Scientific Program committee for the Latest Results Session that intends to highlight some recent, outstanding results from world-class scientists. He has been one of world-leading scientists gaining international recognition through his research on Venusian atmosphere by Akatsuki, the Venus Climate Orbiter. (>> [Press Release] Equatorial jet in the lower to middle cloud layer of Venus revealed by Akatsuki)

COSPAR2018 (external link)

6月7日（木）EESセミナーのご案内

2018-05-23

6月7日（木）10:30-12:00にEES seminarを開催します。
演者は、都市における生物の進化についてSCIENCE誌に昨年論文を発表したトロント大学のMarc Johnson博士です。
場所は、北方生物圏フィールド科学センター研究棟２F大会議室（農学部裏に隣接する建物、農学部を通って入れます）になります。
どなたでも奮ってご参加ください。
ポリコムも使用できるようにしますので、ポリコムを通じて参加される方は内海（下記連絡先）までご連絡ください。

EES seminar

Date&Time: 7 Jun 2018, 10:30-12:00
Place: Meeting Room 207, Research Laboratory, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere (see the attached map）

Title: Evolution in life in cities

Speaker: Prof. Marc T. J. Johnson (University of Toronto, Mississauga)

Abstract:
Urban areas represent the fastest growing ecosystem on earth, in which the development of cities dramatically changes the biotic and abiotic environment to create novel ecosystems.
Despite the importance of urbanization, we have little understanding of how urbanization affects the evolution of species that live in cities.
In this talk, I will review our current knowledge of about the effects of cities on multiple evolutionary processes, including mutation, gene flow, genetic drift and natural selection.
I will then describe our work examining how these evolutionary processes affect the ability of plants to adapt to urban environments.
I will conclude with a discussion of existing gaps in our knowledge and a description of the first global study of urban evolution, in which we are looking for Japanese collaborators.

Relevant literature:
Johnson MTJ, Munshi-South J. (2017) Evolution of life in urban environments. Science 358, aam8327.
Thompson KA, Renaudin M, Johnson MTJ. (2016) Urbanization drives the evolution of parallel clines in plant populations.
Proceeding of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 283, 20162180.
Santangelo JS, Johnson MTJ, Ness RW. (In Press) Modern spandrels: the roles of genetic drift, natural selection and gene flow in the formation of parallel clines. Proceeding of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/03/27/289777)
Johnson MTJ, Thompson KA, Saini HS. (2015) Plant evolution in the urban jungle. Am. J. Bot. 102, 1951-1953.

【Contact】:
Shunsuke Utsumi
Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere
Kita 9 Nishi 9, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0809
Tel : 011-706-2589
Email : utsumi@fsc.hokudai.ac.jp

[Press Release] Predicting an insect community structure based on genomic variation in a tree species　　　　

2018-03-16

Hokkaido University issued a press release regarding the research conducted by Shinnosuke Kagiya, a Ph.D. student of Division of Biosphere Science, and Assoc. Prof. Shunsuke Utsumi (Division of Biosphere Science) and their collaborators.

This research outcome is published in Molecular Ecology, a top journal in evolutionary biology/ecology.

Please visit links below for more details.
Research Press Release (English ver.)
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)

[Press Release] Landscape genetics of a threatened maple: Implications for restoring riparian forest connectivity

2018-03-09

Hokkaido University issued a joint press release regarding the research conducted by Prof. Tsutom Hiura (Division of Biosphere Science) and his collaborators of University of Tsukuba and Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute.

This research outcome is published in Biological Conservation.

Please visit links below for more details.
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)

GSES Photography Contest 2017

2018-03-01

環境科学院では、学院での研究活動について構成員相互に、また広く社会一般に知っていただくことを目的に、環境科学院写真コンテストを毎年実施しています。

このコンテストでは、環境科学院・地球環境科学研究院に所属する教員および学生、PD等を対象に、研究活動中の風景や研究対象、 実験や作業風景、活動スナップなど環境科学院での研究にかかわる写真を幅広く募集し、環境科学院広報委員会での審査により各賞を選出いたします。

今年は15名から53作品のご応募を頂き、厳正な審査の結果、以下の7点が2017年の受賞作品に選出されました。受賞作品は、環境科学院正面ロビーに展示されます。また、応募作品は環境科学院紹介パンフレット等の広報写真として掲載される予定です。


最優秀賞
「さあ、行こう」山本淳博氏(地球圏科学、M2)
『アルゼンチン・ペリートモレノ氷河で先輩と２人きりの観測の様子です。ＧＰＳなどを用いて氷河の上を歩き回りました。』


優秀賞
「Mighty step into vast tundra」Shakhmatov Ruslan 氏 (地球圏科学、D1)
『Fieldwork in tundra requires covering of long distances over moist terrain on foot. Stunning view. (Chokurdakh, Russia)』


