Citizen science for sustainable social-ecological systems, from Japanese experience

14th Congress of the International Society of Ethnobiology1-7 June 2014 in Bhutan

Citizen science for sustainable social-ecological systems, from Japanese experience

MIYAUCHI Taisuke, Ph.D.Environmental SociologyHokkaido Universitymiyauchi@let.hokudai.ac.jp

Purpose

• Examine the Japanese version of citizen science and analyze its background, features, and challenges.

Nature-related narrative documentation:The Shishizuka case

• A rural landscape conservation group was formed at Shishizuka in 1989. And they starts rural people’s narrative documenting in 1999.

Nature-related narrative documentation:The Shishizuka case

• A rural landscape conservation group was formed at Shishizuka in 1989. And they starts rural people’s narrative documenting in 1999.

• Perspective changes from nature to history and community.

• Emphasis on human-nature relationship.

Why citizen science? Background

• Gaps between:- policy framework and the local context- perspectives of science and society- global values and local values- scientific management and communities’

needs• Uncertainty in science

-> Citizen science from the bottom is needed for local sustainability.

Why citizen science? Background

• The importance of interactions between human beings and nature. -> The Japanese version of citizen science focuses on these interactions.

Five species of seashore seaweeds:Nori (Porphyra sp.), Funori (Gloiopeltis spp.), Hijiki (Sargassum fusiforme), Matsumo (Ceratophyllum demersum), and Tsunomata (Chondrus ocellatus)

KitakamiHuman-nature interaction in seashore seaweed collection

Human-nature interaction in seashore seaweed collection

Human activities related to seashore seaweed are observed to ensure sustainable production:

1. Locals extend rocks and install new rocks. “New rocks are productive for seaweed” （ S.T., 2010.3.21 ） . “Installation of new rocks is to increase seaweed production.” （ E.E.,

2009.8.5 ） .

2. Locals sometimes sow seaweed seed by pouring water with seed.

3. Harvesting seaweed enables production for the next year.

“If you do not harvest it, other plants may grow and prevent seaweed from growing.” （ E.E., 2009.8.5 ）

4. Locals leave the bottom part of seaweed to enable regrowth.

Interaction between human beings and nature is crucial to sustainability.

Community rules on seashore seaweed

Community Rules on seashore seaweed

A Community organization’s rules. All types are harvested by each household. Revenue goes to each household.

B

Community organization’s rules with strict punishment. Collective harvesting on the first day of open season and individual harvesting beginning from the second day. The collective harvest revenue goes to the community organization.

C

Community organization’s rules. One type of seaweed is collectively harvested, and its revenue goes to the community organization. The other types are collectively harvested on the first day of open season and individually harvested beginning from the second day.

D

Community organization’s rules. Formerly, collective harvesting on the first and second days of open season and individual harvesting beginning from the third day. The collective harvest revenue went to the community organization. Currently, all individual harvesting.

ECommunity organization’s rules. Collective harvesting on the first day of open season and individual harvesting beginning from the second day. The collective harvest revenue goes to the community organization.

• Each community has its own rules on natural resources.-> Social aspects are crucial to sustainability.

Why citizen science? Background

• The importance of interaction between human beings and nature.• The interactions are based on the local context.• The human dimension and local societal aspects are

crucial.

-> A bottom-up approach and qualitative type of citizen science, studying the interactions between humans and nature and their social aspects, is needed.

Epoch-making event: Forest-related narrative documentation competition (for high-school students) starts in 2003

(source) Listening and Documenting “Kikigaki”: A Tool for Sharing Wisdom for Sustainable Societies

The competition encourages students to document narratives of people involved in forestry: their life history, their attitude and perspective toward nature, as well as their experience and skills.

Beginners’ guidebook for nature-related narrative documentation

You can download from:http://satoyama-initiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Kikigaki_textbook_EN.pdf

National Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) and environmental sociologists have initiated participatory research on human-nature relationships since 2000.

Citizen research on human-nature relationships(“Fureai” Survey)

Its aims: – To investigate the history and situation of the

community and nature– To pursue a peaceful future for the community

and nature

ふれあい思い起こしシート

Human-Nature Relationships Research 1:Survey of local people's memory using their five senses

What is your memory of the land?

SceneSoundSmellTextureTaste

Human-Nature Relationships Research 2:Making maps of local human-nature relationships

Human-Nature Relationships Research 3:Nature-related narrative documentation

Human-Nature Relationships Research 4:Constructing a chronology of human-nature

relationships

Human-Nature Relationships Research: Beginners’ guidebook

Values of citizen science for human-nature relationships1. To get citizens/residents involved

– Those who know the situation best are the best ones to involve

– Research/listening as awareness

2. Citizen and local perspectives are emphasized

3. Narrative is emphasized

4. Building resilience by monitoring human-nature relationships– Monitoring social aspects

5. Re-contextualizing global values to local values

Challenges

1. Citizen science is not yet very popular in conservation activities.

2. Collaboration among local people, citizens and experts is not yet well developed.

3. There are still gaps between citizen science and policy.

• Decision makers may ignore citizen science.• Decision makers may ignore qualitative data.

Conclusion

1. The Japanese version of citizen science focuses not only on nature but also on the human-nature relationship, because this relationship is crucial to sustainability.

2. Japanese citizen science focuses on local people’s narratives.

3. Citizen science has several varieties such as narrative documentation, mapping, making a chronology.

4. Some challenges still exist.

Thank you.Taisuke MIYAUCHI, Hokkaido University

miyauchi@let.hokudai.ac.jp