Japan Weather Association (Japan)

Despite the increasing number of species assessed for extinction risk by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (163,040 species as of 2024), only about 1 in 1,000 have been downlisted due to genuine population improvement. Although this rare conservation achievement has been widely celebrated in several recent cases, some other downlisting decisions have met with controversy. A primary role of the IUCN is to assess extinction risk. In this role, it must maintain its independence and not be influenced by the public outcry that may occur when a high‐profile species is downlisted, even if well‐established conservation programs may be disrupted or abandoned as a result. We explored the potential positive and negative consequences of downlisting for conservation efforts through case studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), red‐crowned crane (Grus japonensis), saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), and black‐faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), which has recently been proposed for downlisting. Although downlisting can enable more effective use of limited resources, these cases highlight potential risks, including weakened legal backing, diversion of resources away from the species, and declining public and political support. The relatively unquestioned downlisting of the saiga antelope illustrates how early and inclusive engagement of local experts, assessors, donors, and other stakeholders can help ensure that decisions are effectively communicated and implemented without jeopardizing species recovery. The IUCN Green Status of Species assessment is a complementary tool to the IUCN Red List and offers a useful measure of conservation progress, which can help decision makers ensure that downlisting does not undermine long‐term conservation efforts.

Abstract Alternative tactics refer to the discontinuous patterns of phenotypic variation, often expressed as an association of several phenotypes. These tactics are widely observed in several taxa, with individuals in a population choosing a phenotype from multiple options depending on their status. In salmonids, alternative migratory tactics‐where some individuals undergo feeding migration to the ocean and others remain in their natal streams are associated with exaggerated phenotypic variations. Such discrete alternative phenotypes can have complex impacts on ecological and evolutionary processes (e.g., reproduction and the trait changes due to natural selection) owing to the large differences in demographic rates between tactics. In this study, to explore the eco‐evolutionary consequences of alternative migratory tactics in salmonid fishes, we constructed an age‐stage structured population model focusing on females. As individuals choose a tactic based on their own status, we incorporated the size structure of juveniles into the population dynamics and explored the evolution of the threshold trait. At the evolutionary endpoint, the threshold trait maximized the population size. Furthermore, the coexistence of resident and migrant tactics within a population occurred when the river environment was relatively poor and/or the ocean environment was rich; otherwise, all individuals adopted the resident tactic. This model provides several insights into the eco‐evolutionary response of the population to environmental change. For example, the increase in survivorship during migration increased the population size and the fraction of migrants as an ecological and evolutionary response, respectively.

Food security in Africa was impacted as a result of supply chain disruptions and government lockdowns brought on by the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With participation from important actors in the agricultural value chain, the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) assessed the effect of COVID-19 on agri-food system in Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. Farmers, agro-processors, private service providers, off-takers and merchants, input dealers, and Ministry of Agriculture Extension service personnel are among the value chain actors that took part in the study. The survey, which was held from April 13 to April 16, 2020, used semi-structured tools and questionnaires aimed at the different stakeholders. The study used a cluster sample technique. The data were analyzed using SPSS software, which included frequency counts, percentages, rank correlation, and categorical regression. Based on the severity of the lockdowns associated to COVID-19, the survey found that the outcomes differed by country. The analysis shows a negative association between e-extension and education during the COVID-19 epidemic, but a high and positive correlation (p < 0.01) between extension services and postharvest services, as well as credit availability. Factors such as transportation, labor availability, price fluctuations, output market activity, loan availability, and food and nutrition security were significantly and positively correlated with COVID-19 awareness. Additionally, the respondents indicated that price changes were favourably correlated with labour availability and transportation, and that farming activities were significantly and positively correlated with food and nutrition security, labour availability, and the output market. According to the perspective data collected in every country during the COVID-19 epidemic, postharvest services, agricultural input activities, and food and nutrition security all heavily relied on extension services, with postharvest services having a negative correlation with extension services. The results of the analysis show that COVID-19 impacted several variables that are associated with extension services across the four countries. For instance, the R2 value of the relationship between value chain variables and extension service delivery across Mali (0.485), Nigeria (0.621), Ethiopia (0.426), Uganda (0.529), and the combined countries (0.511) indicates that the variation of the dependent variables can account for 48.5% of the variation in the values of the independent variable (extension service delivery) in Mali, 62.1% in Nigeria, 42.6% in Ethiopia, 52.9% in Uganda, and 51.1% in the combined countries. Farmers' access to agricultural labour, credit services, inputs for agriculture, and output markets was restricted by the ban on travel and social gatherings. Smallholder farmers should employ digital solutions more to strengthen the agricultural value chain's actors' resilience against potential pandemics or conflicts, according to the study's implications for extension services. This will reduce the requirement for extensive personal touch and travel in the delivery of extension services. The study also highlights how crucial it is for extension services to show tangible outcomes and benefits in order to increase farming communities' and value chain actors' resilience in any difficult circumstances. Key words: COVID-19, food systems, extension services, value chain actors, output markets