優秀賞
「雪中松柏」松下 侑未 氏 (地球圏科学、M2)
『トマムに設置してある気象観測測器のメンテナンス中のひとコマ』


優秀賞
「トゥスニンケ—願い事の神様—」渡辺 充 氏 (生物圏科学、M2)
『木の実を食べる様子が願い事をしているように見える事から、エゾリスはアイヌ語でトゥスニンケカムイと呼ばれていたようです。』


カバーフォト賞
「Walking along the beach with the sea wind」ZHOU JINGHUI 氏 (環境起学、M2)
『Last year, I took the course of field work integrated environmental geography. We went to Tokachi and the beach near the Tokachi. In the photo we are looking for a good point to measure with the simple measuring equipment.』


カバーフォト賞
「寒い冬に備えて」内田 健太 氏 (生物圏科学、D3)
『秋のエゾリスは寒い冬に備えてご多忙です。いつもは樹上にいるリスもこの時は地面を忙しく走り回ります。暖かそうな巣材です。』


カバーフォト賞
「真空系」藤元 もも 氏 (環境物質科学、M1)
『真空系のメンテナンスをしている様。』

[Press Release] Discovery of a primordial metabolic system that gives us a glimpse of the origin of life on earth

2018-02-05

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a key metabolic mechanism essential for most organisms. The research group that includes Prof. Yoshito Chikaraishi (Division of Earth System Science) revealed that a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hydrothermal field in the Southern Okinawa Trough has a novel tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, possibly the most primitive form yet known.

This research outcome is published in Science.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (English ver.)
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)

[Press Release] Impacts of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami on rocky intertidal community was lower than expected

2018-01-26

The research group lead by Prof. Takashi Noda (Division of Biosphere Science) developed a framework for quantifying the relationship between intensity and severity of disturbance impacts across types of events and species.

Natural disturbances can decrease population sizes of organisms. To date, however, there is no comprehensive framework to compare the impacts on populations between disturbances with different properties, such as typhoon, cold wave, and tsunami, as well as among different species. Prof. Noda’s group compared impacts of various disturbances on different species with those of 2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami on rocky intertidal organisms using the new framework they developed. Contrary to expectations, the results showed that the impacts of the tsunami on rocky intertidal organisms was lower than that of other disturbances like bomb cyclone, although disturbance intensity of the tsunami was extremely higher than that of other disturbances.

The framework Prof. Noda’s group developed will contribute to evaluate and predict risks of natural disturbances.

This research outcome is published in Scientific Reports.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Arctic NO3− flux remains high despite NOx emission controls

2018-01-24

The research group that includes Assist. Profs. Yoshinori Iizuka and Sumito Matoba, Assoc. Prof. Osamu Seki (Institute of Low Temperature Science), and Ryoto Furukawa who has finished our master’s course (Division of Earth System Science) measured the major ion fluxes in a 90 m ice core drilled from a southeast Greenland dome and presented the records of ion fluxes for the past 60 years at unprecedented high time resolution. They found that the decadal trend of NO3– flux differs from the decreasing trend of anthropogenic NOx emissions. Although NOx emissions have shown a decreasing trend since 1970–80’s, the NO3– flux in the ice core was the highest in the 1990’s and it was higher after 2000 than that in the 1960-80’s. The present result suggests that Arctic NO3– flux remains high despite NOx emission controls by surrounding countries.

These research outcomes are published as two papers in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (English ver.)
Research Press Release (PDF in Japanese)

[Press Release] Cytokine signaling through Drosophila Mthl10 ties lifespan to environmental stress

2017-12-18

An international research group that includes Assoc. Prof. Masanori Ochiai (Division of Biosphere Science) first identified a receptor for the growth-blocking peptide (GBP) cytokine in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a routine model for analysis of cytokine signaling pathways in higher animals. The GBP is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates immunity and metabolism in response to various environmental stresses.
They found that the receptor not only plays important roles in environmental stress responses but also influences lifespan of the fly. The present study provides fundamental knowledge on health and longevity.

This research outcome is published in the PNAS.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Fire-derived charcoal might promote fine root decomposition in boreal forests

2017-11-01

Boreal forests in Russian Far East are frequently subjected to fire disturbance, which emit large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) by burning trees.
An international research group that consists of Assist. Prof. Makoto Kobayashi (Division of Biosphere Science) and researchers of Russian Academy of Sciences provided the first field evidence that fire-derived charcoal may enhance the decomposition of fine larch roots died in sediment. This finding suggests that forest fires can affect CO2 release from boreal forests even after the fires.

This research outcome is published in Soil Biology & Biochemistry.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Stream resource gradients drive consumption rates of supplemental prey in the　adjacent riparian zone

2017-10-12

Decades of research have shown that ecosystems are not “stand-alone” entities; instead, ecosystems are linked each other through cross-system movements of materials such as nutrients, detritus, and organisms, which are called spatial subsidies. Aquatic–terrestrial ecosystem linkage is one of the well-known linkage, but less is known about how much effect changes in an aquatic system have on the adjacent terrestrial ecosystem. A research group that includes Assoc. Prof. Junjiro N. Negishi and a Ph.D. student, Nozomi Watanabe (Division of Environmental Science Development) quantified how riverine productivity (donor system) mediates terrestrial food web interactions through spatial subsidies to simplified gravel bar communities. Their results indicated that higher algal biomass in aquatic systems led to increased supplies of emerging aquatic insects. The results also showed that the increased supplies were associated with greater densities of terrestrial consumers and enhanced consumption rates of supplemental in situ prey on gravel bars. This study highlights the potential of donor productivity to drive cascading biotic interactions across coupled ecosystems.

This research outcome is published in Ecosystems.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Colored snow in alpine: an ecosystem that algae and bacteria weave

2017-09-08

We can see colored snow during the melt season in alpine snowfields. This coloring is known to be due to pigments of snow algae, which can grow even under low temperature. On the other hand, whole microbial community in colored snow have little understanding. A research group that includes Assist. Prof. Mia Terashima, Kazuhiro Umezawa, a Ph.D. student, Assist. Prof. Hisaya Kojima, and Prof. Manabu Fukui (Division of Biosphere Science) analyzed the microbial community of green and red-colored snow containing snow algae from Mount Asahi, Japan. They found that bacteria belonging to the subphylum Betaproteobacteria were frequently detected in both green and red snow. Further results of this paper suggest that the bacteria can utilize the available carbon source in algae-rich environments and may in turn promote algal growth.

This research outcome is published in Frontiers in Microbiology.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

The 3rd Matsuno Environmental Science Award recipients

2017-09-01

We are pleased to announce that the following 4 recipients have been selected as recipients of the 3rd Matsuno Environmental Science Award.

Md. Shariful Islam
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Ryu Saiki
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Venus Leopardas
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Sayaka Fujita
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony at 3 p.m. on September 29th, at the Graduate School of Environmental Science Homecoming Day event (Please refer to Homecoming Day 2017 for more details). Please join us!

——–
Graduate School of Environmental Science established the Matsuno Environmental Science Award two years ago. This award recognizes outstanding research conducted by enrolled students, alumni, and alumnae of the Graduate School of Environmental Science.
——–

[Press Release] Equatorial jet in the lower to middle cloud layer of Venus revealed by Akatsuki

2017-08-31

Assoc. Prof. Takeshi Horinouchi and his international research group estimated wind speeds in the Venusian atmosphere by using the 2-μm infrared camera images from the Akatsuki orbiter. They detected winds at low latitude exceeding 80 m/s during July and August 2016. The angular speed around the planetary rotation axis peaks near the equator, and thus they named this wind “equatorial jet”.

This research outcome is published in Nature Geoscience.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Evidence for ice-ocean albedo feedback in the Arctic Ocean shifting to a seasonal ice zone

2017-08-30

Summer sea ice extent in the Arctic Ocean has been reduced by half in the last 40 years. This means that the Arctic Ocean is shifting from perennial to seasonal ice zone where the sea ice disappears in summer. Researchers have focused on several factors that cause this sea ice retreat. A research group that includes Prof. Kay I. Ohshima (Division of Earth System Science) provided quantitative evidence that ice-albedo feedback due to the albedo contrast between water and ice is a major factor in the sea ice retreat.

This research outcome is published in Scientific Reports.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Reduction in cloud condensation nuclei activity of water-soluble aerosols caused by biogenic emissions in a cool-temperate forest

2017-08-22

Biogenic organic aerosols can affect cloud condensation nuclei properties. Researchers, however, are not yet sure of how the difference in the types of terrestrial biogenic sources and the abundance of organics relative to sulfate affect cloud condensation nuclei properties. A research group that includes Astrid Müller, a doctoral student, Assist. Prof. Yuzo Miyazaki (Division of Earth System Science), and Prof. Tsutomu Hiura (Division of Biosphere Science) have investigated water-soluble aerosols for two years in a cool-temperature forest at Tomakomai Experimental Forest, HU (northern Japan). They found evidence that a reduction in cloud condensation nuclei activity of water-soluble aerosols was caused by biogenic emissions from litter/soil microbial activity near the forest floor.