ABSTRACT This research is dedicated to examining downslope sediment transport on steep shorefaces. We present a model that incorporates nonlinear surface wave profiles, sediment movement thresholds, and slope effects, utilizing a set of semi-empirical formulas. The model quantitatively assesses the disparity between wave-augmented upslope transport and gravity-augmented downslope transport, and computes sediment transport rates using a single calibration coefficient. Validation of the model is carried out in the Fuji coast of Japan, where offshore wave conditions and seabed topography with a uniform grain size distribution serve as inputs. The computational outcomes reveal that sediment transport primarily occurs under high wave conditions, and downslope transport dominates on steep slopes. The calibration coefficient is determined through a comparison with observed data, demonstrating a strong agreement in the average annual sediment loss in the target area. Moreover, the model offers insights into the possible mechanism behind the existence of a transition area between the upper and lower shoreface, marked by an abrupt change in seabed slope.

The water quality of Shigenobu River, which is the important river in Ehime prefecture, has been improved. However, the factors of the water quality improvement are not clarified until now. In this study, we evaluated the long-term changes of water quality, land use, population density and sewage coverage rate in Shigenobu River basin by water quality data and GIS (Geographic Information System) analysis. In addition, we examined the factors affecting the water quality changes by calculation of pollutant load unit and multiple regression analysis. From 2000 to 2018, BOD, TN and TP concentrations in Shigenobu River basin had decreased. In particular, the concentrations in Ono River basin had largely decreased. As for BOD, TN and TP load, Ono River had the highest contribution to the total load in Shigenobu River basin, which suggested that measures in Ono River basin would be important for reducing the total pollutant loads in Shigenobu River basin. As a result of multiple regression analysis, BOD, TN and TP concentrations were affected by population density, paddy field ratio and sewage coverage rate. Among these factors, sewage coverage rate was the most influential variable. Therefore, it was considered that the increase of sewage coverage rate in the river basin would contribute to the water quality improvement in Shigenobu River.

Infrasound carries information useful for detecting a strong natural phenomenon such as volcanic eruption and tsunami, which may cause catastrophic disaster. Therefore, infrasound measurement is gathering attention for potential applications in disaster prevention and life protection. However, the methodology of its measurement has not been well established except a few specific applications such as Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). Some sensor devices employ Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors, which are, in general, small and available at a low price. This advantage enables us to increase the number of locations where infrasound can be monitored at multiple observation points. Another attempt is to assemble multiple sensors of different characters for widening dynamic range and frequency coverage of the sensor. These progress in infrasound measurement would make it possible to utilize infrasound in various purposes. In this respect, infrasound measurement needs to be standardized because one may want to analyze infrasound data together with those acquired using different devices by other organizations. At the same time, a platform for sharing infrasound data is becoming important to accelerate such usage. This paper overviews recent development of sensor devices for infrasound measurement and sensor deployment on going in Japan.

Transitioning to the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement (PA) from the current measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) arrangements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) requires developing countries to enhance their national reporting systems in a sustainable way. There are various challenges that developing countries face in preparing national reporting under the existing MRV framework. The objective of this paper is to identify practical solutions as good practices in the short and long term to address the common challenges facing many developing countries as they prepare their national climate reporting. We collected information on practical solutions implemented by developing countries to overcome common challenges during preparation of their national reporting. There were some limitations regarding data collection using a country survey since we received responses from only six countries and two organizations, resulting in a small sample. Good practices for addressing common challenges include developing a national legal framework for transparency-related work, assigning a main coordinating institution, collaborating with domestic institutions for methodology development on emission reduction, and establishing university curricula on transparency. Replicating these solutions as good practices on how to deal with the challenges would be one way for developing countries to enhance their respective reporting systems in a sustainable manner. Furthermore, the paper highlights three underlying factors (efficiency, accountability, and sustainability) behind those practical solutions. These underlying factors should be considered important as guiding principles for building sustainable reporting systems in order to be able to successfully implement the ETF.

When considering the propulsion performance of a ship, one of the most important factors is the propeller design. Generally, it has been known that propulsion efficiency is greater if a propeller has a larger diameter and low propeller shaft speed. However, it is equally important to maintain sufficient distance between the hull and the propeller, known as ‘propeller clearance’, to mitigate fluctuation pressure and the potential for inducing severe hull vibrations. Therefore, propeller designers must consider the propeller clearance while sizing a propeller. KITANIHON SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD is producing 27 chemical tankers of 19,950DWT, using three kinds of propellers with different propeller diameters. Each kind of propeller is similar in geometry except for the diameter. The sea trial results will demonstrate how the propeller diameter affects the ship’s performance. The wave conditions were not ideal during the sea trials, hence the investigation on the performance of propellers requires highly accurate hydrographic data. The authors have analyzed the sea trial data using values from ‘wave hindcast database’ which is reanalyzed historical database from the Japan Weather Association (referred to as JWA) and the authors examined the influence of propeller diameters on performance.