This research outcome is published in Scientific Reports.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Roots of Japanese house mice: implications for understanding the origin of Japanese

2017-08-21

A research group of Prof. Hitoshi Suzuki (Division of Biosphere Science) have long investigated genetic diversity of Japanese house mice (Mus musculus) across Eurasia, including the Japanese archipelago, for over 30 years. Here, by using genetic analyses, his group revealed a long-standing question: when and how the ancient house mice immigrated into Japan. The results of the analyses indicated that the ancient wild populations of the mice immigrated at least twice into Japan in association with prehistoric developments in agricultural techniques by human beings: first from Southern China ca. 4000 years ago and then from the Korean Peninsula ca. 2000 years ago. These two lineages were mixed first in western Japan, then in northern Japan with a delay of about 1,000 years. Furthermore, the results also suggest that another lineage of South Asia-origin might have immigrated into Japan before the two lineage immigrations.

This research outcome is published in Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, a British biological journal.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Bryophytes as bioindicators of the atmospheric environment in urban-forest landscapes

2017-08-10

Prof. Tsutom Hiura (Division of Biosphere Science; Tomakomai Experimental Forest) and Lecturer Yoshitaka Oishi (Fukui Prefectural University) developed an efficient method evaluating the atmospheric environment in urban-forest landscapes by using bryophytes. Bryophytes, which have simple body structures, can respond sensitively to environmental changes, particularly atmospheric environments. In this paper, they showed that measuring concentration and stable isotope ratio of nitrogen in bryophytes enable us to evaluate a level of nitrogen pollution, which is becoming serious in urban areas. In addition, they found that richness of hygrophilic life-forms can reflect the level of drought stress associated with urban heat islands. The combinational use of these bryophyte metrics can contribute to comprehensive understanding of atmospheric environments.

This research outcome is published in Landscape and Urban Planning.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

Prof. Masashi Ohara and Assoc. Prof. Ken-ichi Yamazaki selected for Hokkaido University Commendation for Excellent Teaching

2017-08-05

The Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education selects Hokkaido University Commendation for Excellent Teaching recipients every year based on students’ feedback on the General Education Courses.

Thirty-two courses were selected based on the students’ feedback conducted last year. Prof. Masahi Ohara and Assoc. Prof. Ken-ichi Yamazaki, Division of Biosphere Science, were selected as commendation recipients. Prof. Ohara has been selected for the commendation 5 years in a row!

Name of their lectures recognized:
General Education Courses “Biology II” (Prof. Ohara)
General Education Courses “Biology I” (Assoc. Prof. Yamazaki)

Please refer to the following URL for more details:
http://educate.academic.hokudai.ac.jp/center/enquete/enquete.htm

[Press Release] “Herring-derived nutrients”: evidence from historical delta15N records of kelps

2017-07-25

Kelp (Saccharina spp.) beds along the west coast of Hokkaido (Japan Sea) were used to be commercially exploited, but are currently decreasing. This is believed to be due to the present nutrient limitations. To date, however, the mechanisms that caused the nutrient limitations are still unclear because of a lack of scientific data on historical nutrient changes in this region. Dr. Takanori Kuribayashi (he received a doctoral degree as an adult student of our school), Lecturer Tsuyoshi Abe (Hokkaido University Museum), and Specially-appointed Prof. Shigeru Montani (Division of Biosphere Science) hypothesized that nutrients for Saccharina spp. beds may have been derived from spawning herrings (Clupea pallasii), which were previously caught 500–1000 times more than now. To test this hypothesis, they focused on stable nitrogen isotope ratios (delta15N) of 100- to 135-year-old Saccharina specimens preserved at Hokkaido University Museum. Delta15N values of old Saccharina specimens in this region were in the range of 10‰, which is significantly higher than the current specimens (3–7‰). This high delta15N supports the “herring-derived nutrients” hypothesis.

This research outcome is published in PLOS ONE.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Greater than expected increase in atmospheric water vapor in response to increased air temperature

2017-07-12

Extremely heavy precipitation affects human society and the natural environment, and thus its behavior under a warming climate needs to be elucidated. Assoc. Prof. Tomonori Sato (Section of Integrated Environmental Science) and Dr. Mikiko Fujita (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) analyzed the relationship between atmospheric water vapor content and surface air temperature using precipitable water vapor derived from global positioning system satellites. This research outcome is published in Scientific Reports.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Improving detection accuracy of incoming Asian dust (Kosa)

2017-06-05

Monitoring incoming particulate matters such as Asian dust (Kosa in Japanese) is essential to keep us healthy. On 7 March 2016, the Terra/MODIS true color image clearly captured a yellow band over Hokkaido, Japan. On the same day, however, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported no Kosa event in Japan. An international research team that includes Assist. Prof. Sumito Matoba (Division of Earth System Science) investigated whether this event was due to Kosa transport or not, with the ground-based observations in Sapporo and Takikawa, Hokkaido and NASA’s MERRA-2 re-analysis data. This research outcome is published in Scientific Online Letters on the Atmosphere (SOLA), a letter journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Molecular phylogeny of a parasitic isopod family Cymothoidae

2017-04-25

Parasitic isopods of the family Cymothoidae may be one of the most familiar fish parasites particularly to fishermen. Cymothoid isopods are distributed in diverse aquatic environments from freshwater to deep sea with various parasitic modes (fish mouth, gill, skin, and body cavity). Their evolutionary diversification process is, however, still largely unknown. Assist. Prof. Ryota Kawanishi (Section of Integrated Environmental Science) and his collaborators of Ehime University, Hirosaki University, and Research Institute for Humanity and Nature conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses by collecting cymothoids and related species from across the world. They found a possibility that a common ancestor of Cymothoidae originated from the deep sea and expanded to shallower habitats. They also revealed at least two independent origins of freshwater lineages in the family. This research outcome is published in Marine Biology.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese ver. only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Dissolved iron distribution in the western and central subarctic Pacific

2017-04-25

Phytoplankton growth is broadly limited by iron (Fe) availability in the subarctic Pacific. To investigate which Fe sources control the amplitude of seasonal variation in biogeochemical parameters in the subarctic Pacific, Assoc. Prof. Jun Nishioka (Division of Earth System Science) and Assoc. Prof. Hajime Obata (the University of Tokyo) examined the spatial variation in the west-to-east distribution of dissolved Fe (DFe) across the western and central subarctic Pacific. Results indicated that the western Fe-rich intermediate water is well explained by external sedimentary Fe sources and water transport systems from a subpolar marginal sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the continental margin. This research outcome is published in Limnology and Oceanography, a journal of the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Breakup of land-fast sea ice in East Antarctica and its teleconnection to tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures

2017-04-17

Assoc. Prof. Shigeru Aoki (Division of Earth System Science) investigated breakups of land-fast sea ice in Lützow-Holm Bay, East Antarctica using satellite imaging data. He found its teleconnection to tropical Pacific sea-surface temperatures. This study offers hope for future predictions of ice behavior to merit the logistics to Antarctic research stations.

This research outcome is published in Geophysical Research Letters.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Sustainable Tourism by an academic-industrial alliance with Hoshino Resorts

2017-04-13

Research on a long-term academic-industrial alliance between Hoshino Resorts and our graduate school was published in Journal of Sustainable Tourism, one of the famous academic journals on tourism. This journal focuses sustainable tourism, which respects environmental resources and cultural heritage in each region while bringing social and economic benefits.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Evaluating the aesthetic value of landscapes in Hokkaido using geotagged photos shared on SNS

2017-04-10

A research team of Nobuhiko Yoshimura, a doctoral student (Division of Environmental Science Development), and Prof. Tsutomu Hiura (Division of Biosphere Science) developed a new method to evaluate the aesthetic value of landscapes in Hokkaido using geotagged photos shared on SNS (Flickr) in order to reveal demand and supply of cultural ecosystem services. This method enables to evaluate the value of landscapes in detail and over a wide area, and is also applicable in many other locations. Therefore, it will be helpful to determine which locations should be targeted for environmental conservation or used for tourism. This research outcome is published in Ecosystem Services.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (English)

[Press Release] Why did you want to climb trees? Adaptive significance of arboreality for a tree-climbing land snail

2017-04-10

A research team that includes Prof. Tsutomu Hiura (Division of Biosphere Science) revealed that the reason why Sapporo-maimai, an arboreal snail, live in trees where it seems to be a unique habitat. The research outcome shows that the snail, after hibernation on the forest floor during winter, move into the treetops and then come back down to the ground in fall. It also shows lower predation pressure in the trees than on the forest floor and the snail’s different feeding habits in trees from forest-floor dwelling snails.
Airy environment like in trees is generally believed as an unsuitable habitat for snails. However, this research lead to a clear finding that Sapporo-maimai has developed to adapt to living in trees where there are fewer predators and plenty of foods.
This research is receiving high evaluations in terms of proving the snail’s adaptation to living in trees under natural environment focusing on arboreal snails that represent slowest animals in the world. It is a thought-provoking result about the significance of conservation of virgin forests where they can survive.

This research outcome is published in Animal Behaviour.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (English)

[Press Release] The function of appendage patterning genes in mandible development of the sexually dimorphic stag beetle

2017-02-20

An international research group that consists of Assoc. Prof. Toru Miura, his lab’s former and present graduate students, and researchers of Nagoya Univ., Washington State Univ., and the Univ. of Montana-Missoula analyzed developmental functions of limb-patterning genes in the sexually dimorphic stag beetle. They found that the dachshund expression is required for enlargement of male stag beetle mandibles. The corresponding author, Assist. Prof. Hiroki Gotoh of Nagoya Univ. is a researcher who completed his Ph. D. work in our graduate school. He is also a winner of the Matsuno Environmental Science Prize of this academic year.

This research outcome is published in Developmental Biology, an international academic journal on developmental biology.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Climatic instability over the past 720,000 years revealed by Antarctic ice cores and climate modeling

2017-02-20

An international research group that consists of 64 researchers of 31 organizations revealed state dependence of climatic instability over the past 720,000 years from Antarctic ice cores and climate modeling. Assoc. Prof. Masakazu Yoshimori (Faculty of Env. Earth Sci.), Prof. Ralf Greve, and Assist. Prof. Yoshinori Iizuka (Institute of Low Temp. Sci.) of our graduate school have taken part in the research team. This research outcome is published in Science Advances, an AAAS’ open access online journal.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Promiscuous lamprey found to conduct “sham matings”

2017-02-20

Chitose Yamazaki, a Ph.D. student of the Division of Biosphere Science, and Assoc. Prof. Itsuro Koizumi revealed that the nonparasitic lamprey Lethenteron kessleri female mates repeatedly without releasing eggs, in a behavior termed “sham mating,” suggesting the possibility that females choose their mates while engaged in promiscuous mating habits. This research outcome is published in Journal of Ethology, an academic journal of Japan Ethological Society.

Please visit links below to view the press release.
Research Press Release (PDF)

Hokkaido University President’s Awards for the academic year 2016

2017-02-02

These following 4 faculty members of Graduate School of Environmental Science were recognized for Hokkaido University President’s Awards for Research Excellence and for Teaching Excellence for the academic year 2016.

President Award for Research Excellence

Associate Professor Toru MIURA, Course in Ecological Genetics, Division of Biosphere Science (Faculty of Environmental Earth Science)
Associate Professor Jun NISHIOKA, Course in Geochemistry, Division of Earth System Science (Institute of Low Temperature Science)

President Award for Education Excellence

Professor Koji SUZUKI, Course in Geochemistry, Division of Earth System Science (Faculty of Environmental Earth Science)
Associate Professor Masahiko FUJII, Course in Human and Ecological Systems, Division of Environmental Science Development (Faculty of Environmental Earth Science)

The International Priority Graduate Programs (IPGP) seminar was held

2017-01-13

Our graduate school has conducted the International Priority Graduate Programs (IGBP) supported by the MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan) since 2015. This program provides excellent foreign students with a good opportunity to learn and research environmental sciences in Japan, as well as with a scholarship and other supports. To date, a total of 12 graduate students were enrolled at master’s or doctoral courses of our graduate school through this program (including the Top Global University Project). On December 27, the IGBP seminar, in which second-year graduate students present their research progresses, was held at our graduate school. The graduate students and faculty members enjoyed a lively discussion.


[Press Release] Immigrating into a once-dried stream in winter: implications for river management for fishes

2017-01-11

A research team of Assoc. Prof. Itsuro Koizumi and his graduate students (Division of Biosphere Science) revealed that, in winter, more than 10,000 juvenile fishes that include species not only with high swimming ability (Japanese dace and non-native rainbow trout) but also with low swimming ability (Siberian stone loach) immigrated to a small stream that had once dried up in summer. This result suggests that apparently negligible stream may provide critical overwintering habitats for some fishes. This research outcome is published in Ichthyological Research, an academic journal of the Ichthyological Society of Japan.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Physicochemical properties of bottom ice from Dome Fuji, inland East Antarctica

2017-01-06

A research team led by Assist. Prof. Yoshinori Iizuka (Division of Earth System Science) and researchers of Kitami Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Polar Research revealed physicochemical properties of bottom ice from Dome Fuji, inland East Antarctica. This research outcome was published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface (Volume 121, Issue 7), and this paper was also selected as the cover image for the issue of the journal.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] The house shrews’ intraspecific phylogeny suggesting a history of human activities

2017-01-06

The house shrews, Suncus murinus–S. montanus species complex, are tiny mammals that often live in a human’s house, and thus their distributions are considered to be closely associated with a history of human activities. An international team of eight countries’ researchers that include Assist. Prof. Satoshi D. Ohdachi and Prof. Hitoshi Suzuki (Division of Biosphere Science) analyzed a mitochondrial DNA region of the house shrews captured from east African coasts to Japan, and revealed the shrews’ intraspecific phylogeny. Results from a phylogenetic tree suggest that the present distribution of the house shrews is due to past human activities such as migration and economic exchange. This research outcome is published in Mammal Study, an academic journal of the Mammal Society of Japan.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Winter aggregation of nonnative rainbow trout in small tributaries: implications for effective control

2016-11-17

A research team of Assoc. Prof. Itsuro Koizumi and his graduate students (Division of Biosphere Science) revealed that rainbow trout, one of “100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species”, immigrated to and extremely aggregated in small tributaries of the Otofuke River, central Hokkaido during the winter. This study has an important implication for effective control of this invasive fish and helps to understand a mechanism of adaptation to a new environment. This research outcome is published in Ichthyological Research, an academic journal of the Ichthyological Society of Japan.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

[Press Release] Revealing activity patterns of representative mammals of Hokkaido by infrared cameras

2016-10-19

A research team that includes a JSPS Research Fellow Takashi Ikeda, currently a research officer at National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, Assoc. Prof. Itsuro Koizumi, and a Ph.D. student Kenta Uchida (Division of Biosphere Science) revealed seasonal and diel activity patterns of representative mammals of Hokkaido such as brown bear, Ezo sika deer, Ezo red fox, and Eurasian red squirrel by using a huge amount of photographic data (total 13,279 photos!) taken by infrared cameras. This study provides a fundamental knowledge of these mammals’ ecologies and has an important implication for wildlife management.

This research outcome is published as a research article of an open-access scientific journal, PLoS One.

Please visit the links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

A patent owned by Assoc. Prof. Toshikazu Kawaguchi et al. was selected for the Minister of MEXT Award

2016-10-13

A patent owned by Assoc. Prof. Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Section of Materials Science, and his co-inventors was selected for the Minister of Education, Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Award in Hokkaido region by Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.

Name of the patent recognized:
自己組織化法によるフッ素成膜 (Patent No.5857145)

Please refer to the following URL for more details:
http://koueki.jiii.or.jp/hyosho/chihatsu/H28/jusho_hokkaido/index.html

[Press Release] Origins of two hemiclonal hybrids among three greenling fishes

2016-10-04

A research team of Assoc. Prof. Hiroyuki Munehara (Usujiri Fisheries Station), with our graduate school’s students, clarified the origin and diversification of two greenling (fishes of the genus Hexagrammos) hybrids and the maternal parent species (H. octogrammus) using maternal inheritance markers. This research outcome is published as an original research of a scientific journal, Ecology and Evolution.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

The 2nd Matsuno Environmental Science Award recipients

2016-08-19

We are pleased to announce that the following 4 recipients have been selected as recipients of the 2nd Matsuno Environmental Science Award. Please visit links below to view abstracts. Full-text papers are available for those with Hokkaido University Repository HUSCAP registration.

Md. Tajuddin Sikder
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】
【Full text (HUSCAP)】

Kazuki Nakata
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Hiroki Gotoh
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】
【Full text (HUSCAP)】

Naoto Fukunaga
【Reasons for selection （PDF in Japanese）】
【Abstract】

Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony at 2 p.m. on September 23rd, at the Graduate School of Environmental Science Homecoming Day event (Please refer to Homecoming Day 2016 for more details). Dr. Sikder, Dr. Gotoh, and Dr. Fukunaga will also have speeches at the Homecoming Day event and tell you their experience, research, and days in school. Please join us!

——–
Graduate School of Environmental Science established the Matsuno Environmental Science Award last year. This award recognizes outstanding research conducted by enrolled students, alumni, and alumnae of the Graduate School of Environmental Science.
——–

Professor Masashi Ohara appears on a radio show at 18:30 on Sunday, August 21st on FM AIR-G’

2016-08-10

“Hokkaido Takarajima” is a Sunday evening talk show on FM Hokkaido (AIR-G’) and the show is featuring Hokkaido University this month, in August. Our president Yamaguchi was interviewed in the first show aired on August 7th. Professor Masashi Ohara, Division of Biosphere Science, will be in the show at 18:30 on Sunday, August 21st, talking about “Elm forests and Trillium camschatcense.” (Recorded)

The Elm means Japanese elm, which you can see many rows of on campus. Trillium camschatcense is a flower from which the motif of Hokkaido University’s badge was originated. Professor Ohara has been conducting research on ecology and conservation of Trillium (Ohara laboratory HP).

On-air schedule:
18:30-18:55, Sunday, August 21st
Hokkaido Takarajima on FM Hokkaido (AIR-G’)
Talk Theme: Elm forests and Trillium camschatcense


Professor Ohara at recording studio

Professor Masashi Ohara selected for Hokkaido University Commendation for Excellent Teaching 4 years in a row

2016-08-05

Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education selects Hokkaido University Commendation for Excellent Teaching recipients every year based on students’ feedback on the General Education Courses.

Thirty commendation recipients were selected based on the students’ feedback conducted last year. Professor Masahi Ohara, Division of Biosphere Science, was selected as one of the commendation recipients and has been selected for the commendation 4 years in a row, which proves that students passionately support his high quality class.

Name of his lecture recognized:
General Education Courses “Biology II”

Please refer to the following URL for more details (Japanese ver. only):
http://educate.academic.hokudai.ac.jp/center/enquete/enquete.htm

Conclusion of a cotutelle agreement with the Faculty of Earth Science and Technology, Xiamen University

2016-07-06

On Thursday, June 23rd, a memorandum of understanding on a cotutelle program was concluded between the Graduate School of Environmental Science and the Faculty of Earth Science and Technology, Xiamen University. This is the first conclusion of a cotutelle program since the program was introduced into Hokkaido University.

A cotutelle program is a program that, after a conclusion of a cotutelle agreement between Hokkaido University and another university overseas, provides systematic joint research supervision for doctoral students for 1 year or more, in principle. When the students who have received joint research supervision satisfy the requirements for completion in their home university, they will be awarded a diploma stating the implementation of joint research supervision that is required for the completion of the doctoral program under both home and host universities.

Xiamen University is a prestigious university that represents South China, which was established by Tan Kah Kee, a well-known Chinese overseas business leader in 1921. The university consists of 27 schools and approximately 40,000 students. Hokkaido University and Xiamen University have been interacting with each other since the conclusion of an inter-university exchange agreement on November 25th, 2010, through visits, international conferences, and Hokkaido University Interaction Day events.

We look forward that the conclusion of this agreement will lead us to promote even more educational and research exchanges between the universities in the earth environmental science fields including oceanography, earth chemistry, ecology, and climatology.

EES Seminar (July 19, 2016) by Prof. Hongbin Liu, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

2016-07-06

2016年7月19日（火）午後2時からD101室にて、H28年度北海道大学招へい教員として滞在中のHongbin Liu教授（香港科技大学）による研究院アワー（EESセミナー）を開催致します（下記参照）。奮ってご参加願います。

鈴木光次（地球圏科学部門）

Prof. Hongbin Liu (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) as a visiting professor of Hokkaido University is going to give a seminar at Rm. D101 from 2 pm, 19 July 2016 (see below). Your attendance would be greatly appreciated.

Koji Suzuki (Division of Earth System Science)

—

EES Seminar

Date: Tuesday, 19 July 2016, 14:00–15:30

Venue: Room D101

Speaker: Prof. Hongbin Liu (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology/Hokkaido University)

Title: Geographical niche differentiation of Synechococcus communities in the Western Pacific Marginal Seas

Chair: Koji Suzuki (Division of Earth System Science)

Abstract: Synechococcus, a cosmopolitan pico-unicellular cyanobacteria, are important primary producers in marine environments. They are both highly phylogenetically and phenotypically diverse. In order to draw a map about the abundance, pigment phenotypic diversity (revealed by cpe genes), and phylogenetic diversity (revealed by rpoC1 gene) of Synechococcus in the western Pacific Ocean and its marginal seas, we collected surface samples in eight cruises from 2009 to 2014, and studied both the phylogenetic types and phenotypes (pigment genetics) of Synechococcus using 454 pyrosequencing and clone library construction and sequencing methods. Synechococcus abundance in this vast area was also determined through flow cytometric analysis. Our results show that the abundance and genetic diversity of Synechococcus were the highest in the East China Sea. Clades I and II were the dominant lineages in the western Pacific Ocean surface waters. We reiterated the global distribution pattern of these two lineages. Clade I Synechococcus may contain six different subclades corresponding to cold and warm water ecotypes. Clade IV Synechococcus were rarely found in this study, though it often co-occurs with clade I. Clade III, VI, VII and S5.3 were also the major Synechococcus lineages in the warm waters of the western Pacific Ocean, but with relatively narrower niche than clade II. There is a latitudinal niche partitioning in Synechococcus pigment phenotypic compositions. Pigment type 3a was abundant in the ECS, while type 3c and/or type 3dB was largely dominant at the SCS. Most strikingly, chromatic acclimaters of the 3dA type constituted almost the sole pigment type in the western subarctic Pacific and the Bering Sea. Our results also showed that Synechococcus communities with a similar phylogenetic composition could have distinct pigment phenotypic compositions, suggesting that the PE-encoding genes have undergone multiple lateral transfers between Synechococcus lineages during the evolution of this genus. The GC and GC3 contents of cpe genes of Synechococcus communities in the ECS are higher than those in other geographic locations, indicating that the pigment genes in the ECS suffered the least pressure. Our results show a geographical differentiation of Synechococcus phylogenetic and pigment phenotypic compositions in the western Pacific Ocean, which can be explained by the adaptation of different clades/types to environmental conditions.

[Research Press Release] Detection of an endangered crayfish using environmental DNA

2016-06-20

A research team that included a doctoral student of our graduate school, Kousuke Ikeda, and his supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Junjiro Negishi, successfully detected the presence of an endangered crayfish (Cambaroides japonicus) which lives in Japanese headwater streams using environmental DNA technique. This research outcome is published in a scientific journal, Conservation Genetics Resources.

Please visit links below to view the press release (Japanese version only).
Research Press Release (PDF)

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